Tax Day- What does it tell you about your Career?

What do tax day and your Career have in common?

Today is the final day to file your taxes for 2008. Once you or your accountant finishes your return, you sign it and it officially puts 2008 in the record books. It also gives you a snap shot of what you earned and how much of that money you actually took home. If you are like most Americans, especially in this economic time, this year’s tax form or “career financial report card” may tell more of a story then how much money you made.

So what can your tax return tell you about your career?

1. Did you get paid enough for what you do? Are people at other companies that do the same thing you are doing making more money? (You can find this out at Salary.com)

2. Did you increase your income from 2007?

3. No matter what you made, did you like your job?

4. Does your current job have a future?

5. Is your line of work going to be around in 5 years or will you be replaced by newer technology or products? (Remember raters in the insurance industry?)

No matter how you answered your questions, it is time to evaluate your career. Like the old saying goes, if you do the same thing every year, you will get the same results every time. Careers are no different. The challenge in this economy is to evaluate your current job and make some changes.

You spent hours doing your taxes. Here are some tax day tips that will help your career!

1. Use your tax refund to have your resume written professionally. I am always surprised that many of the resumes I come across are poorly written. In today’s economic market place, employers have choices and if your resume doesn’t “fit” the position, you may not even get consideration

2. Career Coaching. Wouldn’t it be great to meet live with an expert in getting jobs and giving career advice? NBA players have agents, why shouldn’t you for your career? Career coaches can help you with identifying your strengths, career paths, live interview skills and many other things that will give you a major advantage in any career situation. (Visit Yocomo.com)

3. Develop additional skills by taking classes at local colleges. For example, get into the healthcare industry. Many schools and colleges will train you in very specific skills that immediately will increase your income. How about a physical therapist assistant? Use your tax refund to get started!

4. E-Learning. Computer skills today are a major requirement in almost any job. If you are at a company that uses a specific type of computer program (like advanced Excel) and you don’t understand it, master it with a online learning course. Your employer will be impressed! (Visit Yocomo.com)

What does your tax form say about your current career and where you are going? Use your tax refund to kick start your career. It is the best investment you can make and career services are tax deductible!

Interviews are hard to get. Whatever you do, don’t blow the interview!

Even though companies are not hiring as many people as they did a year ago, they still are hiring. Today’s employment market is demanding that if you interview, you MUST stand out from the crowd. To do this, follow these interview tips for a tight job market, and you will separate yourself from your competition.

1. Do not be negative about anything. This includes your current or former employer, the economy or the traffic driving to the interview. It is very easy to sound negative especially if you can’t stand your current job or you have been out of work for awhile. It is easy getting caught up in your own personal situation. This is a sure fire way to eliminate yourself from consideration.

2. Know how you will add value to the job you are interviewing for directly. Before the interview, make sure you know exactly what the job is and the responsibilities of that job. Employers today are looking for exact job matches. Have great examples of your skills that are needed by using examples from previous employers. If you are selling insurance, make sure to mention that before you leave the interview so they know your selling style and actual success.


3. Research the company AND the people who are going to interview. Just like companies go to your facebook or LinkedIn to check you out, you can do the same to them with great results. What if the person who is interviewing went to the same college? If you knew this before the interview, sharing that information at the right time during the interview will score points. It is also great to know what types of jobs those interviewing you had before they got their current job.

4. Ask for the Job! If your interview goes well and you think it is a great fit for your career, ask for the job BEFORE you leave. Too many times, the interviewer has no idea how you feel about the job you just discussed. “I really am impressed with the position we discussed today and could see this job being a great career move for me. I am very interested in this job”.

5. Do all the normal things WITHOUT fail! Tips one through four are the most important. However, they will not mean anything if you don’t do all the other things well. These include not being late, dressing poorly, using poor grammar, not showing enthusiasm and interrupting the interviewer.


Companies are looking for the best and the brightest. You have to have a great interview and following these tips will help. Finally, make sure you send a hand written thank you note to the company immediately after your interview. (Remember the United States Post Office?)

OrlandoJobs.com releases it 2009 Hiring Projections for Central Florida- Find out who is hiring!

OrlandoJobs.com surveyed 277 Central Florida Companies between January 14th and January 30th. Direct phone interviews were conducted with Senior Human Resources Management and Business Owners in companies from a mix of industries. These companies’ combine to employ 86,399 Central Florida based employees. This report will serve to give some insight to who is currently hiring, the type of jobs that are open and the forecast for hiring for 2009. All participants were also asked questions about the recruiting challenges they face in 2009.

Download your copy at www.orlandojobs.com/whitepaper

Job seekers, pay special attention to Page 12. It will give you some great tips on how to find a job in the hidden job market.

Friday-Feb. 6 Seminar! How to NAIL that interview! 6pm to 9pm

Attention Job Seekers: GAIN an INTERVIEW ADVANTAGE!

The Central Florida Paralegal Association, Communications & Career Coach Lisa Maile and Mall at Millenia team up to present “A New You: Nail That Interview” for all who'd like to sharpen their interview skills and develop a competitive edge, on Friday, Feb 6, at the Mall, 6-9 p.m.

The public is invited, and preregistration is recommended. (walk ups okay as well) Maile will present Power Interviewing Skills including professional image for less, with strategies and tips to deliver your most effective personal sell. The workshop is geared to benefit all facing interviews, from entry level to Fortune 500 positions. "We'll empower everyone looking for work," says Maile, who presents workshops for businesses and consults privately nationwide through Lisa Maile Seminars & Coaching, LisaMaileSeminars.com.

"Often, because we interview so infrequently, even accomplished professionals may have no talent for selling themselves, easily remedied with preparation and practice. We'll help applicants enjoy the experience and perform at the top of their game!"

The $25 admission benefits Dress for Success of Greater Orlando®, helping to transition disadvantaged local women into the workforce. Last year, DFS helped over 500 central Florida women. To donate, volunteer or for assistance: DressforSuccess.org/OrlandoStrategies to be presented at this workshop include:Your Most Powerful 1st ImpressionDress Your Best for LessThink like an InterviewerPreparing Distinctive “Word-Picture” ResponsesShowcasing Memorable EnergyPowerful Body LanguageThe SUBTEXT of every question“Tell Me about Yourself” & why this comes firstHow NOT to Dread the Salary QuestionThe Most POWERFUL CLOSE to seal the deal. Learning to Love Interviewing.

To register for this seminar, visit www.cfpainc.org where you can make a reservation with PayPal for “A New Year, A New You: Nail That Job Interview”, go to LisaMaileSeminars.com, or call Theresa Thomas of CFPA at 407.649.4064. Walk-ins are also welcome Friday evening.

What can you do if you are still looking for a Job in Orlando?

With the unemployment rate rising in Orlando and Central Florida, you might be thinking that you will never get another job if you are still looking. While this definitely is not the case, I want to give you a check list of things that will make sure you are doing a good job in your job search.

1) Network, network, network. I can’t stress this enough. You need to let everyone you know that you are looking for a new job. Also, please join network groups like we talked about earlier this month.

2) Don’t send and sit. If you see jobs that you are qualified for on sites like OrlandoJobs.com, don’t just apply and sit back and wait. Get proactive professionally. Use your friends, family, and LinkedIn or Facebook friends to find anyone who may work at the company you just applied to. This connection could be your way in to this job.

3) Send hand written thank you cards. After the interview, use the US Mail and send the interviewer a hand written thank you card thanking them for their time AND asking for the job if it is a job you desire.

4) Corporate Career Sites. Not all companies post all their jobs on major employment website. While this might take some time, identify 50 companies in Orlando that you want to work for and go to each of their corporate websites and search their jobs. You may be surprised.

5) Resume Clean? One of the craziest things I see over and over is the poor quality of the resume you send to potential employers. A good resume is grammatically correct, targeted for the job you are sending it to and has important information about you and your qualifications. Think of it this way; past performance is an indicator of future performance. Most resumes I see have a job history but no defined accomplishments. I like to see things on resumes that show the value you had to past employers. For example, “I decreased phone wait time from 70 seconds to 14 seconds”. If you are applying to an administration position, this will stand out.

6) Email Address and Phone Message. Wow. If your email address is not professional, you automatically put yourself at disadvantage over other candidates. Get yourself a simple, professional email address for applying to jobs. Also, if a cell phone message is funny for your friends, a potential employer may not be laughing. Clean it up!

There are jobs in Central Florida. However, in a job market like we have today, you cannot afford to miss the little things you should be doing. Make yourself stand out professionally and you will increase your odds of getting the job you want!

Yes, the job search can be tough in Orlando and Central Florida, BUT are you doing this?

I had a very long conversation with a job seeker this week that really disturbed me. This person was convinced that there are no jobs and there won't be for a long time. Ironically, this person has a very specific IT background that just a year ago was in high demand. I am sure that some of you have the same feeling.

The good news going into 2009 is that there will be jobs. The world doesn't stop and neither should your career. Sure, your job search is going to be harder. A lot of companies will not be hiring. In some industries like construction, it will be extremely difficult. However, if you do the following, you will position yourself to find jobs others can't.

Think of it this way. If a company is hiring in the "worst economy in 100 years", when the economy turns and you're working at one of these companies, the sky is the limit. Happy New Year!

Tips for Finding a Job in a Sluggish Economy in Orlando and Central Florida

1. NETWORK with Networking Groups.

You will be amazed at the people you will meet that may be able to steer you in the right direction. Word of mouth, after all, is still the number one way people get their next job! Once you decide which events to attend, be ready to shake hands and introduce yourself to as many people as you can. You may want to have a personal business card with your name, address and email on it. I also recommend that you put a very quick profile of your skill sets on the card. The impression will be made by you; the card is just for reference.

Here are some networking directories:
1. Orlando Leads Group
2. Central Florida Business Forum
3. LinkedIn Networking Group for Orlando (you will have to create an free account to access)
4. Central Florida Super Network
5. Any of the Chamber Networking Events. Non members can attend. Go to the Chamber websites by clicking this link.

One word of caution. DO NOT use these events to tell everyone your issues in your job search. Your one and only goal is to meet people and let them see you in a very positive light. If you tell them your doom and gloom employment story, it will not leave a very good first impression!

2. Use social media sites like Facebook and LinkedIn. Let your friends know that you are looking for a new job. Ask your friends to ask their friends on your behalf. Before you know it, you might reach over 500 people!

3. Don't look desparate. If you are applying to jobs online or in person, be specific about what you want to do. Do not write to any employer that you will do "anything" because you need a job. Do not apply to five jobs at the same company.

4. Re-evaluate your career. If you are in construction and want to become a website designer, now is a great time to start getting the education you need to achieve that goal. Make it happen!

5. Send hand written notes thanking interviewers for their time. This is a lost art and will really help you stand out! Do not email.

6. Give your resume an update. List out your skills vs. just saying that you are a security guard. Talk about your accomplishments and give specific examples.

7. Advertise yourself on Facebook. Sounds crazy doesn't it? A good article written by Willy Frazen shows you how five people did just that. Better yet, he shows YOU how to do this up and coming job search technique. Read Willy's article here: Use Facebook Ads to Make Employers Hunt You Down

7. STAY POSITIVE. Easy to say, but hard to do. I really like networking in sluggish economies. It gives you a chance to meet people that know people you need to meet.

You will be amazed at how these “connections” may be able to steer you in the right direction. Word of mouth after all, is still the number one way people get their next job!

2009 Orlando Jobs Outlook-The GOOD NEWS

What a year it has been. As I sit in my office looking at all kinds of statistics, you would think that Orlando and the entire Central Florida area may never recover from the current trend of rising unemployment and underemployment.

So what is the good news? Since 1950, there have been eleven significant “recessions” and thankfully, eleven recoveries. Each recovery was stronger and lasted longer than the one before it. And with each recession, we learned a lot about the short term and the long term. Today, I want to share with you my Central Florida outlook on employment and what you can do to make sure you capitalize on the next recovery.

The GOOD NEWS:

1. For the first time in 10 years, more people are moving out of Florida then becoming residents. I think this is due to high cost of real estate and the lack of high paying jobs. No matter what, this will help stabilize the workforce and provide a better variety of jobs.

2. Gas Prices. Thankfully, they are down and this will help drive the cost of goods and services down as well. I also think that our number one industry, hospitality, will see an increase in visitors from the east coast. Today, hotel occupancy in Central Florida is 53%. It is a slow time anyway for the industry, but hopefully it will pick up swiftly with the discounted vacation packages and low gas prices in 2009.

3. If you have a current job at a company that has been cutting back employees, it is now your time to shine and really showcase your value. Yes, you may be doing the work of two or three, but when the economy gets back normal, you can position yourself to advance your career.

4. If you have been laid off or underemployed, your good news is that you now have a chance to re-evaluate your job and career choice. Did you enjoy your job? Were you “world class” in your job? Did you take advantage of all training and education the company offered? No matter what, if you don’t have a job, you are not feeling well. However, you can take this time to research and discover what you want your next job to be to make sure your career sky rockets with the recovering economy.

5. Education. Central Florida boasts numerous education facilities that have classes and degrees in all areas. Research these schools and indentify programs that will get you excited about your career. Most schools have tuition assistance.

6. Job Seeker Resources. If you are looking for a new job, use job boards like OrlandoJobs.com. The good news is now you can start indentifying companies through sites like Hoover, LinkedIn and Facebook. Also, subscribe to the Orlando Business Journal and keep up with companies on the move in Central Florida. We also have a lot of new companies moving to the Orlando area and you can find out about that through the Orlando Economic Development Commission.

7. Friends and Networking. The good news is that 65% of all hires at any company are by word of mouth. Talk with your friends and neighbors and find out where they currently work. Take that information, research that company and if your background is any type of fit, have your friend refer you into the company.

Overall Outlook for Jobs in Central Florida:

Just like after September 11, we learned with have to compliment the Hospitality industry with other types of business. Central Florida has done a great job of bringing companies like Burnham, UCF Medical School, Nemours, technology companies and education facilities like Kaplan. We are also watching the reality of Innovation Way beginning to evolve. Any new or expanded industry creates jobs.

Central Florida is a GREAT place for companies to do business. Not only is it warm most of the year, it has very favorable tax laws and a very good talent base. I think when the economy gets rolling; Central Florida will recover faster than many of our friends in other cities.

Finally, history repeats itself. I just want you to be ready for the 12th recovery so you can take total advantage of your career path. At OrlandoJobs.com, my staff spends every day working with Human Resource Directors from many industries talking about their hiring needs. While a lot of companies are sitting on the sidelines, they are not preaching gloom and doom. And that is very good news for everyone. Please contact me if you have any questions or comments.

Orlando Jobs has Fun at Annual Winter Park Christmas Parade!

OrlandoJobs.com participated in the Annual Winter Park Christmas Parade and had a great time. Featured in these pictures is Carmen Cardoza, our marketing director. Not pictured but did a great job of driving the OJ Hummer was Stuart Raskin. Great day of fun and it was great to see everyone!

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!