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Using Jobbook.com for Career Matching (PODCAST Episode #5)

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Today’s interview is with Antoine de Brabant (Bra-bon) Antoine de Brabant is a web entrepreneur (around Jobbook I hear they call him a “wexpert”). Antoine created his first successful web venture at the age of 21. He was compelled to apply his skills towards a project that would help others in their quest for success and happiness. He now dedicates his energy towards Jobbook.com; a project he believes has the potential to change the world by helping find his or her desired job.

Jobbook is a free career-matching site dedicated to pairing job seekers with reputable employers across the world.

Their newest feature, the Jobbook Wiki allow users to contribute and learn from a user-generated platform of industry specific discussion and interaction. Wiki users can learn how to excel in their education and career by exploring the dynamic range of field-specific topics, ranging from notable people working in the field, schools to attend, top industry companies and more.

Here is an outline of what we discussed:

Listen to how he went from political science graduate to leading a start-up with a couple of years
He shows how he is passionate about making tools available to provide opportunities for connections with employers
He tells his story and how he came away with the idea for Jobbook from his Dad
I asked him about the uniqueness of using Gmail and Facebook to initiate logging in and building an account
How they encourage users to get search results from the job they want, not just what users qualify for
In addition, Antoine talks about how users can find out more information on targeting the job he or she wants

Did you know that all interviews on the blog (including this one) are downloadable to your phone? It is easy with or without the SoundCloud app, but I do recommend using the app. You don’t want the app? No worries, download it through the link on the player.

I’m through now. Please enjoy our conversation!

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About Mark Anthony Dyson

I am the "The Voice of Job Seekers!" I offer compassionate career and job search advice as I hack and re-imagine the job search process. You need to be "the prescription to an employer's job description." You must be solution-oriented and work in positions in companies where you are the remedy. Your job search must be a lifestyle, and your career must be in front of you constantly. You can no longer shed your aspirations at the change seasons. There are strengths you have that need constant use and development. Be sure you sign up to download my E-Book, "421 Modern Job Search Tips 2021!" You can find my career advice and work in media outlets such as Forbes, Inc., Fast Company, Harvard Business Review, Glassdoor, and many other outlets.

by Mark Anthony Dyson

How Frugality Could Benefit Job Seekers

Editors Note: This article was written by guest contributor Ruth Hinds (@RuthHinds)

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to realize that we’re living in tough economic times. With many organizations cutting back on their spending and looking at ways to slash unnecessary expenses, finding a job can be extremely difficult. You’ll be pleased to know that this doesn’t necessarily mean that you can’t find work. In fact, organizational frugality could be a good thing for savvy job seekers.

Let’s take a look at why.

More freelance opportunities are available

Traditionally, most people spent their days working for someone else. But as the economic landscape changes, more and more opportunities are opening up for freelance workers who sell their services to bigger corporations. Businesses might not have the budget to pay for a full-time member of staff, but there are still jobs to be done. Working as a freelancer, you could secure several contracts with businesses who need skills just like yours, but on a more flexible basis. Whether you’re a copywriter, a web developer, a graphic designer, or an admin assistant, there are probably freelance opportunities out there that are perfect for you.

Employers could be more flexible

The fact that employers could have less desire for permanent and full-time members of staff could actually work in your favor if you have existing commitments. For job seekers to balance around childcare or studies is notoriously difficult, and employers usually prefer workers who can fit in with any schedule. When they’re working with tighter budgets though, there’s often some added leeway. It’s great news for job seekers looking for part-time employment.

If job seekers become proactive, could seek out amazing roles

When business is booming, no expense is spared when it comes to advertising vacancies. They may feature in national newspapers and trade magazines, meaning that lots of people know about them, and of course, will apply for them. If a business is cutting costs, they may just advertise via their own social media channels and websites. In other words, it can be harder to find out about vacancies, but there could be considerably less competition. If you want to take advantage of this, make sure that you’re closely following the businesses you’d love to work with online.

Lower level jobs could turn into something bigger

If you’ve got high career aspirations, frugality could lead to you getting a foot in the door and working your way up. If you’re happy to start at the bottom of the ladder, and are willing to prove your worth, you could really stand out. For this reason, don’t just rule out trainee jobs. Make it clear that you’d like some further responsibility and seek out opportunities to learn new skills and show your employer what you’re made of.

As you can see, it’s not all doom and gloom when it comes to finding work. You can make the recession work for you by thinking creatively and approaching your job search in a slightly different way.

How do you think frugality is changing the job market? Have you found ways to use a company’s frugality to your advantage?

This article was brought to you by Ruth Hinds on behalf of AllTheTopBananas.com. ATTB allows you to search for and browse through UK jobs in one place, from engineer jobs to IT jobs. You can also upload your CV to increase your chances of being headhunted.

About Mark Anthony Dyson

by Mark Anthony Dyson

Dads, Talk With Your Son About His Future Career, After The Sex Talk

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The future career talk during teen years is critical. I would like to proclaim that we as “Dad” have a “relationship” talk instead of a “sex” talk with our sons. Both jobs and sex are about relationships, and as Dads, we need to help our sons with building relationships. Our women will love us a little more. Not to mention the similarities that we should no longer ignore, nor disassociate from the main bridge between the two.

Careers are largely about the relationships we build. We have to be liked, but in different ways, without it being about us. Relationships are not about sex, but sex is about the relationship. I didn’t appreciate it until I was married for some time, and I like other Dads, learned this the hard way.

Here are several reasons of my own that relationships make the career, dating, and marriage intertwined:

Relationships and careers require respect and like, giving first, then earning the receipt of it. As a baby boomer, we grew up with a chauvinistic view of women, and the synonym was being macho. In this day and age, I am the caveman. Without validation, it sprinkled on my boys. If we fathers do not teach our boys to respect and like Mom, we have failed to help them with their future relationships with co-workers, bosses, girlfriends, wives, and in-laws.
Both require longitudinal planning. Just because we had short relationships and careers, doesn’t mean our sons have to experience the same. Help them to plant seeds, not just build a shelter. A healthy plant requires cultivation over time. Relationships and careers need the same cultivation, not just when we need something from someone.
Neither relationships or careers are about you. You are going to give more than you get, and receive a portion in return if you’re successful. If you are getting more, then respond by giving more than the other person.
Both have difficult and complex issues. Careers and relationships should be handled with truth and responsibility. Our teen boys need training in handling conflicts, unfairness, and tragedy with grace, courage, and truthfulness. If lying and deceit develops into a pattern early, it is so hard to un-train it (but it can be done). As Dads, if we have a problem with honesty, then it is hard for us to detect it in our kids. This is where we need to be humble and pass the baton to the women in our lives.
Mishandling careers and relationships can tear your life apart. As my working, college-bound son makes career defining decisions at 17 years old, he needs the training from me. He received his first college acceptance, and has more work experience than knowledge about girls. The work challenges are intriguing, but we talk a lot about how to handle them. Dads need that conversation often, at least once a week, even if for a few minutes each. They need to know how to handle work and relationships equally. As Dads, mistakes are training opportunities, and teachable moments that need immediate attention. Be there to catch them when they stumble or fall.

Train your sons character, and not just the behavior. The best lessons are hard to digest, and trying to control him will only breed rebellion in the long run. Being successful for years at a time takes a man who is accountable, dutiful, and skillful at relationships and career. The best lesson is failure, so as a Father, teach them to learn from failure. .

What are you struggling with in having these talks? Feel free to share them with us by commenting below.