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August 27, 2010

Unemployment Survival: Creating a Sense of Security

Filed under: Business — Tags: , , — freshnmarine @ 8:59 am

In a time of economic downturn, international turmoil, company restructuring and corporate mergers run amok, thousands of people are either out of work or fearful of losing their jobs.

Is there, then, such a thing as job security?

No job, in itself, is totally secure. Governments cut back, unions have periods when they have no work available for their members, directors and CEOs are forced out, self-employment ventures fail. Even the most coveted and powerful position in the world, the Presidency of the United States, only lasts 4 or 8 years.

Your only job security lies in self-security. Knowledge and appreciation of your value as a worker: your skills, your competence, your personal qualities, can build the sense of security you crave. A true understanding of the process of finding work, the resources available, and the personal networking which captures the hidden job market, leads to a sense of self-empowerment. The job you are performing may not last until retirement but the prospect of losing it can be transformed from a negative, anxiety-laden situation into a self-affirming, positive opportunity for growth, movement, and the chance to turn your life in new directions.

Here are 10 Tips to help you build a sense of security:

1. Write down all of your skills, experience, knowledge, and personal qualities.

2. Re-read your list daily and before each and every interview until the information is ingrained and at your fingertips.

3. Expand your network by contacting everyone you know, not to ask for a job but to identify other people to contact who might know of a position.

4. Maintain your sense of self. Follow the familiar routines you devised while working so you continue to feel like you.

5. Identify multiple resources: newspaper ads, job lines, internet sites, agencies, networking. Knowing that multiple options are available can counteract negativity about the future and feelings of panic.

6. Treasure your support systems. The frustration you feel is often misdirected towards those closest to you. Appreciate your family and friends and banish the self-pity that often comes with stress.

7. Treasure yourself. Don’t berate yourself for the mistakes you make. Concentrate on remembering things you have done well, that show your individual value.

8. Pace yourself. Allow for periods of not thinking about work. Do something active that you enjoy even if only for an hour or two at a time.

9. Maintain your objectivity. Not being offered a job does not reflect on your personal competence. It simply indicates a mismatch as if you had tried unsuccessfully to sell a shack to a couple secretly seeking a mansion.

10. Manage your job search as if it were a sales campaign. Even the world’s best sales person will not make every sale but knows that each new contact increases the chance of success.

Practice these tips to build a sense of security, even if initially fragile, and your mental outlook will bloom, allowing you to remain calm in the face of the panic of those around you who walk in constant fear of layoff.

Virginia Bola operated a rehabilitation company for 20 years, developing innovative job search techniques for disabled workers, while serving as a respected Vocational Expert in Administrative, Civil and Workers’ Compensation Courts. Author of an interactive and emotionally supportive workbook, The Wolf at the Door: An Unemployment Survival Manual, and a monthly ezine, The Worker’s Edge, she can be reached at http://www.virginiabola.com

Seminars: Why Are They Popular, and What Advantages/Disadvantages Are There to Attending One?

Filed under: Business — Tags: , , , — labyouqt @ 8:55 am

Seminars dealing with “special topics” have actually been around for decades, and are an older form of marketing and information exchanges, that have seen quite a resurgence of interest in the past ten years.

Seminars are simply a group of people coming together for the discussion and learning of specific techniques and topics. Usually there are several keynote speakers within each seminar, and these speakers are usually experts in their own fields, or topics. Several topic reviews are scheduled each day throughout the seminar, and attendees can usually make their choice of topics from among these scheduled events.

Many individuals attend seminars each year, some attending several times a year. The topics of seminars can be as varied as the groups attending them, but in particular, there has been a rise of Internet Marketing Seminars over the past five years, due to the increased interest in this field.

What then are the advantages and disadvantages of seminars if you choose to attend or if you’re thinking of attending?

Advantages:

1. A wealth of knowledge usually, presented by many speakers at one time in one place. A lot of “learning” at one clip, with most material compressed into two or three days’ worth of time.

2. A sense of camaraderie, where individuals can meet others with the same interests/problems/concerns that they may have in their chosen field.

3. A sense of renewed hope and inspiration (this is especially true for Internet marketing seminars), as sometimes business concerns are lessened by sharing experiences with others. Being with others that “understand” individual’s problems or concerns, is usually a great morale booster!

4. A great way for those that don’t like to read, or attend classes, to improve their knowledge of a specific subject.

5. A nice vacation, in usually, a good hotel. Most seminars take place in quality hotels, as this is part of the incentive to attracting attendees.

Disadvantages:

1. Cost, of course, as all attendees must absorb their own costs. The seminars themselves sometimes also have an entry fee that can be quite high. All travel costs, food costs, hotel costs, and other miscellaneous costs must be absorbed by the attendees.

2. The chance that the speakers may be sharing incorrect knowledge, or not at all knowledgeable themselves (it pays to make your own assessments of presented topics, not just blindly “follow the pack”). Tips, tricks, and strategies need to be weighed as to “worth” and “accuracy” before using these. Careful thought rules here.

3. The time spent away from your actual business, or life, to attend. Time is always a concern when scheduling activities and some individuals simply can’t spare the time away from their lives for activities such as this.

4. The chance that the topics may not actively help your business or your concerns, and that the seminar will be a waste of time, where nothing you learn is of any use to you.

5. The chance that attendees will expect too much from a seminar and thus be disappointed. Realism must rule here. These are not “instant answers” to anything.

Overall, seminars, if chosen carefully, can be a good experience. They are not miracle cures to business problems or other problems, however, and this must be kept in mind when deciding to attend a seminar. These are, after all, optional events, and success or failure in business or life will probably not hinge on attendance at seminars!

Many different methods of learning business strategies and life strategies exist for those that don’t have the time flexibility or money flexibility to attend. Just visit your local library or local community college, and you’ll find a wealth of knowledge on all subjects. Read a book concerning your issues, or take a class, and you’ll find these can be great alternatives to seminars.

After all, education exists in many forms, not just at seminars!

Vishal P. Rao is the owner of: http://www.work-at-home-forum.com/ An online community of people who work at home.

August 26, 2010

Fantastic Job Fair Follow-up

Filed under: Business — Tags: , , — amandalyn @ 11:57 pm

Set the stage for fantastic job fair follow-up while you are still at the job fair. As the conversation is coming to a close, ask for the company representative’s business card. If he or she doesn’t have one, ask for their name, title, and best way to reach them. Write that information down in your notebook. Thank them for their time and re-affirm your interest in the company and position.

Back home, sort through the business cards, company literature, and notes that you made. Prioritize them for follow up.

SET YOURSELF APART FROM OTHER CANDIDATES by sending a thank you note that reminds them who you are and what you have to offer. Express interest in the position that you discussed and mention why you are such a good match. Request an opportunity to meet with them again. Let them know that you will contact them later in the week. Remember, recruiters often see hundreds of candidates at a job fair. It is often hard for them to keep track of who’s who so do your part to help them remember you!

PICK UP THE TELEPHONE. Ninety-five percent of job candidates never follow up. They wait for the employer to call them. Set yourself apart from the competition. Pick up the telephone and make that follow up telephone call. After small job fairs, follow up within three days; unless they suggest you follow up sooner. It is generally a good idea to give employers a few days to catch up on their work and sort through the piles of résumés and applications they collected during the job fair.

HOW CAN YOU MAKE THE RECRUITER OR MANAGER WANT TO TAKE YOUR FOLLOW-UP CALL? Do your research before you pick up the telephone. Then, prepare a couple of job-related questions that demonstrate your knowledge of the company and interest in the position.

Don’t call during their busy times-usually Monday morning and Friday afternoon. Treat whoever answers with courtesy and respect. That person may be the one who decides whether or not your call goes through to the right person.

WHAT TO SAY WHEN YOU GET THEM ON THE LINE? "Hi this is Sally Smith. We met at the job fair last Monday. I know you must be busy; I have a couple of quick questions about X position. Do you have just a few minutes?" Be benefit driven. Keep the focus on what’s in it for them! Remind the person who you are and what position(s) you discussed. Then ask the questions you prepared. Listen to their responses. Express your interest in the position and wrap up by asking about next steps in the interview process. If they are not ready to schedule interviews, ask about the best time to check back with them.

FOLLOW UP AT APPROPRIATE INTERVALS. The general rule of thumb is no more than three contacts (phone, e-mail, mail) within ten days.

Apply these fantastic job fair follow up tips and you will be certain to shorten your search and experience job hunting success!

Mary Jeanne Vincent is the author of Acing the Interview tip cards featuring answers to the top 20 "killer" interview questions. Also included are tips for interviewing in the new economy, ideas for responding to illegal and trick questions, and suggestions for avoiding 10 deadly interview mistakes.

Go to http://www.2bworkwise.com for free job search articles and to sign up for the free WorkWise e-zine. For information on individual job and career coaching or to find out about other practical, easy-to-use career tools call Mary Jeanne at 831.657.9151.

Settling Successfully Into Your New Job

Filed under: Business — Tags: , , — gunemalli @ 5:57 pm

The euphoria of getting a new job can sometimes be overcome by apprehension about what comes next. After all, you’re “the new kid on the block,” and there’s much to learn–about your new job duties and much more. But here are some things you can do to make the process go smoother.

1. Dress for success. You’ll want to look professional. Dress on the conservative side for the first week. Once you’ve got a good idea of what’s appropriate and what isn’t, you can adjust your style.

2. Be on time. You never want to start your new job by being late, so make sure you allow plenty of time for your commute. Plan the most direct route, but be aware of alternates in case of an accident or other traffic snarls.

3. Get to know people. Be polite and friendly to everyone you meet, whether it’s the receptionist or the general manager. Introduce yourself, smile and make eye contact. Make a positive first impression. Ask about your coworkers’ interests.

4. Ask questions. From “Where’s the bathroom?” to “Which tool do I use for this task?” It’s OK to ask for help! Your coworkers will feel good about doing whatever they can to assist you. Let them. It’s always better to have to ask the right way to do something than to try to figure it out on your own, mess up, and have to do it all over again.

5. Remember your place. You may feel “qualified” to tell your new coworkers that there’s a better way to do something, but be patient. Every workplace has its own way of doing things. Never say “That’s not how we did it at my old company!” (You’re coworkers may invite you to return to your old company!) Be patient and become an accepted member of the team before you make suggestions for improvements.

6. Be careful about office politics. Pay attention to the grapevine, but don’t contribute to it. Do not accept at face value what one employee says about another; form your own opinions based on your own interactions and judgment. Never complain about anyone at your old job or your new one. Figure out who has the real authority to give you work to do, and who is trying to take advantage of your newness.

Above all, keep a positive attitude, do your work to the best of your ability, and keep an open mind. Before you know it, you’ll be climbing the career ladder and giving advice to newcomers!

Bonnie Lowe is author of the popular Job Interview Success System and free information-packed ezine, “Career-Life Times.” Find those and other powerful career-building resources and tips at her website: http://www.best-interview-strategies.com.

August 25, 2010

Your Resume Format – What Is The First Thing You Need To Do?

Filed under: Business — Tags: , , — alikey @ 11:58 pm

The first thing you need to do before you write your resume is learn how to format it. Just as if you were cooking a new dish you would follow a recipe, so too should you follow a specific format when you type your resume.

There are three different types of resume formats you can use. First, we will talk about the Chronological resume. The chronological format is the most popular and widely used of the three resume formats. This format keeps you connected to one specific job.

There are four requirements to the Chronological resume. First is your work history. This should show it correlates to your current objectives. Working in the same field, even though you have changed companies, proves you are consistent and dedicated to a specific career path.

The next requirement of the chronologically formatted resume is the number of years you’ve worked in the same field. Showing you are experienced tells the employer that you have an asset to bring to the table.

Thirdly, you will state your present employer, or, if you are currently unemployed, you want to show that you have been out of a job for a short period of time.

Last, but very important is the length of time you have spent at each company. You will definitely want your resume to shout, "I’m not a job jumper!" The longer you have stayed at each job, the more committed and loyal you will come across to your perspective employer.

Next, there is the Functional resume. The functional resume will work best for you if the following three points relate to your situation.

First, the functional resume format is great for people with little or no job experience. Secondly, this format works well if the last job you worked at is not in the same field as the position in which you are currently applying. Thirdly, this specific format will work best for you if you have been out of work for a long time, but now you truly want to start working again.

The last of the three formats is the Combination resume. This type of resume combines the chronological and the functional formats by joining your skills, experience and job history together. The combination resume works well by letting a strong area make up for a weaker area. For example, if your job history is limited, but you have tremendous skill at the task you will perform if hired. The skills you possess may sway the employer to overlook your lack of employment history.

Copyright 2005 by David Green http://www.powerfuljobsearchtips.com

David Green makes it easy for you to recieve your desired job fast. To claim your free lessons on how to flood yourself with amazing job offers from employers, visit the resume format help website.

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