Koala-T Assistant (MyKTA)

1. Craigslist. You can search for jobs in your location in “Jobs,” you can post your resume in “Resumes,” you can post your services in “Services,” “Gigs” also offers some interesting opportunities as well, as well as searching by keyword(s).

2. Be specific. Is there a particular industry or company you would like to look for? Go straight to their website. Most companies have an “Employment” page. If it is by industry, make a list of the companies in your area and find their website for their employment page.

3. Search Google for “Best Companies to Work for in [City] [State]. That’s where you put the city and state you are looking to work. In Sacramento we have a magazine called Sacramento Magazine that does an issue called Great Places to Work. Many major cities will have a similar magazine for the locals to get to know and enjoy their city.

4. Attend Chamber of Commerce events. There are events that you can attend for free and you don’t have to be a member. You will be able to get to know some of the businesses that are out there and what they do. It is also an opportunity to network. Just look up your local Chamber of Commerce’s website “Events” or “Calendar.”

5. Network with the people you know. Let them know that if they hear of any opportunities to keep you on their radar. Or if you like the company or industry they work in, ask them questions on what you need to do to apply.

6. LinkedIn. LinkedIn is a social networking site for professionals. You can join groups related to what it is that you do, you can list on your page that you are looking for job opportunities. There is a tab for jobs that relate to keywords that you list that will populate on your Home page if anyone lists a job opportunity. There is a “Find Jobs” tab to search job opportunities posted on LinkedIn. In the “More” tab you can find Events.

7. Government. Check out your local government. There is city, county, state, and federal. There is a bit of hoop jumping to these and the process can take some time, but it is well worth pursuing just to add more opportunities to your basket of eggs. You can also go to the USAJobs website. They won’t list everything available to the city, county, state, and federal, but the details of the job will provide you with links you can go to in the different areas of government service. Search Google to go directly to each government’s website by typing in, “State of [state] jobs,” “County of [county] jobs,” “City of [city] jobs,” and so on.

8. State Employment Office. California has a department call Employment Development Department that has offices where you can use their computers to take a typing test (at no charge for the speed test certificate), use their computers to create your resume and cover letter, and provide you with valuable resources for job and training opportunities.

9. Search. Two really great keyword searches is “[City] job banks” or [City] job listings.” These will provide you with a wide range of links to search.

10. Use your college resources. Many colleges have an employment department and being part of their alumni allows you to have access to their resources. Which reminds me, check out local college and business school websites in their employment section. They are not listed in the government sites and you won’t always find them in newspaper ads. I have rarely come across them in the conventional employment searches, so look up their direct websites. The perks with working for a college or university can include continuing education classes.

There is also the “old school” method by checking out your local newspaper, as well as looking at the smaller papers. Sacramento has a great paper call the Sacramento News & Review that is published weekly with information, event listings, and job ads. Also Yahoo and Monster. I wanted to give alternatives that would not necessarily have quite the volume of response, but would not discount these resources. The problem I have with using Yahoo, Monster, and newspaper ads is that, more than ever before, the ads listed are from employment agencies or temp services and wanted to minimize those in your search.

I hope this list gave you some ideas that you would not have thought of and expands your job search base. Jobs aren’t in just one place anymore, being the local newspaper back in the day. They are all over. Part of the responsibility of finding a job is seeking out and researching all your available resources. It is up to the job seeker to do their due diligence in what it takes to find your job.

Ultimately, make sure that you have your resume done well. It does not need to be done “professionally,” but it does have to be clean, organized, and error-free when it comes to spelling and sentence structure. Make it easy for the employer to scan over your resume and quickly assess the skills and experience you have to offer. Also, make every effort to have it reflect in your background what they are looking for in the position you are requesting to fill. With regards to the cover letter. A standard letter is fine as long as you have identified it well to personalize the content for the position, industry, and person you are sending it to.

There are still a lot of opportunities out there. Don’t take it personally if you are not selected. Keep going and keep your confidence intact. I never see it as a competition, its about finding the right opportunity and fit that is as individual as each one of us.

If you know someone who would love some additional ideas to get them motivated, take time to send this over to them. They’ll appreciate it. Also, I encourage your comment to give others ideas on what you have found helpful in searching out job opportunities. And, if you could use someone to look over your resume and give you suggestions, it is a service I provide and would be happy to discuss.

I have a friend who does photograph and film.  Actually her major is film, so that is her creative challenge and inspiration.  I had mentioned to her that I would like to have some current pictures done as it has been some time now.  Her mind process goes straight into film as that is where her love is.  I, on the other hand, have a hard enough time with having pictures taken of me, so film just scares the bejeeses out of me.

So she took a look at my website and that is where the brainstorming began.  She got excited with me on what I was doing with the website and ideas that I had, while offering some suggestions on what interesting things we could do.

This post is to let you in on some future ideas that I hope to incorporate into the website that will provide even more information on the professional assistant and tools with the little tips I write about.

Interviews on Film

With collaboration with my “videographer,” I will be looking to do some interviews with professional assistants located here in the Sacramento area, in interesting locations around the city that discuss the industry they work in, what they love about their job, what skills would be suggested to work in that industry as a professional assistant, and a fun conversation that showcases some of the really great local professional assistants.  If you live and/or work in the Sacramento, California area, please feel free to volunteer.

Interviews on Paper

As I am interested in the amazing administrative professionals that are out there no matter where you live, I plan to put together a standard template of questions for a monthly “Professionals” posting.  Feel free to volunteer.  I also plan to include interviews with the people who hire administrative staff in their industry, what the industry is like, and what they are looking for in the professional they are looking to hire.

Video Tutorials

Currently I write the “How To” on the different challenges I come across with the various Microsoft and computer programs and plan to incorporate a video tutorial for the visual.  I will continue to write the details of how I do it, as sometimes it is just nice to have a written version to refer to and also some businesses block websites or video from staff computing.  I have to admit that I love the written version at work because I don’t play videos due to the proximity of others being able to overhear when working in a cubicle environment.

So these are some of the exciting things I am working on with my videographer to enhance the experience of coming to this website, as well as showcasing the administrative field with the amazing talent that it comprises.

Requests for Participation

I would like some suggestions on what questions you would like answered to get to know the different industries, skills, and background of the administrative professional.

I would love to hear back from those of you who would like the experience of participating in either the video or written interviews.

And I look forward to introducing you to my collaborative partner, my new videographer.

It’s December, we’ve fattened up during Thanksgiving, being grateful for the things and people we have received in our life. Christmas, we’re in the throes of giving; extending love, joy, and peace to all. When you think about it, starting new habits doesn’t nearly start in January. These are qualities that we start beginning in November, habits that inspire us how to begin a new year, to extend a grateful attitude in receiving and a generous attitude giving without the expectation of something in return.

That is what networking is all about.

I believe that people, at our core, are inherently generous. If they can help, they will. If they know you, trust you, and like you, they will want to help you. Also, in giving, you open yourself to opportunities to receive when you need it. That is why networking is so important. It’s not just that you need others to get information, resources, or opportunities to help you get where you want to go, but they are looking for people who introduce them to those things as well.

In any relationship there is give and take. The most obnoxious people are those who always seem to be asking for favors and needing something. On the flip side, the most pathetic people are the ones who don’t know when to say “no,” or the “doormat.” They are both impossible relationships to maintain or tolerate. First you have the self-absorbed friend or contact, and the other is the needy, insecure, seeking constant reassurance and value as a person. Both extremely high-maintenance and exhausting. Although they do make a perfect match for each other. They meet each other’s most essential needs, but for the person who is secure in who they are, these relationships are time consuming and constantly laden with expectations and agendas. Run! With the first, at some point, you will start to feel taken advantage of and used. With the second, you will feel that you have to constantly validate the person.

As I said, I believe that most people want to help, but don’t want to be taken advantage of or feel it is a one-way street. We also want to be “open” to receive, but don’t want to feel that we “owe” someone. The right relationships do neither. There is no agenda, no expectation, just that the relationship is reciprocal and non-opportunistic. It’s genuine in both its giving and receiving.

As long as your networking and relationship development is with integrity and your intentions are meant to have relationships with like-minded people who are moving in the direction you want your life to go, it sounds like you have a healthy idea of what networking and relationship-building is. Now bring your networking and relationship building skills up a notch. Find out who they are, what they like, and what their goals and dreams are. You will never be at a loss for moments to give when you can and ask when need.

This could be a really great year for you to meet and develop some really fantastic people. Make a list of what you like and the kind of people you would like to meet and then get out there. Pick up your local city event magazine or online and start getting out there to places you love or places you’ve wanted to try. Sounds like there would be a lot of people who like the same things as you. And, well, that’s a start.

Give me your thoughts on networking and developing relationships. Tell me what you think. Tell me what you think are the most important qualities in relationships and friendships.

In these economic times, it appears that tightening your belt is in order. However, it is probably more important now more than ever to get yourself out there and socialize and get to know people. Get involved. When times turn around, and they always do, and opportunities start pushing through like crocus after a long winter to signal spring, you are going to want to be positioned and visible.

First, be open to all possibilities. Accept every invitation you get and angle for invitations you’re not presently getting. I recently received an email for a Dale Carnegie training class for FREE. I requested an invitation to a Sunday wine & cheese professional gathering. Do you thinking I’m going? YES! I’m getting to know my local community professionals and getting training from a highly known training organization all for FREE.

• Make it a habit to say “Yes” to invitations.
• Accept all invitations with pleasure.
• Don’t be afraid to get out of your comfort zone.
• Find events that attract people you would like to get to know.
• Read the free weeklies that publish their calendars. In Sacramento, California, we have the SacBee, the local newspaper; the News & Review, a weekly free publication in locations all over town; and the Sacramento Magazine.
• Read the journals in your industry.
• Your local Chamber of Commerce has events you can attend AND you don’t have to be a member to attend these AND they are FREE.
• Get involved in professional and/or social clubs.
• Surf the net for local events.

If you are committed to your career, it’s time you start keeping a social calendar.