Need To Know What is an Applicant Tracking System (ATS)

Need To Know What is an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) As a job seeker you need to understand the competitive landscape.  That is, how does the finding and hiring process work? If you include recruiters into your job search landscape, you should know that they use a system called an Applicant Tracking System. This is a version of a customer relationship management system (think: salesforce, ACT!, Goldmine, Highrise) that a recruiter uses to keep track of the applicant (YOU). If they are interested in you, there will be notes on you, when you talked, what you talked about, keywords they can search for later (job titles, associations, etc.). Most ATSs, I think, also have some kind of resume searching function, where they can load your resume and then later do a search on keywords.  For example, if a recruiter has 2,000 people in her ATS, and wants to find someone who is a senior project manager, she can do a search on that phrase on all the resumes she has. Something people talk about is to ensure your resume is ATS-ready you can google that, but dont let it stress you out (I think its more important to spend the time doing real, effective networking, if you cant figure the ATS-ready thing out). So there you go, now you know.  Your name and information is probably in a database somewhere. The End. If you want more, you must know that I designed JibberJobber for the job seeker because I didnt like the idea that they had sophisticated software to track this stuff, and we only had a Number 2 Pencil with a yellow legal pad.  Or, a spreadsheet that kept whining tweak me!  It will just take a minute (or a few hours), and you wont have to network during that time! I wanted a real tool, like an ATS, or a CRM, that we could use to track who we were meeting, who we needed to follow-up with, how we were networking into companies, what recruiters we were working with, what jobs we had applied to, which version of what resume we used to apply to a job, etc. That is what JibberJobber is.  And it levels the playing field now WE have something as powerful as THEY do. Game on! Need To Know What is an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) As a job seeker you need to understand the competitive landscape.  That is, how does the finding and hiring process work? If you include recruiters into your job search landscape, you should know that they use a system called an Applicant Tracking System. This is a version of a customer relationship management system (think: salesforce, ACT!, Goldmine, Highrise) that a recruiter uses to keep track of the applicant (YOU). If they are interested in you, there will be notes on you, when you talked, what you talked about, keywords they can search for later (job titles, associations, etc.). Most ATSs, I think, also have some kind of resume searching function, where they can load your resume and then later do a search on keywords.  For example, if a recruiter has 2,000 people in her ATS, and wants to find someone who is a senior project manager, she can do a search on that phrase on all the resumes she has. Something people talk about is to ensure your resume is ATS-ready you can google that, but dont let it stress you out (I think its more important to spend the time doing real, effective networking, if you cant figure the ATS-ready thing out). So there you go, now you know.  Your name and information is probably in a database somewhere. The End. If you want more, you must know that I designed JibberJobber for the job seeker because I didnt like the idea that they had sophisticated software to track this stuff, and we only had a Number 2 Pencil with a yellow legal pad.  Or, a spreadsheet that kept whining tweak me!  It will just take a minute (or a few hours), and you wont have to network during that time! I wanted a real tool, like an ATS, or a CRM, that we could use to track who we were meeting, who we needed to follow-up with, how we were networking into companies, what recruiters we were working with, what jobs we had applied to, which version of what resume we used to apply to a job, etc. That is what JibberJobber is.  And it levels the playing field now WE have something as powerful as THEY do. Game on!

Writing a SysAdmin Resume - How To Write One

Writing a SysAdmin Resume - How To Write OneWhen you start looking for job opportunities in the IT industry, it's normal for people to look at your resume and wonder what kind of writing a sysadmin resume involves. There are plenty of opportunities for you to choose from when it comes to the job opportunities that are available in the IT field. It may seem like there are hundreds of opportunities for you to choose from.While it can be difficult to know what to include on a resume, there are things that you need to consider before you start looking for jobs in the IT industry. If you're looking for a job, then it's important that you do all that you can to make sure that you provide yourself with a resume that will help you land the right position. That is where your writing a sysadmin resume comes into play.First, you need to look at your experience. What kind of experience do you have that is relevant to the IT field? The more experience you have with computers and technology, the b etter. However, you do not want to overuse your experience to the point that it isn't relevant.What about your education? What kind of degrees do you have and how old were they? They are very important factors to take into consideration when it comes to your writing a sysadmin resume.A good thing about the IT field is that it requires only a basic knowledge. That doesn't mean that you can't be very specific about the computer languages and computer programming. You can talk about specific programming languages that you know and about specific software programs that you have used in the past. However, the goal is to make sure that your experience is general enough to get you through the interview process.Your goals are also going to play a role in how you look at your resume. You want to keep your goal in mind when you write your resume. Is it to land the right job in the IT field? Or is it to become a backup support person for a large company?If your goal is to land the right job, t hen it's easier to build your resume around that goal. If your goal is to land a backup support position, then it's more specific. With your goal and your experience, you can find the right job that fits your skills and what you are looking for.These are just some of the things that you should think about when it comes to writing a sysadmin resume. You don't want to overdo the technical details in your resume, but you also don't want to downplay it either. After all, the more specific you are in your resume, the better chance you have of landing the right job.

Personal Branding Interview Eric Kuhn - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Personal Branding Interview Eric Kuhn - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Today, I spoke with Eric Kuhn, who is a new media consultant and journalist.   His current client roster includes both CBS News and the NBA and he also blogs for The Huffington Post.   In this interview, Eric walks us through how hes been so successful at a young age, the opportunities available in the media space today, how to network, some of his experiences and tips for recent college graduates. Since youre caught in the middle of traditional and new media. What changes have you seen and what opportunities are out there? Over the past few years I have seen the emergence of incredibly adaptable news divisions who try out social technology such as Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube, while still sticking to their core principles of storytelling and amazing journalism. The traditional media outlets should embrace new and social media as a way to increase the number of eyes viewing their work and to further enhance the experience for the consumer. Tweeting information immediately from a location where there is breaking news, or uploading pictures from a cell phone to Facebook, allows the news consumer to be better informed in real time.   When a reporter can take us behind the walls of a hearing on the Hill or into the White House press room and give us a front row account, the opportunities are endless. What an exciting time to be involved in both traditional and new media to help craft the way we consume news in the future. Youre an all-star networker at a young age. What are your top three tips for networking? I am not a huge fan of the word “networking.” People say “you are such a good networker,” but I never think of it that way. I love people and love finding out what people do, why they are successful and what I can learn from them. So, I keep in touch or try to meet more people not because I am “networking,” but because I am interested in many different fields and people. When meeting new people, I make sure to let them do the majority of the talking and try to leave a conversation having learned something new (even if it is something small). I also try to keep in touch on a regular basis, but never over do it. Finally, I am honest about what I want from the relationship. For example, I was at a party once and asked someone I had literally just met for an internship. It might have been bold, but I don’t like people who want to be your “friend” just so in a few weeks they can ask you for a job. However obvious, I think the biggest tip to “networking” is something people normally forget: talking! Talk with the person sitting next to you on an airplane, for you never know who he or she is. Make sure you are in the room â€" nothing replaces a face-to-face conversation. When in that room, don’t be scared to approach a CEO or someone you want to connect with. What do you owe much of your success to? Probably by not thinking I am successful. I recognize I am only 21 and have so much to learn. I try to be nice to everyone, listen to everything that is being said, and learn from each experience (good and bad). I never take credit for anything that is not mine and I share success with everyone who helped get me to a certain point. What is the coolest life experience youve had to date? Why? One of the coolest experiences I have had was when I was invited to the White House to interview with the president’s personal photographer. The meeting occurred in the West Wing and it was a dream come true. For me, the gratification was not just because I was in an awesome place that few have access to, but it was the back-story. I spent two years pursuing an interview with the White House photographer for an international online photography magazine I co-edited. I would politely call or e-mail him approximately every other week to remind him I still wanted the interview. Then I spent a semester in Washington and on the last day I was there, he called me in the morning and said I should come by in an hour. I had 19 minutes with him before President Bush arrived, but it was an awesome experience that was the result of a lot of hard work and perseverance. For recent college graduates, what do you recommend they do in the few months before they graduate? If you have not found a job yet (and if you are not going to graduate school), now is the time to make sure everyone you have met with remembers you and knows you are still looking and interested in his or her company. E-mail your contacts with an “updated” copy of your resume and plan a few trips to the area you are interested in moving to after graduation, to meet face-to-face with potential employers. Also, if you have not joined LinkedIn, use the social media site to help build your brand online. Clean out your Facebook and start friending potential employers. Also, check your school’s alumni directory and see what other resources your career center can provide. Remember, even in this economy, there are jobs out there, so (not to be cliché) have a positive attitude. Eric Kuhn is a new media consultant and journalist, while still a senior at Hamilton College. A recognized member of the UWire100 list, Eric is considered one of the most influential young people in the field today. Arianna Huffington called Eric a “fearless journalist” and legendary television veteran Tammy Haddad said he was “the most creative, young person that came through MSNBC. He gets new media; he gets old media.” As a new media consultant, Kuhn advises companies on their marketing and communications strategies for blogger outreach and the use of social media, especially Twitter. His clients include CBS News and the NBA. He regularly appears on the radio and is frequently quoted in articles regarding politics and the use of new media, as well as Facebook, LinkedIn and social media. Kuhn also gives speeches and workshops on the changing media landscape.

Blame yourself first Answers to letters from readers, sort of

Blame yourself first Answers to letters from readers, sort of Even though I rarely tell you about the letters I receive from readers, I do receive a lot of mail. Almost all of it is thoughtful and intelligent, and the mail does influence what I choose to write about. Many times I answer questions directly, but today Im going to answer a reader email in the column. My hope is that if you see how I answer a question, then you can answer your own questions using a very basic but tried-and-true Penelope formula. The woman, Ill call her Darcy, wrote that she is a PhD who was hired to do research and present numbers to the Board of her company. The letter is much longer than that one sentence, but the basic point is that the board was getting inaccurate numbers from a lesser-qualified person so the board hired a PhD to make sure the information was completely accurate. Fair enough, especially in the wake of Enron and Aon and all the other number-hiding companies that crashed in recent history. The problem is that, according to Darcy, the board is frustrated by Darcys inability to come up with a way to present the numbers that the board likes. And Darcy is frustrated by the boards need to have numbers that are not exactly what she comes up with. After all, wasnt she hired to come up with the truth? Here is some insight into how Penelope thinks: I look at the letter and say to myself, why is this Darcys fault? You might think, Penelope you are so unreasonable to always blame the letter-writer. But face reality: You are not going to make a board change. Youre not going to make a boss change. The people who write letters to me are generally having trouble with people who are not going to change. So theres no point in saying, Wow, you sure do work with difficult people. Sorry. Love, Penelope. Or, worse yet, saying, Yes. This is a very bad situation. You should quit. Thatll really teach your company a lesson. Good luck with unemployment. Love, Penelope. The best advice I can give is how the person with the problem can solve the problem herself. In the case of Darcy, she needs to recognize that she has an impossible job. Theres a reason why very few Ph.Ds are CEOs. The former is all about detail and accuracy. The latter is all about big-picture and spin. Not that both titles dont require big picture AND accuracy, but very few people can focus on big picture and accuracy at the same time. Probably, Darcy is never going to be able to re-jigger numbers for public relations spin. My first advice would be for her to extract herself from the spin part of the job give the numbers to a public relations person before the numbers go to the board, for example. But maybe Darcy really wants to step up and deliver the numbers in a way that the board wants. In truth, people who can juggle details and big-picture go very far in corporate life. So maybe Darcy can do this, but then she needs to stop complaining about what the board wants, and learn to deliver it. Let the board decide if its proper or not. (Note to ethics mavens: Darcy is definitely at the beginning of her career and in no position to be questioning her boards ethics. She would be ignored and then fired.) But lets take a step back. Because almost all of my What should I do? emails from readers are like this one. When you have a problem with how other people in the office are treating you, figure out how you can change. When you have a problem with how people want you to do your job, change your approach, or change your job description, but dont blame someone else for what they want. This is not going to get you anywhere. People in corporate life get promoted for their ability to take control of a problem and solve it. If you cannot take control of problems within your own job, you are not going to persuade people you can take care of corporate problems. So on some level, you have to look at your problems like I would look at your problems: Blame yourself first.

Hiring a Resume Writer With Experienced People Resume Writing Services

Hiring a Resume Writer With Experienced People Resume Writing ServicesThis article will go over some of the basic ways you can help to get involved with your new resume writing project by searching the web for experienced people resume writing services. You'll also learn about the best ways to avoid hiring a bunch of inexperienced writer who will leave behind a bunch of grammatical and spelling errors in your resume.Getting started with your resume is only half the battle when it comes to putting together a good, well-crafted and professionally written job application. Once you've done this, it's important to look at the source material that's been provided to you. While this can be a problem for most applicants because they don't know where to start, the most effective approach is to work with an experienced resume writer who has already done this for other candidates.Candidates may find that many of the websites on the internet that offer resume writing services aren't actually tha t reliable when it comes to providing quality and thorough job applications. Instead of trying to navigate the maze of resumes on the internet that are posted by potential employees, it's a much better idea to use a proven resume writing service and tailor your resume to their style. From there, the rest is up to you.As you begin to search for an established source of resume writers, make sure that you get a good one in a prompt and effective manner. The easiest way to do this is to ask friends and family who have used resume writing services in the past and got a great deal of value from the experience. This can be the best method when it comes to evaluating potential freelance writers, as well as ask for recommendations from professional agencies or companies that specialize in resume writing.Resume writing is an important part of any job application process. When looking for an experienced people resume writing service, you want to make sure that they can help you present a cohes ive, professional resume and cover letter that will represent you as a professional candidate. A quality service provider will be able to provide you with strong copy and content that's been vetted by another resume writer, which will help to ensure that your resume speaks for itself.When applying for resume writing jobs, it's always important to choose a company that is known for producing high quality resumes and cover letters. This is something that you should ask for and see when you're beginning your search for resume writers. Searching through hundreds of resume samples for a good service provider isn't the best way to get a feel for the resume writing company's level of expertise.The best thing you can do to avoid hiring inexperienced people is to hire a handful of potential resume writers in advance and pay attention to what they have to say about their experience. The best way to get a sense of their performance level is to ask for references, so that you can see how many r esumes they've sent out and for how long. Asking for this information beforehand will help you determine if they're going to be able to write your resume in a timely manner, which means that they won't end up rushing to finish your resume before your interview.Remember, the ability to write a strong resume is a trait that is highly sought after in a resume writer. Make sure that the resume writer you select is able to produce a professional quality resume that accurately describes your skills and work history. After you've made this initial investment in a resume writer, continue to refine your search for the right resume writing service by taking a close look at the resumes that were submitted.

How to Successfully Prove Yourself as a Productive Remote Employee

How to Successfully Prove Yourself as a Productive Remote Employee Telecommuting has become somewhat of a trend lately. Thus, in the USA, the number of people who work remotelyincreased 115% between 2005 and 2015, and it continues to grow. Maybe, you have also considered this option for various reasons.However, think twice before buying into colorful descriptions of out-of-office life. In fact, it may not fit your personality and even make youspend more time on work.evalIf you are sure that you will benefit from switching to telecommuting, your task is to show your manager that you do not lose in productivity because of not being at the office. Ask for a trial period and do your best to organize your work properly.1. Install necessary software you use at work on your computerIt may sound too obvious, but people often skip this step. When already at home, the latter may suddenly notice there are apps they need, but cannot install or set up themselves.Download everything you use at work before you start working at home or ask IT department to help you with it. And do not forget to make access requests. If your company uses intranet, make sure a virtual desktop client runs properly on your computer.Install all messengers you use for work on your smartphone as well to remain available for all your colleagues during working hours. Prove your manager there is no risk in allowing you to work at home, since you will be easily reached.2. Make sure your computer will not fail youThere are situations when computers go out of order. And if you can ask somebody to fix or replace it with another one at the office, you will hardly have such a possibility at home. Your manager and colleagues will not appreciate your inability to participate in a meeting or receive an urgent task.To avoid your computer failing you at the most crucial moment, make sure it works properly. Every warning sign like a slow boot up may turn into a big issue.If you have anApple Mac with serious freezing problems, that are hardly solvable, it is better to replace it wi th something cheaper, but more reliable.evalWhen buying a new computer, consider a laptop that matches your business needs and is ultraportable, so you can work with it from anywhere.3. Become more organizedSince you need to prove yourself as a productive remote employee who is capable of meeting deadlines and even beating them, you need to work more efficiently than before. And the results will speak for you.In fact, home is a very distractive place. At the office, the very environment creates this special work atmosphere, and you are less likely to get distracted by something not work related.To be more focused at home you can tryPomodoro techniqueand work in blocks of time with frequent breaks.evalThere are also plenty of tools to help you sort out your tasks, prioritize them wisely and stick to deadlines. For example, you can significantly increase your performance withto-do apps. You should also pay your attention to small tasks helpers. For instance, you probably do not often think about how convenient it is when your colleagues are in the same room, so you can just pull them over to your desk to take a peek at your screen.In this case, you can use tools for taking screenshots that save images to the cloud and make them available for your colleagues by giving them a simple URL.Check out whether there are apps that can help you with your specific job responsibilities. For instance, if you are a social media manager, there is an option for youto automate publishing of social media posts.As a remote employee, you can work not only from home, but from any place where there is Internet connection. Besides, it is important to change your working environment from time to time.If you feel like going to a coffee shop or a café to work there, go to Workfrom.coto find recommendations for a number of good places in major cities.4. Remain a part of a team Avoid turning into a virtual colleague. The thing is we perceive people we communicate with via messengers, emai l or social networks in a different way. Even in the technology era, an eye contact remains super important for developing good relationships at work.Thus, you should minimize the impact of your absence. Use your real photo for a profile image in messengers and email clients And last but not least,ask your manager for feedback during your trial period.Be proactive and show your manager you really care about the results you achieve after switching to remote work.However, you’d better not ask your manager what he or she thinks about your work in general. It may sound as if you are not confident in your performance and do not put enough effort.Ask for advice on how you can drive even better results. Specify areas you’d like to hear his or her feedback on, since you will hardly get a helpful answers for vague and too broad questions.At the same time, however, all the responsibility falls on you, once you have been given a chance to become a remote employee. You have to prove that yo u are definitely not one of employees who choose to work remotely simply because they hope to work less and do not like to wake up early.evalDo your best, accomplish more tasks than you usually do and achieve top class work â€" that is how you can win your manager’s positive decision.

3 Reasons to Not Remain Anonymous on LinkedIn - CareerEnlightenment.com

Increase Your Profile ViewsSecond, it is a great way to increase the number of times your profile has been viewed.   Now that you can be seen, again, it is likely that your profile will be viewed in return.   If you are in job search mode, you might want to research recruiters.   As you look at these profiles, you will start to see increased profile views of your own.   In job search mode it is a great thing to have recruiters looking at your profile!   The same process goes for industry leaders.   If you view their profile, they may return the favor.Measure Your Influence/Gain InsightsThird, by seeing these profiles, you can gain insights into the industries, regions and interests of the people that are viewing your profile.   You’ll also be able to measure your influence by seeing how popular your profile is.   Not getting many views?   This may be an indication that your profile needs tweaking, for example, as I have done to mine.For these reasons, you will be increasing your br and recognition in your area of expertise.Keep in mind that a paid LinkedIn account provides for expanded “Who’s viewed my profile?” content.   Here’s a screen shot of my paid account view (I’ve blurred out personal information, the regular view is clear, of course).If you have a basic (free) account, you won’t see any names, unless you change your setting to “visible.”   Also, you’ll only be able to see the last five people that viewed your profile, while a paid account holder can see everyone that has viewed their profile.   However, what they see is determined by that person’s setting (visible/anonymous/invisible).      The good news â€" if you want to increase your profile views is that many recruiters and power connectors (highly networked individuals in your industry/function) have a paid account and therefore will be able to see that you have looked at their profile…as long as you are set to “visible.”So, are you ready to jump out of the shadows by changing your setting to “visible?”   If you are in job search mode, I highly recommend it.   You may just get an interview or land your next job by adjusting this setting!Just remember, since you will be driving up your profile views, make sure you have a fully optimized profile.Have a different point of view?   Add a comment below.   Our readership would appreciate your perspective.

New Grads, To Create a Knock-out Cover Letter Answer This One Question - Hallie Crawford

New Grads, To Create a Knock-out Cover Letter Answer This One Question Congratulations to new graduates, near and far, high school or college! Your hard work has paid off. Now it’s time to find your dream job, ideally. However, when you’re coming straight out of college or high school, it can be difficult to write an effective and impressive cover letter during your job search. You may not fully understand what you bring to the table strengths-wise or regarding your experience (that’s normal and a topic for another blog post:). You may even think that a cover letter isn’t really that important. While it’s true that some companies may not pay much attention to your cover letter, many do require a cover letter. Having one versus not having one can make a big impression on the employer regarding how much you care about getting the job. If you don’t include a cover letter with your resume, the hiring manager could pass over your application and focus on other applicants who did take the time to write a cover letter. So, if you want to make the best first impression possible during your job search, it’s essential to write a cover letter. Even with the existence of LinkedIn as a job search tool, a cover letter is still a critical piece to your job search. While a cover letter will not necessarily be the reason why you are hired, it is a way to generate interest in you as a potential hire. It demonstrates your written communication skills and is another opportunity to sell yourself. It will help make the hiring manager feel compelled to look at your application further. Your purpose in writing a cover letter is to explain why you would be a good fit for the position. And you can do this whether you have extensive job experience or not by the way. When writing a cover letter, keep in mind that you want to answer the following question: What does the employer need, and how do I fit that need? To determine what the employer needs, look for clues in their job posting. Look for keywords, responsibilities of the position, and the requirements. We suggest identifying 3-4 areas where you best fit the job description to include in your cover letter. As a new graduate, keep in mind that you don’t have to fit all of the requirements to apply for a position. You should have many of them (generally the most important requirements are listed first in a job post) and be able to provide compelling reasons for them to hire you without having all of the requirements. You don’t have to match the job description in every way, you have to find where you are a good fit and accentuate those areas in your cover letter. Use your high school or college experience as proof that you have honed certain strengths. For instance, if one of your strengths is that you are a problem-solver, mention it in your cover letter in the context of how you’ve developed the strength. For example, “in my four years of experience in my University Business Club I was consistently asked to find creative solutions to problems.” Providing context for gives the hiring manager evidence for your strength, so it is more believable than simply saying, “I am a problem solver.” Give them an example of how you leveraged this strength. Starting with this one simple question to answer will help you write a compelling, strong cover letter. So start there… If you need additional assistance with your resume, cover letter or job search in general, set up a time to talk with Hallie about your needs and how we can help. Best of luck in your search!