Need extra $$ for the holidays?

As you can well imagine, we get lots of calls, these days from candidates who are looking for extra work. It's the economy, the holidays right around the corner, and , who knows, boredom. So, we decided to post some opportunities on our website that are not our own search assignments and some aren't even industry-related. Perhaps you will have an interest, or send them on to someone who might.

Go to http://www.landajobnow.com/static/jobListings.html
and scroll to the bottom of the page.

A few words for the job hunt

As much as we can, we try to listen to the experiences of job-seekers. This includes those who are looking by choice (to move up or out, or make a career shift), those who've been laid off, and those who are returning to work (moms, for example). We also talk to hiring managers every day. So, that means we hear a lot of stories, and we have a pretty good view of what seems to be most effective in a job search.

Here are a few of the things we see people do who have the shortest time-to-hire.

1. They hold themselves accountable for making a certain number of fresh contacts every week. Rather than just recycling old contacts, they find ways to make new connections. They mix it up, reaching out to companies they've researched and in which they have an interest, as well as applying for posted positions.

2. They do a really good job of articulating what they can offer to a team. The best ones talk about their value in terms of deliverables, rather than strategy and planning. Employers want to hire people who can get stuff done. They tend to hire people who demonstrate they can walk right in and do that stuff.

3. They get out of the house, or out of the office. Every week they show up someplace where they can meet new people at a meeting or program, or they volunteer for an organization where they'll make new contacts, or they join a special-interest club where they can generate fresh energy.

We admire these successful job-finders, so we thought we'd share these lessons we've learned from them. 

Tell us what advice you might share. What's worked for you? What tips do you have for others?

HOT JOB

One of our agency clients needs:

AE/Coordinator for a temporary assignment. Minimum 1 year agency experience and, natch, flexibility are ideal!

Making a second impression

We're frequently asked advice about what's the best format for a thank-you following an interview. Practices and preferences have changed radically over the past few years, and continue to change. How does a candidate know what to do?

There are still three basic choices: the postal business letter; the hand-written thank-you note (either mailed or hand-delivered); or the email. We know employers who have strong preferences toward one method. Sometimes you can make a phone call to someone within the organization and find out (or you can ask your trusted recruiter). 

Many hiring managers prefer the efficiency and immediacy of the email. But be sure you proofread carefully so that you have a 100% error-free communication.

Then there are those who respond better to the hand-written thank-you note. Works well for candidates who have good (or at least passable) handwriting and who have chosen a professional-looking note card or stationary.

If the job involves business writing of any kind (proposals, plans, newsletters, reports, articles, blog posts, etc.), the traditional business letter still can be very impactful and persuasive, especially if you want to stand out from your competition.

And, don't forget to thank everyone you met, not just the hiring manager. Frequently they'll be asked for their opinion about you.

So, there's no one-size-fits-all answer to the thank-you question. What are your thoughts?

Scholars party!

The Ad Club Foundation will honor the 08/09 scholarship recipients at the Ad Club at 1025 Jefferson on Friday, 10.3, at 5 p.m. Congratulations to the 20 local students who are bravely studying to enter the world of advertising!

To learn more about available scholarships, as well as the Ad Club Foundation, visit: http://www.kcadclub.com/