eLearnPortal Blog

If you are looking for work, here are the top 13 companies that are hiring RIGHT NOW.

1. 7-Eleven – Convenience retailer with 7,600 stores in North America alone
   • Hiring for operations, accounting, information systems, merchandising, and marketing
2. Banfield – Largest pet veterinary practice in the world, with headquarters in Portland, Oregon
   • Hiring veterinarians, nurses, office managers, and client service coordinators
3. Farmers Insurance – The third largest property and casualty insurance group
   • Franchising options available
4. Gentiva Health Services – Offers in-home care services, including nursing, therapy, pharmacy, and senior health
   • Hiring nurses, physical therapists, sales associates, managers, and administrative support professionals
5. HealthMarkets – Individual health insurance provider
   • Hiring insurance agents
6. ITT Corporation – provides leading-edge product development, technology, engineering, research and project management services to government, industrial and commercial customers
   • Hiring engineers, information technology personnel, and former military
7. M.A.R.S. International – Offers mobile cosmetic repair and reconditioning services to industries including hotels, motorcycles, boats, automobiles, and RV’s
   • Hiring technicians and managers
8. PricewaterhouseCoopers – Provides industry-focused assurance, tax, and advisory services
   • Hiring in audit, tax, advisory, marketing, sales, human resources, and information technology
9. ServiceMaster – Provides lawn care, pest control, home warranties, house cleaning and home inspection
   • Hiring landscapers, exterminators, inspectors, etc.
10. State Farm – Large insurance company that insures more cars and homes than any other company in the country
    • Hiring for positions in claims, underwriting, systems, and information technology
11. Sutter Health – Health care service provider
    • Hiring in information technology, administration, health care
12. The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company/Scotts LawnService – Supplier and marketer of lawn and garden care products
    • Hiring territory service representatives, sales representatives, and customer service representatives
13. URS Corporation – Provider of engineering, construction, and technical services for public and private companies
    • Hiring for positions is engineering, construction management, program management, power, environmental, health and safety, homeland security, logistics, operations, and maintenance

Interviewing for a job can be nerve wracking, especially if it’s a job you really want. You are often caught off guard by some of the interview questions, and you are expected to be able to answer each question thoroughly. Here are a few tips you can follow to make sure you are fully prepared for your next interview, which can help relieve some of the stress involved in the job hunting process.

1.  Prepare Your Responses

Think of some of the most common questions interviewers ask and prepare your responses beforehand. Some examples of common interview questions include “What do you know about the position,” “Explain your background in relation to the job requirements,” and “What are your main strengths and weaknesses?” Write down your responses and try to memorize them before the interview.

2. Practice

Practice answering interview questions with a friend or in front of a mirror. Think of examples you can use to describe your work experience and skills and how they can benefit the company.

3. Be Organized

Pick out your most professional and conservative outfit, and make sure it is clean without any wrinkles. Make a portfolio of your work and bring copies of your resume, as well as materials for taking notes.

4. Arrive On Time

Be at least five minutes early for your interview so that you have time to gather your thoughts so you don’t feel rushed. If needed, drive to the interview location beforehand so you know exactly how long it will take to get there.

5. Be Relaxed

Try to stay calm during the interview. Take deep breaths and relax so that you aren’t rushing through your answers. Make eye contact with the interviewers and listen to the whole question before answering. Try not to let your mind wander, it will make you look like you are not interested.

6. Follow Up

Send a thank you card after the interview. If there was more than one interviewer, send a card to each person. This shows that you are truly interested in the position.

With the economy tanking, there are millions of people who are out of work and can’t find a decent job in their area. Fortunately for the people who live in the cities listed below, they have the best chances of finding a job in the near future. The following list includes the top 20 cities for job growth in 2009.

1. Odessa, TX
   • Unemployment Rate: 5.3%
   • Average Annual Salary: $34,380
2. Grand Junction, CO
   • Unemployment Rate: 7.2%
   • Average Annual Salary: $36,550
3. Longview, TX
   • Unemployment Rate: 6.0%
   • Average Annual Salary: $32,060
4. Houma-Bayou Cane –Thibodaux, LA
   • Unemployment Rate: 3.5%
   • Average Annual Salary: $34,480
5. Killeen-Temple-Fort Hood, TX
   • Unemployment Rate: 3.5%
   • Average Annual Salary: $32,100
6. Austin-Round Rock, TX
   • Unemployment Rate: 3.5%
   • Average Annual Salary: $41,330
7. McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX
   • Unemployment Rate: 9.6%
   • Average Annual Salary: $27,750
8. Laredo, TX
   • Unemployment Rate: 7.4%
   • Average Annual Salary: $29,680
9. Houston-Sugarland-Baytown, TX
   • Unemployment Rate: 6.4%
   • Average Annual Salary: $41,020
10. Tulsa, OK
    • Unemployment Rate: 6.2%
    • Average Annual Salary: $35,720
11. Athens-Clarke County, GA
    • Unemployment Rate: 7.3%
    • Average Annual Salary: $35,170
12. Kennewick-Pasco-Richland, WA
    • Unemployment Rate: 8.5%
    • Average Annual Salary: $43,480
13. Morgantown, WV
    • Unemployment Rate: 4.6%
    • Average Annual Salary: $34,010
14. Lafayette, LA
    • Unemployment Rate: 3.9%
    • Average Annual Salary: $34,490
15. Fargo, ND-MN
    • Unemployment Rate: 4.9%
    • Average Annual Salary: $34,940
16. College Station-Bryan, TX
    • Unemployment Rate: 4.8%
    • Average Annual Salary: $39,390
17. Coeur d’Alene, ID
    • Unemployment Rate: 9.4%
    • Average Annual Salary: $34,610
18. Bismarck, ND
    • Unemployment Rate: 5.4%
    • Average Annual Salary: $34,370
19. Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
    • Unemployment Rate: 8.0%
    • Average Annual Salary: $46,540
20. San Antonio, TX
    • Unemployment Rate: 6.0%
    • Average Annual Salary: $34,610

References

2009 New Geography Best Cities for Job Growth. http://www.newgeography.com/content/00741-all-cities-rankings-2009-new-geography-best-cities-job-growth

United States Bureau of Labor Statistics. http://www.bls.gov/eag/eag.us.htm

Translating the quality and legitimacy of your online degree to the job market can be a difficult task for many up-and-coming professionals. Within the business world, distance learning is still working to establish its reputation as an accepted form of higher education.  After all, the online education explosion is a relatively new phenomenon.  Therefore, online graduates may have to go the extra mile in order to prove the quality of their degrees.

Your prospective employer may not be aware of the numerous skills online education and the work environment have in common.  To get a better picture of what you can take away from your e-Learning experience, check out the benefits below.

• Managing One’s Time: Use your time wisely. It is not just a phrase anymore; it is a skill.  Online instruction gives students an incredible amount of academic freedom when it comes to schedule and pace.  Graduates of distance learning programs can easily transfer their ability to effectively manage assignments and class session into the corporate world of deadlines and board meetings.

• Confidence in One’s Technical Abilities: In business, you cannot hide from technology, as it permeates every aspect of the corporate environment.  For online learners, this job requirement would not even cause them to break a sweat. Online degree graduates have the benefit of familiarity and hands-on experience with numerous types of technology.  Virtual experience teaches one the proper protocol expected when using each medium of technology. With all this insider knowledge, how can you not stand out from the rest?

• Self-Will and Personal Drive: Finding the right program, keeping pace with the accelerated format, scheduling time to study and meeting course deadlines are all part of the virtual academic experience, and all of which can prove to be quite a challenge.  Make sure your potential employer knows of the personal dedication you have to accuracy, efficiency and success.

• First-rate Communication Skills: Between the different people and technologies encountered in the online classroom, students are exposed to all types of ways to communicate, and each requires its own form of etiquette.  Explain how your experiences online have built an excellent foundation of communication skills.

• Leadership Skills: In order to compensate for face-to-face interaction, online courses utilize group projects.  Group projects allow students to set and assume different functions in the overall learning process.  Team leaders are able to highlight their leadership skills by coordinating schedules, setting goals, evaluating work and guiding a product to completion.  Be sure to emphasize your ability to effectively lead a team and produce a successful project to possible employers.

• High-level Functioning within a Team Environment: Part of the distance learning experience is interacting with and learning from a variety of people. e-Learners encounter opinions, skill levels and work efficiency levels that often vary from their own. Therefore, the ability to adapt and highlight individual strengths is a major asset students can take away from online education.

• Current Awareness of Industry’s Tends: Distance education has the unique advantage of offering not only the latest technology, but the most up-to-date information within a field.  Being so connected to the Web, students always have a plethora of useful and reputable resources at their fingertips

They say “it takes a village to raise a child” but actually, it takes a good teacher to sow the seed, to inspire and to model knowledge, passion, will to grow and will to become. Every one of us reading this article can think of one or more teachers that made a substantial difference in our lives. It is your turn now to make your life count and be one of those teachers that are part of someone’s good memories.

How To Use Social Media to Find a Job

If you’re one of the millions of people who are out of work today, then you know that finding a job in this economy seems next to impossible. Searching job sites like CareerBuilder and Monster for a job takes up a lot of time, plus for every job you apply to, there are hundreds of other applicants who applied as well. Fortunately there is a better way to conduct a job search on the internet. Using social media sites is a better way to connect with job recruiters and land the job of your dreams.

You’re probably wondering which social media sites are the best to use for this purpose. The truth is that all of them provide some valuable connections that can help you in your job search. These include Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

Twitter
Twitter allows you to connect with people who have shared interests without having to know them personally. This provides a distinct advantage over other sites because you can start following people in your target industry without requesting their permission. You can then start a conversation with the people you follow and build up a rapport. Then use the site to tell people you are looking for a job. Many of your contacts on Twitter can help you get in touch with the right person.

Twitter also provides a unique opportunity to search for jobs. In Twitter Search, type in a few key words (i.e. engineering jobs) and all conversations with these words will show up. You can also subscribe to the RSS feed for this search and check it a few times a day.

Facebook
Facebook is one of the most popular social networks today. Millions of people are on this site, which is an advantage for you, the job seeker. Search for people you know in your industry to add as friends, and make sure to show your skills on your profile. You can participate in discussions and let people know you are an expert in your field, which will get the attention of the hiring manager browsing the site looking for potential job applicants.

LinkedIn
LinkedIn has the unique designation of being a social network for working professionals. This can help you immensely in your job search. You can connect with former co-workers and colleagues around the world, and let them know you are searching for a new job. You can also get recommendations from people in your network, which will stand out to a hiring manager looking at your profile. You can also utilize LinkedIn’s search engine to look for a job, as well as browse company profiles to see what they value in their employees.

Regardless of which social network you choose, there are a few tips you should follow to maximize your chances of finding a job using social media.

Make Connections
More so now than ever, it’s more about WHO you know than what you know. Making connections with people in your industry can prove to be invaluable in tough times. A lot of jobs get filled before anyone knows about them, because recruiters recommend people they know in the industry. To build a network of contacts, you need to get in touch with colleagues, former classmates, former co-workers and supervisors, and alumni. It also helps to find contacts in other industries to broaden your reach.

Ask for Help
Once you have made connections with a few people, let them know you are looking for a job and ask for their help. They can help you find a job that is a good match for your skills, and provide valuable advice on how to get your foot in the door. You can also leverage your contacts by reaching out to their contacts to broaden your network.

Promotion is Key
To get yourself out there for recruiters to see, you need to promote your skills. Tailor your profile to showcase your skills and experience, and leave out any questionable details or facts that could turn off a potential employer. Some job seekers find it helpful to create a website that includes a portfolio and resume, and then link to it from your social network profile. Most recruiters will look at a website if it is listed in your profile, which could prove to be invaluable and provide more relevant information about your skills than your profile is able to.

Join the Discussion
Start participating in discussions and showcase your expertise. This can help you make connections and help you leverage your skills. It is important to be seen as a trustworthy and knowledgeable source that others can turn to for answers and advice. Once you establish your credibility, others will be willing to help you in your job search.

References
Guy Kawasaki. “Ten Ways to Use LinkedIn to Find a Job.” http://blog.guykawasaki.com/2009/02/10-ways-to-use.html

Louise Fletcher. “Using Twitter for Job Search.” http://blueskyresumes.com/blog/using-twitter-for-job-search

John Boyd. “Using Social Media to Find a Job in a Down Economy.” http://blogs.zdnet.com/feeds/?p=374

The Green-Collar Jobs Revolution

While more and more people find themselves unemployed, the green industry is expanding their workforce and turning a profit. President Obama wants to spend $150 billion over the next ten years to promote renewable energy resources, including providing tax credits and loans to clean-energy companies. The result: the creation of 5 million new jobs.

A recent report from Duke University provided a detailed look at how manufacturing in the U.S. will grow with the implementation of clean-energy industry. Researchers at Duke’s Center on Globalization, Governance & Competitiveness found that five carbon-reducing technologies will produce the most green jobs in the next decade: LED lighting, high-performance windows, auxiliary power units for trucks, solar power, and new methods for treating livestock waste. These technologies will produce the most jobs in states hit hard by the recession, like Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, the Carolinas, and the Southwest.

The recent stimulus package provides $20 billion for green industries, $500 million specifically for providing more training opportunities for new green collar workers. Because of this, many community colleges are now offering programs to re-train displaced workers to become wind turbine mechanics, solar panel installers, and fuel-cell engineers. Green jobs pay an average of 10 to 20 percent more than similar work outside the field, which is an exciting prospect to many people who are considering re-training for these jobs. In Texas, a group of community colleges that provide green jobs training had almost 100 percent of their graduates find jobs.

The hardest-hit states are already seeing the benefits of this “green revolution.” Michigan, which has the highest unemployment rate in the country at 9.6%, is home to Hemlock Semiconductor Corp. Hemlock produces solar energy panels that turn sunlight into electricity. While Michigan’s auto industry is in the midst of a potential collapse, Hemlock is spending $3 billion on an expansion that will create hundreds of jobs.

California has the biggest market for solar energy because of its tougher state mandates to cut carbon emissions. This means that solar energy installers are continuing to hire workers while the rest of California’s industries are laying off their staff. New Mexico is also grooming new workers for the green industry. Mesalands Community College has one of the only wind power technician programs in the country, and a major solar company from Germany is building a $100 million plant in Albuquerque.

With unemployment at an all-time high around the country, the green industry could provide growth and stabilization in this era of uncertainty while saving our environment.

References

“Why Obama’s Green Jobs Plan Might Work.” LA Times.

“What Exactly Are These Green Jobs We Keep Hearing About?” Environmental Defense Fund.

“Growing Excitement, Expectations for Green Jobs Corps.” CNN

Lost Your Job? Go Back to School!

The recession has cost millions of people their jobs, causing the job market to be flooded with new applicants. This lowers everyone’s chance of getting a new job, and many industries have implemented a hiring freeze. So instead of sitting around hoping you’ll find a new job, why not spend your time wisely and go back to school?

Retraining can be essential to finding a career in this economy. The stimulus package recently passed by the federal government includes $1 billion in state aid for training and re-employment services to dislocated workers. This means that there will be money available for people who have lost their jobs to go back to school. It’s an investment in your future that you can’t pass up.

Now is the perfect time to enroll in an online degree program. You can complete the coursework on your own time, which gives you the time to search for a job. Plus, there are many degree programs available in industries that are still growing regardless of the recession, such as healthcare and technology. Continuing your education will allow you to retrain for a better job and network with new people who can help you in your search for a new career.

Colleges offering online degree programs have seen a significant increase in enrollments in the last year because of the recession. Major online colleges have seen enrollments increase as much as 18 percent. The cost of an online degree can be significantly lower than a traditional degree as well. There are no commute costs, and some schools charge less for their online degree programs.

There are a few steps you can take to maximize the benefits of retraining and minimize the effect a lay off can have on your life.

1. Be Prepared. A layoff can occur at any time, so make sure that you contact your state unemployment agency about unemployment benefits. Visit the Department of Labor website for state contact information.
2. Do Your Research. Spend some time researching online degree programs in your area of interest. Make sure you meet all of the requirements for enrollment and complete financial aid requests.
3. Make a Plan. Contact your state’s agency that handles state-approved training. You can receive aid to pay for your education while you are unemployed, which will significantly decrease the financial burden.

By going back to school, you will be investing in your future and gaining the expertise necessary to gain employment once you complete your training. Even if you haven’t been laid off, going back to school can be beneficial. By keeping up with current trends and issues in your field, your employer will value you more and keep you around. Continuing your education is definitely worth the time and effort in this economy.

References

“Going Back to School to Get a Job.” http://money.cnn.com/2009/01/27/news/economy/job_retraining/

“Laid Off and Learning.” http://learning.monster.com/learning/resources/article/103869?id=5f83f5e4af61e98b75b790ce4edc73f8

“University of Phoenix, Grand Canyon University Prosper in Recession.” http://www.gcu.edu/index.php?mact=News,cntnt01,print,0&cntnt01articleid=25&cntnt01showtemplate=false&cntnt01returnid=69

We’ve all been there. Searching through the help wanted ads trying to find a job, sending in your resume, and never being selected for an interview. It’s frustrating, especially now when millions of people are out of work and applying for the same jobs you are. You’re probably asking yourself “what do I need to do to stand out?” Luckily, there is an answer: guerilla marketing.

What is guerilla marketing? According to Jay Conrad Levinson, the self-proclaimed “father of guerilla marketing,” it is a system of promotions that relies on unexpected and unconventional tactics. So in other words, it’s marketing using creativity and imagination to create a memorable buzz in a nontraditional way. So, how can you use this tactic to stand out to employers?

First of all, it’s important that your resume sells you as a candidate for the position. Don’t just describe what makes you a good employee, give specific details and facts that prove you are a good employee. For example, instead of saying “helped sign new clients” say “signed 20% more clients than any other salesperson in the company and exceeded sales goals by 15%.” Providing tangible evidence that proves you are results-oriented will get the employer’s attention.

Second, it’s important to use technology to your advantage. Create a profile on social media sites like LinkedIn and Facebook that showcases your talents and make contacts with people in the industry. Start a blog that chronicles your job-seeking endeavors and lists your professional qualifications and send the link to potential employers. Find the contact information for the head of the department and send them your resume directly. Call their office and speak with them about job prospects. The most important thing to remember is that persistence is key, and employers will remember you over the other thousand candidates when you are calling their office every day.

You could also hit the streets with your resume to hand out to potential employers. It’s quirky and different, but it worked for Joshua Pesky. Pesky, an unemployed investment banker, put a sandwich board on over his suit that read “Experienced MIT grad for hire” and handed out his resume on the busy New York City streets. This tactic got him national media exposure and, ultimately, a job.  So why did he do it? “I decided I had to do something different,” Pesky said. “You have to think outside the box to make others aware of what you need.”

Posting a video resume on YouTube or other video sharing sites can help increase your exposure to potential employers and land you an interview. However, you have to be creative with the execution of your video. I recommend creating a song that highlights your talents and singing it on camera. That way, your video is unique and stands out from the rest.

Whatever you decide to do, remember that it is important to brand yourself as someone that your potential employer can’t live without. Market your skills by providing examples of your professional successes, and get out there and show the world what you can do.

References

“How To Market Yourself to Employers in a Recession” http://www.resumebear.com/blog/index.php/2008/12/22/market-yourself-to-employers-in-a-recession/

“6 Job-Hunting Tips from the Sandwich Board Guy” http://www.cnbc.com/id/28522597

Wikipedia: “Guerilla Marketing” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guerilla_marketing

This year hasn’t exactly started off on the best foot. According to CNN, over 2 million people lost their jobs in 2008, and already 200,000 jobs have been cut during the first month of 2009. If your one of the people who was laid off, it probably seems like there is no hope. Fortunately, companies are still hiring, you just have to know what jobs are in-demand.

Laurence Shatkin, a career information expert, published a book called “150 Best Recession-Proof Jobs” that lists the most in-demand careers during hard economic times. The top 10 careers on his list include:

1. Computer Systems Analysts
2. Network Systems and Data Communications Analysts
3. Network and Computer Systems Administrators
4. Registered Nurses
5. Teachers
6. Physical Therapists
7. Physicians and Surgeons
8. Dental Hygienists
9. Pharmacists
10. Medical and Health Services Managers

While most of these careers require experience in science and math as well as a degree, sometimes work experience can be just as or more valuable.

The top three careers all require experience working with computer technologies in lieu of a degree. Anyone who possesses technical skills and has relevant experience can find a job in these fields, regardless of the level of education they have received. Sometimes a few courses in computer science or related subjects can help in combination with work experience.

Nurses, physical therapists, dental hygienists and medical services managers generally need at least an associate’s degree. However, experience working in a medical office can get your foot in the door, and sometimes employers will reimburse you for pursuing formal training. Most associate’s degree programs take about 2 years to complete, and in that time you could be receiving formal on-the-job training that will make you more marketable in the future.

Teachers usually need a bachelor’s degree at the least, but anyone who has a degree or expertise in a specific field, such as art, history, or even business can find a job as a teacher. Teachers are always in demand, especially with the increasing number of older teachers retiring. To make yourself more marketable to employers, you need to get relevant experience working in a classroom. Volunteer to be a tutor or apply for a teacher’s aide position and prove that you can be a successful teacher.

In order to get a job as a pharmacist or a physician, you must have a Doctorate. However, there are ways to get your foot in the door. Most pharmacies employ pharmacy technicians to help the pharmacist fill prescriptions. Some pharmacies don’t require any formal degree or training for this position, instead they provide on-the-job training. In fact, there are no state or federal requirements for training or certification of pharmacy techs. Once training is complete, you can take the voluntary certification exam to become certified. Some pharmacy programs also allow pharmacy techs to enter their programs in lieu of a college degree.

So don’t be discouraged. Even if you don’t have a college degree you can still get a high paying job that will provide stability in this unstable economy.

References

Bls.gov: computer systems analyst, teacher, registered nurse, pharmacy tech, pharmacist

http://www.usnews.com/blogs/the-inside-job/2008/10/21/top-10-recessionproof-jobs.html

http://money.cnn.com/2009/01/27/news/economy/state_unemployment/index.htm