Recently, an acquaintance of mine was laid off — along with dozens of others — from a local company. Imagine our surprise when the Classifieds showed job openings in that company two weeks later! The reason? In the interest of cost-cutting, the company laid off around 50 of higher-earners and then posted job openings for about 20 jobs with entry-level pay.

This sort of practice is relatively common. The magazine SmartMoney points out the following: “Companies cutting jobs are often hiring in some areas, even as they shrink in others.” Instead of writing off companies that have announced lay offs, it is a good idea to check into where the lay offs are taking place, and then see which divisions of the company might be hiring.

Because so many people overlook businesses that recently laid off workers, it might be that you have less competition for new job openings. Of course, the company may be on the verge of collapse and there may not be any job openings. But it doesn’t hurt to ask.

Image source: Daylife

Post from: EveryJoe

Job Hunt: Openings at Firms with Lay Offs

What does that mean to you?  If you haven’t already done so lately, then it’s definitely time to Google yourself.  Simply visit Google.com and enter your business or product brand name, or enter your own name.  See what the results show you about your brand.  Do the results reflect the brand image you want to convey?A Google search can be particularly interesting in terms of your personal brand.  I know hiring managers who Google applicants before inviting them in for an interview.  The results might not make or break your chances of landing your next job, but do the results say what you want them to say about you? 

Take a few minutes to Google yourself to be certain your brand is portrayed correctly in the online world.

Post from: EveryJoe

Have You Googled Yourself?