When doing research for your job search and your career plan, you can use, along with Google and Bing, other different specialized search engines .
Here below are some search engines and applications that can help you do this.
Kartoo -visual meta search engine- presents info. in flowchart form. The results can be personalized to show past searches, if you are willing to let Kartoo track such things.
Vivisimo Inc ( now Clusty)- Enterprise Search, Federated Search and Clustering .Each listing of this engine includes info. on how that site is ranked by mainstream search engines, such as Google, Lycos, MSN, and Looksmart. I like its layout , especially for news, health , blogs, and Wikipedia searches. I find the left-side clusters really helpful in targeting info. specifically to your topic search.
The Librarian's Index to the Internet contains info. you can trust. Its searchable directory only contains websites that have been personally approved by at least two librarians. Each listing is also annotated by one of these persons who felt it was worth including.
Freepint, maintained by librarian Gary Price, offers a portal into the invisible Web- hidden pages that are otherwise not visible on other search engines.
Open Directory Project (ODP) provides a free listing service, unlike some search engines that charge a fee for listings.
About Me
- Di Wright
- I am an ESL Instructor, Communications Specialist, Career Coach and Novice Writer specifically for your communication/ career goals, and establishing your brand. For over 11 years, I have led leadership/communication workshops (and now online sessions ) on developing leadership skills, enhancing creativity, creating a work/life balance, and many other subjects for the Toronto Board of Education, and in the non-profit and corporate sector. My approach teaches the vital importance of clear, motivational, yet caring communication. I have recently written a journaling workbook for my students/clients that contains weekly reflections with activities. It has been used by life coaches, career consultants and communications instructors. Here is the link for those who wish to learn about my journalling workbook and to purchase it.. http://tinyurl.com/serendipityjournal I’m currently working on my second workbook – a unique guidebook for traveling your career pathway. For more information about my upcoming other workbooks, email me at: d.wri3420@gmail.com
Monday, June 29, 2009
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Social networking and people search engine service
I'm taking a break from "going green" for awhile and revisiting " social networking" once again.
Great social people search engine service, Spokeo, like Pipl , CVGadget, Wink and PeekYou can help you locate info on others for networking purposes and vital business relationship building … Spokeo now has a premium service, which you have to pay for that provides you with more detailed info.
Such search engines are new people-tracking utilities that can help you build a detailed dossier about yourself online, and about companies/ organizations and people you would like to work for.
Great social people search engine service, Spokeo, like Pipl , CVGadget, Wink and PeekYou can help you locate info on others for networking purposes and vital business relationship building … Spokeo now has a premium service, which you have to pay for that provides you with more detailed info.
Such search engines are new people-tracking utilities that can help you build a detailed dossier about yourself online, and about companies/ organizations and people you would like to work for.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Construction and Our Green Economy
Construction workers in “our greening economy” will be able to get jobs retrofitting homes to make them more efficient.
This, along with the $1350,00- $1500.00 rebate from the federal government in tax credits if you spend a specified amount improving your residence, makes construction an even more desirable occupation.
This, along with the $1350,00- $1500.00 rebate from the federal government in tax credits if you spend a specified amount improving your residence, makes construction an even more desirable occupation.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Hail "the Green Movement"
Seeking jobs of the futures in trades and in other occupations? Then, look to those occupations that embrace “the green economy”.
We can now see a strong movement toward creating environmentally sustainable energy sources.
Yes, you can meld a strong economy with a healthy environment- they can coexist quite well with strategic planning and collaboration from all parties and stakeholders.
In the field of trades, the green movement will open up a lot of jobs for electricians, iron and steel workers, construction workers, and sheet metal workers.
We can now see a strong movement toward creating environmentally sustainable energy sources.
Yes, you can meld a strong economy with a healthy environment- they can coexist quite well with strategic planning and collaboration from all parties and stakeholders.
In the field of trades, the green movement will open up a lot of jobs for electricians, iron and steel workers, construction workers, and sheet metal workers.
Monday, June 1, 2009
The Future is Green
On October 20th, 2008, I attended the Toronto Small Business Forum 2008 at the Delta Chelsea Hotel that featured renowned key note speakers and their presentations, such as Laurie Simmonds’ “ Green Enterprise”- President of Green Living Enterprises, and “Lessons Learned from Building a Green Business by Tom Heintzman- President of Bullfrog Power, stressing the global concern for environmental issues and eco-friendly products.
The emergence of” green marketing”, and “green businesses and enterprise” was indeed a prevalent theme for this year’s Forum. It seems that “ green” is now the primary foundation colour for building any current and future successful career and business venture.
The emergence of” green marketing”, and “green businesses and enterprise” was indeed a prevalent theme for this year’s Forum. It seems that “ green” is now the primary foundation colour for building any current and future successful career and business venture.
Monday, May 4, 2009
The Future is Now
No one can accurately or consistently predict the future. That said, it is important ,like Richard Worzel- known as “The Futurist “(futurist@futuresearch.com), recommends that you have plan B and even C ready to be implemented, especially when it comes to your career.
For instance, whether we like to acknowledge it or not, the Canadian economy is affected by the American one- more than 70 % of Canadian Trade is with the US and so our economy is very much interconnected .
With respect to career planning, it is best to use scenario planning in order to have Plan B, and C ready to go , if necessary. Use different scenarios based on your research and development, and professional network and memberships to help design your career plan strategies. This is one way of being “ proactively creative” in a very difficult market place..
List all your skills and competencies and see how they can be transferred to different fields. You will quite impressed to know that your skills can fit in with many other professional fields, particularly if you have to change fields due a layoff or a restructuring process.
Personally, to maintain “the future is now” mentality, I try to keep up on the trends -looking for declining sectors and future areas of growth by watching the channel- CP24, reading the online version and e-updates from the Canadian Business magazine ,Business Week, Globe and Mail, and Macleans.
Watching the Business News Network or subscribing to their e-newsletter/updates can also keep you in the “know”. You can also subscribe to the e-updates/ newsletter for Money Sense, and Profit magazines that can get you up -to -speed with what is happening in the economic world.. Other sites like Statistics Canada and Manpower can give you current information on various sectors and demographics for doing your scenario planning.
For instance, whether we like to acknowledge it or not, the Canadian economy is affected by the American one- more than 70 % of Canadian Trade is with the US and so our economy is very much interconnected .
With respect to career planning, it is best to use scenario planning in order to have Plan B, and C ready to go , if necessary. Use different scenarios based on your research and development, and professional network and memberships to help design your career plan strategies. This is one way of being “ proactively creative” in a very difficult market place..
List all your skills and competencies and see how they can be transferred to different fields. You will quite impressed to know that your skills can fit in with many other professional fields, particularly if you have to change fields due a layoff or a restructuring process.
Personally, to maintain “the future is now” mentality, I try to keep up on the trends -looking for declining sectors and future areas of growth by watching the channel- CP24, reading the online version and e-updates from the Canadian Business magazine ,Business Week, Globe and Mail, and Macleans.
Watching the Business News Network or subscribing to their e-newsletter/updates can also keep you in the “know”. You can also subscribe to the e-updates/ newsletter for Money Sense, and Profit magazines that can get you up -to -speed with what is happening in the economic world.. Other sites like Statistics Canada and Manpower can give you current information on various sectors and demographics for doing your scenario planning.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Successful Interview Planning
This week, I thought I would return to my thoughts on interviews and tips for preparation.
Successful interview planning is marketing put into practice based on the market research of the companies/ organizations you want to work for , and their needs and wants by doing an in-depth analysis of such needs and wants, and of how to meet those needs to impress them.
The principles of successful interview planning are similar to that of marketing and promotion:
1- Product: - you are the product that is being offered and that you passionately believe in .
2- Pre- planning – you do a needs assessment/ analysis and the due diligence required for the orchestration of the finest details of that interview.
3- Promotion -you promote “You” -the product, through results-oriented social media applications i.e. YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, MeetUp, Plaxo, etc.. to get the word out about your skills, and competencies.. You can also post testimonials, and video clips and audio clips on some of these sites to heighten interest in your professional profile. But, do this professionally and tastefully, self-promotion is not about broadcasting, spamming or shouting. Using social media applications is about creating and fostering vital one –to- one relationships that will help attain your career goals.
4- Personal Touch- you develop a personal connection with the interviewers . For example, never forget to include the authentic and professional touch by addressing the needs of the company to create a fit that is right for you and for them.
5- Strategic Implementation- you follow through on a well structured plan- including all parties involved- for different scenario planning( have numerous back-up plans) to cover the Murphy’s Law aspect. Do an assessment with a SWOT analysis ( strengths, weakness, opportunities and threats for yourself and for the company to address specifically related questions that may be asked at the interview) to develop these scenarios for the interviews.
6- Perseverance in Follow up- you follow up after the interview with the prospective employer using a phone conversation, and personal thank you letter and/or email. As part of the follow- up stage, have a debriefing process/ meeting with yourself by creating an interview journal . In this interview journal, you also do a SWOT (strengths, weakness, opportunities and threats) as part of this post -planning portion to improve the quality of your next interview and its success.
You basically have to consider the interview as a project and apply project management techniques with a strong commitment to maintaining a genuine and professional connection.
Successful interview planning is marketing put into practice based on the market research of the companies/ organizations you want to work for , and their needs and wants by doing an in-depth analysis of such needs and wants, and of how to meet those needs to impress them.
The principles of successful interview planning are similar to that of marketing and promotion:
1- Product: - you are the product that is being offered and that you passionately believe in .
2- Pre- planning – you do a needs assessment/ analysis and the due diligence required for the orchestration of the finest details of that interview.
3- Promotion -you promote “You” -the product, through results-oriented social media applications i.e. YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, MeetUp, Plaxo, etc.. to get the word out about your skills, and competencies.. You can also post testimonials, and video clips and audio clips on some of these sites to heighten interest in your professional profile. But, do this professionally and tastefully, self-promotion is not about broadcasting, spamming or shouting. Using social media applications is about creating and fostering vital one –to- one relationships that will help attain your career goals.
4- Personal Touch- you develop a personal connection with the interviewers . For example, never forget to include the authentic and professional touch by addressing the needs of the company to create a fit that is right for you and for them.
5- Strategic Implementation- you follow through on a well structured plan- including all parties involved- for different scenario planning( have numerous back-up plans) to cover the Murphy’s Law aspect. Do an assessment with a SWOT analysis ( strengths, weakness, opportunities and threats for yourself and for the company to address specifically related questions that may be asked at the interview) to develop these scenarios for the interviews.
6- Perseverance in Follow up- you follow up after the interview with the prospective employer using a phone conversation, and personal thank you letter and/or email. As part of the follow- up stage, have a debriefing process/ meeting with yourself by creating an interview journal . In this interview journal, you also do a SWOT (strengths, weakness, opportunities and threats) as part of this post -planning portion to improve the quality of your next interview and its success.
You basically have to consider the interview as a project and apply project management techniques with a strong commitment to maintaining a genuine and professional connection.
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