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As if it isn’t tough enough out there for job seekers, the UK Financial Security Association is reporting that fake job ads are up 345% over the last three years. Those job seekers that use Craigslist probably aren’t shocked by this tidbit. But if you come from the day of job searching strictly with the classifieds, this may come as a bit of a shock to you. Why would someone post a fake job? •1. To obtain your email address and sell it to the highest bidder. •2. To obtain even more lucrative information such as a driver’s license number or social security number and sell it. •3. To lure you into a scam or pyramid scheme.   I’m not quite sure how these scammers sleep at night, but please don’t add to your list of troubles by falling prey to their devious schemes. Here are red flags to look for when applying to a less reputable company in a job post:   *Don’t ever give out your social security number unless you are filling out … [Read more...] about Uncovering Fake Job Posts

If you're more than six years old, then you've probably had a few questions regarding what job you'd like to do. When you're young, people ask what you want to be when you grow up. Some children would say that they aspire to be astronauts or firemen, while others might focus on a more creative position, striving for employment as a zombie assassin (as a teacher, my wife meets some interesting kids!). However, even those of us old enough to know that killing zombies isn't a viable career path may not know what we really want to do in a career. That's where The Career Key comes in. If the name sounds familiar, it’s because they were mentioned in the Zumeo Web 2.0 review article recently and the Working Podcast covered them back in 2007.   The good folks over at The Career Key site were kind enough to let us review one of their eBooks. “The 2009 What Job is Best for You?” book helps with the questions that all of us face. What am I good at? What should I do? Why am … [Read more...] about The Career Key: Unlock Your Dream Job

If you're reading Jobacle.com, there's a good chance you're like me: an individual who beats to his or her own drum. That means you might be interested in picking up a copy of The Fearless Fish Out of Water: How to Succeed When You're the Only One Like You.Rife with real-life stories of fearlessness, the book illustrates examples of people embracing - and leveraging - the traits that make them unique. It's these attributes that differentiate you from the pack and help you achieve career success.According to author Robin Fisher Roffer:"Anybody can be fearless when things are going great. It's in times like these that you have to search yourself and be brutally honest. One of the reasons we sometimes feel that we don't fit in with others is because we actually don't like ourselves."Ms. Roffer, the owner of Big Fish Marketing, certainly enjoys taking the road less traveled. Since 1992 her branding firm has worked with high-profile clients that include HBO, ABC and my alma mater, MTV … [Read more...] about How to Succeed When You're the Only One Like You

At some point or another, we all go back on something we've said. Does that makes us "bad" people? No. But it does make us hypocrites. A hypocrite, according to Webster's Dictionary, is a person who acts in contradiction to his or her stated beliefs or feelings.I've always had a hard time with hypocrites. Perhaps it's because I hold myself to a ridiculously unachievable standard. Whatever the case, I know I'm not the only one gets ticked off when people go back on their word and step all over a previous sentiment. Just glance around the office and I'm sure you'll see plenty of offenders.Take Joan, for example. She always got along with her cubemate Tammy. But last month they started to experience a lot of tension. Joan ended up distancing herself a bit and started having lunch with Margaret. One random day, Joan and Tammy met up accidentally in the office cafeteria and exchanged a few laughs. At the time, Margaret happened to be strolling by.She was mad! After all of the smack Joan had … [Read more...] about How to Handle Hypocrites at Work

This is a guest post from Andy Robinson, CEO and Executive Coach at CRG Leadership Institute LLC.It’s Definitely Not “Business as Usual” in the Current Job Search Market. Today’s employment and job search market can easily strike fear in the heart of anyone who’s recently lost their job. Finding a job in this market IS a challenge .... No question. Jobs, however, ARE out there, firms and companies ARE hiring, key positions DO need to be filled .... The challenge is FINDING those jobs and SELLING YOURSELF.Common Mistakes Abound. So what are the things that most job seekers are doing that simply don’t work in this market? Consider these... * Failing to work within the framework of a structured and organized job search plan * Lack of clarity in definition of the position being sought * A poorly written resume that does not emphasize RESULTS and value you’ve added in previous positions * Failure to devote sufficient time to the job search process * … [Read more...] about "Out of the Box" Job Search Advice

Guest post by The Résumé Girl (a.k.a. Lauren Randa Hasson)Everyone loves dating. Well, most people do, anyway. It’s exciting and fun, and a time when most people are discovering what it is they want out of life. You get to learn interesting things about other people and they get to learn about you. If it works out, that’s great. If it doesn’t, it just means that there’s something else out there that’s a better fit for you. The Power of Casual Career DatingFunnily enough, your career search can work much the same way. Adopting the mindset that you’re ‘dating’ your career can bring some excitement into the process and relieve some of the pressure. Sure, you won’t see flowers and candy along the way, even though those office parties can definitely be a challenge for your waistline! Dating your career can ensure that you stay in the game. The Perfect First Date: InternshipsIf you’re a junior in college, your career … [Read more...] about How to Use Internships to Date Your Career

Should you try to get a job at a company going through a bankruptcy? Is following up on a job interview a bad thing? Should you accept a lower salary just because the economy is a little rough? Some of these recession myths are widely believed to be true, while others are a little more tricky to answer at first glance. An article by James Challenger from the California Job Journal site combats some of these ideas.   Abandon Ship   First on the list is the myth that companies that are cutting jobs or entering bankruptcy are not good places to work. This is an excellent opportunity for job seekers. Mr. Challenger says, "Contrary to what most jobseekers may believe, the company that is having difficulties, even announcing sizable layoffs, has a more urgent need for qualified people than companies which are more economically fit."   I agree with his assessment. A local company has been going through some rough times in recent years. They were laying off a lot of older, … [Read more...] about Mythbusting: Recession Style