Just in time to save the US from employment despair, the US Department of Labor announces the results of its Tools for America’s Job Seekers Challenge. Normally I would get pretty darn excited over such an event but, being the way I am, a little due diligence was needed to be exercised before jumping too high (and at my age, weight, and bad knees, I try not to jump at all). With eyes open, let’s take a closer look at what the roar is all about.
“More than 16,000 public users rated more than 600 online job and career tools in the U.S. Department of Labor’s Tools for America’s Job Seekers Challenge.”
Sounds pretty impressive as a stand alone statement but what does it mean and how can you benefit from the insight. First of all, let’s get the benefit out of the way: I am a believer in collaboration and data triangulation. In other words, taking information from multiple sources and using those bits to create a unified (and organic) strategy can be most effective. What is not effective is taking the claim of a small percentage of people to form the basis of the right way. Who are these 16,000 public users? Are they professionals in the field and what training do they possess? Is it possible (naturally it is) for a company to saturate the voting and rating? Effectually leveraging a large network to guarantee a high place on the ratings simply because they have the resources to campaign? Being a certified resume writer, certified career coach, and certified employment interview professional with over a decade of human capital management, I’ve seen my share of vendors using questionable tactics for their gain (and at the expense of the consumer). With this said, I recommend everyone take an active role in determining what is best for you.
“The tool descriptions below were provided by the tool vendors. Descriptions do not reflect the opinions of the Department of Labor or any of its grantees or contractors. CareerOneStop is not responsible for ensuring the content provided by the tool venders is complete or entirely factual.”
Point being, what were the standards each tool vendor had to satisfy to become listed? The top three career management associations in the US, the Professional Resume Writers Association, the National Resume Writers Association, and the Career Management Alliance are not mentioned within Career One Stop or in the rating process as a whole. The above associations adhere to a high degree of ethics, standards, and practices and their omission causes worry. Here’s the professional side of me coming out: please make sure the vendors you work with are active in these associations and are in good standing (being certified? Need I answer?). The second sentence on the quote directly above makes it clear that the descriptions do not reflect the opinions of the… hmm, makes me wonder which opinions are reflected? Aren’t you concerned as well?
Second point here being: any vendor can claim and can even mount a campaign to be perceived as a vendor possessing high standards and high quality. Truth is, it doesn’t always work that way. When a site (Career One Stop) infers they have not performed diligence but simply posted results without question, that causes double-alarm. On the other side, consider, for example, Career Services International (CSI), a human capital company in good standing with the top three associations in the US, their writers are certified, they engage in bi-weekly training, and are respected on a global scale. This company was never invited to partake. I take it as a personal affront when a site spews vendors with little (if any) regard to smaller companies trying to make it against the goliaths. With this said, I am honored to be a partner with CSI where the quality of our work is proven daily, assisting professionals across the US and the globe successfully.
Don’t get the wrong idea: Career One Stop shares a great deal of worthy information to the general public and their performance should not go unrecognized. Without a doubt, it is understood that being part of the US government does produce inherent difficulties and limitations. Still, it is my belief those limitations must be addressed or misplaced trust can be easily sold (wait, what is that I hear… consumer fraud knocking at the door).
To make sure you do not fall victim to any vendor, always do your homework. I’m a tell-it-like-it-is guy and will be glad to lay it on the table for you. If you have any questions or would like a little guidance, don’t hesitate with a shout of your own. Warning: I will not give you the one true answer; that comes from you as we all must find our own. Be weary when the answer is given to you and all you have to do is fork out some dough! While on the subject, one more piece of information from one to another.
Create your career management documents from scratch, designing an effective medium tailored to highlight your knowledge, skills, and abilities places you in the best light. To better your opportunities, take into consideration the industry and position. Think about the reader and how you will add value immediately. The reason I make mention to this is many of the vendors and sites mentioned on Career One Stop are pushing automatically generated resumes.
Such a simple world we live in, all you have to do is type in the data and the final product will pop out for you… no fuss… no mess. Is this the right way for you? Punching and instant delivery can be convenient, but not always recommended. Remember one of the keys to selling a product is to portray one product as better than the pack. Generated resumes can be spotted a mile away. Thus, if you are claiming to be a creative leader or visionary strategist, sending a resume looking like all the others does not send the right message. Trust me on this one, I see the same thing all the time… for about ten seconds and then it’s off to the trash bin.
For those still wondering out at left field, I am suggesting complacency is not the right path to secure career security. I am also suggesting that taking the advice of 16,000 public users (whoever those may be) in a country of millions should not be taken at face value. Hey, I can’t help but become boiled when ratings are sent out like a gospel in the wind while the world accepts without inquiry.
Time to control career destiny by opening your eyes, closing your palms, and getting back into the drivers seat.
Take part in your own career management strategy, check out the site now available at http://www.careeronestop.org/jobseekertools and make up your own mind. There are some really great vendors mentioned on the site; just be careful. If I may assist you in any capacity, feel free as your voice IS heard here.
Danny Huffman, MA,CEIP, CPRW, CPCC, author, educator, and co-owner of Career Services International/Education Career Services. He may be reached at [email protected] or visit his Career Blog at www.educationcs.wordpress.com.
Thank you, Mr. Huffman! You are transmogrifying my perspective of that which is necessary and preeminent in a powerhouse job quest and career development path. I think I would only trust you and Career Services International with the creation of my documents! Thank you again for this cutting-edge report. You never cease to dazzle me.
Good post, informative and thought provoking. Would like to see more articles like this that challenge the way we look at “fact” and “ratings.” Think you just won a reader.
From looking at the original challenge site (http://dolchallenge.ideascale.com/), it appears that the challenge was open to all and was publicized widely throughout the workforce professional community (which includes many more organizations than the ones you list) and beyond. It was an exercise in crowdsourcing (Google it for more info). Anyone could suggest a tool or resource. The public was asked to rate the tools that were submitted, and the top voters were displayed, first on the challenge site, http://dolchallenge.ideascale.com/ then on CareerOneStop.
Check the challenge site for more information http://dolchallenge.ideascale.com/
So you are right, these sites have not been vetted in any way, which is why you see the disclaimer. However, the listings provide resources that job seekers may not be familiar with, and that seems to have been the intent.
Nowle