Online Applicants Beware: Applicant Tracking Systems in Place

If you’re in the market for a new job, chances are you’ve applied to dozens of part time and full time jobs by simply clicking the “apply now” button online. Whether the website was a job board such as Monster.com, a company’s own career site, or even a job aggregation website, hundreds (even thousands) of other applicants applied the same way.

If you’ve submitted a resume online, chances are you’ve received the ubiquitous follow-up email from the online system, and if you’re lucky, someone will actually contact you. Consider yourself “Lucky” because if you’ve heard back from a real person – your application made it (out of the black hole) through an applicant tracking system. An applicant tracking system or ATS is the new software response to large numbers of online application submissions for job positions. Companies invest in ATS systems to help screen applicants, by shifting through and filtering out the resumes that don’t fit the job’s requirements.  It’s like a SPAM filter for resumes. Only the resumes that meet very specific criteria get through.

Essentially, if you received an email from a real, live person, you’ve made it through a somewhat rigorous filtration system and are deemed “qualified!” So why do companies feel the need to adopt ATS systems? Well, to screen out unqualified applicants is certainly one reason, but an article from the Wall Street Journal points out that recruiters are less worried about what’s on a resume and more interested in what they can find out about you online. When it comes to a broad labor pool and a high unemployment rate, bypassing resumes and searching for clues that describe the applicant’s personality often helps with the selection process.

Video:http://s.wsj.net/media/swf/VideoMicroPlayer.swf

Unemployed? Take Back Control of Your Life & Career

If you are out of work right now, like 9.6% of Americans according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, you probably think that taking control of your career seems pretty hopeless. But MyPartTimePRO is here to tell you that it’s not hopeless! You have the power to steer your life and career in the direction you want it to go. Here are some tips on how to do just that:

1. Create a Routine

Now that you no longer have the structure of work that helped shape your days, it is important to create your own routine. Don’t fall victim to laziness and immobility. Often people get down or even depressed after losing their job so it’s easy to develop an “I don’t care” attitude.

One thing you can do to combat this is to exercise first thing in the morning. It’s good for your body and your mind, and it will get you out of bed every day! This would be a good time to work on your image and building self-confidence. You should schedule time to execute your job search every day. Think of your job search as your new 9 to 5 because looking for a job is, after all, a full-time job in and of itself.

2. Decide What You Want

Think of your situation as an opportunity to achieve the life and career that you desire. Use this time to take a detailed inventory of your talents, achievements and interests. What are you great at? What have you loved and hated about past jobs and how have they shaped what you are looking for in your next job? What exactly do you want to do next? Be very specific because the more you know about what you want, the easier it will be to achieve those things.

3. Make a Plan

Now that you know what you want you need to decide how you will make that happen. Set specific goals for yourself and understand how you will measure your successes. Do a lot of research about the jobs you want, the companies you want to work for and the people who can make it happen. Learn what you can do to secure your dream job. Determine how to best utilize your network to help you.

Consider getting professional help from a career coach or resume writer. Maybe connect with a recruiter in your industry who can help you locate a job. These people have dedicated their own careers to helping people like you succeed. Don’t underestimate the power of job search sites like MyPartTimePRO.com either. Many recruiters and hiring managers utilize these s sites every day to find great talent.

4. Take Action!

Now that you’ve developed a strategy for your job search, it’s time to execute it. Reach out to people who can help you, and companies that can hire you. Create a stellar resume for each position you apply for. And don’t forget to be persistent. Following up is key to landing a job because it illustrates your passion and commitment.

Understand that a job search can take time so learn to be flexible. Temp work is a great way to stay employed and gain some new skills while you’re looking for your next job. Another thing to consider is contract work. This is a wonderful way to build your resume, add to your portfolio and develop lasting relationships with companies, who may be interested in hiring you on full-time sometime down the line.

Also, don’t forget to measure your results throughout your job search process. Learn what is and isn’t working so that your search is as successful as possible.

The most important thing to remember is that only YOU have the power to achieve the life and career you want. Being proactive is the key to landing your dream job and MyPartTimePRO is here to help you along the way. Good luck!

Graduated from College: Now what?

Congratulations! You graduated! You’ve worked hard to get where you are today and we’re all proud of you! But now what? Finding a job post-graduation is hard enough in a good economy, but you have the misfortune of graduating in the middle of the “great recession.” So what’s an entry-level professional, like yourself, to do?

Make Connections!

Gone are the days when you get a job based solely on what you know. Many times, if you want to even be considered for a position, you must know someone within the organization. It is well known that approximately 60-75% of all job openings are never advertised, which is why networking is so critical. Getting an interview with a company to which you have zero personal connections is nearly unheard of anymore. During these challenging economic times, it comes down to a combination of what you know, who you know, and who knows you.

So get out there and meet new people. Join a local networking group. Make meaningful contacts online via social media. Talk to friends and colleagues of your parents (they really are an INCREDIBLE resource!). Do whatever it is you need to do to build your personal and professional network because you will need them to help you get your foot in the door somewhere. And never, under any circumstances, send a general cover letter and resume out to every company in town. “To Whom It May Concern.” Take the time to conduct some research online, though informational interviews, networking, etc. to learn then ames and titles of key staff members within the organization you are considering.

Stand Out!

With unemployment at 9.5% it’s no secret that this recession has taken a serious toll on the job market. But fear not! There are jobs out there! The competition may be a bit tougher, but they exist. So what will do you to stand out from the hundreds, or dare we say thousands, of applicants vying for your dream job? You are unique and you offer your very own perspective and tremendous value to whatever position you apply for, so come up with a way to illustrate that!

To avoid becoming a wallflower in your job search, commit yourself to building a strong personal brand. If you are making strategic connections and demonstrating your worth to prospective employers, you won’t be just another applicant.

Volunteer!

Looking for a job is definitely a full-time job in and of itself, but consider finding a volunteer position that will help you gain new skills for your next paying gig. There are so many non-profits looking for people to help in an administrative capacity. Do you want to gain writing skills? Volunteer to write copy for a non-profit’s website or promotional materials. Interested business administration or finance? Help with the book-keeping. Interested in event planning or PR? Help them plan events and/or gain publicity for the events.

This kind of skills-based volunteering is mutually beneficial for obvious reasons, but what’s in it for you is relevant experience, a resume builder, expanding your personal/professional network and maybe even a professional recommendation. For more information on skills-based volunteering, check out SmartVolunteer.org.

Freelance!

If you’ve never considered freelancing, now’s as good a time as any to do so. While you look for a job, think about how you can market your talents to companies on a contract basis. Many employers are hesitant to hire full-time employees right now, so take advantage of this trend and offer to do some work as a contractor. Not only will this give you valuable experience in your field, it also helps you get meet new people, showcase your talents and build an impressive portfolio of work.

As you continue your job search keep MyPartTimePRO in mind. We are ready to connect you with employers who are looking to fill non-traditional positions within their companies. When you consider temp-perm, contract or seasonal positions, you expand your job search in ways you never thought possible!

Good luck and happy hunting from the folks at MyPartTimePRO.com!

Recruiting Recent College Grads

If your company is interested in hiring entry-level professionals, you’re in luck! The market has just been flooded with eager college graduates ready to enter the job market and they’re looking to you for their first big career opportunity.

Not sure if you want to invest in a recent college graduate? Maybe you just don’t know where to look for the best and the brightest? We want to give you a quick rundown on the benefits and how-tos of hiring an entry-level employee fresh out of college.

Benefits:

There are many benefits to hiring a recent graduate!

Affordability – In most industries, an entry-level position makes a salary which reflects their inexperience. Your investment in a recent college grad will often yield a higher return than it would with a more experienced new-hire because they are more eager to contribute to your team and they bring a new point of view to your company.

A Fresh Perspective – Recent graduates don’t just increase the diversity of your company, they also bring brand new ideas to the table. They can put you ahead of the competition by encouraging innovation and staying at the forefront of industry trends.

Enthusiasm – The passion of a recent graduate is often unmatched among seasoned professionals. They are eager to be a part of your team and are willing to do whatever it takes to succeed. They bring a new level of energy and “can do” attitude which, when challenged appropriately, has the potential to make early contributions to the organization. They also have developed an amazing habit of learning which renders them highly trainable once you invest in their talents.

How to:

Your company is probably already being bombarded by resumes from graduates (and if it’s not, chances are it doesn’t have a very strong online presence which is another post entirely!).

So how do you pick out the best ones from the stack? Beyond matching qualifications to job descriptions, it is important to do a little online research on your most compatible applicants for your organization.

For instance, does he/she have a profile on LinkedIn? If so, what do they say they’re looking for? What do they tout as their talents? Remember, they may not have much work experience or many contributions to boast about, but in today’s aggressive job search climate, they should have a strong online presence with information that resonates with what your company is looking for.

When researching other popular social media sites, it’s important to keep in mind that applicants haven’t always created their profiles for professional reasons. Sometimes, however, they can give a prospective employer a good idea of whether or not he or she is a good fit with the company. The internet provides you with unique opportunity to go beyond resumes and interviews and find employees who share your company’s values. You should resist however the urge to probe too far on the internet. It would not be wise to discover information inadvertently that is protected by federal or state laws, such as religion, health status and national origin (another blog post we’ll cover later).

So take advantage of the next few months while graduates are on the hunt for their first big break for a company like yours. And don’t forget that traditional employment isn’t your only option! Look into contract to hire or part-time options too!