SSI Applicants: Watch your inbox for an invitation for our next Resume Builder session so we can teach you how to customize your resume!

We had a Resume Builder Session led by Bonny on Friday, August 6 and only had about 15 people show up. After Bonny taught everyone Resume Builder, there was a collective sigh of relief in the room because they “got it!” Everyone understood this easy-to- follow process and now they know the secret to customizing their resume for each and every job they apply to!

Quote from an applicant who attended our first Resume Builder Session:

“The Resume Builder session provided me with inspiration, excitement, and renewed hope in my search for employment.  It helped me to focus and organize all my work experience in a very concise way.  Once I created the resume document, it became very easy to tailor it according to the employer's job description and needs.  There is no need to re-write the resume, and I do not need to include all of my experience - just what is relevant for a specific position.  Bonny, Pam and SSI Team, thank you so much for this valuable tool!” ~Smadar

We will be sending out invitations for another upcoming Resume Builder session and would like all of our SSInc applicants to attend! We want to teach you this very valuable process so your resume will be ready for presentation when we call you with a job! We want employers to see on your resume what we see in you– a TOP NOTCH CANDIDATE!

The Professional Downside of Online Social Networks

Social networking sites, like Facebook and MySpace, can be one of the biggest threats to your job search. Many do not realize that people you won’t want reading your profile may be able to access it, and this can be negative for your career!

While social networking sites are a great way to showcase individuality, reconnect
with friends and family, and extend your professional network, they also create a level of transparency that can cut your job search short. Employers are now, more than ever, searching candidates’ social networks or blogs to screen or weed out candidates.

According to a CareerBuilder survey, 45 percent of US employers are using social networking sites such as Facebook, MySpace or LinkedIn, to research job candidates. That is a huge jump from the 22 percent of companies who responded similarly in 2008. Another 11 percent of employers plan to start using social networking sites for screening.

Of the employers using social networks:
29% search Facebook
26% search LinkedIn
21% search MySpace
11% search Blogs
7% search Twitter

The survey also found that 63 percent of information technology and 53 percent of employers for business and professional services are among the top industries using networking sites to research candidates. Job seekers must be mindful
of the information they choose to post.

With all of the photo and comment
sharing capabilities, social networking sites are prime real estate for all kinds of damaging material. A whopping 35% percent of employers reported that content posted on a candidate's profile has caused them not to hire that particular person.

This should not discourage individuals from utilizing social networking sites; it is just an eye-opener. Make your account private by checking out the privacy settings. You can set these to not allow the outside world to see your profile unless you’ve approved a connection with an individual. Times have changed; cleaning up and monitoring what you have posted online is just as important as building your resume.

Not all Agencies are Alike.....

Not all staffing agencise are alike! We at SSI send those we can't assist with job search a list of other agencies who may be able to help them. For example, if you are looking for an Engineering position- we do not staff that. So....we will send you a list of agencies who do!!

Here is an email we received from someone looking for positions that we do not staff...he was very grateful for the list of agencies we sent him:

"Lisa,
Thank you! I started to write this email 1 or 2 times but was at a loss for words. It seems so unusual except in rare cases you would give me the names of competitors. For this I am very grateful especially to know there are people and agencies out there who are trying to assist their fellow human being. I commend you for it!

I have been in the Dallas and Fort Worth area for over 20 years. ......If there is a way I may be of assistance to you by referring someone in Texas to you for an opening available here, please do not hesitate to let me know. I will do what I can and be glad to do so.

Best Regards,
Wayne B"