Tip of the Week Archive

Job Search Tax Deductions

When you're job searching, it's important to keep track of your job search expenses because these costs may be tax deductible.

Some allowable job search deductible expenses (summarized from IRS Publication 529) may be:

Employment and outplacement agency fees
Resume (typing, printing, mailing)
Travel and transportation expenses
Phone calls

For detailed information on what you need to report and how to report it, use the search feature on the IRS web site, www.irs.gov or contact a tax professional.

Resume Writing

Did you know that a resume is a personal marketing document that communicates your career objective and value to a hiring company? A strong resume is carefully planned and developed (not quickly typed up) in an appropriate format (style) designed to showcase your experience and accomplishments in direct relation to a specific position.

Resume Workshop

When: Every Wednesday from 1:30 – 3:30PM
Where: Colorado Workforce Center, Steamboat Springs, Colorado
Cost: Free to job seekers
Registration: Call the Colorado Workforce Center at 970-879-3075.

Ten creative job hunting tips

Take the initiative. Meet employers face-to-face.
Changes of getting a job are better with smaller companies than with large ones.
Do homework on yourself. Identify your skills in great detail, and in priority.
Research your potential employer. Find out all you can about the organization—show an interest.
Be persistent, not aggressively obnoxious. Keep at the job hunt—make return visits.
Sell your skills, not your "old" occupation. Being a "farmer", a "homemaker," or a "steel worker" can limit you.
Discover or develop alternate names for the work you do - or alternate jobs where you can use the same skill.
Investigate many different organizations or businesses for job openings. Don't limit yourself to one type of organization.
Don't "put all of your eggs in one basket", such as relying only on relatives, just sending out resumes, or just applying to your first employer choice.
Determine what makes you better at the job you are after than other people that do what you do, then market it!

Nail the Interview

Know Why You are a Good Candidate for the Job

Prepare a list of skills to pull from that are applicable to the skill set for which the employer is looking to hire. Stay focused on why you should be chosen for the job.

Be Prepared to Tell an Anecdote About Yourself

Some interviewers believe this will help predict future behavior. Have one handy that demonstrates any strengths you want to project. But keep it short (1-2 minutes).

Remember STAR:

Relate the Situation you were in,
the Task facing you,
the Action you took,
and the positive Results.

Tie Your Skills to the Job Announcement

Note key words in the job announcement that correspond to the skills in your inventory.

Pick three or four important points and develop how you will present them when asked to tell about yourself.

Get more interview preparation tips »

More Job Search Assistance

Master the art of interviewing.
Learn how to make your resume stand out even when electronically scanned.
So you have an offer, find out how to negotiate the best deal.

Let the experts at Resort Recruiters help you with your next career move. To learn more about our services and individually tailored packages contact us at 1-866-546-7176.