Tampa Job Fair Invades Raymond James Stadium May 7th

The Tampa Employment Guide is fiercely working around the clock to find the best hiring managers and open positions in West Florida. And to celebrate, we are showcasing them at the Summer Job Fair on Wednesday, May 7th at the home of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

*Send your resume to greg.rollett@employmentguide.com to pre-register or if you cannot attend*

They say the economy is slowing, but by the looks of the companies attending, its business as usual!

Showcasing employers for this career fair include:
ABC Fine Wine and Spirits
Aflac
Amazinflates
Argosy University
Asset Acceptance
Avon
Brink's Home Security
Brink's, Inc
CBS Radio
Creditor's Interchange
DeVry University
EcoQuest International
Gulf Coast College
Keiser University - Tampa Campus
Lee County Sheriff's Office
Macy's Credit and Customer Service
Mental Health Care
Metro PCS
Norwegian Cruise Lines
NovaPro
OR and L Facility Services
Plastipak Packaging
Quest, Inc.
RaceTrac Petroleum
Seminole HardRock Hotel and Casino
United States Army Recruiting
USAA
Verizon Wireless
Volt Workforce Solutions
Walgreens
Waste Management

Tampa Job Fair Tips and Strategies:
1. Research the companies - They are listed above. Look for their open positions on EmploymentGuide.com and even perform a Google search to see what it's like to work there.
2. Polish your resume and print multiple copies. - Make sure your friends and/or family proofreads it. Print at least 10 copies, you don't want to run out when you finally find a great opportunity!
3. Dress for success. - No shorts, tank tops or flip flops. Look like a professional and get treated like one. It may be hot out, so prepare with some good attire and comfortable shoes.
4. Be able to fill out a complete application. You want to be sure that you hand them in at the job fair and not get lost in the shuffle a week later.
5. Practice your handshake and opening approach. Your first impression needs to be great and create a lasting impression on the hiring employer.
6. Have fun. Your demeanor tells an employer a lot. Keep your spirits high as you never know what opportunity will knock around the corner.

Check out a clip from the local news about job opportunities in the Tampa area with the Employment Guide's own Jeff Derenthal:

We will continue to update the company list as they confirm. Happy hunting Tampa and we'll see you on the 7th!

Resumes From Hell

Our National Blog has done a great interview with Jon Reed & Rachel Meyers, co-authors or 'Resumes From Hell.' He hits some great topics including the origin of the book concept, future plans on 'Resumes From Heaven,' memorable and personal resumes and the Googling going on with the job hunt. Check it out at the Employment Guide blog.

You can find the book on Amazon by clicking on the cover below.

Why should we hire you? 5 Key Points

Question 5 on our top 10 frequently asked interview questions is hamming out the big dog. Why should we hire you? “Because I’m awesome and will make a trillion sales and take your company to the next level”.

Sounds good in theory, but the hiring manager doesn’t care that you are awesome. In fact, he wants just the opposite. Hard working, right to the point, get my work done and be productive are at the top of his list.

Here are 5 few quick points to keep in mind.

1. Focus on the company
2. Be confident in your ability to help the company
3. Use strong adjectives such as:
1. dedication / sincerity / faithfulness / positive personality / hard working / smart working / full of energy / ethical values / accountability
4. Be specific in the skills you have to offer. “I can do this….”
5. Rehash on what you have accomplished at other positions as it pertains to this position

Happy hunting Tampa. See you Monday!

Greg Rollett

Tell Me About Yourself. Um…

Last week I started a thread of the ten most common questions that are asked at an interview. This was number one. It is also the most awkward questions when you don’t have a job. How many times do you have to think up something that sounds a lot better than it really is? How many times do you just plain make something up?

Well, I am telling you today to stop! There is no need to exaggerate a bad or unlucky situation. Why are you at the interview? Hopefully it is to better your situation, or to get a fresh outlook on the job front. Why is the company interviewing you? He is interviewing you to fill a void in the company. The hiring manager (hopefully) understands that you are either a) unemployed, b) in between jobs/laid off, or c) looking to get out of your current job.

With all this said, there is no need to go beyond your means in explaining yourself. There are positives in your life and career that you can bring up to entice the hiring manager. Your resume was impressive enough to get you into the door, wasn’t it? Now that you are there, you have to answer the gut check question.

So, Mr. Potential Employee, Tell me about yourself?

Well, ummm

FIRST mistake. Do not hesitate! Be confident. An interview is all about selling yourself to the company. Take pride in yourself and bring it to the table.

Take 2: So, Mr. Potential Employee, Tell me about yourself?

I have been very successful by…

During my career I have…

My focus has been on…

Try and have an elevator speech about yourself that pertains to the company that you are speaking to. A major reason for hires is how an individual can benefit the company and not how the company can benefit you. If you can tie together your career achievements, with a sense of company benefit while being brief and extremely confident and up front, you will be well on your way to a very successful interview!

Tomorrow we tackle “why did you leave your last job?”

Happy hunting Tampa!

Got the Interview, Be Prepared to Answer these Questions!

Today I am going to throw out 10 of the most frequent interview questions and statements that most job seekers face. I would like to open up the comments for your best answer at any of the questions, be it one or all of them. Be creative and try to recall your last interview and how it went down. Tomorrow I will share some good and not so good answers to these questions.

1. Tell me about yourself.
2. Why did you leave your last job?
3. What do you know about our company?
4. Why do you want to work for us?
5. Why should we hire you?
6. If hired, how long do you pan on working here?
7. How much would you like to get paid?
8. Are you willing to work overtime, weekends and other needed occasions?
9. What is your attitude on work?
10. Do you have any questions for me?

So there we go. Please share your responses and even tell some horror stories along the way. There is no wrong answer for this exercise, although a wrong answer in real life will result in the need for another interview!

Until tomorrow, happy hunting Tampa.

Greg Rollett

Recap of the Employment Guide at HR Florida

The Employment Guide was proud to be a participating sponsor of HR Florida this past week. We had a display booth on both Wednesday and Thursday and had the opportunity to meet with some great people and organizations.

This year was the 29th Annual HR Florida State Conference & Expo, hosted by the HR Florida State Council, the state affiliate for the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM.) Our event attracts over 1,500 human resources professionals throughout Florida representing virtually every industry and companies from small business to large industrial centers. Check out some footage below:

If you attended the event and have any feedback, photos or questions, please leave a comment or send an email to Greg from the Employment Guide.

Recap from last Wednesday's Older Worker and Fall Job Fair at Raymond James Stadium

I got a first hand overview from the Job Fair last Wednesday at Raymond James Stadium by Derek Witman, the GSM over at the Tampa Employment Guide. So without further babbling here goes:

The Tampa Job Fair was a huge success, and there was a ton of excitement in the air. The event was held at Raymond James Stadium and it was a fantastic venue for the 1200 job seeking candidates who attended. Each job seeker had the chance to win a $25,000 car that was sponsored by Bill Heard Chevrolet, along with 2 job seekers who won round trip tickets to fly anywhere in the Continental US, compliments of Southwest Airlines. I think the Resolve Staffing recruiters said it best “This is an excellent venue, and it shows that you went above and beyond to make this a great event” The AARP offices in this area did a tremendous job of spreading the word, and our focus on the Mature Working Community was also a success. Finally, I want to congratulate and thank our Tampa team for going above and beyond to make it a great event. Thanks Telzey, Natalie, Shannon, Jeff, Steve, Sheri, and Jackie, you guys were awesome.

Thanks Derek. I am truly disappointed that I missed such a great event, but it looks like things went incredibly well for job seekers, employers and the crew over at the Tampa Employment Guide offices. If you want further proof, check out the slide show from the job fair below!

Tampa Employment Guide Representing at the 29th Annual HR Florida State Conference & Expo!

It is with great pleasure to announce that The Tampa and Orlando offices of the Orlando Employment Guide will be live at the HR Florida State Conference & Expo next week in Orlando, FL. The event attracts over 1,500 human resources professionals throughout Florida

representing virtually every industry and companies from small business to large industrial centers.

We will bring you updated coverage of the conference as well as photos and more! If you are attending the show please be sure to stop by and say hello to your number one source for hourly and entry level employment. For more information on the Employment Guide’s attendance for this event please send an email to greg.rollett@employmentguide.com.

-Greg Rollett

Older and Mature Workers Be Prepared To Get Involved!

In less than 10 years, the number of jobs that need to be filled will increase by up to 5 million jobs, said Jim Seith, national program director for low-income programs and work in AARP Foundation.

Wow, 5 million more jobs! Did you hear that? Where are these workers coming from? I know you’re a mind reader so you obviously said Older Workers!! Older workers can add value with the ability to mentor and coach as well as pour out great experience and dependability.

“Employers need to tap into this demographic,” said Jeff Littlejohn, vice president and general manager of The Employment Guide. “The older worker is a perfect job candidate because he has a great work ethic, is high skilled and experienced, and is available.”

Due to this increasing need for Older Workers, the Employment Guide, your number one source for hourly and skilled trade workers, has teamed up with the AARP for 43 Job Fairs in 23 states. This train is not slowing down and will hit the Tampa area at the World Famous Raymond James Stadium on Wednesday, September 26^th. Little tid bit of information: these job fairs have been bringing down the house! Over 2,000 attendees in multiple cities!!

What are you going to do to outshine your competition? Polish up those resumes and have that business casual attire ready to go! Tampa, Florida has yet to see an a job fair event like this, and this is how we do it Employment Guide style.

In the days leading up to the Older Workers and Fall Job Fair, look for the Tampa JobSpot to bring you the latest updates, tips and preparation tactics to make the best of this life changing day.

Even if you are not an older worker, you can make a difference in your life and your wallet by attending the career expo!

For any questions about the career fair please send an e-mail over to tampajobs@employmentguide.com.

The official Press Release for the Older Workers Job Fair and the AARP can be found here: http://home.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20070821005017&newsLang=en

Happy hunting Tampa!

-Greg Rollett

Look Out Buccaneers! The Employment Guide is Taking over Raymond James Stadium for the Older Workers and Fall Job Fair

Get ready Tampa for the Job Fair event of the fall. If you have been couch sitting and mooching long enough, The Tampa and St Petersburg Employment Guide is here to help you land your next exciting opportunity. This is all going down on Wednesday, September 26^th at Raymond James Stadium in the heart of Tampa, FL. The festivities will begin at 10am and will wrap up around 3 in the afternoon.

At this event you, the job seeker, will have the chance to talk, network and possibly interview on the spot with Tampa’s premiere employers and recruiters.

For those of you who may be thinking of switching jobs or coming into Tampa from out of town and cannot attend, you can still participate at the career fair. All you have to do is send over your resume, preferably in MS Word, to tampajobs@employmentguide.com and we will pass your information to the participating employers at the event.

If you are at the event, and are one of the first 2,000 job seekers to register, you will have the opportunity to walk out of Raymond James with a brand new $25,000 car form Bill Heard Chevrolet!! Good luck Tampa!

For more information on older workers please go check out http://www.employmentguide.com/olderworkers.html.

Happy hunting Tampa and can’t wait to see you on the 26^th of September!!

What is the Tampa JobSpot?

The Tampa JobSpot is a job advice blog that seeks to offer information about jobs in Tampa, St. Petersburg and its surrounding areas in West Florida. This blog is affiliated with the Tampa and St. Petersburg edition of The Employment Guide, a national free recruitment newspaper and award winning niche job board. Contributors can be employees from our office, the corporate office or outside resources that we deem as something that will be of value to our readers and viewers. Please note that anything you see on this blog are the opinions and views of the author and not necessarily the opinions and views of The Employment Guide, EmploymentGuide.com or Dominion Enterprises. However, we do try and provide you with useful information and resources regarding your job search particularly those who are searching for jobs in Tampa, FL.

You'll find a number of helpful resources on our blog.

Tampa Job Search – This feature is located on the top right side of the page. It allows you to quickly search for positions that are posted on our parent site, The EmploymentGuide.com. All you have to do is type the kind of job you are looking for in the box and click on “Find a Job” and you will be instantly taken to a search page with all the results for the submitted category.

Job Spot Chat - This feature allows you to chat live with someone in our office about anything related to your job search. Adding this interactive feature allows us to provide you with the very best and take your job search into the Web 2.0 realm! We may not know all of the answers, but we will do our best to point you in the right direction. Most the time you'll be talking to Greg, our Internet Marketing Specialist, but occasionally you might get to chat with someone else in the office.

Polls-This is a greatly underused tool on our blog. This tool gives us insight to out viewers and how they feel, react and go about given job seeking information. Please share your opinion with us, so that we are reaching you in the best way possible. Polls are changed out monthly, so check back for constant updates.

These are just a few of the great things our blog has to offer. In the near future we are looking to add podcasts and video testimonials, along with profiles of the employees in our office. I hope you'll take the time to look through some of the articles and links we've posted. And if you find our blog particularly useful, be sure to add our link to your website! Thanks for visiting!

-Greg Rollett Shoot me an email!