Job Searching

MyEdu is an exciting new recruiting platform which connects college students and recent graduates with employers. Candidates complete a multimedia profile which includes evidence of their key assets. Student accomplishments, skills, work experience and academic successes are easily captured within this profile page. Students can search for posted jobs and internships which match their personal criteria.

Thousands of students, to date, from thousands of colleges have created profiles on MyEdu. In fact, 60% of them report that they are creating their first professional profile on MyEdu and haven't yet created a LinkedIn Profile.

Students can connect with large employers like ADP, Macy's and Ernst & Young, and many smaller companies. College job seekers benefit from accessing multiple employers on a platform which contains only entry level jobs. MyEdu also has a variety of tools for students including a schedule planner, a degree planner and a GPA calculator. MyEdu is free for students.

Here are a few MyEdu profiles, so you can see how visually appealing they are:

• https://www.myedu.com/profile/alexandriavela/
• https://www.myedu.com/profile/3553617/
• https://www.myedu.com/profile/3377883/

Employers can tap this extensive talent database for candidates who meet their criteria. MyEdu has developed Talent Scout, a sophisticated software for scouring the student database to find candidates who match the employer's stated needs. Employers can also post jobs through the system. The platform offers employers a cost effective way to reach a large number of candidate without the travel and time expended by visiting campuses or attending career fairs.

Starting today, MyEdu today announced the launch of a 30-day free trial of MyEdu for Employers that allows any company to post a targeted job or internship and easily connect with applicants and suggested ideal candidates. Employers focused on recruiting early professionals can now connect with college students and grads who have the right skills, talents and experiences without wasting resources sorting through the overwhelming number of applicants that typically respond to job postings.

MyEdu: MyEdu for Students | MyEdu for Employers | Facebook | LinkedIn | Twitter

Related Articles: College Student Job Search Tips | Resume Samples for College Students | Resume Tips for College Students | Cover Letter Samples for Students | Interview Tips for College Students

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One of the benefits of applying for jobs with small companies is that you might not even need to fill out a job application. That can help you get over the hurdle of a gap in your resume, especially if you have been unemployed for a while.

It can also be a way to get hired really fast. For example, a student I know applied for a job posted on our town's Chamber of Commerce website, which is always a good source of local job listings. She emailed the employer on Sunday. The owner emailed her right back. She interviewed on Monday and was hired via email on Monday afternoon.

About the only way to get hired quicker than that is to get hired on the spot and that can happen, too. It's especially true with small companies who don't have a formal hiring process.

If you're flexible in the type of job you're seeking, don't leave out the local job search sites from your job hunting portfolio. Have a resume ready to bring to the interview. Be as flexible as possible when you're asked about your schedule and be prepared to start right away.

Also don't limit your job search to Monday - Friday. The student I mentioned had a head start on the applicants who weren't proactive over the weekend. Employers, especially those who are open weekends and evenings, don't stop hiring at 5 pm on Friday afternoon.

In addition to bringing your resume, also have an elevator pitch ready so you can describe why you're interested in the position and, most importantly, why you are qualified and would be a terrific hire.

Read More: What to Bring to Apply for a Job | On the Spot Interviews

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Workers who have lost their jobs, even temporarily, because of the Oklahoma tornado may be eligible for unemployment benefits and/or disaster assistance. For current claimants, some payments may be delayed because of power outages and state office closures.

For new claimants, unemployment benefits may be available for workers who have lost their jobs. If you are out of work because of the storm, you may be eligible for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) or state Unemployment Insurance (UI). Unemployed workers will need to meet the standard eligibility requirements for collecting state unemployment benefits. Self-employed individuals are also eligible for disaster assistance. There is federal aid available for small businesses, as well.

Disaster Assistance

In order to qualify for disaster unemployment benefits your employment or self-employment must have been lost or interrupted as a direct result of a major disaster, and you must have been determined not to be eligible for regular state unemployment insurance. Major disasters have been declared in some counties in Oklahoma, and information on filing for benefits is available online.

• Oklahoma Disaster Unemployment Assistance
• Oklahoma State Unemployment Benefits
• Federal Aid Programs

To apply for federal diaster aid, register online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or by web enabled mobile device at m.fema.gov. To apply for unemployment, file a claim online or call the OESC Unemployment Insurance Service Center at 405-525-1500 (inside the OKC calling area) or at 1-800-555-1554.

Check with the unemployment office (Oklahoma Claimant Information) website for more information on eligibility, filing a claim for unemployment and for updates on your claim. Offices may have lost power, so there may be delays in processing applications and weekly claims. If there are delays, you will not lose any benefits. However your unemployment payment may be delayed.

More Information

• How to File for Unemployment
• Unemployment Benefits

Scam Warning: There are several different types of unemployment scams to watch out for, but, in general, it's important to know that you are only person who can file for unemployment compensation. Third parties cannot file unemployment claims.

Related: Bad Weather Pay if Office is Closed | Disaster Unemployment Benefits

When disaster strikes and you can't get to work because of a storm or storm damage, whether you'll get paid if your office is closed is a concern for many workers. Are you entitled to get paid if your company closes because of the storm or if you can't make it into to work because of weather issues? There are several factors involved, including whether you are an exempt or non-exempt employee, federal and state law, and company policy.

The Department of Labor issues opinion letters which provide guidance for employers to follow in paying exempt employees (who are exempt from overtime pay requirements) during periods of inclement weather. The guidelines are different based upon whether the company is closed because of the weather or whether the company is open and the employee can't get to work or otherwise misses work.

Here's more on pay for bad weather days and information on when you may get paid for weather-related absences from work. If you can't make it to work, but your workplace is open, be sure to notify your employer per normal channels that you will be absent from work.

If you're job searching while in a foreign country, looking for a job abroad, or pursuing an international position, communication can become complicated and it can be even tricker to ace the interview. Here are tips for arranging an international phone interview and making the best impression on your prospective employer.

Once you've coordinated the logistics, take some time to review phone interview etiquette, including phone interview techniques, advice including how to prepare for a phone interview, and phone interview questions and answers, so you can ace the interview.

Related Articles: Phone Interview Tips | Phone Interview Q & A | Phone Interview Do's and Don'ts

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How's your cover letter going to get noticed by hiring managers? You will need it, and your resume, to get noticed by both the recruiting management software many companies use to screen candidates for job openings and by the hiring manager who reads it, if makes it that far.

One really good way to get noticed on both fronts is to use keywords in your cover letters that match the job description of the position for which you're applying.

There are three different types of keywords that you should incorporate into your letters: skill words, results oriented words, and words which show recognition for achievements. Here's information on each type of keyword and how to use them in your cover letters.

Read More: List of Resume and Cover Letter Keywords

Related Articles: Resume Keywords and How to Use Them | Cover Letter Keywords

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Despite the shift in hiring from full-time to part-time or temporary employment on the part of employers, most employees would prefer to work full-time. There's a lot to be said for the flexibility of being able to set your own schedule, but the security of a full-time position with salary and benefits is overwhelming the ideal work arrangement for most workers.

A survey from Lee Hecht Harrison, the career transition and talent development consulting firm, reports that workers prefer:

• Full-time employee - 74%
• Self-employed - 10%
• Part-time employee - 9%
• Contract employee - 7%

Greg Simpson, Senior Vice President, Career Transition Practice Leader for Lee Hecht Harrison stated, "While the majority of workers prefer full-time employment, we recommend that job seekers assess all available career options. A part-time or contract position can bridge a gap on an individual's resume, it keeps the job seeker connected to the job market and can be the catalyst to a full-time position. Career paths seldom follow a straight line so it's important to be open to all opportunities."

That's good advice. Employers who don't want to commit to bringing a full-time employee on board often hire temporary or contract employees. That type of position can be a way to get a foot in the door at a company you'd like to work for. In addition, to filling in a resume gap, it can also help fill in the wage gap if you're running out of unemployment benefits.

The same scenario works with summer jobs. Some employers keep on staff after the season ends and a summer job can turn into a year-round position. The more open you are to what type of position you'll take, the more options you'll have. So, don't automatically exclude jobs that aren't full-time permanent positions from your list of where to apply. You just never know what might happen once you've been hired.

How about you? Would you hold out for a full-time position or would take a chance on a temporary or part-time job turning into something more permanent?

Read More: Majority of Workers View Full-Time Employment as Ideal

Related Articles: How to Search for a Temporary Job | Summer Jobs 2013

Many companies use recruiting management software to screen candidates for job openings. Instead of a person reviewing your resume, the software screens resumes based on the terms included the resume. Resume keywords are the words that those hiring managers search for when going through their database of resumes. In order to get found, your resume needs to contain keywords that directly target the jobs you are interested in.

The keywords in your resume should reference specific job requirements, including your skills, software and technology competencies, relevant credentials, and previous employers.

Here's more on resume keywords and how to use them to ensure that your resume stands out from the crowd and you're flagged as compatible with open positions.

Read More: List of Resume and Cover Letter Keywords | Tips for Using Cover Letter Keywords

Related Articles: Resume Tips for a Tech-Savvy World | Cover Letter Keywords

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RallyPoint is a professional networking site for active military and veterans. It's free to join, and RallyPoint members can develop a strong professional military network, increasing their chances of landing a post-service job. In a phrase, RallyPoint is LinkedIn for the military. Member can tap their military network in a secure, private setting and RallyPoint is the only employer-to-service member skill matching network in the U.S.

In order to join, your military status needs to be verified. For active military, you can join by signing up with a .mil email address, uploading documentation or receiving an invitation from another verified member. Veterans can verify by uploading documentation or through a database check that RallyPoint conducts.

RallyPoint members can:

• Connect with units and other military professionals across the Armed Forces
• See more about your colleagues' military background and experiences
• Gain insight into PCS opportunities
• Track the availability of unique opportunities best suited for your career
• Connect with companies seeking employees with a military background
• Secure the civilian job that's best for you before you transition

More Information: Why Join RallyPoint | About RallyPoint | Sign Up

Related Articles: Career Transition Timeline for Veterans | Job Search Advice for Veterans

Do you have to work on Memorial Day or will you get the day off from work? Depending on who you work for, Memorial Day, Monday, May 27, 2013 - may - or may not - be a day off from work. If you have to work, there's no guarantee that you will be paid extra for working on a holiday. That depends on your company and/or your bargaining agreement if you're covered by a contract.

The Federal Government provides employees with nine paid holidays each year. Private sector employees may provide holidays off or holiday pay for working on a holiday, but they are not required to pay you extra for time worked on a holiday or to give you the day off from work.

Related Articles: List of Holidays | Holiday Pay | 2013 Holiday Calendar

Looking for job interview tips? Whether you're a teen going on a first interview or an experienced candidate seeking a top level position, your appearance, your body language, what you say, and what you do, are all important to successful interviewing.

One of the most important parts of a job search is the interview and it's easy to knock yourself out of contention without even trying. If you walk into the interview texting or drinking coffee, for example, you are going to start out with a strike against you - before you even meet your interviewer.

We have created a series of job interview tips videos which will help you improve your interview appearance and body language, as well as your phone interview skills, and impress the interviewer from the moment you arrive.

If you're a teen just starting out, review these interview tips for teen job seekers to learn what you should and should not do during the interview. For college students, here are some tips for interviewing when you're balancing a job search and school.

Being prepared to impress the interviewer, will not only help you ace the interview, it will also help you project the confidence you'll have because you took the time to get ready to interview successfully. Being able to interview effectively will also help ensure your job search is successful.

More Videos: Job Searching Videos

Read More: Interview Questions and Answers | Top 10 Job Interview Tips | Best Job Search Tips

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The job market is still difficult, which means that job hunters need to put some extra effort into their job search. It's not enough to apply for a job and hope for the best. These ten steps you can take to find a new job including where to look for jobs, the best job sites, how to use your connections, how to ace the interview, and how to follow up.

On a related note, if you're interested in a career change, it is important to take the time to evaluate your present situation, to explore career options, and to choose a career that will be satisfying for you.

Follow these ten steps to a successful career change to explore options and choose a new career within or outside your current industry or career field.

In both cases, what's most important is that you stand out from the job searching crowd and get noticed as a candidate by the hiring manager. Making not just a good, but a great impression, will give you the best shot at be contacted for an interview.

Read More: Job Listings | How to Use Your Connections

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Summer jobs aren't just for kids - especially this year, when unemployment is still high for all ages. If you're running out of unemployment, working less hours than you'd like, or need to earn some extra cash, consider a summer job. Many employers consider mature candidates favorably and even though hiring is down, there are summer jobs available for grownups, as well as teens.

This is a good time to look for a summer job because high schools and some colleges are still in session. If you're available to work now, you'll have an edge on the candidates who have to wait until school gets out.

You can conduct much of your job search online. Visit sites that list summer jobs and check the job search engines using "summer" as a keyword or select "seasonal" or "temporary" in the Advanced Search Options.

Don't forget to check your local newspaper (help wanted ads may be online), chamber of commerce web site, and job search in person. Job searching in-person is still an option, despite all the online resources, because many summer jobs are filled by walk-in applicants.

If you're of a certain age, don't forget to check the sites that focus on retired workers. You don't have to be of retirement age to apply for many of them and they are a good source of listings for older workers.

Read More: Tips for Older Job Seekers | How to Apply for a Job | Job Search Tips

 LinkedIn is the top professional networking site and everyone who is  job searching or might need to job search in the future should have a LinkedIn profile and should be actively using LinkedIn to job search and network.

Here's how to get started on LinkedIn. Then join the About.com Job Search and Careers LinkedIn Group to connect with career experts and hiring managers, get job leads, and to network with contacts who can help with your job search.

Join us on Facebook and Twitter, as well. You can "like/fan/friend" our Facebook Job Search page for lots of job hunting tips, suggestions, and advice.

For job leads and quick tidbits of advice follow me on Twitter, where my ID is @AlisonDoyle. I'm connected to thousands of employers, recruiters, career experts, and job sites

Related: Job Search on Twitter | Top 10 Social Networking Tips | Job Search on Social Networks

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Job seekers are increasingly using their phones to search for jobs, but they are less likely to apply for jobs on their smartphone than on a computer. Snagajob, America's largest hourly site for job seekers and employers, saw its users increase their mobile job searching by 95% over the past year.

However, when it comes to applying, they go back to their computer. Applicants submit three times as many applications from their computer than they do from their mobile device. Which makes sense, because even though companies are increasingly making their career sites mobile friendly it still can be a challenge to gather and input all the data you need to apply. It's easier, in many cases, to go back to your computer to start the application process.

Here's an overview of the survey results for the 12-month period ranging from April 2012 to March 2013:

• Mobile job searching is up 95%.
• Job seekers submitted 4.3% fewer applications.
• Job seekers under the age of 24 only saw a 2.1% decline in applications.
• Job seekers are three times more likely to submit an application on a PC than on a mobile device.

Read More: Top 10 Tips for Using Your Phone to Job Search

Related Articles: How to Apply for a Job | Apps for Job Seekers | How Did You Apply for Your Job?