But a tattoo is my freedom of expression!

One of the things I mention in each of my workshops on preparing for a job is the issue of tattoos.  From teenagers on up, it seems everyone has a tattoo.  I am a bit old fashioned when it comes to the job search and it seems that I am not alone.  Robert DiGiacomo writes about tattoos as well.  You can read the article here.  Tattoos are a distraction, and may not be as “cool” as you think with your employer.  To be on the safe side, cover your tattoos when applying and interviewing for jobs.  Once in the job, you can measure the attitudes of the staff regarding tattoos.

As you climb the ladder in your career, you may reflect on that impulse of placing your tattoo in a very visible place.  Think of the future when deciding where you want your tattoo.

Best Employers in Tennessee

BusinessTN, a state business publication, has just released its annual list of the best employers in the state.  You can see the current issue of this magazine in the Small Business Center on the 3rd floor of the Central Library, but you can view past lists on their website.

Is it Time to Move for More Money?

One’s salary can be vastly different from one region to the next.  Check out this Salary Calculator to find our what your salary would be in a different location.  Remember, the cost of living  could be higher or lower.

Will You Get Promoted?

If you’re wondering if you are going to get that promotion, here’s a quiz to help you see where you stand.  And if you want to read a bit more about how to get promoted without promoting yourself, check out this article from Fast Company.

100 Best Companies to Work For

Fortune has put out their annual list of the Best Companies to Work For.  If you’d like to see which companies made that list and the Fortune 1000 list, then check out this link from CNN. 

Attention Locksmiths!

As of July 1, 2008, all locksmiths in Tennessee must be licensed.  For more information and license applications, please click here.

Best Jobs for College Students

If you are in school, but still need to find some work, make sure you read these tips and suggestions from the Go College Blog.  And also be sure to check out the comments others are leaving–there are some other good suggestions there, too.

Search by Salary

I’ve mentioned my favorite search engine, Indeed, before.  Now, they have added something new–you can search for jobs by salary!  It’s not perfect, but read this notice from Blog Indeed to learn more about it.

10 Jobs That Let You Work From Home

Check out this CareerBuilder article if you have any interest in working out of your home.

Summer Reading Skills Programs

University Outreach and Continuing Education of The University of Tennessee is offering summer reading skills programs across the Memphis area.  Classes are available for all ages, beginning with 4-year-olds who will be entering kindergarten through adults.

Classes will cover phonics, comprehension, vocabulary, study skills, speed reading, and lifelong love of reading.  There are too many dates, classes and locations to list here, but you can call 1-800-979-9151 to get more information and to register for the course.

Get Ahead on LinkedIn

Here is a great guide on how to use LinkedIn as a networking tool to its maximum advantage. 

See also: Social Networking Sites for Career Advancement

Managing a Job Change

If you are getting ready to switch jobs, or if you think that you might be faced with a job change in the near future, you might want to read this.  The author has a few things to say about job hopping and employment gaps.

Edit Your Resume Like a Professional

The Brazen Careerist has some good advice for people who want to edit their resume.  Her top three tips?  Focus on your achievements, treat your resume like a marketing document, and don’t give it all away…  You’ll have to read the article to find out just what that means!

Federal Aid First

Looking for ways to pay for school?  Check out this list of frequently asked questions about federal student loans.  Reading this might help you decide if this is the option for you!

Indeed!

If you’ve never used Indeed to search for jobs, it is time to start.  Indeed is a search engine that lets you search jobs by keyword; it’s alot like Google, actually.  And, better yet, it searches established job sites like Monster and CareerBuilder, as well as individual company job sites.  Give it a try and see what you can find!