Wondering where we have been?

At StartWire we have been hard at work bringing you the tools you need for a successful job search and to get hired fast. While we have the blog, we wanted to offer our job seekers something more. We wanted to give everyone the knowledge of what is happening behind the scenes during the recruiting and hiring process.

So we came up with a set of Videos that are now live on the StartWire site – www.startwire.com/videos. Unlike other sites that charge you for this information, we thought the best way to help someone during one of the most stressful time in their lives would be to let them know we are truly here to help.

In the upcoming blogs, I’m going to discuss some of the topics found in the videos around your resume, networking, search tips and interviewing.

We tried to pack as much information in the videos as possible but we know that there is so much more. So we’ll use the blog to expand on some of these topics.

Look for videos on interviewing and networking to go live later this summer.

Do you have any questions or thoughts on these strategies? What’s worked for you? Let us know!

If you find it hard to keep track of your job search progress and history, consider using a site dedicated to job search organization. Doing so allows you to keep your job search information all in one place.

If you don’t like the idea of extra work, the good news is that these sites do most of the work for you and keep it as simple as possible.

What are the benefits to organizing your job search?

• Keep track of your applied jobs history – the exact job title, company, and dates you applied to a job
• Keep track of the status of your job applications – how long it’s been since applying to the job
• Set reminders for scheduled interviews
• Save your job searches and apply to an interesting job at a later time
• File for unemployment benefits easily with proof that you’ve been job searching
• Jot down any notes you’d like to remember for the job application

StartWire, a free job search organization tool, does all of the above and also comes with additional free tools, such as:

• Tracker – a smart browser plug-in that saves the jobs you’ve viewed and applied for at leading job search sites
• Express Apply Jobs – jobs that require no applications and take 60 seconds to apply
• Automatic Status Updates – Have they received your application? Is the job still open? Get your questions answered with status updates.

Don’t underestimate the strategic value of clean organization in your job search!

With Daylight Saving Time ending this Sunday, don’t forget that your clocks are turning an hour back!

Yes, I know what you’re thinking. What that means to many of us is… an extra hour of sleep! What are you going to do with this extra hour?

If you’re in the midst of a job search and want to spend some of this hour to help you get ahead on your job search, read on for these quick and easy tricks.

Fluff up Your LinkedIn

Ask a contact for a LinkedIn recommendation and tell them exactly what you’d like mentioned within the recommendation. They will appreciate this as it’ll give them a better sense of what to write and you’ll get the recommendation you’re looking for. A win win on both ends.

Get Endorsed

Endorse hardworking coworkers or exemplary classmates on LinkedIn. They might return the favor and endorse you back.

Quantify Your Achievements

Go through your resume and see if you can quantify your achievements. For example, you boosted sales, but by how much? Instead, quantify your achievements, such as saying: I boosted sales 35% from last year.”

Track Your Job Search Easily

Add a nifty tool from StartWire to your browser that automatically saves your job applications – ones you’ve clicked on, ones you’ve applied to, and ones you want to bookmark for later. Also, get smart recommendations back based on the type of jobs you’ve been browsing.

Boost Your Chances of Hire

Apply to a job as soon as you see it posted. Don’t wait! The earlier you apply, the higher your chances of landing the job become. Read more on why it’s important to apply to fresh jobs.

Now that you’re armed with these quick tips, go ahead and enjoy your extra hour!

The most exciting and honestly, scary part of a career is not knowing where it can take you. We all start off our careers having a sense of certain interests we hold and fields we’d consider going into, but availability of opportunities, who we meet, how we connect to employers within the companies, and an array of many factors influence the actual result of the career we choose.

For many, the path is never a clear cut one to the job that makes us truly happy. Instead, as we grow and change, we’ll discover new career passions and new opportunities.

Here are 5 stories from people who experienced the same winding road that eventually led to their perfect career. The moral is: It’s okay to take the time to figure out what you love because each job opportunity is one that can bring you closer to the right one.

Read their stories here: 5 Crazy Career Changes That Will Inspire You Not To Settle.

What’s the best way to apply to a company? When should I follow-up after an interview?

If you’re job searching, you probably have a lot of unanswered questions. Job search can be a confusing process to navigate and find your way through, but feeling this way is a common emotion of job seeking. While a job search is never easy, it can be made better with the right resources.

Let’s start by answering some fundamental job search questions. Lars Schmidt, Founder of Amplify Talent, provides tips from the hiring side of the process.

Find his answers to the following questions here: “Tips from the Hiring Side of the Office“.

1. What’s the best way to apply to a company?

2. What’s the best résumé format?

3. How damaging are grammatical errors?

4. Do keywords matter?

5. What’s the best cover letter format?

6. When should I follow up after an interview?

7. What’s the best way to learn about a company’s culture?

8. I was perfect for the job but didn’t get it. Why?

9. What’s a personal brand, and do I need to worry about it?

It’s a new year and whether you’re looking to start on your job search or improve your current search, today we’re sharing a helpful list of employers that can make your search better.

Are you tired of submitting an application for a job, only to hear nothing back? If you’re like me, I would rather find out that the company picked another candidate, rather than waiting in the dark. A simple, Thanks for applying, but we’ve decided to move on with another candidate, would help me move on to find other positions instead of waiting on a dead end.

StartWire, a company that gives status updates on your job applications from 8,000+ companies, took it a step further and found the Top 25 Most Responsive Employers:

Rank    Company
1            AT&T
2            Pepsi Beverages Company
3            Rochester General Health System
4            Boehringer Ingelheim
5            Spirit AeroSystems
6            Sears
7            Yale University
8            DeVry
9            Sodexo
10         Northrop Grumman
11         Adventist Health System
12         HCA
13         Amerigroup
14         Baker Hughes
15         JPMorgan Chase
16         Pearson
17         UnitedHealth Group
18         SAIC
19         Capital One
20         SunTrust
21         Staples
22         CROSSMARK
23         Sutter Health
24         Medtronic
25         Auction.com

These employers gave candidates detailed feedback on the status of their applications and show that they understand how important it is to respond to their applicants. How do you feel about employers who respond to their applicants?

It’s October and the weather sure is getting colder, but interviews, first days of work, and networking events still loom around the corner. How do you dress to achieve success in these professional settings?

Your attire can speak numbers of your professionalism. Wearing the right attire can improve the impressions you make during an interview or in the office with your boss and coworkers. Furthermore, the right attire can help boost your own self-perception and confidence, allowing you to be at the top of your game.

Let’s take a look at how we can dress for success and be prepared for any professional occasion.

How to Dress to Impress During a Job Interview

During an interview, first impressions can make or break the interview.  A well-dressed candidate immediately gets placed into higher consideration compared to the candidate who overlooks this area.

Men’s Interview Attire

• Wear a solid two-piece suit. Think neutral colors, such as black, navy, grey, or cream.
• Pair it with a long sleeve dress shirt in either white, solid light blue, or conservative stripes.
• Color coordinate with a solid or neutral colored tie. Some designs are acceptable, but keep them minimal.
• Wear dark socks that are mid-calf length to prevent skin from showing when sitting down.
• Wear comfortable business shoes, preferably black (Tip: Invest in a quality pair because good shoes can be worn for years.).
• Double check that your nails are neat and trimmed.
• Carry a portfolio or briefcase with paper and pen prepared to jot down notes.
• Pay attention to any strong scents, such as aftershave or cologne. Overpowering scents can make a negative impression.

Women’s Interview Attire

• Wear a solid two-piece suit. Think neutral colors, such as black, navy, grey, or cream.
• Pair it with a blouse in either white, solid light blue, or conservative stripes.
• Wear comfortable shoes, preferably those that have been worn for a couple of times so you’re not distracted by pain some new shoes cause.
• If wearing a skirt, always make sure to wear tan or light stocking.
• Avoid flashy jewelry and instead opt for conservative ones. You don’t want your jewelry to distract the employer from what you’re saying.
• Don’t over do any fragrances because everyone has different tastes and what smells pleasant to you may be overwhelming for the interviewer.
• Double check that your nails are neatly trimmed or manicured.
• Pair your outfit with a conservative bag or portfolio and make sure to slip in a pen and paper for any note-taking!

Examples of proper interview attire for men and women.

How to Dress to Impress During Your First Day of Work

If you can’t ask ahead for the right dress code, try to recall how your coworkers and interviewers were dressed during the interview. For the first day, it’s always better to be overdressed rather than underdressed. So a safe bet for men is wearing a two piece suit in neutral colors, such as black, navy or grey and pairing it off with a long sleeved dress shirt. Match your outfit with a conservative tie. If you feel overdressed, you can always lose the suit and tie. For women, wear a neutral colored two-piece suit with a dress shirt and some comfortable shoes. You never know how many people you might meet on the first day, so looking well-dressed and wearing comfortable shoes are both important elements to a first day.

How to Dress to Impress During a Networking Event

The great thing about networking events is that they usually have a dress code you can find out in advance. These can range from business formal, business casual, and smart casual.

Business Formal

For men:

• two-piece suit
• dress shirt
• conservative tie
• leather shoes and dark socks

For women:

• two-piece suit with dress shirt or business-style dress with a suit jacket
• heels or conservative flats
• stockings when wearing a dress

Business Casual

For men:

• seasonal sport coat or blazer
• dress shirt, casual button-down shirt, or polo shirt
• slacks or khakis
• loafers or loafer-style shoes and socks
• ties are optional

For women:

• open-collar shirt, dress shirt, sweater, or knit shirt
• skirt, khakis or pants
• casual-style dress
• heels or conservative flats

Smart Casual

For men:

• seasonal sport coat or blazer
• button-down shirt or polo
• slacks
• ties are optional

For women:

• dressy top with skirt
• dressy top with nice jeans or pants
• flats or heels

So you’ve just gotten a job offer – Congratulations! But there must be a reason why you’re reading this article. If there are some doubts on your mind and you want to figure out what to do before you possibly accept this job offer, worry not… let’s take a look at all the things you should consider before making a decision on a job offer.

The Written Offer

Do you have the offer in writing? If not, ask for a formal offer in writing. This way you can review the job title, salary, and benefits. If details on the offer look different from what was agreed upon in person or over the phone, do not hesitate to let the employer know and get it fixed.

Salary & Benefits

Perform a salary research using GlassDoor or PayScale to figure out if your salary is competitive. If you feel that you are being under-compensated, remember that the time you receive an offer is the time you have the most leverage in negotiating your offer. They want to hire you, so the ball is in your court to shape the offer in some way.

Benefits are just as important as your paycheck, so consider what benefits you’re being offered and how long it’d take before you will be eligible for these benefits.

Commuting & Environment

Factor in how the commute might be and keep in mind that rush hour traffic can lengthen the time it would take to get to work. Can you see yourself commuting to and from work with that length of commute time?

Furthermore, consider how you’d get along with your supervisor or boss. Did you feel comfortable and compatible? Many times, a supervisor can make or break a work experience, so if you hear stories of a strict management style, consider whether this is something you’d be willing to work with long-term. The people you work with can also determine how happy you are in this position. It might be hard to get a sense of how co-workers are during a short interview, but there are resources out there that exemplify the kind of company culture that exists. Reach out to a current employee via. LinkedIn and ask for their insider viewpoint of the company. Study how long employees stay within that company to figure out turnover rates.

It might also help to read the company’s social media channels, such as Facebook to get a vibe of their company culture.

The Long Run

Think about whether this position will help you advance your professional goals. Will it teach you new skills? Does it strengthen your strongest skills?

Furthermore, investigate the future of the industry and the job outlook. There are resources, such as the Bureau of Labor Statistics that give employment projections on fastest growing industries, along with industries that can expect to see decline. Imagine your life in this company and whether you can picture yourself in it.

Make sure you take the time to thoroughly figure out if you want this position. If you’re having doubts, then address all of them before rushing into accepting an offer because of time constraints.

Best of luck in your decision!

Making a career change is a big decision and when you do make that decision, you want to make it at the right time. There are many factors than can go into this decision and although no one can really tell you when that right time is, here are some common signs to help you figure out when to make that change.

1- You feel burnt out or stressed constantly.

Not everyone is lucky enough to do what they absolutely love, but at the same time, you want a career that you can appreciate and one that doesn’t deteriorate your health. If it’s one that’s giving you constant stress and causing you to burn out, you need to ask yourself, how many more years can I tolerate this?

2- The job outlook in your field is worsening.

Your field showed promise when you entered it, but due to changes in the economy and advancements in technology, the growth of different sectors have changed. If your career is in a field that is showing declining growth, this may be a sign for a career change. To find out the growth outlook for your career, the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows great statistics.

3- Your skills aren’t being used or developed.

People remain static in their current career because they get comfortable and fear change. However, you need to keep in mind that your skill sets are what help you remain valuable in a job market. If your current skill sets are not being used or developed, your opening yourself to the danger of entering a constantly changing job market and competing with others who’ve spent their time strengthening their current skill sets and fleshing out new ones. If your skills are stagnant, this may be a sign to make a career change.

About StartWire: StartWire is America’s #1 job search organizer here to help job seekers close the resume black hole. Get automatic status updates on your job applications from 8300+ companies and receive powerful job recommendations – all for free.