My Recruiting Blog

Due to the popularity of applying for jobs online, current job seekers can expect for their resume to pass through some type of recruitment software before it's ever considered by a human.

According to Human Resources Leader, 90 percent of the top 500 employers in America were using recruiting software by 2004. While recruiting software uses keyword algorithms to identify candidates with the right skills and experience for a position, tech-savvy job seekers can tailor their resumes to be more attractive to this type of software.

In order to help all job seekers get recognized by recruitment software, CIO.com produced a list of 10 tips for standing out:

1. Apply for jobs you're qualified for - Even though it's tempting to apply for any job you can find, keep in mind that competition is high and employers are being more selective. If you apply for positions that match your skills and qualifications, your resume is more likely to get through recruitment software.
2. Know what keywords to include in your resume and cover letter - You can look through every job posting related to your chosen profession in order to see what types of skills employers are seeking. The most common terms should be strategically placed in your resume and cover letter.
3. Learn how to strategically place keywords in your resume and cover letter - Recruitment software uses keyword-matching algorithms, so your resume will be more likely to make the cut if it includes the keywords the software wants to see. Keywords should be added in a logical section of your resume, such as one titled "strengths."
4. Vary your terminology - Even though most current recruitment software is capable of recognizing that variations of words mean the same thing, switching up the terms throughout your resume never hurts.
5. Don't focus on location - Some recruitment software is set up to screen candidates based on location. You can better apply for jobs out of your area by signing up for a local phone number on Skype.
6. Don't use fancy formatting or fonts - Resumes that contain simple formatting are easier for recruitment software to read. You should leave out graphics, pictures and tables.
7. Emphasize relevant accomplishments - It's important to make sure your resume focuses on your accomplishments, as that information is what hiring managers will seek out if your resume makes it to them.
8. Mail a hard copy of your resume - You can send employers a second copy of your resume by mail , as long as you note it's your second submission and that you're very interested in the job, which may help you stand out.
9. Follow-up with a phone call - You also can call employers directly to confirm that they've received your resume and cover letter, which is another way you can stand out.
10. Don't spend all your time on your resume or trying to get through the system - It's important to not spend too much time trying to match your resume to a specific job or recruitment software, as chances are you still may not hear back from that employer.

Labels: Recruitment software

Even though the number of jobs in Houston that were lost during the last year has slowed, the city's unemployment rate continues to climb.

Workforce Solutions recently reported that employers in the Houston area eliminated 76,700 jobs between September 2008 and September 2009. However, the area saw its unemployment rate increase from 8.4 percent to 8.5 percent during September.

The Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown area has not seen its unemployment rate decline since April, when it went from 6.6 percent to 6.3 percent. Since then, the unemployment rate has continually increased or remained flat, from 6.9 percent during May, to 8 percent during June and to 8.4 percent during July and August.

The area had a total non-farm employment of 2,516,700 workers during August, according to the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is down from 2,520,700 workers during July and a 3.6 percent decrease from last year.

About 24,720 workers filed for unemployment benefits for the first time during September, up from the 22,922 workers who filed initial claims during August. It also was found that the Houston area lost more jobs on a yearly basis than previously thought.

It was first reported that Houston lost 95,100 jobs, or 3.6 percent, from August 2008 to August of this year. However, that number has now been revised to a loss of 101,400 jobs, or 3.9 percent.

The State of Texas as a whole also has continued to lose jobs. Even though the state saw its unemployment rate increase from 8 percent to 8.2 percent during September, that number is still lower than the national unemployment rate of 9.8 percent.

Texas also has not seen its unemployment rate decrease since April, when it went from 6.7 percent to 6.6 percent. It has continually increased since then, to 7.1 percent during May, to 7.5 percent during June, to 7.9 percent during July and to 8 percent during August.

Labels: Jobs in Houston

The city's fire department is one of the top employers when it comes to emergency medical services jobs in Phoenix. To learn more about EMS jobs, visit http://www.ambulancejobs.com.

Since 1985, the Phoenix Fire Department has been responsible for providing emergency transportation service to the city. The department operates 31 rescue squads, which are staffed with paramedics and EMT firefighters.

During 2006, EMTs and paramedics throughout the country accounted for about 201,000 jobs, and 30 percent of those employees belong to a union, according to the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics. In Phoenix, EMS workers are represented by the United Phoenix Firefighters Association, Local 493.

The Phoenix Fire Department currently employs about 900 firefighters who are trained as Emergency Medical Technicians and about 300 firefighters who are trained as Certified Emergency Paramedics.

The department's EMS staff consists of the following positions:

• one deputy chief
• one medical director
• one programs manager
• three staff captains
• three registered nurses who are paired with staff captains as district representatives for various programs, including EMT, paramedic training, liaisons to hospitals and the continuous quality improvement program
• one nurse who serves as the EMS prevention services program coordinator, who is responsible for the baby shots program, the adult flu program and other related events

The main goals of the fire department, according to state regulations, are to focus on response time, staffing, training and fee for service. In addition, the department uses an Ambulance Oversight Committee, which regularly reviews progress, correlates expectations and defines goals. The department also looks to its Ambulance Change Teams to evaluate, develop and implement program improvements.

The department currently operates a single transportation service and maintains a response time under 10 minutes 88.5 percent of the time. The department does not handle ambulance billing and collection services, which are contracted to a private sector medical billing vendor.

Labels: EMS jobs

A new railroad project that would create thousands of Nevada jobs and connect the state with California has been approved. Go to http://nevada.jobing.com to learn more about Nevada jobs.

Gov. Jim Gibbons recently announced that the Federal Railroad Administration approved the state's plan to build "the fastest train in the world." The 269 mile California-Nevada Interstate Maglev Project involves a super-speed magnetic levitation train system that would operate between Las Vegas and Anaheim, Calif.

The FRA approved a work plan and will issue a contract that will enable the final design, engineering and environmental approvals necessary for the project. The Nevada Department of Transportation will be issued a cooperative agreement that will enable preparations for the starter segment to begin.

"This project will bring thousands of jobs to Nevada, and eventually millions of tourists," Gibbons said. "Last year, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and I discussed the need for this important project and I plan to work closely with him and make this high-speed maglev train between Southern California and Las Vegas a reality."

An environmental impact statement for the CNIMP project was prepared during 2004 and construction is slated to begin within the next 18 months. Once completed, the train would run via the California Inland Empire cities, including Ontario, Victorville and Barstow.

"This project will put Nevadans to work and will help bring our transportation infrastructure into the 21st century," Gibbons said.

Present plans state the train could travel from Anaheim, Calif., to Las Vegas, Nevada, in about 81 minutes at speeds up to 310 miles per hour. Magnetic levitation trains use powerful magnets to suspend the train above a guideway, which allows for much higher travel speeds than conventional trains.

A more longterm plan for the Western High-Speed Rail Alliance would place Nevada at the center of a high-speed train system that would connect to Southern California, Colorado, Arizona, Utah and New Mexico.

Labels: Nevada jobs

More people without Atlanta jobs filed for unemployment insurance benefits last month.

The Georgia Department of Labor recently announced that more than 66,610 laid-off workers filed first-time claims for state unemployment insurance benefits during September, which is a 17.6 percent increase from last year, but a slight decrease from the 69,869 first-time claims filed during August.

During September, the total number of jobless workers receiving unemployment benefits increased to 139,900, up 58.8 percent from 88,121 last year. In addition, the average length of time laid-off workers collected unemployment insurance benefits increased to 14 weeks from 11.8 weeks last year.

The metro Atlanta area had the highest number of laid-off workers who filed for unemployment insurance benefits for the first time during September, as more than 31,150 first-time claims were filed, a 26.9 percent increase from the 24,553 first-time claims filed last year.

Following Atlanta were the metro areas of Augusta, Athens and Macon. The Dalton area saw a noticeable decrease in the number of first-time claims filed, with more than 2,290 claims filed during September, a 34.4 percent decrease from the 3,499 claims filed last year.

"This is a strong reminder that we must increase our efforts to help unemployed Georgians find new jobs or careers," State Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, adding that federal, state and local government should invest in more public-sector resources to help small businesses create jobs.

Georgia recently received an additional $220 million in unemployment insurance money from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which prevented the state from raising employers' unemployment taxes by about 45 percent. That money also increased the amount of time workers can draw unemployment, added an extra $25 per week to unemployment checks and allowed part-time workers to apply for benefits.

Labels: Atlanta jobs

You may have never considered a career in the plumbing industry, especially if you're looking for a job in Portland. However, if you long for a reliable position that pays well, plumbing is a good starting point. Go to http://portland.jobing.com to learn more about jobs in Portland.

Plumbing, although an often under-appreciated career path, is a somewhat difficult and rewarding job. Overall, plumbing is one of the top paid construction positions. Fortunately for those in Portland, the average wage for a plumber in Oregon is one of the highest in the nation.

During 2008, Oregon was one of the top three states in terms of wages, as half of all plumbers in the state earned more than $28.83 per hour, or about $60,000 each year. The Multnomah/Washington area, where Portland is located, leads the state in plumbing salaries. Plumbers there earned an average salary of $30.88 per hour, or $64,236 per year, during 2008.

Some of the top paying plumbing positions throughout the country are in the areas of pharmaceutical, motor vehicle, and semiconductor manufacturing.

Plumbers can focus on everything from home repair to working on new commercial and residential construction or working in manufacturing plants. The U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that plumbers typically specialize in pipe laying, pipe fitting, steam fitting, sprinkler installation or general plumbing.

Most workers who want to become plumbers are usually required to obtain a state plumber's license by completing an apprenticeship, which requires the applicant be at least 18-years old and provide a proof of high school graduation or GED.

An apprenticeship, which is very much like an entry level job, usually lasts four to five years and apprentices start out by earning about half of what their journey-level counterparts make. However, wages can increase every six months, depending on the progression of the program. Most apprenticeships include at least 8,000 hours of on-the-job training and a minimum of 144 hours of related instruction each year.

The BLS estimates that the majority of plumbers are employed by building equipment contractors, nonresidential building contractors and utility system construction firms. During 2008, only about 12 percent of plumbers were self-employed, while about 30 percent were part of a union.

On top of all the rewarding aspects of the career itself, the Oregon Employment Department expects plumbing industry employment to grow as fast as the state average through 2016, at about 14 percent. From 2010 through 2016, there were expected to be 733 openings in the industry due to growth and 1,278 openings due to retirements or workers leaving the trade.

Labels: Portland jobs

If you're looking for a career in the healthcare industry, there are plenty of Texas medical jobs available.

During August, the education and health services industry in Texas employed 1,358,800 workers, according to the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is up from 1,353,600 workers during July and a 4.5 percent increase from last year.

Texas is home to many elite research medical centers, including nine medical schools, three dental schools and one optometry school. The state has two Biosafety Level 4 labs, located at The University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston and the Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research in San Antonio, which is the first privately owned BSL-4 lab in the nation.

The state also is home to:

• Texas Medical Center - With 47 member institutions, the Houston-based TMC has the largest concentration of research and healthcare institutions in the world. They also perform the most heart transplants in the world.
• South Texas Medical Center - Located in San Antonio, STMC ranks sixth in clinical medicine research impact in the country.
• University of Texas Health Science Center - Another highly ranked research and educational institution located in San Antonio.

In addition, the American Heart Association and the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center are both located in Dallas.

Nursing, which is one of the most popular medical-related careers in Texas and throughout the country, is grouped under the nursing and residential care facilities sector. More than 160,000 workers were employed in that sector during May.

As of March, nursing and residential care facilities made up more than 1.5 percent of non-agricultural employment in Texas, according to the Texas Workforce Commission. The average weekly wage for all types of employees in the sector has increased from last year.

Residential mental retardation facilities account for 44 percent of the nursing and residential care facilities sector, followed by other residential care facilities at 27 percent, community care facilities for the elderly at 11 percent, nursing care facilities at 9 percent and residential mental and substance abuse care at 9 percent.

Labels: Texas medical jobs