How to handle Job-Search Rejection

Careerbuilder had a great article posted today. In today's incredibly competitive job market, these tips can be really helpful.

5 Ways to Battle Job-Search Rejection
By Joe Turner, The "Job Search Guy"

Success in a job search is easy to deal with; a job offer feels good, validates us and allows us to move forward in life. We all want it and strive for it. Nevertheless, for most job seekers, our successes are infrequent. They're sandwiched between boatloads of indifference, rejection and apparent failure. If you've been hunting for a job very long, you know what I'm talking about. Job search is one big exercise in rejection until you win that job you've been pursuing.

So, what can you do when you get rejected?

Here are five survival tips for dealing with those vast and daunting oceans of rejection and failure that encircle the tiny islands of success that we all seek.

Put on your sales hat
Any successful commission-driven salesperson knows that success is a numbers game. Salespeople know that every rejection brings them just one step closer to success. With this attitude, you know that rejection leads to success, and you can put rejection into perspective. Just keep going. Count those rejections, and know that you're one step closer to success -- and a good job offer.

Know there is a positive end to this
Step back and observe your job-search process from a larger viewpoint. You may feel as if you're wandering in the desert and that you can't see the solution or find the right job, but know that your search is finite. You will eventually find employment that's right for you. Accept that you're in a process, and let yourself live with the questions. One day you will grow into the answers, and you will find the right job for you.

Be grateful
When you lose out on a job opportunity, it is because it wasn't the right job for you. You do not want to win a job that is wrong for you. I can think of at least four jobs that I was rejected from in my own past. I remember feeling dejected and depressed at the time because I thought each one was the "perfect opportunity" for me.

As so often happens, the irony of life plays itself out and I later realized that, for various reasons, none of those jobs would have worked for me. Because of events in the economy and my own life, I realized I would have failed in all of those jobs. The flip side: Less than two months later, I found and accepted an opportunity that allowed me huge career growth and financial reward beyond my expectations.

Try this: Set a goal and hold a vision of what you want. Then give the universe room to deliver the best job for you. Always set your intention with the words "or better." You can say, "I will win job X job or better." Admit that you don't really know which job is right for you. Know that the right job will come to you. This will alleviate some anxiety.

Activity over passivity
Do something every day to further your search. Positive action diminishes anxiety and other negative feelings. To prevail in today's competitive job-search process, it requires an iron will and determination that you will not be defeated. Remind yourself daily that you will prevail and succeed at this challenge.

If you're really serious about finding employment, become more proactive. Stretch yourself. Get out of your comfort zone and aggressively seek out the so-called "hidden job" market. It's been estimated that 70 to 80 percent of job hires come from sources other than Internet job postings or recruiters. These are the jobs that aren't listed, don't have an actual requirement or are otherwise "created" when the right person shows up -- this is the segment known informally as "inside referrals."

What's your game plan for tapping into this market? There are many approaches involving direct marketing, personal branding and networking. Whatever approach you choose, develop a concerted action-based game plan with the expectation that you're going to win. You'll feel more in control of your destiny when you move beyond searching the Internet postings for your next job opportunity. Job searching is tough enough. Don't isolate yourself behind a computer screen.

I don't need this job
As one HR director once told me, "We can smell blood five miles away." Lose the emotions of "desperation" and "defeat" in your interviews. Sure, one particular opportunity may look great walking in, but remember this: You may need many things in life but you don't need this job. Register this in your brain.

Also remember that the employer has a problem, not a job. Think of the interview as a problem-solving opportunity with this hiring manager. It allows you to focus on what the employer needs, not your needs. Now you're able to sell yourself in the many specific ways you can help solve their problem. That's all they really care about. Once done, you gain their attention, respect and desire to know more about you. You can't get there by walking in wounded and bloody with anxiety and desperation.

As a recruiter, Joe Turner has spent the past 15 years finding and placing top candidates in some of the best jobs of their careers. Author of "Job Search Secrets Unlocked" and "Paycheck 911," Turner has been interviewed on radio talk shows and offers free insider job search secrets at: http://www.jobchangesecrets.com.

How To Get Your Resume Noticed

Yahoo! Hotjobs has posted this great article including tips to getting your resume noticed.


Be Gutsy at Work
12 Tips to Get Your Resume Noticed
by: Tory Johnson

Gone are the days of simply mailing your resume, receiving a call, shaking hands at the interview, and agreeing on a start date for that new job. The Internet has taken over the recruiting landscape, and everyone is required to submit a resume online. While that brings greater efficiency to the process for employers, it can be awfully maddening for job seekers. But it doesn't have to be that way if you know how to navigate the system.

Consider these 12 tips before pressing "submit" to send your resume:

1. Search job boards and the websites of employers that appeal to you. Print out the job postings that you're interested in pursuing before you apply.

2. Use a highlighter to mark the keywords and industry language used to describe the requirements and responsibilities.

3. Compare those words and phrases to the language that appears in your current resume.

4. Figure out how and where to add the most relevant keywords to your resume, assuming you have the specific knowledge, skills, and experience. Applicant tracking systems will search for keyword matches -- the more matches, the better, which often determines if a recruiter opts to view your resume.

5. Once you're confident that your resume reflects a strong match, go ahead and submit that targeted resume online.

6. If the system requests a cover letter, write a short one that expresses why you're a strong match and why you'd like to join the organization. This is a chance to tout your research on the role.

7. Never submit a generic, one-size-fits-all resume or cover letter. If you really want the position, you'll customize all documents for each job.

8. Once you apply, get to work to find an internal referral to make a personal introduction. Here's how:

Make a list of 50 people you know and ask each one if they know someone who works (or has worked) at that employer.

Attend job fairs to meet face-to-face with employers and other professionals.

Create a free profile and become active on LinkedIn.com or Facebook.com, which boast a combined 60 million users. Surely you can find someone who knows someone to make that connection.

Create a free Twitter.com account and "follow" friends and post requests for help. (You can follow me at Twitter.com/ToryJohnson where I post job leads and where fellow followers can help with contacts.)

Join an association in your field and network with like-minded peers.
Connect with your high school and college alumni groups. Old pals could be new connectors.

Talk to your unlikely network. For example, look at the class list of the parents of your kids' friends. Anytime my kids hear about a friend's mom or dad who's lost a job, they tell them to call me. Even though we don't know each other, we have a common connection that can sometimes lead to a contact.

9. Follow up with a call or email to the recruiter responsible for filling the position. Never say, "Did you get my resume?" Instead be ready to reiterate your strong qualifications and interest in the role. You'll have just a brief moment to sell yourself, so rehearse before making the call or sending the email.

10. Don't know the name of the right person? Cold-call the company and ask an operator to put you through. If that doesn't work, do a Web search on the term "recruiter" or "HR director" along with the name of your employer of choice. The results may reveal the name you're trying to find. LinkedIn is another resource to find the correct name.

11. Stay top of mind. Every recruiter is different, which makes this a challenge. Some say you're welcome to follow up weekly. Others say every other week is enough. And then there are some who'll tell you to never call. Find the right balance so you're politely persistent without crossing over to a pest.

12. Ask directly for advice on how and when to follow up. A simple question, "What's the best way to keep in touch?" will give you the details you need to stay ahead of the pack.


Tory Johnson is the CEO of Women For Hire and the Workplace Contributor on ABC's "Good Morning America." Connect with her at womenforhire.com.
The opinions expressed in this column are solely the author's.

Shipping Clerk

DISCOVER STAFFING is currently seeking an experienced Shipping Clerk for a company in Alpharetta. Must have experience with packing and shipping. Must know how to use UPS and FedEx systems. $10-$11 depending on experience.

Please send resume to laura@discoverstaffing.com. Candidates must be local to the Alpharetta area and have reliable transportation.

Dispatcher

DISCOVER STAFFING is currently seeking candidates for a 3 to 4 month assignment in Doraville. This position will be responsible for dispatching field technicians through a GPS tracking system. Must have previous experience in dispatch or telephone customer service. Must have strong skills in MS Windows programs. $12+ based on experience.

Please send your resume to laura@discoverstaffing.com for consideration.

Technician

DISCOVER STAFFING is currently seeking candidates for a Technician position in Alpharetta. Responsible for troubleshooting and repair of electronic assemblies, printed circuit boards and mechanical assets. Must have an AS Degree in Electronics or Equivalent experience. Minimum of 1 year experience.

Candidates must be local to the Alpharetta area and have reliable transportation. Only qualified candidates will be considered. Please send your resume to laura@discoverstaffing.com for consideration.

Writing Cover Letters

MSN Career and Careerbuilder have presented this article on writing a perfect cover letter.

Write a Winning Cover Letter in 15 Minutes
By Selena Dehne, JIST Publishing

Most job seekers know that to land an interview they need more than a strong résumé. They need a well-written cover letter to go with it. That doesn’t stop them from trying to brainstorm any excuse they can to avoid having to write one.

Yet, skipping this critical step in the job search is one of the worst faux pas a job seeker can make.

"Job seekers should never send a résumé to someone without explaining why," says Michael Farr, author of "The Quick Résumé & Cover Letter Book".

"Whether you’re mailing, faxing or e-mailing your résumé, it’s important to provide a cover letter with it. Even when you post your résumé to a job bank or employer Web site, the site often has a place where you can upload or paste a cover letter. The fact is most employers expect candidates to send both."

Writing a cover letter shouldn’t be difficult or time consuming, even though many job seekers mistakenly believe it is. If a person has 15 minutes to spare, he has enough time to write a cover letter, according to Farr.

Fifteen minutes?!

"You can write a cover letter that is personal and effective in about 15 minutes. It may take you longer at first, but after a few times, you should understand the process well enough that you’ll be able to quickly create the letter, review it and send it to employers," says Farr.

His process for crafting a quick and effective cover letter includes the following steps:

Write to a particular person
Whenever possible, avoid writing “To whom it may concern” or other impersonal openings. Instead, make an effort to find out who the hiring manager is. Call the company or research on the Web. In the case of a “blind ad,” a generic salutation will have to do.

Provide a friendly opening
In addition to stating why they have sent their résumé and cover letter, job seekers should remind the reader of any prior contact they may have had. For example, "I am following up on the brief phone chat we had earlier today," or "I enjoyed our conversation at the recent CPA Society meeting and, as you suggested, I am forwarding my résumé with this letter of interest in joining your organization."

Personalize your content
Job seekers should steer clear of merge mailings that allow them to send the exact same letter to multiple employers. Hiring managers can see right through these and are seldom impressed. It’s important that whoever receives the letter believes it was written specifically to him.

Target your skills and experience
Include any relevant background or achievements that may be of particular interest to the employer. To know which details to include, job seekers must have a little knowledge about the organization. This can be gathered from Internet research or talking with people who are familiar with the organization or its staff members.

Close with an action statement and contact information
Never leave it up to the employer to make the next step. Job seekers should express an interest for further contact and say which steps they will take next. For example, "I will contact you next week to request an interview for current or future positions. Feel free to contact me sooner at (555) 348-7987."

Once the letter has been written, proofread it several times and gather feedback on it from other people. Next, choose which method—mail, fax or e-mail—is most likely to quickly get the cover letter and résumé to employers.

Most importantly, don’t forget to follow up once the résumé and cover letter have been sent!

Administrative Assistant

DISCOVER STAFFING is currently seeking an experienced Administrative Assistant in the Kennesaw area. Experience in an engineering environment helpful. Must know MS office including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access. Responsibilities include but are not limited to assembling reports, summaries, letters, memos, charts and tables, business plans and other documents. Will be creating databases for the department. Will arrange for travel, meetings, conferences, teleconferences and interviews. Must be organized and able to prioritize. Will also handle the phones and other related administrative functions.

Candidates must be local to the Kennesaw area and have reliable transportation. Please send resumes to laura@discoverstaffing.com for consideration.

Sources for Job Postings

DISCOVER STAFFING advertises in a number of places for current open positions. We will post jobs in the window of our office, here on Blogspot as well as sites such as Yahoo! Hotjobs and Craig's List. We recently discovered another source for local job postings: MyNorthFultonJobs. Another very common site today is Indeed, a site that collects postings from all the major job boards for you in one convenient location.

In today's competitive market, candidates need to be looking for jobs in every nook and cranny. Online job searches have all but replaced the resumes drop off, but don't turn your back on the traditional methods as well. Use a combination of face to face "drop bys" and networking as well as online searches and sites such as LinkedIn. The more you get your name out there, the more likely the right person is going to see it.

Keep your eye here for more DISCOVER STAFFING opportunities.

Receptionist

Thank you for your interest in this position. The client has filled their need at this time. However, please check back on this site to see our most up to date positions.

DISCOVER STAFFING is currently seeking a Professional Receptionist for an opportunity in Cobb County. Office is currently located in Acworth but will be moving to the Powers Ferry area of Marietta within two months. Will be responsible for meeting and greeting guests and clients, serve coffee and lunches, light admin duties, and backing up the Executive Assistant. Must be familiar with MS Word and Excel and 2-5+ years experience as a professional receptionist. Hours are Monday through Friday 9am to 6pm and two Saturdays per month from 10am to 12pm. Dress code is professional.

Candidates must be comfortable traveling to Acworth prior to the move and have reliable transportation. Please send resumes to laura@discoverstaffing.com for consideration.

Employment Law in the News

There is a lot of new legislation working its way through Congress – many of which effect how we run our businesses. Here is an update of new information and legislation.

Early Results Mixed for Union Agenda
Although the first bill signed into law by President Obama was a union-backed measure, there has been no legislative action thus far on several pro-labor initiatives, such as the unions' top legislative priority, the Employee Free Choice Act.

Last week, the House of Representatives voted mostly along party lines to approve the Senate's version of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. The legislation, which Obama signed Jan. 29, overturns a 2007 U.S. Supreme Court decision that enforced a strict 180-day statute of limitations for filing discriminatory compensation claims under the Civil Rights Act of 1964. It effectively extends the deadline for filing claims by providing that a violation of the law occurs each time compensation is paid if it results from a discriminatory pay decision made in the past.

In addition to claims under the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the new law applies to claims of discriminatory compensation under the Americans With Disabilities Act, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967.

Supporters of the Fair Pay Act argued that the Supreme Court decision unfairly required claims to be filed at the time of the first discriminatory paycheck, even though it might be years before a victim becomes aware of the discrimination. Opponents argued that the legislation would lead to a flood of lawsuits, based on decades-old facts, which would be difficult or impossible for employers to defend.

Meanwhile, Congress has yet to take up EFCA. Sometimes called the "card check" bill, EFCA would allow unions to be certified without a secret ballot election if a majority of workers signed authorization cards. Once thought to be on a fast track for passage, the bill is now on a back burner because of economic concerns. Democratic leaders believe the bill might be considered some time in the spring or summer.

When the bill does come up for consideration, it is likely to be significantly amended. Support among some Senate Democrats has weakened because of opposition from business groups, spurring some proponents to talk of compromise. President Obama, a co-sponsor of the legislation in 2007 when he was a senator, has also signaled his willingness to consider modifications to accommodate businesses' concerns.

E-Verify Contractor Rule Delayed Again
The federal government has agreed to further postpone, until May 21, regulations implementing an executive order that requires federal contractors to use E-Verify, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's electronic employment eligibility verification system.

The regulations originally were scheduled to take effect Jan. 15. They require covered federal contractors to use E-Verify to check the employment eligibility of all employees hired after Nov. 6, 1986, and assigned to a federal contract, as well as all new employees hired during the contract term—regardless of whether the new hires are assigned to a federal contract.

A coalition of business groups led by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce filed suit in December challenging the legality of the executive order that the regulations purport to implement. Because of the lawsuit, the government agreed early last month to suspend the rule until Feb. 20. Last week, both sides reached an agreement to further extend the applicability date to May 21. According to a spokesman for DHS's Citizenship and Immigration Services, the postponement will give the Obama administration "an opportunity to review the rule prior to its widespread implementation."

Earlier this month, President Obama's chief of staff, Rahm Emanuel, issued a memorandum to the heads of all executive departments and agencies saying that agencies should "consider extending for 60 days the effective date of regulations that have been published in the Federal Register but not yet taken effect."

Payroll Administrator

DISCOVER STAFFING is currently seeking a Payroll Administrator for a Latin American company in Duluth. This person will be responsible for all payroll processes, adjustments, reconciling, invoices, reporting and employee files. Will also assist HR with projects. Must have 3+ years experience processing payroll for 150+ employees. Must be bilingual in English and Spanish as business is conducted between their US and Latin American markets. Must have experience with ADP payroll projects, MS Word and Excel and HRIS. A bachelor's degree in business or equivalent experience required. $40-$45K per year.

Please send resumes to christy@discoverstaffing.com for consideration.

Positions Available

DISCOVER STAFFING is currently seeking candidates for the following positions:

Payroll Analyst. ADP Pay eXpert or PayForce experience required. Positions in Alpahretta, Roswell and Sandy Springs.

Part Time Office Assistant and Customer Service. Marietta area.

Office Assistant/Receptionist in a very professional office environment. Full time. Marietta area.

Please send your resume for consideration. Please indicate which position you are interested in and your salary expectations. laura@discoverstaffing.com

Positions We Fill

DISCOVER STAFFING is always seeking qualified individuals for the following positions:

Administrative Assistants

Receptionists

General Office Support

Accounts Payable/Accounts Receivable

Customer Service Representatives

Assembly

General Warehouse

And More!

Please contact your nearest DISCOVER STAFFING Branch office for more information on how to apply with our company.

gwinnett@discoverstaffing.com - serving North and South Gwinnett and Peachtree Corners

alpharetta@discoverstaffing.com - serving Alpharetta, Roswell, Sandy Springs and Marietta