Get Fit

By Cara Scharf


“We’re sorry, but you’re just not a good fit.” It’s a common line job seekers hear and one that can be very disheartening—if not downright confusing.Many job seekers are frustrated by the idea of not fitting because, unlike more assessable factors, such as qualifications, fit is elusive. A good analogy is romantic chemistry: the spark is difficult to explain, but if it’s not there, the relationship fizzles.

Fit can be equally hard to define, because it’s subjective and very much depends on the hiring manager’s gut feeling. Though fit may be an exasperating concept, employers indicate it’s a huge part of hiring decisions. To dispel some of the mystery around what fit is, we asked a few employers to define what it means to them.

What is fit?

A basic definition of fit is how well your personality, attitude, and work habits jive with those of an employer. In terms of personality and attitude, all employers have their own set of values and goals, and they want to make sure you’re in line with them. For example, accounting firm Grant Thornton characterizes itself as forward-thinking. Nina Guthrie, the firm’s director of university recruiting, therefore looks for candidates who embody that quality. “If someone demonstrates that they are super-adaptable and good on their feet, I know they’ll be great for us. But someone who is rigid and has to do everything in set steps won’t be.”

To view the rest of this article, please go to: http://wetfeet.com/Experienced-Hire/Getting-hired/Articles/Get-Fit.aspx

A Great Job Search Tool

Here's a startling statistic: one out of every 200 resumes (some put the number as high as 1,000 resumes) results in a job offer. One out of every 12 INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEWS, however, results in a job offer. That's why informational interviewing is one of the best networking and job searching techniques.

Read all about this strategy and its other benefits on our website at http://www.gmc.edu/students/careerservices/studentsalumni.php click on "Informational Interviewing" under the Job Searching section.

Using The Rilley Guide for Internet Job Searching and Career Information

By: Christina Theodos

The Riley Guide is an online career information tool that is specialized towards online job searching. Not only does it provide useful tips on how to begin your online job search, but it also allows for career services professionals to gather information as well. If you are not sure how the internet can help you in your quest for a job, The Riley Guide is a great resource for you. Created by Margaret F. Dinkel, Internet Consultant for Employment, and the author and co-author of many popular career journals and books, The Riley Guide offers specific tips and tools for online job hunting. Be sure to check out the website and spend some time doing a little research.

http://www.rileyguide.com/

Are Today's Grads Unprofessional?

David Moltz

Today’s college graduates do not exhibit as much professionalism as their employers expect of them, according to a new study from York College of Pennsylvania.
As part of the small liberal arts college’s effort to rebrand itself as a place where “professionalism” is cultivated, its newly created Center for Professional Excellence commissioned a survey of more than 500 human resources professionals and business leaders to gauge not only what they think “professionalism” means but also how well the recent college graduates they have hired exhibit it.

The results of the survey, released Friday, suggest that colleges need to change how they prepare their students for the working world, particularly by reinforcing soft skills like honoring workplace etiquette and having a positive demeanor.
The survey indicates that “there is a widely held sentiment that not all college graduates are displaying professionalism upon entering the work force.” More than 37 percent of the respondents reported that “less than half of [the recent graduates they have hired] exhibit professionalism in their first year." The average employer indicated that slightly more than 51 percent of his or her recent hires exhibit “professionalism.”

In clarifying what exactly this means, about 88 percent of the respondents “think of professionalism as being related to a person rather than the position.” To that end, the traits or behaviors mentioned most by the respondents as being characteristic of professional employees were “personal interaction skills, including courtesy and respect"; “the ability to communicate, which includes listening skills"; “a work ethic which includes being motivated and working on a task until it is complete"; and “appearance.”

To view more of this article, please go to: http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2009/10/23/professionalism#

Career Remedy: Where the Jobs Are in Health Care

By Cara Scharf

No matter what the economy does, people will always need health care. That’s why the industry has remained a bright spot for employment despite waning opportunities in other sectors. Health care employs people in a multitude of roles, and some are more needed than others. Here are five rapidly growing occupations that don’t require an M.D. Home CareAn aging Baby Boomer generation, rising hospital costs, and technological advancements are likely to drive demand for in-home healthcare for years to come.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for home healthcare aides is expected to grow a whopping 49 percent between 2006 and 2016, much larger than the average rate of job growth. Although most positions in home health care are reserved for nurses, social workers and administrators can find opportunities in community outreach and coordination. Workers in this sector give patients the opportunity to remain in the comfort of their homes and become an invaluable resource for families—but the pay is generally low, the job requires a lot of time and travel, and it can be physically and emotionally taxing. Find salaries and reviews in home health care on Glassdoor.com.

Health Care ITHealth care lags behind most industries in the adoption of new technologies, but a push toward electronic medical records (EMRs) and standardized information sharing are driving more health systems to embrace the possibilities of IT. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act passed in February 2009 provides around $20 billion in funding and incentives for hospitals and private practices to implement electronic record systems, which will drive job growth.

To read more of this article, please go to: http://www.wetfeet.com/Experienced-Hire/Finding-the-job/Articles/Career-Remedy--Where-the-Jobs-Are-in-Health-Care.aspx