Capital City Jobs

If we’ve heard it once, we’ve heard it a million times: networking is essential for any job search. More essential than the perfect resume, more essential than hours spent poring over listings, perhaps even more essential than brushing your teeth before an interview. Perhaps not. But to an introvert, someone who values in-depth conversations and […]

Embarking on the circuitous path to employment with two of Springfield’s largest employers, the state of Illinois and Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, is a challenge even in years when Illinois has a healthy budget. Both are still hiring, but in these days of the budget impasse it’s more important than ever to make […]

When you are attempting to reenter the workforce after an extended absence, it can be daunting to submit your resume with pride and confidence. You need not be deceptive about your work history though. Just highlight your strengths and capacities and de-emphasize the gaps. Or accentuate the positive and explain the negative. Though there are […]

Graduation is an exciting time in the lives of students. After years in the classroom preparing for life after school, graduation marks a time when students are finally ready to enter the real world and land their first professional job. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics advises that earning a college degree can greatly improve […]

PHOTO BY METRO CREATIVE CONNECTION Can you tell me a little about yourself?(Make a concise pitch with 2-3 accomplishments that shows why you’re right for the job.) How did you hear about the position?(Name drop now if you have a contact or share what stood out to you from a job listing.) What do you […]

PHOTO BY METRO CREATIVE CONNECTION Telecommuting has grown more and more common over the last decade. Thanks in large part to advancements in technology that make it more feasible to connect remotely with coworkers, telecommuting is now something more and more companies are embracing. According to Global Workplace Analytics, a consulting and research firm that […]

PHOTO BY METRO CREATIVE CONNECTION Job fairs can be great places to make connections and get leads on potential employers that may be a good fit for you. If you don’t stand out from the crowd on paper, making an in-person introduction can serve you by demonstrating your professional demeanor and communication skills. But you’ll […]

PHOTO BY METRO CREATIVE CONNECTION With the prevalence of smartphones (and incoming texts and email from work) on bedside tables and at Little League games throughout the world, people have to be more diligent than ever about keeping work from taking over their private lives. Work-life balance, the idea that one must plan some leisure […]

PHOTO BY METRO CREATIVE CONNECTION Job stress is enough — but job-hunting stress? That alone can be intimidating and emotionally taxing to your psyche, especially if you’ve graduated or been laid off and months later, you still don’t have any prospects of securing a job. It doesn’t help when financial and family pressures intensify as […]

PHOTO BY METRO CREATIVE CONNECTION Social media has become an integral part of modern society. Millions of people around the world use social media to connect with one another. But this valuable tool also can be a detriment, particularly if you’re seeking employment. What a person says or does on social media can come back […]

Employers plan to hire more graduates, but the job market remains competitive. PHOTO BY METRO CREATIVE CONNECTION Though the job market for newly minted college graduates has proven less than ideal in recent years, members of the class of 2014 entered a job market that was on the rebound. According to the “Job Outlook 2014” […]

An effective cover letter is often the first step toward securing a new job. PHOTO BY METRO CREATIVE CONNECTION A strong cover letter may not guarantee  that you land a good job, but a poor cover letter may guarantee you won’t. On its own, an effective cover letter can catch the eye of hiring managers […]