The Ultimate Guide to a Job Search

Here is a collected personal experience of job hunting throughout the years. This guide is to help those in need of finding a job and how to come out on top.

March 17th, 2009 at 3:00pm — Comments: (1) — By: Jonathan Danylko — Tags: Career

After being out of a job for an allotted time of almost 2 years throughout my career and since the economy is slowly starting to come back (SLOWLY!), I thought this would be a great time to offer tips and tricks on how to actually perform a job search.

Initial Shock

After finding out the first time that I was laid off, I was completely devastated and upset with myself. I started thinking that everything I did was for naught. Not so!

• Don't take it personally, it's just business.
  
  When working for someone, keep in mind that they have an agenda and a business to run. I know, I know, they let a lot of talented people go and it's a bitter pill to swallow, but they are doing it for the better of the company. Remember, They can't take your experience away from you.
  
  
• Do NOT burn any bridges!
  
  I have talked to a number of managers who at one point had to release a consultant/employee and it was out of their control. The manager felt horrible about letting that person go...until that person opened their mouth. Needless to say, the consultant was extremely upset and took it personally. The consultant made it abundantly clear that he would never work for them again.
  
  The manager calmly agreed.
  
  
• Dust off your resume!
  
  In your career, your resume is your secret weapon. Have it ready at all times, including on-line. You never know who you'll be talking to next. I currently have my resume on Google Docs. The great thing about Google Docs is that they can download it in PDF, MS Word, or any other format.
  
  NOTE: Make sure you have a text version of your resume and cover letter for email deliveries.
  

It's all about choices!

Now, stand up, dust yourself off, hold your head high, and get ready to make your next move. You have two choices:

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5 ways to turn your layoff into an opportunity

Ahhh...a new year, new promise, new goals...new layoffs? What!!?!??!

January 26th, 2009 at 7:00am — Comments: (0) — By: Jonathan Danylko — Tags: Career

In my opinion, the economy is never stable. It can always take a millionaire and make him a beggar in less than a day. This past year has proved it.

There are a lot of people who are losing their jobs because of the economy. Let's check out the list, shall we?

• Harley-Davidson - 1,100 jobs
• Sun - 1,300 jobs
• Microsoft - 5,000 jobs
• Sony - 2,000 jobs
• and many more companies are laying off workers.

How do you survive this sort of thing? There are a number of things you can do in this time of crisis.

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How a Contractor "foched" up

Interesting story and very enjoyable.

January 30th, 2007 at 2:00pm — Comments: (0) — By: Jonathan Danylko — Tags: Career

I enjoy the benefits of being a contractor as opposed to an employee. There are obvious reasons and then there are the personal reasons.

If you are a contractor, you are brought in to work on an assignment to the best of your ability and get the job done within the alloted time and budget with your technology knowledge.

Alex Papadimoulis at The Daily WTF shares a humorous story about a contractor who is placed at a company and, well..."foched" up.

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The 100 Best Companies to Work for in 2007

Fortune released its 100 Best Companies to work for in 2007.

January 10th, 2007 at 6:00am — Comments: (0) — By: Jonathan Danylko — Tags: Career

Since everyone is on a top 10 kick of the best, I thought I'd add one more to the list.

Fortune posted their 100 Best Companies to work for and guess who's first...

...Google with an increase of 67% job growth. They keep growing.

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The Top Jobs for 2007

Want to know if you'll be part of the top jobs of 2007? Fast Company knows.

January 8th, 2007 at 11:00am — Comments: (0) — By: Jonathan Danylko — Tags: Career

As most of you write for a living, constantly updating your site every day and night, did you realize that you would be a notable contributor to the Fast Company's Top Jobs of 2007?

Number 3 is the infamous Web Designer. Woo hoo!

But the entry that stands out the most is number 10. Number 10 is News Analysts, Reporters, and Bloggers. See? You're doing the economy a great service.

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Free Brainbench Tests until Nov. 30th

A large number of free tests so you can certify yourself in the comfort of your own home.

November 29th, 2006 at 5:58am — Comments: (0) — By: Jonathan Danylko — Tags: Career

Although most recruiters and businesses are looking more towards experience as opposed to how many certifications you have, Brainbench is offering technology exams for free until November 30th (tomorrow).

Better hurry up and certify yourself. ;-)

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SEO Salaries

SEOMoz has an interesting post on how much SEO's make yearly.

November 8th, 2006 at 1:00pm — Comments: (0) — By: Jonathan Danylko — Tags: Career

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Salaries seem to be growing more and more lately, because everyone wants to be number one in the search engines.

SEOMoz posted an article on SEO salaries and how much each position makes on average. Each position is sectioned into either In-House SEO's or SEO Agency Employees. Rand Fish also includes "factors that can create wide disparity."

Overall, I'm wondering how the research was conducted. Was it based on a forum poll, or was it just estimating by personal experiences and interactions?

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A Beginner's Guide to Freelancing

Phil Gyford talks about how he's freelanced for three years and still has a lot to learn.

November 3rd, 2006 at 2:00pm — Comments: (1) — By: Jonathan Danylko — Tags: Career

Freelancing means different things to a lot of people, but to me, it means you wear a lot of hats.

You turn from a mild-mannered worker into a marketer, CPA, manager (project and office), HR department, distribution center, legal department, CTO (Chief Technical Officer), and, of course, CEO.

Phil Gyford talks about every hat you need to wear when you become a freelancer. According to the post, Mr. Gyford says he is still learning after three years of freelancing. This is so true, because I believe we (including me) are learning every...single...day.

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STOP! Do you enjoy what your doing right now?

How many of you enjoy your work? No? Well, do something about it!

August 28th, 2006 at 8:00am — Comments: (0) — By: Jonathan Danylko — Tags: Career

When you were in school, did you have career day or something similar where your counselor asked you what you wanted to be in your life?

Did you have to take a test to find out or did you just know?

For those who didn't know what occupation they wanted, he would ask a simple question:

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Programmers Top Annual Salary Gains

Ahhh...to be a programmer. :-)

August 17th, 2006 at 6:11am — Comments: (0) — By: Jonathan Danylko — Tags: Career

The programming industry is definitely booming, but a lot of people are asking, "Is this another bubble ready to pop?"

It could be, but I think we are smarter this time around. VCs aren't throwing money at every idea without a business plan.

If you are an independant software developer (as I am), you may start receiving calls from more head hunters and notice some employees are starting to command higher salaries.  The market is continuing to pick up.

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