Video Resumes

There is a new fad that seems to be getting around; Video Resumes. There are both benefits and downfalls to creating this type of resume. I hope provide some hints to both sides of the spectrum that will help you decide for yourself!

Benefits:
1. You are able to see the real you, the stuff you cant show on paper
2.  Save a tree!
3. Puts you a step above the rest and its WAY more interesting than reading a piece of paper

Downfalls:
1. Hiring managers that are pressed for time are unable to skim through the parts of your resume that they want to actually look at
2. If you dont have the "exact" personality that managers are looking for you may be hurting yourself more than you are helping yourself
3. If you arent dressed to impress, they wont be impressed!

Here is a GREAT video resume of a candidate from our office:

What Do the CEO's Think?

Wondering what the "experts" are actually thinking about the economy and the unemployment rate? Matt Ferguson, CEO of CareerBuilder appeared on CNBC Power Lunch to discuss the findings of how CEO's across the country feel about how our economy is doing and if we are actually in a recovery. 2,256 CEOs across the world representing companies of all sizes were surveyed and here are their findings...

2011 Job Summit: My Adventure to the MOA

Yes, that is yours truly in the photo above enjoying an intense conversation with one of the job seekers at Thursday's Job Summit.The Job Summit at the Mall of America was busier than I expected it would be. In fact, it was pretty crazy. There was a constant line at most recruiters' booths for the entire length of the Summit, and many of these job seekers were in the same boat. Most were very frustrated with their job search and had a lot of questions about "getting your foot in the door."   I could definitely understand their frustration as the job market seems to be improving, but it's not there yet. Also, the process of applying for a job is a lot different than it used to be. It can feel almost impossible to get in touch with a decision maker or hiring manager at any company. I was laid off about 8 months ago and the only reason I was able to find another position in just 2 months is that I was contacted by a recruiter from Career Professionals, Inc. who was able to help me in my search. I hope I was able to encourage the job seekers I met on Thursday to continue to stay positive. While some were hard to hear, it was nice to hear people's stories and network with other Recruiting Companies in the Twin Cities.

2011 MNRSA Job Summit- See you at the MOA!!

Career Professionals will be hosting a booth at the 2011 MNRSA Job Summit at the Mall of America this Thursday, March 24th from 8am to 1pm. We will be on the 4th floor in the Executive Center & Exhibit Hall. A couple Career Professionals Recruiters will be doing Resume Reviews during the day. The MNRSA is expecting up to 1000 job seekers and recruiters to attend the exciting event. This is a great event for networking and learning new tips for your job search!

2010 Job Fairs

Career Professionals, Inc. will be attending the Spring job fairs held annually at the Minneapolis Convention Center. Below are the scheduled dates and times.

Tuesday, February 16th, 2010
Minnesota's Private Colleges Job and Internship Fair
9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Friday, February 19th, 2010
Minnesota State Universities Job and Internship Fair
10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Monday, February 22nd, 2010
University of Minnesota Job and Internship Fair
10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

The Waiting Game

A recent article posted on CareerBuilder explains why it can take so long to hear from an employer in the initial steps of the job application/interview process (http://www.careerbuilder.com/Article/CB-1336-Job-Search-Why-Dont-Employers-Call-Me-Back/). It is true that some job postings have such a high response rate that it is nearly impossible for employers to respond to each candidate individually. This comes to the point that working with a staffing agency can alleviate some of the anxiety associated with waiting and wondering.

The first step would be to make sure you are working with the appropriate staffing agency. Each company has a specific market of individuals they specialize in assisting. Whether it's a career focus or your experience level, each characteristic should be considered when choosing an agency that is right for you.

Once you have chosen an agency that fits your needs, you will increase your odds of starting the interviewing process with that company. With staffing executives on your side you will never have to go to an interview wondering when you will hear back from an employer. This work is done by your recruiter, who in turn, will be in contact with you with any feedback.

If you are in search of a business related career and have 0-5 years of post-college work experience, Career Professionals could be the right agency for you. Submit your resume to http://www.gocpi.com/jobs/apply.php to find out.

CPI's 20th Anniversary

This October, Career Professionals, Inc. is celebrating its 20th anniversary. The doors opened at CPI on October 16th, 1989. Twenty years later, the doors are still open to job seekers in the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area. Despite economic uncertainties and struggles, Career Professionals will continue to grow and prosper in the transforming economy.