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More and more people are looking to add a second income stream to their lives by landing a blogging job. In this video I share 5 tips for increasing the chances of finding a blogging job.
This video was sponsored by eHow.com - a place for writers to make money, promote their blog, and share their knowledge.
See the full sized video at YouTube.
Tags: Blog Jobs, Blogger Jobs, eHow, jobs
With the world economic climate still painfully low, more folks are losing their jobs than ever before. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the U.S. unemployment rate hit over 9 percent in May 2009. France unemployment jumped to 8.2 percent, Germany was at 7.6 percent in January, and the UK was at 6.77 percent in March. It's imperative that job seekers have all of the tools at their disposal to find new work. High unemployment rates don't necessarily mean that there's no work, it often means that the fields where there are available jobs are changing. For this reason, I'd like to offer a list of the top 10 most effective job search websites to help MakeUseOf readers land that new dream job as quickly as possible.
The most important thing that any job seeker can do to improve their chances of landing a job is using multiple resources in their job hunting efforts. This means posting your resume online, as Mahendra described in Top 5 Free Resume Hosting Websites, or using social networks as Charnita described in 8 Sites For Beating The Job Hunting Blues. However, the core of your efforts should be focused on websites that bring all of the world's jobs to your doorstep.
Whenever anyone needs access to job markets across the world, Monster is an obvious place to start. Monster has grown into the largest job search site on the Internet, and serves just about every community across the world.
What makes the Monster of job search sites so useful is that the "International Search" will net you a pretty nice catch of job opportunities all across the globe. Of course, Monster also offers a free "home page", a place for you to post your resume, and an entire section of some pretty cool "career tools" to help you research every step of the job hunting process.
I guess when it comes to finding a job, visiting a website like Job.com makes sense. Like Monster, it is one of the few job search websites that offers the ability to search Internationally.
Under "Additional Search Options", you can search from general areas of the globe, such as Middle East, United Kingdom or Pacific Rim. The site boasts over 700,000 listings, and they all seem fairly current. It also has the ability to publish your resume so that employers can view it.
Yahoo! Hotjobs is definitely Monster's greatest competition. One of the things that Yahoo is very good at is providing content, and job seekers who visit Hotjobs are going to get exactly that.
The site itself has the same "look and feel" of other Yahoo pages, and it has lots of articles and widgets from tools like Yahoo Answers. Aside from all that bonus content, it offers a powerful job search engine that includes many thousands of listings from all throughout the world.
Net-Temps is primarily a website devoted to temporary workers who were looking for the "next gig.". However, it is not a whole lot difference than the rest of the job search websites, except for the fact that it allows job hunters to filter search results by temp or full-time work.
For most folks looking for a job, the difference is irrelevant - they need a job to pay the bills. But for freelancers who work for themselves, temp jobs give them the flexibility of a short term client contract, so that afterwards the freelancer can move on to the next job in their schedule.
This site is quite a job search engine indeed! Sick of sifting through dozens of individual job search sites? Indeed is a job meta-search engine which means that employers don't actually have to list jobs with Indeed. Much like how Dogpileprovides results from multiple search engines like Google and Yahoo, Indeed offers you job listings from not only sites like Hotjobs and CareerBuilder, but even the individual employer websites - now that's cool.
There's little question that CareerBuilder is one of the "big boys" of the job search websites. Like Monster and Hotjobs, you'll find a resume posting section, the ability to find jobs by company or industry, and a very cool "job alerts" feature. What sets CareerBuilder apart from the others? Not a lot. But if you need another source that may have job listings the others don't - it's best to check it out, as there are quite a library of job listings stored there.
AllJobSearch's claim to fame is it's ability, like Indeed, to search through multiple sources. The service covers the U.S., Canada and the UK. It boasts the ability to search over 200 websites, over 500 newspapers and over 300 newsgroups. Impressive.
Unfortunately, you're provided a list of links to outside sources like an online newspaper or Monster, and if you click the link, AllJobSearch will automatically search that engine with your job search terms. While it probably saves time searching for the many job sources around the Net, it doesn't exactly provide the search results as you'd normally expect.
I have to say, of all of the job listings sites that you'll find on the web, SimplyHired takes the cake simply for the sites "tools" section, where you'll find some of the coolest widgets, like email alerts, trend research and salary information broken down by location and occupation. If you haven't yet decided what you want to be when you grow up - this is the first site you should visit.
One of the world's wealthiest countries in the world is also one of the world's largest employers. The U.S. Federal government has its own giant online job database that you can search under whatever industry or discipline you're interested in.
These jobs are worldwide, and the U.S. government isn't shy about listing the actual salary ranges right there in the listing. Some of those salaries aren't too shabby either.
Over the years, employers got into the habit of going to college career centers to advertise their entry level positions. In fact, sometimes those are the only places they'll advertise those openings. The CollegeRecruiter search engine is networked with 11,000 career sites around the country including college, university and military offices. Yes, these are entry level positions, but when you want to get your foot in the door, taking an entry level position is often the best way to go.
Have you ever found a job through an online job search site? Do you have other job hunting resources that you prefer? Share them in the comments section below.
Did you like the post? Please do share your thoughts in the comments section!
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Written by Meryl Evans.
I asked Jeff Crilley, a former Emmy-winning TV news reporter turned PR pro and the author of "Free Publicity: A TV Reporter Shares the Secrets for Getting Covered on the News," for some advice on how web workers can orchestrate free publicity, get their names out there and drum up business.
Meryl: If freelancers or web workers want to be a "go-to" resource, how do they build relationships with reporters?
Jeff: Google the reporter. Study them. What do they write about? How can you help them? Are you an expert or can you be a resource for them on something they've written about in the past and are likely to write about again?
By answering these questions, you'll be able to come up with a smart pitch. If you've done your homework and can give the reporter something they can use, you may become their "go-to" source.
Meryl: Should I write press releases? What do I do with them? Does anybody really read them?
Jeff: Press releases are a little outdated. They're very "old school." I believe that in the year 2009 becoming interactive with the journalist is the way to go. Just about all journalists are Twittering, putting up Facebook posts, blogging, etc. They are making themselves available. Take advantage of their accessibility and develop a relationship.
Meryl: How can I get quoted in more articles, without having to actually write guest posts?
Jeff: If you aren't blogging and following journalists on Facebook and Twitter, it's time to start. If you hope to become a recognized expert, you need to announce yourself as one and get yourself and your views in front of the right journalists. The social media is a great way to do that.
It can be as easy as shooting a reporter an email praising them on a story and then offering an insight or follow-up idea that didn't make it in their first article. A relationship with a journalist begins with you taking the first step.
Also, work on being more quotable. Instead of saying, "The stock market has been rocky," say something like, "It's been like watching a 'Friday the 13th' movie marathon. Jason just won't die!"
Meryl: When contacting a reporter, what should a person say?
Jeff: I've always believed that the best way to a journalist's heart is to talk about their work. Even if you respectfully disagree with them and think that they missed the point, most journalists want feedback and will be open to a dialog.
You might say something like, "I really enjoyed your column on the homeless problem. If you're ever doing a follow-up article, I'd love to help you. You didn't say anything about…" Then offer something that they may have overlooked in the first story. Though it sounds insulting, you can build a relationship by pointing out an angle the reporter may have missed. They won't be offended if you word your email with kindness.
Get more free publicity tips from Jeff Crilley's newsletter and subscribe to Peter Shankman's "Help a Reporter" newsletter for quotable opportunities.
How have you found free publicity?
Photo credit: Gabriella Fabbri
Written by Georgina Laidlaw.
Recently, a friend of mine who runs his own business from home found himself faced with this very question. Out of the blue, he was hit by a medical emergency that stopped him from working. His partner didn't earn enough to pay their mortgage on her own, let alone support them both and pay his mounting medical bills. Things were looking grim, and the financial questions only added to the stress of an already extremely stressful and emotional situation.
This really made me think about what I would do if I had some kind of health issue that stopped me from earning. In many countries, if you become unemployed, you can register for benefits that ease the financial strain. But if you get sick or have some kind of accident, you can't claim unemployment.
The good news is that safety nets are available. Yes, I'm talking about insurance – income protection or IP insurance (known as disability insurance in the U.S.) — but don't hit the back button just yet. After seeing what happened to my freelancing friend with the medical emergency, I started asking my contacts if they had any IP cover, and most of them didn't even know what it was. I thought it might be worthwhile to talk about it here, at least so you can make an informed decision as to whether you want to look into it or not.
Most think IP insurance is for old people, or sick people, but if you:
…you might want to consider protecting your income. If you think it'll cost a lot, you'll be pleased to hear that it can be affordable — the insurance I have costs me less than a dollar a week.
How it Works
The idea of income protection insurance is that you receive a regular "benefit" (a payment) if you suffer an injury or illness that prevents you from working. Obviously the payout time frames, features, waiting periods and so on vary among IP insurance policies.
IP insurance doesn't cover you for redundancy, being fired, or if your employer goes broke. It's all about your personal physical and mental capacity to earn an income.
The Objections
There are plenty of knee-jerk objections to IP cover, but most of them don't really stack up…
"I'm too young for IP cover."
My friend was in his 30s when he suffered his medical emergency — fate doesn't discriminate when it comes to age. Another contact, who's in in her mid-20s, has been claiming on her IP insurance for the last few months as she's suffering from depression and can't work.
"That'd never happen to me…"
That's what my friend thought, but life is unpredictable.
"I'm fit and healthy so I don't need it."
Many insurers will give you a cheaper policy if you're healthy; once you start suffering some kind of condition, it can be more expensive, and much harder, to get cover for that condition. So it's best to set up the safety net when you're in the proverbial pink.
"I'm too busy to worry about that stuff."
If you have time to search the web for a new geeky gadget/vacation deal/DVD box set, you have time to review a few IP cover offers.
"I lead a boring life — it's not like I bungy jump or sky dive or something!"
Accidents are just one aspect of most IP policies — most also cover you for illness, including physical and mental conditions. My friends who got sick didn't do anything special. They were just unfortunate.
"I'd get sick leave from work, so I don't need extra insurance."
If you work in a paid role that includes sick leave, it's likely limited to a certain number of days each year. Income protection cover can last for anything from months to decades, depending on the type of cover you choose.
OK, so maybe you're entertaining the idea of looking into this IP cover thing. Here's a list of the "features" you might consider if you're looking for some good cover.
What should you look for?
Provider
A search engine might turn up a few IP cover providers in your country, but personal recommendations should carry more weight — ask colleagues or contacts you trust if they know of a good supplier. If you have some other kind of insurance already, that company may offer IP cover, as do many banks and financial institutions.
If you're tossing up between a few good providers, ask them for their claim acceptance rates — this will tell you what percentage of their customers who made IP claims were paid out, and might help you make a decision about which provider you'll choose.
Benefit duration
My cover lasts for the duration of my working life, so if I got sick and couldn't work from tomorrow on and remained that way for my entire life, I'd get a regular payment from my insurance company until I was 65. Some policies only cover you for two years — check out the duration, and the effect that increasing your coverage period will have on the insurance premiums.
Waiting period
If I get sick, I have to wait for three months until my insurance will start to pay out, but I can reduce this waiting time for a slightly higher premium. Make sure the waiting period you choose is manageable.
Benefit level
The "benefit" is how much money you'd receive if you made a claim on your IP insurance. It's important to make sure the payout would cover your everyday expenses, because if you get sick, you'll have not just these costs but potentially medical expenses as well.
Existing or new conditions
Some policies will only cover you for new conditions (not pre-existing conditions); others may charge you extra to provide cover for existing conditions. Make sure you know what you're covered for, and that you're happy with that cover.
Occupation definition
This is likely to be hidden in the fine print, but some policies won't cover you if you can still work in any occupation. So if I suffered some kind of injury that stopped me from holding down a job as writer, but I could still work as a kitchen hand, cleaner, taxi driver or some other paid capacity, the insurance wouldn't pay out my claim.
You might want to seek out a policy that covers you for your own occupation — in that case, if you're stopped from working in your current role by illness or injury, you're covered.
Cost
Of course, policy costs vary, so be sure to shop around. In my country, Australia,, income protection insurance comes as an option on superannuation (or pension) accounts, though few of my fellow workers realize it. I took this option, so I pay for my insurance out of my pension fund, not my weekly budget. This kind of setup may not be available where you are, but it might worth looking into.
So, what do you think? Do you think IP cover's a waste of money or worth looking into? Would you consider it? Or are you already covered?
Some good career articles to read over a cup of hot coffee & while listening to some good music. These are a blend of articles with covering abroad range of topics. Feedback is welcome, let me know which of these your feel are most helpful for inclusion on our website.
Wall Street Journal – Career Articles
A Web Presence From Scratch - With unemployment at a 23-year high, job seekers should expand the way they search. Here's how to build up a social-networking presence from scratch.
Windows Into Lives After a Layoff - As layoffs increase, some job seekers are sharing their woes by blogging. For many, it's therapeutic. For some, it's turned into a way to garner job leads.
Strangers Lend a Hand to Job Seekers - Alarmed by the rising unemployment rate, many working Americans are helping their laid-off counterparts -- often complete strangers -- secure new positions through social-networking site groups
Keep Raising the Bar in Your Career– It's easy to rest on your accomplishments, perhaps even feeling there's not much left to learn. But in this economy, you can't afford to sit back.
Many Companies Hire as They Fire
Raising Kids to Thrive Amid Career Chaos - The recession is driving home a bitter truth: The path to a secure career is increasingly hard to find. Here's what parents should do to equip their children for this.
Layoffs Are Just One Threat - Employers say they intend to save money with multiple initiatives, including freezing salaries, reducing workweeks, eliminating training programs and boosting health-care premiums.
Bringing Your Passion to Work - Bringing a side interest to work is one way to find more time to do what you love without putting your life on hold and your financial health at risk.
The Laid-Off Do Well Doing Good - Volunteer jobs are catching on among laid-off workers, giving them valuable career experience and aiding nonprofits.
Starting Over -- as an Entrepreneur - For laid-off workers, launching a business may seem the best path to survival.
Overcoming Career Setbacks – When misfortune and adversity follow periods of personal achievement, lean to deal with rejection and ignore the naysayers in order to get back on track.
Acing a Phone Interview - The phone interview, usually the first step before an in-person interview, is now being used to weed out job seekers by asking the tough questions reserved for finalists.
From a Corporate Job to a Nonprofit
Negotiating the Freelance Economy
Take an Hourly Job or Stay on Unemployment? - A reader contemplates accepting a drastic pay cut to get back to work. Our Career Q&A columnist weighs in with advice on how to decide.
Creating a Consultancy With Your Expertise - For professionals who want to use their expertise in new ways, becoming an independent consultant is a common jump. Ways to make the transition easier.
A Builder of Castles Made of Trash - How architect Michael Reynolds came to found Earth ship Biotecture, which designs and builds sustainable homes world-wide.
From Techie to Bike-Store Owner
Rose Elley BSEE MBA PMP SCPM
This Wednesday: Sixteen tips for being happier at work.
Being happy at work is, of course, quite related to how much you like your job, but there are small steps you can take to boost your mood. Maintaining the comfort of your body, sprinkling a few small pleasures throughout your day, using your time wisely – a little thought can mean a lot more happiness at work.
As Samuel Johnson observed, "It is by studying little things that we attain the great art of having as little misery, and as much happiness as possible."
Your work space:
1. Check for eyestrain: put your hand to your forehead in a salute. If your eyes feel relieved, your space is too bright. When I got my three monitors (an investment which makes me ecstatically happy, by the way), I had to turn down their brightness levels because the glare was terrible.
2. Get a good desk chair and take the time to adjust it properly.
3. Sit up straight — every time I do, I instantly feel more energetic and cheerier.
4. Indulge in a modest splurge, i.e., consider whether there are ways to spend money that would make a big difference. Could you invest in some desk accessories to help you stay organized? Could you replace an inconvenient lamp with something that works better?
5. Get a phone headset. I resisted for a long time, but it's really much more comfortable. The phone headset is like the rolling suitcase: yes, you look a little silly, but it makes life a lot easier.
6. Don't keep treats around. A handful of M&Ms each day might mean a weight gain of five pounds by year's end. My husband used to work at an office that kept a kitchen fully stocked with treats. When he switched jobs, he dropped about ten pounds, which actually had me a little worried until we figured out the reason.
7. Periodically, take time to deep-clean the loose papers that have piled up. I never do this until I specifically schedule a time, but am always amazed at the wonderful calm it brings.
Your day:
8. Never say "yes" on the phone; instead, say, "I'll get back to you." When you're actually speaking to someone, the desire to be accommodating is very strong, and can lead you to say "yes" without enough consideration.
9. Take care of difficult calls or emails as quickly as possible. Procrastinating just makes it harder; getting them done gives a big boost of relieved energy.
10. When accepting a responsibility, imagine that it's something that you'll have to do next week. That way you don't agree to a task just because it seems so far off that it doesn't seem onerous.
11. Be honest about how you're spending your time. You feel overwhelmed, but are you really working hard? How much time do you spend surfing the internet, chatting on the phone, looking for things you've misplaced, or doing tasks that are really someone else's job?
12. Go outside at least once a day, and if possible, take a walk. The sunlight and activity is good for your focus, mood, and retention of information.
13. Even if you can't go outside, take a ten-minute break each hour. Studies show that the break boosts your retention level.
14. Don't let yourself get too hungry.
15. Try to make a lunch date with someone outside the office at least once a week.
16. Let yourself stay ignorant of things you don't need to know.
* I've never heard of Manhattanhenge, and yesterday I missed this once-a-year sunset spectacle…next year. How will I remember to figure out on what date it will fall?
* I send out short monthly newsletters that highlight the best of the previous month's posts to about 21,000 subscribers. If you'd like to sign up, click here or email me at grubin, then the "at" sign, then gretchenrubin dot com. (sorry about that weird format – trying to to thwart spammers.) Just write "newsletter" in the subject line. It's free.
Written by Samuel Dean.
The Monster Employment Index, a monthly snapshot of U.S. online job opportunities maintained by staffing site Monster.com, provides a distressing view of the general employment environment at the moment, as seen below. Year-on-year, the index is down 30 percent. At the bottom of this page, you can see versions of the index for large metropolitan regions, some of them hit very hard. Fortunately, there are still some good work opportunities out there for those of us who work online. Here are my top resources for finding online work.
oDesk. Online staffing marketplace oDesk is a great place to start if you're looking for jobs in fields such as web development and design. Many of the jobs listed are for remote workers. Earlier this year, oDesk reported a surge in the number of jobs being outsourced to the U.S. from other countries — more than 300 percent growth over the past year. If you're looking for an assignment from an overseas employer, put up a profile and showcase your skills at oDesk.
Twitter Job Search. I wrote up TwitterJobSearch here. It searches Twitter for posts on who is hiring. The posted jobs range from full-time, to part-time work-at-home, to one-off hired gun positions. With Twitter being the social phenomenon that it is, many new jobs (particularly tech jobs) are posted daily.
Elance. If you're looking for freelance work, Elance is a great place to start, as we reported here. Elance now offers an escrow account service to help boost confidence between employers and freelancers. Employers can place payment into an escrow account via Elance that will be delivered upon completion of your project.
RentACoder. RentACoder works somewhat similarly to Elance. Buyers can receive bids from registered coders, and most of the jobs available or programming- or infrastructure-focused. You can find out how to post your technical skills and make contact with buyers here.
As you seek work online, there are some good best practices to follow. Celine has a good post on how to respond to job listings here. She also has a good post on being organized in your hunt here.
