Isabont The Lazy Way to Job Search

Isabont â€" The Lazy Way to Job Search 2 Isabont is a website that aims to “plan your career. manage your job search.” An easy claim to make but the video demos on the Isabont homepage do make the tool quite appealing. Simon Clay Michael, Isabont's founder, was kind enough to offer a Premium account so that I could test out the site for you in all its glory. This is the JobMob review. Look and Feel Isabont's green and brown earth tones make it very cozy for surfing and easy on the eyes. Clearly professionally designed, the website interface stays consistent throughout your work and is always uncluttered while simple to grasp. A rare site almost completely devoid of any images, the pages load very quickly as a result. Although not enough to spoil these comforts, there are some awkward little details like the the video tutorials not having any controls to pause/play/rewind. Score: 9/10 Ease of Use Isabont has a very practical Dashboard to give you an at-a-glance overview of your job search's resumes, contacts, leads, positions (leads you're targetting), events and to-dos. It has been designed with usability in mind to let you do the most common activities directly from the Dashboard itself without having to go hunting through the site.eval The narrated video demo clips cover many of the site's features and give the impression that Isabont is very simple to use. And it is. Even without the videos, using the site for only 10 minutes will convince you that no questions need to be asked because you already have all the answers. A lot of thought has gone into making the interface easy and time-saving. Two features that are used well throughout are the in-place editing and previews, which allow you to make small changes to part of a document (e.g. a resume) and immediately see the results without having to surf to a different part of the site.eval You will only be required to type in any information once whether it's contact information, part of a resume, whatever. From then on, forms are pre-filled as much as possible. This works a little too well, as when Isabont assumes that any contacts you add for a company are employees of that same company, but it works wonders when building new documents by recycling pieces of existing documents. To illustrate- Isabont allows you to upload resumes or create your own using templates. If you target your resumes for different job openings, over time you'll have a growing list of resumes to maintain. Isabont keeps this tidy, letting you create each new resume by customizing the parts that you want and pulling in the unchanged remainder from other resumes in your list. Score: 9/10 Feature Relevance Isabont can “manage your job search” by taking your tangling mass of information and linking bits of it together in a convenient way. When you send a resume to a recruiter, you can link the document to that recruiter's contact information (assuming you've already put it in Isabont). Then, when you add a follow-up item to your To Do list, you can link the follow-up To Do to that same recruiter for easy reference. There are other ways of linking items too. I like that you can set dated email and sms reminders for most activities in Isabont such as events or diary notes but strangely enough, not for To Do items. Another annoying twist is that the reminders work well only if you're in the same timezone as the sending date you specify. Which timezone is that? Good question. You can specify your preferred timezone in the My Account area but the choices are limited to continental US timezones and I couldn't find a clock anywhere to tell me what time the site thinks it is. Unless you're in one of those US timezones, you won't use reminders. Score: 8/10 Hebrew Internationalization Isabont was designed for job seekers in the United States seeking jobs in the United States, as I discovered while testing it. The signs are everywhere. The timezones mentioned above. Address forms missing Country names and only containing State and ZIP codes (although you can fill in an e.g. Canadian or UK postal code without any issues). The cellphone carrier options are limited to the U.S. mobile networks such as Verizon and Cingular. Hebrew text does appear legibly with no encoding issues so Israeli Isabont users will never see the masses of question marks or accented characters that appear in forwarded Hebrew Yahoo! Mail and other places. However since Isabont expects English, any Hebrew text will always be left-justified. Doh! This lack of international consideration is really a shame and is by far and away Isabont's biggest failing. Score: 1/10 Expectations According to the official website, “Isabont is all about providing you, the individual job seeker, with an inter-connected set of tools to help organize your current job search.” If you're a US-based job seeker, Isabont fulfills this goal. The job hunting basics are covered with the ability to generate cover letters and resumes, keep track of their recipients and corresponding openings, all while managing communication through the recruitment process up until you sign a contract and get that next job. True to the quote, the tools are inter-connected but not as much as they could be. For example, you can't link a document with an event. Also, most links are one-way like when you click on a Contact's name in the Position view; the destination Contact page has no link to the Position(s) linking to them. Finally, you're always limited to only one link between items such as a To Do and a Contact. Why not let us link as often as we want? Score: 7/10 Bonus An innovative concept is the possibility of importing job listings from RSS feeds. Major U.S. job boards already make their listings available via RSS and as other jobsites follow, this feature will become more and more useful. While testing with Israemploy's Hot Jobs feed (already part of the Ultimate RSS Feed Collection for Israeli job seekers), I noticed an interesting hiccup. Israemploy's job listings have no mention of company names, but Isabont requires that you provide one per job lead. I ended up using ‘I don't know', which subsequently became my most selected company name… Another reason to rethink this company name requirement- I found my first job at Amazon in Paris through a headhunter and it was only at my 2nd interview that I discovered who I was interviewing for. Considering the number of active recruiters and headhunters in the market today, I'm sure that many people will run into the same problem. Score: 3 points Overall Score: 37/50 or 74% Conclusion In the future, I hope that Isabont lets me: Link between anything, as often as desired. Import information directly from handheld devices. Export in any format that I can import from. Set reminders on To Dos Use Hebrew or French or Mandarin, sitting in New York, Karachi or Johannesburg. I enjoyed playing with Isabont and I could easily see myself using it in a future job search once they've overcome the internationalization handicap. On the other hand, you should definitely try Isabont if you're a US-based job seeker. The free version is quite complete and the ease of use will save you time and help reduce your job search stress. Second Opinions Isabont: a new job search management tool Isabont.com a must-have tool for job seekers JibberJobber and Isabont: add a little organization to your job search What Frustrates Job Seekers? Enjoy this review?

Resume Writing Agencies - Tips For Hiring A Resume

Resume Writing Agencies - Tips For Hiring A ResumeAs you consider the help of a resume writing agency, there are a few questions that you should ask. The hiring manager, or the hiring expert, may not give the company much thought, but the applicant may have more pressing issues that need to be addressed. In order to avoid making mistakes that could cost the company time and money, it is best to make sure you understand the hiring process and exactly what it takes to do well.Before hiring a Toronto resume writing agency, it is wise to do your homework. Do a search on Google for resume writing agencies in Toronto and read the reviews left by other applicants. You can also check your local Yellow Pages and check online for a business address. This will give you a feel for the kind of organization the business is.Resume writing agencies can offer a variety of services, including the assistance with writing a job resume. However, these companies usually focus on just one area, and some sp ecialize in specific types of resumes, such as international work opportunities. In order to get the most from the service you receive, it is important to find one that offers a wide range of services, including extensive assistance with the writing of employment resumes.You should discuss the types of resumes you want to submit with the hiring company. Some of the agencies in Toronto also offer this type of service, so it is helpful to take some time and find one that offers a diverse range of services. This means that they can handle all types of resumes from a variety of employers.Writing a resume is a difficult task and needs to be completed correctly in order to produce a successful outcome. It is imperative that you use the resume outline provided by the resume writing agency in order to write a good resume. There are certain ways in which it can be written that will produce a great looking resume.First, you need to write about a particular type of industry or occupation that you are interested in. It is best to include details about your educational background, as well as any professional training you have had. This will give potential employers a better idea of who you are and what you are qualified for.You will also need to explain how you met the interviewer, why you applied for the position, and how they can contact you if you are interested in the position. You may also want to add information about your work experience and skills, and why they are relevant to the job. You should also include any awards or recognition you may have received.The final step of creating a resume is to customize it to meet the hiring requirements of the employer. In order to ensure that the resume is current and accurate, it is important to have it drafted by an experienced professional. Look for resume writing agencies that are based in Toronto and have a reputation for offering customized services to help meet the needs of each individual company.

This Is How to Get Your Next Job With Andrea Kay

This Is How to Get Your Next Job With Andrea Kay Recently I had the amazing opportunity to interview Andrea Kay, author of  This Is How to Get Your Next Job: An Inside Look at What Employers Really Want. Andrea Kay helps people get excited about jumping out of bed and raring to go to work. For the past 20 years, she has been creating and recreating Andrea Kay/The Art of Self-Direction, a career consulting firm whose clients range from rocket scientists and cowboys who want to change careers to accountants and engineers who have trouble relating to people. Here are highlights from the interview with Andrea Kay: What do employers really want in a job applicant? When I asked employers why they didn’t hire the last ten people they interviewed, they in so many words said the same exact thing. They didn’t hire the last interviewers because of how they seemed based on how they acted. In other words, it wasn’t their lack of experience necessarily, but instead, it was things that they did. Their behavior before, during, and after an interview. It was those things that made them conclude that the person was not the kind of person they wanted to hire. This person is immature, or this person is unprofessional, or doesn’t get along with people, or would be very difficult to manage or they don’t take criticism well. They concluded that based on how people seem from how they acted in the interview. Ideally, what every employer wants is the combination of experience, education, and functional skills but they are also looking for people who have traits and qualities that show they’re the kind of person they want to hire. They want somebody who gets along with others. They want somebody who gets the work done efficiently, effectively, and cooperatively. So they’re looking for people with good judgment and people they can trust. What should you do when you get the job? Do a lot of listening and don’t act like you know it all. Understand the issues the company is facing. Get to know the people, and don’t intervene right away and begin to give your opinion. Tune into their ways of doing things first. Always think about how well you stand out from your colleagues and always be somebody they want to keep or valuable. Think about the trends that are affecting the company. Don’t get sloppy with your work. Don’t forget who brought you to the dance. This means always remember who helped you get to where you are now. How can we show employers who we really are in an interview and on our resumes? Sit down and think about how you want to be seen by the employer. You can find a quiet place and answer these questions: What specific qualities do you want to exhibit? What do you stand for? If there was a motto that describes you and what you stand for, what would it be? How do you want others to feel in your presence? How do you want to approach problems, people, and opportunities? How do you want to be remembered? Thanks, Andrea! Want more inspiring interviews with career experts, check out Anna’s Get Ahead Club at thegetaheadclub.com.

Taking it Personally

Taking it Personally It’s not all about you.   Really.   Sometimes, it’s not even a little about you.   Yet taking things personally is one of the most frequent causes of conflict in the workplace â€" and in life.   It’s easy to fly off the handle when someone gives you a hard time.   After all, you fume, it’s not like I haven’t had a bad day / bad year / bad life myself.   Who is she to snap at me when I ask a simple question?   Before you give her a piece of your mind, take a deep breath and ask yourself these questions. First question: is this a guy? Sorry guys, but preemptive grumbling can be part of the package, especially peer to peer.   According to John Gray, author of Mars and Venus in the Workplace, men and women relate differently to stress in the workplace (and everywhere else.)   It’s true, according to Gray, that women multitask better than men, who prefer to focus on something intensely until they solve it.   When under stress, men tend to focus even more.   If you interrupt a man when he’s staring down a problem, his first reaction will be to grumble.   This serves two purposes.   If the interrupter is faint-hearted, he or she will retreat, and he’ll be left in peace with his own work.   If the intrepid interrupter stands her ground, the grumbling helps the worker change gears.   “I’m in the middle of something right now,” he snarls.   Think of it as the sound of the gear shift grinding when you shift from first to second.   The noise is unpleasant, but you eventually get wh ere you’re going.   Wait pleasantly until he looks up again. Then make your request. Next question: is this the first time I’ve observed this behavior?   If Mary is normally cheerful and helpful, and one day growls at you, it’s almost certainly not about you.   After all, of all the things that could be causing her misery (marriage, finances, home, kids, parents, health) what are the odds that it’s suddenly her feelings about you that are the problem? Mary deserves more a pass on this; she may even deserve a concerned offer of help if you feel comfortable with that.   Give her some space (see Candace’s rules for de-escalation below.) Approach later that day or the next.  Greet her cheerfully, in your usual manner.   If she doesn’t respond in her usual cheerful manner, stop for a moment.   Give her the benefit of your full attention and ask, “How are you, really?”   If she gives you the cheerful and fake, “fine, thanks,” it’s okay to move on.   She knows you care, and she knows that you’ve noticed she’s not herself.   The rest is up to her. If she decides to unburden, see if you can offer some help (with the work stuff, which is really all you can do.)   Candace’s Rules for De-escalation Register the reaction, but hold your fire.   When someone reacts with nastiness, raise an eyebrow, but keep smiling.   Max Davidson, in an online Telegraph article called the raised eyebrow “the weapon that ruled the British Empire and one of our greatest national inventions. Where Frenchmen and Italians need to deploy both eyebrows before anyone notices, Englishmen are taught from the cradle how to make maximum impact with a single eyebrow, elevated no more than a couple of millimetres.” Don’t poke the bear.   If a coworker is obviously in a bad mood, asking “what’s wrong with you?” in a plaintive voice is not helpful.   In fact, it can enrage your coworker and provoke another snarling attack.   It’s best to make a hasty retreat and live to fight another day. If your request is urgent and her mood looks like it’s settled in for the day, make your request in writing.   That’s what email is for. Keep your language brisk but formal; this is not the place to try humor (see “bear” above.)   Do not, under any circumstances, address the email “To Whom It May Concern.”   I learned that one the hard way.

How to Use Fiverr Resume Writing Service

How to Use Fiverr Resume Writing ServiceFiverr resume writing service is one of the best ways to get your resume noticed in a professional networking setting. If you're looking for a great way to go about this, then continue reading. You'll find out how to use the website to create an impressive resume that will stand out among your competition.The biggest thing to understand about Fiverr is its 'gig' marketplace. This means that you can set up a profile and then create jobs and do them for as long as you like. This can be a very effective way to promote yourself, since it takes just a few minutes of your time. Many people find this appealing because they can be their own boss. They have total control over the type of work they do, and they don't have to worry about an agency picking them up if they show up late.One great aspect of Fiverr is that they will let you set up a PayPal account for payment. This can be a great way to be able to collect funds easily, and without worrying abo ut the banks knowing who you are. It's important to be able to collect money quickly and easily, so make sure that you are storing your money securely. Make sure that the website you are using is SSL compliant, and that you are encrypting all of your payment information.When creating a resume, make sure that you include some good content, and also that you have information about your experience that is consistent with the job you are applying for. Make sure that you create a profile that has no gaps in it. Also make sure that you state where you worked, and how long you worked there. You may want to create a resume for more than one job, so make sure that you have at least one job listed on your Fiverr resume.You're going to be using Fiverr for a professional networking event, or even for a job interview, make sure that you include any written material that is related to your experience. It is important to follow this strategy, because it makes it easier for your interviewer to know what you've done before. For example, you may have used this opportunity to write content that was related to your career as a human resources manager.In addition to sending your resume to Fiverr, you should post it on some sites. Be sure that you include your website address, as well as any information about your employment experience. This is a great way to get a bit of exposure in advance of your job interview.You want to highlight any specific skill that you have, and talk about your experience using this skill. Don't just repeat what you've written on your Fiverr profile. Talk about specific jobs that you worked on, and include the name of the company that you were assigned to. By doing this, you will be able to get your resume seen by more than one potential employer.Fiverr resume writing service can help you to be as competitive as possible when applying for a job. By posting your resume on places like Fiverr, you will be able to reach the right people with the appropriate m essage, and provide a professional image for your resume.

How Recruiters Can Use Mobile Technology to Attract and Retain Talent - CareerMetis.com

How Recruiters Can Use Mobile Technology to Attract and Retain Talent The mobile technology has revolutionized the business space. Almost every working individual has at least two mobile devices on him at all times.Companies can now take advantage of this to improve their hiring practices.evalLet us see 5 ways in which the recruiters can use the mobile technology to hire the best candidates for their team.1) Going DigitalevalPaper resumes are passé. Candidates no longer fill out pages of information in their CVs and the recruiters don’t waste time in screening candidates individually. Every aspect of hiring has taken the digital route.Companies are incorporating cloud based recruitment software to attract potential hires. Companies are going beyond posting jobs on their website by stepping into various social media platforms such as LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook for hiring candidates.Telephone interviews are being replaced by video calls. While live, two-way interviews are gaining immense momentum, one-way videos are also getting quite popular, whe re the candidates can record their interviews which can later be accessed by recruiters on on-demand viewing.2) Simple and Faster Application ProcessIt isn’t unusual for the candidates to expect an application process that is simple, fast and easy. At the same time, the applying candidates expect a quick and clear response from the recruiters. It doesn’t take too long for the candidates to move on to other companies if they find it difficult or complicated to apply to any company.Implementing an applicant tracking system a.k.a. ATS in your company will make the task easier as it has tools that help both the organization and the candidates. It enables you to source talent through job boards and employee referral networks, and the candidates can apply and track their applications with ease.3) Access the Best CandidatesGoing mobile means that the candidates can search for jobs from anywhere, at any given time. They are no longer restricted to a location or are stuck with limited ch oices. They can conduct a thorough search in their spare time and choose exactly where they want to apply.evalAlmost 45% of job seekers claimed that they use mobiles for searching and applying for jobs.Companies with ‘one-click-to-apply’ application process can surely expect a lot of applications as compared to those with complicated and traditional application processes. This pool of applications will allow the recruiters to access the best candidates for the job. The more mobile applications you receive, the more quickly you can hire and grow your team.4) Being in ‘Reach’ at All TimesResponding promptly to candidates is of utmost importance. With a mobile, you can ensure that you are constantly in the loop and it allows you to respond faster, regardless of where you are located at the time. This is particularly useful when you are not at the office and you receive a request/enquiry from an applying candidate.When you can handle responses on the mobile when you are on the g o, it frees you up to do other tasks in the office. This promotes better service to the candidates too.5) Ability to Optimize Mobile ContentevalevalCompanies should seek and employ innovative methods to optimize their mobile content, job postings and emails. This helps in increasing the chances of your content to appear in various job searches and reach out even to the busiest candidate.Having the right people with the right skills on your team might be the key differentiating factor that sets you apart from your competitors. The HR teams must embrace the mobile revolution in recruitment and look for opportunities that can help them in reaching talent and improve their hiring processes with an applicant tracking system.

Damn you, Otters - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog

Damn you, Otters - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog CNN says: Otters winning battle of wits. In an admission that the slick-furred creatures refuse to respect boundaries imposed by man, authorities want to officially abandon their otter-relocation policy. Fearful that an oil spill could wipe out otters elsewhere, the agency tried to create a reserve for 150 otters on San Nicholas Island, about 80 miles south of Santa Barbara. Biologists had thought the otters would stay near San Nicholas, which has plenty of food and is surrounded by deep water that is hard to swim across. Even if the otters wanted to leave, it seemed improbable that they had the navigation skills to do it especially since they were taken to the island by plane. We flew em out there, Sanders said, although we didnt blindfold them. I always knew otters were smart :o) Thanks for visiting my blog. If you're new here, you should check out this list of my 10 most popular articles. And if you want more great tips and ideas you should check out our newsletter about happiness at work. It's great and it's free :-)Share this:LinkedInFacebookTwitterRedditPinterest Related

Tough (Question) Tuesday What are your simple pleasures

Tough (Question) Tuesday What are your simple pleasures Simple Pleasures Teapot by xobellaaimox I know, you were expecting something about gratitude today, werent you? With Thanksgiving here in the States happening on Thursday, its definitely foremost in my mind along with self-care (my answer to last weeks Tough (Question) Tuesday) and the light at the end of the 2010 tunnel. So I thought, instead, it would be awesome to tweak the gratitude a bit by asking: What are your simple pleasures? Recognize them in the comments section so you can spend this gratitudious (yes, that is a made-up word and Im sticking with it) week focusing on what makes you happy.