job hunting

Valuable Tax Tips for Job Seekers

May 31, 2013 by Tim McMahon

Deduction Limitations

Job-hunting expenses are only deductible when a person is looking for work in the same employment field where he or she is currently working or has most recently worked. For example, someone who is working as a nurse can deduct expenses looking for another nursing position. However, he or she could not deduct expenses looking for a job as a chef.

The amount of the deduction that a taxpayer can claim for job hunting is limited. The IRS only allows you to deduct expenses that are in excess of two percent of your annual income for expenses related to job hunting. So if you are making $30,000/yr. the first $600 in expenses is not deductible. For this reason, it is important to keep meticulous records of every job-hunting expenses in order to get above the threshold.

Unfortunately, you can’t [Read more…] about Valuable Tax Tips for Job Seekers

How to Get Your First Engineering Job

January 3, 2013 by Jara Sisodia

Your first engineering job is always special. After completing four years of studies graduates are eager to get their dream job. This article will provide tips on how to get an engineering job.

Engineering graduates always want to have their first job in a well known organization. Many engineering colleges offer placement assistance to Seniors. But students need to do their part to get the job of their dreams. Whether you are an electronic engineer or a computer engineer, following certain recommended rules can help land that desirable engineering job in a well-known company.

Engineers, whether in the civil, mechanical or computer domain require a specialized resume. The resume or CV should be customized according to the job requirements listed in the help wanted ad. Engineers looking to join the job market cannot prepare a generic resume for every position. Applying for Civil Engineer Jobs will require a different resume from a computer engineer job. Many hiring managers complain that they receive generic resumes. Only a few candidates take the pains to create a customized resume. Engineering students applying for different job classifications should keep in mind that for 5 different employers, they should have 5 different resumes.

Resume Content is King

The content of your resume is very important. The content should have correct figures, degrees obtained and flawless English. Further, the skills mentioned should match the job profile demand. Each company has a specific set of requirements and the person doing the initial screening of the resumes will most likely not be an engineer. So they will be scanning for key phrases that are in the job requirement. So if you [Read more…] about How to Get Your First Engineering Job

Top 6 Ways to Get a Better Job

November 29, 2012 by Dr. Amarendra Alapati

Are you tired of your old job and wish that you could have a better job? While leaving your job when you are no longer motivated may be a good idea, make sure that you prepare very well for the next job because it can also be challenging to get a better job the next time around.

If you are planning to quit your job and to look for a better one, here are some tips to boost your application and get a better career:

1. Prepare the best resume for a better job

polish up your resume before looking for a new job — Polish up your resume before looking for a new job

Your resume is the first thing that an employer takes hold of when you apply so make sure to produce one that can give the company a good impression of you. While some may just skim through it, you never know who will read it. You can actually make your resume as creative as possible. There are online applications that can help you devise a nice and professional resume that you can use. Creativity is nice, but make sure that your resume also has excellent content. Furthermore, [Read more…] about Top 6 Ways to Get a Better Job

How to Land a Temp to Permanent Job

October 1, 2012 by Guest Contributor

A temp job helps you make money and gain experience. Such work can also help you build a solid resume. If you perform well in your temp work, the employer may hire you or consider you for a future permanent position.

What if the temp job requires you to work in different departments of the company?

Great, you have even brighter temp to permanent job prospects. It’s because you can get hands-on experience in diverse areas and the opportunity to work for (and thus impress) several different managers who may have the need and authority to hire someone.

With a temp job, you’ll develop references to give to another employer, if the temp-to-perm avenue doesn’t work out. Further as a person with skill and experience, you will be the first choice for the temp agency for future temp work.

Tips to Landing a Temp to Permanent Job

1) Begin your Work on Time: Punctuality gives you a high grade on the temp score card. If for some reason, however, you are unavoidably late to work: Did you miss the train? Or, are you stuck in a traffic jam? Call your temp agency and the company and inform them of your situation. Of course, you should also tell them what time you will make it to the office. As far who you should call first, always follow the instructions given to you by [Read more…] about How to Land a Temp to Permanent Job

How to Use Twitter to Land a Job

September 13, 2012 by Justin Epley

Every day technology hands the world a new tool that helps people experience and accomplish things differently than they did in the past. Applying for a job, for example, has changed drastically from twenty years ago when candidates were expected to either fax or mail in their resume. Now, social media is changing the entire process all over again. To get noticed in this economy, you must be visible to prospective employers in all areas, including on social media.

One way that you can apply for available job openings is through the social platform Twitter. Many employers are using the 140 character limit on this platform to let job seekers know that they have positions available in their departments. In order to take advantage of this, one of your obvious first steps if you are hunting for a new job is simply to set up profiles on social media sites like Twitter.

Why Twitter?

Some people may wonder why they should sign up with Twitter instead of Facebook. Both sites can be helpful, of course, but Twitter does offer certain advantages for job hunting. For starters, Twitter users are able to follow whomever they want and unlike on Facebook, need not await confirmation for another party to be their friend. This saves a lot of time as you can immediately see all the updates that a prospective employer posts on their personal page. Following a company or executive means that you have a firsthand look at any positions that may become available. In addition, if the company’s contact person who manages the account sees determination, interest and ability in you, they may be able to point you toward available positions for which to apply when they become available. [Read more…] about How to Use Twitter to Land a Job

Top 7 Job Search Websites

September 12, 2012 by Hannah Munson

Today, searching for a job is easier than ever. No longer do you have to wait by the mail for the newspaper or ask a family member if they know of any job openings. Sure, while these resources work to an extent, it is no longer the go-to method. Thankfully, the Internet is packed full of thousands of fantastic job search websites. While some are amazing, some aren’t worth your time. To help you set the best above the rest, here are some free job search websites you should have on your bookmarks for your upcoming job hunt:

#1 Job Search Website: Indeed.com

Indeed.com is hands down one of the web’s best job search engines. By inputting what you’re looking for and a location, Indeed can potentially spit out thousands of results. The unique thing about Indeed is that they compile results from hundreds of job websites out there and give it to you in one nice list. This will save you a lot of dirty work, trust me! [Read more…] about Top 7 Job Search Websites

Networking to Find a Better Job

August 18, 2012 by Tim McMahon

Networking-

Job Hunting these days is difficult but it can be made easier with the right contacts, the old saying still holds true… “it’s not what you know but who you know”. Networking is one of the best and most efficient ways to find new career opportunities for your professional life. Here are some ways for you to start networking:

Volunteer:

Volunteering has many networking benefits and not only is it a great way to get Experience and build your resume, but also a chance to give back to your community, and its a feel-good activity… it’s great to meet other people who enjoy doing the same thing. Because volunteering brings in different people from all walks of life, working with your local soup kitchen, animal shelter, or a ‘big brother’ program can really open doors to different industries and fields.

Young Professionals:

Many cities have different programs that are centered around getting young professionals together, whether it is through a common interest or activity, a certain field, or a young professional organization centered around volunteering. These young professional groups are great for networking because it puts you in touch with others your age with the same background and passions. Many young professionals offer [Read more…] about Networking to Find a Better Job

8 Ways To Make An Impact On Your First Interview

November 9, 2011 by Guest Contributor

By Ally Tobias

There’s no question that it’s a buyer’s market out there. Close to 10% of the population is unemployed and who knows how many more under-employed. How can you stand out from the hundreds, sometimes thousands, other job seekers?

Here are 8 steps most job seekers miss to make you stand out against the competition.

1. Do Your Research
Always do your research and find out as much as you can about the company you’ll be interviewing with, the role you’re interviewing for and the interviewer.

As they say, “knowledge is power” and it’s never truer than in this case.

Research is important because it will allow you to laser target all your preparations to that particular employer. For example, most people have one resume that they send out to 100 employers. It’s generic – and therefore weak. Is it any wonder that they don’t hear a reply?

Savvy job seekers tailor their resume for one job and they incorporate their research into it. They include experience that works to their advantage but leave out those that do not. This is crucial because you want resumes to be short and sweet but also deliver everything you want to say. [Read more…] about 8 Ways To Make An Impact On Your First Interview

How to Bag your Dream Job

October 31, 2011 by Guest Contributor

With unemployment at a high, it’s tough out there in the job market. These days, employers are playing it cautious when it comes to advertising for jobs, and when they do decide to advertise, they’re looking for the cream of the crop in terms of potential employees, so it’s vital you’ve done your homework.

With that in mind, we’ve come up with a checklist of things you should do if you want to succeed at interview. Read on to discover what tips we think will stand you in good stead…

1. Know Your CV (Curriculum Vitae or Resume)

It might sound obvious, but for many people it isn’t. So your CV and cover letter has gotten you a job interview – great. But do you know your CV like the back of your hand?

If not, you should. It’s often the first thing employers ask you about in interviews. For instance, ‘Oh I see you worked at XXX – so what did that entail?’ It sounds like an easy question to answer but if it was a work placement that was a few years ago you’ll need to make sure you can remember what your role involved. ‘Um’s’ and ‘er’s’ don’t generally make for a convincing answer. [Read more…] about How to Bag your Dream Job