Archive for April, 2010

Are You Conducting a SMART Job Search?

Apr 28

Posted by doostang in Advice & Tips, Job Search | View Comments

By Alesia Benedict, CPRW, JCTC GetInterviews.com

Hedge Fund Analyst, New York, NY
Supporter Marketing Manager, Washington, DC
Private Equity Investment Analyst, San Francisco, CA
Content Analyst, Los Angeles, CA
Associate – Healthcare, Hong Kong, China

More jobs we think you’ll like…

Are you conducting a smart job search or just an average job search? With unemployment at record levels, lots of people are in the middle of a job search. Some are going through all the right motions but they aren’t working smart. As a result, their searches take more effort, get fewer results, and take longer. Here are some “do’s” and “don’ts” of a smart job search:

DO set search agents on job sites. Let technology work for you. Search agents will “push” new job openings to you so you can apply if you wish. Search agents cut a lot of time out of job search and are very useful for the Internet portion of your job search.

DON’T stop at one or two job sites. In this recession, job search can be a numbers game. Cast a wide net in your job search and use multiple avenues to get your resume circulating. Make sure you update your resume regularly on job boards and include a cover letter if the system allows.

DO use a great resume prepared by an experienced, certified resume writer. Check credentials and find out how long the writer has been writing resumes. There are lots of “resume writers” out there who have appeared since the recession and who will “write” a resume for a few bucks. Don’t be fooled; the quality of the end product is not the same. Investing in professional help is a great way to get an edge.

DON’T ignore social media because recruiters and hiring managers don’t. Sites like LinkedIn and Facebook are the first stop for most recruiters seeking professional candidates. Work to build your online network and keep it professional. Make sure your profile is complete and work to extend your network across a diverse population. It does no good to add five personal friends and stop there.

DO follow up. With hundreds of candidates for each open position, names and resumes all run together for the hiring manager. Interviews will go to candidates who work to establish some sort of communication with the recruiter or hiring manager. Today especially, employers are overwhelmed with applicants and will often grasp the straw that sticks up highest. Work to be that straw by always following up with a great thank you, a personal note, or a phone call.

DON’T forget to pay it forward. Your network should work both ways. Not only should you be asking for help from your contacts but you should be offering it, too. A job search partner can be helpful in multiplying your efforts. Find a contact in the same industry but different function with whom you can team up. Your contacts can immediately be his contacts and vice versa. Your research can benefit him and his job search efforts can benefit you.

DO stay engaged. The worst thing you can do is sit at home and become isolated. Get out of the house. Volunteer, go to community meetings, take a class, or even teach a class! Isolation leads to job search burnout and dead ends.

DON’T give up. When the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) releases new unemployment figures, you often hear talking heads saying the figures don’t reflect those who have given up. Don’t become that statistic too. Those who give up have a 100% chance of NOT getting a job. Edison had over 100 failed designs before he finally hit on the right one for the light bulb. But he never gave up. Keep working at finding a job and you will succeed.

About the Author:

Alesia Benedict, Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and Job and Career Transition Coach (JCTC) is the President of GetInterviews.com, the country’s leading resume writing firm. They provide professionals with customized, branded resumes and career marketing documents. Her and her firm’s credentials include being cited by JIST Publications as one of the “best resume writers in North America,” quoted as a career expert in The Wall Street Journal, and published in a whopping 25+ career books. Established in 1994, the firm has aided more than 100,000 job seekers to date. All resume writers are certified writers. GetInterviews.com offers a free resume critique and their services come with a wonderful guarantee — interviews in 30 days or they’ll rewrite for free!

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Tags: Add new tag, Advice, Doostang, Job Search

Doostang Success – A Pair of Offers from Prestigious Companies

Apr 27

Posted by doostang in Job Search, Success Stories | View Comments

Eric
Northwestern University, 2009

“After college I took a job in the financial field in Chicago, IL. However, because of the lagging economy I was let go after 6 months of work.

My job search took me through many venues, from job agents, to websites that promised to strategically place my resume around job boards and the internet. It did not work, as most responses were spam or for jobs that did not match my interests or level of education.

Then I found Doostang.com. Immediately I saw the difference in the caliber of companies and the positions posted on this particular site.

Within two months I was able to secure a pair of offers from prestigious companies, and I could not be more pleased.”

Want to be the next Doostang Success story? Start applying to those jobs and see where that takes you!

Here’s a small sample of the exceptional jobs you’ll find on Doostang:

Investment Analyst, Leading Specialty Finance Company (Boston, MA)
Consultant, Premier Management Consulting Firm (Various US Locations)
Private Equity Intern, Upstart Middle Market Buyout Firm (New York, NY)
Jr. Researcher, Multi-Focused Consulting Firm (Chicago, IL)
Financial Analyst – Solar Energy, Comprehensive Renewable Energy Company (Los Angeles, CA)

More jobs we think you’ll like…

Happy Job Searching!

The Doostang Team

If you’re interested in sharing your Doostang success story, contact Kat at katerina@doostang.com

Tags: Doostang, Doostang Blog, Job Search, Success

Doostang News April 26: Outmanning the Weakness Question

Apr 24

Posted by doostangkaitlin in Advice & Tips, Doostang News, Interviewing, Job Search | View Comments

Investment Banking Associate, San Francisco, CA
Market Research Associate, New York, NY
Sr Private Equity Analyst, Philadelphia, PA
Management Consultant, Washington, DC
Strategy Analyst, London, UK

More jobs we think you’ll like…

Dear Perfectionists,

Answering interview questions disingenuously is easy to spot. And refusal to address zingers that force you to take a cold, hard look at yourself may imply hubris. So lose the fear, do some self-evaluation, and learn how to conquer everyone’s favorite “Weakness” question.

Employers are looking for stand-outs in the interview process. Knock-em-deads who bring new ideas to the table and address problems with creativity and confidence. Hence, the individual who answers an interview question with a cliché fails on that count. What’s that archaic exchange? The classic: “What’s your greatest weakness?” “I’m a perfectionist!” Readers, it’s going to get you nowhere. Hiring managers have been around the block far too many times to swallow that one anymore, and in this job market, you cannot risk throwing away an interview question like that.

Similarly, don’t come back with the insufferable, “I don’t have any”. You are human…you are fallible. Any person that self-absorbed is going to have only him or herself to answer to at the end of the day, because they’re not going to get the job.

The going advice on this one nowadays is to be honest. Now, that’s not to say that you can’t navigate this question tactfully. But when an interviewer asks you for information, it is your sole duty during that meeting to provide it.

That said, focus on a weakness that won’t doom your chances of scoring a job in the first place. You don’t want to mention how you are chronically late, and often let important meetings slip your mind. You also don’t want to bring up that you find it near impossible to get along with others, and have been known to get into office altercations. And steer clear of mentioning weaknesses that are irreconcilable with the job you are applying for, i.e. bringing up that you are terrible with numbers when you are interviewing for a job at a bank.

Think of something to say that’s genuine, but find a way to turn that weakness into a positive experience. Perhaps you tend to take on too many projects at once, sometimes to the detriment of the quality of your work, but you have recently taken to using a daily planner to keep you on track. Maybe you are shy, but in the past few months you have been making a better effort to network and reach out to organizations, coming out on the other end with a little more confidence.

Everyone has weaknesses. And countless people excel in their career. So it’s clear that weaknesses aren’t going to render you useless when it comes to taking up a new position at a company – and employers know that. So give some thought to this question before you walk into your next interview, and answer gracefully and honestly. Because in the end, how you answer the question says a lot about who you are.

Yours truly,

The Doostang Team

Tags: Advice, Doostang, Greatest Weakness, interview, Interview Questions, Job Search

Doostang New Jobs This Week – Apr 19 – 25

Apr 23

Posted by doostang in Doostang Jobs, Job Search | View Comments

Doostang’s Premium service gives you exclusive access to thousands of highly sought after positions at companies like Google, Goldman Sachs, Bain Capital, Kohlberg Kravis & Roberts, Summit Partners, Time Warner, Facebook, and more. Looking to get ahead in your job search? Here are this week’s top Premium jobs currently posted on Doostang.

Investment Banking Summer Analyst, New York, NY – Top-level Multi-Billion Bank-Based Financial Services Company seeks 2010 Investment Banking Summer Analyst. Strong academic record required.

In-House Writer/Editor, Los Angeles, CA – Global media and entertainment company seeks an In-House Writer/Editor. The candidate must have a Bachelor’s degree in journalism or a related field and 4-7 years of experience in online/print media.

Venture Capital Analyst, Boston, MA – Leading healthcare and biotech venture management firm seeks a Pre-MBA Venture Capital Analyst to join its team in Boston. The ideal candidate will have 2-5 years of experience in investment banking or consulting.

Vice President – Marketing, SF Bay Area, CA – Top-tier Internet Technology Company seeks Vice President, Marketing.

Sponsor Finance Analyst, Chicago, IL – Leading provider of financial solutions seeks an Analyst to join its Sponsor Finance group. 1-2 years of experience in a financial role, preferably in leveraged credit, investment banking, or commercial banking is required.

Communications Associate, New York, NY – New York City Legal Association seeks Communications Associate. 1-3 years of Journalism or Public Relations experience preferred.

Private Equity Investment Analyst, Santa Fe, NM – Boutique private equity and venture capital investment fund is looking for a Fund Investment Analyst. A minimum of one year of private equity advisory or PE fund of funds experience is a must.

Tags: Doostang, Doostang Jobs, Job Search

Secrets of a Professional Resume Writer

Apr 21

Posted by doostang in Advice & Tips, Job Search, Resumes | View Comments

By Alesia Benedict, CPRW, JCTC GetInterviews.com

Investment Associate, San Francisco, CA
Compensation Consulting Intern, Boston, MA
M&A Analyst, New York, NY
Business Architect, Los Angeles, CA
Head of Equity Analytics, Hong Kong, China

More jobs we think you’ll like…

One of the most frequent comments we receive from clients is “I haven’t had to write a resume in years”. It’s really not surprising. How many times do you have to conduct an aggressive job search over the course of your lifetime? Not very often. Writing your resume is not something you do everyday like writing emails or memos. It’s a different kind of writing project with specific requirements and a definite sales and marketing twist. Want to know some secrets from a professional resume writer who writes resumes every single day? Read on!

Focus, focus, focus. A great resume is written to position the job seeker for a specific career focus or goal. “Shotgun resumes” – resumes general enough to hit lots of job targets – simply do not work. Employers don’t hire generalists; they hire specialists, especially in a tight economy. Establish your job search focus before beginning the resume. Once you have a clear focus in mind you can decide how to construct the organization of the resume, deducing what information is relevant. Skills, experience, and achievements that support your focus should get highest priority.

Cut until it bleeds. A resume is not a life history; it doesn’t need to be. Employers and recruiters do not want to read about your hobbies, why you left your previous job, or what you did twenty years ago as a young pup. They don’t want to read about the minutia of your day–to–day work like “attended meetings” or “made phone calls”. They will not wade through pages and pages of information that describes every detail and action of your entire career. One of the most important tasks when developing the strategy of a resume is knowing what to exclude in terms of information. Identifying irrelevant information can be very difficult, especially if you are writing about yourself.

Common sense over ego. What are the highlights of your career as you see them? Many people have earned high degrees or industry accolades that don’t really apply for the goal they are seeking. For example, a client has earned a PhD but is currently seeking an interim medical transcription job in order to afford time to care for an aging parent. The PhD is definitely NOT a requirement for medical transcription and may very well scare off potential employers. The smart strategy would be to leave off the high degree and instead focus on her coding training. It is very difficult, however, for that job seeker to “let go” of her doctoral degree emotionally. She worked so hard to attain it! Exercise common sense over emotions when evaluating what to bring forward in the resume.

Stay current. Resume formats, techniques, and strategies change over time. Professional resume writers are constantly upgrading their skills, gaining continuing education, and attending conferences in order to stay on the bleeding edge of their craft. Know what works and what has gone by the wayside when constructing the resume. Understand the impact of technology on the resume and job search.

Get fresh eyes. If you rely on spell–check to proofread your documents, you are relying on a flawed piece of technology for a very important task. The professional writer knows the value of an objective proofreader and will have a “fresh set of eyes” review the document. You should do the same. It is very easy to miss errors spell–check doesn’t find.

Think achievements. Most people can itemize their job duties – things they are “responsible for”. Recognizing their achievements, however, is something different. What makes an employer pick one well-qualified applicant over the next well-qualified applicant? Achievements! How you have succeeded, made a difference, had a positive influence, or changed things for the better are achievements. These things show you are not only a qualified candidate, but you have a track record of good performance.

Highlight a hidden asset. Competition is very tough these days. Is there one thing that could give you an edge? Maybe it is a second language or an unusual skill. A professional resume writer will dig to find that hidden asset in a client’s background. And don’t think “good communication skills” are an asset! Everyone claims to have them not to mention being “detail–oriented”, “energetic”, and “goal–driven”. Steer clear of those trite, overused phrases unless you want to blend into the crowd.

The definition of a professional is “a person who earns a living in an occupation frequently engaged in by amateurs”. We are all professionals in different things – accounting, social work, technology, etc. The learning curve for writing an effective resume can be pretty steep and often comes at a time when you least expect it – when you are unemployed. These techniques gleaned from the repertoire of a professional resume writer may be helpful. And if you don’t want an amateur writing your resume, seek professional help!

About the Author:

Tags: Advice, Doostang, Job Search, Professional resume tips, Resume, resume expert

Doostang News April 19: Overcoming the Phone Jitters

Apr 19

Posted by doostangkaitlin in Advice & Tips, Doostang News, Interviewing, Job Search | View Comments

VP – Mergers & Acquisitions, San Francisco, CA
Business Intern, New York, NY
Sr Investment Banking Associate, Boston, MA
Marketing Director, Los Angeles, CA
Private Equity Associate Intern, Chicago, IL

More jobs we think you’ll like…

Although many Americans are tethered to their cell phones, when given the opportunity, many opt for the non-verbal mode of communication. Whether we’re now rusty on our phone etiquette or speaking into the receiver was always just a little awkward, a lot of people simply feel uncomfortable when it comes to picking up and dialing. Lay down some stakes – such as an interview, a request for information, or a verbal follow-up thank you – and making a phone call can take a lot more courage than expected. But just relax, and read on for a few tips that might make the game of telephone just a little bit easier…

Make a Plan

One reason you’re probably terrified to make that call is because you think the dialogue is going to feel contrived; it will be filled with awkward pauses and the conversation will feel aimless. In order to avoid this feeling, plan out ahead of time what you’re going to say and what questions you’re going to ask. If you need to, write it down. You’ll often find that when you get into the swing of it, things will move along a lot more smoothly and you’ll shed your nervousness in no time.

Be Courteous

When you reach out to someone, first make sure that you’re doing so at a good time. Before you launch into conversation, first pause to make sure that the other person is able to speak. Also, remember to be polite. The person on the other line won’t have any body language to go off of, so make sure you use good manners and speak in a friendly tone. If you smile while you are speaking, you’ll automatically add warmth to your voice. When you do this, that other person is more likely to reciprocate and the conversation will feel much more comfortable.

Don’t Overthink It

While you may have written out a plan, when it comes to picking up and dialing, don’t make it a bigger deal than it is. The longer you sit there and stare at the keypad, the more you’re going to get worked up. Just pick up the phone, dial the number, and put it to your ear.

Get Pumped Up

Before you make an important phone call, do something that will get you excited and feeling more confident. Go on a run beforehand or listen to an upbeat song that you like. This will take your mind off of things and get you feeling a little more secure about everything.

Stand Up

If you stand up while you’re on the phone, you’ll have more energy. Standing up allows you to breathe better, which gets more oxygen going to your brain. You can also pace around the room at will, which can also keep you more in the zone. Go by the old adage that says, “Think on your feet”!

Reward Yourself

Tell yourself that no matter how the phone call goes, you’re going to go do something fun afterward. That way, you’ll have incentive to make the call in the first place, and you’ll begin to associate making important phone calls with positive outcomes in the future.

It’s no fun waiting by the telephone for an important phone call, and it’s even less fun waiting by the telephone while you work up the courage to actually make one. Just remember to feel more confident, have a little more forethought, and brush up on your phone etiquette and you’ll be good to go!

Goodbye for now,

The Doostang Team

Tags: Advice, Doostang, Job Search, Phone Interview

Five Goofs Guaranteed to Sink Your Resume

Apr 14

Posted by doostang in Advice & Tips, Job Search, Resumes | View Comments

By Alesia Benedict, CPRW, JCTC GetInterviews.com

Chief Executive Officer, Seattle, WA
Private Equity FoF Analyst, New York, NY
Business Analyst, Atlanta, GA
Finance Associate, Chicago, IL
Development & Communications Assistant, Boston, MA

More jobs we think you’ll like…

Resumes can be fairly subjective in both content and structure. Should you include an objective? How far back in time should you go? Many things are simply fact-dependent and will vary from person to person and situation to situation; however, some things will most assuredly result in your resume being discarded by the HR screener and, hence, should be avoided. Here are five problems that will sink your resume:

1. Major Typos – If you have good skills yet miss a comma or space in the resume, it may not be deadly, but misspell section headers such as “Professional Experience” or “Affiliations” and you are in trouble. Remember, employers first review resumes in order to ELIMINATE them from consideration. With employers receiving hundreds of resumes for each job opening, the first task they face is to narrow the field. Major typos such as spelling goofs are a great reason to eliminate a resume from consideration.

2. Photo – The only time a photo should be used on a resume is if the job involves the physical appearance of the applicant such as model, actress, or media personality. Otherwise, keep it off the resume. What you look like is irrelevant to whether you can do the job and brings up possible risks of discrimination. This issue extends into the trend of video resumes. All sorts of problems revolve around video resumes and while a seemingly novel idea, they are not viewed positively by hiring managers.

3. Date of Birth – First of all, when you were born is totally unrelated to whether you can do the job so what is the point of including it? Further, if your resume includes this information, most employers will immediately eliminate your resume from consideration based on hiring legalities. They are not allowed to make hiring decisions with the knowledge of age so the only option is to exclude your resume completely.

4. Marital Status and Children – This type of information falls into the same category as date of birth. It has no impact on your ability to do the job. Employers don’t want to see it. And if you include it, your resume will probably be excluded from consideration.

5. Religion – Employers are precluded from considering religion as a factor in hiring just like age and marital status. Many people, however, have volunteer experience supporting their career goals that is connected to a religious organization. For example, someone may volunteer time to perform accounting for the local synagogue; his career goal is to find an accounting position, so the volunteer work is related. How can the volunteer work be included without mentioning religion? The sensible thing is simply to call the synagogue (or similar) a “non profit organization” and leave it at that. Focus on the work and not the organization so it does not become an issue.

With so many applicants vying for open positions, you simply cannot afford to have errors or mistakes on your resume. Before your resume can truly be considered, it must get past the elimination stage of screening. Don’t give the screener any reason to remove your resume from the “second look” category.

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Tags: Advice, Doostang, Job Search, Mistakes, Resume

Doostang News April 12: Office Buddy Etiquette

Apr 12

Posted by doostangkaitlin in Advice & Tips, Doostang News, Networking, Office | View Comments

office-buddies1

Hedge Fund Intern, New York, NY
Consultant, Boston, MA
Investment Associate, SF Bay Area, CA
New Media Distribution Associate, Los Angeles, CA
Event Driven Equity Trader, Chicago, IL

More jobs we think you’ll like…

Understanding the office social scene is simple – all you have to know is that it’s nuanced and tricky, just like the scene back in the real world. Frankly, not a lot changes over the years – the cool kids that dominated the swing set have now set up camp at the copy machine; feuding jungle gym brigades have reestablished themselves at their respective cubicle clusters; and there’s still the one guy that nobody wanted to invite to go Laser Tagging back in 5^th grade, and he’s still tagging along after happy hour. Some may feel that it’s not worth it to get embroiled in this mess, but when you spend many of your waking hours at the office, it’s great to have some comrades to help you get through the day. After all, you have a lot in common with these people already. So read on for some unspoken code:

Don’t Run with the Wrong Crowd

It was the same with all of the bullies or the popular kids who didn’t have time for anyone else in school – the tools in the office will find that everyone is watching and waiting to see them fall. If you’re part of a circle that ostracizes or belittles others – even in a joking way – your relationships with others in the office will slowly crumble. More importantly, this will start to interfere with your work. If people don’t feel like they can trust you or work with you, you may be saying Sayonara to the other sleazebags before you know it.

Be Popular

On a related note, be nice to everyone. Get to know and take an interest in a lot of different people. Doing so will disassociate you from any of the stigma that can go along with office cliques, and you won’t have to worry yourself over workplace drama as much. People will be excited to work with you and share ideas if they know that you are friendly and easy to talk to. And, if you’re friends with everyone in the office, you’ll know you can rely on more people. More than this, building more relationships at work will enrich your office life, as you’ll become acquainted with some pretty neat people.

Know Who your Friends Are

Perhaps one of the deepest senses of betrayal you’ve felt in your life was the first time a so-called friend sold you out to someone else. Instances like these aren’t contained to childhood, when our pals traded their way up to hang out with someone cooler or blamed us for breaking the crystal flower vase. In fact, you’ll find that this can happen frequently in an office if you aren’t more discerning about which relationships to cultivate. Because there is more at stake in an office environment, it’s important to really get to know someone before you can trust them with your hopes, fears, secrets, or personal life. Don’t go telling every coworker how much you hate your boss or that you’re looking for a new job unless you’re curious to see just how quickly such information can find its way up to your superiors (spoiler alert – it doesn’t take very long).

Office buddies are great – they’re the people who will crack a quick joke to snap you out of that dismal, glossy-eyed haze at the computer; they’ll grab a drink with you after a long day; and they’ll joke about the horrendous client that just came in and made your life miserable for the last hour. Above all, they’ll give you something to look forward to when you wake up at the crack of dawn to get to work. Just one more rule: remember to stay businesslike at the office, even if that’s where you met your rowdiest group of buds.

Your friend,

The Doostang Team

Tags: Advice, Doostang, friends, Networking, office

Doostang Password Notification – Please Disregard Email

Apr 9

Posted by doostang in Uncategorized | View Comments

Did you receive the following email from us today? If so please read the rest of this entry…

Earlier today many of our users were sent an email by mistake prompting them to change their password. In some cases some subscribers were sent multiple copies of this same email. This message and the duplicate message sends were caused by an issue with our email service provider, without Doostang’s knowledge or approval. Please disregard any and all of these messages as they were sent mistakenly. No action is required from you.

We greatly value our relationship with our users and want to assure you that the information you have stored with us is secure and not at risk or in jeopardy due to this issue. We recognize the severity of the issue and will be working with our email service provider to ensure this error never occurs again. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused you.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or concerns.

Regards,
The Doostang Team

Doostang New Jobs This Week – Apr 5 – 11

Apr 8

Posted by doostang in Doostang Jobs, Job Search | View Comments

Associate, Washington, DC – Premier investment advisory firm dedicated to emerging markets seeks Associate. At least 3 years of relevant work experience required.

Social Media Marketing Intern, SF Bay Area, CA – An exclusive online career network for young professionals is looking for a dynamic, motivated intern to develop and execute its social media brand marketing programs.

Associate Portfolio Manager, Boston, MA – Leading investment company seeks associate portfolio manager.

Analyst, New York, NY – National Family-led Non Profit Organization seeks Analyst. Demonstrated interest and experience in the nonprofit sector within the New York City metro area required.

Clean Tech Investment Analyst, Hong Kong, China – Leading Clean Tech Investment Firm seeks clean tech investment analyst.

Strategy Implementation Consultant, International – Leading Boutique Management Consulting Firm seeks Strategy Implementation Consultant to work closely with team members to collect/analyze data to identify insights and opportunities.

Financial Analyst, San Francisco, CA – Sophisticated derivatives trading firm focused primarily on equity options seeks financial analyst.

Tags: Doostang, Doostang Jobs, Job Search

Archive for April, 2010

Are You Conducting a SMART Job Search?