Career Guidance & Job Opportunities: 2008-08-03

Cognizant

Founded in 1994 as a division of Dun & Bradstreet Corporation, Cognizant Technology Solutions began doing large-scale full life-cycle software projects. CTS works in fields related e-business and application management. CTS is also engaged in offshore development and provide services in other fields like wireless, data warehousing and euro-compliance. They also service varied industries like healthcare, finance, information services, retail and restaurant and telecom.

Headquartered in New Jersey, with more than 13,000 employees worldwide, Cognizant is a global leader in IT services and pioneered the pace setting 4th generation IT Services model. Cognizant has senior executives – such as client partners, practice heads and program managers – based close to our clients in the US and Europe who are tightly integrated with our robust SEI CMMI Level V offshore capability,rated as one of the top 4, by a leading analyst firm.

CTS has sales offices located in Chicago, Dallas, Minneapolis, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Toronto, London and Frankfurt. CTS has nine development facilities in India spread across Chennai, Calcutta, Pune, Hydrabad and Bangalore.

Cognizant is being looked upon as the largest recruiter in India and you seem to be recruiting over 100 professionals every week. Is it because you are expanding aggressively that you are recruiting so many young engineers?

Cognizant is on a hiring spree this year, recruiting as many as 100 young engineering graduates every week -- a record of sorts.

For More info Visit Website : http://www.cognizant.com

____________________________________________________________________

Accenture

Accenture is a global management consulting, technology services and outsourcing company. Committed to delivering innovation, Accenture collaborates with its clients to help them become high-performance businesses and governments.

Accenture was among the first global consulting firms to set up shop in India, establishing an office in Mumbai in 1987. Since then we have expanded our presence to Delhi and Chennai and have also set up Delivery Centres in Mumbai and Bangalore.

In India, Accenture provides its clients with the full range of services available from our global organization. It is the leading consulting organization in the country and continues to play a pivotal role in helping Indian organizations innovate to become globally competitive and achieve high performance.

Accenture has been operating in India for almost a decade and a half and has helped many leading Indian organizations rewrite the rules of the industry. With over 2.5 million man-hours of consulting work across the entire spectrum of Indian business, Accenture have developed a deep understanding of the Indian business context.

For More info Visit Website : www.accenture.com
Also Visit Accenture India website : http://www.accenture.com/india

Top Companies In India

Infosys	Accenture	WIPRO	TCS
L&T infotech	Cognizant(CTS)	HP	Satyam
HCL	iflex	Patni	iGate
Mphasis	Oracle	3i Infotech	Caritor
IBM	Honeywell	Kanbay	Hexaware
UST Global	Sutherland	Tata Elxsi	Siemens
Google	Aztec	Huawai	Tech Mahindra
Flextronics	Capgemini	Syntel	Covansys
Microsoft	SAP	Mastek	Subex Azure
HAL	Birlasoft	IBS	Zensar

Resumes That Get Interviews

Robert Half Finance and Accounting,

In a job search, your resume plays an important role. It highlights your strengths and qualifications for prospective employers and can entice them to call you for an interview.

But when you apply for an opening, your resume could be just one of dozens, or even hundreds. Lacking the time to examine every document in depth, the hiring manager or human resources recruiter may give each resume only a quick once-over. How can you ensure your resume stands out? Using green or pink paper and multicolored ink is one option, but not the best one, since you're likely to come across as unprofessional.

Instead, follow these guidelines.

Keep it short. Unless you have decades of experience or are applying for a high-level position, keep your resume to one or two pages. To save space -- and impress the hiring manager -- prune anything not germane to the specific job you seek. Leave off personal, biographic details such as you hobbies and the names of your family members.

Use a clean, uncluttered format. Your resume should be easy to follow, with clearly marked sections. Use headings for main ideas and bullet points for specifics. Don't try to cram in more information by using small type or narrow margins, and incorporate plenty of white space so the page doesn't look like a sea of type. Use just one font -- mixing typefaces is tricky and best left to design professionals. In addition, use boldface and italics sparingly, and bear in mind that underlined text and copy set in all capitals is hard to read.

Many employers want applicants to copy and paste a resume into the body of an e-mail rather than including it as an attached file. In these instances, strip out formatting such as bullets, boldface and italic type to ensure the resume can be read on any computer system.

Lead with an objective. At the top of your resume, include a short statement outlining your career goals and the type of position you are looking for, along with two or three credentials that qualify you for the role. Concentrate on the value you can bring to the company and what it will gain from hiring you, not the expectations you have of the position. In other words, mention that you are a "detail-oriented accounting professional and team player" rather than "seeking position in a relaxed, congenial environment."

Customize the resume for each job opening. Submitting a one-size-fits-all resume for every posting is not a smart move. Instead, alter the content to highlight your skills and accomplishments that fit the opening you are targeting. You can create one generic resume and then adapt it to each opportunity you're applying for. The extra time you take to do this will pay off by generating more interest from employers.

Use keywords. Your resume may be scanned into a database and searched for keywords relevant to the job you seek. More and more companies are using this technology to quickly evaluate applicants. Examples of keywords include specific tasks or responsibilities, job titles, computer programs, or certifications.

Integrate keywords into the text of your work history or objective statement, but make sure what you write is accurate and not over the top. If you pepper the resume with too many keywords, the resume will look contrived, which could be just as off-putting as not including enough.

When choosing keywords, be aware of spam filters. Watch out for words that could be taken as suggestive or sound like a sweepstakes or marketing promotion. These could trigger a spam filter that consigns your resume to the junk e-mail folder. Instead of saying you "won awards" or "prizes," say you were "formally recognized" for your accomplishments.

Show successes. Demonstrate how you have contributed to former employers and how your next employer will benefit from hiring you. Use action words, verbs such as "increased" and "implemented," for example.

Quantify your accomplishments. Give your professional achievements weight by stating exactly how you affected a former company's bottom line. Include the cost savings, budget size, percent improvement in productivity, number of projects completed per year and similar figures. By quantifying your accomplishments, you demonstrate a business perspective and give hiring managers concrete evidence of your abilities.

Although employers want to see a solid record of success, it is always a mistake to inflate your accomplishments or invent degrees, certifications and software expertise you don't possess. The truth can quickly emerge through even the most basic reference or background check, and the consequences can be serious.

Proofread, proofread, proofread. Make sure your resume contains no misspelled words or errors in grammar and punctuation. Typos show a lack of attention to detail. Nearly half the executives polled in a survey by Robert Half said just one typo would disqualify a candidate from consideration. The lesson: Proofread, and ask an eagle-eyed friend to go over your resume. In addition, use your computer's spell-check feature, but remember it won't catch all errors, such as substituting "manger" for "manager," for example.

Accompany your resume with a two- or three-paragraph cover letter that goes into greater detail about specific accomplishments outlined in your resume. Then, don't just send your application off and hope for the best. If you don't hear from the company in a couple of weeks, follow up with an e-mail or phone call. Follow-up contact will reinforce your interest in the position and demonstrate initiative, as well as potentially prompt the hiring manager to give your resume a second look.

10 Common Cover Letter Mistakes

Robert Half,

When you decide to launch a job search, chances are one of the first things you'll do is write or update your resume. But what about your cover letter? Before a hiring manager even glances at your resume, he or she will assess your cover letter and form an impression of you and your qualifications. A well-written cover letter can earn you a call for an interview, so it's important to take this document seriously.

For many job seekers, however, cover letters are an afterthought and are quickly written at the last minute; others don't even bother to include them, assuming their resumes will speak for themselves. Following are some cover letter mistakes to avoid:

Failing to personalize. Avoid saying, "Dear Sir or Madam" and take the initiative to find out the appropriate contact name. Often a quick phone call to the company can help you fill in the blank. You'll show that you're resourceful and truly interested in the job.

Starting off weak. Your opening paragraph should capture the reader's attention. So, rather than simply saying, "I am applying for the copywriter position posted on AnytownPaper.com," follow up with, "Your need for an experienced professional is a good match for my five years of experience in advertising and extensive copywriting background. "If you've been referred to the hiring manager, be sure to point out the mutual contact in your lead. This may encourage the person to read further.

Making it too short/long. E-mailed cover letters should be included within the body of the e-mail and be limited to two paragraphs, while those faxed or mailed should be three to five paragraphs.

Being generic. Don't send the same cover letter to all companies. Take the time to do some basic research of prospective employers so you can customize them. In a survey by Robert Half, only 44 percent of executives polled said it's common for applicants to use their cover letters to show they've learned more about the job; so if you make the effort, you'll already be ahead of half your competition.

Rehashing the resume. Instead, focus on aspects of your background that relate directly to the job opportunity and note any relevant accomplishments, training, classes or certifications. The cover letter also allows you to explain anything that might be unclear or questionable on your resume, such as a gap in employment or change in career paths.

Underselling your talents. Give hiring managers a compelling reason to call you in for an interview. Instead of saying you have strong communication skills, provide examples: "I recently led a training session in the sales department on a new database application and received significant praise for my ability to relay complex information to a non-tech-oriented audience."

Trying to be witty or humorous. This can backfire, so it's best to stick with a business letter format, even with e-mailed cover letters. A professional yet conversational tone and salutations such as "Mr." and "Ms." will help you be taken seriously.

Focusing too much on yourself. While you want to sell your qualifications, don't forget to explain how you would add value to the company. If your cover letter is dominated with "I," chances are you need to focus more of your content on the prospective employer.

Omitting contact information. It's easy for cover letters and resumes to become separated, so make sure hiring managers can reach you should they only have your cover letter. Close your letter by mentioning that you'll call the individual soon to follow up and include a current phone number and e-mail address where you can be reached should the person want to contact you first.

Failing to proofread. As qualified as you may be for the opening, you're likely to fall out of contention if your cover letter is full of typos, misspellings and grammatical errors. Ask friends and family to review your document to make sure there are no mistakes. The following examples from real cover letters prove just how important this can be: "I'm attacking my resume for you to review." "I prefer a fast-paste environment." "I never take anything for granite."

The cover letter is your chance to give employers a sense of who you are and what you can do for their organizations, encouraging readers to look at your resume. Remember that appearances count, so make sure your cover letter is in a simple font, uses appropriate paragraph breaks and is easy to read. The right impression will allow you to move on in the hiring process.

###

What Are Hiring Managers Thinking?

If you're like most job seekers, the hiring process can sometimes make you scratch your head in confusion. For example, how many times have you come across the "perfect" position, quickly submitted your résumé and eagerly anticipated the hiring manager's call ... only to hear nothing from the company?

Unfortunately, the frustrating reality is that the majority of résumés you submit will elicit little or no response from potential employers. Much of the time, the situation is out of your control: The position may have already been filled by the time you inquired about it or simply wasn't as good a fit as you thought. However, that doesn't mean that there's nothing you can do to improve your odds of being called for an interview. Following is an inside peek into the questions hiring managers ask themselves when evaluating résumés. By understanding potential employer's thought processes, you can craft stronger application materials.

Can the applicant fill my need?

Admittedly, it's an obvious question. After all, a firm looking to hire a computer programmer isn't going to call you for an interview if you have a background in human resources. But even if you possess the necessary experience, if your résumé isn't targeted to the specific company and opening, your qualifications could seem equally unrelated.

Tailoring your résumé to the position involves positioning your skills and experience in a way that shows the hiring manager that they align perfectly with the opening. So, rather than submit the same generic résumé for every job you pursue, look at each opening and create a customized résumé. Sure, it takes a little more time, but it's worth it.

If you are applying for a programmer position, for example, the company will want to see previous employment in the information technology industry; knowledge of Java, XML or other computer languages; and evidence that the applications you've helped develop have benefited former employers. In this case, you would downplay your three years as a busboy in college as well as your brief stint as a telemarketer. Throwing everything against the wall and seeing if something sticks isn't the right approach; a hiring manager is more likely to discard your résumé than wade through it in hopes of finding relevant information.

Use numbers perhaps by pointing out that your program enabled the sales team to collect more than 5,000 leads per month which are likely to stand out in a sea of words and grab a hiring manager's attention. Research the company and re-read the job description several times to make sure you are stressing all of your most relevant qualifications.

Will the applicant remain with my firm for the long term?

The hiring process is lengthy, complicated and expensive. Because of high turnover costs, hiring managers seek employees who are not likely to leave the company soon after accepting an offer. They'll look to your résumé for proof of a stable work history.

If you have job-hopped in the past, consider submitting a functional, rather than a chronological, résumé. A functional résumé is organized around your skills, experiences and accomplishments, not the specific roles you have held at various points in your career. You also can use this format to downplay employment gaps; but be prepared to explain them during an interview.

In addition, hiring managers look for assurance that you are dedicated to your profession. If you belong to a professional association, possess certifications or take professional education courses, list this information on your résumé. But make sure everything is relevant and current. You may have a certified financial planner designation, but it means little if you have not renewed your certification in four years.

Is the potential employee professional?

Imagine trying to convince someone to buy a product by providing them with a description of it but not allowing them to see or test it. Sounds hard, doesn't it? In essence, that's your challenge when submitting a résumé. A hiring manager will use just a few sheets of paper to determine if you are professional and can communicate well. So, make sure your résumé is free of typos and grammatical mistakes and that it is easy to understand. Because hiring managers may receive hundreds of applications, they'll eliminate you from contention for the slightest infraction. And if they have a question about your work history, they don't have the time to call you for clarification.

Have a friend, relative or member of your professional network read through your résumé with a sharp eye to spot any errors you might have missed. Afterward, ask the person to summarize its contents. Can he or she accurately recall your past positions and responsibilities? Can the individual name your career highlights? Is the person able to tell the type of job you seek? If not, you're probably not getting your message across as clearly as you can, which means a hiring manager may not be as impressed with your application as you'd hope.

The hiring process can be opaque, but one thing is clear: A well-written résumé gives you the best chance of being called for an interview and, ultimately, landing the position you desire. Before you submit your next application, think like a hiring manager to ensure your résumé doesn't get lost in the crowd.

Seeking Employment Online - Is Fear a Factor?

Kate Lorenz,

6 Tips to Protect Your Privacy,

Does the thought of posting your resume online and exposing yourself to hundreds of thousands of Internet users give you white knuckles? If so, your fears are founded. According to the FBI, identity theft is the number one fraud perpetrated on the Internet. So how do job seekers protect themselves while continuing to circulate their resumes online? The key to a successful online job search is learning to manage the risks. Here are some tips for staying safe while conducting a job search on the Internet.

1. Check for a privacy policy.
If you are considering posting your resume online, make sure the job search site you are considering has a privacy policy, like CB.com. The policy should spell out how your information will be used, stored and whether or not it will be shared. You may want to think twice about posting your resume on a site that automatically shares your information with others. You could be opening yourself up for unwanted calls from solicitors.

When reviewing the site's privacy policy, you'll be able to delete your resume just as easily as you posted it. You won't necessarily want your resume to remain out there on the Internet once you land a job. Remember, the longer your resume remains posted on a job board, the more exposure, both positive and not-so-positive, it will receive.

2. Take advantage of site features.
Legitimate job search sites offer levels of privacy protection. Before posting your resume, carefully consider your job search objectives and the level of risk you are willing to assume.

CB.com, for example, offers three levels of privacy from which job seekers can choose. The first is standard posting. This option gives job seekers who post their resumes the most visibility to the broadest employer audience possible.

The second is anonymous posting. This allows job seekers the same visibility as those in the standard posting category without any of their contact information being displayed. Job seekers who wish to remain anonymous but want to share some other information may choose which pieces of contact information to display.

The third is private posting. This option allows job seekers to post their resumes without having it searched by employers. Private posting allows job seekers to quickly and easily apply for jobs that appear on CareerBuilder.com without retyping their information.

3. Safeguard your identity.
Career experts say that one of the ways job seekers can stay safe while using the Internet to search out jobs is to conceal their identities. Replace your name on your resume with a generic identifier such as:

Confidential Candidate
Intranet Developer Candidate
Confidential Resume: Experienced Marketing Representative

You should also consider eliminating the name and location of your current employer. Depending on your title, it may not be all that difficult to determine who you are once the name of your company is provided. Use a general description of the company such as:

Major auto manufacturer
International packaged goods supplier
Confidential employer

If your job title is unique, consider using the generic equivalent instead of the exact title assigned by your employer.

4. Establish an email address for your search.
Another way to protect your privacy while seeking employment online is to open up a mail account specifically for your online job search. This will safeguard your existing email box in the event someone you don't know gets a hold of your email address and shares it with others. Using a dedicated email address specifically for your job search also eliminates the possibility that you will receive unwelcome email solicitations in your primary mailbox. When naming your new email address, be sure it is nondescript and that it doesn't contain references to your name or other information that will give away your identity.

5. Protect your references.
If your resume contains a section with the names and contact information for your references, take it out. There's no sense in safeguarding your information while sharing private contact information for your references.

6. Keep confidential information confidential.
Do not, under any circumstances, share your social security, driver's license, and bank account numbers or other personal information, such as marital status or eye color. Credible employers do not need this information with an initial application. Don't provide this even if they say they need it in order to conduct a background check. This is one of the oldest tricks in the book - don't fall for it. Most legitimate employers don't do background checks until they have met with you, conducted an extensive interview process, and decided you're the ideal candidate. Even then, you need only provide limited information.

Your Dream Job Search Begins Now

Richard Castellini, Senior Career Adviser

Did you have high hopes of being an astronaut or even the president when you were growing up? Now you’re stuck behind a pile of papers wondering exactly when you lost the desire to dream big.

If you didn’t start out 2008 in your dream job, you’re not alone. A new survey of more than 6,700 workers by CB.com and Disney Parks reveals that only 15 percent of workers say they are in their dream jobs.

So what does the perfect job entail? It means something different for everyone.

Most of us are looking for more than just a paycheck. Ninety percent of workers said, if they could get a job that would allow them to make a difference in the world, they would do it. More than a third (35 percent) said they would even take a pay cut if they could help others or give back to the community.

Why wait to find your dream job?

Is your job negatively affecting your personal life, are you having a hard time getting out of bed in the morning? Maybe you’re staying put because of the benefits or because you are worried you aren’t qualified for the job you really want. There are all sorts of reasons (or excuses) for not seeking out a dream job, but you may be in a better position to find that “dream job” now than you realize.

Increasingly, job seekers are finding themselves in the driver’s seat as employers face a shortage of qualified talent. Baby boomers are ready to retire and there aren’t enough experienced job seekers to take their place. In fact, CB.com’s annual job forecast found that 40 percent of employers say they have positions for which they can’t find qualified candidates.

This could be good news for you in 2008. Not only are employers making their jobs more attractive with unique perks and better salaries, but they are also casting a wider net when it comes to finding talent. This means you could be considered for positions that you weren’t perceived as qualified for in the past.

Finding your dream job in 2008

• Identify a role model: Is there someone out there who has your dream job? Consider what makes this person successful. What path did this person take to achieve his/her success? Ask him or her what responsibilities, experience, education and training are needed to obtain their position.

• Get some help: Reach out to HR professionals and ask what qualities they look for in a candidate who doesn’t have direct experience. Talk to a career advisor or take an online career assessment test learn how your interests, skills and personality can translate into a new job or career.

• Don’t underestimate your skills and experience: The qualified talent shortage has helped employers become more open-minded about relevant experience. Do your homework and understand what skills are necessary to be successful in the job you dream about. Then position your experience accordingly.

• Plot your path: Do you want to change jobs or careers, but are worried about starting over? Understand that the route you take doesn’t have to be direct. Consider the steps that could help you get the job you always dreamed about. Could you volunteer or take a similar job in a different industry to gain some of the skills and experience you need?

25 Companies That Are Good for the World and Your Wallet

Kate Lorenz

Have you ever heard of "corporate social responsibility"? Many employers are applying it to their business operations and workers are looking for jobs that give them opportunities to practice it. So what is it?

The World Business Council for Sustainable Development defines corporate social responsibility as "the commitment of business to contribute to sustainable development, working with employees, their families, the local community and society at large to improve their quality of life." And more and more Americans are seeking it.

The majority of U.S. workers believe their employers do have a responsibility to the community -- both local and global. Nearly three quarters (seventy-two percent) of U.S. employees report that they believe their company should help people living in extreme poverty outside of the United States. This survey, conducted by Harris Interactive on behalf of Millennium Promise , placed Africa highest on the list of places most in need of assistance -- in front of North America by a 30 percent margin

Organizations like Millennium Promise are creating avenues for U.S. companies to satisfy the global-minded interests of their employees through participation in the Millennium Villages project, a joint initiative with the Earth Institute at Columbia University and the U.N. Development Programme. Operating in 79 villages across 10 countries in sub-Saharan Africa, Millennium Villages showcase community-led interventions and investments in health, food production, education, access to clean water, and essential infrastructure, that will enable impoverished villages to escape extreme poverty once and for all

"More than 1 billion people worldwide struggle to survive on less than $1 per day," said Dr. Jeffrey D. Sachs, author of "The End of Poverty" and President and Co-Founder of Millennium Promise, a non profit combating extreme poverty in Africa. "The survey is indicative of a growing global awareness. While 87 percent of workers believe it's important for companies to give back to their local communities, the vast majority also believe it is important to extend that sense of caring and generosity to the global community and help to better the lives of men, women and children around the world."

Companies are finding creative and innovative ways for their employees to get involved with charitable efforts. Nearly half of workers (48 percent) report their companies contribute to charities or offer a corporate matching program. Other forms of participation can included, paid volunteer days, organized events and employer-matched contributions.

"We've found that being part of a global philanthropic effort really helps employees feel connected to the world and proud of where they work," said Ronnen Harary, Chairman and CEO of Spin Master Ltd., an internationally recognized children's entertainment company that develops and distributes innovative products around the world. "It's not just about a donation. Our employees have had a lot of fun raising money for Millennium Promise and learning about international issues through an employee-focused education campaign."

With seventy-two percent of workers saying they contribute to charities outside of their companies, and 35 percent saying they are more inclined to work for a company that makes philanthropic contributions, now more than ever it is important to find a employer that understands your interests. If you want to work for a company that will be good for not only your wallet, but also the world, do your homework. When you are researching potential employers, see if their "About us" section contains information on social responsibility or community involvement. We started for you. Here's a list of 25 companies that are dedicated to the betterment of local and global communities and some of the many philanthropic programs and initiatives they support:

Allstate

Charitable works include: Allstate Foundation, Helping Hands Committees, support for safe and vital communities, tolerance and inclusion, financial and economic literacy, domestic violence and safe teen driving

Aramark

Charitable works include: Promoting health and nutrition, environmental stewardship, community involvement and employee advocacy

CH2M Hill

Charitable works include: Community Partners, Engineers Week, World Water Monitoring Day, Engineers Without Borders-USA and Water For People

Cintas Corporation

Charitable works include: Matthew 25: Ministries, which provides humanitarian aid to residents in the United States and in 25 developing countries around the world, and almost 400 organizations in North America

EDS

Charitable works include: EDS Foundation for philanthropic efforts, Global Volunteer Day, education initiatives, and employee support groups

Fifth Third Bank

Charitable works include: Fifth Third Foundation, community support projects, the Fifth Third Bank Community Development Corporation and grants of charitable trusts

General Electric Company

Charitable works include: GE Africa Project and GE Millennium District Hospitals

Hewlett-Packard

Charitable works include: Company-match employee giving programs, and advocates for education, e-inclusion and communities worldwide

J.C. Penney Corporation, Inc.

Charitable works include: JC Penney Afterschool Fund, National DECA and Junior Achievement, Initiatives for education and disaster relief efforts

JPMorgan Chase

Charitable works include: Promoting economic stability, improving access to quality education and inspiring communities through the celebration of arts and culture

Kraft

Charitable works include: Kraft Cares, fighting hunger, advancing healthy lifestyles and promoting sustainability, disaster relief and civic engagement

Liberty Mutual

Charitable works include: Liberty Mutual Foundation, Community Care Days, and sponsorships of The Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year award, Habitat for Humanity, and Liberty Mutual's "Where's the Fire?" Walt Disney World's Epcot

Manpower Inc

Charitable works include: Employment aid for disadvantaged around the world; awareness of, and opposition to, labor practices that exploit individuals

McDonald's Corporation

Charitable works include: Needs of children, Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC), children's health and education, youth sports and amateur athletics

Newell Rubbermaid

Charitable works include: Investing in Community, which provides financial and volunteer support focusing on the motto, "Growing Up, Getting Ahead, and Giving Back"

RadioShack

Charitable works include: An environmental sustainability partnership with Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation and support for National Center for Missing & Exploited Children

Robert Half International, Inc.

Charitable works include: Leading by Example, which focuses on education and workforce development, global nonprofits, employee programs and support of scholarships

Sears, Roebuck and Co.

Charitable works include: Employee volunteerism, merchandise donations and charitable partnerships

Sodexho

Charitable works include: Sodexho Foundation; scholarships and grants for organizations like the United Negro College Fund, Hispanic College Fund, and the Asian & Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund

Sprint

Charitable works include: A robust employee-volunteer program including "Dollars for Doers" and matching gifts

UBS Financial Services Inc.

Charitable works include: Matched-giving schemes, direct cash donations to selected organizations, employee volunteering, in-kind donations, disaster relief efforts and/or partnerships with community groups

UnitedHealth Group

Charitable works include: The United Health Foundation, which provides funding for preventive, clinical and community-based care services within medically underserved communities

Verizon Wireless

Charitable works include: The HopeLine(r), a phone recycling program turns unused wireless phones into support for victims of domestic violence

Wyeth

Charitable works include: Support through financial contributions, product donations, patient assistance, volunteerism and partnerships to build a better, healthier way of life

Yum! Brands, Inc.

Charitable works include: Yum! Brands Foundation, YUMeals Program, Pizza Hut BOOK IT! Program, KFC Colonel's Scholars and Taco Bell Teen Programs

If you want to learn more about these companies' and others' commitments to corporate social responsibility, you can search their Web sites or search the term "corporate social responsibility" on any search engine.

Are You Unemployable?

Anthony Balderrama

For some people, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" is a guiding principle. During a job search, however, it's hard to tell just what ain't broke and what needs fixing. Looking for work is a time-consuming process that can move or at least feel like it's moving at a snail's pace.

So how can you tell the difference between a regular, patience-trying job search and an unsuccessful one?

The first sign: No one's calling you for interviews. Not every resume you send will result in an interview, but some of them should. Another clue is if you are getting called for interviews but you never get called back for a second round or receive an offer.

If you find your job hunt isn't giving you anything but a stress headache, ask yourself the following questions:

Is my resume targeted?

Just because you're applying for multiple jobs, don't assume the same resume works for every position. Each job posting will stress different qualities over others, so rework each resume to highlight the experience and skills that correspond to that particular employer. Your resume will prove not only that you're qualified for the job but that you also have an attention to detail.

Am I networking?

Think about this: There is only one of you and there are thousands of job openings. The more people know you're looking for a job, the better your chances of finding one are. You can never be sure who will know of an available position.

Networking can also give you a connection to a hiring manager or somebody at a company that puts you ahead of other applicants, says Matthew Grant of Aquent, a marketing staffing firm. With so many job seekers competing for the same position, you have an edge if you are referred by a friend or colleague of the hiring manager.

Do I know something about the companies I'm applying to?

"Tell me what you know about the company" or "Why would you fit in well here?" have become staple interview questions, so don't be caught off guard. Shrugging your shoulders and saying, "I don't know" isn't going to score you points. Look at the company's Web site and read press releases and newspaper articles to see what's going on with your prospective future boss. In addition to preparing for the interview, you'll also learn whether or not the company and its culture are a right fit for you.

Am I targeting my job search?

Sending out several applications is key to finding a job, but you also need to be selective about the jobs to which you're applying.

"We see job seekers apply for every job posted a real red flag that they do not know what it is they are good at," says Eliot Burdett of Peak Sales Recruiting. While you don't need to possess every single skill listed on a posting, you should at least be qualified for the position and prove that you have transferable skills. Your targeted resume will help prove you're a serious candidate if you have some qualifications for the position.

If you're spending time applying for jobs you're not qualified for, you're wasting valuable time you could be devoting to a position that's a better fit. If you recognize where your strengths lie and what transferable skills you possess, you'll see better results than if you apply to any posting you come across.

Has someone else looked over my resume and interview technique?

Feedback is critical to job hunting. Ask someone else to read your resume and provide feedback, suggests Kevin Donlin of TheSimpleJobSearch.com. "Ask them three questions: Does this resume clearly tell you what I can do? Does it prove I can do it? Does it make you want to call to find out more?" Friends or colleagues can provide objective points of view that help you revise your resume.

Your interview skills need the same attention. Are your answers succinct or too short? Thorough or rambling? What you think you're saying isn't necessarily what others hear, so find this out now rather than in the interview. If you don't think that a colleague or friend can offer constructive feedback, make an appointment with an interview coach.

How am I presenting myself?

Employers are assessing your presentation before you even show up for an interview. The e-mail address you put on your resume and other correspondences should be professional, not descriptive. So avoid addresses like BingeDrinker@beerguzzlers.net. Opt for something as simple as your name.

Your e-mails and phone conversations with hiring managers or recruiters should also send a professional message. Don't send e-mails written in all capital letters and/or using three exclamation points it's bad netiquette in personal correspondence, but it's even worse in business.

Put the same thought into your outgoing voice mail message. Don't try to be funny by playing thirty seconds of your favorite song or talking with a mouthful of food. Hiring managers might hang up instead of asking you to call them back. Give a normal, casual greeting, or use one of the pre-programmed options that come with most accounts.

If a recruiter calls you, don't try to hold a conversation with your TV blaring in the background or your child screaming on your lap. If you're asked whether it's a good time to talk, you can be honest and say you're in the middle of something. Then ask if he or she can call you back in 15 minutes or find another day that's convenient for both of you. You'll be prepared to answer all the recruiter's questions and won't be distracted.

5 Job Search Tips to Survive the Recession

Joe Turner, Career Coach

Today's economic news may be gloom and doom but it needn't derail your job hunt. You can still win a great job, even in a lousy economy. You will have to get smarter in your job search strategy, though.

Here are five tips to incorporate into your job search approach during an economic downturn:

1. Research your options

Does your industry or line of work offer little promise of employment in the coming months? If so, now is a good time to step back to identify the projected top performing industries and jobs. The best place to find this info is on the Web through Google or Yahoo. Start with "best industries work recession" or "recession jobs 2008" to uncover articles describing some of the more "recession-proof" sectors to target.

2. Change your focus

Start asking yourself the question, "What's in it for them?" as opposed to, "What's in it for me?" Especially in an economic downturn, you'll want to stay focused on what you can accomplish for your next employer. Show them that you understand the macroeconomic "bigger picture" of the role you play in moving the company forward.

3. Sell results, not skills

Leave behind that old mindset that your job-related skills or length of service are selling factors. The new mindset is to think of yourself as a mini profit-and-loss center rather than just an employee. Employers today buy results and are less impressed with candidates promoting a long laundry list of skills. You'll want to define the many ways your past and present job performance is an asset to your next employer.

4. Start talking money

The downturn has made the private sector economy even more bottom-line-oriented than ever. Hiring managers categorize employees into one of two distinct groups:

a.) those who help make money

b.) those who help save money.

Which one are you?

For example, Barry, who preferred to withhold his last name for the purpose of this story, worked as the human resources manager of a midsized company. While much of his work focused on compliance issues, he noticed that the company was paying many thousands of dollars to locate and hire good employees. As a result, Barry developed and implemented an in-house employee referral program that netted three quality hires in a six-month period. This saved the company almost $70,000 that the company would have paid for recruiters and advertising costs.

Barry saves money for his company, and this is an accomplishment future employers will want to hear about.

Rethink your current or past job to understand your position in the bigger corporate P&L picture. Here are some questions to ask yourself:

How did my work improve the performance of my department or company?

How many roles did I perform that saved the company the expense of added employees or contractors?

How has my work made the work of others (employees and managers) easier, faster and more effective?

Collect specific examples of the benefit that your company gained from the work you've already performed. Clarify the specific benefits your company received by making money or saving money, and write them down.

5. Add achievements to your resume

Employers don't hire employees, they hire problem-solvers. Your new resume should be a hard-hitting sales tool designed to accomplish one goal: get the interview. To demonstrate this, add a specific achievements list to your resume. Take the list that you developed in the previous section and hone it down to your biggest and most notable accomplishments. Now, describe the benefit that your employer gained from each example. This will put you several steps ahead of your job-seeking competitors. Plus, you'll now have some talking points ready for that next phone interview

Job Hunting On the Job -- Dos and Don'ts

It's a common dilemma: You have a job but you want a better one. Whether you've outgrown your current role, seek increased compensation or need a change of scene, you're ready to explore new employment options.

But how should you go about tracking down opportunities and meeting with hiring managers without jeopardizing your current position? Following are some do's and don'ts for conducting a job search while employed:

DON'T overlook opportunities within your own company. Before updating your résumé and hitting the job boards, consider employment opportunities that may be right under your nose. Many companies looking to fill vacancies give preference to internal candidates and make an effort to encourage these individual to apply for other positions within the company.

Share with your boss your interest in pursuing a new or higher-level position. He or she may be able to help you transfer to a different department, move into a role of increased responsibility or give you a chance to work on projects that will expand your skill set and prepare you for advancement.

DO be discreet. If you want to keep your job search a secret, don't talk about it. If you tell your co-workers, you can be sure that it will get back to your boss, one way or another.

DON'T search on your employer's time. You're being paid to work for the company, so you shouldn't be surfing the Web for job openings during business hours. Any activity related to your job search, including scheduling interviews, should be completed on your own time.

DO get organized. Set aside blocks of time that you can devote to your employment search; you will be amazed by how much you can get done in just a few hours. In addition to focusing on your job hunt at night and on weekends, you can use your lunch break to scour the want ads or review your résumé. This also is a good time to return prospective employers' phone calls on your cell phone.

DON'T use company resources. No matter how convenient it may be, don't use office stationery, stamps, fax machines or copiers. It's not only an inappropriate and unethical use of company resources but also an easy way for colleagues to find out about your job search from evidence you accidentally leave behind. Along the same lines, avoid using the office's computers and phone systems to reach out to hiring managers. Many employers monitor Internet usage and review phone call logs, making it easy for them to learn of your job hunt.

DO be careful where you post your résumé. If you don't want your current firm to accidentally find your résumé when searching for new hires, post on a job site where you can keep your employer and contact information confidential. For example, CareerBuilder.com offers three levels of privacy from which job seekers can choose.

DON'T make up excuses when meeting with hiring managers. Most hiring managers will understand that accommodations may have to be made for you to attend an employment interview. Try to schedule meetings for either the beginning or the end of the day, or during your lunch hour. If a prospective employer can't interview you during those times, take a personal day.

DO pay attention to how you dress. If your normal work attire consists of jeans and sneakers, showing up to the office in a business suit is likely to arouse suspicion. Avoid the attention by bringing a change of clothes.

DON'T forget to network. More jobs are obtained through word of mouth than any other method, so take every opportunity to expand your circle of contacts. In addition to getting involved in professional associations and other networking groups, focus on meeting people while doing everyday activities. Try striking up conversations with those around you, from the coffee shop barista to the person sitting next to you at the doctor's office. These discussions can help you gain job leads or other valuable contacts.

DO register with a staffing firm. Consider partnering with a recruiter, who can work discreetly on your behalf to distribute your résumé and uncover job opportunities. These professionals also can offer guidance on enhancing your résumé, improving your interview skills and increasing your chances of landing a new position.

7 Job Search Traps

Reports on the uncertainty of the current economy are dominating the headlines, and it's easy to allow those stories to weigh on you, especially if you are in the middle of drawn-out a job search. Instead of feeling helpless, remember that in any economy, companies need good people. And by fine-tuning your job-search strategy, you may be able to land a position that seems out of reach.

Consider these job-search traps and ways to avoid them:

You put all your eggs in one basket.

If you're like most job seekers, you probably heavily rely on the Internet to help you in your job search. While the Web can come in handy as a way to research potential employers, determine which companies are hiring and locate positions specific to your area, for example it should be just one of the many tools you employ. Also consider scanning trade and business publications, networking with professional contacts and registering with a staffing firm to broaden your search.

You don't make finding a job a full-time job.

Sending out a handful of resumes a week is a lot like tossing a single bottle into the ocean and hoping someone responds to the message you left inside. To find a job, you must cast a wide net. It's a numbers game, and the more inquiries you make, resumes you submit and employment interviews you go on, the better your chances of success. Of course, these activities all require a significant input of time and effort, so set aside at least a few hours each day to focus solely on your job search.

You're less than perfect.

Believe it or not, even one typo or grammatical goof in any of your application materials could be keeping you from finding a new position. With dozens or even hundreds of candidates to evaluate, a hiring manager won't think twice about passing on the applicant who has five years of "word professing" experience. In fact, according to a survey by our company, 47 percent of executives polled said a single typo on a resume could eliminate a candidate from consideration for a job opening.

Ask another person to review your application materials before you submit them. Taking 10 extra minutes to make sure everything is error-free can save you from spinning your wheels by sending out a flawed resume.

You don't follow up.

One easy way to stand out from the crowd of applicants: Follow up with the hiring manager after submitting your resume. According to a survey by our company, 86 percent of executives said job seekers should contact a hiring manager within two weeks of sending a resume and cover letter. Yet few candidates do. Often a brief phone call or e-mail reasserting your interest in the position and strong qualifications is enough to cause a potential employer to revisit your resume.

You fix too many 'problems.'

The average job seeker who has been on the hunt for a while usually responds to periods of little success by taking a cold, hard look at his or her resume, cover letter, sources of leads and interview techniques. That's the wrong approach. Evaluating all aspects of your job search and revamping each one is like taking 10 medications for a minor head cold: It's a lot of extra effort and could cause more harm than good.

A better approach is to diagnose your specific job-search ill and focus on strengthening just that one part. Say you've gone on several interviews, but you still haven't received any offers. The problem likely exists solely with your interview skills after all, your resume and cover letter are drawing heavy interest from employers. Making significant changes to your application materials could cause other companies to overlook you. Instead, reviewing questions you've been asked by hiring managers thus far and practicing your responses with a friend could be all you need to land the next job.

You don't network.

The simple truth is that networking is the most effective way to find a new job. A referral from someone you know is likely to land you an interview with a prospective employer or, at the very least, move your resume to the top of the consideration pile. Even if your contacts are unaware of any immediate openings, they may be able to introduce you to others who do have job leads.

The best part about networking: It's easier to do than you think. Talk to friends, family members, former co-workers and supervisors, professionals you meet at industry events even your doctor and dentist about your job search. And, as more professionals are finding out, online networking sites like LinkedIn and Facebook can open up even more potential avenues for referrals.

You haven't registered with a staffing firm.

Registering with a staffing firm can dramatically increase the size of your network. The professionals who work for these companies have contacts throughout their industries and often know of job openings that are not being actively promoted. In addition, the staffing professional you partner with can handle much of the job-hunting legwork for you by distributing your resume, setting up employment interviews and keeping an eye out for promising opportunities.

Is Your Dream Job a Reality?

As we progress through our educational pursuits, we all are faced with one of the most important decisions of our lives: "What do I want to do with my life?"

There are over 16 million students enrolled in colleges and universities in the United States. A very large percentage of these students entered without a clue as to what career or profession they should select. Yet at some point, relatively early in their collegiate experience, they must declare a major.

For most students, the decision is rarely a clear one. For many it can extend the time it takes to graduate because they elect to change their major at least once. These individuals come to a realization that the career path they mapped out for themselves does not fit their goals, their personality or their picture of the future. Others simply defer this pivotal life decision by escaping into graduate school, hoping that immersion into a particular area of concentration will somehow provide them with the career direction they are seeking.

Even those individuals who felt drawn to a particular profession early in their college life can find after several years of real world experience, that their initial image of a career and the realities of such are vastly different. And for millions of other Americans each year, the need to re-examine their career choice is brought on by actions totally beyond their control, such as mergers, acquisitions, downsizing, layoffs and restructuring. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, over 20 million Americans change jobs each year.

The bottom line for all these individuals is that they find themselves facing a career choice. The more real-world, practical information they can gather about a particular profession, the better the chance their selection will be a good fit.

Interviewing real-world professionals about their careers

Career development directors on campuses throughout the country, as well as career counselors within American industry and business, always recommend having as many "informational interviews" as possible before making a decision. The more advice students receive from real-world professionals, the more informed their decisions will be.

But just what questions should you ask those whose profession you are considering pursuing? The goal should be to ask questions that will produce more than the traditional well-tailored marketing pitches often found in promotional materials produced by representatives of various professions. What you should be after are candid "insider" observations about "the good, the bad and the ugly" of a profession. During these critical informational interviews you need to include questions such as:

"How would you compare the reality of your profession to the picture you had of it while in school?"

"What most surprised you about your chosen profession?

"What are the best parts of your career?"

"What are the least enjoyable aspects of your profession?"

"How many hours do you work each week at your career?"

"Have you found advancement within your profession easy or difficult?"

"What do you spend most of your day doing? Describe a typical day."

"What changes do you foresee for your profession in the future? Do you find your daily job fulfilling?"

"Would you choose the same career again? "

Discovering our goals and expectations

Most of us approach choosing a career based on a variety of criteria such as salary, hours, advancement opportunities, health insurance coverage and geographical location. Yet in search for our life's career, most of us ignore the most critical component -- will we be happy in our chosen profession? In our capitalistic society, money is the way we keep score. Who has the highest salary, the biggest house, the coolest car? Who goes to the best schools or travels to the most exotic places? It is easy to get caught up in such comparisons, and yet as the years fly by, it can begin to feel like a race with no finish line.

Yet aren't our careers and professions about more than just making money? What if we focused on becoming enriched rather than just rich? What if we kept score not in comparison with others, but with ourselves, with our own goals and expectations? To discover these goals and expectations, there is one question we can ask ourselves that gets to the core of selecting the right profession -- if you had all the money you needed, what career would you choose for your life?

In other words, if you didn't have to work, how would you spend your time each day? There is only so much golf one can play and beaches one can walk on before the brain starts to turn to mush. As individuals, most of us seek an intellectually stimulating life --one that makes you want to get out of bed in the morning. This has been a universal yearning for centuries. Shakespeare wrote over 400 years ago, "To business that we love we rise betime, and go to't with delight."

We all have different dreams and expectations, and none of us can ignore our monetary obligations for long. If we are going to have to work to support ourselves and our families, wouldn't it be a more delightful world (as Shakespeare noted) if we loved what we did? Doesn't it make sense to be paid for doing work you enjoy rather than for work you simply tolerate? Rather than select a career that pays well and then hope it makes you happy, we should all strive to select a profession that makes us happy, and let the monetary rewards be derived from our your productive and creative efforts at a daily endeavor we enjoy.