Gobble Fest 2008 at Orlando Jobs . com

Once a year, OrlandoJobs.com, GreatInsuranceJobs.com and Lear & Associates celebrate Gobble Fest at the Orlando Jobs building in downtown Orlando.

Gobble Fest 2008!

This year, with the economic difficulties of our country and the effect it has on jobs, it was an especially nice time to reflect on how thankful we are that a lot our clients are still hiring! The group of people you see in these pictures are the "front lines" that spend their days working with these clients to bring you the best jobs in Central Florida.

Our staff wishes you a very good Thanksgiving Holiday. We hope that you find the job you seek, and we will do whatever we can to make that happen!

Our Team!

(Co-founders Scott Kotroba and Roger Lear)

Happy Thanksgiving!

Orlando Jobs report by FOX 35 News!

As the Central Florida unemployment rate continues to rise, job seekers are finding the amount and type of jobs available are very light. OrlandoJobs.com attended 2 different career fairs this week and talked to a lot of great people looking for jobs.

Fox 35 News was at the Seminole Community College Job Fair and interviewed one of our own, Stuart Raskin. Click on the link to view the story.

VIEW the news story about Orlando Jobs here.

How can the Presidential Election Help your Job Search?

No matter who you voted for this week, believe it or not, elections are not unlike your own job search. You are on the campaign trail, getting in front of companies; letting them know where you have been and what you have done.

More importantly, just like our presidential candidates, you also have to let employers know how you will perform in the future. And this is exactly what will get you elected into your next job. I think a lot of job seekers do not spend enough time, before an interview, preparing their "speech" to a particular company; outlining the value he/she will bring to that company if employed.

It is your future value to a company that will get you hired. Here are some tips on how you can prepare for your speech (interview) to potential employers.

1. Really understand how the company that you are interviewing with makes money.Research the company using sites like Hoovers and Marketwatch.com. Then during the interview, talk about how your skill sets will add value to the company if hired. Just like a presidential candidate, be clear about how you would do this by using very specific examples of your past performances.

2. Show documentation of your success. Both presidential candidates produced video tapes, commercials and books to help show who they are and what they've stood for over the years. During the interview, provide your employer with letters of recommendation, awards and any certificates of excellent performance. (A lot of candidates forget how powerful this can be.)

3. Be Positive! Sit up straight in that interview and look your interviewer(s) in the eyes. You must smile, have a firm handshake and dress well. Most of all, you must be positive about who you are, where you have been and where you are going. Both presidential candidates know how to work a room. They were both always positive in delivering their message to the groups they reached out to. You must convey the same energy in the interview!

4. Know your facts. Although the candidates in this election didn't always give accurate facts, you must in the interview. Employers will ask you questions like "why did you leave your last job?" or "what kind of money are you looking for?" Be prepared to answer, "What is one of your weaknesses?" Be direct, honest and enthusiastic when answering.

5. Ask for the job! Just like the presidential candidates asked for your vote, you must ask the employer for the job and let the company know your level of interest. Too many candidates leave interviews without letting the company know that they are very interested in the position and would like to be considered. It is also a good time to ask if you can provide them with any other documentation to help in their decision process.

You are running a career campaign against other candidates. If you use these tips, you will separate yourself from the pack and when the company votes on their next hire; it will be you!

OrlandoJobs.com day at the CFHLA Hospitality Showcase was AWESOME!

The Central Florida Hotel Lodging Association (CFHLA.org) held its Hospitality Showcase on October 9, 2009 at Coronado Springs Resort at Disney World. The Orlando Jobs team had a wonderful time meeting so many of the area's top hospitality companies.


The theme for the showcase was go green! When OJ needs a great idea, we turn to Heather and she came up with the following "green theme" from Sesame Street!

Amy Christmas, Heather Dreyrieux, Brad Partridge (as Oscar), Missy Roncone, Roger Lear began the day at the booth handing out our "Save Paper, post your jobs online" postcard.

Of course, the team did have to visit with our friends at Best Buy and play some Rock Band!

The CFHLA showcase was a great success. We enjoyed being there and seeing all the different ways Central Florida's leading industry is going green!

OrlandoJobs.com and GreatInsuranceJobs.com Work Day!

As part of our community service in Central Florida, OrlandoJobs.com and GreatInsuranceJobs.com joined forces to work with the United Way Day of Caring 2008. It was awesome to work together and help restore a courtyard used in a facility operated by the Center of Drug Free Living. Here is a short video of our very fun day!

Finding your Career Path. Great Read.

Recognizing Richard RabbitA Fable about Being True to Yourself
By: Peter Weddle

(Editors Note: Peter Weddle has written a new book that is a great read! I would highly suggest this book if you are trying to find your career. You may have a job but know there is something else out there. You may be in the middle of a job search and want to better understand what you really want to do. This book will really give you some great insight. - Roger Lear)

You can learn a lot from animals, especially whenyou listen with both your heart and your mind.
Recognizing Richard Rabbit is a fable for adults, young and not so young. In the genre of Who Moved My Cheese?, it is a tale about some forest friends who make an amazing discovery by trying to help one of their own. What do they learn? The key to uncovering your own true self. The secret to authentic living.

Even better, this book gives you two ways to find the answer; one in fiction, the other in nonfiction. The fable invites you to tap into your creative talent, while a parallel self-interview draws on your analytic ability. Each genre provides a different perspective; a different way of seeing the singular person you are meant to be.

Why bother? Because whether you are a recentgraduate or a Baby Boomer, whether you are looking for a way toget more satisfaction from your work or trying to reenter the workforce after an extended absence, the key to success is a deep understanding of the real you. That is the carrot this book offers … the You of your dreams.

If you are interested in ordering this book, please visit Amazon.com by clicking this link. the book is priced under $10.00.

East Orlando Jobs Update

One of the most exciting things to happen in all of Central Florida in recent years is the development of Innovation Way and it’s happening right in our own back yards. The main thoroughfare on that side of town is Alafaya Trail. Of course, thoroughfare is a bit of a misnomer as the road is 1,000 feet short of actually connecting that side of town efficiently and effectively to the Beachline, the airport and more. But construction is set to begin in early 2009 to complete the road and once complete, Innovation way will explode on to the scene.

The key pillars are all in place to build such a high-tech corridor. Avalon Park Group has taken an interest in the area for years and is currently working on the largest residential real estate development in the area with 446 home sale closings in 2007. Those are impressive numbers regardless, but in a down market those numbers are spectacular!

East Orlando also boasts residency to UCF, the 7th largest university in the country. Attached to the university is the UCF Technology Incubator. UCF believes so much in building into the local economy that they’ve set aside space and developed programming to help small technology companies. The failure rate among small businesses is high, but almost all of Incubator residents survive – most thrive.

East Orlando is also home to the Central Florida Research Park (CFRP), one of the biggest in the country with 116 companies and 10,000 employees. It’s estimated that the CFRP will reach capacity in approximately 7 years. They are talking about building another facility along Innovation Way.

Of course, all of that activity on what will be the north end of Innovation Way is rounded out by what’s beginning at the south end near Moss Park: the development of a Medical City. The Florida Hospital has plans to build, along with a Burnham Institute for Medical, Nemours Children’s Clinic and there are plans to build a new VA Hospital. UCF is building a medical school near all of these well respected and established institutions which will provide plenty of opportunity for partnership. It should also be noted that the medical school will bring in millions of dollars for medical research and related jobs to the area.

So what does this mean to you? It means a broadening of Central Florida’s business infrastructure and a deepening of our community roots. Right now we have a primarily hospitality-based economy, which no one is knocking, but smart business people know that diversification is the key to success, including when it comes to building local economies.

Most importantly to you it means JOBS! No the jobs aren’t immediate, but sit tight, the jobs will come. And the next question on everyone’s mind is where it gets interesting: Am I qualified for these high tech jobs? However, that’s not what’s important! If you’re qualified you know it. If you’re not, still, as our community grows, there will be resulting needs – and therefore jobs! – for everything from apples to administrators and from zinnias to zippy ad slogans.

So what are you waiting for? Keep your eyes on Innovation Way for the future and for now, keep your eyes on OrlandoJobs.com – we are where the jobs are!

(This Blog post contributed by Amy Christmas, OrlandoJobs.com Account Manager)

Read Career Blogs to help you in your Job Search and Career Development

The blogging community can provide you with fantastic career information that can help in many ways. Career blogs are becoming a very good source for questions you may have about your job search. For example, there are blogs dedicated to how to ask for a promotion; searching for jobs; networking; background checks; video resumes; personality profile testing; and virtually any career question you may have.

Today, I would like to provide you with a list of some of the best career blogs on the internet. You must first understand that blogs come in all shapes and sizes. Depending on the type of information you seek, pay attention to who the author of the blog is to make sure they are qualified to give you solid career advice.

Career Blogs can be broken up into these categories:

Company Blogs: Official career blogs of the company you are considering working for. These are very informative and include things like the day in the life of an employee, company announcements, podcasts and videos about company jobs and corporate culture.

Career Website Blogs: Sites like www.OrlandoJobs.com have blogs that speak directly to a niche community.

Professional Career Bloggers: Professionals in the career field write blogs about almost anything. Go to sites like www.careerxroads.com and www.careerjournal.com to find some excellent information.Executive Search Firms: A lot of search firms have blogs that give great career advice from interview tips to resume writing. Go and visit sites like A.E. Feldman http://blog.aefeldman.com. They have an excellent blog for financial, accounting and legal trends.Social Network Sites:

Sites like LinkedIn and Facebook both have very good career blogs.Personal Blogs: There are some great people writing blogs that can provide you a wealth of information. Alexandra Levit is a great example, www.alexandralevit.typepad.com/wcw.

Here are some blogs to check out. You can always search for career blogs at Google or Typepad. Also, most of the Fortune 500 companies have a career blog.

Employment Digest.net
CareerAdviceBlogs.com (grabs blog postings from all over the internet)
Moving On Up
Six Degrees From Dave
Electronic Recruiting Exchange Blog Network
Fast Company

Once at a career blog, check their blog roll and it will lead you to 1,000's of other blogs. Just make sure to have plenty of time set aside!

Innovation Way- Jobs Now and in the Future in Orlando!

Coming in July, OrlandoJobs.com, Insight Magazine and the East Orlando Chamber of Commerce will partner to showcase employers in the Innovation Way Corridor. This area is a cluster for high-tech, and soon bio-tech, companies whose employees enjoy a close relationship with the University of Central Florida, easy proximity to Orlando International Airport, and the most family-friendly atmosphere in which to live.

This industry is centered in Innovation Way. Our Employment Showcase will highlight the companies that are currently in East/Southeast Orlando and showcase what they do, as well as what jobs they have now and anticipate for the future. In addition, we'll be profiling the companies with plans to move or open in this area in the coming months.

From the Waterford Lakes area to East Orlando, Avalon Park, Moss Park and Lake Nona, this area is burgeoning on both the business development front, as well as seeing a continuation of residential influx. Lake Nona is being called "The Medical City" for the number of bio-tech firms, research facilities and hospitals choosing to locate here. However, this showcase is not just for high-tech companies; every kind of business located in the Innovation Way Corridor is important to its development and success.

"We will see thousands of high paying jobs created by organizations and companies locating and expanding in Innovation Way and the Medical City, and along with those jobs will come the need for support jobs such as retail, housing, construction and others," says Carol Ann Dykes of UCF's Technology Incubator.

We are excited about the opportunity to preview Innovation Way and the the companies that already reside in this area! Here is some additional information about Central Florida’s number one job growth area.

Official Orange County Information about Innovation Way

Innovation Way Map

Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission Information

Temporary Access Road connecting Innovation Way to Beachline

UCF Medical School Information

Central Florida Region leads the State in adding New Jobs (6,200 of them)!

Yes, we are always looking for the good news in Central Florida Employment. Like you, I read the headlines and follow the statistics. On Saturday, we found out that the Orlando area added a lot of jobs. You can read the story about 6,200 new jobs added in April in Central Florida. The unemployment rate is holding steady as well at 4.9%. So what gives? Why are we not having street parties celebrating that the Orlando region is in a “glass bubble”, not affected by unemployment issue other states have? Why can the Orlando Job market breath at little easier when all you read about is gloom and doom?

The answer is…..Hospitality and healthcare! Once again, Central Florida is proving why we are on the path to becoming a WORLD CLASS CITY. We lend the world a tremendous tourist activity with all the venue’s we offer. The foreign travel to our country and particular Orlando is keeping the lights on. Our regions investments in advertising globally and in North America are paying huge dividends driving visitors.

All this means are jobs.

At OrlandoJobs.com, it is a fact that our clients are being more careful to hire in these market conditions. With home prices falling and gas almost at 4.00 a gallon, it kind of does feel a little bad out there. However, you live in a region that we have outstanding opportunities. If you are an accountant, look in the healthcare and hospitality industry. That is where the action is and no matter what you do, companies in those areas could have a job that meets your requirements. They have a lot of hourly jobs, but they also have a lot of professional jobs!

Finding a Job in a Recession (if you believe that we are in one)

Recession or no recession, there are jobs out there. If you start believing every story you read, you will never find a good job. While the unemployment rate is ticking up, we are still creating jobs each and every month. Orlando jobs and jobs in Central Florida are are in need of good candidates. It just is a little harder to find them.

Here are some tips to help you find your next job.

1) DO NOT send your resume to every job on every job board. While this gives the job seeker a feeling they are working hard to find a job, 98% of the applications you will make are worthless. Focus more on targeting your job to your skill sets. Use job boards, networking, friends, conferences and neighbors to help you in your search.

2) Apply your skill sets to the area of the economy that is actually in an upswing. For example, in Orlando, technology, hospitality and healthcare are always looking for great people. (
Can your skill sets adapt to these companies?

3) Talk with the regional business center for Central Florida(http://www.orlandoedc.com/) and find out what new companies are moving into the area. A lot of time, you can get some great leads for major and minor companies who are looking for employees.

4) Attend as many networking events as you can. Every day, many types of lead groups, networking groups and friends group meet. These are AWESOME for developing leads and letting people know you are looking for a new job. Don’t be bashful. In my opinion, this is the best way to find out what is out there!

5) Target companies you want to work for and research their employment websites for work. Believe it or not, not every job is on a job board. Job seekers don’t take the time to go to each company’s website DIRECTLY to look at opportunities.

6) Be energetic! Smile, have a plan, execute your plan and don’t let those around you bring you down. Some company out there needs you and in times like these, you have to be positive and find them.

Pick out your best skill set and plan your job search around it. You are your job search and with some great enthusiasm, you will have a great advantage over your competition. Finally, the internet is full of advice and resources for your job search. If you concentrate your time on the above suggestions, you will be surprised at the outcome. Good luck and email if you have any questions.

Recession Proof Your Orlando Job Today!

I have been getting a lot of emails from candidates in the last couple of months wondering what they can do to “recession proof” their jobs. The economists that work for the federal government consider “full employment” at 4.0%. Currently, the national rate is 4.9%. Our national unemployment rate is the early 90’s was almost 10%. We made it through that period and we will make it through this one as well. I do think insurance jobs are a little more recession proof then most, but your employer may be looking for ways to cut the budget.

We did learn quite a bit however about things workers did to hold on to their jobs or prepare for change. Here are my suggestions to recession proof your job:

1) Understand the financials of your company. While you may get this information directly, you can get a sense how your company is doing by polling the sales staff. If you determine that the “writing is on the wall”, start looking immediately for another company that needs your skill sets. (Home builders, mortgage etc.) DO NOT WAIT to be let go. Be active in your job search at your timetable. If you can avoid being “let go” because you changed jobs first, you win.

2) Schedule your overdue review with your manager. Find out how you are doing in your job and what else you can do for the company that would add value. Yes, you may have to prove to your company that you want to stay there and that you don’t mind going the extra mile. The more value you can add, the safer your job.

3) Update your skills. Education is king and most employers appreciate your commitment to learning. Take a night class, computer class or update your credentials. Whatever you do, make sure you let your employer know.

4) Can you do the jobs of others in your company? Always breakdown the different departments in the company you work to see if you can change internally (do you have job flexibility?) if your job was eliminated. If you are a claims supervisor, do you have the skill sets to be at litigation specialist? If you do, remind your boss that you can do that job.

5) Be involved in professional organizations and trade groups. Network, network and network. Just because your current company may be gloom and doom, others in your same industry may be prospering. Take every opportunity to meet your peers from other companies. It could be the best thing you ever did!

6) Have a great attitude. To me, altitude is everything and will get you wherever you want to go in your career. If your company has to make some serious job cuts and you are in a group of 12 where 6 of you will be laid off, they will never lay off the person with the best attitude.
Here is just one more thought.

No one knows if the economy is in a recession. However, no matter what the people want you to believe, the job you have today is for real and you control certain aspects of it. These recessions proof tips should be practiced at ALL times to ensure you are getting the most from your career.

OrlandoJobs.com is moving to its New Building!

As we continue to grow, we are finally moving to our new digs at 43 East Pine Street in downtown Orlando. Beginning Monday (March 17), we will be “officially” in our new building.

The move itself has been very interesting. We have a lot of “junk” in our old offices that hopefully will be recycled.

If you do have any problems getting through to us this Friday or Monday, please just leave a message and someone will be back with you as soon as possible.

Our new offices are completely upgraded to provide our candidates and clients with top technology and outstanding customer service. We are looking forward to working with you all! Stay tuned and I will be posting some interior shots as well in the near future.

Our New Address:

OrlandoJobs.com

43 East Pine

Orlando, FL 32801

407-645-4224

OrlandoJobs.com meets Job Seekers at the Downtown Art & Living Expo

OrlandoJobs.com was part of the downtown Art & Living Expo. More than 15,000 folks attended and had a chance to experience live music, food and more than 100 fine-art and fine-craft exhibits. The expo was held at Lake Eola in downtown Orlando.

“We love community events because it gives us a chance to meet our candidate community who are looking for work" Danielle Bernhard (marketing director) said. "Being able to talk to our candidates in settings like this also give us great ideas on how to make the website better."

Even though the weather was a little rainy on Saturday, we really enjoyed meeting so many Central Florida residents.

Daytona 500 and Orlando Jobs...what?

OrlandoJobs.com ventured to the Daytona 500 again this year and had a great time meeting a lot of people. It is still hard to imagine that over 200,000 people attend this race. My driver is Jeff Gordon (don't hold that against me) and he didn't do so well.

We don't have a blimp yet, but the Good Year Blimp is the the one we would like to be!

A lot of the fans that stopped by the OrlandoJobs.com Hummer all had very similar questions. Most people wondered what we thought the Orlando job market was like compared to where they live. (I would be asking too if I left 20 degree weather and came to Florida) I am always happy to report that I think Orlando and Central Florida has a fantastic variety of jobs and we really are not seeing much slow down except in some of the trouble areas (mortgage, real-estate etc.) We are seeing a lot of technology, healthcare, administration, hospitality and accounting jobs in Central Florida.

Unlike Jeff Gordon's run in the 500, Central Florida is full of great great opportuntiy if you are looking for work!

OrlandoJobs.com purchases Historic Building in Downtown Orlando!

OrlandoJobs.com, Central Florida’s employment website, is moving their offices, along with their sister companies Great Insurance Jobs.com , Staff Orlando and Lear & Associates to its brand new headquarters at 43 East Pine in downtown Orlando on March 14th.

“We purchased the building in December and immediately recognized the great opportunity to move OrlandoJobs.com into the heart of the city. The building will be a visible landmark for candidates and clients” said Roger Lear, President of OrlandoJobs.com.

Scott Kotroba, co-founder of OrlandoJobs.com added,” We cater to the great companies in Central Florida looking for talent. To do that, we have to be physically visible in Central Florida as well as online. The purchase of this historic building will help us further connect with the great employers and candidates of Central Florida.”

OrlandoJobs.com is currently operating out of its office on North Orange Ave. For additional information, visit OrlandoJobs.com or call 407-645-4224.

University of Central Florida Career Fair - Find Unique Jobs before anyone else!

OrlandoJobs.com recently participated in the University of Central Florida Career Fair on February 4, 2008 at the UCF Arena. Over 200 hundred potential employers and a lot of students had a great opportunity to meet one another.

I had the opportunity to talk with quite a few employers because I was curious about the types of candidates they are looking for as well as their thoughts about the so called “recession”. What I found was great news if you are a college graduate or Alumni entering the workforce!

Here are some of the jobs that were available:

1) Accounting Positions
2) Engineering Positions
3) Marketing Positions
4) Law Enforcement
5) Hospitality
6) Technology Positions
7) Teaching/Education Positions
8) Sales Positions

I was very impressed with the amount of positions and the quality of the jobs at this event. One company in particular caught my interest and had some unique jobs and interesting product. IZEA, who is located in downtown Orlando, has a product called Pay Per Post. I spoke with IZEA's controllor David Bates and he was excited about this company. According to David, the company started in 2007 started with only 7 employees. Today, it has over 50 and growing with a blogging/advertising product that is quickly becoming a new way on the internet to market products using blogs.

IZEA has many opportunities. I like how one of their departments is called “customer love”. They also have a great employment brand (employers please take note on how to describe your employment brand in words):

“Each month we celebrate birthdays with ceremonial cakeplows. We ring new initiates in with tequila shots. We play football together and hang out on the weekends. If you enjoy the corporate world, if you are easily offended or think it is wrong to wear flip flops to work, this probably isn't the right place for you.”

That is what is great about career fairs. You sometimes can find out about future great companies before they become the next Google!

Central Florida Employment Council – Great Career Resource

I absolutely love The Central Florida Employment Council (CFEC.org) tagline, “Central Florida's premier employment and career network, serving greater Orlando with integrity!” If you have not heard of CFEC, I would like to introduce this outstanding resource you can use for career help in Central Florida. They are a non-profit organization that is committed to helping anyone in the area find employment.

Here are some of the services they perform for free (and a lot of generous support from the community)

· Resume Help
· Career Counseling
· Job Referrals
· Job Website (listings from Central Florida Employers)

In addition to all those resources, they host Five Job Fairs every year. They are the largest, most attended job fairs in the area. Thos past January, over 5,000 candidates came out to visit with over 100 companies looking to hire. The next career fair will be on March 19, 2008 from noon to 4:00pm at the Central Florida Fair grounds.

We are so lucky in Central Florida to have such a great resource and a wonderful group of people that want to help you with your job search. Dick Wilson founded the organization and Sandi Vidal is now the executive director. Their team of volunteers and employees are truly special people!

Executive Director Sandi Vidal of CFEC (pictured left)

Forget the internet, get your next job by attending Networking Groups!

This Orlando Jobs Blog post is written by David Doerges. He is the founder of Founder & CEO of Free Networking International. His website is www.FreeNetworkingInternational.com. This article deals with a great approach finding your next job by networking. Enjoy!

Business Networking, the Door to Your Ideal Job or Career

Your ideal job or career is waiting for you and you can find it through business networking!
There are hundreds of business networking opportunities, enough to fill your calendar almost every day and evening. How can these networking opportunities help you?

"Every networker has 250+ contacts" These networkers can open the door to unlimited opportunities for YOU!" All you need to know are the secrets to effective and efficient networking!" AND… the specialized aspects of career search networking!

You are looking for your ideal job, career or opportunity? Business networking will work! Most networkers are selling a product or service, so different strategies and techniques apply for you. Career searchers usually have a hard time getting results networking, not only because they are missing the secret keys of networking, but also because they are coming from a different angle that requires a few specific dos and don'ts.

Here are the 5 biggest mistakes job and career seekers make networking:

1) They have not clearly narrowed down and defined their ideal job or career.
2) They can not clearly and concisely describe to others their ideal job or career and what they bring to the table.
3) They don't know the process of effective and efficient networking.
4) They do not have a business card that works.
5) They don't have a real network.

What should you do?

1) You must know exactly what you want. You should be able to describe in detail and picture yourself doing it in your ideal working environment. Work out these details:
a) What are your Values?
b) From this create your Personal Mission Statement.
c) Write the specific details of the job, career or opportunity that best fits what you WANT to do.
d) Write the specific details of the owners, managers and people you will be working with; and the working environment you want to be in.
e) Write the specific details of what you will bring to the table.
f) Write a list of areas you will improve that will make you even more attractive to your ideal company or opportunity.
g) Review this list daily.

2) When you know exactly what you want you must be able to then describe it clearly and concisely to others. Networkers will be willing to help you. But if they do not understand exactly what you want, what talents, skills and benefits you offer, and exactly what contacts will help you within one minute, they are unlikely to spend more time with you and give you contacts that will help you. Basically they are there to sell their product and service and can not afford to spend time figuring out what you want, what you offer and who you want to contact. Even though they are friendly and polite, these are the facts.

3) Successful business networking will create unlimited people to WANTING to go out of their way to help you. Most people will be willing to help you briefly if they understand exactly what you want. But 90% will be willing to go out of their way to help you more extensively if you know how to network. The key is to effectively help them advance their business or dream. Efficient networking is doing this in 20 minutes for each person you meet. To do this you must have a network you can instantly access. You must ask detailed What Do You Do? questions. You must ask What Do You Need Now? questions. Then you will need to give them at least 3 - 4 valuable contacts. Now, after you have done this, is the perfect time to tell them what you are looking for, the benefits you offer and ask for Who Do You Knows? … the contacts you are looking for.

4) A business card that clearly and concisely describes exactly what you are looking for and your qualifying skills is very important. This gives your contacts something to review and pass on. Most career searchers have a card with just their name and contact info. Networkers will not remember your details even if you told them, so this "no details" card has very little value for you. The card will have much more value if you use the front and back and include what training and skills you bring to the table and describe your ideal career, even including your mission statement, your ideal work environment and your desired annual income.

5) Having a network doesn't mean memory of bunch of people you know, that you might be able to think of. A real network is a system of categorizing your contacts so you can instantly give valuable contacts to everyone they meet. It is often a great asset for future career associates. Use business card sheets in a binder and categorized the sheets alphabetically by industry.
Business networking is the more powerful way to attract your ideal job, career or opportunity.

Apply these tips and practice! Your ultimate opportunity is waiting for you!

Thanks David for an excellent Post!

52 Jobs in 52 weeks. Sean Aiken has done a lot of legwork for YOUR career!

I came across a website called oneweekjob.com and found it fascinating! The website created by Sean Aiken shows his career journey in a truly unique way. Instead of just settling for a job right out of college, he has dedicated 52 weeks to work in 52different jobs. At his website, he documents every stop on his journey in a very well done video on his experiences. If you are looking for a job in Orlando or want a better job, I think you will find some great information at this website.

So what can you learn from Sean’s career journey? I found that answer by watching his videos on the different jobs he has already completed. He has had many different jobs like aquarium host, brew master, Radio DJ, tattoo artist, florist, dairy farmer and many more. Once you go to the site, click on the video about a career you may be interested in and learn the job in a whole new way.

But what intrigued me the most about Sean’s work happened after I watched quite a few of the videos. While Sean was entertaining, I really thought the business owners, managers and coworkers at each job provided awesome career insight. In the “baker” video clip below, the owner talks about her passion for cooking and how she transformed it into her career! You can SEE the excitement in her career choice. You will find others who share their road to a successful career.

I really think your career should be one you will really like. Hopefully, Sean’s journey will give you a better perspective to help you in your own career!



Here is another article from the New York Times this week on Sean.

Should You Consider a Video Resume?

With the evolution of video on the internet, sites like YouTube and Yahoo video make it very easy to upload a video. In the employment world, we are seeing video resumes gaining a little traction. Here are a couple of examples:

Video Resume 1

Video Resume 2

Video Resume 3

So what do you think? Can you see yourself starring in your own video resume? It certainly is intriguing but before you jump in front of that camera, you may want to make sure you consider the following.

1) Will you be able to make a professional video resume that will enhance your background?

2) Do you think an employer may look at your video and decide not to interview you because of something you said in the video? In other words, videos are a one way. You do not have the opportunity to answer specific questions as you would in an interview.

3) Will the employer think you are acting? In the examples above, each one has a different “feel”.
4) Will employers even look at a video resume since they have hundreds of applications already? It would take forever if everyone had a video resume.

5) Can you make changes to your video resume to better “fit” the company you are applying to?

Video resumes have been around for years. They are getting some traction now just because it easier than ever to upload video to the internet. While I think we will all have our own online personal career site with resume, video and letters of recommendations, I think employers are still over whelmed with the data they already receive from candidates. A well written resume with CLEAR objectives will always get the attention of an employer. It will be up to you if you want to throw in a video resume as well before they face to face interview.

Privacy Tips for Jobseekers Who Post their Resumes Online

If you are like thousands of other Central Florida candidates looking for Orlando jobs, you have posted your resume on online sites (like OrlandoJobs.com) so potential employers can access your background and present job openings that match. Seems pretty simple! However, do you know what that site is doing to protect your privacy?

In the past couple of weeks, candidates that registered with Monster.com (read article) had resume information stolen by some “Trojan” software. While this is a major issue with any online services you use (banking, shopping, etc.), you do have an opportunity to protect you privacy. Here are some of our suggestions when dealing with online employment sites:

1) Make sure the site has a Privacy Policy. You must read this statement and agree with the terms. If you don’t, don’t post your resume! If the site doesn’t have a privacy statement, do not post your resume unless you don’t already get enough spam email. Make sure in the privacy statement that YOU have control of your information.

2) I suggest using a new email address for every employment website that you post your resume on. That way you can identify any bogus emails sent to that address. If the job site you posted your resume to follows their privacy policy, you should not get any other emails except from the site a employers. (Make sure you keep the email address professional)

3) Never put your social security number, date of birth or financial data in your resume. If a site ever asks you for a social security number, DO NOT use that site!

4) Does the employment site have a phone number and customer service department or is everything done online? Any questions you have should be able to be answered individually through a phone number or dedicated email. OrlandoJobs.com phone number is 407-645-4224.

5) Pick two or three sites that you feel can help your chances of securing employment and post your resume there. Do not post your resume to multiple sites.

6) Not every job offer you see is real and could be a scam. Most reputable job sites make sure their clients are real with real jobs. If you see work at home jobs or make $1,000 a day type jobs posted on a website, DO NOT post your resume. The type of companies an employment website has tells a lot about the site. If they accept these types of jobs, what are they doing with your background?

7) To protect your privacy, many job posting websites allow you to post your resume confidentially. This is a good option if you are currently employed as well as one more way to protect your privacy. The downside is an employer that wants to contact you immediately has to email you at a confidential address. You may miss the interview.

Privacy is very important. At OrlandoJobs.com, we do everything we can think of to make sure your online experience is safe and secure.

Additional Information for your Online Privacy.

The Orlando Venues Vote – Will this create jobs? YOU BET!!!

First of all, for the record, OrlandoJobs.com does support the building of the venue project in Orlando Florida. This would include a new arena, performing arts center and refurbishing of the Citrus Bowl. What makes this billion dollar project such a hot topic is just that…a billion dollars! The money is coming from many sources and the economic impact for Central Florida will be great.

Also for the record, we are not in any way a part of Orlando City or Orange County government. I will leave the voting up to our elected officials who have done the homework we can’t do as a citizens trying to figure out how all the pieces fit together. It is a massive project that will shape Orlando for years to come.

Why does OrlandoJobs.com support the project? It is very simple…jobs. Yes, we understand the new arena replace jobs already being performed at the Amway arena. However, the new arena will create more jobs at these events and more events each year. Also, a major performing arts center will create numerous jobs.

While we do get some great events in Central Florida, our community can go after even more. With new facilities, Orlando is a no brainer to entice incredible entertainment, arts and sports events. With these events are jobs.

YES, Jobs. Jobs of all kinds. Event day jobs, sales jobs, marketing jobs, advertising jobs, maintenance jobs, landscaping jobs, food service jobs, management jobs, medical jobs, technology jobs, website jobs, telecommunication jobs, logistic jobs, purchasing jobs, legal jobs, administrative jobs and many other opportunities.

How about the jobs created around the venues? You bet. If you look at any venue project in any city, major development has moved in and creates and/or expands business districts. Think about all of the possibilities.

But what gets me most excited about the venue project is the fact that companies in other parts of the country that are considering moving their operations to Central Florida will now be able to factor in world class facilities during their decision process. Why is this important? Smart companies who understand that human capital (employees) are their biggest asset need to “protect their investment”. The more a region can offer its citizens not only benefit the companies already here, but the ones considering relocating! For example, Burnham has made a great commitment to our area!

Finally, I have had the opportunity to recruit many professionals to Central Florida over the years. I truly believe we will have a better shot of attracting talented people to the area and also retain professionals that are already here. While Orlando is a great place to live, people who come from cities like Boston, Chicago, Denver, Dallas and many others parts of the country will turn jobs down. I have had many excuses, but the one the always hurts the most is we have no culture.

It is time we change that perception. With the new venues, we know new jobs will be created. We know new business will come. Orlando will truly be a world class city.

Are you ready to take a Virtual Interview?

If you could attend all of next week’s interviews virtually, would you? More importantly, should you? I am NOT referencing video conferencing; rather, new online technology allows you to create a computer generated image of yourself – an “avatar” – that will meet emplyers in a virtual room and communicate with them via instant message. You have access to unlimited resources to make sure your finished product resembles the “real” you. The outcome is surprising! To find out more about avatars and to view examples, visit http://www.secondlife.com/.

So is virtual interviewing right for you? The following points are some companies’ reasons for utilizing the Virtual Interview:

For Employers:

1) It’s cost effective to screen candidates.
2) It can help you narrow the pool of candidates.
3) You’ll be able to screen out of town candidates from anywhere.

For You:

1) It enables you to undergo the interview from a comfortable location: your residence.
2) You can concentrate directly on your questions, without the worry of initial appearance and non-verbal communication.
3) You can display some of your ability on a technical level. (Hopefully, your computer generated avatar will resemble aspects of your personality as well as your image. In fact, there is already this site that will help you pick out your interviewing outfit!

Many major companies have tried virtual interviews (read WSJ article), and the results vary. In the future, avatars may become widely accepted, but it is too soon to get overly excited about this type of interviewing.

Companies who have an element of artistic creativity (ad agencies, animators, graphic design firms, etc.) may be able to put virtual interviewing to good use, but the average company and the average candidate are either unable or unwilling to invest the time and effort into creating an avatar that can function as their online “other.” Online resume is still the most practiced manner of initial contact.

I can’t imagine and Orlando companies interviewing this way in the near future. For one, they are having a tough time finding qualified candidates for a lot of their specialized jobs. Most companies probably won’t have the time to wait for you to create your “customer service specialist ” avatar. (Although, it would be interesting to see what that looks like!)

This video on YouTube shows a slightly satirical version of humans reenacting what life would be like if you were an avatar. I guess applying online or picking up the phone may be the best way to get that next job.

Making a bad job choice is not the end of the world!

I was at the CFEC career fair last month in Orlando, and I had a couple jobseekers come by with great concern. They had just quit their jobs because the jobs they thought they accepted turned out to be everything but. Both were concerned that by quitting a bad job, that would hurt them with future employers. While this should be a concern, you can overcome this obstacle. I suggest the following tactics:

1) Be upfront and honest while interviewing with your new employer. The challenge here is too make sure you are specific about the issue that caused you to quit while not being negative about the employer.

2) Make sure when you submit your initial resume to a future employer, the dates on the resume reflect you no longer work for your last company. Along with this accurate resume, you will use your cover letter to explain your early exit from your last job.

3) Make sure that the new job you are interviewing for doesn’t have any of the reasons you left the last one. Do as much research as you can to find out about the company. The best case scenario is talking with a current employee at this company before your interview.

4) Realize that the person interviewing you most likely has had a former job or experience very similar to the situation you are experiencing. People are sympathetic, especially when you come across as a straight shooter.

If the interviewer keeps coming back to your situation, ask them if there is anything specific they need to know. The best advice I can give you is just be completely honest; stick to the facts and make sure you spin them in your favor. You will be hired on your qualifications, enthusiasm, quality of work and desire to be successful, not because you happen to have a blip on your resume!

Should your career be ranked like your FICO or SAT score?

What ever happened to sending in the resume and then going to the interview? If TalentSpring.com has their way, soon we will all have a “merit score” based on your career path and employment choices. They are taking the stance that a job should be filled with a candidate based on merit only (performance, accomplishments and education) and not on who you know, self promotion, and luck (right time, right place).

And you thought it was hard to get a loan. In my opinion, any company that utilizes a system that ranks a person through a piece of paper and some technology is a company that might be around to long. The art of recruiting and adding true value in human capital involves interviewing, testing and learning about the person, not the piece of paper. You learn from the candidate, not a computer, about past performance and accomplishments. You also learn if they are a fit for your company. If the people who write loans just went off credit bureau reports, most people would never be able to buy a home.

The other issue I have with any system like this is the fact that the information being fed into this technology can be easily altered by the applicant. If a candidate ranks high (beats the system) and wastes the time of the company, it would only take a couple of these events before the merit system crashes and burns.

Talent Spring goal is to become an industry standard in merit scoring for candidates. If this ever does work (which it won’t!), the world’s economy will come to a screeching halt! Think about it, some of the greatest business minds in the world failed numerous times before they found their niche. A system like this would prevent the next great mind from ever getting an interview.

Orlando is Number One for the next TWO YEARS in Job Growth!!!

Orlando is leading the nation as the hottest job market in the nation. While other cities are really hurting, Orlando leads the list according to Business 2.0. View the article here:

Orlando is Number One

What the nation is realizing is what we already know, Orlando is growing! It is more than just adding hospitality jobs. We are adding healthcare, digital media, life sciences and technology companies. These are high paying jobs that require education and training.

They are predicting that the high paying job sector in Central Florida will balloon to a 15% increase. This is good news for everyone.

This is also why we need to continue our push to become a world class city so we can not only attract great companies but also top talent! This includes Orlando supporting Project Hometown, the drive for world class facilities. (Performing Arts Center, Citrus Bowl and Event Center)

I get excited just think about how lucky we are to be in Orlando in 2007. It is kind of like owning a stock at $10.00 and knowing that it will worth $500.00 in the not so distant future. Orlando is a SURE BET and the nation is taking note!

The Lineup (2 year job-growth) forecast

1) Orlando 6.8%
2) Las Vegas 6.5%
3) Raleigh NC 5.8
4) Charlotte NC 5.7
5) Phoenix, AZ 5.6
6) West Palm Beach 5.4%
7) Tampa 5.3%
8) Riverside, CA 5.2%
9) Austin, TX 4.9%
10) Atlanta, GA 4.6%

So You Think you have a “cool” email address..be careful when applying to jobs...

It may have taken you a couple weeks to find that ultra cool email address, but think twice before using it as your contact email when applying to jobs. A study that has come out indicates that employers rate these creative emails names as less professional then somewhat normal email names.

I have attached a very interesting study performed by Kevin Tamanin. This is his thesis which he did at Ohio University. Please visit this link to read the entire thesis. It is entitled The Perception of Electronic Mail Names and How those Perceptions Affect a Job Related Evaluation Process.

I agree 100% with Kevin’s findings! (Does that mean I have a new Masters degree?) Actually, if you read through this thesis, you will find study after study that indicates an unprofessional email address used for a resume or online communication can be the kiss of death!

One of his studies used the moniker drunkensquirl@ and HtoTHEhizzy03@ as examples of highly “unprofessional” emails. When he submitted resumes with those email addresses to potential employers, the response rate from employers was extremely low. By just changing the email addresses to a more professional email address (he used jsmith8888@), the results were much greater!

In my 20 years of recruiting in Orlando, the last 10 years I have seen some of the craziest email addresses. Being the recruiter I am, I would still call the potential candidate, but not with an interesting picture in my mind developed by the candidates email address.

Good rule of thumb…get a professional email address for your career!

Is your next job a paid “Blogger”?

It only took a few years, but the newest “niche” site for jobs is called The Pro Blogger Job Board. Do you have what it takes to make a living being a blogger? I think it is a pretty cool job!

But how do you make money being a blogger?

1) Advertising Revenue from your Blog.

You can use adsense from Google, text links, Blogads and CrispAds. If you use any of these services, when visitors from your blog click these ads, you receive some revenue. ( These are just a few options)

2) Affiliate Programs- Get paid for selling others products (ClickBank)

3) Sponsorships- Get someone to directly sponsor your Blog.

4) Getting paid to write to a network of Blogs.

5) Writing Blogs for a company. For example, Home Depot hires you to keep their blog up and running daily.

6) Can you sell anything with your Blog? Are you an artist or doll maker? If so, a well written blog on dolls will bring in the traffic you need to sell your work!

Go to the Pro Blogger Job Board and see if there is a job for you. I found a company looking for a golf Blogger…I just might apply!

Instant Messaging at Work may be Monitored!

If you like to IM while working, a lot of employers are starting to log your messages. What you have to understand is that anything you do on your company computer at work is the property of your employer. They want to log your IM’s is for a variety of reasons. Employers are interested in knowing if employees are giving away trade secrets, harassing co-workers or violating non-compete agreements to name a few. Please visit this article to learn more.

My thoughts on this are simple. Employers hire you to do a very specific job. If you have IM access, it can be a great tool in conjunction with your job. The issue to me isn’t some of the bad things you can do with IM’s to hurt your company’s image and profitability (my personal philosophy has always been if you have these tendencies in you, nothing will stop you). For me, it is simply one more distraction or gateway to have to the outside world that takes away 100% commitment to your position. Talking to your college friends all day may be fun, but will never get you ahead in the real world. Successful professionals never have time to just chat!

Cleaning Up Your Online Image…including MySpace! Your job may depend on it!

Employers and co-workers are using the internet to find out things that you may not even realize are online about you! Have you Googled your name? What are the results? Did you ever take down those college fraternity pictures that may not have shown you in the best light? Is your MySpace account in need of image repair? Please read this article to find out about the challenges of restoring a good online image.

Here are some things you have to consider when cleaning up your online image:

1) Getting any image of you out of Google/Yahoo/AOL image search engines.
2) Getting a video off YouTube posted by a friend you never talk to anymore.
3) If you have a MySpace account, make it confidential.
4) If you have a Blog that is extremely personal, make it confidential.
5) Change that disturbing email address that was probably “cute” when you created it, but very unprofessional in the real employment world.

Believe it or not, employers and co-workers are using this information to draw an impression about you, right or wrong. You can do something about that!

Free Career Assessment Test-Excellent Stuff!

I really like this tool I just located at www.assessment.com . In the upper right hand corner, there is a career assessment test you can take for free. It is about 70 questions (15 minutes), but I found it to be an excellent source to give you some ideas about a potential career path for you.

The initial test is free. Of course, they have additional tests that can give even a deeper look into your motivations and career choices. I think the free test is all you will need to atleast get an idea of things that may be interesting for your career path.

Your career is a BIG part of your life. This world is filled with so much opportunity, but a lot of you don’t realize the numerous possibilities unless you do some research. This is one tool that will give you some ideas what you might be suited. Hopefully, you may find a career path that you never thought of before! Good Luck!

Do your homework before applying for an Online Job!

According to a 2005 survey from the Society for Human Resource Management.(SHRM), about 86 percent of companies use Internet postings to recruit workers. While this number shows the change (from newspapers) in the way people find out about open positions, it still doesn’t always work. 65% of all company hires come from networking and word of mouth.

I believe this number will change once companies spend more time developing their online employment brand and refine their recruiting processes. In other words, I see a lot more hires coming directly from the internet.

You should do some research on companies posting jobs to make sure you fit before applying. Like anything, the internet gives you a lot if choices, but if you do some homework on the job you have an interest in, you will send out less resumes to more quality companies!

Remember, companies don’t post jobs because they don’t want to hire you. Companies want to hire you, but you have to find them first.

You CAN find a Great Job during the Holidays!

Over the years I have heard countless times that employers don’t hire during the holidays. While it may be true in some industries, hiring for most companies is based on a few factors that favor job seekers looking to get hired by the end of the year. They are:

1) Growing companies can’t find enough employees. In Central Florida, with the unemployment rate at all time lows, companies that want to be competitive need you to accomplish this.

2) Budgets. A lot of companies have “use it or lose it” positions that need to fill. Managers fight hard each year to get employee counts to certain levels and budget money to do this. If they don’t hire to their projections, they scramble to hire before the end of the year.

3) Companies like to round out teams so they can start the New Year with full complement of employees! We call this the “hiring” New Year resolution.

4) Companies receive about 30% fewer resumes between Thanksgiving and New Years. Sending your resume to the right manager or human resource professional will increase your chances of being interviewed for positions that you are qualified.

5) It’s a great time for you to set your career course for 2007. Since the normal hiring process can take a couple of weeks, now is the time to get rocking so you can start 2007 with new hope and excitement!

Good Luck in your search. Great Central Florida Employers are looking for you!

Take this test to see if you are ready to Jump Ship from your current employer

Are you still finding your current job satisfying? Do you have thoughts that the grass may be greener at another company? Most of us have these thoughts from time to time. The Career Journal has a short test that I think can at least get you thinking about your career and your current position. Who knows, maybe you will find out that you have a pretty good gig right where you are working!

Take the test and see if you are ready to change jobs!

Career Advice Search Engine.... NEW!!!!

Along comes CHIMPY! Chimpy is a search engine that lets you search over 300 career advice websites at one time. What this means for you is that you have another resource to help your career.

I was doing some research on the “black hole” resumes go into when a candidate summits them to an employer and never hears anything. I was pleased to find 10 articles on what you can do to your resume to try to prevent this from happening.

Other topics include job search, interviewing, exit interviews, negotiating salary, returning to the workforce and almost any other job related topic you can think of!

The only issue I had with the site is the all the “Google ad words” throughout the site. Other than that, I would recommend this site to anyone with career questions. Go visit Chimpy today!

Top 10 Hottest Jobs!

Do you feel like making a career change and not know where to start? Are you getting ready to select your major and not sure what you want to do? Kiplinger’s came out with the top 10 job area you might want to consider.

View Article Here

Here is a summary:

1) Network systems and data communications analyst $60,600
2) Physician assistant $69,410
3) Computer applications software engineer $79,930
4) Computer systems software engineer $79,740
5) Database administrator $58,190
6) Network and computer systems administrator $60,650
7) Physical therapist $60,180
8) Medical scientist $61,320
9) Occupational therapist $54,660
10) College instructor $51,800

All these jobs require at least a four year degree. Most of the job trends we have seen are all pointing to technology and the healthcare field.

What if you didn’t have a four year degree? What jobs pay well that you might want to consider?

1. Home health aide, $8.12 per hour
2. Medical assistant, $24,610 per year
3. Physical therapist assistant, $37,890 per year
4. Dental hygienist, $28.05 per hour
5. Dental assistant, $13.62 per hour

Looks like the trend for higher paying jobs falls right into healthcare!

Test Drive your Dream Career Today!!!!!

Did you ever think about “trying out” your dream job? A new company has emerged and it will give you a chance to test drive your dream job like you would test drive a car. It's pretty cool: Go to this website:

www.vocationvacations.com/

Once you’re at the site, you look for your dream job the same way you would if you were looking for a job at www.orlandojobs.com. The big difference are the categories: Perfumery, Photography, Wine Bar Owner, White Water Rafting, Dude Rancher, Music Production and many more!

Once you find your dream job, you pay a fee to spend time with the person in your dream job. What a country.

I think this website is a great concept. First of all, for a reasonable fee, it gives you first hand knowledge of the job. More importantly, spending time with people who do what you want to do may open your eyes to exactly how real and how obtainable it is to get into your dream job.

If anyone has tried this, I would be very interested in talking with you!

Unemployment rate is 2.7%- What does this mean to your career?

Orlando’s unemployment rate is 2.7%. What does this really mean to you? Here are my thoughts:

1) If you have a good but not great job right now, you have the opportunity to “upgrade” to first class by exploring other career opportunities. Investigate “confidentially” other situations that may not only pay more but have better outlooks for future growth.

2) Companies will hire and train more in a low employment environment if they think you have great ability. This is a great way to get a career jump started!

3) Jobs. A lot of them. Just like a good restaurant, make sure the job you select is with a reputable company, and you will find yourself in good career situation.

4) Benefits. In low unemployment, to attract employees, some companies offer additional benefits. These benefits range from healthcare, extra vacation days to flex time.

5) More jobs can afford you the opportunity to find a similar job closer to your home. Sitting in traffic for one hour each way each day cost you in time 10 hours a week. If your commute was 10 minutes, what would you do with an extra 8 hours each week? What would you do with the money you save in gas?

6) Signing Bonuses. Yes, some companies are offering you cash of 500.00 to 5,000 to come on board. The more technical the job (like a nurse or architect) the higher the signing bonus.

It doesn’t hurt to look, even if you are somewhat happy in your current job. Be very selective and when sending your resume; please make sure you do it confidentially. Keep your “private” job search to yourself. Don’t tell co workers or they may get the job you want!

How you “appear” online may influence who hires you!

The web is finally becoming what it was always meant to be; a network of people, not just computers. Sites like MySpace.com and Facebook.com have become so popular over the last year that potential employers are taking notice.

Take all the technology out of the equation and examine this simple fact. You apply for a job and interview with the company. After the interview, the company likes you and begins a series of background checks. Traditional background checks like crime, credit and DMV are still taking place. However, employers are also going to the “social networking” sites with the chance of learning a little more about you. This is easy for the employer! Does your MySpace.com page show in a good light? Or does it have all your personal secrets and thoughts that if read by a potential employer, it may cause them not to hire you. Read the following article that appeared in the Orlando Sentinel June 11, 2006.

Just remember information is king! Social networking is great and really is what the internet is all about. However, if you still have that picture from college on your Facebook.com page showing your awards for “most beers drank”, you may want to update it!

7 Career Killers you should avoid!

According to an article in Kiplinger’s personal finance, there are 7 career killers you should avoid. They are:

1. Procrastinating
2. Having a sense of entitlement
3. Settling into your job description
4. Avoiding office politics
5. Not being a team player
6. Not dressing the part
7. Failing to network

While some of these are obvious, others are not. In my almost 20 years of recruiting, number 2 (sense of entitlement) to me is the one you should really pay attention too. Everybody wants to excel in their careers as quickly as possible. But what happens more often than not, people get impatient after a couple years and try to force promotion and change. Like the article says, workers (especially young ones who just entered the work force) want instant gratification. Careers that have meaning are built over years, not a few months.

Too many people don’t let their careers mature. But if your impatient with your employer and leave your job for another, you are almost starting your career journey over again. I have met many individuals who get into this cycle and before they realize it, they are 40!

You should not get involved in office politics, but you should know what is going on. Information is king!

Orlando Job Scene is really MOVING!!!!!

Wow…this illustration appeared in the May 2006 Business 2.0 Magazine. (Sources include Global Insight, state and regional government agencies)

So what does all this mean? OPPORTUNITY! Orlando ranks 2nd in the country in job growth through 2015. The top fields in Orlando will be hospitality, healthcare, technology, aerospace, banking and financial, sales and teachers.

If all this job creation and growth is true (which it is), you’re living in an area of the country where you can have a MAJOR SAY in your career path. Now is the time that you must gain the knowledge and education about the career path that will feed you financially as well as challenge you to grow in the future. Do some research and learn take advantage of this growth. A great place to start would be by picking up a copy of this month Business 2.0 (May) magazine.

In my next entry, I will explore a few of Orlando’s job growth areas. As always, we are here to help you!

Changing careers...not just jobs!!!

I really do believe a lot of people never really find their "career calling." It's never too late to change careers! Yes, it may take some additional sacrifices and education to excel in your new career choice, but if your current path does not have passion, then it might be time to make a CAREER change. The next problem is deciding out what you want to do. If you are reading this and would like to find out what other types of jobs are out there, I may have some help. If you have children who need some career path information, this information is very valuable.

The US Government has a website that breaks down 1,000's of careers in detail. Please visit http://www.bls.gov/oco/. Here you will find fantastic information about potential career paths. Here is a sampling of careers they profile along with earning potential.

Diagnostic Medical Sonographers http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos273.htm

Diagnostic imaging embraces several procedures that aid in diagnosing ailments. Besides the familiar x-ray, another common diagnostic imaging method is magnetic resonance imaging, which uses giant magnets that create radio waves, rather than radiation, to form an image. Not all imaging technologies use ionizing radiation or radio waves, however. Sonography, or ultrasonography, is the use of sound waves to generate an image for the assessment and diagnosis of various medical conditions. Sonography usually is associated with obstetrics and the use of ultrasound imaging during pregnancy, but this technology has many other applications in the diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions.

Median annual earnings of diagnostic medical sonographers were $52,490 in May 2004. The middle 50 percent earned between $44,720 and $61,360 a year. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $37,800, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $72,230. Median annual earnings of diagnostic medical sonographers in May 2004 were $53,790 in offices of physicians and $51,860 in general medical and surgical hospitals.

Geoscientists http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos288.htm

Geoscientists study the composition, structure, and other physical aspects of the Earth. With the use of sophisticated instruments and by analyzing the composition of the earth and water, geoscientists study the Earth’s geologic past and present. Many geoscientists are involved in searching for adequate supplies of natural resources such as groundwater, metals, and petroleum, while others work closely with environmental and other scientists in preserving and cleaning up the environment.

Median annual earnings of geoscientists were $68,730 in May 2004. The middle 50 percent earned between $49,260 and $98,380; the lowest 10 percent earned less than $37,700, the highest 10 percent more than $130,750.

Boilermakers http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos221.htm
Boilermakers and boilermaker mechanics make, install, and repair boilers, vats, and other large vessels that hold liquids and gases. Boilers supply steam to drive huge turbines in electric powerplants and to provide heat and power in buildings, factories, and ships. Tanks and vats are used to process and store chemicals, oil, beer, and hundreds of other products.

In May 2004, the median hourly earnings of boilermakers were about $21.68. The middle 50 percent earned between $17.80 and $26.82. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $14.07, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $32.46. Apprentices generally start at about half of journey-level wages, with wages gradually increasing to the journey wage as progress is made in the apprenticeship.

Go ahead and browse the 1000's of career possibilities at this site. I think you will find some career paths and positions that may grab your attention and give you some career guidance for the future.

How much money does your neighbor make?

Have you ever wondered what the guy next door is making? In my neighborhood, salary talk never comes up for some reason. You never ask "how's the kids and what kind of money do you make?. " Actually, if someone does automatically provides you with how much money they make, you may look at them in a strange way.

Parade magazine has a great article about this topic. Please read it when you get a chance by clicking on the link.

One of the things this article proves is that education is king. "Education is vital to getting a good job. On average, full-time workers with a high school diploma earn $585 a week; those with a college degree earn $1,029. Men with advanced degrees make $2,887 or more; women make $1,997 or more". In Central Florida, many opportunities are available but without the proper training and education, you can not get these jobs.

A lot of you already work at great companies but feel like you are not getting ahead. Make sure that you take advantage of any in-house training, tuition reimbursement programs or company sponsored training so you can gain the knowledge need to get to the next level. Amazingly, when asked, people claim they don't have the time to do this. Hopefully, the reality of the paycheck and your job satisfaction will be worth the sacrifice.

Here are the medium weekly wages in 2005.

2005 Median Weekly WagesPetroleum
engineers: $1,923
Actuaries: $1,639
Lawyers: $1,609
Economists: $1,569
Chiropractors: $1,531
Aerospace engineers: $1,362
Medical and health-service managers: $1,089
Meeting and convention planners:$912
Loan counselors and officers: $861
Elementary schoolteachers: $826
Funeral directors: $768
Social workers: $700
Pest-control workers: $508
Animal trainers: $482Actors: $481
Child-care workers: $332
Dishwashers: $296

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Employment Branding in Central Florida-What is that?

Employment Branding.

What companies pop into your mind when you are looking for a job? Have you ever caught yourself saying I wish I could work there? Why is that? For most of us, it is because that company has hired a lot of people, has a good reputation and appears on the outside to be a great place to work. This company has done a great job of employment branding. Companies want you to think about them if you are looking so that you come directly to them when you are ready to change jobs. The money companies spend in employment branding up front helps in the long run to defray recruiting costs in the future.

Do you think Walt Disney World does a good job of employment branding? I do. The ads they run are well written and designed, always with a positive message (along with some of the regions best benefits). Even their “Casting Center” where you must go to gain employment has a fun touch to it. If you are just driving by, you will note this building. In a few years, this might be the very thing that gets you to apply to WDW.

The internet has unlimited possibilities to help companies brand their employment. Unfortunately, most don’t. Employment branding on the internet sometimes is as easy as writing great employment ads, having links to an “about us” section on your company that tells your story and what benefits your company offers.

Central Florida has so many outstanding companies that nobody knows about! If you are looking for great talent, spend sometime branding.

For a great example of employment branding, Google has done a great job of branding over the internet. They have a lot of information about their employment product including videos, testimonials and a typical day. Why this will most likely not work for all companies, I think it demonstrates what can actually be done! To see this list, visit list of reasons to work for Google.