5 Tips on Web Site Building and Web Stats

By Devin Jopp, SCORE COO

 

The most basic Web site services are free services. These services are easy to use, but limited in the amount of space and bandwidth. They typically also place advertisements on your site to offset their cost.

 

The next step up are services that charge a monthly fee. In exchange, you get a greater amount of space, bandwidth and no advertisements. All of the domain registrars like Network Solutions and Go Daddy offer Web development solutions.

 

The next option, building your own Web site, provides the most flexibility. You can either build your own or hire a consultant to do it for you. Once you have selected your domain registrar and hosting company (ISP), you can begin programming your new Web site. Tools like Microsoft Front Page or Macromedia Dreamweaver provide a familiar Windows front-end that automatically generates html code and allows you to click and drag items in order to create your Web site. Or, you can hire a Web design firm to do this for you.

 

 Get bids for Web site development at www.elance.com. Simply post your requirements and wait for the bids to come in, or get estimates from firms in your city.

 

Analyze your Web traffic and track statistics. Google Analytics offers a free web analytic solution. StatCounter is a free package you access by logging in and copying code into your Web site. You can also buy an off-the-shelf package like Webtrends that is installed on the server and tracks critical stats like the number of visitors, highest ranked pages, etc. Many of the site builder tools mentioned earlier also provide options for tracking Web stats.

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5 Tips for Taking Your Small Business Online

1. Your product line should be able to be delivered economically and conveniently through the mail or over the Internet.
2. The Web allows you to market to customers outside your geographical location. Your product should appeal to people nation-or-continent-wide.
3. Compare new “technology” costs to current bricks and mortar costs, e.g.: rent, labor, inventory and printing costs.
4. Realize that the World Wide Web levels the playing ground—you can look like a big company with a great Web site. 
5. Draw visitors to your site cheaply. Establish and grow alliances that will hotlink to your site for free.

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Billionaire Donald Trump 'may run for US presidency'

Author: http://bbc.in/a9DN39 

Job Vacancy - In an interview with ABC News, the billionaire Republican said he could "easily" spend more than $200m (£126m) of his own money on his campaign. - Lowongan Kerja

Job Indonesia - "It could be fun because I'd like to see some positive things happen for the country," he said.

He added that he would happily take on former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, who many believe will join the race.

Mr Trump, who stars in the American version of TV show The Apprentice, said he believed that "everybody's ripping America off".

The 64-year-old real estate mogul singled out China, saying that the country was "getting away with murder" by manipulating its currency.

He said he believed the US was being used as a "whipping post".
"The respect for this country is just not there," he said.

'Led by fools'
 
"I have many people from China that I do business with, they laugh at us. They feel we're fools. And almost being led by fools. And they can't believe what they're getting away with."

In the interview with ABC's George Stephanopoulos, he added that he would probably make his decision by June.

He was asked about the possibility of challenging Mrs Palin, who ran for vice-president in 2008, for the Republican ticket.

"I would take her on. I like her, but I'd take her on," he said.

Mrs Palin has not formally declared that she will stand, but many commentators have said they believe she will.

6 Places to Go to Find Your Next Job

By Sanat Deepa

job, jobs, career

In this post, I would like to share with you the places to go to find jobs online. I'll touch on the pros and cons of each. Before we start, I'd like to stress that not all avenues will work for you - some will be busier than others depending on your line of business. For this reason, it's a good idea to give each of them a try to see which ones work best for you.

1. Job search sites, such as Monster.com

Job search sites should be your first point of call. This is where most recruiters will turn, and where you are likely to find the most job offers. Job search sites come in 2 different forms: generalist sites such as Monster.com, and specialist sites catering to one industry. If you find that generalist sites have too simplistic job titles or categories, a niche job site may be right for you.

2. Job search engines, such as Trovit.com

Job search engines aggregate job offers from multiple job sites. They allow you to search several sites at once. Trovit.com is one of my favourites because it allows you to create custom job alerts around your target keywords. This could save you a huge amount of time with new jobs sent straight to your email inbox.

3. Universal search engines, such as Google.com

Search engines such as Google.com could help expand your job search beyond job search sites. They can return job offers posted on corporate websites that haven't yet been published on job sites. This could be your chance to put your application in ahead of the crowd, as job listings on company websites often get less visibility than postings on job sites.

4. Newspaper sites

Newspaper sites often have a job search section. Visiting 2 to 3 newspaper sites and create job alerts there if you can. Traditional recruiters will often turn to newspaper sites first, over online job sites.

5. Company websites

If you are already set on one specific employer, check their website on a regular basis. Subscribe to their Twitter feed, Facebook fan page and other social media outlets for hiring cues, tip-offs and the latest company news. Try to identify someone within the organization you could contact with a spontaneous application.

6. Social Media sites

Social media sites, such as LinkedIn.com or Twitter.com, have created more opportunities to connect with others. Twitter in particular is a good way to establish a personal connection with a head-hunter or a recruiter prior to sending in your application. You can also use Twitter and LinkedIn to search for jobs rather than contacts, in the same way as you would use a job site. However, the personal connection you can strike on these sites is a powerful force not to be underestimated. It also is how I found my current job at SalarySurvey.in!

Last but not least, create job alerts whenever you can. Job alerts will send new jobs straight to your email Inbox, which could save you a huge amount of time and stress.

Performance Plan

By Ricky S Kahn

job, jobs, career

By definition, Performance Management refers to a tactical and combined approach which leads to increasing the efficiency of a company by improving the way people work, getting the most out of the team and individual contributions.

Performance management includes certain actions which guarantee that the most important goals of a company are met effectively. Performance management is not restricted to the performance of a particular department, employee or product; it may be a combination of everything on the whole. Performance management is adopted by every organization.

Benefits

When there is a good relation between programs used for performance management and business results, it leads to several benefits. A company can enjoy direct financial gains, growth in sales and lower costs. It brings the organization in alignment with its goals and decreases the time it takes to create strategic changes by communicating the alteration through a new set of goals. It also motivates the workforce by optimizing incentive plans. It creates a level of transparency in achieving the aim, improves management control and is flexible and responsive to management needs. It helps in auditing and compliance. Communication of goals and plans also gets simplified. A clear documentation system gets incorporated. It helps ensure that all the employees are treated equally, as the appraisals are based on the results provided by them. It shifts the focus from activity oriented to result oriented. Performance reviews focus on the contributions that an employee makes towards achieving the company's goals. It is more effective since it is an ongoing process and not a one-time thing.

Effective ways to develop a performance plan

The first step in the strategic planning process is an evaluation of the market. The outcome of this assessment process is known as the mission statement. An organization's goals are its priority. In order to establish them it is important to incorporate strategic planning.

A performance plan helps turn these goals into reality. These goals must be reviewed in terms of quantity, quality, cost or timeliness. Calculate the results. Objectives that cannot be attained should not be formulated. Test these objectives for challenge and achievability. Adjust the objectives to the available resources. Establish performance reports that measure advancement towards the objective. Review all the statements with others to assure consistency and mutual support. Modify your statements to meet changing conditions and priorities. Provide a rational design. It is important to identify the outcome, driving measures and patterns of effects. The evaluation standards should be identified. The goals must be clear, concise, measurable and attainable. A target date for completion must be agreed upon. Document a performance plan which include the desired results, measures and standards and keep a copy of it in your briefcase.

When there is a clear understanding of competitors, customers and suppliers, an evaluation of the company's strengths and weaknesses can be made. Formulate a business plan which helps in determining the possibility of the results required. A well-written business plan helps in identifying the progress a company has made towards achieving its goals and control the decisions later on.

A major portion of employee's performance directly contributes to the results of the organization. The results need to be prioritized. It should be identified how the results were achieved. The most valid, reliable and practical measurements should be used.

Therefore, when a proper performance plan is put into perspective it has several benefits. It helps in career advancements, promotions, progress and success. It is responsible for the growth, development, performance and profit of an organization.

The One Thing That Separates Successful People From Everyone Else

By Ralph Twombly

job, jobs, career

Where to Start

To begin the journey, we need to understand success. The one thing I guess you would have to identify is what success means to people. This is a topic of more controversy than you might think. Success to some in this trying financial time might mean money or security, yet when I ask people what success means to them in workshops and in our coaching meetings, money or security is seldom mentioned. The usual response in workshops is that success is about happiness, a sense of accomplishment in the work and a feeling of being valued.

Emotionally, the last 18 months have been tough on people and I think it has caused us to rethink the success thing. We do know a few things that are common sense. The more successful you feel, the greater the chance that you will do quality work with a minimum of stress. People who feel unsuccessful tend to be unhappy and unhappy doesn't make for a great life. To feel successful is what counts in the long run.

Common Ground

Successful people all have a few things in common. They tend to be optimists. They also seem to have lots of self confidence and they like to work with others. Optimism is the fuel that gets people out of bed each day. Self-confidence is a belief in your ability to persevere and working with others requires patience, humility, and selflessness. Feeling that the world could be a better place today because of something you can be a part of is critical while not yielding to "the sky is falling" mindset that seems to permeate the evening news and ties to our greatest fears. Put another way:

• Optimism - is not surrendering to the fear of all bad things from each event in life.
  

• Self Confidence - is overcoming fear with the belief that you will succeed.

• Team Work - is not being afraid to work with others regardless your or their skills or behaviors.

Now to the One Thing: Overcoming Fear

Years ago, a good friend of mine named Howard told me that fear was the strongest motivator and at the time I was quick to disagree. As a young man it became apparent to me that fear was simply an obstacle that got in the way of doing what I wanted or needed to do and I learned to face fear as part of the routine of life. So much so that I kind of lost track of the power fear has on many people.

As years go by, I find myself attracted to courageous people and notice I'm not alone. Being around someone with courage of conviction, humility, and confidence is so powerful that I think it has become the final ingredient in success. Contrast that with the person who throws up obstacles around their success such as bad behavior, lack of belief and the ever present entitlement. For this contrasting group it appears it is easier to define why they haven't realized success than it is to create success. What you are generally hearing is their fear.

Something to Consider

When I was young, a basketball coach was teaching me to shoot free throws and said something I remembered all these years later. He said; "Concentration, seriousness of purpose and follow-through is the secret." Now, I never went on to be a great basketball player but the lesson stuck and has been a great metaphor for my life.

Not pretending to be a "free-throwing philosopher" but having a pretty good read on all those successful people, I would like to say: Fear is the enemy. Believe in you before you doubt and remember that you "can" before you "can't" and in all things place the "team" first.

It might be more than one thing but remember that fear is the enemy, and while you will never completely overcome fear (and you shouldn't), keeping it a bay and away from what will make you successful is critical to you. For now, the best thing you can do is to become a student of successful people. As you watch you will see some characteristics of success that make sense. This is not coincidence, luck or the product of higher education. In the heat of day- to-day work life, practice eliminating fear and in the end this characteristic will help you be a magnet for others.

The Highest Paying Part Time Weekend Jobs

By Will Knight 

job, jobs, career

It would seem these days that the regular 9-5 pay pay packet is just not enough to live on. People are genuinely struggling and things don't look like they are going to get any better soon. Weekend jobs are a savior to most families at the moment. Aside from the fact that they severely eat into family time they do help produce some well needed essentials each week. This is just a fact that most families have to live with right now.

So if you have found yourself on the hunt for decent quality weekend jobs then the 3 weekend jobs listed below might just fit what you are looking for. The best part is they are very flexible and pay a lot more than a weekend wage ever will.

Auto Detailing - This is by far one of the easiest and cheapest weekend jobs you can ever start up. It is also one of the most profitable with the average full valet coming in at around $250 per car (4 hrs work). Setup costs are well under $50 and that if you need new brushes, buckets and cloth's. You can get quite a bit of business in these weekend jobs by simply putting out flyers under the windscreen wipers of dirty but expensive cars. It is also worth approaching companies that have vehicle fleets and doing them a discount price for bulk.

Commercial Property Maintenance - If you are a bit of a handy person and don't mind weekend jobs where you are mowing and gardening a lot then this job may be just be you. Many big companies do not allow these types of contractor's access during the week due to flying stones and vehicles parking over grass strips so it is an excellent time to approach these places and offer to fit in to their schedules. These types of weekend jobs are also good in the respect that you are out getting some exercise and fresh air.

Online Weekend Jobs - It may shock you to hear that the internet offers weekend work as well. Yes that's right, weather it be weekend night jobs, part time evening jobs, the internet has it all. So what kind of work is on offer online? Practically everything.

To keep it simple you may want to target the easier online weekend work to start with like taking paid surveys for money. This is where you join a reputable survey company and get paid around $10 for every survey you fill out. Don't worry, there's an endless supply of them. There is also helpdesk and online customer services type work. Basically with these weekend jobs you get paid for working in an online help center by logging in from home. This entails taking customer orders, tracking client orders and dealing with sales enquiries. They pay is pretty top notch as well.

Career Planning - Some Do's And Some Don'ts

By Neil Theobald 

job, jobs, career

A well-known phrase runs thus: "if you fail to plan, you are planning to fail". This saying works well for career planning too.

Career planning ideally should start during the final years of your education. If you are lucky and your educational institute has a "career guidance counsellor" so much the better, as he/she can open a number of avenues for you depending upon your skills and temperament. If you did not have this luxury then you need to go it alone keeping in mind the following:

1. You must have some idea on what you want and in what sector you would like to make a career. This is very important. Initially at ground level it is necessary to have a goal. You might change tack later in life but the initial decision is by far the most important one you will take. This should be your personal mission.

2. Once you know the type of job you want educate yourself on the intricacies of this job. Attend seminars, courses etc and get to know about the job better.

3. You are most likely to encounter road blocks but NEVER give up and be your own agent of change. You must consider yourself as a commodity to be sold and sell yourself effectively by using a well constructed resume.

4. Preferably do not look for a job which pays more but look for one where you enjoy working as this would pay back in the long run.

5. Be positive in your interviews and convince the interviewers that you are capable of handling the job if given a chance and stick to your promise.

6. If you find an opening in a different organization that suits your skills and temperament, do not hesitate to apply for that job.

7. Be always open minded in everything in the work place.

8. Follow your heart because sometimes a "gut feeling" works better.

9. Put your plans into action after thoroughly going through them and removing any kinks in them.

Never fall into the following traps:

1. Having no clear focus, not being able to articulate properly, lacking in clarity and direction etc..

2. Diffidence, uncertainty, lack of self-confidence, fear of the unknown - all these will drag you down.

3. Negativity in any form would be your downfall and so avoid thinking negatively.

Crafting an Eye-Catching Cover Letter

By : Robert Half International

Many job seekers today are tempted to skip the cover letter. Think twice before doing so.

Experienced candidates may find that they don't need a cover letter to sell their skills to prospective employers. But this document can be invaluable for entry-level professionals or individuals who seek a career change. A thoughtfully written letter can distinguish these individuals from the crowd by allowing them to go into greater detail about the unique skills and qualifications that make them the best fit for the role.

Following are some tips for creating an eye-catching cover letter:

1. Avoid a generic salutation
If possible, don't start your note with "To whom it may concern" or "Dear sir or madam." Instead, call the company to ask the hiring manager's name (as well as the correct spelling) and title if it's not apparent in the job posting. Addressing the letter to a specific individual will demonstrate both motivation and resourcefulness.

2. Keep it focused
Hiring managers don't want to read a novel, so limit your note to two or three short paragraphs. Explain why the job interests you and what qualities you can bring to the position. Your interest in rock climbing isn't applicable unless you are applying to a firm that caters to sports enthusiasts, for example.

3. Customize the content
It's important to target each letter to the actual job opening. You can determine which professional accomplishments to focus on by looking at the job posting. For example, if you are applying for a position that involves managing a small team, play up your interpersonal skills and previous experience overseeing small groups. Expand upon one or two key points from your résumé -- perhaps how you oversaw a successful product launch -- to better key into the potential employer's needs.

4. Showcase your top assets
There's a fine line between confidence and cockiness. Saying you are the best "Web designer west of the Rockies" is less effective than explaining how your redesign of a client's Web site increased sales for the company by 10 percent or noting that you won a prestigious award for your work.

5. Address any concerns
The cover letter also is a place to address any issues that may give a hiring manager pause, such as gaps in employment. Briefly explain why you were out of work and, more important, what you have been doing since then to keep your skills up-to-date.

6. Don't make demands
Avoid asking for a specific salary or making other work-related demands ("I prefer working from home every Friday"). The purpose of your letter is to explain what you can do for the company, not vice versa.

7. Be honest
Don't stretch the truth about your accomplishments. Even seemingly minor misrepresentations -- saying you managed the daily operations of a firm's help desk when you actually co-managed it, for example -- can come back to haunt you during the reference or background check process.

8. Check for errors
A sure way to take yourself out of the running for a job is to have a typo or grammatical mistake in your cover letter. Ask a trusted friend or family member to review the document before you send it out. Seventy-six percent of executives we interviewed said just one or two typos in a résumé would remove applicants from consideration for a job; 40 percent said it takes only one typo to rule candidates out.

9. Find a place
When applying for a position electronically, paste your cover letter into the body of the e-mail message you send to the hiring manager or into the appropriate space on an online application, if possible. Keep in mind that not all online job services will allow you to take this step.

When well-crafted and targeted to the opportunity and employer, a cover letter can give you a significant edge over the competition. If you're searching for your first job or looking to take your career in a new direction, don't miss this chance to make a strong first impression and set yourself apart from other contenders.

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How to Identify Your Transferrable Skills

By : Rachel Zupek

This "finding a career" thing is tricky business.

You go to college and major in one thing -- but find yourself in a job opposite from what you spent four years studying. Or, you land a job that's exactly in line with your college major -- but discover it's not what you had in mind. Or even still, you score a gig doing what you love and are content for many years -- until you get bored and want to make a switch.

So what happens to the experience you've gained from your current job and those before it? What about the hours, years and dollars spent studying this vocation in school? Do you really have to start at square one if you decide to drastically switch careers?

Not at all. Your experience turns into transferable skills; you just have to learn to recognize and sell them to employers.

Need help? Here's everything you need to know about identifying, applying and marketing your transferable skills.

What are transferable skills?

Transferable skills are talents you've acquired that can help an employer but that aren't immediately relevant to the job you seek, says Kevin Donlin, résumé writer and creator of TheSimpleJobSearch.com. Experiences like volunteer work, hobbies, sports, previous jobs, college coursework or even life happenings can lead you to find these skills.

Any skill is transferable; the trick is showing employers how it applies and is useful to them.

Identify transferable skills

With so much experience -- in work and otherwise -- the thought of sifting through it to recognize your applicable skills might sound scary. But, it's not as hard as you think.

Asking yourself questions like, "What are my three favorite accomplishments?" or "What activities make me the happiest?" will help you find your transferable skills easily, says Dawn Clare, a career and life coach.

"Evaluate your whole life, not just professional experiences," she says. "The point is to determine skill strengths. Use a framework of school, job, personal and organizational activities to determine your relevant accomplishments."

Start with the job you seek and identify the three most important abilities you'll need to do that job well, Donlin says. Then look over your experience and describe what you've done before in terms of what you want to do next. The best way to do this is through customized résumés and cover letters.

Apply transferable skills to your résumé

We've told you before and we'll tell you again: You have to create a résumé and cover letter specific to each job you apply for.

"Many times résumés fall short because one résumé applying for a variety of positions loses HR interest and job opportunities," says Jamie Yasko-Mangum, a self-image and training consultant and owner of Successful Style & Image Inc.

Organize your résumé by skill area or accomplishments rather than chronologically or functionally. Categorize all applicable skills, highlights and experiences and group them in categories such as "professional highlights," "skills summary" and "professional experience" and place them at the top of your résumé, Yasko-Mangum says.

"This will not pigeonhole you into a closed career option," she says, but will "showcase all your abilities for many career options."

For example, Andrew Best had six years of experience in customer service, but wanted to transition into sales. Donlin, the professional résumé writer, helped Best rework his résumé by including a profile at the top that showcased his transferable skills.

"We talked about the sales-related things Andrew did in customer service, like convincing customers to try new services, which we described in sales language like up-selling and cross-selling," Donlin says. "We talked about how he had ranked at or near the top for training and productivity, because sales are a competitive sport."

Shel Horowitz, marketing consultant and founder of FrugalMarketing.com, remembers Carol, who had been out of the work force for 10 years as a homemaker. With an extensive volunteer history that Horowitz emphasized in her résumé, Carol landed a job as a director of a human service agency -- a position she held for 12 years.

"I stressed her administrative, fundraising and public contact skills," Horowitz says. He put a summary of her background in volunteering at the top of the résumé, followed by specific experiences to showcase her skills.

Sell your skills to an employer

Most marketable skills can be grouped into broad categories and broken down further based on the job you're applying for. For example, communication is a general skill area, which can be broken down into such skills as speaking effectively, writing concisely or negotiation.

"You must do all the thinking for the person reading your résumé," Donlin says. "Never expect anyone to figure out your relevant skills or how valuable they are."

To add credibility, Donlin suggests adding a quote to your résumé from past managers or clients to emphasize your transferable skills. For example, John, a client of Donlin's, made the transition from retail management to real-estate sales. His résumé included a quote from a real-estate agent praising John's character and sales skills, both of which are necessary in real estate.

"A third party endorsement of you is many times more credible and interesting than anything you could say about yourself," Donlin says.

Examples of applicable skills

Still need help selling your skills? Here are three examples of career transitions and how our experts suggest you could apply your transferable skills.
# Server to entry-level marketing

Transferable skills: Communication, client retention, sales and marketing, multitasking.

How to sell it: "During peak periods, I had to prioritize and handle multiple orders, market menu items, answer questions quickly, communicate clearly, up sell additional selections and ensure repeat business. My daily tip totals provided highly efficient feedback, as they were based on personal productivity and customer satisfaction."

# Nanny to human resources specialist

Transferable skills: Human relations, teaching, development, time management, patience.

How to sell it: "As a former caregiver to five children, I learned to identify with each child and learn his/her individual strengths, weaknesses and interests. I've also learned the importance of good time management, which would be an essential skill in the human resource department."

# College student to software engineering

Transferable skills: Computer science degree, team player, work ethic, trainable.

How to sell it: "I have a strong background in computer science, with both a degree and extensive training in the field. An accomplished team player, I've worked with a database management group at XYZ University, created an online multimedia store and used CGI scripts written in C+++ to track customer satisfaction."

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Is My Resume Being Read?

By : Anthony Balderrama

If you've watched the news lately, you've seen a reporter standing at a job fair and a line of job seekers winding out the door. Inevitably the reporter interviews an employer who says that for a few open positions, hundreds of applicants have submitted résumés.

You immediately wonder: How many of those applications actually get read?

In a perfect world, hiring managers would have plenty of time to thoroughly read every single résumé that comes across their desks and contact each person to explain why the company is choosing someone else. In reality, the job seekers outnumber available positions in today's job market, and hiring managers are too busy to hold your hand through every step of the process.

In fact, you're lucky if you hear back at all. Many companies contact you only if they want more information or to schedule an interview. You never know if you didn't qualify for the job or if your résumé was ever even looked at.

Résumé neverland
"I'm pretty sure that résumé neverland exists -- especially in a completely flooded job-hunting climate due to the poor economy," says Kristen Fischer, the author of "Ramen Noodles, Rent and Résumés: An After-College Guide to Life." "With so many people applying for jobs, it's easy to discard a résumé based simply on a typo or unpleasant formatting."

Of course, job seekers can (and should) avoid typos with proofreading. But the bigger fear is that powers out of their control could sabotage their job prospects.

"Résumés submitted online can also disappear into the cyber black hole," Fischer says. She says these online abysses are often the result of generic e-mail addresses, which can mean all applications funnel into one account even if they're for separate positions. Or worse, applications and general business questions go to the same destination.

Even if you can't prevent the black hole from existing, you can do your best to get your application out of there.

Be proactive
Rather than take your chances with the proverbial résumé black hole, you should be proactive when you apply for work, says Justin Honaman, author of "Make It Happen! Live Out Your Personal Brand."

"There is no doubt that hitting the 'submit' button and hoping [or] praying is probably not the only way to approach an opportunity," he says. "When positions are posted on a company's Web site, my experience has been that I receive a huge number of submissions, and at times, more than 80 percent of the applicants are not even qualified for the position. Most recruiters follow a multistep evaluation approach."

According to Honaman, recruiters and hiring managers ask three questions when they receive applications from job seekers:

· Does candidate meet the minimum criteria for the position?
The minimum criteria might include a certain level of education, years of experience or certification.

· Is the candidate still in the running even after she has stated her requirements or wishes for the position?
If an applicant's salary requirements or unwillingness to relocate conflicts with the needs of the job, then the employer might remove him or her from consideration.

· Does the candidate bring more to the table than the defined position requirements?
Employers are happy to have someone who fulfills the requirements of the position, but they're even happier to hire someone who brings additional assets.

Why do you care about this? Because once you submit your application and it passes these hurdles, it doesn't mean you're out of résumé neverland. You're still just one of many applicants who can get lost in the shuffle, even in the most efficient hiring department.

According to Honaman, a multiprong method of attack is the best way to guarantee you're not overlooked:

1. Online résumé submission
"Most companies require this to ensure internal company recruiting processes are followed," Honaman says. Plus, it's the easiest way to get your name in the hands of someone at the company.

2. Make a personal connection
Honaman suggests networking with someone in the company to get an edge over other applicants. If you can speak with a knowledgeable source who can offer information about the hiring manager, the team or the position, you'll have more insight on what the employer's looking for.

3. Appropriate follow-up
Once you've submitted your application, Honaman recommends contacting the company again, as long as you're respectful and professional. Don't hound anyone about the job, just check in to see where the process stands.

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10 Ways to Write a Stronger Resume

By : Selena Dehne

Nearly one-in-four human resources managers said they receive, on average, more than 75 résumés for each open position, according to a nationwide survey by Careerbuilder.com.

When a job posting's response is that overwhelming, human resource managers often struggle to distinguish one candidate from another -- particularly since most of them spend only a minute or two assessing each candidate's résumé. That's why job seekers have to be savvy about their résumé's content and presentation.

Unfortunately, even the most talented, qualified candidates sometimes write weak résumés. Whether they're in a hurry, lack writing skills or are unsure how to market themselves to employers, they fail to score interviews because their résumés don't immediately demonstrate what return on investment they offer employers.

To sidestep this dilemma, consider Susan Britton Whitcomb's 10 tips for writing great résumé copy, excerpted from her book, "Résumé Magic":

1. Know your audience before you begin to write. What skills and competencies are they looking for? What knowledge do they require? What trends are they capitalizing on? What opportunities are they interested in tapping? What problems do they need fixed? What projects can you help them move forward?

2. Pack your résumé with keywords -- those words that describe your title, knowledge base, skill set, impressive "name-brand" companies or Fortune 500 employers, prestigious universities attended, degrees, licensing, software experience, affiliations and so on.

3. Find keywords by reviewing relevant job postings online or detailed classified ads in newspapers, reading job descriptions or content at your target companies' Web sites, reading your association's newsletter or trade journals, conducting informational interviews with industry contacts and so on.

4. Position critical information at the "visual center" of the page. Weave keywords throughout your Qualifications Summary and Professional Experience sections, as well as in your cover letter. Create a Keyword Summary section for electronic versions of your résumé.

5. Resist the temptation to outsmart applicant-screening software by, for instance, planting the keyword "project manager" nine times throughout the résumé when you might have minimal experience as a project manager.

6. When writing job descriptions, try to keep your paragraph to around five lines. Summarize any redundant statements and present the material with an emphasis on transferable skills. Always highlight your accomplishments.

7. If you're writing a functional or skills-based résumé, focus on three to five skill areas and lean toward occupational skills (such as event planning, marketing or project coordination) instead of personal skills (such as analytical skills, problem-solving skills or organizational talents) for category subheadings. After you have selected your subheadings, develop two to five sentences, along with specific accomplishments that encapsulate your range of experience for each subheading.

8. New graduates with limited professional experience will normally place their Education section near the top of the résumé, after the Objective/Focus or Qualifications Summary.

9. For categories such as affiliations, publications, presentations or awards and honors, consider presenting information in a bulleted list or two-column format to save space and add visual appeal.

10. Think like an advertising copywriter: Be concise, but give enough data to create interest and a desire to meet you.

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Q&A: Your Cover Letter Questions Answered

By : Selena Dehne

Time and time again, studies indicate that cover letters are read in less than 60 seconds. That's all the time it takes for most recruiters and employers to decide whether or not you're a candidate worth interviewing.

To progress beyond this point, you have to be savvy about what's in your cover letter and how you present it. But how do you do that?

Wendy Enelow and Louise Kursmark, co-authors of "Cover Letter Magic" and two of the nation's most reputable career coaches, offer the tips you need to write a cover letter that generates great results. Below are some of the most common questions they hear from clients, as well as their responses to them.

Q. How long should my cover letter be?
A. Generally, cover letters should be one page in length. This is true for approximately 90 percent of all cover letters.

There may be instances, however, when one page is not enough. If you believe that the information you are including in your letter is essential information that is not communicated in your résumé, go ahead and prepare a two-page letter. But be sure that everything you've included is vital to favorably presenting yourself to a company or recruiter.

Two-page letters are most frequently used by the following types of job seekers: career changers, industry changers, senior executives, scientists and technologists, people seeking government jobs and people seeking university and academic appointments.

Q. Should I include salary information in my cover letter?
A. It depends. We are of two minds. We offer dual recommendations in two situations but agree with one another on the other two situations. See which rationale seems right to you.

If you are responding to an advertisement that has requested your salary history or salary requirements:

· Supply the information. If you do not provide this information when requested, certain companies and recruiters will not look at your materials.

· Don't supply the information. Repeated surveys show that nearly 100 percent of readers said they will look at your résumé and call you for an interview even if your salary information is not included. Why give them ammunition to screen you out?

If a personal contact or source you've uncovered during your search has requested your résumé and salary information:

· Supply the information. To do otherwise would seem unresponsive and impolite.

· Consider addressing the issue without providing numbers that can be detrimental in a future salary negotiation. Say something such as, "I'd be glad to discuss salary when we meet, once I learn more about the position and you have the chance to assess my fit for your needs."

When contacting companies either as a cold call or in response to an ad where salary information has not been requested:

· Do not supply the information. It is much better to have this conversation in person rather than on paper. Always try to defer any discussion of salary until you have been offered the position.

When writing "cold" to recruiters:

· Always offer salary information. It helps them determine your "proper fit" within a hiring organization. A recruiter will not work with you without knowing whether you match the requirements (including salary) for the specific position she is attempting to fill.

Q. Should I follow up a faxed or e-mailed résumé?
A. We recommend that you do not mail a hard copy if you have already transmitted your information electronically. Electronic communication is now a totally acceptable method of communication in virtually any business, industry and market sector. The only time you should follow up with hard copy is when it has been requested.

Q. What if I don't know the addressee's name?
A. It's a personal choice. Take a look at the following possible salutations:

· Dear Sir/Madam. All-purpose and inoffensive, although it might be perceived as stodgy and old-fashioned.

· To Whom It May Concern. Another standard; has the downside of being impersonal and old-fashioned.

· Dear Hiring Executive (or Hiring Committee). Formal, but appropriate.

· Dear Human Resources (or Human Resources Representative). Acceptable only if you're writing to a "blind ad" that lists only a P.O. box and you cannot call to get a specific individual's name.

· Dear Hiring Authority. Acceptable only if, despite your best efforts, you have been unable to uncover the name of the non-HR person to whom you're sending your résumé.

· Good Morning (or Good Day). A bit more up-to-date, but it reminds us of junk-mail greetings that try (unsuccessfully) to be personal.

· Re: Job Title You're Applying For (leaving off a specific salutation). A useful method for replying to want ads, when you truly don't know to whom you are sending your résumé. We think it's preferable to the "Dear Human Resources" greeting.

· No Salutation (begin your letter immediately after the inside address). Again, perfectly acceptable for want-ad replies. Might be considered an improvement over old-fashioned, nonspecific greetings.

Q. What if I'm unsure of the addressee's gender?
A. Simple answer: Dear R. Smith (assuming that "R. Smith" is the contact name listed in the ad). But do make an effort to find out the person's gender so you can address your letter to "Dear Mr." or "Dear Ms."

Q. Do I need to mention why I'm in the job market?
A. It depends. There's certainly no requirement that you do so, but if your reason is particularly legitimate (such as a plant closing or a management change due to the successful initial public offering you were instrumental in negotiating), you might send a positive message by mentioning this information. In any event, be prepared for the question, "Why are you leaving your current job?" or "Why are you looking?" to come up early in your search. Practice a concise, positive and believable response. Never badmouth your company, boss or co-workers.

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5 Ways You Could Be Ruining Your Résumé Without Realizing It

By : Robert Half International

Signs are emerging that the job market is picking up, but landing a new position can still be a challenge. The last thing you want to do is sabotage your employment search, and, since your résumé is typically the first impression that hiring managers have of you, it's also the first place where you can potentially ruin your chances.

According to a survey conducted by Robert Half International, executives spend more than six minutes, on average, screening each résumé they receive -- which means every word counts in this critical document.

Of course, no job seeker is going to shoot himself or herself in the foot on purpose. But you might be harming yourself without realizing it. Here are five common mistakes that put you at risk of losing the job opportunity:

1. You don't proofread
Three out of four executives interviewed said just one or two typos in a résumé would remove applicants from consideration for a job. Since your word processing program has a spell-check function, you may think there's no need to review your résumé for typos and grammatical errors. Unfortunately, spell-checkers don't catch words that may be spelled correctly but used incorrectly: For example, if your most recent position was as a corporate blogger, your software may not raise the red flag if you mistakenly list yourself as a "logger." In addition to reading through the résumé yourself, you should also have someone else review it to catch any errors that you may have overlooked.

2. You ignore potential red flags
When reviewing your résumé, imagine that it belongs to someone else. After reading through it, would you have questions about the information provided or be concerned by a lack of details? If you have these thoughts, rest assured potential employers will, too. For instance, one of the biggest red flags is a gap in employment that goes unexplained. Rather than make a hiring manager wonder why you were away from the workplace for an extended period of time, use your cover letter to address why you weren't working and how you continued to advance your career through volunteer opportunities, professional development courses or other means.

3. You exaggerate your qualifications
Some people will do whatever they can to stand out, which includes fudging the details about a job title, the amount of time spent with an employer or a professional accomplishment. If you think that a hiring manager won't try to confirm your qualifications, think again. If you are caught making up information, you not only will lose out on the opportunity at that company but also may permanently harm your reputation. Even a small fib can prove harmful. For instance, if you're working toward a degree that you plan to complete by the summer, don't say you already have the credential.

4. You don't explain yourself
The best résumés use specific language so hiring managers can clearly understand your qualifications and accomplishments. If you say you are "knowledgeable" about HTML, an employer will not know if you use it every day to code Web pages or if you simply know that the acronym stands for Hyper Text Markup Language. Instead of using a vague term, you should explain how you've used your knowledge of HTML for certain projects or to aid your employer, how long you've been using it and if you possess any relevant certifications. Along the same lines, be specific when listing periods of employment, including the month and year for start and end dates instead of just the year.

5. You're too wordy
Sometimes it's difficult to determine what information belongs in your résumé and what can be safely left out. After all, the temptation is to describe any qualification that might remotely tip the scales in your favor. But you might not want to list every accomplishment, skill or project you've worked on. Hiring managers appreciate brevity, so cull the information you include, focusing on the aspects of your work history that are most relevant to the job for which you're applying. If you've had a long career, for instance, you may include fewer details about jobs you held early on that don't relate to your current career path. Omit hobbies, personal facts and other fluff, too.

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