1. 45% of Employers Now Screen Social Media Profiles says Harris Interactive after surveying 2,667 HR professionals.  Frankly, we’re surprised it’s not higher given how easily and quickly these are indexed by Google.  Here’s some more:

According to the study, “thirty-five percent of employers reported they have found content on social networking sites that caused them not to hire the candidate.” The big lessons you can learn are quite obvious, but bear repeating. Provocative photos and info are a bad idea (53% of employers won’t hire you), shared content with booze and drugs is also highly dangerous (44% dismissed candidates for this reason), and bad-mouthing former employers is very risky behavior (35% reported this a the main reason they didn’t hire a candidate).

We also think it interesting that emoticons, those friendly smiley faces you see everywhere, are actually big no-nos in direct communication. 14% of surveyed employers disregard candidates for that single lapse in judgment alone.

2. Economists surveyed by the Wall Street Journal  in August predict that the U.S. economy will lose an average of 27,000 jobs per month over the next twelve months, significantly better than the 70,000 average monthly losses they forecast for July.  Better than expected is good, right?

3. Julie Erickson shares some great Pre-Interview Suggestions:

• Remember to focus on what you provide of value to solve his problems - that’s what he is interested in. I always say ”employers care about your past only as it relates to their future, i.e. shows how you can help them achieve their goals.” So, when you tell stories about past projects, relate key learnings and skills to potential projects and clients at this firm.
• Breathe. Before and during the interview. Take your time answering questions. Have a conversation. Repeat the content of the question at the beginning of your answer. This does three things: demonstrates that you are listening to the person, reinforces that you are answering the question asked, and gives your mind time to organize your answer.
• If you are asked a tough question, you can use the above techniques, as well as saying “that’s a great question.” It flatters AND buys you time. Always strive for a “charge neutral” response, meaning no indication that you are uncomfortable with the question and its topic. Also, you can give a quick answer and then follow up with a question like, “I actually wondered about XYZ in relation to that. Is that an area your company is investigating?” The principle here is to turn the conversation quickly back to the employer.
• At the end of every answer, return to discussing the job at hand. You are always directing the conversation toward how interested in, qualified for, excited about, curious about, and committed to the job being discussed. Your past experience is evidence of how well prepared you are to add value and solve the employer’s problems.
• Anticipate questions and rehearse your answers prior to the interview. Think of an actor going into an audition. S/he prepares an audition piece as well as preparing mentally and emotionally. You are going into a similar situation. Common questions are “why are you interested in working for this company?” “Why do you think you can do this position?” “Tell me a difficult situation that came up and how you dealt with it.” “Why should we hire you?”
• Remember you are interviewing the employer. Your goal is to find your ”right fit” work - work where you feel useful, valued, and aligned with your talents and purpose in life. Develop your “Must Have List” as I discuss in other posts, and then assess the position and employer using those criteria. Come into any interview with your list of questions to see how well the job matches your must have list.

4. 8 Golden Rules to Getting a Job in a Bad Economy from Careerealism.com:

• Out with the old; in with the new: Make time and create room for new learning (this is increasingly necessary today)
• Think small as in new, start-up, entrepreneurial not large, mechanistic and bureaucratic
• “Let’s make a deal” wherever and whenever you can
• Think like a Consultant: Help businesses from the outside looking in (i.e. opportunities for project work with downsized companies)
• Get excited about competing; show a competitive drive (always grasping for the gold ring)
• When life gets tough, tough! Build a bridge and get over it
• Pay attention to the consequences of the economic downturn over the last couple of years and keep your eye on the future (watch affect on globalization, agriculture, R&D, Environment, etc.)
• Showcase your leadership qualities: Think like a leader not a manager

• Quick Tip: Job Searching on Facebook - Use facebook search!
• UI Claims Drop Very Slightly Supported by 6,000 More Internet Job Ads
• How To Ensure Twitter Doesn’t Hurt Your Job Hunt - Use common sense
• Gradversity Quick Tip #5: Tailoring - See comment above
• Updating the Peter Principle: How to Hire After the Recession
• Newspapers Fire Young People Most
• The Next Best Thing: Can’t Get an Interview?  Set Up a Meeting

• Highest Unemployment Rate For New Grads In 25 Years
• Q#278 - Hiring Manager Didn’t Like Me Laughing - Now What?
• Q#279 - What Questions Should I Ask In An Interview?
• Managing an Intelligent Career
• Internships: Go for the Money or Experience?
• Hired! I got my job through Twitter
• Tips for Electronic Resumes
• Why Escape from Cubicle Nation?

the405club:

Because here’s the truth and you cannot forget this no matter what…

YOU WILL GET A JOB IF YOU DO NOT GIVE UP.

• Five-day job hunting plan
• Do entry-level candidates have room to negotiate?
• Career Communique: tips for graduates to secure dream job (MP3)
• What’s Wrong with Copying an Executive Resume Sample For Your Own?
• As Layoffs Persist, Good Jobs Go Unfilled
• Part-Time Jobs, Full-Time Pay - One of these is “life coach”.  With all due respect, the only entry level life coaches we can imagine are maybe health/sport coaches.  Everyone else needs more life experience.

• Career Fairs: No Elephant Ears?!
• Job Search 101: Working a Career Fair
• Updating Your Resume Style
• Networking Tip #9 – Follow Up
• Q#321 – Sent Resume & Followed Up But Still No Word! - What do to when the above doesn’t work
• Planting a Resume Garden
• Jobs – or the Lack Thereof
• Tips To Define Your Resume Story