Follow-Up is Important in a Job Search

Think the process of finding of job ends with the interview? Not necessarily. In today's market the competition for solid jobs with strong benefits is fierce. You need to stand out among the dozens, maybe hundreds, of candidates vying for the attention of your ideal employer. In some cases, it may take more than the impressive lines on your resume to grab attention.

Consider your last job interview, think of what went right and what could have been improved. Perhaps you shared a comfortable, informative discussion with your potential employer, and you read signs of interest in the time you spoke. That's great! The initial impression you give to a personnel director or human resources manager is vital to the future of your search, especially if the company intends to hold follow-up interviews to narrow down possible hires. To make sure you stick in people's minds when it comes time to make that decision, you should be prepared to follow up on your job search.

Even before you write that thank-you note, though, you may want to gauge the hiring process in your interview. As you speak with an interviewer, do affirm your qualifications for the job and don't be afraid to ask how long the company expects to take in offering the position. Do your best not to imply that you are weighing this job against others, but that you are interested in a definitely timeline for future planning.

Let's say you interview for a job on a Monday, and in the course of conversation you learn that a final decision will not be made until next Monday. One suggested course of action would be to either send a formal e-mail or a letter thanking the interviewer for his/her time and confirming your interest in the position. Do this the first Monday after your appointment, and if possible provide a flexible starting date for work.

On the following Monday, if you have not heard before then from the company, a follow-up e-mail politely inquiring of their decision could help keep your name in the running. Regardless of the outcome, a good follow-up with a company shows your attention to detail and willingness to work. If by chance you are not selected, but you apply for another position down the road, the impression you leave may last until that point.

A polite, respectful follow-up communication after a job interview is a good way to let employers know of your qualifications and preparedness. Take care after each appointment to let employers know of your appreciation and interest. You may find companies will soon follow-up with you about positions.

Kathryn Lively is a freelance writer specializing in articles on finding jobs in Norfolk and Virginia website design.

Pursuing Human Resources As a Career

Planning a career path suitable to your natural talents need not be a challenge, particularly if excel in personal relations. If you consider yourself outgoing and able to get along with people, if you enjoy research and organizing any number of tasks to help other jobs run smoothly, you may wish to pursue a career in Human Resources.

What is "Human Resources"?

At first glance, one might think the prime duty of this personnel position is to collect resumes from job applicants and arrange interviews. While it is true that the HR Department is the first stop for any candidate, an employee's association with such a director doesn't end once the position is offered.

HR workers are an integral part of any place of business. Just as a high school guidance counselor helps steer students toward scholarship opportunities and career and college information, so the manager in your building is there to assist you with work benefits, insurance enrollment, and training. Human Resources is responsible for overseeing 401(k) programs and work leave policies, relations between employers and employees - and unions where applicable - and must be knowledgeable of laws and regulations that can affect work flow. A personnel manager is a teacher, mediator, and morale officer, and one who is strong in these skills can help a company achieve optimal work production.

If you feel you have the personality and talent for managing the needs of large groups of people, this field could be your calling. Even in times of economic doubt, companies require the work of this kinds of managers to look over employment budgets and prepare retirement and severance packages. To be considered for a position in HR, it is strongly recommended to obtain at least a Bachelor's Degree in Human Resources. Advanced degrees are also available in this field, and may attract you in the future if you wish to look into training future HR managers or work with a national corporation.

Jobs in Human Resources

Once you have the requisite schooling, you will find various opportunities within your field for which you are qualified. Thorough research of classifieds and online marketplace sites may yield these and other related vacancies:

• HR Generalist
• Employee Relations Specialist
• Human Resources Director
• Recruiter
• Employee Compensation Specialist
• Staffing Coordinator
• Manpower Analyst
• Security Assistant
• Training and Development Specialists

For a rewarding career suited to an extroverted personality with a knack for strong planning, Human Resources could be the career for you.

Kathryn Lively freelances articles on finding jobs in Virginia Beach and jobs in Norfolk.

Rework Your Resume For Today's Market

Though the outlook for employment may seem grim with reports of companies executing mass layoffs, it doesn't necessarily mean there are no jobs to be found. A simple search through Internet employment databases may reveal many vacancies, opportunities for you to stand out among others with your expertise. In order to get noticed and get the interview, however, it is important to have an updated, concise resume of your qualifications.

Take a look at your current resume. How long has it been since you last revised it? On average, a person may only update his vitae once a year, if at that. Often, a resume becomes an afterthought while one is employed, and unfortunately is hastily retooled when it is needed. So as not to be caught off-guard, it may be best to pull out your resume every three months or so to see what is relevant in your career path that needs to be recorded. Remember, a resume is not just a list of jobs you have held, but life experiences. A resume is a record of your continuing education through employment, community achievements, and your employable skills.

Have you learned any new skills in your present job that may benefit you during a new search? Work with new computer applications and others skills should be pointed out here. Larger companies emphasizing a sense of community among their employees may search for well-rounded candidates, so if you have done any recent volunteer work be sure to mention it. It is also a good idea to refresh your references, and list somebody who has worked with you in the last six months or so who can vouch for you during a job search.

For years the rule of thumb with resumes has been to keep everything to one page. If you have much information to share, it can be challenge to limit your experiences. Including a URL leading to a more detailed vitae may help an employer see a fuller picture of who you are and what you can bring to the company.

As you work, and as you search for work, remember to keep your resume current and relevant for the jobs you seek. This simple document is your first introduction to a potential employer, so have it ready to make a good impression.

Kathryn Lively is a freelance writer who specializes in articles on jobs in Hampton Roads and Virginia Beach website design.

Why Volunteer Work is Important for Your Resume

Take a look at your resume, is everything in place? You have the education, the requisite skills, and have detailed your job history and outlined the pertinent duties for your search. On the outset it appears you have a polished vitae guaranteed to wow any personnel director or recruiter, but take a closer look. Does it seem like something is missing from your list of accomplishments?

If you have not devoted any time to volunteer work in your community, you may wish to consider looking into what is available for you. While volunteer work doesn’t pay monetarily, the benefits you stand to receive may come to yield a steady paycheck. If you are thinking of looking for jobs in Virginia Beach, try volunteering while you search.

You might ask, “Why should I devote time to volunteering somewhere when I need to find a job?” Think on this: it is not uncommon for a major company to offer manpower and other services to neighborhood non-profit organizations in order to foster a sense of community. The next time you attend a town festival or charity event, take note of the sponsors – local businesses dedicated not only to succeeding, but helping those around them thrive. Volunteering for a local shelter, service group, or church may put you in touch with valuable business contacts, which can lead to future employment.

It’s no secret, either, that HR and staffing directors look at volunteer work when screening candidates. Your efforts not only display a strong drive to do good, but it let employers know you have a generous nature and a willingness to foster positive relations in the community.

As you move forward with your job search, budget time to explore volunteer opportunities that match your skills. Volunteerism could mean a few hours a week answering phones or handling correspondence, light manual labor, or even assisting an organization with its website. The time you put in is as valuable to the community as it is to your future.

Pursuing a Career in Marketing

Marketing in the initial industry sense is defined as the promotion of products and services through advertising and/or branding. If you have considered attending business school, you will find many programs have a concentration solely dedicated to marketing, as it is an important part of any company, whether business-to-business or business-to-customer. Marketing is an industry destined to remain strong so long as there are products to be sold and services to be offered. If you feel you have a strong inclination toward promotion, design, and writing, a career in a marketing field could be for you.

Pursuing a Career in Marketing

Is it necessary to have a degree in Marketing to find a job in the industry? More than likely companies will look for one among applicants, yet it is possible to obtain a good job with a relevant degree - English or Journalism, or perhaps a certificate in Web Design or other creative technologies. Though marketing tends to center on Internet concerns, with Web sites and social media accounting for the bulk of online advertising, it is important to know that older forms of branding and marketing just as important in reaching people. Print media, television, and radio continue to figure into marketing, so if you wish to pursue a specialty you may want to research your options.

Jobs available in Marketing vary from hands-on creative to detailed studies of the company's market and target audience. Just some of the possible positions you could have in this field include, but are not limited to:

Web Design: If you have a knack for HTML and CSS, you can assist a company with its online presence.

Copywriter: All media, whether audio, video or print, requires strong, compelling copy to sell the product. As a copywriter you can craft commercials or Web content, among other marketing tools.

Graphic Artist: If you are more inclined toward creative arts, you can put your talents to use designing bold advertising, brand logos, and Web images for a company in need.

Research Analyst: A good marketing department needs people to track successful and failing campaigns to determine how the budget is best spent.

For an outgoing, creative person with an aptitude for enhancing the best of a product or service, marketing just may be the career for you.

Kathryn Lively is a freelance writer specializing in articles on jobs in Virginia Beach and Virginia web design.

Get

Whether you are new to the neighborhood or have settled in Hampton Roads for several years, there are several opportunities to get involved in your community. Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, and other towns in this metropolitan area offer a number of business and volunteer programs in which you and your family can take part. In addition to serving others in need of help, you are able to make social connections that could prove valuable in the future.

Community Groups of Hampton Roads

The seven cities offer a number of organizations for people interesting in helping the greater metropolitan area and networking for business purposes. Depending on where you live, some of these groups may have requirements for membership. It is highly recommended to research which groups are the best fit for your talents and schedule.

Some places where you wish to offer your time and energy include:

The Norfolk Jaycees - This leadership development organization welcomes new members ages 21 - 40 to participate in a variety of service projects and business training seminars around the city.

Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce - Expanding its reach throughout the Tidewater area, the Hampton Roads chamber works to foster strong leadership values and marketing for its members.

Toastmasters - For decades, Toastmasters Internationals has assisted leaders in business and community with improving communication skills. Area 12 Toastmasters supports the Upper Peninsula of Hampton, Newport News, and Williamsburg.

Scouting Organizations - You won't find better groups that instill respect, patriotism, and charity than the Boy Scouts and Girls Scouts. With several troops set up throughout the area, adult volunteers are needed to help these school-age kids achieve their goals.

Of course, this list doesn't begin to scratch the surface of what's available in Hampton Roads for you to join. If you feel a calling to give your time to others - be it working a few hours in a library or distributing suppers to those less fortunate - there is a non-profit in the area in need of extra hands. Take a look around your neighborhood and see what is there for you, and consider what you have to offer.

Kathryn Lively is a freelance writer specializing in articles on Virginia Beach real estate and jobs in Virginia Beach.

Job Available: Terrority Sales

Position available through Don Richard Associates. Visit our website to learn more about this and other jobs in Norfolk.

TERRITORY SALES - Ref: 37154
$40-$50K base plus commisions

Nashville based company is expanding into new territories of the Richmond and Tidewater areas. The right candidate must be a seasoned sales professional in the printing industry, no other need apply. Candidate must have established "book of business" and the ability to travel. Must be a committed "hunter" of new business accounts.

Click here to apply.

Using an Employment Firm to Find Your Next Job

In today's economy, it's no secret more people are looking for work to regain their household incomes. If you have experienced a lengthy period of unemployment, you may know first-hand the frustration associated with hunting available positions and securing interviews, hoping to make the cut before a slew of other candidates get there first. The best job suited to your skills may not be listed in the newspaper classifieds, either, so how do you know if all the options are presented to you?

College graduates, educators, and workers with advanced technological, legal, or clerical skills may wish to consider finding a job through an employment firm. It's important to note here that not all staffing firms deal with filling temporary positions. Depending on your goals for the future, approaching a temp firm may work if you plan to return to school to brush up on certain skills or obtain a new degree altogether. If you desire full-time work immediately, there are firms in business ready to help you.

Before You Visit an Employment Firm

Just as you would with any potential employer, you should prepare thoroughly for an appointment with an employment firm. These agents represent companies seeking specific candidates, therefore it is important to be ready to answer tough questions and, if necessary, prove your skills. Before you meet with a staff recruiter, be sure you are well-groomed and dressed for the office. Nails should be clean and trimmed and hair kempt; female job seekers may wish to wear make-up, but it is best not to go overboard with cosmetics and perfume. Your goal to project an image these agents believe the companies will see daily.

Have several copies of an updated resume on hand. In the event you meet with more than one person during an appointment, everybody may ask for a copy. Have personal and professional references on hand on separate sheets of paper, too, to deliver on request. Make sure any contact information you have on your references is current, too. If you are asked to take any aptitude or typing tests, just relax and be ready to perform. Especially with firms seeking to fill advanced positions, staffers look for a number of qualities in a potential employee, including one's ability to remain calm under pressure. The more your mind is set to the work at hand, the better you can relax and perform well.

Maintain good posture as you interview, as job recruiters will likely read your body language. Do you slouch in your seat, or make nervous gestures with your hands? If you feel you have a tic that may impair your interview performance, try a practice run with a friend, and watch in a mirror how you react to questions. Work on a calm yet professional presence, sitting up straight and hands still.

After You Visit an Employment Firm

Once you have finished your appointment with a staffing agent, it is important to maintain communication. Follow-up with an e-mail to your interviewer thanking them for their time, and reiterating your contact information in the event a position should come open. If you should happen to secure a job in the interim, notify the firm immediately. It is best to maintain a good relationship, in case you may need their services at another time.

Employment staffing companies are a good resource for potential jobs if you have a specific skill or education requirement, and wish to look beyond online and newspaper classifieds for work. Remember, the rules of applying and interviewing are the same with a firm as with any company, so be sure you are ready before you make that appointment. Good luck!

Kathryn Lively is a freelance writer specializing in articles on jobs in Virginia Beach and Virginia Beach real estate.

Job posting: A/R Accounting Clerk

Temp to hire position in the Upper Peninsula, Hampton Roads

Successful applicant will have 3+ years working exclusively with A/R. Other responsibilities will include invoicing, pre-payments deposits, credit memos, and processing credit card transactions. Position requires A/R skills testing as well as Excel and Word. Individual will work in team environment and assist with other duties as needed.

Contact Sam at Don Richard Associates to apply for this Hampton Roads job.