Returning Vets: Employers Want You!

Veterans Have Advantage in the Battle for Talent
by Caroline Levchuck, Yahoo! HotJobs


There's a competitive war for talent being waged in companies across the United States, and people with military backgrounds stand to win.

The Skills Have It

Discipline. Loyalty. Leadership. "Sticktoitiveness." These soft skills can be hard to come by in job applicants -- but not those with military experience.

Bob Putnam, senior manager of retail HR development for RadioShack, agrees. "At RadioShack, the core values that we hold near and dear are integrity, pride, trust, and teamwork. That's really what people in the military are all about, and that's what makes candidates with a military background perfect for RadioShack."

Employee retention is an important factor in winning the war for talent, which is why recruiters look to this pool of professionals.

"One of the wonderful things about military people is that they are trained to be extraordinarily loyal," says Peter Weddle, publisher of employment resource guides at weddles.com.

Leadership Abilities Stand Out

Technology giant Perot Systems actively recruits talent with military experience. Mark Williamson, senior military recruiter, notes, "Many of our top leaders and managers in the company have a military background. These individuals have been instrumental in our company's phenomenal growth."

Companies like 7-Eleven and Cintas are also fans of the military's brand of leadership. Sally Hart, national military recruiting director for Cintas, says, "Military people lead from the front. They get in and get their hands dirty and they don't mind doing the job themselves."

Weddle, a graduate of West Point, adds, "The military is the most diverse workforce, and the people in it have learned to embrace that diversity and work well in teams within it."

Military Jobs Translate Well

Perot Systems recruits "individuals of high moral character, who are calm under pressure, and who are comfortable with technology," according to Williamson. Many veterans fit the description.

"In today's modern military, folks coming out have sophisticated technical skills," Weddle says.

Many other hard skills acquired by military service members may be made for private-sector employers.

"There are certain occupations in the military that are a great fit for us," says Cintas' Hart. "Support occupations, such as intelligence, military police, supply -- these folks all understand customer service. Artillery, infantry, armory, and other front line folks understand an industrial environment. They haven't been sitting in an office or a cubicle all day and we're not going to have them doing that either."

Hiring Hints from the Insiders

"Highlight your leadership abilities and provide examples of how you've motivated and developed others as well as examples of where you've been a team player," reveals Richard Kenny, SPHR, field staffing manager for 7-Eleven. (View current openings at 7-Eleven.)

"Smile (during the job interview). That's tough for folks getting out of the military. They're told to be all business, but they need to get their personality across to hiring managers and recruiters," advises Sally Hart from Cintas. (View Cintas job listings.)

"It is definitely important to de-militarize your resume [of jargon]. Also, I would encourage candidates to read Web articles and books on interviewing, specifically behavioral interviewing," says Mark Williamson, senior military recruiter for Perot Systems. (View openings at Perot Systems.)

"We have lots of stores near military bases. A lot of military folks were my customers when I first started out," says Radio Shack's Putnam. "Go in to a store and talk to our people to see what working with us is really like." (See Radio Shack listings.)

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Success Strategies for New or Recent Grads

by Denene Brox, for Yahoo! HotJobs


Many students head to college thinking that they signed up for a four-year delay of the real world. Students who major in socializing often miss an abundance of opportunities to develop the skills needed for success after they graduate. If you're a senior or recent grad, it's still not too late to develop these skills.

Here are some tips to jump-start your career:

Get out of the Classroom

If your primary goal in college was to get a high GPA or to learn just for the sake of "becoming a well-rounded person," you're probably not focusing enough on skills.

"College provides access to student organizations, jobs, internships, and access to adults who have something to offer," says Bill Coplin, author of "10 Things Employers Want You to Learn in College."

He cautions students against getting too wrapped up in scholastics that they lose sight of other opportunities. "Students are treated as if they were to become professional scholars in their fields," he says. "Hence they spend their time learning theories of this and that which have very little backup and are so abstract as to be meaningless in a real-world context."

Gain Solid Experience

The key is to get out of the classroom and get some practical experience on your resume. Coplin encourages students to take courses that require project- and community-based activities.

Jeffrey Allen Miller, an online news editor at Think & Ask in New York, says that a journalism course he took in college required students to get articles published in three legitimate publications in order to get a passing grade. "Students walked away from the class with three good clips to use in their job hunt," he says.

Rethink Grad School

Still not sure what you want to be when you grow up, even after college? Don't be lulled into thinking that grad school will provide the answers.

"Don't go to graduate school unless it is a professional school and you are sure you want it," warns Coplin. "Otherwise get a job or do a one- or two-year service commitment, such as Teach for America, the Peace Corps, or thousands of other similar options."

Coplin says that getting a job is like graduate school, except that "you learn more, you build your resume, you can better explore your career interests and, best of all, you get paid around $40,000 instead of paying that amount to a graduate program."

Alexandra Levit, author of "They Don't Teach Corporate in College," agrees that skills are better developed by working. "You'll naturally acquire the skills needed to succeed (diplomacy, initiative-taking, and networking) by spending a few years in the workforce," she says.

Volunteer

"Many people do not give back to their communities, which is a big mistake both careerwise and from a personal point of view," says Coplin. "Doing good (such as doing service work mentioned above) can be great for both skill development and job exploration."

Experience -- whether it's volunteer or professional -- is an essential complement to your degree for getting ahead in the world of work.

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Recruiter Roundtable: Cover Letters

by Yahoo! HotJobs


The Recruiter Roundtable is a monthly feature that collects career and job-seeking advice from a group of recruiting experts throughout the United States. The question we put before our panel this month is:

In this age of uploading or emailing resumes, how important are cover letters in your decision to interview a candidate?

Use It Strategically
My belief is that as long as a candidate meets the obvious basic criteria for a specific position, a well-articulated cover letter will only enhance their chances. A cover letter can also be useful to tackle an obvious weakness relative to an advertised role, usually a credential that is "required" (e.g., CPA or MBA) by pointing to equivalent training or experience. Overall I am a supporter.
-- Anu Datta, executive recruiter, Korn/Ferry, San Francisco

Channel the Effort Elsewhere
Unless the job seeker is making a significant career change (i.e. different field) or is a fresh college graduate, I rarely look at a cover letter. It may be necessary to explain your position and bridge your experience to the position of which you are applying. Resumes are typically scanned and cover letters skipped over completely in evaluating potential candidates for first-round interviews, so it is advisable to either say what you must in the body of the email with a resume attached, or customize your resume toward each and every position you seek.
-- Lindsay Olson, partner, Paradigm Staffing

Say Something New
If I like someone's resume for a specific position, then I read the cover letter. Mistakes or typos in a cover letter have an impact on my impression of the candidate; I recommend getting a second set of eyes to review any cover letter. Cover letters tend to be fairly similar, so take up the challenge of making yours stand out. Tell me something about your professional history that I would never know from your resume -- HOW you lead a team to success on a project, for example.
-- Ross Pasquale, owner, Monday Ventures

It's All About the Resume
About 75 percent of the job seekers that have applied online for positions I manage do not attach a cover letter. What does that mean for me? I make most of my decisions to schedule an interview based strictly on resumes. When a job seeker includes a cover letter, I reward their effort by contacting them to thank them for their interest whether or not it leads to an interview. Who knows where that interaction might lead?
-- Cheryl Blackman, recruiter for Wells Fargo -- Texas Human Resources

Yes, They Make a Difference
A good cover letter -- one that captures my attention because it is targeted to the position and highlights specific areas of expertise that the hiring manager is looking for -- can make the difference between whether or not I call someone for an interview or leave them in the "maybe" file. A great cover letter will persuade me to call you for an interview even if you may be lacking in some of the qualifications needed for the position. A poorly written cover letter tells me everything I need to know about you; you won't be called for an interview.
-- Cheryl Ferguson, recruiter, The Recruiter's Studio

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Five Soft Skills You Need to Succeed

by Caroline Levchuck, Yahoo! HotJobs


"Hard skills" vary from industry to industry, and your mastery of them is what will help you get started in your career. "Soft skills" are what will ensure your success in any line of work and help you rise through the ranks.

Here's a quick profile of five skills that will help you get ahead.

1. The Write Stuff

Instant messages and texting via mobile devices have become a standard part of business, but the shorthand and lingo used therein will never render formal business writing obsolete. A terrific way to stand out and impress clients and colleagues alike is to craft clear, well-written, and grammatically correct messages. If written communication isn't your strong suit, take a continuing education course at your local college or business school.

2. Lead Meetings That Matter

Like it or not, meetings remain a necessary reality in corporate America. As you advance in your career, you'll have to call and lead more meetings. Win the admiration and respect of your coworkers by organizing focused and concise meetings. Create a strict agenda. Have clear start and end times, and enforce them. Make each meeting interactive and try to involve every attendee in some way.

3. Excellent Etiquette

Talent cannot be taught, but etiquette can. Open an Emily Post book and find out how to master the art of the business handshake. Learn how to conduct yourself during a business luncheon. Make sure you know how to behave on business trips. And remember to never make an "-ist" of yourself (i.e., a racist, sexist, narcissist, etc.) with an off-handed remark or inappropriate behavior.

4. Negotiation Know-How

In the words of Kenny Rogers, you've got to know when to hold 'em and when to fold 'em. Learn to love the art of negotiation. Becoming a pro at negotiating means you can always go to bat for yourself and your employer, which usually translates to higher returns for each. Practice negotiating in your everyday life -- with your mechanic, at the store, with friends and family -- to become a natural in no time.

5. Make Powerful Presentations

Presentations may not be part of your current job, but they are sure to be on some level as you move into management.

The best presentations aren't about how impressive your PowerPoint files are; rather, they are about how passionate and persuasive you are. Practice will help you hone your presentation skills so that you're comfortable and able to convey your enthusiasm. If you need extra help, join your local chapter of Toastmasters or take a class in public speaking.

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The Perils of Being a Go-Getter

by Caroline Levchuck, Yahoo! HotJobs


If you are sick of going through the motions at work and want to get ahead, it's always a good idea to be proactive in seeking growth opportunities or getting the job done in new ways. Your supervisor will probably be pleased -- but that may not be true of everyone else in your office.

Get Ready for Resistance

You may have decided that you're ready to reignite your career, but your newfound enthusiasm may not be contagious. In fact, a lot of folks may be resistant to your renewed fervor for the job.

Don't fault coworkers for not being on the same page as you. Don't insist that your team members go above and beyond the call of duty if they aren't willing. Just focus on changes you can personally effect at your company. Your passion may turn out to be infectious eventually, but real change -- in attitude, enthusiasm, and energy -- takes time.

Be Prepared for Resentment

It's no secret that some people are only interested in a paycheck. Most of these folks coast through each workday, doing just enough to satisfy the requirements of their positions. When someone starts to shake up the status quo by exhibiting an intense interest in work, the "clock watchers" may start to feel like you're making them look bad.

To avoid bitter feelings, make sure you go through proper channels as you try to make changes. Don't suddenly begin acting as though you're a supervisor when you're not. You won't win any friends and the projects you were pursuing won't get the support they need for completion. Rather, enlist people to help you by asking for assistance -- if they have the interest and the time.

Suspicious Minds Aren't Far Behind

Your fresh attitude toward work may leave coworkers feeling wary of your motives. If you suddenly begin championing a project or change that sounds like it's coming from upper management, your colleagues may start treating you like you're a spy. They may (mistakenly) believe you're trying to ferret out folks who aren't team players or go-getters. As a result, you could get a certain amount of ribbing ("When did you go over to the dark side?") and find that you're excluded from water cooler conversations.

If you are bothered by the teasing or feel disconnected from good work buddies, set the record straight with a direct conversation. Tell people, "I like working here and I want more responsibility. I'm really hoping to advance." Don't talk about anyone else's apparent lack of interest or motivation, and don't apologize for your desire to do a good job and build a better career.

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Career Fashion - How To Choose A Pair Of Earrings For A Professional Image

What types of earrings go with your office attire?

How do you accessorize your business suit to enhance your professional image instead of detracting from you carefully cultivated I-mean-business business image?

Carefully chosen jewelry would certainly help. Bold earrings that draw attention to your face are a career woman's best friend. Especially if you are on the large side.

Caution should be taken here. Bold as in earrings that are fixed to your earlobe with nothing dangling from them. Save your drop earrings and chandelier earrings for your evening dates. They have no place in the office. When you make a presentation, you do not want to distract the audience with baubles jingling jangling from your ears. That would look unprofessional.

Another thing. If you want to be taken seriously at work, cleavage should be avoided in the office environment. Cover up, dress professionally to project a business-like image.

As for accessories, a pair of earrings would be all you need.

If you have sharp features, a narrow face or angular features, round earrings and earrings with curved lines would look good on you. If your face is flat or round or wide, visually slim your face and sharpen your features with angular shapes and vertical lines.

If you normally wear drop earrings and chandeliers because these look good on you, you can switch to earrings that are longer and wear them vertically. Like round earrings? Go for oval ones instead and position them so they are longer vertically.

For work, the subtle look is best. You can't go wrong with stud earrings. If you want to project a successful image, try diamond studs. They are subtle, but the dazzle from the diamonds would light up your skin, drawing attention to your face.

If diamonds are too expensive go for cz earrings [http://www.sexy-earrings.com/color-cubic-zirconia-earrings.htm]. These are stunning, expensive looking yet very affordable. So much so that you can even have a pair to match every outfit. You don't have to stick to single stone stud earrings. As long as it doesn't dangle distractingly, you can wear it to work.

For a more mature, sophisticated look, go for peals. Not just earrings. A short strand of pearls around looks elegant. Like a lady or a well groomed, successful business woman.

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Job-Search Hints for People Over 50

by JoAnn Greco, for Yahoo! HotJobs


Charmian Foster, 52, remembers feeling "quite animated" as she lunched at a luxury Dallas resort with a potential employer in December 2004, but her energy flagged near the end of the interview. Getting up at the crack of dawn to fly from Philadelphia, then spending all day interviewing before rushing to grab a return flight later that same day had left her bedraggled and sweltering in an inappropriate wool suit.

Foster later learned that the interviewer "thought I wasn't 'dynamic' enough," she says. "This surprised the recruiter, who had known me for over 10 years.

"She eventually admitted that she believed it was my age that was the issue."

Plan for a Longer Search

Workers in Foster's age group can often feel left in the dust when it comes to the perceived energies of their younger peers. But are employers and recruiters really age-ist? And how can older job seekers learn to position their advanced years as a positive?

Those are questions that we're going to start asking with increased frequency as our population ages. By 2012, 20 percent of the U.S. workforce will be older than 55, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. And, despite the greater experience and job smarts of these workers,their job searches can take almost two months longer than those of younger workers, according to the AARP.

Maximize Your Skills

"If you're out of work for a year or two at this age, that's big," says John Challenger, of the Chicago-based outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas. "It's crucial that someone in this group attack the search really aggressively, because he faces special challenges."

"Generational differences are huge," says Jan Cannon, of Boston's Cannon Career Development. "Younger managers see you, and they think of their parents. So you absolutely have to keep your technical skills up to speed. One way to show your potential employer that you're savvy," she continues, "is to use the Internet in your job search."

Get Your Network Involved

Challenger cautions against spending too much time with your laptop, though. "Older workers have real-world know-how, which includes getting out there and meeting all the people they've had any kind of relationship with during their work life," he says. "Get as busy as you can, don't sit at home."

Most of all, says Cannon, know yourself and your strengths. "Take advantage of the fact that you've entered a new demographic by seeking out companies that sell to your generation," she suggests. "Or look for younger or smaller companies that may be seeking mature workers to guide them to their next stage of growth."

Develop Your Script

Foster, who spent 25 years as an executive in hospital administration and is now biding her time by consulting, says she understands that as an older manager, she is "better able to authentically appreciate and motivate people while quickly sorting out what works and what does not."

The older you are, the greater the number and variety of situations you've dealt with, says Challenger. "Develop a script that emphasizes your accomplishments. Companies buy track records."

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'American Idol' and Your Job Interview

What Job Seekers Can Learn from the Hit TV Show
by Joe Turner, for Yahoo! HotJobs


If you are interviewing for a better job, try watching "American Idol," the huge money-making singing contest from Fox these days. Love it or hate it, "American Idol" (and its country equivalents) is a good metaphor for life on a number of different levels, which is one reason why it's so popular. Job seekers could definitely learn a lot by watching this show.

Branding Gets the Edge

"American Idol" sometimes feels like some weird group interview where each candidate makes his or her case to three fickle interviewers and is either advanced or "let go." Aside from the constant reminder that this is a "singing competition," we all know it's more than that. It's about that elusive quality called a "total package." Ditto the job interview.

Here's the reason why all job interviewees should take heed of the show: It's about a process called "differentiation." Some candidates understand this early, while a few just get lucky. Too often, we'll see a very weak singer retained while a much stronger performer gets cut. Some may call this an injustice, but it's not so. What's happened is that the "total package effect" came into play. A singer may win more votes, not for singing ability, but for that fact that the candidate's "brand" differentiated him or her from the pack. No one else is similar by a long shot, and that brand triggers visibility, memorability, and votes.

The moral of the story: you don't have to be the best singer, just the most remembered decent singer. Same for the job interview. You don't always have to be the best candidate with the top skills. You do have to find a way to be the most remembered, hirable candidate.

Know Who You Are

On "Idol," almost everyone who begins the show is a decent singer. Those who know who they are early in the show always enjoy a huge advantage over those who haven't a clue, even though they may be better singers. Those who understand this principle include Chris Daughtry, Bo Bice, and Taylor Hicks, to mention three.

They knew their strengths, and they stayed with them, often maddenly so. And look where they are now.

In many ways, this is not about finding and molding raw talent, it's about finding and marketing talent that's already well-branded. The interview process is much the same. The branding should occur long before you walk into the interview room. Too many job hunters try to get through the interview by merely giving the "right" answers. The real issue is they haven't a clue about who they really are or what they bring to a company.

As a job seeker, you must define your strengths and hone a message (your "unique selling proposition"). This is called branding. Branding is a process that clearly defines who you are and what clear benefit you bring to an employer.

If you can't do that, then please watch "American Idol." You'll see what awaits the next fallen "idol" who failed to learn this message in the singing world.

As a recruiter, Joe Turner has spent the past 16 years finding and placing top candidates in some of the best jobs of their careers. Discover more of his job interviewing insights by visiting his site.

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