Working for a Small Company versus a Large Company: Five Things to Consider in Your Job Search

Deciding which type of company to work for, whether it be in the financial industry or media can be daunting enough. After you have chosen your field, another critical factor to consider in your job search is the size of the company you wish to work for.

In today's reality of job scarcity, you're probably going to take whatever job is available to you. However, try to bear in mind what you will expect and not be aware of when choosing to work for a company that is either small (20+ people) or large (500+ people).

Below are five things to consider when faced with the luxury of a choice between working for a small company or a large one:

1. Do you prefer your job role to be exactly defined? If so, working for a small company may not be for you. Small companies tend to involve their employees in many different facets of the business. For instance, an Administrative Assistant may be expected to perform some of the functions of a Receptionist or Clerk.
   
   However, we have to look at both sides here. Perhaps the company assigns responsibilities to you, as an Administrative Assistant, that would normally befit an Assistant Manager or Assistant Vice President. Choosing to work for a small company depends on what your ultimate career goals are. Make sure the job requirements are clearly stated so you know what you are getting into.
   
   
2. Benefits can vary significantly between companies and even more so if the company is larger or smaller. Is having your 401(k) matched by your employer a requirement? Then you're looking at a large company. Small companies, not all, will often not match your 401(k), perhaps for budget reasons. On the flip side, they could cover your medical contributions; one less thing taken from your paycheck.
   
   
3. Perks are also a considerable factor especially in light of what's to come: bonus restructuring, benefit cutbacks. Perks will play a key role in attracting prospective candidates. Large companies are more apt to provide discounts, such as cell phone provider discounts, fitness center discounted rates or discounted theater tickets due to the volume of business they can send to these vendors.
   
   
4. Do you look forward to being able to leave at 5:00 PM every day? Or perhaps you need to leave punctually. Look for a large company that offers a more structured environment with enough coverage so you do not get caught working overtime. Especially when many companies do not even pay overtime for reasons that can include the budget or a base salary. Small companies, especially in the financial industry, have not been known to send employees home at 5:00 PM. There is typically not enough coverage, and in this culture of working hard, it is simply frowned upon.
   
   
5. Social atmosphere. Are you a social butterfly or an introvert? Either can flourish working for a large company due to the many possibilities of getting to know another employee or for keeping to yourself and simply getting your work done. In a smaller company, especially if you're all in one large room, social interaction becomes the norm. In large companies, you're more likely to be attending company-sponsored events and training sessions, whether in-house or outside. So consider which type you are and where you would best fit in socially.
   
   You spend much time at work, it's so important to look at more than just salary or location, even though they are top factors.
   

Do you have any other factors to add here?

Comments /questions are welcome!

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Best Job Search Sites for Administrative Professionals

What are the best job search sites for Administrative Professionals? Unfortunately, I haven't come across any sites specifically designed for Administrative Assistants and the like. The list below may seem obvious to you, but they are proven to be the most comprehensive sites containing the most job listings for Administrative Professionals.

I particularly like Craigslist, as more and more employers are starting to use this as they see it is more effective in reaching out to prospective candidates.

Administrative Professionals, which includes Administrative Assistants, Executive Assistants and other office support staff in the job market should consider these five job search sites for maximum results:

1. Craigslist.org - Organized by city, state, or country, Craigslist is a wonderful job search site. Aside from offering tons of other categories ranging from real estate ads to personals, Craiglist offers a section for posting your resume. Believe me, it is viewed too. Employment agencies and employers alike peruse the resume listings on Craigslist. Another job search feature here is the job listings. An extensive listing encompassing every industry, this is not to be overlooked by the eager job seeker.
   
   
2. Monster.com - Ever the monster in the giant job search market, Monster.com offers many services to aid the job seeker in whatever stage of the job hunt they are in. From targeting the right industry/company to salary negotiation tips, be sure to post your profile here.
   
   
3. Careerbuilder.com - A major competitor for Monster.com is Careerbuilder.com. Equally as effective in your job search, so definitely include it as part of your strategy in finding your next job. They have a good newsletter of the most up-to-date job listings that you can get emailed. They also feature user-friendly site navigation by location.
   
   
4. Yahoo! HotJobs - Another major job search engine, Yahoo! HotJobs is also a must-visit site on which to set up your profile.
   
   
5. There are also sites that host listings from search engine sites. They are not in themselves a job search site, but it's a good way to view job postings on offer from the various sites. Indeed.com, SimplyHired.com and Hound.com are three such sites. Be sure to visit these sites and set up your profiles for maximum exposure to available jobs.
   
   It's tough out there, so make sure your resume is up to par, error-free, and updated.
   
   For tips on creating an error-free resume that maximizes your skillset, check this out.
   
   If you need any assistance, EditNY offers new resumes for only $15 and updating of your old one for $10. Other administrative, editing, and proofreading services are also available.
   
   Do you know of any sites targeting Administrative Professionals?
   
   
   Comments / Questions welcome!
   
   
   Contact EditNY at EditNY@yahoo.com
   
   

Creating a Resume - Five Tips for Resumes

Creating a resume that is error-free and one that maximizes your skillset will put you ahead of other job seekers in this tumultuous economic market. With such a high unemployment rate, employers are forced to screen candidates like never before.

So putting your best foot forward begins with your resume. The smallest error could catch the employer's eye as he/she tries to hire only the best candidates from what has become quite a large pool of available talent.

Follow these five tips when creating or updating your resume:

1. Put as many "keywords" as possible into your resume without cluttering it. Keywords are identifiers that the employer looks for when trying to fill a position, such as Microsoft PowerPoint. If you have this skill but only list Microsoft Office as your skill, the employer may never come across your resume in his search. Be specific when listing your skillset.
   
   
2. Formatting matters. If you begin your resume using a certain bullet point type, make sure you continue to use the same one. Don't revert to a square bullet point if you have round bullet points throughout half of your resume. Also be sure to use the same size and color bullet point - sometimes, through no fault of your own, the word processor will insert a different bullet point size, color, or type. Just be cognizant of this.
   
   
3. Use the spellcheck tool. As you're writing your resume and perhaps even customizing it to the company or companies to which you're applying, it's easy to make a spelling mistake. Don't simply rely on your word processor's spellcheck tool, however. It will not catch words that are correctly spelled but are incorrectly being used, i.e. then or than, there or their, your or you're. Look over your resume carefully after writing it.
   
   
4. Do the dates make sense? In other words, is your resume in chronological order? It should be!
   
   
5. Contact information. Important! Make sure your contact information at the top of your resume is accurate. Also, if you have an obscure email address or even a questionable one, consider creating a professional email address used in your job search, e.g., John.Smith@xxxx.com

Well, I hope that I've shown you some useful tips to help you along the way in your resume writing.

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Best Jewelry to Wear on an Interview

Jewelry isn't just fashion, it's a statement. Wearing jewelry that is too flashy or big on a job interview can prove disastrous and may never get you a second callback. Another deal breaker could be wearing too much jewelry, even if it's the right kind, such as pearl.

We want to stand out and be unique. Your professional resume spoke for you and got you an interview. On the interview, your look needs to reflect your resume and professional skills. The number one "safe" accessory that is a must-wear on any interview is pearl jewelry.

As an example, the above necklace isn't your standard pearl necklace. The conservative and elegant look of this freshwater pearl combined with a delicate 14k gold necklace is a great way to show you take your professional appearance serious.

Keeping the jewelry minimal on an interview is essential, and it doesn't mean fashion boredom! Getting the job is your number one priority, after all. A great accompaniment to the necklace, assuming your suit is classic and refined without too many frills (if any), is a ring or bracelet. Steer clear from cocktail rings or bulky bracelets. Keep your look A-lined as much as possible in keeping with the professional image so important in business.

Sometimes it is easier to buy a set (e.g., pearl necklace/bracelet).  That way they will match nicely and you will be at ease about accessorizing for an interview.  Investing in a jewelry set, whether fashion or real, might be a wise choice depending on how much interviewing you are doing.  Below is an example of a matching pearl necklace and bracelet.  Again, see image below for a classic example of something uniform and slightly elegant which is perfectly suitable for an interview. When worn with a dark blue suit and crisp, white blouse/shirt, your look will be refined and complementary of your professional skills. You will come out ahead of other job seekers in this look!

Maximize your relationship with an employment agent.

Talking effectively through the interview.

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(photo of woman courtesy NYTimes.com)

Your Resume Content - Laying it Out

Some of us may have the notion that a resume needs to be constructed in a certain manner and contain certain tidbits of information. While that's true, there are optimal ways of laying out that content so as to emphasize certain points and minimize the immediate acknowledgement of other information.

For instance, if it's been ten years since you graduated from college, then it's not necessary to indicate the years of attendance or year of graduation. Simply stating the college name and location will suffice.

In relation to this, it's good practice to also place the educational portion, then, to the section following the experience section.

Illustration:

Experience:

XYZ Bank New York, NY May 1999 - Nov 2008

Executive Assistant

• Assisted the CEO with calendar management
• Prepared materials for board meetings
• Organized conference calls across several time zones
• Created and maintained company presentation

Education:

New York University New York, NY

Bachelor of Arts in English

Get the idea? It's a widely recognized and accepted practice.

Comments / Questions welcome!

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A Resume is a First Impression - Special Offer

A resume really is a first impression that a potential employer has of you. In this tight recession-bound market, creating a stand-out resume is a necessity to getting that initial interview with Human Resources.

EditNY offers new resumes for $15 and editing of an existing resume for $10 - those are exceptional prices. And for the best experience in finding your next job, it is best to customize your resume for each company that you apply for. EditNY can assist you with this on-going process for $5 for each additional resume.

Cover letters are an equally important part of landing that first interview. For $15, EditNY will write a superior cover letter that will highlight all of the applicable accomplishments as it relates to the job you are applying for. Additional cover letters per target company are $5 each.

SPECIAL PACKAGE OFFER: If you are serious about your job search (and frankly, who isn't these days?), EditNY would like to offer an affordable package that will meet your job search needs: For $40, EditNY will write one main resume plus two customized resumes for two specific companies you are applying for as well as write one main cover letter and two cover letters for your two target companies (a total value of $50, saving you $10). Hurry, offer won't last!

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