Career 2.0 Review

I'll be honest. After reviewing so many career-related Websites, they all start to look the same. So when I was tasked with yet another Career 2.0 review, I can't say I was necessarily thrilled to pieces. But this one was different.Unemploymentality.com is quick-witted, entertaining- and most importantly - a helpful Website for those who are unfortunately a member of the unemployed club or about to be inducted.To give Jobacle readers a better look at the Website, I conducted an email interview with the founders, John Henion and Tania Khadder.Q: What led you guys to start up this Website besides the lay-offs? In other words, is this:a.boredomb.misery loves companyc.truly an attempt at helping the unemployedd.all of the abovee. none of the aboveA: (John) I would say none of the above: After we were both laid off we found ourselves obsessing over the details of what had happened. Tania and I were g-chatting and she mentioned how she wasn't really inspired to write anymore. So we sort of … [Read more...] about Q&A With 'Unemploymentality'

We pride ourselves here at Jobacle for doing a lot with very little. My resources consist of a computer and $327 in my checking account. That's why when I see big business spend a ton of dough on DOA concepts, it makes my stomach hurt.Back in November, Healthy Choice (the food in the green box people) teamed up with MSN to launch "The Working Lunch," a streaming live video program that is "directed by visitors."The improvised show is formatted like a corporate meeting. You can watch live on air days between 12p - 4pm ET. Shows are also archived.I quickly toggled through about a dozen shows. I kept thinking that the funny was taking too long to get to. So I kept watching. And waiting. Unfortunately, the funny rarely came. One thing did smack me over the head like frozen dinner: this concept is trying way too hard. With no career crap to sell, you know you always get the straight truth from Jobacle. As much as we'd love to recommend this video series, we simply can't. Check it out for … [Read more...] about "The Working Lunch" Made Me Barf

It's a busy day here at Jobacle HQ. We'll be reviewing CareerCast in the near future, so please subscribe now. In the meantime, here's the news release:Carlsbad, CA (January 8, 2009) – Adicio, the leading developer of web-based classified advertising solutions, today announced the launch of a new job-search portal, CareerCast.com, containing extensive job listings from Adicio client websites across the U.S. and Canada. Unlike most national career portals, CareerCast.com enables job seekers to drill down to access job opportunities from the leading career sites in their local area or region, while also providing employers and recruiters with a quick and easy way to post listings to more than 500 newspaper, broadcast, trade publishing and niche sites in a single transaction.On CareerCast.com, job seekers can create accounts and use their resumes to apply for jobs on any participating website. Then t he portal automatically logs them onto the corresponding client website and uploads … [Read more...] about New Job Search Portal CareerCast Launches

Hoping to "provide people with the tools they need to be successful" is Jobvana, a new social search service that connects people with personalized services and information.We dig the clever name, but we're undecided about the service.If you've ever wondered what would happen if Craigslist and LinkedIn had a love child, it would probably look something like Jobavana. The site might be trying to be too many things at once. The good news is that registration is free and doesn't require an e-mail confirmation. Your basic profile can be set up in under five minutes.General categories are broken into five sections: professional, skilled trade, creative, instructional, family/domestic. Within each are subcategories. Whether you are looking for work or looking for someone to do work for you, these five areas are your starting point.Jobvana has been set up so that the more complete your profile, and the more active you are on the site, the better your profile page will rank in their search … [Read more...] about Hiring Nirvana With Jobvana?

After the banking bailout (and now potentially the auto industry bailout), the bitterness is tangible for abuse of power and greed by corporate companies. One Web site, KnowMore.org, is fighting back against corporate abuse by raising awareness on five different issues: business ethics, worker’s-rights abuse, human-rights abuse, political influence, and environmental concerns.The wiki-style Web site allows users to post information and issues on corporate abuse that fit into the previously mentioned categories. The topics range from exposure on environmental concerns for the Dow chemical company to unethical sweatshop conditions at the Kuk Dong factory in central Mexico.Although all content can be altered by anyone, the site contends that it is accurate because so many users continue to update the information. Further, the team of editors and staff manage the content and assign a rating to each company.Go to KnowMore.org to find out what your purchase power supports. You might be … [Read more...] about What's Your Employer Really Up To?

A growing Web site, Zolio.com, provides solutions for both job seekers and employers. Their Web site states that the reason for starting the site was “to create your professional identity after Facebook and before LinkedIn.” Essentially, this site was designed to help new job seekers (right out of high school or college) to build their resume and professional identity on the Internet. However, the Web site proves to be beneficial for entry-level employees, experienced workers, and employers alike.The free site allows job seekers to build a resume by focusing on the content without worrying about the format. It also allows job hunters to upload documents, videos, or other items to impress employers.Zolio takes it a step further by offering a personal URL to add to an email signature or a job application. If that isn’t enough, add the “Z” icon to your website or your social networking page for interested employers to click on and link back to your zolio … [Read more...] about Zolio: Crossroads Between Facebook and LinkedIn?

In the spirit of Jobacle’s Resume Writing contest, it seems only logical to review a resume writing Web site that attempts to provide the fairest price for a brand spanking new resume. StrongResume touts a Web site that provides an “amazon.com” style approach to resume writing.In times like these, job seekers need all the help they can get; we want a reasonable price and a quick turnaround. How does a $35 start price for an entry level resume at a 48-hour turnaround sound to you? StrongResume offers resumes in four categories and lets you shop for the writer that best suits your needs:   Entry level: This category embraces college students or recent grads with 1-4 years of professional work experience.     Professional: This category is for those with 5-9 years of professional work experience.     Executive: This is for those with 10+ years work experience. However, the website also gives a few sample titles such as VP and manager, so … [Read more...] about Shop for the Perfect Resume Writer

As an intern at a medical clinic one summer, I was often sent on random errands (can anyone relate?)  Most were fairly mundane- office supplies, random medical stuff, etc. However, one trip was particularly memorable. I was sent to the county supply center to pick up a van full of condoms (the clinic would hand them out for free). I'm talking boxes and boxes of condoms. It was a little weird.  I get to the supply center, and it turns out a cousin that I see about twice a year works there. He sees me and asks, "Steve, what are you doing here?" "Uhh." Yeah, it was a little awkward. But funny awkward. Anyway, if you've been through college, an internship is almost like a rite of passage. Most of the time, it seems that you only have a vague idea of the work you're going to do. Will you be getting coffee for everyone in the office? Will you be acting as a secretary? Will you be driving around picking up condoms? Or will you get relevant experience to the field you're interested … [Read more...] about Need an Internship? Check the Ratings First.

Annual review time is right around the corner.  That means I'll have to recall not only what I accomplished, but how my subordinates performed over the past 365 days.  I do a decent job of keeping notes of landmark events, but many of the smaller projects escape my memory.  I'll have to scour through dozens of pads and thousands of e-mails to try to put together a case for all of us to get a raise.Thanks to IDidWork, a new Web 2.0 tool, it looks like things will be easier next year.  The simple Web app allows you to log what you've been doing at work, so none of your accomplishments, no matter how minor, are forgotten. Registration is free and painless.  Once you've selected a password, you can instantly start making entries.  Each must be are concise, limited to 160 characters.  Down the road, when it's time to ask for a raise or conduct a review, this information can be graphed, tagged, and exported to Excel or PDF.IDidWork can also be used to … [Read more...] about How to Keep an Online Work Journal

A new Web site, moneybackjobs is calling out the job boards:"The industry as a whole has become too rigid, too slow to change, and unwilling to think outside the box."Ouch.While we are in agreement with this statement, and dig the fact that the site is opening up a revenue stream for job seekers, we're not 100% sold on the concept.If a job seekers lands a job through moneybackjobs, they are rewarded  5 - 7.5% of their starting salary after 30 days at the new job.  Employers are charged 10 - 12% of the candidate's starting salary when they make a hire.  Employers can currently purchase a block of 10 job posting for $450.So what’s the catch, you ask?Well, since the Web site just launched on August 5, 2008, there's no track record.  Plus, the number of jobs currently being offered are quite limited.Here is how it works:*Sign up to upload your resume, as well as the option to include a link to your YouTube video profile.*Search for jobs; the Web site will simultaneously … [Read more...] about MoneyBackJobs: Ditch Monster, Get Rewarded