WCIYP: What to Do When Your Job-Hunt Just Isn't Working

The author discusses the chance that one might not find their job after many attempts in this chapter. He writes that there are two ways that people go about and look for jobs. The first way is the traditional way and the second way is the Parachute way. The traditional way is the basic way and the way that the author does not want the reader to use. The Parachute way is a lot more meaningful and in-depth. When one reads the table that is given they will surely agree with the author about which method is more sufficient. 

The first aspect of the traditional way is that one is looking for a job. However, for the Parachute way the reader is looking for a dream job. No one wants to work for a company that they are not fully invested to. With that being said, it makes sense that the dream job is seen as more of a fulfilling way at attempting a job hunt. Another aspect in the job-hunt is how one sees them self. The traditional way is to be a job-beggar but the Parachute way is to look at yourself as a resource. A resource that can and will help the company grow and become greater than it was before. It does not look good if someone is going into a job interview all selfish and not willing to put the company first. If someone has their pay and good environment in their mind during the job interview and not the  job and work itself, then the whole interview is pointless.

The author then gives the twelve best and worst ways to look for a job

1. Looking for employers' job-postings on the internet.
2. Posting or mailing out your resume to employers
3. Answering a local newspaper ad
4. Going to private employment agencies or search firms for help
5. Answering ads in professional or trade journals, appropriate to your field
6. Job Clubs
7. Going to the state or federal employment office
8. Going to places where employers pick up workers
9. Asking for job-leads
10. Knocking on the door of any employer, office, or manufacturing plant
11. Using the Yellow Pages
12. The Parachute Approach

I personally feel like the best tip given here is joining job clubs. Job clubs are exactly what they sound like. They are groups that have meetings to discuss potential job opportunities and hiring employers. Most people think that the job-hunt is a solo task that they should do and that they are on their own. However, they seem to forget about the millions of people in the workforce who are trying to get a new job or find their first one. A job club would be very beneficial for up and coming applicants who have never worked before. The club can give them people they can look up to for advice and experience.

ITGA: Fun with eCommerce Analytics Part I: Shopify

In Chapter 5 of Intro to Google Analytics, the author discusses eCommerce and its relationship regarding Google Analytics. ROI, or return on investment, is a key aspect in eCommerce. ROI is whether or not an investor is benefiting from his or her investment. In relation to Google Analytics, ROI pretty much means "how much profit is made from one's ads compared to how much is spent on those ads". To simplify it, it is profits minus advertising costs. The author writes, "Tracking ROI is a 50 billion dollar skill, because it's at the core of Google's success, and you could argue it's a trillion dollar skill." Since Google ads and analytics provide companies with so much revenue, this truly can be a priceless skill to some degree. eCommerce is a key resource that many companies use to better their internet and media traits. Unfortunately, eCommerce comes at a price. Luckily, those losses will turn into gains with the right person working the analytics account.

The author soon goes into greater detail regarding Shopify. Shopify is a Canadian company that creates computer software for other companies that they will integrate with their online stores and point of sale systems. The author then goes into detail of how to set up an account with Shopify and how to get started. It is an easy but very useful process.

WCIYP: The Six Secrets of Salary Negotiation

In What Color is Your Parachute?, Richard Bolles discusses salary negotiation in chapter six. The author states that he once came across a high school graduate who had just received a new job. When Bolles asked the graduate if they discussed wages, the graduate said no. Little did the graduate know, her first paycheck would end up being very underwhelming. The author wants the reader to realize how important discussing wages is during and after a job interview. Bolles states six secrets in the actual negotiation of salaries.

His first tip is that salary should not be discussed at the job interview until the end. The best time to discuss salary is either when the job applicant is getting a good vibe from the interviewer or if he or she is sure that they have the job. His second tip is that one should uncover how much the employer is willing to pay for his or her services. Salary negotiations are meant to discuss a similar salary interest, not for someone to set their own salary. The third tip is that the job applicant should never be the first person to initiate salary figures. If the job applicant is the first person to discuss actual figures, this may be risky and might automatically disqualify them from the job race. Bolles's fourth tip is that the applicant should do salary research before going into the job interview. There are many websites that offer salaries for many similar jobs (Ex: Jobstar, MyPlan, SalaryExpert). Researching and defining an interrelated salary range between oneself and the employer is the fifth tip. Finding a salary within your requirements and the employer's offer is always a positive aspect in salary negotiation. The last tip is to always bring salary negotiations to a close and to not leave them hanging. Since many executives forget the actual interview itself, be sure to reiterate your salary agreement.

The author also states that these tips may not help and that the reader should not belittle themselves. The one positive thing is that the rest of the book will help with different ways in which a job applicant can successfully obtain said job.

ITGA: Reviewing Performance of Campaigns

This chapter talks about Google Analytics and reviewing the performance one has regarding his or her campaign. The author states that Location is a great factor in efficient clicks and traffic. People who are bilingual should consider countries that would fit their language. That way, many people from across the world can see your product or campaign. Using Google Analytics to expand your location is very simple and is often a key factor in whether or not you reach your goal number of clicks.

Trends are also another way people can review performance. Is your site viewed on weekdays? Weekends? During the day? During the night? Google Analytics also gives users the option to look deeper within their website and their trends. Yearly growths are the main time lengths given but the user can always change that.

Mobile traffic is also another way that people can obtain clicks for their website. Nowadays, many people use mobile phones for their email and social media. So having a mobile capable website always helps. Google Analytics also gives the user information on which platform their views are coming from. Whether it be a computer, tablet, or a mobile phone, views can be plentiful and abundant if the right steps are taken to reach out to all the previously listed audiences.

Dashboards are also a integral factor in determining campaign performance. Dashboards are the hub of any website report. They help determine the data range for your analysis. A person can choose between automatic dates or manual dates. Exporting of schedules onto dashboards are also an easy easy way to keep the dates in order. 

WCIYP: Tips Abouts Interviewing for a Job

The fourth chapter in What Color is Your Parachute? gives the reader sixteen conversation tips that they can use when considering a job interview. Sixteen tips are given in this chapter, however many other tips have been given before this chapter. By the end of this chapter, the reader should be an expert in job interviews. The author reiterates that these are not the only tips you need when getting interviewed for a job but they are some of the most important aspects in successfully obtaining said job. The author gives the reader one tip before he lists his main conversation tips. He writes that, "63% of companies now report that they sometimes do video interviews." Job applicants should not only prepare for what they say to their interviewer, but they should also consider the idea that their interview might be online through Skype or ooVoo.

One of the tips that the author states is that "an interview should be prepared for, before you ever go in". The author states here that the interviewee should research as much as they can about the company they are applying for. If that means that they should Google them or look them up on Wikipedia, then that's what they should do. Job interviews are a lot like a blind date. Both sides are looking for relationships yet neither know much about each other before the actual interview. Since companies are going to be looking into you and considering you, it will be great for you to have the same mentality.

Another important tip that is stated is "It's the small things that are killers, in a job interview." Bolles wants the reader to realize that one of the biggest breakers of job interviews are some of the slightest details. Personal appearance and body language are some of the biggest impacts on job interviews. Someone who looks very proper and well-taken care of will more likely get the job compared to someone with the same experience but with a disinterested or disheveled look. The way you show yourself (values, etiquette, respect) are also key factors in deciding whether or not you get a call back from the employer.

The most important tip that is given is often the most overlooked. The author states that the job applicant should always send the employer a thank you note whether or not the interview went good or bad. This is such a great decider because it shows that you actually care about the interview. If the interviewer sees this, they might show you another business that might hire you and will give a great recombination. People do not realize that being polite always helps and never hurts.