plus 3, Dolphins' Jason Allen wins starting job - NBC Sports

Dolphins' Jason Allen wins starting job - NBC Sports
Revis returns to Jets with four-year deal - Daily Camera
Get ready for your first job while youÂ re in school - Chicago Tribune
Q&A: How can I get job experience if all jobs require experience? - The State

Dolphins' Jason Allen wins starting job - NBC Sports

Posted: 06 Sep 2010 12:52 PM PDT

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Revis returns to Jets with four-year deal - Daily Camera

Posted: 06 Sep 2010 11:57 PM PDT

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Darrelle Revis was walking toward his teammates on the practice field when a strange feeling came over him.

"I had butterflies," the New York Jets` cornerback said with a grin Monday.

After some loud, welcoming cheers and good-natured ribbing, Revis knew he was finally back home. He signed his four-year deal Monday, apologizing to fans for not getting back sooner and officially making his return after a 36-day holdout.

Revis agreed to a new contract late Sunday night and took an early morning flight Monday from his home in South Florida.

Revis is expected to practice today and be ready to play in the season opener next Monday night against Baltimore.

The Jets and Revis` agents declined to announce financial terms of the deal, but it is reportedly worth at least $46 million, including $32 million guaranteed. Revis said all along he wanted to be the highest-paid player at his position, something agent Jonathan Feinsod said the Jets cornerback would be -- without releasing terms.

Broncos sign Byers

to practice squad

The Denver Broncos signed running back Bruce Hall to their practice squad, one day after waiving him to make room for Andre Brown.

The Broncos also signed offensive lineman Jeff Byers and defensive lineman Lionel Dotson to their practice squad.

Hall is a second-year pro who rushed 30 times for 88 yards and caught a dozen passes for 73 yards during the preseason.

Byers is a rookie from Southern Cal who was waived by Seattle on Saturday. He grew up in Loveland. Dotson is a third-year pro who spent his first two seasons with the Miami Dolphins, who waived him over the weekend. He was a seventh-round pick out of Arizona in 2008.

Houshmandzadeh

signs with Ravens

The Baltimore Ravens upgraded their receiving corps again by agreeing to terms Monday with T.J. Houshmandzadeh.

To make room for Houshmandzadeh, the Ravens traded wide receiver Mark Clayton to the St. Louis Rams for an undisclosed draft pick. Clayton, drafted 22nd overall by Baltimore in the 2005 draft, ranks third in Ravens history with 234 career catches and 3,116 yards.

Houshmandzaheh, a 10-year veteran, was cut by Seattle last week. He signed with the Seahawks as a free agent before the 2009 season and had a team-high 79 catches for 911 yards and three touchdowns.

But that deal was signed with Jim Mora as coach and Tim Ruskell as general manager, and both are gone from Seattle.

So, too, is Houshmandzadeh, who was in the second year of a five-year, $40 million contract.

Leinarts lands

with Texans

Matt Leinart has agreed to a one-year deal with the Houston Texans, according to agent Tom Condon.

Leinart was cut by Arizona on Saturday. Condon confirmed in a phone interview with The Associated Press on Monday that Leinart had reached a deal with the Texans.

The Texans were looking for insurance at backup quarterback after Dan Orlovsky threw two interceptions in Houston`s last preseason game last week. John David Booty, another former Southern Cal quarterback, threw two touchdown passes in that game, but was cut over the weekend.

The Cardinals took Leinart with the No. 10 overall pick in the 2006 draft, after he guided the Trojans to two national championships and a third title game appearance. With Kurt Warner retired, Leinart figured to finally get his chance to start this season, but Derek Anderson won the job in training camp.

Jones-Drew ready

to play vs. Broncos

Jacksonville Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew, who missed most of the last two weeks of work amid reports he was dealing with a knee injury, returned to practice Monday and expects to ready for Sunday`s season opener against Denver.

He says his knee is "a non-issue." He says there are a lot of "false reports" out there.

Roethlisberger out

as team captain

Ben Roethlisberger is no longer a Pittsburgh Steelers captain. Dennis Dixon is the new Steelers quarterback, at least for the time being.

Roethlisberger, suspended by the NFL for the first four games of the season, was not chosen a Steelers captain in a vote by his teammates. He has been selected the previous two seasons. Wide receiver Hines Ward and tight end Heath Miller will be the offensive captains.

Notable

The Chargers signed free agent quarterback J.T. O`Sullivan to a one-year contract.

Former first-round pick Jason Allen won a starting job at cornerback for the Miami Dolphins, replacing second-year pro Sean Smith.

The Seahawks released veteran safety Jordan Babineaux, fullback Owen Schmitt and defensive tackle Kevin Vickerson. They were replaced by defensive end Raheem Brock, running back Michael Robinson and defensive tackle Junior Siavii. Seattle also hired Pat Ruel as the offensive line coach. Ruel served in the same capacity at Southern California under head coach Pete Carroll the last five years.

The New York Jets are expected to re-sign veteran fullback Tony Richardson a day after cutting the popular player.

The Bills signed fullback Corey McIntyre to a two-year, $1.85 million contract extension that runs through the 2012 season.

Donovan McNabb was practicing again and Albert Haynesworth was still running mostly with the backups at Washington`s practice on Monday.

The Buccaneers claimed rookie running back LeGarrette Blount off waivers and signed punter Chris Bryan.

Get ready for your first job while youÂ re in school - Chicago Tribune

Posted: 07 Sep 2010 06:45 AM PDT

One day, you're playing on a jungle gym and drinking juice boxes. The next, you're graduating from college with your sights set on a career.

You always need to be thinking about the future, about your next step, and if you're a college student, that's getting a job after graduation. Waiting until your final semester of school to start your job hunt probably isn't the best idea. Luckily, schools give you all kinds of ways to start a process that can make landing a job much easier.

"A career center is always a great place to start," says Holly Paul, national recruiting leader at PricewaterhouseCoopers.

Most universities have career development centers, where the staff's sole mission is to help you find the path you want to take. By visiting the center or taking a career development course, you get help learning a little more about yourself.

It's also a good idea to get cozy with your adviser. He or she isn't there just to help you pick out your classes. Advisers are usually very open and are willing to have a conversation with you. They can give you coaching and advice on how decisions made now can affect you after graduation. They also can put you in touch with other individuals, helping grow your circle of contacts.

Advisers may also suggest a specific professor for a certain class. This is because professors, like advisers, have all kinds of great connections.

"It's always good to expand that idea of networking," says Paul.

She also says that professors can help you figure out the different kinds of careers you can get into using your degree. They've been in the field and know just how versatile a certain major can be.

If you want to fill the blank space on your résumé and be a little more active on campus life, there are all kinds of organizations you can join. A knitting club. A business fraternity. Or you could start a group of your own. What club you choose isn't important. What is important is doing something you're interested in and sticking with it.

"Find something where you can exhibit your passion," says Paul. Your main goal is to reach a leadership position within the organization. It will show a potential employer just how committed you are.

And when it comes time to actually find a gig, you can get links through your school's alumni network.

"Use those contacts that have willingly volunteered to help students in their job search," says Paul. Have a game plan of what you want to do before you go calling everyone in the directory, though. You don't want to waste anyone's time.

This way, they can think about you and help you figure out where your focus should be. The whole process isn't easy. It takes a lot of time and effort on your part.

"You have to give much more that you expect to receive," says Paul.

But the time and effort put forth today will pay out tenfold tomorrow.

Q&A: How can I get job experience if all jobs require experience? - The State

Posted: 07 Sep 2010 05:20 AM PDT

SACRAMENTO, Calif — SACRAMENTO, Calif. - When you're jobless, looking for work is a daily grind. Whether you're an older, well-seasoned job seeker or new to the hunt, career counselor Terri Carpenter of the Sacramento Employment and Training Agency has some advice.

QUESTION: I have been unemployed for several years (not by choice). During this time I have been attending college, living on loans and savings. I am looking for administrative front office work but having a very difficult time finding employment. I am so annoyed by constantly hearing employers tell me, "We are looking for someone with experience." How will I ever get work experience if I am not given a chance? I've gone to temp agencies, looked into customer service ... . I feel I am doing all the right things but don't know where else to turn. What advice can you give me?

ANSWER: I understand your frustration with employers wanting experience. One suggestion is to volunteer to get the experience you need. Volunteer experience looks great on a resume; employers will be impressed that you were willing to donate your time without pay.

Nonprofits are always looking for individuals to provide administrative assistance. To find volunteer matches in your area, go to http://www.volunteermatch.org/. Type in key words like "administrative" to get a listing of local volunteer opportunities. In fact, I did a search and found an administrative assistant position at a foster family agency near you.

Q: I got myself in trouble a few years ago but am now clean/sober and trying to find a job. Do you know of any "felony-friendly" employers?

Also, I found several sites - workjobs.net, CareerFinderUSA.com and instantjoblistings.com - where job seekers provide their name/phone and the sites promise to send job opportunities. Are they legitimate and really free?

A: All three sites are viable. Job search websites do not charge job seekers; they charge the employers who post listings. I personally feel it is best to post on as many sites as possible, since the chances of employers pulling your resume from a key word search are greater. Another tip is to go directly to a company's website to apply for positions. You'll get a better idea about the jobs than from a general website.

My favorite job posting sites are Monster, Career Builder and Yahoo Jobs. They have been around for some time, and many employers go with a brand they trust.

With respect to "felony-friendly" employers, there are some who are more open to hiring people with felonies but most do not openly advertise this fact. The best advice is to pursue every job that interests you and fits your skills and background. Make sure you have references who can speak to your character, qualifications and work experience. You might also look into getting your record expunged.