Reviewed Sites

Monster.com and the Monster Blog: www.monster.com monster.typepad.com (the blog)

Monster.com has evolved into the most comprehensive job search website. Newspapers around the United States and the world partner with Monster. A perhaps little-known and overlooked resource of Monster.com is the Blog and the Career advice section. Those two sections of the website provide useful advice on the current state of employment, resume writing and more.

Employment Etiquette: www.emilypost.com/business

The Emily Post group has been writing about etiquette since Emily Post was alive. Their latest book is The Etiquette Advantage in Business, which would make a great gift for any new graduate. School is currently more about facts and learning, and less about business and behavior. For success in the world of employment, an understand of proper etiquette is essential. The emilypost.com website gives lots of free tidbits for every job-holder or job-seeker.

Source of Interesting Jobs: www.craigslist.com

Craig Newmark started Craigslist in 1995 as a website to list events in San Francisco. It has grown into a huge, community driven, classified-ad website with sections for hundreds of cities around the world. Craigslist is a great place to look for interesting jobs. One company in North Carolina posts job ads exclusively on Craigslist in order to attract creative, innovative professionals.

Employment tips: www.mricr.com

This is the website of Management Recruiters of Cedar Rapids. There are hundreds of websites that offer resume writing tips, interview tips and more. This site offers all of those, as well as tips on subjects like 'resigning gracefully' and how to leverage counteroffers appropriately.

Tips for Success

1. Before seeking employment, put your 'ducks in a row'. In other words, communicate with you references and let them know you are looking. Update them on your recent work activity and let them know about the types of jobs you will be seeking. Update your resume so that it reflects all of your latest degrees, jobs, skills, etc. Check your wardrobe. Be certain that you have clothing that fits and is appropriate for interviewing. You most likely need a suit and a slacks/blouse or shirt outfit.
2. Research before sending an application. Try to find out about the culture of the company, its history and future plans before applying. It is best to know, up front, as much as you can, before applying so that you do not need to withdraw your application.
3. If granted an interview, read and learn as much about the company as you can. If the company has a website, read the entire website, carefully. Think about ways that your personal and professional goals align with those of the company.
4. Advise everyone you know that you are looking for a job. That way, if anyone hears of anything, they will let you know about it! Networking is a powerful job procurement tool.
5. While in-between employment opportunities, go to networking events such as gallery openings, professional brown-bags and chamber of commerce events. Keep up your participation in professional organizations.