What job would you have in the Star Wars universe?

Originally posted here. I wound up as a Death Star Laser Operator. Hmmm... Not quite the super jedi hero I'd hoped for, but hopefully I'd have a better health plan

If you want to get hired, keep this in mind...

In this economy, odds are you are either (1) seeking a job or (2) clinging to the job you have with both hands. That means roughly half of our Mod-Blog readership may be in the job market at the moment. So, an article with tips on how not to sabotage yourself at an interiew seems timely!

If you're asked to offer up your personal weaknesses, answer the question: "Don't say things like 'I don't know when to leave to go home,' 'I'm too dedicated,' and 'I tend to accumulate too many accomplishments.' It makes me want to throw up when I hear that. I'm interested in your honest responses."

And if you really don't want the job:

"The most problematic job candidate I had was someone who knew the CEO of the company, and made sure to tell that to the interviewer at least three times during the interview."

Having been an interviewer more recently than an interviewee, one other tip I'd put out there is to be polite and considerate to everyone. I have had candidates seek out the "important person" in the room and speak only to him/her, ignoring and/or refusing to make eye contact with anyone else. Since "anyone else" probably includes your future peers, this was always an instant red flag for me.

The Great Recession hits Teens

It has been a long, hard couple of years for everyone. Layoffs, overtime, fruitless job searching, and unemployment payments. Unsurprisingly, the Great Recession is hitting the summer job market as teens and college students are finding it harder and harder to find employment.

Employment among 16-to 19-year olds in May grew by just 6,000, the smallest increase since 1969, when teen jobs fell by 14,000, according to government data analyzed by employment firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas. In May 2008 and 2009, teen employment grew by over 110,000...

Jobs traditionally given to teens are apparently going to older workers who are willing to take low paying job to make ends meet.

Clearly, steps taken by the Obama administration and Congress are not doing the job. And issues created by the Gulf Oil Spill - decimating tourism and the fishing industries in the South - are likely to make things worse. It time for a change in direction... just in time for the 2010 Congressional Elections.

Unemployed not eligible for employment?!

It is a dirty little secret amongst recruiters that they tend to sort people without a current job to the BOTTOM of the pile. This is why most advisers will tell you to NEVER quit a job before you find the next one. But some companies are letting the secret out by explicitly stating in their ads that unemployed people will not be considered. That may be acceptable during good times, but in the middle of the Great Recession, that is a recipe for a permanent underclass of unemployable (yet skilled) people.

Peter May, of Atlanta, said he was hoping Orlando-based recruiter "The People Place" would help him find a job with Sony Ericsson. The company is moving its headquarters to Buckhead, which is located outside Atlanta.
May said he was mortified when he read the message on the website. In all caps, and bold type, it said, "No unemployed candidates will be considered at all."

Note to recruiters - time to change your attitude, before politicians and regulators decide to change it for you!