Oakland Jobing Community Blogs

Recently a job seeker asked me - "it has been 6 months, what am I doing wrong - why haven't I been hired?"  Sound familiar?  Here is the good and the bad news: Unfortunately, the length of this person's job search is normal for today's economy. According to the BLS, the average job search currently lasts for about six and a half months (seasonally adjusted average) - http://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.t09.htm. Hopefully this number will decline ... (Read More)

1.  Follow companies that you are interested in and pay attention to their jobs, their values, and their accomplishments.  Re-tweet and respond when appropriate (For example re-tweet news of a great accomplishment or milestone and be sure to congratulate them).  2.  Share your search with your network (tell people what you are looking for).  For example.  "I am a graphic designer with 5 years of experience looking for a growing company ... (Read More)

Recently I was waiting for a long time at a stoplight and wondering why it hadn't turned green.  As I looked around impatiently I noticed that I hadn't pulled forward far enough to trip the green light sensor.  Help had been there all along and I just hadn't noticed it.  I see the same thing happen in people's job search.  They try hard and wonder why results aren't happening, all the while they are overlooking some really effective tools and ... (Read More)

In the current market or any job market resumes can pile up in an inbox, on a desk, and end up in the trash can without ever helping a person get a job.  I wonder sometimes why bother with a resume?  Is this really how I am going to sell myself in a search?  Is this ever going to be read? And then I drink my coffee.  Maybe there are things I can do to avoid the trash can and get a job.  Using advertisers as an example - I notice that good ... (Read More)

We've received lots of feedback over the years about our resume system and are proud to offer our completely new Resume Builder - JResume.  Build Building your resume is easy with our newly designed builder.  Just fill out the fields and arrange them in the order that you prefer.  You can use HTML formatting to bold, italicize and bullet your resume details as well. In addition you can still use our copy and paste feature (although the custom design ... (Read More)

Let me describe the situation.  You apply to a job - and then, nothing.  No response other than an email that your resume has been received.  Why does this happen and what is there to do about it?    I know it is tough to go without a reply when you really want and need a job.  I also know that it gets easy to start to second guess yourself ("Am I not qualified? Did I wait too long to apply?).  A job seeker asked us why they ... (Read More)

How are you preparing for and handling interviews? a.  I hadn't gotten to it yet...I am not sure I thought it was a priority b.  I can't prepare for every interview question, so practicing is a waste of time. c.  I have a few questions for the interviewer about pay, benefits and vacation time; but other than that there really isn't anything I need to know d.  I am not sure how to handle a phone interview or pre-screening questions, but I think I ... (Read More)

The positive growth turned in by the American economy in the third quarter of this year suggests that maybe, just maybe this Great Recession is now in our rear view mirror.  As it fades away, of course, the tales will begin about what we did during this terrible time.  While recounting those legends is surely important, so too is sharing the insights we’ve acquired from our experience. Cataclysmic events often alter our perceptions of the world around ... (Read More)

The American Dream.  While it is a quintessentially American aspiration, each of us has a unique vision of just what it is.  For some, the dream is a chance to build a successful business.  For others, it’s a home of their own.  And for still others, it’s the opportunity to shop until they drop.  As alluring as all of these visions are, however, I would respectfully suggest that they are outcomes of the dream and not the dream, ... (Read More)

Executive resume writer and job search expert Laura Smith-Proulx, CCMC, CPRW, CIC has attained a high success rate opening doors to top corporate jobs through personal branding techniques. The principal of An Expert Resume, she partners with executives and seasoned professionals in need of a powerful resume and social media presence to further their job search goals. Her work has won global resume industry awards, and has been published in international ... (Read More)

Part 2:  - Networking How are you using your network? a.  People I know from my old job know I am looking - but I haven't talked to people outside of my current professional circle. b.  I sent out a blanket email to everyone on my email list - but nobody responded. c.  I am not sure where to start.  People know I am looking, but I don't know how to get the help I need from them.If any of the statements above describe you, you may benefit ... (Read More)

Wardrobe for Opportunity invites the Stride Center students to interview clinics with SAP and Chevron. Beginning with a session on interview skills and practice. The corporate volunteers interview each student and offer valuable feedback. The interview volunteers are always so impressed with the professionalism and knowledge of TSC students. Wardrobe For Opportunity is a premier program partner giving our shared participants the "chance of a life time".

8x8, Inc. partners with the Stride Center to fuel expansion to new Sunnyvale headquarters and improve community job growth.  8x8, Inc. / NASDAQ: EGHT /http://www.8x8.com ) is a 21 year Silicon Valley company that has rapidly evolved as the leader in VOIP telecom solutions to small and medium businesses. Bryan Martin, the CEO of 8x8, Inc. reached out to the Stride Center with a high interest in partnering. "This partnership reinforces the need to assist the ... (Read More)

The Stride Center and The Greater Sacramento Urban League will collaborate to bring training to Sacramento. Thanks to the leadership of Darby Patterson of The Stride Center and Taurus Jackson of GSUL, The Sacramento Employment and Training Agency awarded the collaboration start-up support. The Sacramento region will now have access to the highest quality A+ certification and job placement program.      

Society of St. Vincent de Paul of Alameda County and ReliaTech, announced the opening of a new computer service center in Alameda. ReliaTech will be operating within the St. Vincent de Paul retail store, providing their well regarded low-cost, high-quality computer service, and selling their line of Gold Star Certified Renewed Computers three days a week. "This new store will enable us to bring our low-cost, high-quality computer service and certified renewed ... (Read More)