Here’s an interesting experiment for ya: A job seeker wanted to know what he’s up against. In order to assess his competition and see what it’s like on the other end of the in-box, he created a faux job ad and posted it on Craigslist.

According to Lifehacker, Eric K. Auld received more than 650 responses within one day. The adjunct lecturer in English is currently employed part-time and has his Master’s degree. Sounding a bit dismayed with the full-time job search, his experiment is the result of thinking outside the box or in this case, the CV. Read more

Calling all media moguls in the making! (Yes, that would be you.) As you’re looking for a job, try not to get too excited and ditch common sense, especially when it comes to applying online.

That is, people may be preying on breaches of security as you enter your personal information such as your social security number, full name, address, and work details.

1. Don’t apply to blind ads. According to a piece on U.S. News & World Report, Miriam Salpeter writes, “The first thing you can do to protect yourself is avoid applying for bogus jobs. How? Don’t apply to blind ads and unnamed companies or recruiters.”

So, if a company isn’t listed and it’s shady as to whether or not a real job is available for hire, move on. Read more

Okay, by now we all know the Olympics opening ceremonies begin in three days in London.

There’s definitely some lessons we can learn from athletes who are committed to their sport, honing and defining their muscles, and mental strength. Here are four job hunting lessons a la the Olympics… Read more

For many journalists seeking the security of a full-time job, the PR industry is a viable option, with its emphasis on adept writing skills and attention to deadlines.  But, before you make the full-time switch to corporate communications, it is important to know the real facts about the biz.

For example, one truth about the PR industry is that it moves at a slower pace than journalism. “The corporate review [and] approval process is more challenging, because deadlines are sacrosanct for journalists but much less so for corporate managers and executives,” said Paul Nonnenmacher, director of public affairs for the Connecticut Resources Recovery Authority and former reporter. At its worst, the natural inclination to rush and wrap a project can be construed as a half-baked effort by higher-ups that are used to far longer timelines.

Read more in What Journalists Should Know Before Switching to PR. [subscription required]

– Andrea Hackett

If you’re looking to start a new career or perhaps make some extra cash on the side, here is a list of eight unconventional job opportunities for the writing-savvy. There are some you may not even realize you’re qualified for, such as a youth writing instructor.

Take freelancer writer Ellen Engelke, for example, who saw that her town was looking for a literary arts teacher for children. With just her resume, a writing sample and an outline of a curriculum, Engelke was able to secure the gig without any previous teaching experience. Now she teaches several eight-week classes, which meet once a week for a few hours per class. But, she also has a lot of free time to do other things, like freelance work. ”It is really fun,” she said. “I have students who are really loyal and they come back over and over.”

For the complete list of job opportunities and how writers landed them, read Great Side Gigs for Journalists and Writers.

– Andrea Hackett

This article is one of several mediabistro.com features exclusively available to AvantGuild subscribers. If you’re not a member yet, you can register for as little as $55 a year and get access to these articles, discounts on seminars and workshops, and more.

Want to feel empowered?

Despite high unemployment rates, according to a new CareerBuilder survey, more than half (56 percent) of employers who recruited new employees in the last year reported that a candidate rejected their job offer. That’s right — rejected it.

Turns out, a candidate’s experience with the employer from start to finish during the recruitment process impacts their decision about whether or not to accept an offer. Read more

It’s a major job conundrum, isn’t it? Looking for a job can feel like a full-time job and yet when you’re already gainfully employed, looking for a new gig can feel a bit overwhelming. Fortunately, there are a few ways to effectively manage the process.

As pointed out in a post on CareerBuilder, the first pointer recommends not slacking off. For obvious reasons, you don’t want your search to seem like it’s not confidential or that you’re lacking interest in your current job. The key to success while juggling a job and the search? Staying focused on your current responsibilities to the best of your ability given the fact you may already be mentally checked out. In the piece, Anthony Balderamma writes, “But until you’ve accepted another offer, don’t neglect your current duties.”

Second, keep your search to yourself. Even though you may feel close to a few colleagues, it’s better to keep your lips sealed. Case in point: A job seeker gabbed to her colleagues that she was unhappy and looking to relocate and land a new job. Well, during her external search she got promoted! Cue resentment from colleagues here.

The search should also be confidential to your own computer at home. Balderamma writes in the piece, “When you’re eager to ditch your current job or you’re just bored sitting at your computer, you might think browsing job postings on the clock is acceptable. That’s not true. Your employer probably has a policy against job searching on the company dime, so don’t risk your job.”

Keep in mind, all bets are off if layoffs are imminent and your boss has told the group the hammer’s going to fall (or is it ax? We digress). Use your discretion but in that instance, it may be a given that you’re openly looking for a job without having to sneak out at lunch time to schedule job interviews.

Lastly, leverage your current job to get a new one. Considering networking is the one-two punch in job searching, if there’s a media conference you can attend through your current job, by all means, register! If you can register for a class on the company’s dime and time, go for it! You see what we’re getting at: You’re adding new contacts to your arsenal and bolstering your resume with new skills.

Plus, branching out may put a new spring in your step and nothing speaks more highly of yourself during an interview than a positive attitude.

Want to know the so-called secret of getting a new job with challenging work, room for growth and great pay/benefits? According to a piece in ForbesWoman, there are seven habits of highly effective job seekers.

1. Stay future-focused. Margie Worell writes in the piece, “It’s easy to get stuck in the past and what shoulda-woulda-coulda happened, but didn’t.” Of course, this behavior is counter-productive and will create negativity, not to mention self-pity. Her advice? “Focus on the future, and on what you need to do to set yourself up as well as possible on the job front,in how you are budgeting your money, and in your relationship with those who can help you find a new job. What you focus on expands, so focus on what you want, not on what you don’t.”

2. Don’t let your job status define you. This one may be hard to accept at first. After all, one of the first things we ask each other when meeting for the first time is what you do for a living. When you really stop to think abou tit though, you are not a job. You’re a person! And if you look at job loss as a personal setback, it could take longer to bounce back than if you view a layoff as a sign of the recession and opportunity to look for a new job that was better than your last one anyway.

3. Prioritize self-care. This is a big one as Worell points out, “When you’ve lost your job it is all too easy plant yourself on the couch, remote in one hand, beer or bag of chips in the other, and wallow in self-pity. Many do! But mental and emotional resilience requires physical resilience. So be intentional about taking care of YOU and doing whatever it takes to feel strong and fit.”

4. Surround yourself with positive people. Ever spend time with someone who’s completely a downer? Chances are, in a matter of moments you’ll start thinking negative thoughts, too. It’s key to spend time with people who lift you up, not drag you down. Worell advises, “Be intentional about who you hang out with and don’t get sucked into the vortex of those who want a marathon pity party. It wastes precious time and energy far better spent getting back into the workforce.” In addition to positive people, you can read positive books and inspirational quotes, watch inspirational movies, and write in a journal.

5. Tap into your network. Asking for help may be a stumbling block for some people but what better time to tap into your network when you’re actually seeking a job! Considering plenty of jobs never make it to job boards since they’re filled through word-of-mouth, it’s time to get on that train. Meet with contacts, spread the word, ask who they know but better yet, inform them of what you’re looking for. The more specific you are, the easier it will be for them to help you.

6. Treat finding a job as your job. “Create structure in your day. Sure you have extra time on your hands than you had before, but you will be amazed at how little you can do in a day if you aren’t intentional about what you want to get done,” Worell writes in the piece. “Create a job search plan with goals and small manageable steps. Then prioritize, structure your day and treat finding a job like a job.”

7. Be kind. Sure, the job search may seem daunting at first and frustrating, but it’s also uplifting when you make progress and get results. In addition to self-care, volunteering and being kind in general not only helps others, it helps ourselves, too! “When we give our time to help others, it helps us stop dwelling on our own problems, and makes us realize how much we have to be thankful for….However you look at it, there’s no better mood booster than making a difference for someone else, even when you wish your own life were different than it is.”

Are sharp interview skills and a relevant resume paramount to landing a job? You bet. Does meeting deadlines with ease and working well with others make you a delight on the job itself? Of course!

Although tactical approaches to a job search and success on the job itself are important, so, too are your beliefs. That’s right — all the things you tell yourself from whether or not you’ll get the job to whether or not you deserve a raise. If you’re on track internally, chances are you’ll be able to shine externally, too. Read more