This software, known as Applicant Tracking Software (ATS), is what you run into when you apply for jobs online and groan because you know it means it’ll cost you at least an hour of your life just to apply for a job. I spent the last two days of my life in detailed training on how to use Taleo ATS to handle job applications and manage resume data. I thought I’d share some secrets of applying online – secrets to help your application stand out.  Apply Twice. In order to be considered for a job opening, you have to apply for a specific job. Gone are the days when you send your resumé in and ask…

Of course, there is a lot of buzz about the value of this technology stock and whether or not it’s a good investment. While I can’t offer my opinion about this investment, I can tell you that you’d be wise to invest time in using LinkedIn for your job search.  According to an April 2011 survey of more than 500 HR professionals published by The Society of Human Resource Management, 56% of respondents said they currently use social networking websites to recruit candidates. Interestingly, just three years ago, only 34% of surveyed HR professionals used social networking to recruit. That’s quite…

According to a new survey published in April's HR Magazine, your email address may influence whether or not you are called for a job interview. Think about it. When you apply for a job online, your email address, noted just south of your name and address, is one of the first things an HR manager sees. Do you think an HR manager might red flag a resume with the email address DumbBlond@emailaddress.net or SatansChild@xyz.edu? Wouldn’t you take this into consideration if you were hiring a new employee?  Researchers at Minnesota State University asked an even better question in a new study called…

Four superstars do blind auditions and select a team of singers to compete on their teams. The interesting part to me is that because the superstars have their backs to the singers as they audition, when they make their decisions on who’s in and who’s out, they put vocal ability first. As they say, “On this show, only the voice matters.” This made me think about interviewing. What if during interviews the hiring manager had his back to the applicant and, during the decision making process of who’s hired and who’s not, only ability mattered?  I wonder if hiring decisions would be vastly …

So how do stay sane as you wait during job search?  Here are some ideas.  Keep up the search. I worked with a woman who early in her job search decided to kick back and relax while she negotiated an offer from a former employer. She reasoned that she deserved a break and was very confident the offer would come. As the weeks turned into months, she became increasingly nervous and stressed out as she waited. She was so miserable each day that she couldn’t even enjoy her break. She should have continued to network and apply to jobs to stay focused and generate options in case the offer fell …

I got a call from a headhunter. What do I need to know about working with him? — Carla Dear Carla,  Thanks for reading and for your question.  A headhunter is a person who works on behalf of a company to help fill job openings. Also known as an executive search consultant or third-party recruiter, they work on two main types of searches.  The first type is a retained search. In this type of search the company invites the recruiter to work with them closely to fill a specific position. Typically, a retained search is initiated for positions that pay more than $100,000 per year in situations …

I was just let go from my company after 10 years and they gave me outplacement services. Do you think I should work with them? — Laura Dear Laura,  I am very sorry you lost your job but am happy to hear that your former employer was generous enough to give you outplacement. You should know that your company probably paid between $3,000-$5,000 (or more) for this benefit. I absolutely recommend you participate because outplacement can help you land a better job faster. If you saw the movie, “Up in the Air” where George Clooney traveled the country firing people, you may have the wrong idea …

In this column I’d like to focus on what NOT to say in a job interview. How much does the job pay? OK, I know some of you think it’s more efficient to discuss salary requirements with the employer right up front. Why waste your time talking to someone about a job if it doesn’t meet your requirements, right? Employers seem to agree with this logic as well and sometimes ask applicants about salary expectations even before they ask about work experience.  From the applicant’s point of view it’s a mistake to discuss compensation too early because the information you provide will probably be used …

I’m so excited! I have an interview coming up in two weeks for a job I really want. How do you recommend I prepare? – Julie Dear Julie,  Congratulations on getting the interview. I think it’s great that you are focused on preparing for success. Any important meeting requires thorough planning.  Most people know to practice their answers to the big questions. I recommend buying (or going to the library and borrowing) a book called, “Great Interview Answers to Tough Questions” by Martin Yate.  Yate covers everything you need to know about persuading an employer to hire you including:  …

My high schooler wants to get her first summer job. Do you have any advice? Thanks — Mary Anne Dear Mary Anne,  That’s a great question. And perfect timing – it’s not too early to start applying for summer jobs.  To answer your question, I thought it would be helpful to get ideas from my daughter, Katie, who landed her first job last summer.   Networking or Not Working Young or old, the best way to get a job is through networking. Because companies like to hire people who are recommended by their good employees, ask your friends if their employers have openings and if they would recommend you…

If you’ve read my column, you know that I always recommend human interactions over technological transactions. It's human networking, not computer networks, which will help you identify and obtain new opportunities. Several of these smart phone apps, however, can support your relationship-building endeavors and provide you with real-time information on jobs.  Job Search (for Android, Apple and others) Use the free mobile version of www.indeed.com, the powerful job aggregator, to search millions of jobs from thousands of job boards and companies. Determine what kind of job you want and then …

Christy, I’m using Monster.com and Careerbuilder.com to find job postings. I know there are a lot more job boards out there. Are there other sites you recommend I use? Thanks! — Steve Great question, Steve! Thanks for reading and for asking.  Every job seeker should be using job aggregators to identify job openings on the Internet. A job aggregator is a search engine (like Google) which crawls all over the Internet in search of information, but a job aggregator’s sole focus is to find job openings. They give you free access to millions of jobs from thousands of company, government, and non-…

Finally! Some pretty good news for job seekers.  First-time unemployment claims dropped to a two-year low in early February. The US unemployment rate dropped sharply to 9 percent in January from 9.4 percent in December and more than 620,000 people found work. Hiring plans for US businesses are at the highest level since 1998, according to the National Association for Business Economics' January 2011 Survey. Specifically, 42 percent of respondents indicated their firms will be increasing employment, up from 39 percent last quarter and 29 percent in January 2010. Halleluiah! I think this is …