How to be your own Super Bowl commercial

A commercial in the Super Bowl is an invaluable marketing tool.  People who don’t even like football watch the Super Bowl for the ads.  The cost of a thirty-second spot in this year’s game will run you a cool $2.5 million.  If you’re strapped for cash, buying a commercial is probably not the most efficient way to get the word out that you’re looking for a job.

The good news here is that the cost of a little self-promotion is negligible.  With hard work and some strategy, you can keep your $2.5 million and land a sweet gig (so you can save for next year’s game).  Here are some tips for your new marketing strategy.

1. Risqué doesn’t pay: Social Media like Facebook and Twitter can work against you and really hurt your ability to find a good job.  Be careful about what you say and who you say it to.

1. Be your own billboard: Attracting a job can be as simple as looking your best.  Take a look at 10 free ways to attract a job.

1. Make yourself go viral: No, not sick.  Viral marketing is a low- to no-cost use of social networks to increase consumer awareness of their brand.  What’s that mean for you? Use your social network (your friends) to get the word out about the product (you).

Leave the big spending to the big companies. You can get better results for free.  Start your job search, because you’re your own best commercial!

Got a friend who could use $200?

Could you use some extra cash too? Then you need to enter this contest, stat!

We want you to tell us about a friend of yours who is flat broke needs a new job. If you are pick as our winner, we’ll give you $200 and give your friend $200. How sweet is that?

Enter the contest today.

Teens face more competition than ever

The job market is tough. In fact, according a new article on CNNMoney.com, if you’re a young person looking for a part-time job, you’ve got even more competition than ever before.

Our CEO and founder Shawn Boyer, who was interviewed for the article, says that older, experienced workers may be choosing part-time hourly jobs because full-time positions just aren’t available. And that’s bad news if you’re a teen looking for a part-time job.

It also can be bad news if you’re the one snagging the part-time job. Find out why.

What the best administrative assistants do

How to get ahead in the working world.

You’ve just entered the working world as an administrative assistant and already you’ve got your eye on scoring a corner office. And why wouldn’t you? You know that you’re smart, you’re savvy and that you’re ambitious – so how do you make sure your boss knows it too?

Be on top of things

If you want to impress your bosses, then you’ll need to be the kind of administrative assistant who is able to solve problems before they happen. See what else you need to do to climb the corporate ladder here.

Will work for iPad

Drooling over the new Apple iPad? Can’t wait to get your hands on one? You might think twice once you realize how hard you’ll have to work in order to buy one.

Let’s pretend you’re a barista at a coffee shop. You’ll have to make 8,526 drinks before you’ll make enough money in tips to snag one of the new iPads. Seems like a lot, doesn’t it?

On the other end of the scale, is Bill Gates. He only has to…see how long it takes for Bill Gates to make enough to buy an iPad.

Could bad credit be why I can’t get a job?

Recently, Sean G. asked us:

I just have a quick question concerning how credit would relate to finding a job. I have kinda crappy credit since the recession started in 2008. I just graduated high school and I don’t owe that much money, but would that be the reason why my job search has been so difficult?

Here’s what our experts said:

Having bad credit definitely can affect your ability to get a job. Fair or not, many companies will check your credit before hiring you, especially for jobs that involve handling large amounts of money. Credit card companies, some large retail stores and banks will all likely do a background check and check your credit before hiring you. However, they can only do so after you give them your Social Security number.

There is hope for those of you with bad credit; recently a bill was introduced in the House of Representatives that would prevent companies from not hiring you because of your credit. But until it passes, your credit could still be an issue with some employers.

If you’re just having trouble getting interviews, then it’s likely something else. Double-check your application for errors, add more details about your work experience or fill in the “Tell us about yourself” section of your profile, and try to be patient. The economy is still making it really hard to get a job, so keep your head up and keep trying.

See more questions.

What “Jersey Shore” can teach you about job hunting

One of the hottest (and most talked about) shows on TV right now has to be MTV’s “Jersey Shore”. The show, which follows the lives of several young adults, has taken the country by storm. Almost everyone we know follows the antics of Snookie, The Situation and J-WOWW as they live and love at the Jersey shore.

But this show isn’t just a guilty pleasure. It can actually help you score a job. It sounds crazy, but over at Excelle they’ve put together a list of how “Jersey Shore” can help you land a job.

Here’s a peek at the article:

“1. Fist Pumping:

Jersey Definition:

A classic move typically involving a juiced-up and over-tanned arm thrusting rapidly and enthusiastically in response to a variety of stimuli including but not limited to: slammin’ beats, hot girls and fellow fist pumpers.

Job Seeking Translation:

When interviewing with a potential employer, it is important to show genuine enthusiasm for the position. For example, be ready for the “What questions do you have for me?” segment of the interview. Remember, nothing shouts fist pumping enthusiasm like being prepared and thoughtful about a potential position.”

Read the entire article here.

*Image Credit: MTV/Scott Gries

Meet December’s contest winner

In December we asked you to tell us about your New Year’s resolutions. Be it weight loss or a new job, we wanted to find out what things you were going to change in your life this year. We got hundreds of entries, and after reading each one we’ve finally picked our favorite. Meet Raul, from Chicago, IL, the winner of our resolutions contest. Congrats Raul, enjoy the $200 gift card and best of luck with your resolution!

I resolve to change my life by going to college. If the opportunity is available and I am able, I will apply for two majors. These majors are music production and business. I never thought I would consider going to college let alone actually attending, but I feel that it is the right time to change things. To me, the New Year symbolizes change, success, and a better future doing something I love. As a youth I didn’t care about school or my future. I dropped out of school as a second-year freshman and was always partying with my friends. I wanted to have fun and nothing else, but as time passed, I had children and that “fun” turned into stress. I was 19 when I got my “wake up call” in the form of poverty. This is when I started to think about getting an education. Thanks to family, I was already in school for a GED, in October of 2009. Then in November of 2009, I took the GED exam and, in December of 2009, I received the certificate. To this day I have rotten luck finding an employer and little income to support my family. I came a long way and learned the hard way that life isn’t all fun and games. Although I had a GED certificate I knew I could do something else with my life so I thought about college, and after doing my homework I found Columbia College and applied there. I’m still waiting for their response but, one thing is clear, change is imminent. I’m confident that the plans I have for myself will make me a success and allow me to give my children the things that I never had when I was growing up. I have already begun to check off my “to do list” and can guarantee that 2010 marks the death of a once ignorant and careless individual and the birth of a prodigy with a bright future ahead of him. – Raul D.

Enter this month’s contest now.

Hot Valentine’s Day jobs

These jobs will make Valentine’s Day more affordable.

It’s just a month till Valentine’s Day and already your loved one is dropping some not-so-subtle hints about gift they might like to receive from you. If you’ve got more love in your heart then you do cash in your pocket then check out our list of hot Valentine’s Day jobs. Not only are these companies great places to work (and will score you some much needed cash) but with your employee discount, you just might be able to snag a great Valentine’s Day gift for cheaper than you expected.

Wanna give your sweetie a teddy bear?

Then get a job at Build-A-Bear Workshop. This popular store allows people of all ages to create and personalize adorable and cuddly stuffed animals. Get a job here and you’ll get a 20% associate discount. Then on Valentine’s Day you’ll be able to help your loved one create a unique and special stuffed animal. Build-A-Bear even has Dalmatians with heart shaped spots and bear “love bugs” for you create and call your own.

Get a Build-A-Bear job now.

Wanna give your darling an iPhone?

It’s been one of the hottest gifts around ever since it came out and if your significant other has been hinting around for one of these, then there is no better place to work than at AT&T. As an AT&T employee, you’ll be eligible for a discount on select products and services making the cost of an iPhone, its calling plan and its accessories a little bit easier to bear.

Get an AT&T job now.

Wanna give your honey some jewelry?

Is your significant other expecting jewelry as a Valentine’s Day gift this year? Does this have you shaking in your boots because you know how expensive jewelry can be? Make it a little easier on yourself by working at Bloomingdale’s, JCPenny or Kohl’s. Each of these stores offers fine jewelry and with your employee discount you might just be able to score a great deal that both makes your sweetie happy and is easy on your wallet.

Get a Bloomingdale’s job now.

Get a JCPenny job now.

Get a Kohl’s job now.

Wanna take your beloved on a fancy dinner?

Candlelight, a nice wine and some delicious food make for a memorable Valentine’s Day date. After all, there are few things as romantic as a fancy dinner – and few things that can be as pricy. If you want to take your loved one out to dinner for Valentine’s Day, then a job at The Melting Pot is in order. This upscale fondue restaurant offers some seriously delicious food in a seriously romantic environment. Not only will you get an employee meal discount, but your knowledge of the food and wines will impress the socks off your date.

Get a Melting Pot job now.

Resume tips: stay-at-home moms

We’re answering your toughest job-search questions. This week, Ann R. asks us a great question about what to put on her resume.

Q: How should a stay-at-home parent (mother) with both professional experience (5 yrs.) and a college degree (bachelor’s degree) handle her resume when it comes to describing the last five years that she has voluntarily been out of work to raise her family? – Ann R.

It can be tough to reenter the workforce after taking an extending period of time off. One of the easiest ways to address the gap in your employment history is by mentioning it in your cover letter or in the “Tell us about yourself” section of your SnagAJob.com profile. Say something like, “After taking time off to raise a family, I am both ready and excited to start working again.” You could also create an objective statement to put on your resume that says the same thing.

Some people put down their parenting experience as job experience. If you’d prefer to do that, try to focus on the transferable skills, like budgeting and organization. Also include any volunteer work you’ve done. Organizing events for the mothers’ group you belong to might not feel like volunteering, but it is.

While transitioning back to work can be difficult, it’s not impossible. Just be sure to acknowledge your employment gaps, and then focus on what a great asset you’d be to the company.

See more questions.

Ask the experts a question now!

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