RosieKnows.com can facilitate your job search by helping you bridge the technological divide

May 28, 7:49 AMJob Search ExaminerStephanie Lloyd

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According to a recent New York Times article, "Workers ages 45 and over form a disproportionate share of the hard-luck recession category, the long-term unemployed - those who have been out of work for six months or longer, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics."

One reason the older generation may be having a tougher time finding a job is that the process has migrated to a territory that is somewhat new to them...the internet. Job hunting has become much more of a digital process, and the last time many Boomers went through the application ordeal it was very different.

Recently, Rosemary Blandford, a 37-year-old Chicago-area mother of three who formerly worked as both an ER nurse and a teacher, decided to help herself and all her peers out of the technological cave they were living in by starting RosieKnows.com.

RosieKnows.com is a place to go to learn these tools even better to maximize how they can assist in a job hunt, among other things. Using Twitter and other social networking tools is a great way to build one's personal brand which is always useful in a job hunt.

Business interviews are even being conducted over Skype these days, and Rosie addresses these tools on her website as well, knowing that the need to learn them is there from people who did not "grow up" online.

I had the opportunity to speak with Rosemary about the site.

How did you come up with the idea for RosieKnows?

RosieKnows.com was the result of my own struggle to keep up with online technology and the realization that others faced the same challenges. I felt that I was getting left behind and I was. Several years ago, I started tackling a list of topics I wanted to learn and began developing tutorials for myself. In short, I wished I had someone to show me around the sites and offer tips and tricks for using them but at 11pm on a Wednesday that wasn't likely. Other people heard what I was doing and started asking me for help and the idea was born. I set out to create a friendly and fun way to learn about Internet websites in an easy-to-use format.

How are people using RosieKnows in their job searches?

One member set up a professional profile on LinkedIn after viewing our lessons. This allowed him to connect and expand his network which is a big part of any job search.

I have heard from various members that the simply using RosieKnows to improve Internet proficiency has been helpful. One member used FaxZero.com to fax his resume from his computer to a potential employer.

Additionally, job applicants may find that employers are operating under the assumption that: everyone knows how to use the internet. RosieKnows that is not the case and so our lessons are designed to help job seekers gain a comfort and familiarity with a variety of websites. So when a potential employer talks about his or her favorite blog, you will not only know what one is but how to search for blogs and even how to create one.

What's next for RosieKnows?

I will continue to add lessons that the members request. In addition I would like to create more intermediate and advanced lessons that extend beyond the scope of the Internet. The future is an exciting time and I have a lot of ideas about how to expand the RosieKnows offerings.

For more information you can contact Molly Antos, Senior Account Executive with SS|PR by email or call her at 847-915-9327.