Job Tips - Posts By Corridor Careers

Corridor Careers was pleased to be asked to be a guest on Ethical Perspectives- a weekly look at the news sponsored by the Inter-Religious Council of Linn County. This week we discussed trends in the Cedar Rapids, Iowa City Job Market and how employers can attract talent. Host Quinn Pettifer welcomed guests Tim Carty, Director of Talent Attraction, ICR, Liz Kennedy, Corridor Careers and Jennifer Daly, President, ICR. Topics discussed: Challenges in our job market Challenges Job Seekers Face Company Culture – why it’s critical Fitting opportunity to talent who will consider Iowa What’s great about the Iowa City, Cedar Rapids region (ICR) Bias and “Right Fit” Resources available for Job Seekers and Newcomers Show Notes: Visit...

In The Works is a radio segment series in partnership with local AM600 WMT Newsradio.  Doug Wagner, our host, & Liz Kennedy, Corridor Careers, talk with area experts on the topic of workforce trends and information for both job seekers and employers. Trends, Skills, and Career-Readiness, Oh My! Liz and Doug chat about trends in Eastern Iowa Workforce, and career resources for job seekers, including parents and high-school students. http://blog.corridorcareers.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Career-Resources.mp3 Iowa Ideas Conference Preview Elizabeth Kimmel and Michael Chevy Castranova preview our upcoming signature conference: Iowa Ideas – get tickets today. Barriers to Employment: Special Populations Eastern Iowa’s Trucking...

Over 40 employers will be at our Spring Career Fair and you don’t want to miss it. Corridor Career Fair Thursday, April 18 at 3:30PM Cedar Rapids Marriott   1200 Collins Rd NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402 Get Registered Today! Attending Employers ACP, Inc. (Manufacturing & Industrial, Warehousing) CHEP (Warehousing) Cobham (Engineering, Manufacturing & Industrial) Cottage Grove Place (Childcare & Personal Care, Nursing) DES Employment Group Discovery Living Inc. (Human Services & Non-Profit) FBG Service Corporation GoDaddy (Customer Service, Sales) Goodwill Industries GreatAmerica Financial Services Corporation (Accounting, Customer Service) Hiawatha Care Center hibu (Technology, Sales) Hills Bank and Trust...

Visiting a Career Fair isn’t the same as an interview, but it does give you one on one time with employers and recruiters.  It pays to be ready to answer the typical interview questions and gives you a chance to practice your skills. 5 Questions you should ask: Don’t forget you need to ask Employers questions to. Here’s a few good ones. How would you describe the company culture? What are the biggest challenges of this job? What do you like most about your job? What skills do you look for in a candidate for this position? What’s a typical career path for this position? 5 Questions you should be ready to answer: Here are a few you should know a quick answer to. And they’ll be the first you’ll answer in an interview as well. Tell me...

By now, you may have seen the viral video of an adorable 2-year-old pleading with Alexa to “play baby sherk.” She was persistent in her ask, but Alexa could not understand what she wanted until Mom stepped in and said the magic words for her. A human knew exactly how to handle the voice request, while Alexa still has some growing up to do of her own. Still, it’s hard to deny Alexa’s growing popularity. According to TechCrunch, over 100 million Alexa-enabled devices have been sold as of January 4, 2019. With over 40,000 skills available, that’s a lot of chatter. Adding Corridor Careers to Alexa Recently, Corridor Careers released an updated version of our own Alexa skill that includes voice search. You can’t ask for jobs out of the box,...

We want to offer lots of package options to area employers, however, we know that HR professionals and business owners don’t have time to sift through the various options. Our latest feature is designed to help employers select a great package based on their individual needs. “Help Me Choose” will deliver three great options based on your selection. Packages are tailored to the category you select or the advertising goal you have. Get suggestions at any time. How does it work? Based on recent package performance Select by Category or Advertising Goal “Good, Better, Best” options displayed Click “Start Over” to select a different goal or category   Try It Out Need more assistance? Our team can craft a custom package just for your...

In Cedar Rapids and Iowa City, companies are turning to phone interviews to start the recruiting process. Phone screens or initial interviews are your first chance to make an impression on a potential employer.  So it’s important to treat them just as seriously as you would an in-person interview.  Especially because they determine whether the HR professional will advance you on to the next round. Below are some tips to help perfect your phone interview skills and help you land that job. Prepare for a Phone Interview Just like with a face-to-face interview, it’s imperative to be as prepared as possible for a phone interview. Schedule your phone interview when you know you’ll be free and able to take the call in a quiet space. This needs...

Plenty of people think career fairs are a thing of the past in the digital age. Don’t believe them. Career fairs can be a treasure chest of opportunity if you know how to work them. We decided to break it down into 4-areas:  Research, Planning, The Day-Of and Follow-up. Research Employers One of the best uses of your time before heading to a career fair is to learn about the companies that will be there. Even if you’re sure you don’t want to work for some of them, do your homework anyway. After all, you never know what opportunities might come from any potential employer. Make sure you know what the business does and whether they might have current or future openings that relate to your skill set. Find out if you can pre-register for the...

In a recent survey with Iowa job seekers, we heard a common theme: “We wish employers would post salary information in job listings.” “It’s frustrating to not be able to see how much a position pays before applying for a job.” Why don’t all employers post their salaries? Sometimes sharing a salary puts employers in a bind due to the fact that salary is only one component of wages. Benefits and what is known as ‘Total Compensation’ are what employees cost their employer, not just that number on the paycheck. Posting the range may turn off candidates from even considering that position versus a competitor.  Plus, Iowa employers might not appeal to candidates from other states if the salary range isn’t what they are used to, even though our...

After bouncing around a few different cities in the Midwest over the last couple years, I made the challenging, yet right decision to move back to my hometown of Cedar Rapids in January of 2018.  Most recently I had been in Chicago, and while Chicago offered much in the way of dining, nightlife, and entertainment that the Corridor may not, ultimately the lifestyle, traffic, and living expenses were too much for me to justify hanging around. Iowa Boomerang I think there are a lot of people in the same boat as me, that grew up in the Corridor area but have moved to different parts of the country, and if given the right opportunity would love to move back to the place they call home.  As I was considering moving back I wasn’t quite sure...

Hiring is hard.  With an unemployment rate of around 2.7% in Eastern Iowa1, you know you’ll be competing with other employers for candidate attention, let alone finalizing the job offer and attracting top talent.  And with so many points of entry for candidates to conduct their job search, posting your job online can feel like trying to hit a moving target. Never fear—we’ve got you covered.  By posting your job to Corridor Careers, you can stand out in the crowd, find quality candidates, and maximize your exposure to a wider number of niche job boards… all with just a few clicks! Your posting, Your way. Corridor Careers offers a variety of online posting packages tailored to your needs.  With our Network Reach offering, you get the best...

When searching for a new job, updating your resume can seem like a big task. Between summarizing your previous experience down to a few sentences and trying to squeeze everything onto one page, there’s a lot to consider. However, it’s best to make sure the basics are covered: Make sure it’s up to date with current contact info (and if your old email looks funky, get a new one) No typos, please.  Use spell-check, grammar check and your Mom to proof-read it. Update your resume for your career stage. If you’ve got experience, note an objective that speaks to what you want to do next. Don’t bury the lead. Focus on your core skills and list them first. Sifting through dozens of resumes is a reality for employers so when a particularly good...

We’ve updated our take on career fairs. You know, the thing some hiring pros think are a waste of time? Here at Corridor Careers, our team still feel that job fairs are a valuable way for job seekers and hiring professionals to interact – especially if the job seeker does some prep-work first. Whether you’re actively seeking employment or just starting to think about switching jobs, time spent at a local career fair can be worth it. Check out our upcoming career fair in Cedar Rapids April 18th, 2019. Dress Boring It’s tricky figuring out how to stand out of a crowd of applicants, but the simple approach often works best: don’t try too hard, and keep it professional. If you’re looking to land at a startup, you might dress a bit more...

Filling out job applications can be a long process and seem never-ending when you are going through your job search.  Each application may ask the same questions but it is important to tailor your answer to the job you are applying for. Remember these tips to make your online job application process go smoothly. 1. Fill out the entire job application Don’t let your application be skipped over because you chose to only fill out part of the job application. Recruiters are looking for the same information from all candidates and you will stand out if you take the time to fill out the entire application. 2. Double check information when uploading your resume Uploading your resume is a handy feature, especially when it prepopulates your...

If you’re like most graduates fresh out of college, you have an idea of how much money you need in your first job, but salary negotiation is a foreign concept. Little wonder-it’s one of those things most college classes don’t teach. First Things, First – Always Negotiate If there’s one thing career advisors agree on, it’s salary negotiation, even in your first job. Studies show employees feel satisfaction if they at least tried to negotiate a higher salary than if they took whatever was offered. Best Salary Negotiation Tips We researched tips from Forbes to graduateland.com and came up with solid ideas on each step of the salary negotiation process. Stay positive, no matter what the outcome. If the offer is less than expected, remain...

Whether you’re looking for your very first job or first job out of college, there are a lot of factors to consider before making up your mind. Most job applicants look at pay first. That’s understandable, especially when you’re just getting started. However, the joy of good pay quickly fades if you don’t like the work environment. So, here are Corridor Careers top 5 things to look for in your first job. Look at the big picture – salary, benefits and other perks like health club discounts or even tickets to entertainment events. You have to take a big picture perspective into the job decision process. Consider the city in which you’ll work and commuting costs.  Cedar Rapids currently has a cost of living of 92.7 – which is 8 points below...

Ask college students about past internships and you’ll get a wide range of answers. Some students found they were a stepping stone to their first jobs and others just felt like coffee jockeys for the paid help. A well-chosen internship can be a great opportunity to learn more about how the real world operates. Before you venture out into the real world, it’s a good idea to give some thought and planning to the process. Start by Setting Your Goals One of the most important parts of an internship is planning. There are several questions to ask yourself. What do you want in an internship? Do you want to be able to dig in and actually do work or would you rather observe or shadow different people in the organization? The college you attend...

Prepping for a nursing job interview might seem straightforward but the field of nursing carries with it additional considerations beyond what is expected of other job candidates.  After all, people are putting the care of their loved ones in your hands. Hospital and clinic administrators have to interview and hire accordingly, especially given the large number of job openings in most markets. Interview Preparation: Focus On What You Can Bring To the Nursing Job Give serious thought to what you might be asked and how best to answer. A simple “tell me about yourself” type of question is an opportunity to explain your track record as a good employee. Keep your answer in the two minute range. Remember that employers aren’t interested in...

Professionals in nearly every industry are using LinkedIn – 93 percent of companies use it to recruit new hires. As a recent college grad, it’s important to have a strong profile that outlines your strengths and experiences. Below we outline some tips on how to get your LinkedIn profile camera ready. Customize Your Public Profile URL Don’t want to be a number? Customize your public url (the bit that goes after linkedin.com/xxxx) Click the ‘Me’ icon at the top of your LinkedIn homepage. Click the Pencil icon under Edit URL and follow instructions Upload a (Professional) Photo There are many benefits to including a photo of yourself on your LinkedIn profile – your profile is fourteen times more likely to be viewed just for having a...

So you’re considering continuing your education? Now’s the time to set some goals for 2019. Whether it’s because you’re ready to move jobs, looking for a higher position or just seeking to challenge yourself, there are many benefits to continuing your education. Below are seven reasons (and one bonus one) you should consider continuing your education. 1. Make More Money Although there is an upfront investment, one great benefit of continuing your education is that you’ll gain more money. A person with their Master’s degree makes, on average, $200 more a week than their colleagues with only bachelor degrees. This adds up to almost an extra $10,000 a year. 2. Career Growth Continuing your education can significantly grow your career. When...

Career fairs are still a valuable source for job seekers and employers alike. Whether you’re actively seeking employment or just starting to think about switching jobs, a career fair is a great resource with many benefits. Job Openings The best benefit job seekers can enjoy at a career fair is learning about all the job opportunities in your area. Company representatives in attendance will be able to give insights on all their job openings as well as the business’ hiring process. Tip: Remember to bring plenty of copies of your resume and make sure you can talk articulately about your past experience and merits. Networking Even if your choice employer isn’t attending the fair or has no openings, career fairs are a great opportunity to...

Other than the warm feeling of charity, volunteering can yield many benefits that can give you a leg up when searching for a job. According to a LinkedIn survey, one in five hiring managers said they have hired someone because of their charitable work. Volunteer opportunitiescan open doors to new connections and skills while also giving you a fresh perspective. Below are some of the benefits of volunteer work for your job search. Expand Your Network One of the benefits of volunteering is the chance to make friends and grow your personal and professional networks. Whether you’re walking dogs at an animal shelter or ladling servings at a soup kitchen, you’ll work closely with a brand new group of like-minded people. These new connections...

So you want to network.  Or at least you’ve heard that you should.  You’ve planned on wearing your best shoes, brushing your teeth twice and talking about yourself at several strangers for a few hours until someone hands you a job. Easy, right? Not quite. The best way to have a successful, fulfilling experience at a networking event is by remembering that the goal is for everyone to make connections, not for everyone to offer you a job. Networking is about connecting with other people about shared passions and interests. Most importantly, it’s about listening to what others need and helping them find what they are looking for without expecting personal gain. Networking can be exciting and rewarding if you make the right moves. Follow the...

So you did it. You survived all of those tiring all-nighters, grueling end-of-term finals and (somewhat) balanced keg stands and you’re ready for next phase of your life. Graduating from college is a huge feat that calls for celebration. But when the party is over, , it’s time to find a job and knowing how and where to find your first job can be tricky without proper guidance. According to a recent Accenture College Graduate Employment Survey, only 46 percent of 2013 graduates were able to get a full time job within a year of graduating. Of those employed, 46 percent of grads were underemployed, meaning they had a job that did not require a college degree. Even though these numbers are disheartening, there are ways to prepare yourself...

Are you a serial job searcher who always keeps your options open? Or, do you only hit the job sites when you need a job, like, right now? Maybe you feel trapped in a job that’s sucking the life right out of you, and you cruise job sites as therapy after particularly bad days. At any given point in your working life, you may fall into one of these categories. Whatever your mindset, CorridorCareers.com has the search strategy for you. The “Pick a Job, Any Job” Candidate – Unemployed and desperate? On your last week of unemployment insurance? Do Mom and Dad want their basement back? If you’re past being picky about what jobs you apply for or maybe you’re just feeling really versatile, you can set up your search to see every single job...

So you’ve landed a job in a new city and your future employer has offered you a relocation package. Great news! Right? Relocation packages are a great incentive to accept a job offer but it’s important to consider the whole picture – cost of a move, finding jobs and schools for your family, etc. – before accepting an offer. Although they all vary by situation, typical relocation packages will likely include: Family/Spousal Assistance – Including assistance in finding employment for your spouse and good schools for your children Travel Expenses – Including a pre-move visit to check out housing and schools Temporary Living Arrangements Moving Costs – Including packing, unpacking, shipping and storage fees Housing Costs – Including costs...

Anchored by the crossroads of Interstate 80 and 380, the Iowa Creative Corridor is steeped in a vibrant community that values economic development in all kinds of disciplines. The area’s professional and economic strengths attract a wide range of industries and bring a variety of employment opportunities to the region. Below is a selection of the industries currently blossoming in the region:   Logistics/Distribution Because of the ideal vicinity to Interstate 80, the Iowa Creative Corridor area is a great location for jobseekers looking for employment in logistics and/or distribution. Just within the last few years, more than 3 million square feet of distribution/warehouse space has been built in the Cedar Rapids area. These companies...

In a tight labor market like we’re experiencing in Iowa, there are two basic approaches to dealing with a worker shortage. One way is to offer very competitive wages and benefits to attract good people to your company. The other is to create a great work place and offer incentives to keep good employees with your company for the long haul. Human resources departments tasked with recruiting quality employees today use tools and incentives that most companies didn’t even have ten years ago, or ever think they would need. Businesses and HR recruiters in the Cedar Rapids/Iowa City metro need to use every tool they have to find the best candidate for their openings. Some of the incentives include: Hiring Bonuses – employers are getting more...

When you hire a new employee, hopes are high all around and everything is shiny and new. Studies show that the longer you extend the pink cloud stage, the longer you can expect to retain that employee. A thoughtful plan for bringing new employees into the fold can greatly improve your odds of keeping the great employees you worked so hard to find and hire. According to HCI (Human Capital Institute), an estimated 90% of new hires made the decision to stay or leave a job within their first six months. One way to avoid a high turnover rate is by using a defined welcoming process to introduce and acclimate new employees known as onboarding. Onboarding is all about making sure the new employee feels comfortable with not only their new job,...

5 Tips for Getting Your Online Job Application Noticed Back in the day, job hunters and their advisors spent a ridiculous amount of time determining what kind of paper, envelopes and type style a job seeker should choose for their resumes. The idea being that some human, somewhere, was actually holding your resume in their hands and exclaiming, “Oh, would you look at this lovely parchment paper (with matching envelop.) This must be a good candidate for our open position” and lickety-split, that’s how your resume was passed on to someone, somewhere, who called you for an interview. Today, few employers will even accept a paper application or resume, requiring everything to come in online. And, as many discouraged job seekers already...

Unless it’s a “don’t let the door hit you on your way out” kind of situation, where the reasons are fairly obvious, most employers need to know why employees are leaving them. After all, according to the Institute for Research on Labor and Employment (IRLE) at the University of California at Berkeley, the average cost to replace an employee for all categories of workers is about $4,000. Blue collar and manual workers can be replaced for an average cost of $2,000, while replacing managerial and professional employees cost as much as $7,000. Especially for employers in Eastern Iowa where our low unemployment rate makes it an employee’s market, identifying and addressing the underlying causes of employee attrition is a money saving...

A lack of skilled workers, a record number retiring baby boomers, and the generally negative perception of manufacturing as a career by Iowa’s young people – these are all factors making it difficult to fill Iowa’s manufacturing positions. Iowa’s low unemployment rate of 4.6 percent is the lowest since the recession began. While this bodes well for the economy in general, the state’s inability to fill advanced manufacturing positions to fuel business growth could throw some cold water on the continued recovery. Ten or 20 years ago, workers could generally land a job in a factory with a high school diploma or GED. The skills a worker needs in today’s advanced manufacturing environment are considerably more complex. These trades include...