So...I sent the largest email I have ever sent today (25000 job seekers)...the first Kara Mail...or Mailb. Yeah...that didn't come out right. no comment. But the content is grand! It's just an introduction to Jobster, and all of the amazing changes that our team has put into our site. It's all really easy to use. I am still going on and finding little features and upgrades that I love (like when you put in a work experience, but it's really education, just click a button and it changes it all for you so you don't have to reenter. yes..the little things in life)
So. If you get my mail and you happened upon my blog from looking around, hope you are enjoying Jobster! It's been fun to work on a site to connect people with their dream job. Man, I'm such a walking advertisement.
Friday, May 25, 2007
Thursday, May 24, 2007
The BEST job advice from your 12 year old neighbor..
This link to free interview tips was left on the career center. It was too good not to repost. I especially like #25. I will always remember that is a no-no in an interview. The spelling is grand too. Very professional.
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Ask Kara: hot from the Career Center
This is a post from Jobster's Career Center on Facebook today. Everyone says the digigen just wants everything handed to us. This is more typical of our generation. It's not that we want everything handed to us but that we want to be unique and we want to make a difference:
digi-gen looking for a job:
Well, I have a problem that others may have as well. Unfortunately I will not work for some company where all I would be doing is what everybody else does. I'm not that type of person, I need to use my brain. I'm an innovator, both physically and theoretically. I can not do the monkey jobs. So this posses a problem: how to find a company that fits me?
Here is what I would do:
First I am a software engineer so I could do something with this in excess to what I really do.
I'm a problem solver, not just for coding, for everything. I'm an inventor. These are the two things I do and they go well together.
The problem being, I don't know who to work for or where to find them, but I know they are out there.
So, if somebody needs a person that thinks outside the box, perhaps so far out side the box you never even realize there IS a box, and one that solves problems for FUN; that's me. Just to give you an idea I easily scored with no preparation in the top 4% of millions on the GMAT exam for graduate school.
My answer from the CC:
My initial reaction to your question is that I am surprised you are even looking to work for a company....it sounds like you would be really happy starting something on your own...
or if not, you should try a start-up of sorts. With those types of companies, you find your own projects, have innovation periods, and work your own hours. You are working with a team on a project but you have a lot more flexibility than in a traditional, corporate environment. And this might give you inspiration for what projects/companies you want to create.
Working at a start-up is all about networking. Here in Seattle, everyone in the start-ups knows everyone else. This is great when you are in the loop, you are the first to hear about opportunities at other small start-ups. I'd suggest talking to some software engineers in smaller companies and see what you think.
Though I'm not a software engineer, I love working at a small company. I create my own hours, manage my own projects, feel like I'm making a difference, and I definitely don't have an ordinary job.
I love the questions from the Career Center, and will definitely keep posting the best ones. I would like to shout out to the 'intelligence drop' of the test score...man that never gets old, huh?
digi-gen looking for a job:
Well, I have a problem that others may have as well. Unfortunately I will not work for some company where all I would be doing is what everybody else does. I'm not that type of person, I need to use my brain. I'm an innovator, both physically and theoretically. I can not do the monkey jobs. So this posses a problem: how to find a company that fits me?
Here is what I would do:
First I am a software engineer so I could do something with this in excess to what I really do.
I'm a problem solver, not just for coding, for everything. I'm an inventor. These are the two things I do and they go well together.
The problem being, I don't know who to work for or where to find them, but I know they are out there.
So, if somebody needs a person that thinks outside the box, perhaps so far out side the box you never even realize there IS a box, and one that solves problems for FUN; that's me. Just to give you an idea I easily scored with no preparation in the top 4% of millions on the GMAT exam for graduate school.
My answer from the CC:
My initial reaction to your question is that I am surprised you are even looking to work for a company....it sounds like you would be really happy starting something on your own...
or if not, you should try a start-up of sorts. With those types of companies, you find your own projects, have innovation periods, and work your own hours. You are working with a team on a project but you have a lot more flexibility than in a traditional, corporate environment. And this might give you inspiration for what projects/companies you want to create.
Working at a start-up is all about networking. Here in Seattle, everyone in the start-ups knows everyone else. This is great when you are in the loop, you are the first to hear about opportunities at other small start-ups. I'd suggest talking to some software engineers in smaller companies and see what you think.
Though I'm not a software engineer, I love working at a small company. I create my own hours, manage my own projects, feel like I'm making a difference, and I definitely don't have an ordinary job.
I love the questions from the Career Center, and will definitely keep posting the best ones. I would like to shout out to the 'intelligence drop' of the test score...man that never gets old, huh?
More Bang for your Buck
Ahh this post struck a cord with me, and someone that works with a tiny marketing budget. It's amazing how well these things work. It's a bit long...but an amazing reference. Nice work, Ashko.
Tuesday, May 8, 2007
Pop Culture and you (r job)
There are so many random recruiting stories I stumbled upon today:
First and foremost, the gem comparing American Idol to your interview. It's all about branding, baby. And if you didn't know it, you better learn it. Being a pop-culture major (liberal arts hee-eey) I get excited at any chance to link pop culture to meaningful things. It's amazing how much the digi-gen knows about branding, just by watching and supporting a tv personality/singer. It's all about confidence, knowing who you are (strengths and weaknesses) and making an impression.
Speaking of branding, this article was a good brand building 101 for the digi-gen. Some good arguments and guidelines while building your SEO empire.
And in honor of my pop culture background and work on Jobster's Career Center, how could I resist an article on celebrity's first jobs? This should be posted just so frustrated college graduates can see that people don't always find the perfect career first.
First and foremost, the gem comparing American Idol to your interview. It's all about branding, baby. And if you didn't know it, you better learn it. Being a pop-culture major (liberal arts hee-eey) I get excited at any chance to link pop culture to meaningful things. It's amazing how much the digi-gen knows about branding, just by watching and supporting a tv personality/singer. It's all about confidence, knowing who you are (strengths and weaknesses) and making an impression.
Speaking of branding, this article was a good brand building 101 for the digi-gen. Some good arguments and guidelines while building your SEO empire.
And in honor of my pop culture background and work on Jobster's Career Center, how could I resist an article on celebrity's first jobs? This should be posted just so frustrated college graduates can see that people don't always find the perfect career first.
Talk about the future of recruiting…
A cool recruiting tactic worth noting: an HP advertisement on Jobster's Career Center. It was an invitation to come interview with HP on Second Life between May 15-17th. I am sure there is a pre-screening, but it seems like if you are accepted you go (Fly? Walk? Boat?) to TMP’s virtual island for your interview.
What is Second life, some of you may ask? Second Life is a 3-D world where you can design an avatar, and, well, live a second life. You can buy anything you could in your first life (real money is converted to the Linden for transactional purposes.) You can travel the world; go clubbing, start a business, whatever you want.
I’ve been following Second Life more because of the marketing tactics: it is an interesting way to conduct low cost product research and interact with your customers. And from a recruiting standpoint…well, it’s a great way to connect with people.
Is this the newest recruiting wave? I can’t wait to see how HP’s event unfolds. Maybe I should inquire, get an avatar, dress her in her best virtual business suit, and go check it out. At least I wouldn’t have to worry about sweaty palms…
Work the Nepotism
I’ve been posting networking articles on the Career Center and I’ve noticed that one critical piece is missing: don’t feel guilty about using parents/contacts to get a job! At least 60% of the jobs filled these days are though networking and internal referrals. Your social network should be the foundation of your professional network and the digi-gen can’t feel guilty about tapping that resource.
I’ve read many articles about my generation and how we expect jobs and careers to be waiting for us when we finish college. Yet when I look at my friends, I see a constant rejection of all social and professional connections; most detest seeking networking help from their parents and family friends that are well established in the business world. We are starting from scratch, instead of using the social foundation that our parents have built. How have we been networking practically our whole life and still feel a bit queasy when it comes to networking for something so important?
I understand my friends desires to accomplish their career goals without help, but as I’ve always said: networking is just business. Now my only credentials on the networking subject would be that I’ve had internet/social networking profiles since I was nine (that’s right, AOL on my 14lb Macintosh ‘luggable’ laptop). I also went to Smith College, where contacts and the alumna association are an integral part of our education (yes practically mandatory networking workshops). So what have I learned from these years that I say time and time again to friends struggling to find a job in the field they love? Use all of your contacts to their fullest potential. Stop worrying about nepotism and start worrying about how you are getting your foot in the door. Do you think that Donald Trumps kids would ignore or abandon their most valuable asset—their network—when finding a job? Don’t think so!
Put your misconceptions aside and get your foot in the door! It’s not always the most qualified person that gets the job; it’s the person that leverages their network most strategically.
I’ve read many articles about my generation and how we expect jobs and careers to be waiting for us when we finish college. Yet when I look at my friends, I see a constant rejection of all social and professional connections; most detest seeking networking help from their parents and family friends that are well established in the business world. We are starting from scratch, instead of using the social foundation that our parents have built. How have we been networking practically our whole life and still feel a bit queasy when it comes to networking for something so important?
I understand my friends desires to accomplish their career goals without help, but as I’ve always said: networking is just business. Now my only credentials on the networking subject would be that I’ve had internet/social networking profiles since I was nine (that’s right, AOL on my 14lb Macintosh ‘luggable’ laptop). I also went to Smith College, where contacts and the alumna association are an integral part of our education (yes practically mandatory networking workshops). So what have I learned from these years that I say time and time again to friends struggling to find a job in the field they love? Use all of your contacts to their fullest potential. Stop worrying about nepotism and start worrying about how you are getting your foot in the door. Do you think that Donald Trumps kids would ignore or abandon their most valuable asset—their network—when finding a job? Don’t think so!
Put your misconceptions aside and get your foot in the door! It’s not always the most qualified person that gets the job; it’s the person that leverages their network most strategically.
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