Career Planning on the Internet
Once in a while, I sit back and marvel at how the staffing industry has changed over the last 10 years. It's almost as different as night and day. Ten years ago, the industry was still mainly a paper resume industry. Ten years ago, there weren't human resource services like personality assessment. Ten years ago, the Internet wasn't a real presence. Today, there are hundreds of thousands of sites with job listings or job information on them.
The Internet has been a boon for the employer and the job seeker alike. The Internet affords employers the opportunity to market their company to the masses. It also provides an opportunity to cast job openings across the globe. There are other advantages, but I'd like to focus on the job seeker.
One of the most difficult times in this industry is when skilled acquaintances contact me in search of a new job. They've become a casualty of a company going out of business, downsizing, etc. Ten years ago, their search for a new job was generally limited to local, regional, and some national opportunities. Today, the opportunities for job seekers have expanded significantly through the advent of the Internet. Today, it's global. Though such opportunities are great for job seekers, it may not be the best reason to use the Internet.
Everyone knows the Internet is a great source for job listings and posting resumes. But it's also a place to get career counseling or job-hunting help. It's a place to do research or find out information about fields, occupations, companies, cities, geographical areas, etc. It's also a place to make contacts with people who can help you find information or help you get an interview at a particular place.
By reviewing the top posting Web sites-Monster.com, YahooJobs.com, etc-many additional options available to the job seeker are revealed. These sites help you write a resume. Do you want to know how much you're worth? You can find the pay scales for your position in just about any location on the globe. Need help in interviewing? These sites help prepare you. Want help in negotiating benefits? All you have to do is look. Overworked? Learn what it takes to achieve a good work/life balance. Need to relocate? They'll help you. Looking to franchise? Find one that fits your interests. Thinking of retiring? Advice is available. You can even find companies that promote diversity.
A couple of other aspects of these Internet sites that can be valuable to the job seeker are the educational possibilities and the assessment services. These sites can provide or direct you to online college accredited classes-from certification programs to postgraduate degrees. And they're not limited. You can browse online degree programs from advertising to zoology. If you don't know what type of job you want, take an assessment of your personality. You answer a number of questions, and, for a nominal fee, it gives back recommendations on what type of personality you have and what jobs may best fit your personal motivations. It just may help you find a career.
Oh, my. The times are a-changin. IBI
The Internet has been a boon for the employer and the job seeker alike. The Internet affords employers the opportunity to market their company to the masses. It also provides an opportunity to cast job openings across the globe. There are other advantages, but I'd like to focus on the job seeker.
One of the most difficult times in this industry is when skilled acquaintances contact me in search of a new job. They've become a casualty of a company going out of business, downsizing, etc. Ten years ago, their search for a new job was generally limited to local, regional, and some national opportunities. Today, the opportunities for job seekers have expanded significantly through the advent of the Internet. Today, it's global. Though such opportunities are great for job seekers, it may not be the best reason to use the Internet.
Everyone knows the Internet is a great source for job listings and posting resumes. But it's also a place to get career counseling or job-hunting help. It's a place to do research or find out information about fields, occupations, companies, cities, geographical areas, etc. It's also a place to make contacts with people who can help you find information or help you get an interview at a particular place.
By reviewing the top posting Web sites-Monster.com, YahooJobs.com, etc-many additional options available to the job seeker are revealed. These sites help you write a resume. Do you want to know how much you're worth? You can find the pay scales for your position in just about any location on the globe. Need help in interviewing? These sites help prepare you. Want help in negotiating benefits? All you have to do is look. Overworked? Learn what it takes to achieve a good work/life balance. Need to relocate? They'll help you. Looking to franchise? Find one that fits your interests. Thinking of retiring? Advice is available. You can even find companies that promote diversity.
A couple of other aspects of these Internet sites that can be valuable to the job seeker are the educational possibilities and the assessment services. These sites can provide or direct you to online college accredited classes-from certification programs to postgraduate degrees. And they're not limited. You can browse online degree programs from advertising to zoology. If you don't know what type of job you want, take an assessment of your personality. You answer a number of questions, and, for a nominal fee, it gives back recommendations on what type of personality you have and what jobs may best fit your personal motivations. It just may help you find a career.
Oh, my. The times are a-changin. IBI