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Jobs Abound in 2011

By Barbara Adams, CPRW, CEIP, CMRC, CFRW
www.militaryresumewriters.com and www.careerproplus.com

Despite the bombardment of news reports on record unemployment, there's a lot of Happy in the New Year for job seekers. The fact is, there are jobs available and there always will be. Top companies such as...
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U.S. Companies Getting Better at Hiring Veterans but Need Help to Reach Those With Disabilities

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 14, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A new poll released today found that a majority (67 percent) of HR professionals have included veterans in their organization's diversity plan or policy during the past 12 months.
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President signed improvements to Post-9/11 GI Bill

1/6/2011 - WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- To bring the educational benefits of the Post-9/11 GI Bill closer to more veterans and service members, President Obama signed legislation Jan. 4 that streamlines the 18 month-old education program administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
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Pieces of NASCAR Vets Day car to be auctioned for charity

By US Army Accessions Command PAO

Sheet metal from the No. 39 U.S. Army Chevrolet Impala Ryan Newman drove in the Nov. 14 NASCAR race, featuring the faces of more than 500 military veterans, will be auctioned online to raise money for the Fisher House Foundation and Army Emergency Relief.
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Hiring Corner

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Jobs Abound in 2011

By Barbara Adams, CPRW, CEIP, CMRC, CFRW
www.militaryresumewriters.com and www.careerproplus.com

Despite the bombardment of news reports on record unemployment, there’s a lot of Happy in the New Year for job seekers. The fact is, there are jobs available and there always will be. Top companies such as Northrop Grumman, Sears, Intel, and United Health Group are seeking to fill literally thousands of jobs right now. And despite talk of freezes or cuts, the United States Federal Government remains one of the nation’s top (and most stable) employers.

Indeed, there are many more job seekers nowadays, but that does not necessarily mean there is more competition. Not everyone will have the right combination of skills for a particular position. Moreover, people who are out of work for a long time often become scared or frustrated and blast their resumes to every vacancy they can find—often without even reading the details. Consider the waitress who sent her resume to apply for a Network Engineer position, highlighting her skill as a licensed acupuncturist when the vacancy clearly stated requirements for network cabling, installation, and troubleshooting experience (she had none). Such an approach is doomed to failure.

In a recent article by Christopher Tkaczyk posted on money.cnn.com, hiring managers from Fortune 500 companies that are aggressively hiring offer inside advice. Quoting the representative from Sears, "Avoid pat answers that sound like something you read on a Web site. Come researched and ready...The more a candidate can talk about what's going on with the organization, the more impressed we are." Northrop Grumman had similar advice, "Do your homework – read about the company and learn about our products." Perhaps the advice from HCA Healthcare sums it up best, "We're always very impressed with candidates who take the time to learn something about the organization before coming in."

Another prominent theme among recruiters is targeting your information. Anything you can do to make their job easier is appreciated and is more likely to secure an interview. Take nothing for granted! Remember, your resume will be reviewed by a total stranger. A recruiter can't possibly know how your experience qualifies you for a position and will add value to the company if you don't clearly present that in a resume. An introductory phone call, email, or cover letter can help greatly, but there is no substitute for a well-written resume. Every vacancy announcement will tell you what a company is looking for, so use this information in your resume wherever appropriate.

Does this take a lot of work? You bet, but if you're out of work or determined to find a better job, your results will be directly proportionate to the amount of effort you invest in your job search. Taking the lazy approach and sending a generic resume might get you a department store stockroom position or a job washing dishes at the local eatery, but that's about it.

Employers are receiving more resumes than ever before, and that means they have less time to review each resume individually as they plow through stacks of applications. If a resume doesn't grab attention, clearly present the required information, and avoid material irrelevant to the position, it will be discarded in 15 to 30 seconds. Poorly formatted or badly copied resumes will receive even shorter consideration, and don't even think of using an old manual typewriter or sending a handwritten resume. Fonts must be selected carefully to look professional and presentable, while spelling and grammatical errors must be purged. With free computer and printer access at every unemployment center and library, substandard resumes are destined for a fast trip to the recycle bin.

So although there are a lot of people out of work, it doesn't mean there aren't jobs. You might need additional training or you may need to consider a change in careers, but if you can show that you bring value to a company, you can still get hired. In the end, the greatest thing you have to offer to any company is you!

Barbara Adams, President and CEO of CareerPro Global (CPG), the parent company of www.careerproplus.com and www.militaryresumewriters.com, has been a member of the careers community for the past 20 years. Ms. Adams holds four prestigious industry certifications. CareerPro Global is the only ISO 9001-2008 Certified Career Service in the industry, as well as one of the fastest-growing Military, Federal, and Civilian Resume-Writing and Careers-Coaching companies. The team of Certified Professional Federal and Military Resume Writers at CPG assist thousands of clients in applying for and gaining employment each year. We can help you land your military to civilian job.

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U.S. Companies Getting Better at Hiring Veterans but Need Help to Reach Those With Disabilities

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 14, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A new poll released today found that a majority (67 percent) of HR professionals have included veterans in their organization's diversity plan or policy during the past 12 months.

The findings are detailed in a joint poll released today by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and the Northeast ADA Center at Cornell University's ILR School.

The poll, "Recruiting Veterans with Disabilities: Perceptions in the Workplace," also shows that 68 percent of organizations have hired a veteran during the past 12 months, with activity high across small, medium-sized and large organizations.

"The data indicate that many organizations have hired veterans, but they have yet to realize the full potential of resources out there to help them hire more of these highly skilled candidates," said Mark Schmit, director of research at SHRM. "Also, many organizations have not yet capitalized on the great potential of disabled veterans."

Though human resource professionals are showing a strong intent to recruit and hire military veterans with disclosed disabilities, the number that hired during the past 12 months remains relatively low. Only 17 percent of HR professionals said their organization hired a veteran who disclosed a disability either before or after time of hire. Unknown is the number of veterans hired who chose not to disclose a disability.

People with disabilities are generally included in the diversity plan or policy of 70 percent of organizations represented in the poll.

Hannah Rudstam, senior extension faculty at the Northeast ADA Center at Cornell University, points to further implications of these poll findings: "Employers indicate having good will and recognize the business benefits in employing veterans with disabilities. Yet they struggle to translate this good will into recruiting, hiring and accommodation practices, particularly for veterans with the 'signature' disabilities of post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury."

TAOnline.com is working with a number of veteran-centric organizations who offer counseling and mentoring. Some of these include -

You can also check out numerous Veteran-related job fairs through TAOnline.com at TAOnline.com - Job Fairs

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President signed improvements to Post-9/11 GI Bill

1/6/2011 - WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- To bring the educational benefits of the Post-9/11 GI Bill closer to more veterans and service members, President Obama signed legislation Jan. 4 that streamlines the 18 month-old education program administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

"Since the first GI Bill in 1944, this unique educational program has adapted to the needs of America's veterans, active-duty personnel, reservists and Guardsmen," said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. "Like its forbearers, the Post-9/11 GI Bill is growing to ensure the men and women who serve this nation in uniform receive valuable education benefits from a grateful nation."

"On behalf of veterans and the many who serve them at VA, we would like to thank the president for his support, as well as members of Congress and our veterans service organization partners for helping make this bill a reality," Secretary Shinseki added.

Among the provisions of the legislation are:

  • Paying for on-the-job training, some flight training; apprenticeship training and correspondence courses;
  • Allowing reservists and Guardsmen to have their time supporting emergencies called by their state governors credited to the time needed to qualify for educational benefits;
  • Providing half of the national average for the program's housing allowance to students enrolled in distance learning;
  • Pro-rating the housing allowance to exclude payments when students are not in class;
  • Allowing students on active duty to receive the stipend for books and supplies;
  • Allowing people eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill, but participating in VA's Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment benefits to choose between the GI Bill's housing allowance or VRE's subsistence allowance;
  • Permitting reimbursement for more than one license and certification test;
  • Reimbursing fees to take national admission tests, such as SAT, ACT, GMAT and LSAT; and
  • Establishing a national cap of $17,500 annually for tuition and fees in a private or a foreign school, not including contributions by educational institutions under the "Yellow Ribbon" program.

Information about the new provisions is available on the Internet at www.gibill.va.gov.

In December, VA issued nearly $7.2 billion in tuition, housing and stipends for more than 425,000 veterans or eligible family members pursuing higher education under the Post-9/11 GI Bill.

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Pieces of NASCAR Vets Day car to be auctioned for charity

By US Army Accessions Command PAO

Sheet metal from the No. 39 U.S. Army Chevrolet Impala Ryan Newman drove in the Nov. 14 NASCAR race, featuring the faces of more than 500 military veterans, will be auctioned online to raise money for the Fisher House Foundation and Army Emergency Relief.

The eBay auction begins Jan. 21, and will be open until Jan. 30. Bidders can go to http://givingworks.ebay.com/ and search for "Ryan Newman US Army Veterans Day car" to place a bid or get more information on the auction items.

The sheet metal being auctioned off includes the hood, splitter, right and left fenders, right and left quarterpanels, right- and left-side door panels (which include the No. 39), decklid (trunk), and TV panel (rear bumper).

Each of the 11 pieces will be autographed by Newman and two-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Tony Stewart, the co-owner of Stewart-Haas Racing.

"The special No. 39 U.S. Army Veterans Day paint scheme was a tribute to the strength of our heroes, past and present, and their families," said Col. Derik Crotts, director of strategic communications, marketing and outreach, U.S. Army Accessions Command. "We are proud and greatly appreciative of Stewart-Haas Racing's and Ryan Newman's continued support of Army Strong Soldiers and their families."

The 500-plus faces on Newman's U.S. Army Veterans Day car represented multiple generations of men and women who have embraced the call of duty, dating back to World War I. The special paint scheme resonated during the Phoenix race weekend, as it not only captured the emotion, spirit and heart of the NASCAR garage, but was also admired by legions of NASCAR fans.

"The Veterans Day paint scheme was truly a special race car that carried an abundance of emotion," said Newman. "And to see pieces of that car being auctioned off to fans with the monies going to two incredible organizations - the Fisher House Foundation and Army Emergency Relief - makes me even more proud to drive the U.S. Army Chevrolet for Stewart-Haas Racing."

The Fisher House Foundation provides a "home away from home" for military families to be close to a loved one who is receiving medical care for an illness, disease or injury at major military and Veterans Affairs medical centers. The non-profit organization builds new houses, assists in the coordination of private support and encourages public support for the homes. The homes are normally located within walking distance of the treatment facility or have transportation available.

Army Emergency Relief is a non-profit organization that provides emergency financial assistance to Army Soldiers and their dependents. Assistance is given as an interest-free loan, a grant or a combination of both. Soldiers can be Active Duty, retired or members of the Reserve Components on Active Duty for at least 30 consecutive days. Also, Army Emergency Relief provides assistance to widows and orphans and has scholarship programs for children and spouses of active, retired and deceased Soldiers for undergraduate studies.

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Hot jobs

Check Out Our Spotlighted Employers!

Accenture

Leaders in the industry...creative problem solvers...innovative thinkers from diverse backgrounds...these are the types of people who work at Accenture. Together they collaborate to help our clients transform their companies into high-performing businesses. Our "high performance business" strategy builds on our expertise in consulting, technology and outsourcing to help clients perform at the highest levels so they can create sustainable value for their customers and shareholders. Using our industry knowledge, service-offering expertise and technology capabilities, we identify new business and technology trends and develop solutions to help clients around the world:

  • Enter new markets.
  • Increase revenues in existing markets.
  • Improve operational performance.
  • Deliver their products and services more effectively and efficiently.
  • Want to be a part of this? Click here to learn how you can become of a part of our future.

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    Department of Veterans Affairs

    If you have the energy, compassion and commitment to help serve America's veterans, the VA needs new employees with a wide variety of skills and professions. Whatever the job title, every position in VA will give you a chance to make a meaningful and personal contribution to the lives of some truly special and deserving people. Click Here to see what opportunities the VA has for you!

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    CACI International Inc

    As a leading communications network and systems provider for the Warfighter, CACI's C4ISR Solutions Group works with the U.S. Army to rapidly deploy state-of-the-art communications infrastructure for high-visibility missions in the U.S. and to remote tactical zones worldwide. We are proud to be a G.I. Jobs Top 100 Military Friendly Employer, as well as a Military Times EDGE Best for Vets employer. CACI provides veterans with a host of employment opportunities ranging from Analysis to Engineering to Software Development. Continue to help secure our nation as part of your civilian career! Apply today at TeamAberdeen.com

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    United Parcel Service (UPS)

    What Will Brown Do For You?

    UPS is constantly hiring for a wide variety of full-time positions ranging from business development, supply chain & logistics, information technologists, to industrial engineers. However, most UPS employees begin their career with UPS as Part-time Package Handlers or Drivers. One of the great things with us is that we actively promote from within, and have a firm commitment to continuing education and training. In fact, many of our senior managers today started off as hourly part-time Package Handlers. So no matter what position you join us in, it could be the gateway to a variety of career paths throughout UPS. Click Here to see what Brown will do for you

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    The National Security Agency (NSA)

    Defending Our Nation, Securing The Future

    NSA employees are some of the most intelligent people in the intelligence business. They apply their skills and education to gather and analyze foreign intelligence, protect our nation's information systems, advance research, and solve a number of other challenges not found in the private sector. The work they do is not only important for policymakers and military leaders, it is critical to helping to keep the world safe. Click Here for more career information.

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    General Dynamics

    Information Technology

    General Dynamics Information Technology is a top-tier IT integrator that provides information technology, systems engineering and professional services to customers in the defense, intelligence, homeland security, federal civil and commercial sectors. With 16,000 professionals worldwide, the company has the customer knowledge, domain expertise and proven performance to manage large-scale, mission-critical IT programs. Click Here for more career information.

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    L-3 Communications, STRATIS

    STRATIS has a two-decade track record of providing cutting-edge solutions and is a leader in all source intelligence support, information management, operations and security. STRATIS provides national and defense intelligence agencies and the Department of Defense's agencies, commands, and uniformed services with analysis, information solutions and systems support. Among the services STRATIS delivers are deployed Advanced Information Systems, HUMINT services, analytical services, special logistical services, mission-critical processes and systems engineering and training. The organization also provides and supports advanced concepts, research and development and state-of-the-art intelligence systems production. Using real-world experience and emerging technologies, STRATIS builds today's solutions for tomorrow's needs. Field combat units and national planners at all levels have access to the same operational, actionable picture through our proven, technologically advanced designs.

    For more information, click here.

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    URS Corporation

    Do the Best Work of Your Life! URS is the top Engineering and one of the top Defense firms in the United States!

    URS Corporation is one of the nation's leading U.S. federal government contractors providing operations and maintenance, systems engineering and technical assistance, and program management, primarily to the Departments of Defense and Homeland Security.

    We are currently looking for Engineers, Logistics Analyst, Technicians, Aircraft Mechanics, Program Managers, Acquisition Analyst and more! We have opportunities in the US as well as overseas!

    If you want to join a team of dedicated professionals who are among the best in their field, in a diverse work environment that fosters integrity and trust, then take some time to explore URS Corporation career possibilities. To learn more about URS Corporation, please visit our Web site at www.urscorp.com

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    Legacy Health

    At Legacy Health, our legacy is all about doing what's right for our employees, our patients, our communities and our world. That means helping people get healthy, and stay that way. Encouraging medical professionals to set a higher standard. Tending to the little things that help patients heal. And supporting our staff in doing whatever it takes to meet the needs of those we serve. Click Here, if you'd like to see how to build your legacy with us.

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    Raytheon

    Software Engineering / Systems Engineering

    Challenge yourself, develop your skills AND relax your life. Raytheon is recognized as a company that provides you with an ideal work/life balance. What better place to manage your career and your personal interest than State College, Pa. Ranked as one of the least stressful cities in America, with four seasons of outdoor activities, State College is the perfect place to pursue your goals.

    Software Engineers

    We seek experienced software engineers looking for a challenging career using today's leading edge technologies. Perform full life cycle software development of data exploitation/dissemination and real-time signal collection/processing systems. Senior engineers support proposal activities, define architectures and lead software development tasks. Junior-level engineers support design, code and test of software requirements.

    Systems Engineers

    Define architectures and requirements for leading edge systems, provide technical leadership in new business development and proposals and integrate sophisticated technologies and products. Use your knowledge of systems engineering processes and methodologies, including object oriented as well as conventional systems design .techniques to solve complex technical .problems. Provide leadership in a wide range of technologies.

    Learn more by clicking here!

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    Fresenius Medical Care

    Discover the difference between a job a real job satisfaction

    For the Dialysis Nurse, Fresenius Medical Care presents a word of options and avenues to pursue. Explore a great organization with over 1,800 clinics across the country. No matter where you live, no matter where you are in your career, at Fresenius you have a career that offers opportunity, flexibility and growth.

    To learn more about Fresenius Medical Care and current RN opportunities, please visit www.fmcnacareers.com

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    LabCorp

    Imagine a career where the professional rewards are measured by the lives you touch.

    Laboratory Corporation of America® Holdings (LabCorp), an S & P 500 company, is a pioneer in commercializing new diagnostic technologies and the first in its industry to embrace genomic testing. With more than 26,000 employees nationwide, and more than 220,000 clients, LabCorp offers clinical assays, ranging from routine blood analyses to HIV and genomic testing.

    At LabCorp, we understand what's important - it's the people whose lives we help improve that matter most. We connect our company and our people in ways that few companies can. Each day, our team members have an opportunity to build rewarding careers and experience the satisfaction of knowing the work they do helps save lives.

    We invite you to connect to LabCorp. From medicine to management and sales to service, when you connect to LabCorp, you connect to something amazing.

    Click Here to connect to LabCorp. Here you can register to receive updates on the latest happenings and explore future opportunities available at LabCorp.

    Connect to Something Amazing

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    WellPoint

    WellPoint as an organization is highly focused on living our mission and honoring our commitments. From innovative products that help reduce the ranks of the uninsured and underinsured, to the comprehensive benefits we offer our associates, everything we do is aimed at creating positive outcomes for the people and communities we serve.

    As the nations largest publicly traded commercial health benefits company, we're honored to have the opportunity to impact so many lives. More than 35 million members rely on us every day to be leaders, advocates and innovators in the call to improve health, quality of care and value to our members.

    And every day, nearly 42,000 WellPoint associates answer that call, with a dedication to service and integrity that has made WellPoint synonymous with success.

    We believe in the power of diversity, the role it plays in creating a culture of distinction and the impact it has on improving our member and provider service satisfaction, our associate and consumer engagement and, ultimately, a brighter future.

    We invite you to explore our site, www.wellpointdiversity.com, to learn more and to experience for yourself the power of our shared vision in action.

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    SRA International, Inc.

    SRA is dedicated to solving complex problems of global significance for clients in national security, civil government and global health. With three decades serving these clients, SRA delivers the expert knowledge, technical tools and trusted solutions for missions that matter – to us, our clients and the world.

    We design, develop, integrate and implement large and complex systems for defense and military service organizations. We support federal civil agencies with comprehensive professional and IT consulting services and enterprise-wide infrastructure support. And, we provide health consulting services for global clients, both public and private

    To see our current opportunities, Click Here

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    Kaiser Permanente

    At Kaiser Permanente, we work together as family to do what's right for our patients. If you'd like to contribute your skills to an environment built on teamwork and support, come to Kaiser Permanente. Visit jobs.kp.org for more information

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    Prudential Financial, Inc.

    Prudential Financial, Inc. is a multinational financial services leader with operations in the United States, Asia, Europe, and Latin America. Leveraging its heritage of life insurance and asset management expertise, Prudential is focused on helping individual and institutional customers grow and protect their wealth. The company's well-known Rock symbol is an icon of strength, stability, expertise and innovation that has stood the test of time. Prudential's businesses offer a variety of products and services, including life insurance, annuities, retirement-related services, mutual funds, asset management, and real estate services. For more information, please visit www.prudential.com.

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    TAOnline.com Education Hint of the Month

    Looking to improve your job prospects with more education? Post-9/11 GI Bill

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