Alison Doyle

BeKnown College Pages

In addition to the new BeKnown Jobs tab available for companies on Facebook which was announced yesterday, Monster is offering another new free service, this one for college students and alumni and colleges and universities.

BeKnown College Pages help colleges and universities enhance their presence on Facebook and build a professional network of students and alumni on Facebook.  Student and alumni page visitors can professionally network and discover job opportunities.

BeKnown is extending the benefits of its already free job listings by automatically adding jobs posted by alumni to the College profile page.  Alumni can help their employers find top talent and students and grads can access jobs posted by alumni from their institution.

Because BeKnown users have their own profile page, they can network professionally on Facebook without using their personal profile page.  It's always a good idea to keep professional and personal seperate; BeKnown provides a way for students and grads to do just that.

For colleges, BeKnown College Pages provide a seamless way to connect with constituent on Facebook, to provide networking opportunities for students and grads, and to share alumni job listings -  all quickly and easily.

With BeKnown College Pages:

• Any jobs posted by alumni on BeKnown are added to the College/University profile page and Alumni with job opportunities can post jobs to students and recent alums for free
• School administrators can claim their University Profile page and grow a professional network of current students, graduating students and alumni
• Students can follow their school and build relationships/connections with alumni working at top companies & discover alumni  jobs

More: BeKnown Pages for Colleges | BeKnown for College Students/Grads

Related: How to Use BeKnown

Image Copyright Monster

Applying for a Job In-Person

Applying for a Job In-Person (Excerpt from Chapter 4, Alison Doyle's Job Search Guidebook)

            Many employers, especially retail and hospitality establishments, still encourage applicants to apply in person. They may have specific days and hours when they accept applications, or you may be able to stop by anytime to apply.

            An option is to stop by the store or the company to pick up an application. Bring it home, complete it at your leisure, and return to the establishment with a completed application. That's often less stressful than sitting there filling out an application with someone watching over your shoulder.

            When you apply in person for a job, it's important to make sure that your job application is presentable. I have actually received job applications I couldn't read. It was impossible to follow up with an interview because I couldn't decipher the phone number or the person's name. If you have trouble writing clearly, ask someone with good handwriting to fill out the application for you.

            You also need to dress appropriately when applying for a job in person. How you dress when applying for employment is a reflection of how you will dress for work, so it's important to make a good impression. I have seen applicants show up in skirts that are way too short, blouses that are way too low-cut, pants that are ripped, and shoes so ancient that they shouldn't have been worn in public for any reason. I've also seen applicants in stiletto heels, others in running suits, and even job seekers who applied wearing old T-shirts and worn-out jeans—none of which made a good impression. If there is any doubt in your mind about it being appropriate attire, don't wear it. If you have any questions, ask for a second opinion before you start your job search.

            What to wear when applying for a job:

• Business casual dress, which means khakis and a collared shirt or sweater
• Sensible, closed-toe shoes

• Minimal makeup, jewelry, and perfume (or cologne)

Also take time to ensure that hair and fingernails are well groomed.

Buy Alison's Books

Job Search Guidebook
My Job Search Guidebook provides you with all the information you need to make the right connections, take the right steps, and make yourself stand out from the job search crowd in this fast paced, every changing job market. 

• Order from Amazon ($9.89)
• Kindle ($3.99)
• Order Direct and Save 30% (use discount code 6HCE5BWT)

Internet Your Way to a New Job
Internet Your Way to a New Job includes all the latest job search sites, tools, trends, including how to use Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to job search, job search apps for your phone and iPad, video interviews, career networking, and the best sites for job seekers and career changers.

• Internet Your Way to a New Job from the publisher (save 15%)
• Internet Your Way to a New Job from Amazon
• Kindle Edition

Connect with Alison

• About.com Job Searching
• Facebook | LinkedIn | Google+
• Twitter @AboutJobSearch | @AlisonDoyle

Check Before You Send

Remember those old words of wisdom that it's not so much what you say, but how you say it that is important? Well, how you say it, is as important when communicating via email as it when have a conversation in-person.

Check Before You Send (Excerpt from Chapter 2, Alison Doyle's Job Search Guidebook)

Spell check and proofread your email just like all your other correspondence. One client I worked with had the wrong phone number in her email signature and on the resume she had sent out in response to many job postings. She corrected it, but she might have already lost out on good opportunities because the employer wasn't able to reach her. She was also embarrassed because it was an employer who informed her by email that the phone number wasn't correct.

Think before you hit the Send button, especially if what you are about to send isn't positive. For example, a hiring manager contacted me after she had, very politely, notified a candidate that she wasn't going to be hired for an open position. The candidate hit Reply and sent a two-word response: "your loss."

This was particularly unfortunate because the hiring manager was considering the candidate for another position. She just hadn't mentioned it yet because she wasn't sure when it would become available. The candidate, because of her hasty and rude response, ensured that the employer wouldn't be considering her for any job opening.

Buy Alison's Books

Job Search Guidebook
My Job Search Guidebook provides you with all the information you need to make the right connections, take the right steps, and make yourself stand out from the job search crowd in this fast paced, every changing job market. 

• Order from Amazon ($10.99)
• Kindle ($3.99)
• Order Direct and Save 30% (use discount code 6HCE5BWT)

Internet Your Way to a New Job
Internet Your Way to a New Job includes all the latest job search sites, tools, trends, including how to use Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to job search, job search apps for your phone and iPad, video interviews, career networking, and the best sites for job seekers and career changers.

• Internet Your Way to a New Job from the publisher (save 15%)
• Internet Your Way to a New Job from Amazon
• Kindle Edition

Connect with Alison

• About.com Job Searching
• Facebook | LinkedIn | Google+
• Twitter @AboutJobSearch | @AlisonDoyle

Discover Your Perfect Career

The job or career that's perfect for you may not be the job that's perfect for someone else. Everyone has expectations of what a job should be like. We all want different things out of life and work. 

Discover Your Perfect Career (Excerpt from Chapter 1, Alison Doyle's Job Search Guidebook)

Consider Allen, who spent a good part of his working life driving a bus on a college campus. It wasn't because he didn't have other qualifications. He took the job deliberately because it gave him time to think and to write poetry. What he wanted most out of life was to be a poet. He didn't expect to make a living writing poetry; unfortunately, those people are few and far between. However, this job gave him plenty of time to write the poetry he wanted to-in his head while driving, and on paper when he wasn't working.

Another example comes to mind. Jean, overqualified by most standards, is happy to work at a part-time job in a local doctor's office. Why doesn't she want more out of her job? She's an aspiring actress, and that low-key day job gives her time to audition and time to rehearse. It also pays the bills, which would be tough to do on the uncertain income she makes acting.

Then there's Sam. He was one of the best employees who every worked for me. He couldn't read or write. Sam brought his wife with him to fill out his job application. He was dedicated, and he never missed a day of work. He was innovative and came up with lots of ideas that saved the company money. Sam dressed like a college professor topped off with a jaunty Irish Tweed cap, but he was our office cleaning person. Hiring Sam was one of the best hiring decisions I ever made, even though on paper he didn't have many qualifications.

Sam's story reminds me of the wise words of Martin Luther King, Jr., who said, "If you are called to be a street sweeper, sweep streets even as Michelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music, or Shakespeare wrote poetry. Sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say, 'Here lived a great street sweeper who did his job well.'"

It's important to consider those words and to consider your personal perfect career-not what you think your perfect career should be or what the career expectations of your family, friends, and society are. After all, it is your career, and that's what is most important.

Buy Alison's Books

Job Search Guidebook
My Job Search Guidebook provides you with all the information you need to make the right connections, take the right steps, and make yourself stand out from the job search crowd in this fast paced, every changing job market. 

• Order from Amazon ($10.99)
• Kindle ($3.99)
• Order Direct and Save 30% (use discount code 6HCE5BWT)

Internet Your Way to a New Job
Internet Your Way to a New Job includes all the latest job search sites, tools, trends, including how to use Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to job search, job search apps for your phone and iPad, video interviews, career networking, and the best sites for job seekers and career changers.

• Internet Your Way to a New Job from the publisher (save 15%)
• Internet Your Way to a New Job from Amazon
• Kindle Edition

Connect with Alison

• About.com Job Searching
• Facebook | LinkedIn | Google+
• Twitter @AboutJobSearch | @AlisonDoyle

Job Search Guidebook Special Offer

Need to get your job search on track?  Do you help unemployed workers job search?  I'm offering discounted copies of my books so they are reasonably priced for job seekers and I'm also offering free copies of my book to non-profit organizations that help the unemployed.

Alison Doyle's Job Search Guidebook provides you with all the information you need to make the right connections, take the right steps, and make yourself stand out from the job search crowd in this fast paced, every changing job market. 

• Order from Amazon ($9.89)
• Kindle ($2.99, free from Kindle Lending Library)
• Order Direct and Save 30% (use discount code 6HCE5BWT)

Internet Your Way to a New Job: How to Really Find a Job Online includes all the latest job search sites, tools, trends, including how to use Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to job search, job search apps for your phone and iPad, video interviews, career networking, and the best sites for job seekers and career changers.

• Internet Your Way to a New Job from the publisher (save 15%)
• Internet Your Way to a New Job from Amazon
• Kindle Edition

Free Excerpt

Free eBooklet Internet Your Way to a New Job
Download a free excerpt from Internet Your Way to a New Job and get started on finding a job online.

Free Books for Non-Profit Organizations

As always, if you work with a non-profit that provides free services to unemployed job seekers, I would be honored to help support your work by donating copies.  Email me and tell me about your organization and please do include your mailing address.  Supplies are limited, but I'll do my best to help.

Behavioral Interviews

What is a behavioral interview? Behavioral based interviewing is based on discovering how the applicant acted in specific job employment-related situations.  That past behavior can predict how a job applicant will act in the future.

When an employer is seeking a specific skill set, the responses to these types of questions will help the hiring manager determine whether the candidate is a good fit for the job, or not.

Here's more on behavioral interviews and the types of questions you'll be asked during a behavioral job interview.

Related: Behavioral Interview Questions

How to Ace a Job Interview

One of the most important parts of the process of interviewing for jobs takes place before you set a foot in the company's door or meet the hiring manager.  That's getting ready, in advance, for your interview.

Interview preparation includes practicing interview questions and answers, researching the company, use connections to help boost your candidacy, dressing in appropriate interview attire, and, after the interview, sending thank you letters to your interviewers.

Here's everything you need to know about job interviews so you can make the best possible impression on your interviewers.

More: Job Interview Guide | Job Interview Questions

How to Write a Resignation Letter

Are you getting ready to resign from your job, but not sure how to write a resignation letter? 

When you're resigning, it's important to include the details like when you're resigning.  It's also important not to include too much information like the fact that you hate your job.

Here's how to write a resignation letter, resignation letter writing tips,and a variety of resignation letter examples to fit just about every scenario for leaving your job.

Related: Resignation Email | How to Resign | Farewell Letters

Job Interview Questions

Job interviews can be challenged, even for job seekers who have gone on  more than a few interviews. The best way to reduce the stress is to prepare in advance. Take the time to review the typical interview questions you will most likely be asked.

Then take the time to research the company. That way you'll be ready with knowledgeable answers for the job interview questions that specifically relate to the company you are interviewing with.

Also, get your interview clothes ready in advance.  It's always a good idea to have at least one interview outfit ready to wear at all times. That way you won't have any last minute fashion disasters that could happen while you're scrambling to get ready at the last minute.

Related: Interview Questions and Answers | Company Research

Job Search Guidebook Holiday Offer

One of the goals I have when writing my books is to make them as widely available to job seekers as possible.

I'm offering discounted copies of my books this holiday season, so they are reasonably priced for job seekers or for a gift for that special someone who is job searching.

I've also made it available for free in the Amazon Kindle Lending Library.  If you're an Amazon Prime Member with a Kindle you can borrow it for an unlimited time at no charge.

Alison Doyle's Job Search Guidebook provides you with all the information you need to make the right connections, take the right steps, and make yourself stand out from the job search crowd in this fast paced, every changing job market. 

• Order from Amazon ($9.89)
• Kindle ($3.99)
• Kindle Lending Library (free for Prime members)
• Order Direct and Save 30% (use discount code 6HCE5BWT)

Internet Your Way to a New Job: How to Really Find a Job Online includes all the latest job search sites, tools, trends, including how to use Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to job search, job search apps for your phone and iPad, video interviews, career networking, and the best sites for job seekers and career changers.

• Internet Your Way to a New Job from the publisher (save 15%)
• Internet Your Way to a New Job from Amazon
• Kindle Edition

Free Excerpt

Free eBooklet Internet Your Way to a New Job
Download a free excerpt from Internet Your Way to a New Job and get started on finding a job online.

Free Books for Non-Profit Organizations

As always, if you work with a non-profit that provides free services to unemployed job seekers, I would be honored to help support your work by donating copies.  Email me and tell me about your organization and please do include your mailing address.  Supplies are limited, but I'll do my best to help.