The Dramatic End To The 7th Annual JobMob Guest Blogging Contest

The Dramatic End To The 7th Annual JobMob Guest Blogging Contest 55 Time to give out $10K in prizes. As you'll see in a minute, this year's contest was the closest one we've ever had. We had to quadruple-check the results to be sure. Seriously. But first- Highs and lows of this year's contest Let's start with the lows:eval Lowest number of entries in 4 years, and the first time in 3 years that the contest wasn't full. It's never a good sign when the contest owner has to extend deadlines twice. Ouch. Lessons learned. That said, 19 high quality entries submitted is nothing to scoff at in this age of information overwhelm, and I salute every one of the guest bloggers. (Somewhat) Buggy technology. This was the first year that the contest was gamified, thanks to our sponsor Captain Up. Although their system worked beautifully 99% of the time, there were a few moments here and there when contestants found their points not being recorded. But at least those issues effected everyone simultaneously, and Captain Up's team was very reactive in fixing issues. Has the contest grown too big and complicated? Could be. More than a few people said that the contest launch announcement was overwhelming, and I admit that it gets long when you have so many sponsors and prizes to mention. Next year will be different. And now, the highs: No one cheated or was disqualified, unlike last year 33 players shared articles and commented over 3000 times during the ‘contest within a contest‘ Stephan Wiedner's article How to Get a Second Interview: Not What You Think was picked up by Lifehacker. The most dramatic finish in the history of the contest: less than 40 visitors separated the top two grand prize winners, and less than 5 visitors separated 3rd and 4th place. Unfortunately, the extended nature of this year's contest hid the drama as it was unfolding, but we'll work on that for next year. Before we get to the winners, I just want to say-eval Thank you to our terrific sponsors Thank you to our Titanium Sponsor: MyBlogGuest MyBlogGuest.com is the community of guest bloggers who believe in the concept of high-quality and selective guest blogging. MyBlogGuest is the unique platform that manages to keep up with latest blogging trends. MyBlogGuest newest innovative features include Google Authorship for bloggers, Elite guest articles and Guest Article Requests. Thank you to our Gold Sponsor: WebHostingBuzz WebHostingBuzz is a reliable web hosting company based in MA, USA. WebHostingBuzz serves over 30,000 clients from around the world. With a reputation for reliable, fast server technology backed by excellent customer support, WebHostingBuzz is an ideal choice for any internet project regardless of the budget available. WebHostingBuzz offers a 45-day money back guarantee for its hosting services and also has a generous affiliate program. Thank you to our Silver Sponsor: Jason Alba and JibberJobber JibberJobber is a career management tool designed to help job seekers organize and manage their job search. More than a job search organizer, it is a personal relationship manager you can use between job searches. It is your personal relationship management tool to use during the rest of your career. Thank you to our Silver Sponsor: MaxCDN MaxCDN is one of the fastest CDNs in the world. A CDN makes your website fast by taking a copy of your website and delivering it from the closest servers to your website visitors. For example a user in London loading a US website will be slow, so what they do is allow that user to load the site from London, making it fast for them. Check them out at www.maxcdn.com. From Jacob: JobMob has been using MaxCDN since November 2010. Highly recommended. Thank you to our Silver Sponsor: Dan Schawbel Promote Yourself: The New Rules For Career Success, written by career expert Dan Schawbel, frees you from the outdated rules for getting ahead and lays out a step-by-step process for building a successful career in an age of ever-changing technologies and economic uncertainty. By basing your personal brand on the rock-solid foundation of hard, soft, and online skills that are essential to get the job done right and by knowing exactly what managers value, Schawbel provides you with the unique skills and message that you’ll need today and for the rest of your career. Thank you to our Silver Sponsor: Wallaroo Media Wallaroo Media is a full service digital marketing agency. They specialize in digital PR, search engine optimization, social media, and content strategy. Their focus for each client is to increase that client's revenue. With an integrated and innovative approach, they can help you succeed. Contact them today. Thank you to our Bronze Sponsor: Grammarly Grammarly is an automated proofreader and personal grammar coach for your resume and cover letter. Furthermore, when so much is on the line, you should be proofreading all written communication with potential employers. Get a FREE 7-day trial of Grammarly and make sure those pesky errors don't cost you your dream job. Each of four lucky winners will receive an Annual Grammarly subscription; that is 365 days of error-free writing. Thank you to our Bronze Sponsor: Kiesha Easley and WeBlogBetter.com Kiesha Easley is the owner of WeBlogBetter.com, a blog devoted to offering blogging tips. She is a writer, copy-editor, and mass communications instructor. Her latest guide is, 10 Week GamePlan for a Top 100k Blog, a book that teaches new or struggling bloggers how to take a blog from setup to Top 100k Alexa ranking blog in 10 weeks or less. Connect with her on Twitter @weblogbetter and on Facebook at facebook.com/weblogbetter.com. Thank you to our Chrome Sponsor: DesignCrowd DesignCrowd is an online marketplace providing logo, website, print and graphic design services by providing access to freelance graphic designers and design studios around the world. DesignCrowd gives you access to a ‘virtual team' of over 130,000 designers from around the world (via a process called crowdsourcing) â€" helping you to tap into the very best international design talent available, at a low cost. Post a project on DesignCrowd and watch designs pour in from around the world (the average project receives 50+ designs). Want to make a good impression? Get a custom design from DesignCrowd! Watch this short video on how DesignCrowd works. Thank you to our Chrome Sponsor: Captain Up Captain Up provides a platform that activates users on apps sites, increasing their lifetime value. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6pa-UVY-I0Y Captain Up will be providing all the gamification services for the contest this year. Thank you to our Chrome Sponsor: H.T. Prof Executive Search H.T. PROF Executive Search is a U.S. recruiting company that assists companies in hiring ‘KEY’ individuals. For the past 12 years H.T. PROF has worked extensively with over 200 Israeli companies entering the U.S. Market or growing their current presence in the U.S. We recruit on a national basis across all industries with our main focus in traditional Technology, BioTech and CleanTech. The moment you've been waiting for: the winners of the 7JGBC First off, every participant won almost $200 in prizes: 1 year of JibberJobber Silver, a US$60 value 1 year starter account of CDN services from MaxCDN, a US$40 value Access to Dan Schawbel's online course “Build Your Personal Brand in 4 Easy Steps”, a US$40 value A copy of Kiesha Eisley's ebook 10 Week GamePlan for a Top 100k Blog. Sponsored by Kiesha Easley and WeBlogBetter A copy of Kiesha Eisley's ebook Traffic Generation. Sponsored by Kiesha Easley and WeBlogBetter Winner of the early-bird prize, for the second year in a row: Lavie Margolin Lavie won: US$50. Sponsored by MyBlogGuest Winner of the Judges’ Choice prize: Rebecca Rachmany As selected by our panel of judges, all of whom are also contest sponsors: Ann Smarty of MyBlogGuest Jason Alba of JibberJobber Dan Schawbel of The Personal Branding Blog Kiesha Easley of WeBlogBetter Brandon Doyle of Wallaroo Media Liliya Tyndyk of Grammarly Rebecca won: 2 hours of consulting time from Wallaroo Media, a US$200 value 1 year subscription to Grammarly, a US$140 value Rebecca’s prize-winning article was Why You Shouldn’t Be Looking For A Job. Winners of the 7JGBC Game, the ‘contest within a contest': The top point-getter was Kate Baggott, who won $150, sponsored by MyBlogGuest The second top point-getter was Rocky Adviento, who won $100, sponsored by MyBlogGuest The third top point-getter was Tin Trinidad Arenas, who will pocket $50, sponsored by H.T. Prof Executive Search Winners: the Captain Up interface doesn't have an option for me to contact you, so reach out to me directly to claim your winnings. And now: this year's grand prize winners With 1050 visitors to his article 7 Bad Pieces of Job Search Advice To Ignore, a mere 4 visitors more than the next contestant… The 3rd Grand Prize winner is: Lavie Margolin Congratulations Lavie! Lavie has won over $700 in prizes. US$100. Sponsored by MyBlogGuest 1 year of JibberJobber Premium, a US$99 value 1 year subscription to Grammarly, a US$140 value 1 year starter account of CDN services from MaxCDN, a US$40 value Access to Dan Schawbel's online course “Build Your Personal Brand in 4 Easy Steps”, a US$40 value 1 hardcover copy of Promote Yourself, the new book by Dan Schawbel, shipped to you, a US$33 value 2 ebooks about traffic generation and blogging from Keisha Easley and WeBlogBetter, a US$21 value 1 hour of blogging/marketing/job search consulting (your choice). Sponsored by

How To Network 5 Steps to an Informational Interview - Classy Career Girl

How To Network 5 Steps to an Informational Interview Since I embarked on the 4 X 4 Networking Challenge (read about the networking barriers I faced and my January update here), I have had to request informational interviews from people  I dont know.   I did some research to prepare for the interviews and thought I would share it with you.   What I like best about informational interviews is that the pressure is totally off.   You arent applying for a job and they arent hiring you so it allows you to relax and really learn from the person whose job you are interested in. I cant tell you enough how important these interviews are.   It is so much better to learn if you like a certain profession before going into it and this is a great way to do it.   Informational interviews can also  help you get  your foot in the door for a future job.   The company may not have openings right now but if you make a good impression, they will surely think of you when  an opening becomes available.   Here are my 5 easy tips to get and nail an informational interview: Do your research: Learn as much as you can about the person you are interviewing and their company.   This will help you be prepared with great questions to ask.   Be prepared with questions before your interview such as: What is your typical day like?   What do you like most about your job?   How did you get your job?   How is the economy affecting your industry?   What is your advice to someone interested in this field?   Write them down and have them ready to go in case you forget or get nervous during the interview. Never forget to follow up with a thank you email or letter!   People so often forget this so if you send a hand written letter or a very nice email, you will surely stand out and not be forgotten! Never give out your resume: I am not making this up!   This advice came from my career counselor and it was really hard for me to believe too.   She said that if you provide a hard copy of your resume, it will most likely get thrown in the trash.   Instead, send your resume right after the meeting which will give you a chance to make last minute updates with information that you learned during the interview. Always ask who else they know that you can talk to: If you are doing the 4 X 4 Networking Challenge with me, you know that you must always be looking for that next person to meet!   Try not to leave a meeting without another contact. Send a professional informational interview request letter or email: Remember first impressions count!!   Here is a easy, sample email that you can use, just fill in the question marks with what is relevant to you! ___________________________________________________________________________ Dear ?? I am currently a MBA  student at the Rady School of Management at University of California,  San Diego.    My career counselor at the Rady School  suggested I contact you to conduct an informational interview. My passion and desire is to become a ??? and your background and experience will be invaluable to me as I pursue my career.   At your convenience, I would like to schedule a  15 minute informational meeting with you. The purpose of the meeting is to gather additional information that will better assist me with my career decisions.   Thank you for considering my request. ___________________________________________________________________________ So what are you waiting for?   Go send an email and set up an informational interview!   Then come back and tell me how it went!   Good luck!! (Photo from The Devil Wears Prada movie now that would be a scary informational interview ??

8 Personality Types Every Company Needs

8 Personality Types Every Company Needs Ever felt like you work at a company full of the same type of idiot? What I mean is, do you recognize a common theme in who the boss hires? Are they all blonde-attractive-20-something females or sport-fanatic-hair-obsessing jocks? We all have our taste in food and entertainment, so I guess it’s reasonable to assume we could have a taste when it comes to who we hire. But is it actually productive?  Is it what’s right for the team? And you understand perfectly how this happens. No one  wants  to hire someone you see as “different” and certainly nobody wants to hire someone who is actually smarter and better than you at the job. Eventually you find yourself working with a bunch of cloned idiots and that does nobody any good. So how do you stop this natural tendency to hire dumber versions of yourself? And more importantly, what should you do if you are the one considering a career move? It all starts with recognizing the different work personality styles.  1. The Conductor The Conductor quite literally drives the locomotive of the business. They’re forward looking, aggressive, go getters who have a high sense of urgency.   They’ll set the pace and take initiative for working on projects.   If a deadline passes, they’ll be the first to notice. You’ll often find these personalities in roles of leadership and sales. 2. The Promoter The Promoter is full of optimism, positive, and has a sense of humor. They put people first and value relationships.   Making friends comes easy and they’ll go with a consensus over their own wishes.   They are the glue that brings a team together. You’ll often find these personalities in roles like Public Relations, Social Media, and Entertainment. 3. The Supporter The Supporter is calm, understanding, and patient. They are good listeners and learners.   They’ll contribute by serving the team and sticking to the task at hand.   Taking things step-by-step is the way they work best.   And people are their priority. You’ll often find these personalities in roles like HR, Counseling, and Teaching. 4. The Analyzer The Analyzer is precise, analytical, and detail oriented. They’ll do tough assignments to perfection the first try.   They are professional, organized, and use their time effectively.   Avoiding risk is built in to their behavior.   Tasks, not people, are where they tend to focus. You’ll often find these personalities in roles like programming, engineering, and mathematics. 5.   The Persuader The Persuader is a mix of the Conductor and Promoter. They can move quickly and single-mindedly toward a goal.   They are able to direct themselves and communicate the boldly when necessary.   If the status quo upsets them, they’ll do something about it.   Innovation is what drives them. You’ll find these personalities often in roles like management, consulting, and coaching.  6. The Relator The Relator is sensitive, cooperative, and supportive. If you need a moment of empathy, the relator will be there for you.   Confrontation is something they tend to avoid.   And when it comes to problem solving, they’ll take a creative approach. You’ll find these personalities in roles like education, customer service, arts, tourism, and hospitality. 7. The Coordinator The Coordinator seeks after information, tests systems, and maintains high standards. When a new plan is proposed, the Coordinator will be the anchor of reality.   They can be counted on to provide quality work using tried and true methods.   When a leader with a cause needs someone to execute her plan, there’s no body more willing. You’ll find these personalities often in roles like QA, operations, and designers. 8. The Implementor The Implementor understands complex assignments, detailed systems, and processes. They’ll take your ideas and find the best alternatives for accomplishing them.   They’ll utilize the resources around them and can meet aggressive deadlines. You’ll find these personalities in roles like tech support, software engineering, and IT. Next Steps, Here’s What to Do 1. Do Some Self Discovery Homework The biggest mistake people make in their careers is to overlook how they prefer to work.   What motivates you on the job?   Do you like fast pace or slower pace environments?   Do you like working with people or tasks?   What is your work personality? 2. What Role Do You Fit In? The trouble with work is that often what it takes to do the job and how you naturally prefer to work are at odds.   A cashier who likes being active, a customer service rep who hates people, or a teller who likes change of pace.   Each of these personalities will clash with the job, adding stress and burnout to the employee. So, whether you are hiring or looking for some greener grass to plant your next career move, understanding the role you fit in naturally will keep you happier in the future. 3. Where is Your Team Lacking? If you are part of the hiring team, do you know where the team is lacking?   What personalities could really add to your current pool of talent? This is why some of the most competitive companies out there invest in benchmarking tools and assessments.   They know the cost of a hire and even more, the cost of a hire that doesn’t work.

Are UK Millennials a Generation of Sycophants

Are UK Millennials a Generation of Sycophants Eager to please and image-conscious, two thirds of millennials define themselves as ‘yes’ employees almost double the proportion of older workers. A competitive job market has turned the UK’s millennials into a generation of ‘yes’ workers, according to a new study â€" New Norms @Work â€" based on a Censuswide survey of 1,002 UK full-time workers aged 18 and over, conducted in April 2015. The research reveals that two thirds (64%) of 18-24 year olds and over half (56%) of 25-34 year olds now describe themselves as ‘yes’ men and women unwilling to offer a contradictory opinion. Older workers, on the other hand, are more likely to stand their ground in the workplace. Less than a quarter (24%) of over 55s describe themselves as ‘yes’ employees, and over two thirds of this age group (64%) would stand up to their boss by challenging them with their opinions and ideas. Commenting on the findings, LinkedIn’s Darain Faraz said, “The results from LinkedIn’s New Norms @Work study illustrate how professionals from across the UK are reshaping their professional brands both online and on the job. They’ve had to adapt to get ahead, whether it’s honing their professional identity online or making a bigger effort to stay on the right side of their boss. The findings also reveal that the way UK professionals perceive themselves and others in the workplace and online are changing, with appearances and first impressions mattering more than ever. Professionals aren’t just paying attention to their own image; nearly half (46%) of UK workers admit that they would judge a colleague based on their appearance, with younger generations being most judgemental. Women feel most under pressure to impress in the workplace, with more than a quarter (27%) feeling they are judged more on what they wear to work than men. Inspired by the rise of the ‘selfie’, a third (28%) of 18-24 year olds now think more carefully about their LinkedIn profile photo versus their image on other social networks, with a third of this age group admitting they judge others on the basis of this image. In a bid to make a good first impression only one in five (22%) 18-24 year olds and a quarter of 25-34 year olds would be honest about being fired from a job, compared with half of their older counterparts. Although most mature workers didn’t have tools like LinkedIn to kick-start their career, almost half (42%) of professionals say they’re actively impressed by the experience section on someone’s LinkedIn profile and a quarter (25%) get their first impressions from a profile photo. RELATED: Top 7 LinkedIn Profile Pictures You Should NEVER Use New Norms @Work from LinkedIn

How to Write a Good Resume With Samples of Resumes

How to Write a Good Resume With Samples of ResumesSamples of resumes are quite helpful in determining whether your resume is really unique or not. Resumes that are easy to understand and are written with an interesting and fresh idea are sure to make you stand out. You need to take note of certain features that will help you write a good resume. When you know what to include in your resume, the rest of the steps are up to you.An excellent sample of resumes will help you know how to put together your resume. Some samples include guidelines on the layout of the resume and also the font type to use. When you get a sample, you can easily follow the format and guide. The samples will also include sample cover letters as well as sample job applications. This will be a great way for you to gain more knowledge on how to successfully complete your application.Sample resumes should also be reviewed before you use them. Make sure that they include all the important details and information to ma ke it a professional one. It is best if you include your skills and qualifications and any special areas that are required for the position you are applying for. You should make sure that all the information and details are clear to make your resume attractive and memorable.The resume should contain all the relevant details you need to know about the position you are applying for. Including all the necessary details will give a professional look to your resume. Include the skills, education, work history, affiliations, and any other things that are required in the job.When reviewing samples of resumes, make sure that they are clear and comprehensive. You do not want to waste your time writing a resume that has lots of unnecessary information included. These samples of resumes contain the necessary information that will help you write a good resume.Always ensure that your resume includes all the details needed by the employer to read your resume. You can use sample resumes to prepare for your actual resume as well. Your resume must contain all the details needed to successfully submit it and get a callback.Always remember that there are resumes that are scams and resume samples that are really authentic. Always check if the samples you are using are indeed authentic. A resume sample can help you formulate your own ideas and preferences for writing a resume.If you want to impress the employer and use samples of resumes to make your resume professional, make sure you follow the instructions. You should provide the details that are needed to make the resume read well. When looking for samples of resumes, you can use templates to save you time.

Should You Hold Out or Throw In the Towel

Should You Hold Out or Throw In the Towel The Job Seeker dilemma is when or if to take a less than ideal job. Do you want to hold out for the perfect job. Maybe youve reached the point of asking, will taking this job at Wal-Mart hurt my career? If you have been out of work for any length of time, I am pretty sure you are sick and tired of it. You may be wondering should I hold out or Should I sell out? Before you throw in the towel and take just any job, ask yourself these three questions: 1. Have you been specific about what you are looking for? In other words, what is the specific job function youve been looking for? Can you name it? Have you been communicating this clearly and confidently to people you know? Do your written materials (resume, cover letter, LinkedIn profile) support your qualifications and interest in this kind of work? If youve been telling people you are want a new job, period, Im pretty sure that isnt specific enough for them to be able to help you, nor want to help you. 2. Are you qualified? Is it a realistic option? If you are a new grad with little work experience, it is pretty doubtful youll be able to obtain a management or higher level job right off the bat. You usually have to put in the time, really! If you lack certain skills, the degree or certification, this could be more of an obstacle than you think. If you have had interviews and youve been told more than once You lack XYZ software skills, thats a pretty good sign you are not qualified. Be honest with yourself and assess feedback youve received from interviews and meetings with industry insiders. 3. Have you exhausted all your options? Have you looked at EVERY company that hires for that job in your area? Have you looked for this job in other cities? If youve been honest in answering these questions and you still believe youve done everything, then you have a choice. Should you take a job? What skills will the job develop? What types of people will you meet? What special projects or talents might you be able to work on? When will you find time to continue to look for the better job? You are not signing a lifetime contract with your next employer and job hopping once or twice isnt such a bad thing today. When/if you take that job, find ways to make a difference every day. Look for opportunities to learn new things and meet new people. Consider this a form of education. By all means, dont be resentful, negative, or give an air of superiority. Be grateful to have been given a chance. Having a job, any job, is better than not working. Most employers feel that way. Who would you rather hire? An Oprah Junkie or a Wal Mart Greeter?

Job Search - There must be an app for that

Job Search - There must be an app for that We may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners. I was looking at the LinkedIn find jobs tab (found under Jobs at the top of your LinkedIn page), did a quick search and found a job opportunity that looked like it would be a perfect fit for me. As I read through the job description I got more and more excited about the opportunity. I decided that I must apply for this job. I quickly scrolled down to the bottom of the page where there was a large Apply on Company Website button. I was about to click this when I say the following On Fire! 285 people have clicked Yikes! Maybe if I was one of the first 25 people to apply I might have a chance, but number 286, not very likely to be worth my time. The Internet is a great enabling tool for job search and that is exactly what sometimes makes it a poor tool. The shear volume of applications that are potentially received for each opportunity creates a decreasing value of time spent as the number of applications (for a particular opportunity) increases. Yeah, we all feel good when we click the apply button having completed the application because we feel like weve done something positive in our search, but you have to balance the time spent on certain tools with the potential value derived. So whats the point? Online search engines (including their mobile app cousins which is the topic of todays article) have limited value based on the very short shelf life of any one opportunity. Online search is truly a great example of time is of the essence. Using a mobile job search app may just give you the early warning you need to be one of the first to apply for an opportunity. So many job search apps, so little time. For clarity, Ive given my brief narrow definition of a job search app for the purposes of this article (see below). Ive focused on just a few of those apps that have both desktop full browser versions and mobile versions (and are FREE). Job Search Apps So (my) quick definition of a job search app == An application that runs on a smartphone (iOS, Android or other) that allows the user to search for job opportunities that match specific criteria. Not every app is on every platform, but many are on both iOS and Android (and maybe even Windows). Simply Hired From one of the top job search sites, this app is available in both a iPhone version and an Android version. Search for jobs using a location or app use your current location, save jobs, email jobs, view job descriptions, search history and apply to jobs from the app. The app does not seem to integrate with your Simplyhired account (that would be nice!). If you email the job to yourself you can use the Simplyhired browser version to apply as well. Monster Another name we all (should) know, although some other sites have become more popular, Monster also has iPhone/Android apps. Monster, however, allows you to sign-in as you do on your desktop, leveraging saved searches, creating a new search or viewing recent searches. You can save the job, email the job or apply leveraging resumes and cover letters from your main account (or create a new cover letter). A powerful app with lots of functionality. Indeed Sticking with the best known job search sites, Indeed has both and iPhone and Android app. Like Monsters app, you can sign-in, view your current resume, save jobs, email the job and view the job. Once you view the job, you can apply (typically from the companys site). Beyond The browser version of this site sometimes has annoying ads that are confusing (see Career Builder below), but you can link to the browser account via the app (although the initial sign-in on the app is confusing). You can set email alerts and pick your industry from the app. You can apply directly from the app, see search history, save jobs and also see articles/videos on job search. And yes, there is an iPhone app and an Android app. Career Builder (iPhone/Android) This app asks if you want to synchronize your stuff from your existing CareerBuilder account or create a new account. You can search jobs, see recommended jobs, create favorites, see or add resumes plus a few other options. Once you find and view a job, you can apply through the CareerBuilder app. Book Corner [easyazon_link asin=1489524983 locale=US new_window=default nofollow=default tag=caree07-20 add_to_cart=default cloaking=default localization=default popups=default]Get the Job: Optimize Your Resume for the Online Job Search[/easyazon_link] We are always eager to hear from our readers. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or suggestions regarding CareerAlley content. Good luck in your search,Joey Google+ Job Search job title, keywords, company, location jobs by //