Job Hunting Secrets - 1

Learned some really cool tips and tricks for getting yourself noticed out in the job market.  First of all is a website called www.wordle.net.  What you do is copy the full job description of the position you are interested in, paste into wordle, and it configures a "word cloud" for you, which shows what the major keywords are so you can be certain to have those listed in your resume or cover letter.  The second tip had to do with linkedIn.  There is a tab labeled "NEWS", and under that tab is "SIGNAL".  This is a feature that allows you to search new postings by people in your network, their networks, and their network's networks.  Just type in a zip code and a key word you are interested in, like "hiring", and you will see every new job opening in that area which is being recruited for through LinkedIn.   The more people you have in your network, the more access you will have.  My 110 connections allow to see postings from nearly 3,000,000 people!

Recent courses at PSU

Following is a listing of the HR relevant coursework and projects I've participated in since September 2010:

Courses:

• Industrial Psychology
• Organizational Psychology
• Employee Motivation
• Employee Development
• Principles of Human Resource Management
• Strategic Staffing and Personnel Selection
• Principles of Motivation (focus on workplace motivation)
• Conflict Resolution
• Organizational Communication
• Organizational Behavior
• Small Group Dynamics and Communication
• Principles of Behavior Modification
• Probability & Statistics (two terms)

Research Papers:

• How accurately does personality predict future work performance in new hires
• How small group identity motivates or inhibits group functionality
• Job and business analysis of small to mid-size recruitment firms
• Practical applications for employee motivation in small to mid-size manufacturing firms

Graduating soon...

It's been a really long road with a LOT of ups and downs, but I've finally made it to the finish line (sort of).  This March I will graduate from Portland State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in (Industrial) Psychology with honors.  It's an extremely proud moment for me, since this journey has taken most of 20 years to complete.  Though the end is in sight, I must now turn my focus on finding the right employer where my many experiences can be best utilized.  So the journey continues with me interviewing potential companies and they interviewing me in the hopes of finding an ideal fit.  And there is also post-graduate school to consider as it is my goal to obtain a Masters degree in either Human Resources or Organizational Development.


So here's to a great future and whatever mysteries it may hold, and may this journey prove a little less lengthy.


Scott.