Santa Fe Jobing Community Blogs

Western Region International Public Management Association for Human Resources (WRIPMA-HR) is a non-profit organization and one of four regions of IPMA-HR (www.ipma-hr.org), a national organization that represents the interests of over 7,500 human resource professional at the Federal, State and Local levels of government. IPMA-HR provides many services to members and disseminates information on innovative personnel policies, benefits, labor relations, workplace trends, state and federal legislations, cutting edge HR practices, and research data.

Please make plans to attend the 2007 Western Region IPMA-HR Annual Training Conference.  This educational event is taking place May 7th - 11th at the Doubletree Paradise Valley Resort in Scottsdale, Arizona.

For additional information visit the Western Region website at www.wripma-hr.org or for questions contact Theresa Damiani at theresa.damiani@phoenix.gov or 602-262-6368.

Sometimes you go to a job fair and an employer will ask you to follow up with an online resume submission.  Other times, you’ll apply online and a recruiter will ask you to meet them at their job fair.  Which is it – why do you need to do both? 

When an employer makes the difficult decision to invest in a new employee, many of them will really want to get to know that employee – you – as well as possible before making that final decision.  So go ahead, show them you can follow up with that job fair encounter by applying online (tip - grab their business card and send them a cover letter reminding them that you met them at the job fair).  If an online application leads to an invitation to meet with an employer at a job fair, do it!  This is your chance at that important first interview. 

Another important note about resumes and job fairs:  Sometimes employers want to get out and meet people face-to-face and also require (for applicant tracking purposes, ease of managing paperwork, etc.) an online record of your application.  At job fairs, employers may decline your paper resume and ask you to submit your resume online.  Don’t be discouraged.  Accommodate the employer’s request by following their application guidelines.  Your efforts on both fronts (attendance at the fair and applying online) are deeply appreciated by the employer. 

It may seem like a lot of effort and courage to approach an employer more than once to get a job – but like any relationship, the one between you and your future employer deserves your best effort.  Give it your all – and as always, let us know about your successes!

Since 1974, every U.S. president has issued a proclamation designating National Volunteer Week , an annual celebration of the contributions of citizen volunteers. This year's observance is April 15–21, with the theme

"Inspire by Example." There are many ways in which one can make a difference for the better in one's community through volunteering. Serving as a mentor to an at-risk youth is one of the most vital.

Resources for National Volunteer Week:

To learn more about National Volunteer Week and how you may observe it, visit

http://www.usafreedomcorps.gov/about_usafc/special/nvw.asp .

For further information on mentoring as an opportunity to volunteer, visit

http://www.mentoring.org/mentor_minute/national_volunteer_week_coming

In your job search you should apply the steps toward achieving your goals for a successful search.

In a recent article by Motivational Speaker, Jane Boucher the importance of goal setting is stated as critical for personal and professional success.

To read Jane's article, click here.

Keep your resume current.  You may not need to perform a job search again in the near future, but it is always a good idea to update your resume whenever you acquire new skills and responsibilities.   This way you can be sure to have it ready to go with the most recent information for whenever you need it (to apply for new jobs, promotions, or to share in a company bio). 

Stay on top of your industry.  Join professional associations whenever you get a chance.  Stay aware of what is going on in employment in your field.  Do you know what new qualifications people are looking for? Do you know what the current salaries are for people performing comparable work in your field?  Don’t let your contact with us end when your search is over – stay current, stay informed, and stay active in your employment community!

Networking Your Way to a New Job...Know The Basics!

Molly Wendell from Studio C writes good tips for using e-mailing in networking in your job search.

Before doing anything:

EMAIL ADDRESS.   If you’re using your personal email address for the job search.   STOP!!   You’ll have to admit, there are some really strange email addresses, and every time you send your resume or any email online, your brand is coming across.   Does that brand accurately reflect your level of professionalism?   I recently saw an email address laxbill47@yahoo.com.   If you didn’t know that Bill was into Lacrosse, you might just think he’s too lazy to work.   And maybe he’s 47 or was born in 1947.   Either way, don’t let your email knock you out of the running.   And if you think it won’t.   Guess what.   It probably already has.

The email you use should be firstlast@domain.com or first.last@domain.com.   NEVER use the family email as your job search email.   And while you’re updating your resume with your new email, go ahead and only list your cell phone number (versus both home and cell)—and make sure you have a professional message…”You’ve reached Bill’s cell, leave a message”…is just like saying "Hire me and I will wear cutoffs and flip flops every day" (which may be okay at some companies, but not BEFORE you get the job!).

Networking Your Way to a New Job...Know The Basics! Molly Wendell from Studio C gives some great insight into the importance of networking and the tools to assist you, in her recent article. Before doing anything: BUSINESS CARDS.   If you don’t have business cards for the job search, get them right away.   Each card should have the following information:   Name, Email, Phone and then three areas of expertise listed.  Forget the address.  It just creates clutter and nobody writes letters anymore!   Sometimes you might want to list an industry.   Here are a few examples:

Controller:Planning & Analysis, Budgeting, Sarbanes Oxley  -OR - IT Project Manager: Project Management, Application Development, Retail Systems   -OR-  Marketing Director:  Strategic Marketing, Public Relations, Technology

For high quality cards at a reasonable price, order them through Vistaprint.com - use this code to get a 25% discount:   www.vistaprint.com/frf?frf=845957584994

Networking Your Way to a New Job...Know The Basics!  Molly Wendell from Studio C offers this advise when greeting and networking!  Before doing anything:

A GREAT HANDSHAKE.   There’s a time and place to be memorable.   This isn’t one of them.   Don’t be known for a different handshake.   Nobody appreciates it when you turn their wrist to put your hand on top.  Nobody wants you to crunch their knuckles and remind them of the pain their older brother caused them all those years.  Nobody likes the grandma handshake...not even your grandma!!  Use the same handshake for everyone you meet.   That way, you’ll either offend everyone or no one.   Here’s what a normal handshake consists of:

Extend Arm Use a firm (but not too tight) grip Make eye contact Double pump Let go…please, please, please know when to let go Nothing’s worse than warming out your welcome in the handshake.   If you think you may have held on too long.   The answer is yes.   You did.

Where can I start my Research? It is a good idea to do research on the companies to which you would like to apply. Then, include in your cover letter, your resume, and your interview - your knowledge of the company and why you would be a good fit.    Here are a few places to start your research: Jobing.com Company Profile Pages:  http://newmexico.jobing.com  - (or click on “browse companies” at the top of the page) -   these pages can list information as diverse as the culture of a particular company all the way to contact information and the current positions they have available.    Use your research to set yourself apart from the crowd – show the employer that you know you would be a good fit, because you know their company and their needs.   Good luck to you in your research!

You may want to use a resume that emphasizes your skill sets (a skill based resume) as opposed to a chronological resume (one that lists all of your work experience in order by date).
When writing a skill based resume (also known as a functional resume), consider and list all the of the skills you bring to the workplace.  List any equipment knowledge, software experience, special skills and training that you have.  Also include references (former employers if you choose).  This type of resume emphasizes what you can do - and minimizes any gaps in employment.
There are volumes of books on resume formats - a quick trip to the library will give you a lot of insight into what is out there and how you can best represent yourself.