Random Thoughts: Jobs (again)
Yesterday I dropped by a Job Fair in Ottawa, and was astounded to see the number of people at this small job fair and also by the fact that I knew so many of them. It drove home hard just how many folks are looking for jobs right now. The other fact that had me thinking was that very few (if any) of the exhibitors wanted resumes, they were simply talking about their company and wanted candidates to submit their resumes to the company web site.
This means no one will read resumes after this show much (they may have a bunch sent to them electronically, but my guess is they will simply submit them into their job database and forget about them). HR rarely reads resumes sent to them directly, they wait for software to “screen” candidates for them.
The important point to remember that if you are job hunting, you need contacts to get jobs. The number I have heard quoted is 75% of jobs are never posted, they are filled by folks that the company knows about from internal contacts.
Another free piece of advice, talking to other Unemployed folk, is not networking. Talk to people with jobs, they will know of jobs where they are or who might be hiring, unemployed people rarely know that and can’t help you that way.
Random Thoughts: Financial Apocalypse Over? (April Fools!)
The financial blogging world this week had an eclectic cross section of articles but some that I enjoyed were:
- The Canadian Capitalist points out again that the new HST is going to chew into our retirement savings in Harmonization and Mutual Funds.
- Preet at Where Does All My Money Go writes about a Mutual Fund Manager who Gives Back His Fees (and that is not an April fools prank).
- Michael James advises in Gamblers’ Folly: Double or Nothing to avoid overreacting to losses, which is good advice.
- The Four Pillars wrote about Ethics in Business (and Life) which is an important concept to grasp.
- Larry MacDonald fires off a series of very useful financial one liners in PotPourri of Financial Factoids.
A final job hunting tip, if you are lucky enough to find a job, remember those who are still looking, and help them out as best you can as well!
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April 3rd, 2009 at 6:27 AM
As someone who has been to many job fairs in the past I don’t know who came up with the idea that they are a successful method of finding employment. In 1,000 people there might be two gems to be had. For the company it’s worth their time. I’m thouroughly convinced that for anyone seeking a salaried job career fairs are a waste of time.
April 3rd, 2009 at 6:28 AM
that’s thoroughly – sorry.
April 3rd, 2009 at 10:02 AM
The value of a job fair depends on whether the market favours job seekers or employers. However, it’s difficult for either group to stand out in a sea of sameness.
And yes, meeting the notworking isn’t networking.
April 3rd, 2009 at 10:51 PM
Thanks a lot for the link!
Good luck in the job hunt.
April 4th, 2009 at 8:45 AM
Thanks for the mention. Have a good weekend.
April 5th, 2009 at 9:06 AM
Thanks for the link – hope you are enjoying the weekend!