\n Michael Gilmore <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Micheal is a resume writer and editor. He's psyched about marketing, business, blogging and SMM. In his parallel life, he loves hiking and can't wait to see the Himalayas one of these days.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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\n Stand out in your job search with an infographic resume -- and you don't need to be a professional designer to build one. <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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\nDespite employment gains below projections, U.S. unemployment through January 2016 is below 5% for the first time since the great recession began in 2008. The first Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) jobs report of 2016 has some other interesting information, as well.\n<\/p>\n

\nA Reuters poll of economists projected January growth around 190,000. The reported 151,000 fell below that mark, but comfortably exceeded the 100,000 barrier Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen said in December were necessary each month of 2016. to stay on pace with the working-age population.\n<\/p>\n

\nMoreover, the job market continued its growth despite global stock exchange turbulence, and is expected to in the months to come. The Society of Human Resources (SHRM) released its Leading Indicators of National Employment (LINE) report<\/a> this week, just days ahead of the Jan. BLS numbers.\n<\/p>\n

\nThe LINE report forecasts continued recruiting efforts in February, particularly in the service sector. Service-based jobs buoyed job growth to start 2016, most notably retail, which added 58,000 jobs, and healthcare, which added 24,000.\n<\/p>\n

\nManufacturing, which climbed in January per the BLS, should taper off into February. However, the growth in retail is a promising sign for consumer spending, which in 2015 reached its lowest collective point since 2009.\n<\/p>\n

\nThe Georgetown Institute for Consumer Research reported January spending 40 percent higher than January 2015. That's a strong note on which to start the new year.\n<\/p>\n

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\n The first employment figures of 2016 and various indicators set the trends for the year to come. <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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"},{"title":"How to Learn the Marketing Skills No One Can Teach","link":"http:\/\/www.careercast.com\/career-news\/how-learn-marketing-skills-no-one-can-teach","description":"

After four years of college classes and extracurricular activities \u2014 and with that sense of accomplishment that comes with graduating \u2014 it would seem the future looks bright for college grads. But the recession hit young workers the hardest: The unemployment rate for 18- to 29-year-olds rose to 13.1 percent<\/a> in 2015.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s not a lack of education that has created the problem. It\u2019s a lack of soft skills<\/a>; the kind you can\u2019t learn in a classroom.<\/p>\n

An ability to be creative is a good example. You might know how to set up a Facebook advertising campaign, but do you know how to make an ad stand out? Another important trait is an understanding of money and emotions. Finance classes can demonstrate balancing a budget, and business classes can provide instruction on creating a business plan, but lessons won\u2019t sink in when \u201cmoney\u201d is nothing more than dollar signs on a spreadsheet.<\/p>\n

Perhaps most importantly, interpersonal and communication skills are difficult to learn. You can read about the perfect handshake and introduction in detail, but they won\u2019t prepare you for sweaty palms, darting eye contact, and lulling conversations. Employers find it difficult to find hires seasoned in meeting and greeting, especially now that two-thirds of Americans<\/a> have their eyes glued to smartphones<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Learning the Skills That Can\u2019t Be Taught<\/strong><\/p>\n

It sounds like a Catch-22: You can\u2019t learn these skills without experience, but without these skills, you don\u2019t qualify for the jobs that will provide that experience. Fear not. While these skills can\u2019t be learned through traditional demonstration, they can be earned. Here\u2019s how:<\/p>\n

\u2022 Blog about something you love<\/strong><\/p>\n

At Hawke Media<\/a>, we have our employees write internal blog posts every month to spread the wealth of knowledge while they refine their skills, own their work, and articulate their knowledge. You can blog, too, and it will demonstrate passion for a subject and a strong work ethic. More importantly, the act of writing will crystalize your ideas. By editing and publishing that writing, it will distill those ideas and highlight you as enthusiastic and knowledgeable about your topic.<\/p>\n

Your writing \u2014 and ability to express yourself in general \u2014 will improve. No matter where you blog, you\u2019ll be forced to acquire at least a basic knowledge of web layout protocol.<\/p>\n

Then, in an interview setting, \u201cyou can explain how having a blog has provided<\/a> you with experience of the working world which you sought out yourself,\u201d not to mention the practical experience you will have gained.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Watch and learn with webinars.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Webinars are booming in popularity. A report<\/a> by the Content Marketing Institute (CMI) and MarketingProfs found that 62 percent of marketers use webinars to deliver business-to-business content marketing. Plus, webinars are rated the third-most effective tactic<\/a> (tied with videos).<\/p>\n

They\u2019re so popular because they work. Yes, live webinars like Moz teach specific skills<\/a> such as using Google Analytics or SEO writing<\/a>. Not only do participants learn vital hard skills, but they also develop those interpersonal soft skills employers want to see (particularly by communicating with presenters and fellow learners). You might not be physically shaking hands during webinars, but you\u2019re meeting and greeting and networking.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Build your brand.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Social media has made it easier than ever. It can be as simple as <\/a>starting conversations on Twitter or leveraging LinkedIn for professional connections.<\/p>\n

That said, I took another route. I decided to learn how to build a website, so I found a T-shirt manufacturer, built a website, and sold T-shirts. I wanted to understand the full marketing funnel, so I jumped right in.<\/p>\n

Things got tough, however, when I had to figure out how to get customers. I started with press and online ads and saw measly returns. Over time, I realized the biggest potential market involved independent musicians (they spend a lot of time on Craigslist). My partners and I posted Craigslist ads (for free) and made money.<\/p>\n

Above all, demonstrate your passion for marketing by creating a cohesive brand across platforms. When you have an interview for a marketing job, you\u2019ll be able to show how you branded yourself.<\/p>\n

Reasons for Optimism<\/strong><\/p>\n

The job market for recent college graduates seems to be improving. A recent CareerBuilder survey showed that 65 percent of employers plan to hire recent college graduates this year, an increase from 57 percent last year.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s those interpersonal skills that remain a sticking point. However, think of it this way: At least it\u2019s not technical skills that are keeping early-career applicants out of the working world. Whereas computer programming could take years to learn, soft skills can be learned anywhere, anytime, and for free.<\/p>\n

Go out and blog, brand, and webinar and teach yourself the lessons that can't be taught in a classroom.<\/p>\n

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\n Erik Huberman <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Erik Huberman is founder and CEO of Hawke Media<\/a>, a leading outsourced digital CMO agency for companies including Evite, Bally Total Fitness, Verizon Wireless, Eddie Bauer, Red Bull, and many other large and small brands.<\/p>\n
Erik and his team provide a full sales, marketing, and e-commerce team without the overhead. As a serial entrepreneur and a brand and marketing consultant for eight years, Erik previously founded, grew, and sold Swag of the Month and grew Ellie.com's sales to one million in four months.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\n Learning the skills not taught in a classroom is vital for success in the job market. Here are some tips to get you started on developing those soft skills. <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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