Top DC Employers for 2009

Here it is folks. If you are currently in the DC area, or transferring back there soon. The Top DC Area Employers for 2009.

While I'm not surprised to see low-level jobs such as McDonald's and Walmart high on the list (probably because of high turnover and more folks looking for cheap deals nowadays), I'm thrilled to see employers such as Northup Grunman and Raython in the top 10 as well. Of course, defense contractor-type companies never go out of style in DC.

Another great feature of this list? Just click on the name to learn more about the organization you're interested in. A great way to begin your research as you apply for positions. Plus, you can drilldown the list by public, private, nonprofit, legal, and more.

Julie Mendez

How to Maximize Your Use of LinkedIn

Finally, I've come across the best and most simple breakdown of how and why to use LinkedIn.


In this "A Visual Guide to LinkedIn for Job Hunters," there is a drill-down map of the various ways to use LinkedIn to expand your networking opportunities and look for a job. I've never seen an explanation of LinkedIn quite so simple and easy to follow.


As most (if not all, haha) of my clients know, I'm a huge fan of LinkedIn, and the opportunities that arise from there. If you are in a job search situation nowadays, not being a part of social/professional networking sites such as LinkedIn can actually be detrimental to your career search. So, if you haven't signed up, do so now. If you aren't active on the site, I strongly encourage you to log on now and get active. (And yes, I take my own advice: here is my own LinkedIn profile. I'm happy to connect with all of my readers and clients,


In addition, Applicant.com's blog seems informative and chock-full of interesting articles of information. Thanks Applicant, for the great road map to LinkedIn!

Julie Mendez

"Hire Me!"

I really enjoyed this article, "What Says to Employers, 'Hire Me!'" Finally, an article about job search that says something new and interesting, and one step deeper than the generic article.

A couple of quotes that I want to pass along and make sure you see:

• The resume needs to stand out above all the rest, without being unprofessional.
• Make it easy on the eyes. "Envision a hiring manager looking at a resume like a driver going by a billboard. Try to make it absorbable at high speeds."
• It's never one-size-fits-all. "Don't try to sell what you are selling; sell what the employer is buying. Make sure your resume fits the position and the organization where you are seeking employment," George says. "Hiring managers look at skill set, education, experience and where you got that experience. They want to make sure you are going to be able to do the job and fit into the corporate culture."
• Apply at companies that aren't seeking candidates. "Read the business pages to find out what businesses are growing," says Laura George, author of "Excuse Me, Your Job is Waiting." "Send such companies a resume and a letter explaining what you can bring to the organization."
• Keep your responses job-related. Many job seekers start off the interview on the wrong note when they respond to the statement, "Tell me about yourself," Palmer says. "Job seekers give a personal response instead of a professional response. Your response will say, 'Hire me,' if you tailor your responses to the position you are applying for. Review that job announcement the night before the interview and write out some bullet points for yourself to speak to the employer's needs."

I hope you all enjoy the article!

Julie Mendez

Online Networking Opportunities - The Conversation Prism

Are you networking enough? Do you even know what opportunities are out there for you to connect to others online? To help you, Brian Solis has created something called The Conversation Prism:

They use this image to represent all Social Media sites, and are constantly improving it, as new products emerge. (I know the picture above is not possible to read. To download your own copy or perhaps buy a poster version, click here.)

I thought I was fairly knowledgeable about media and networking sites, but even I've found some great new resources to check out.

And if you read further in the post in his blog (click here), you'll notice that he's mapped out his own social networking (social map). I highly applaud this as a fantastic exercise, and encourage all of you to do the same. Look for are on the prism where your "map" might be lacking, and investigate some of the options to increase your social networking visibility.

Thanks Brian, for such a great resource!

Julie Mendez

Boost Your Resume With Certifications

If you're looking for some great ways to add some real beef to your resume, getting certifications in your skill set is a great way to do it.

I wanted to share with you all about a company I've been following for a while: Brainbench.com. Brainbench is an interesting organization because their list of certification seems so extensive. Not only can you get certified in C+, but check out the certification in "English Language Comprehension" or "Interpersonal Communications." It's my belief that if there is a skill set out there, they seem to have a certification test for it.

All this to say, that is there is a specific job that has specific needs, how much more juicy is it to say "Certified Sales Professional" instead of just bland "Sales Professional?" Plus, they constantly are offering free tests, so at the very least you can sign up for their newsletter.

Of course there are other companies and organizations that have certification programs. First, check through any associations that you might belong to -- for example, I am currently working on achieving resume writer certification through the National Resume Writer's Association. And of course, there are specific software programs that offer certifications as well (such as Microsoft). I am a firm believer in taking advantage of all options.

Now, these suckers aren't free, so choose your tests wisely. In today's economy, do your homework to find the most respected and legit courses out there.

Julie Mendez

Special Deal in Honor of Administrative Professionals Week!

In honor of Administrative Professionals Week, I am offering a special deal! Book any of my services before April 22nd, and receive an extra 10% off! (Find out more about my services here.) This is in addition to any other discounts you might be eligible for if you are a military or Foreign Service spouse.

Seriously, this is a great deal that you shouldn't let pass you by! And remember, I always offer a free 1/2 hour consultation.

Email me at JulieMendez@jsmcareercoaching.com for more information!

Julie Mendez

Commitments and Performance

Today's message comes from Eric Albertson from SucceedingInBusiness.Com. I've been reading this newsletter for ages, from way back when I was in sales. I love the newsletter, because while it's targeted to salespeople, so much of it resonates with me as I help others in their careers. After all, like I tell my clients, what else is the job search process but an extended sales pitch? Aren't you trying to get someone to "buy" your experience and skills for their open position?

So I'd really like all of you to read the message below -- I like how this newsletter challenges you to examine your actions and the focus of your attention. And I'd love to hear some feedback from you about how you think this message pertains to you career and job search situation.

Julie Mendez
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"Commitments and Performance"

Gist: Want to know your commitments? Look at your calendar, your checkbook, and your credit card bill. If you aren't getting the results you seek, you may not have your actions aligned with your intentions and goals.

Today's reality In my performance classes, I teach that given the actions you have -- or have not -- taken in the past, you are exactly where you should be at this moment. It is not good or bad, but rather it just is. Victims look back into their history and mourn what might have been. The responsible (read that response-able) look forward and say, "What new actions and conversations can I have to bring about new results"?


Reality check Do your intentions align with your attention? Check out your pattern of commitments by looking at your calendar, checkbook, and credit card statement. Now ask yourself: Are those commitments getting you the results you seek? Again, this is neither good nor bad, but simply a check on what is, at the moment.


Where performance comes from I'd like to ask you to consider that your results in life come only from the physical actions you take, how you speak, and the conversations you have with others and with yourself. You might also mention luck, faith, serendipity and so on, but by definition, you don't have any control over those things.


The $64,000 Question Are you taking the physical actions, speaking, and having conversations in such a fashion as to bring about the results you want in the future? If you want more of what you have been getting in life, don't change a thing. If you want something different, you will need to take different actions, speak differently, and have different conversations.


No should in sight Let me be clear that I am not suggesting that you should do anything. Rather, I'd like to ask you to choose something different if it seems to you like the right thing to do. The choice is always yours.

Conversations make things real There seems to be a series of conversations that bring about new results. The computer you use every day was once just a conversation that eventually led to a series of physical actions, and then became a reality. From what I can see in life, it is the way everything works, especially marketing, sales, and great personal relationships.


The key to performance is... Conversations and action. You set the goals and begin to have internal and external conversations about possible actions that could help achieve that goal. Some actions are opportunities for action, while others are not. You take the action, get a result, and observe your progress or lack of progress toward the goal.


Perfection The big stumbling block in all this is the inherently human expectation that all action should be on a straight line toward the goal. We also know this as the expectation of perfection. In my experience, a commitment to perfection is a recipe for failure. Rather, I'd like to ask you to consider a commitment to excellence.


Excellence In my book, excellence is steady action toward a goal in which you can progressively learn what you don't know about achieving a particular goal. This is crucial if you want results that are different from what your historical pattern of action has produced. Yes, you will be uncomfortable. No, you won't be perfect all the time. Yes, you will bring about new results in your life.


Testing The indisputable key to success in marketing and sales is testing new tactics (new actions). Insanity, some say, is to keep doing the same thing while hoping for new results. What new actions will you take today to bring about the future you desire and deserve?

Do me a favor Let one of your actions be to buy one of my books (listed below) and put it into action during the next 30 days. Each of these books is a simple recipe for new action that will lead you to new and desirable results in your life. That is why I offer them. Make their recommendations habits, and an investment of a few dollars can easily yield incremental thousands of dollars, and more self-confidence and power in your life. I guarantee it, unconditionally.

"Reprinted with permission from Eric Albertson's succeedinginbusiness.com. Newsletter (Copyright, 1998-2009, Eric Albertson, SucceedingInBusiness.com.)"