Strategies To Manage Your Career During A Recession By Surranna Sandy, CPRW, CEIP, President ResumeSolutions.ca
An April 2009 report from Stats Canada showed that employment declined by 61,000 in March - with all the job losses coming from full-time employment. According to the report, this steep job loss has pushed up the rate of unemployment by 0.3% to a 7 year high of 8.0%. The greatest losses by provinces were in British Columbia, which lost 33,000 jobs followed somewhat surprisingly, by the province of Alberta, which lost 15,000 jobs and Ontario with 11,000 jobs eliminated. These provinces have the fastest rate of employment decreases across the nation. What does that mean for job seekers? More competition and increased need to be marketable. We are in one of the unprecedented global economic situations in decades, and as a result, the labour market has seen significant increases in redundancies and retrenchments.
At Résumé Solutions, many of our clients have lost money in the stock market while many others have mentioned they were already going through tough times before the market took a turn for the worse. Many of our clients who are nearing retirement have to reassess that plan and many may have to continue working to survive. This scenario raises a number of challenges and opportunities for our clients.
Below are my personal tips to survive and prosper during these uncertain times. • Complete an inventory of your career accomplishments and achievements to-date including identifying how you achieved those results. • Do a self-assessment to determine your core competencies and skills including those that are underused in your current role. • Develop an understanding of your values to create a value proposition for potential employers. • Conduct a thorough self-assessment to design both your short and long-term career goals for your future. • Finally update your résumé. As a professional résumé writing company and certified résumé writers, we know that a well-written great résumé can translate your work and life experience to market you to an employer. This is of critical important to have an updated résumé that is ready to send out at a moment's notice. If you cannot write one yourself, work with one of RésuméSolutions.ca Certified Résumé Writers to gain that competitive advantage.
About the Author
Surranna Sandy is the President of Resume Solutions, http://www.resumesolutions.ca, a Certified Professional Résumé Writer, Certified Employment Interview Coach and former Human Resources Management Professional with fortune 500 companies. Resume Solutions offers advanced resume writing, career coaching and interview coaching services from entry level, mid-career through to executive clientele in the global marketplace.
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Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Tips To Settle Down In Your First Job by Geetika Jain
So, your graduation is over. And now you are looking for your first fresher job . Or have you already found one? Lucky you! Now, you must be all excited about starting your career. First job, first salary, first promotion, all these remain precious throughout your life. Tomorrow you might reach great heights in your career but you will still remember this first job which was your first step. The memories of these will remain with you throughout life. So, why not make these memories special? Yes, we are talking about making your first job special. Make it a rocking experience and gather some wonderful memories to cherish throughout life.
Right now, since you are young, a little gullible, a little vulnerable, it is quite acceptable that you will make some common mistakes in the starting of your career. Alright, you were very smart in college so there is no reason why should fail at any front in your job too. Agreed. But professional world is very different from your carefree college days. Here, you would require a little tact, even a little manipulation and of course oodles of hard wok to succeed. You might need to unlearn a few things that you learnt during education. Don't take it negatively. But in the real job, you need to exercise a lot of discretion and smartness to learn the ropes and make a mark for yourself. Hard work is the foundation on which you would have to build your reputation but there are other tricks too that you must know to ensure that your hard work shines out. Being a student is different from being an employee and different things will be accepted of you. Here are a few tips that will certainly help you settle down in your first job and mark a successful beginning to your career.
Be a good listener first and then aspire to be a good speaker. This is a golden rule that applies to not just professional life but also your personal life. Learn to listen patiently and understanding things perfectly before suggesting any changes or pointing finger at the established practices. Everybody loves to innovate and presenting new ideas is a good thing but you must learn to put things forward in a manner that it does not threaten others. Remember that it is your first job and you have no experience to back your claims. Whatever you are suggesting may be correct but people will view it with suspicion if your attitude is just to challenge the established practices for the sake of being different. First try to understand why the current system is such and what good is being derived out of it. Then, slowly prepare your case by first acknowledging what is good about the existing thing and then mildly suggesting what more can be done to improve it and garner better results. If you listen to others and try to observe things, you will learn about the environment of our office and find out more about the people around you. Once you gain their trust, it will easier to make them see your point. No office is devoid of gossipmongers and troublemakers. And their easy targets are newcomers. Just be wary of such elements in your office. This person will always pose as your well-wisher and stir you up against others, especially the boss. It would be his second nature to exaggerate things and present situations with a lot more spice. Be sure not to become a part of his gossip gang because he would be the first one who would speak against you behind your back. He will malign your image in front of others just the way he is maligning others' image in front of you. You should just quietly listen to what this person says and not respond to him or participate in his loose talk as u must keep one thing in your mind that its your first job and you have to prove yourself as people are striving hard for finding jobs for freshers .
Another important thing is to mind your manners and behavior in office. Be formal and professional in your approach towards people. Read up on office etiquette and follow it even if it's too formal initially. You may make good friends at the workplace later on but initially treat everybody with due respect maintaining the required distance and talking only when necessary. Never be rude to anyone and don't go about boasting about yourself. Never crack indecent jokes with your co-workers. You have no idea about their personalities and sensibilities so you might just end up offending them.
And last but not the least, work hard. Work your way up diligently. Good work can never be swept under the carpet but be smart enough to showcase your work to the right people at the right time in the right manner. Following these tips, you can look forward to a rocking first job.
About the Author
Geetika Jain writes on behalf of FirstNaukri.com, a leading job portal for fresher jobs in India. FirstNaukri.com helps in searching Jobs for freshers, walk-ins interviews, interviews tips for freshers, career openings for freshers in top companies. With FirstNaukri you can easily post your resume and find your first dream job.
Right now, since you are young, a little gullible, a little vulnerable, it is quite acceptable that you will make some common mistakes in the starting of your career. Alright, you were very smart in college so there is no reason why should fail at any front in your job too. Agreed. But professional world is very different from your carefree college days. Here, you would require a little tact, even a little manipulation and of course oodles of hard wok to succeed. You might need to unlearn a few things that you learnt during education. Don't take it negatively. But in the real job, you need to exercise a lot of discretion and smartness to learn the ropes and make a mark for yourself. Hard work is the foundation on which you would have to build your reputation but there are other tricks too that you must know to ensure that your hard work shines out. Being a student is different from being an employee and different things will be accepted of you. Here are a few tips that will certainly help you settle down in your first job and mark a successful beginning to your career.
Be a good listener first and then aspire to be a good speaker. This is a golden rule that applies to not just professional life but also your personal life. Learn to listen patiently and understanding things perfectly before suggesting any changes or pointing finger at the established practices. Everybody loves to innovate and presenting new ideas is a good thing but you must learn to put things forward in a manner that it does not threaten others. Remember that it is your first job and you have no experience to back your claims. Whatever you are suggesting may be correct but people will view it with suspicion if your attitude is just to challenge the established practices for the sake of being different. First try to understand why the current system is such and what good is being derived out of it. Then, slowly prepare your case by first acknowledging what is good about the existing thing and then mildly suggesting what more can be done to improve it and garner better results. If you listen to others and try to observe things, you will learn about the environment of our office and find out more about the people around you. Once you gain their trust, it will easier to make them see your point. No office is devoid of gossipmongers and troublemakers. And their easy targets are newcomers. Just be wary of such elements in your office. This person will always pose as your well-wisher and stir you up against others, especially the boss. It would be his second nature to exaggerate things and present situations with a lot more spice. Be sure not to become a part of his gossip gang because he would be the first one who would speak against you behind your back. He will malign your image in front of others just the way he is maligning others' image in front of you. You should just quietly listen to what this person says and not respond to him or participate in his loose talk as u must keep one thing in your mind that its your first job and you have to prove yourself as people are striving hard for finding jobs for freshers .
Another important thing is to mind your manners and behavior in office. Be formal and professional in your approach towards people. Read up on office etiquette and follow it even if it's too formal initially. You may make good friends at the workplace later on but initially treat everybody with due respect maintaining the required distance and talking only when necessary. Never be rude to anyone and don't go about boasting about yourself. Never crack indecent jokes with your co-workers. You have no idea about their personalities and sensibilities so you might just end up offending them.
And last but not the least, work hard. Work your way up diligently. Good work can never be swept under the carpet but be smart enough to showcase your work to the right people at the right time in the right manner. Following these tips, you can look forward to a rocking first job.
About the Author
Geetika Jain writes on behalf of FirstNaukri.com, a leading job portal for fresher jobs in India. FirstNaukri.com helps in searching Jobs for freshers, walk-ins interviews, interviews tips for freshers, career openings for freshers in top companies. With FirstNaukri you can easily post your resume and find your first dream job.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Tips For Grads Looking For Employment During the Recession by Heather Eagar
Being a college grad in the middle of a recession is one of the toughest times to try to find a job. Unfortunately, there are thousands of students who have recently graduated - or are about to cross the stage - who will be looking for employment with 4 million others who have recently been laid off. So how can someone with very little experience compete against candidates who have years of know-how and education under their belts? There are a few tips to consider that can help to make the job search a little simpler. Let's take a look at what they are …
Take Advantage of Your Youth
One benefit that recent grads have over professionals who have been in their chosen industry for years is youth. While it's true that many employers like to play it safe with an employee who has tons of experience, some employers understand the need to stay ahead of the curve in most all industries due in large part to constant technological advancements in the business world. This gives a great advantage to the recent grad. One reason for this advantage is that students who have recently graduated have been "raised" in these newer technologies and know them like the backs of their hands. Also, by having recently studied them, recent grads are able to take them and move forward with fresh perspectives that veteran employees may not offer. So as a recent grad, it's good to amplify any technological expertise you have, as well as any other fresh perspectives you can bring to the table when applying for jobs. If you do, your youth may just offer you a major advantage in your job search.
Describe Your Experience Creatively
In addition to focusing on the fresh perspective your youth can bring to a company, it's good to put a creative spin any experience you have. This is especially true if your list of jobs and skills stops halfway through the first page. Unfortunately, your competition will have tons of expertise under their belts, so it's your job to spruce up your experiences to make yourself more competitive. For instance, if you have yet to hold a job, but you have volunteered for a number of organizations, you can focus any skills acquired from these experiences (along with extracurricular activities and other events you've participated in that can be added to the list) to heighten your chances of being hired.
Make Use of Your Contacts
Another tip to consider when conducting a job search during a recession is making use of your contacts. Sometimes, when there aren't many job openings in comparison to the number of talented individuals applying for them, who you know means much more than what you know. So if you have good relationships with professors, campus officials, or employees from various internships, now is the time to start networking. Also, joining social networks and organizations geared toward your field can help you create new professional contacts.
Finding a job in the recession can be difficult for anyone, but even more so for a recent grad. But don't give up hope that you'll find that great job. With a fresh perspective, creativity and some confident networking skills, you'll snatch up a great job in no time.
About the Author
Heather Eagar is a former professional resume writer and is passionate about providing working professionals with current, reliable and effective job search tools and information. Check out reviews of the top resume writers in the industry at http://www.resumelines.com.
Take Advantage of Your Youth
One benefit that recent grads have over professionals who have been in their chosen industry for years is youth. While it's true that many employers like to play it safe with an employee who has tons of experience, some employers understand the need to stay ahead of the curve in most all industries due in large part to constant technological advancements in the business world. This gives a great advantage to the recent grad. One reason for this advantage is that students who have recently graduated have been "raised" in these newer technologies and know them like the backs of their hands. Also, by having recently studied them, recent grads are able to take them and move forward with fresh perspectives that veteran employees may not offer. So as a recent grad, it's good to amplify any technological expertise you have, as well as any other fresh perspectives you can bring to the table when applying for jobs. If you do, your youth may just offer you a major advantage in your job search.
Describe Your Experience Creatively
In addition to focusing on the fresh perspective your youth can bring to a company, it's good to put a creative spin any experience you have. This is especially true if your list of jobs and skills stops halfway through the first page. Unfortunately, your competition will have tons of expertise under their belts, so it's your job to spruce up your experiences to make yourself more competitive. For instance, if you have yet to hold a job, but you have volunteered for a number of organizations, you can focus any skills acquired from these experiences (along with extracurricular activities and other events you've participated in that can be added to the list) to heighten your chances of being hired.
Make Use of Your Contacts
Another tip to consider when conducting a job search during a recession is making use of your contacts. Sometimes, when there aren't many job openings in comparison to the number of talented individuals applying for them, who you know means much more than what you know. So if you have good relationships with professors, campus officials, or employees from various internships, now is the time to start networking. Also, joining social networks and organizations geared toward your field can help you create new professional contacts.
Finding a job in the recession can be difficult for anyone, but even more so for a recent grad. But don't give up hope that you'll find that great job. With a fresh perspective, creativity and some confident networking skills, you'll snatch up a great job in no time.
About the Author
Heather Eagar is a former professional resume writer and is passionate about providing working professionals with current, reliable and effective job search tools and information. Check out reviews of the top resume writers in the industry at http://www.resumelines.com.
7 MUST DOs ONCE UNEMPLOYED by Matthew Howland
Receiving the news that you are now the lucky and latest unemployed individual is shocking. Many people have the "deer in the head lights" experience (immobilizing stupor). You are not sure where to move, what to move, or how to move. The following list will help you get your feet on the ground and your career back on track.
1. | APPLY FOR UNEMPLOYMENT
Surprisingly some people wait to apply for unemployment. This can be a major mistake, resulting in lost income. It s important to you apply for unemployment insurance benefits immediately after you become unemployed.
To get started, search Google for unemployment. Add your state to the search to find out specifics for your location. Another good resource is the US Department of Labor State Unemployment Insurace Benefits page. Visit Unemployment Filing Tips to make sure you have everything you need when you go to file your claim.
2. | BUDGET FOR YOUR NEW INCOME
Once your application for unemployment is filed, it is important to make sure that your current lifestyle is in line with your newly adjusted income level. Most people either live at or above their means, so any reduction in income can cause real financial trouble.
First, establish your new income. Add up all monthly income including: unemployment, spouse's salary, part time jobs, child support/alimony, and money from assistance programs. This is the time to think "Do I have any way to make additional money?". Check out GovBenefits.gov for assistance program eligibility.
Second review all monthly expenses. Make sure you are conservative when listing your expenses and add a slush fund in order to be certain all costs are covered. If your monthly expenses are more than your monthly income, make some expense cuts. You probably do not need the 500 channel cable package. Cut back to the bare minimum or none at all. Also look at ways to cut groceries, phone, energy, and vehicles. Do whatever it takes to make sure your income is greater than your expenses.
After you are done, your expenses may still exceed income. Look at ways to supplement this temporarily. Are there things around the house that can be sold for extra cash? Do you have a vacation package you can sell on ebay or get a refund? If you are spending more than you make, it is now time to get extreme with your finances.
For more information on budgeting through unemployment take a look at the Personal Budget Worksheet.
3. | CREATE OR UPDATE YOUR RESUMÉ
It is important that your resumé is current, sharp, and represents you. Many make the mistake of throwing together a resume and fail to be creative or thoughful. Take the time to seriously research how put together a resumé. Look at different resume styles and choose the one that best represents your personality and background. Given the fact that resume reviewers look at your resume for an average of ten seconds, you need to make sure you do everything possible to make your resume pop.
My favorite resource for resume writing is Rockport Institute | How to write a masterpiece resume. This page takes you through resume writing step by step and has been pivotal in the development of my own resume. Another good resource is www.how-to-write-a-resume.org.
After you create a killer resumé, have it reviewed by impartial people. You can show it to family, friends, and peers. You can also post it on online forums for feedback. The crucial aspect of having your resumé reviewed, is showing it to people who will be honest, and not just say "Oh that looks so nice. What great job you did." The person who reviews your resumé and only has nice things to say more than likely will not be the person who is hiring you.
4. | SIGN UP FOR JOB BOARDS
Although I am convinced that people rely too heavily on job boards, I do believe they are an essential part of your job search. It is important to sign up for multiple job boards (i.e. Monster.com, CareerBuilder.com, and Yahoo Hot Jobs) not just one. Why? Because some job boards do better with certain job fields than others. Also, employers do not post job openings on all every single job board, so you do not want to limit your opportunities.
Search for niche job boards related to your field of interest. For example, I work in the construction industry. One of the job boards my resume is posted on is ConstructionJobs.com because it is used by many construction related companies.
One of the online tools you cannot do without is the job search engine. Sites like InDeed.com and SimplyHired.com allow you to search across multiple job boards.
While signing up for these different sites, be sure to sign up for daily or weekly job alerts to your email. This will help you focus on only the newest jobs.
5. | NETWORK
Make a list of people who can help with your job search. These people can be close friends, college buddies, neighbors, or past coworkers. This is your personal network, which will be a great resource. These are the people who if times get really tough, can talk you through and encourage you to keep your chin up. They are not only your network, but your support and encouragement.
After you make your list, start contacting these people to let them know your current employment situation. At this point you have already called some of them. As you share, many of them will offer job leads for companies they think are hiring. Make sure you have a pen and paper ready to jot down all useful information. Some of these people will also be your resumé critiquers.
You can also use social networks like LinkedIn, Facebook, and MySpace to stay connected with others.
6. | LIST POTENTIAL EMPLOYERS
As stated earlier, I think the job boards are important, but should not be relied upon soley. A company may contemplate a new position, but not posted an ad yet. If your resume happens to come across the managers desk right at that time, you may get a chance to interview before anyone else does. Some studies suggest that every job listing posted on a job board receives 150 resumes. Others say thousands. Not very good odds to bet your life on.
For this reason, make a list of all potential employers within an hour of where you live. Start with companies you can name off the top of your head. Then open up the yellow pages or use an online company search like Google Maps, yellowbook, or any favorite local listing directory to expand the list.
Once you have an extensive list (60 to 100 companies), prioritize the list based on who you think is hiring and your desire to work for the company. Research companies online using jobbala.com or Google to find background information and insider information from employees of the company.
7. | PLAN FOR JOB HUNTING
While unemployed, your number one job is to find a job. During my time of unemployment I would start working at 8am and would not stop until 6 or 8pm at night. Every morning I made a plan for what I was going to accomplish that day and then set out to do it. People would ask "What are you doing with all of your free time?". I would respond with "What free time. I am working as hard now as I ever did."
Set goals for what you are going to do on a daily and weekly basis. One goal may be to apply to six companies a day. Do this either through job boards or by applying to companies on your list of potential employers. Include in your daily plan time to follow up with employers you sent your resumé. See future articles on jobbala.com about managing your job search.
Once a daily plan is in place, share it with someone who will keep you accountable. This person must be willing and able to light a fire under you when you are feeling bad for yourself, because those days do come.
About the Author
Matthew Howland; Matt is the owner of jobbala.com
If you enjoyed this article, please visit jobbala.com and rate your job
1. | APPLY FOR UNEMPLOYMENT
Surprisingly some people wait to apply for unemployment. This can be a major mistake, resulting in lost income. It s important to you apply for unemployment insurance benefits immediately after you become unemployed.
To get started, search Google for unemployment. Add your state to the search to find out specifics for your location. Another good resource is the US Department of Labor State Unemployment Insurace Benefits page. Visit Unemployment Filing Tips to make sure you have everything you need when you go to file your claim.
2. | BUDGET FOR YOUR NEW INCOME
Once your application for unemployment is filed, it is important to make sure that your current lifestyle is in line with your newly adjusted income level. Most people either live at or above their means, so any reduction in income can cause real financial trouble.
First, establish your new income. Add up all monthly income including: unemployment, spouse's salary, part time jobs, child support/alimony, and money from assistance programs. This is the time to think "Do I have any way to make additional money?". Check out GovBenefits.gov for assistance program eligibility.
Second review all monthly expenses. Make sure you are conservative when listing your expenses and add a slush fund in order to be certain all costs are covered. If your monthly expenses are more than your monthly income, make some expense cuts. You probably do not need the 500 channel cable package. Cut back to the bare minimum or none at all. Also look at ways to cut groceries, phone, energy, and vehicles. Do whatever it takes to make sure your income is greater than your expenses.
After you are done, your expenses may still exceed income. Look at ways to supplement this temporarily. Are there things around the house that can be sold for extra cash? Do you have a vacation package you can sell on ebay or get a refund? If you are spending more than you make, it is now time to get extreme with your finances.
For more information on budgeting through unemployment take a look at the Personal Budget Worksheet.
3. | CREATE OR UPDATE YOUR RESUMÉ
It is important that your resumé is current, sharp, and represents you. Many make the mistake of throwing together a resume and fail to be creative or thoughful. Take the time to seriously research how put together a resumé. Look at different resume styles and choose the one that best represents your personality and background. Given the fact that resume reviewers look at your resume for an average of ten seconds, you need to make sure you do everything possible to make your resume pop.
My favorite resource for resume writing is Rockport Institute | How to write a masterpiece resume. This page takes you through resume writing step by step and has been pivotal in the development of my own resume. Another good resource is www.how-to-write-a-resume.org.
After you create a killer resumé, have it reviewed by impartial people. You can show it to family, friends, and peers. You can also post it on online forums for feedback. The crucial aspect of having your resumé reviewed, is showing it to people who will be honest, and not just say "Oh that looks so nice. What great job you did." The person who reviews your resumé and only has nice things to say more than likely will not be the person who is hiring you.
4. | SIGN UP FOR JOB BOARDS
Although I am convinced that people rely too heavily on job boards, I do believe they are an essential part of your job search. It is important to sign up for multiple job boards (i.e. Monster.com, CareerBuilder.com, and Yahoo Hot Jobs) not just one. Why? Because some job boards do better with certain job fields than others. Also, employers do not post job openings on all every single job board, so you do not want to limit your opportunities.
Search for niche job boards related to your field of interest. For example, I work in the construction industry. One of the job boards my resume is posted on is ConstructionJobs.com because it is used by many construction related companies.
One of the online tools you cannot do without is the job search engine. Sites like InDeed.com and SimplyHired.com allow you to search across multiple job boards.
While signing up for these different sites, be sure to sign up for daily or weekly job alerts to your email. This will help you focus on only the newest jobs.
5. | NETWORK
Make a list of people who can help with your job search. These people can be close friends, college buddies, neighbors, or past coworkers. This is your personal network, which will be a great resource. These are the people who if times get really tough, can talk you through and encourage you to keep your chin up. They are not only your network, but your support and encouragement.
After you make your list, start contacting these people to let them know your current employment situation. At this point you have already called some of them. As you share, many of them will offer job leads for companies they think are hiring. Make sure you have a pen and paper ready to jot down all useful information. Some of these people will also be your resumé critiquers.
You can also use social networks like LinkedIn, Facebook, and MySpace to stay connected with others.
6. | LIST POTENTIAL EMPLOYERS
As stated earlier, I think the job boards are important, but should not be relied upon soley. A company may contemplate a new position, but not posted an ad yet. If your resume happens to come across the managers desk right at that time, you may get a chance to interview before anyone else does. Some studies suggest that every job listing posted on a job board receives 150 resumes. Others say thousands. Not very good odds to bet your life on.
For this reason, make a list of all potential employers within an hour of where you live. Start with companies you can name off the top of your head. Then open up the yellow pages or use an online company search like Google Maps, yellowbook, or any favorite local listing directory to expand the list.
Once you have an extensive list (60 to 100 companies), prioritize the list based on who you think is hiring and your desire to work for the company. Research companies online using jobbala.com or Google to find background information and insider information from employees of the company.
7. | PLAN FOR JOB HUNTING
While unemployed, your number one job is to find a job. During my time of unemployment I would start working at 8am and would not stop until 6 or 8pm at night. Every morning I made a plan for what I was going to accomplish that day and then set out to do it. People would ask "What are you doing with all of your free time?". I would respond with "What free time. I am working as hard now as I ever did."
Set goals for what you are going to do on a daily and weekly basis. One goal may be to apply to six companies a day. Do this either through job boards or by applying to companies on your list of potential employers. Include in your daily plan time to follow up with employers you sent your resumé. See future articles on jobbala.com about managing your job search.
Once a daily plan is in place, share it with someone who will keep you accountable. This person must be willing and able to light a fire under you when you are feeling bad for yourself, because those days do come.
About the Author
Matthew Howland; Matt is the owner of jobbala.com
If you enjoyed this article, please visit jobbala.com and rate your job
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Tips To Survive A Layoff by Peter Stabler
There isn't an industry in America that isn't facing hard times in this tough economy. Unemployment rates have skyrocketed and there are many more jobs on the line. If you have recently lost your job or your employment status is on the fence you may be wondering how you can survive if you lose your primary source of income. Fortunately there are steps you can take to protect yourself and increase your chances of remaining solvent in the event you lose your job.
Have A Plan- There is no such thing as "job security" during a down economy. Both small and large businesses are suffering and making adjustments trying to survive. Most companies have a plan in place to weather the storm and unfortunately part of that plan is reducing costs by letting people go. You should take notes from your employer and develop your own plan for surviving the recession. You will be in a better position to handle your job loss by being prepared in advance.
Gather Your Bills- One of the first things you should do is gather all of your bills and financial obligations to see what you owe and to whom. This will either make you breath easier or hit the panic button but it is something that you need to do. You may have to make arrangements or negotiate with your lenders in the next few months so it is important to know where you stand. Many people budget extra money into payments each month, if this is the case you can adjust your budget and make a new and improved "emergency" budget to determine the minimum amount you need to survive.
Stockpile Cash- The obvious way to prepare for a reduced income is by reducing your expenses and saving money now. If you are seriously concerned about a possible layoff at your place of employment it is unwise to wait until your receive notice to make lifestyle adjustments. You should be cutting expenses wherever possible and funneling that money into your savings account. If you have small bills here and there, make the effort to pay them off now. This will make a difference if you lose your job and need every penny to pay your living expenses.
Look For Another Job- This may be difficult since most companies are in the same position as the one your are leaving, however you must still make the effort to find out what companies may be hiring if you find yourself looking for a job. Another thought to consider when looking for another job is trying something outside of your field, or even starting your own business. Freelance workers in certain industries are seeing a boom in business as companies are outsourcing projects to save money.
Stay Positive- You attitude will make all the difference in how you handle a potential layoff. Remember there are things in life that are beyond your control and there is no point in worrying yourself over things that you cannot change. If you lose your job, take the time to adjust and then move on. You will not find success by sitting around thinking about all the things that can go wrong. This country and the people in it have survived worse economic times and you will too if stay positive and focused on your long term goals.
About the Author
Paul Stabler, Associate Editor for CreditCardFlyers.com
CreditCardFlyers.com is known for it's leading resources of credit card offers and balance transfer credit cards. We provide valuable information in one convenient place so consumers can easily search and compare balance transfers and apply instantly online.
Have A Plan- There is no such thing as "job security" during a down economy. Both small and large businesses are suffering and making adjustments trying to survive. Most companies have a plan in place to weather the storm and unfortunately part of that plan is reducing costs by letting people go. You should take notes from your employer and develop your own plan for surviving the recession. You will be in a better position to handle your job loss by being prepared in advance.
Gather Your Bills- One of the first things you should do is gather all of your bills and financial obligations to see what you owe and to whom. This will either make you breath easier or hit the panic button but it is something that you need to do. You may have to make arrangements or negotiate with your lenders in the next few months so it is important to know where you stand. Many people budget extra money into payments each month, if this is the case you can adjust your budget and make a new and improved "emergency" budget to determine the minimum amount you need to survive.
Stockpile Cash- The obvious way to prepare for a reduced income is by reducing your expenses and saving money now. If you are seriously concerned about a possible layoff at your place of employment it is unwise to wait until your receive notice to make lifestyle adjustments. You should be cutting expenses wherever possible and funneling that money into your savings account. If you have small bills here and there, make the effort to pay them off now. This will make a difference if you lose your job and need every penny to pay your living expenses.
Look For Another Job- This may be difficult since most companies are in the same position as the one your are leaving, however you must still make the effort to find out what companies may be hiring if you find yourself looking for a job. Another thought to consider when looking for another job is trying something outside of your field, or even starting your own business. Freelance workers in certain industries are seeing a boom in business as companies are outsourcing projects to save money.
Stay Positive- You attitude will make all the difference in how you handle a potential layoff. Remember there are things in life that are beyond your control and there is no point in worrying yourself over things that you cannot change. If you lose your job, take the time to adjust and then move on. You will not find success by sitting around thinking about all the things that can go wrong. This country and the people in it have survived worse economic times and you will too if stay positive and focused on your long term goals.
About the Author
Paul Stabler, Associate Editor for CreditCardFlyers.com
CreditCardFlyers.com is known for it's leading resources of credit card offers and balance transfer credit cards. We provide valuable information in one convenient place so consumers can easily search and compare balance transfers and apply instantly online.
Top 7 Ways to Prepare For a Successful Job Interview by Erin Suess
Interviewing for a new job regardless of whether it is with a different company, within the same company or in a completely different industry can be quite overwhelming and stressful. The majority of us will participate in several interviews in our lifetime and for some of us interviewing will become a big part of our lives. This is especially true during economic turbulent times like today. Companies are being forced to layoff, downsize and even job shift. Many major corporations have been shifting jobs (outsourcing jobs offshore) therefore leaving many people out of work. According to Business Week, "IBM has indeed been shifting jobs. The magazine reported that the company's workforce went up from 386,558 at the end of 2007 to 398,000 at the end of 2008. But U.S. employment fell from 121,000 to 115,000 during the same time." Through various diverse means jobs are being cut and many people are looking for new opportunities. Below are several tips that may be helpful when preparing for a job interview.
Research
The number one most important piece in preparing for a successful interview is to do your homework. In today's day and age with access to the internet and other valuable career resources at our fingertips there is no reason to show up to an interview unfamiliar with the company. Researching the company, position and process (who and how) will not only demonstrate your sincere interest and increase your confidence, but it is an opportunity to learn what you have to offer and to impress the interviewers. So what type of information should you research? Some examples include: size of the firm, organizational structure and career paths, percentage of annual sales growth in the last five years, locations/home office, competition, organizational goals and of course their products and services. Demonstrating your knowledge of the company and their products and services can help you stand out from the crowd.
Know yourself
Although doing your homework is absolutely necessary knowing yourself is just as essential. In my opinion, the two go hand in hand. You can spew out as many tidbits about the company as you want but if you cannot demonstrate how your skills and experiences tie into the company's objectives there is no point in participating in the interview. For example, understanding how your values, interests and skills fit into the company's mission and overall goals is going to allow you to showcase your value to the company. Discussing your career objectives will give the interviewers an idea of where and how you fit within their organization. Without this knowledge you fail to paint a picture of your potential role within the company.
Mock interviews
Another important task in preparing for a successful interview is practicing. Participating in mock interviews with family, friends or other people within your industry will give you an opportunity to practice "selling" yourself as well as receive feedback. Practicing will build up your interviewing skills in addition to building your self-confidence. The feedback you receive may shed some new light on points you never consider before and provide tips on your communication style. Nonverbal communication such as facial expressions, eye contact and posture are just as important as verbal communications such as tone of voice, positive words/phrases and sense of humor. Both forms of communication can make or break the interview.
Stack your pack
To prepare for a successful interview means showing up to the interview with the right tools and enough copies to display your work for everyone. First, be sure to always have a copy of the directions and phone number to the company. A career portfolio may be a good idea to showcase your successes and leave a lasting impression. Always have more than enough resume copies on hand because you never know how many people will be interviewing you or stopping by during the interview. Bring extra copies of references and business cards. Lastly, make sure you have a pen and pad of paper to take notes during the interview. Start by writing down your interviewer's name and important key points that are discussed regarding the position and your responsibilities and expectations. Be sure to star anything that may seem unclear and go back to ask for clarification.
Questions
Writing out a list of questions prior to the interview is crucial. Many questions will stem from the research you conducted earlier and other questions may come from your own interests or what you would like more clarification on. For examples, questions about the positions responsibilities, reason for the opening, more about company's goals and missions, career paths, training opportunities etc. will give you more insight into what your role will be and if this position aligns with who you are and what you are seeking in a position.
Dress Appropriately
Dressing for success requires advance planning. It is important to note that although the company's dress code may be relaxed your attire should remain conservative, neat and professional. Be sure to lie out and iron your clothes the night before so it is ready to go the day of the interview. For men, appropriate attire may include a solid color dark suit with tailored slacks and a conservative tie. Women's attire may include a navy, black, brown, gray or beige suit color avoiding bright colors and patterns. Remember to keep jewelry, make-up and perfume to a minimum. Lastly, don't forget to wear a smile!
What not to bring
In preparing for a successful interview remember to keep in mind some items you should not bring to an interview: gum, candy, cigarettes, cell phone and blackberry (leave in car), IPods, coffee or soda, and any visible tattoo's (cover them up).
Overall, there are several steps you can take in preparing for a successful job interview but an important tip to keep in mind is to have a positive mental attitude that can shine through during the interview. Many times people go in to an interview prepared for all the "right" things to say and forget to let their upbeat personality or enthusiasm come through. Employers do not only hire qualified people but also those individuals who they can connect with and who will "fit" in well with their organization are often employed.
About the Author
Erin Suess is a life and career coach and creator of http://www.lifecoachingdesigns.com. She works with individuals who are seeking to enhance their personal and professional lives through gaining clarity and achieving goals. She also offers MBTI and Strong Interest Inventory testing on her site. If you are ready to live your best life then contact Erin! erin@lifecoachingdesigns.com
Research
The number one most important piece in preparing for a successful interview is to do your homework. In today's day and age with access to the internet and other valuable career resources at our fingertips there is no reason to show up to an interview unfamiliar with the company. Researching the company, position and process (who and how) will not only demonstrate your sincere interest and increase your confidence, but it is an opportunity to learn what you have to offer and to impress the interviewers. So what type of information should you research? Some examples include: size of the firm, organizational structure and career paths, percentage of annual sales growth in the last five years, locations/home office, competition, organizational goals and of course their products and services. Demonstrating your knowledge of the company and their products and services can help you stand out from the crowd.
Know yourself
Although doing your homework is absolutely necessary knowing yourself is just as essential. In my opinion, the two go hand in hand. You can spew out as many tidbits about the company as you want but if you cannot demonstrate how your skills and experiences tie into the company's objectives there is no point in participating in the interview. For example, understanding how your values, interests and skills fit into the company's mission and overall goals is going to allow you to showcase your value to the company. Discussing your career objectives will give the interviewers an idea of where and how you fit within their organization. Without this knowledge you fail to paint a picture of your potential role within the company.
Mock interviews
Another important task in preparing for a successful interview is practicing. Participating in mock interviews with family, friends or other people within your industry will give you an opportunity to practice "selling" yourself as well as receive feedback. Practicing will build up your interviewing skills in addition to building your self-confidence. The feedback you receive may shed some new light on points you never consider before and provide tips on your communication style. Nonverbal communication such as facial expressions, eye contact and posture are just as important as verbal communications such as tone of voice, positive words/phrases and sense of humor. Both forms of communication can make or break the interview.
Stack your pack
To prepare for a successful interview means showing up to the interview with the right tools and enough copies to display your work for everyone. First, be sure to always have a copy of the directions and phone number to the company. A career portfolio may be a good idea to showcase your successes and leave a lasting impression. Always have more than enough resume copies on hand because you never know how many people will be interviewing you or stopping by during the interview. Bring extra copies of references and business cards. Lastly, make sure you have a pen and pad of paper to take notes during the interview. Start by writing down your interviewer's name and important key points that are discussed regarding the position and your responsibilities and expectations. Be sure to star anything that may seem unclear and go back to ask for clarification.
Questions
Writing out a list of questions prior to the interview is crucial. Many questions will stem from the research you conducted earlier and other questions may come from your own interests or what you would like more clarification on. For examples, questions about the positions responsibilities, reason for the opening, more about company's goals and missions, career paths, training opportunities etc. will give you more insight into what your role will be and if this position aligns with who you are and what you are seeking in a position.
Dress Appropriately
Dressing for success requires advance planning. It is important to note that although the company's dress code may be relaxed your attire should remain conservative, neat and professional. Be sure to lie out and iron your clothes the night before so it is ready to go the day of the interview. For men, appropriate attire may include a solid color dark suit with tailored slacks and a conservative tie. Women's attire may include a navy, black, brown, gray or beige suit color avoiding bright colors and patterns. Remember to keep jewelry, make-up and perfume to a minimum. Lastly, don't forget to wear a smile!
What not to bring
In preparing for a successful interview remember to keep in mind some items you should not bring to an interview: gum, candy, cigarettes, cell phone and blackberry (leave in car), IPods, coffee or soda, and any visible tattoo's (cover them up).
Overall, there are several steps you can take in preparing for a successful job interview but an important tip to keep in mind is to have a positive mental attitude that can shine through during the interview. Many times people go in to an interview prepared for all the "right" things to say and forget to let their upbeat personality or enthusiasm come through. Employers do not only hire qualified people but also those individuals who they can connect with and who will "fit" in well with their organization are often employed.
About the Author
Erin Suess is a life and career coach and creator of http://www.lifecoachingdesigns.com. She works with individuals who are seeking to enhance their personal and professional lives through gaining clarity and achieving goals. She also offers MBTI and Strong Interest Inventory testing on her site. If you are ready to live your best life then contact Erin! erin@lifecoachingdesigns.com
Resume Writing Tips by James Sweeney
It is no doubt that making an effective resume is difficult. It is hard to know where you are going to start and what are you going to include in making it a winning resume that will catch the attention of an employer and possibly gain employment. Writing a resume needs focus and extra effort.
Here are simple yet effective tips on writing a resume.
Before writing your resume you need to make plans and you need to be prepared. Get organized, look for your past employment, and write the employers name, addresses, contact numbers, and your dates of employment. Seek information for personal references, their names, addresses, and contact numbers. Get information on the employer. Gather your thoughts and start doing your resume. Make your resume concrete and short. Make it in order according to its fundamental, impressiveness, and applicability. As much as possible type it on a computer and use white paper. Make an emphasis on your skills and abilities. This is where the employer focuses their judgment. Try to highlight the most essential information about you.
Emphasize your most recent job. Specify your accomplishments. Use action and power words that can describe your work abilities. It can add life to your resume.
Make sure your resume is current.
Avoid unimportant information like your weight, height, salaries etc. Let someone else check and review your resume. They can help you know if there is an error and if it needs some revising.
Market yourself well. You have to make your employer believe that they are making a right decision for hiring you.
About the Author
Jimmy Sweeney is president of CareerJimmy and author of the brand new, "Amazing Resume Creator." In just 10 minutes flat you can quickly and easily CREATE or UPDATE your resume without spending a lot of money. Just a few clicks of your mouse turns an "average" resume into an AMAZING resume guaranteed to land you more hot job interviews next week.
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Here are simple yet effective tips on writing a resume.
Before writing your resume you need to make plans and you need to be prepared. Get organized, look for your past employment, and write the employers name, addresses, contact numbers, and your dates of employment. Seek information for personal references, their names, addresses, and contact numbers. Get information on the employer. Gather your thoughts and start doing your resume. Make your resume concrete and short. Make it in order according to its fundamental, impressiveness, and applicability. As much as possible type it on a computer and use white paper. Make an emphasis on your skills and abilities. This is where the employer focuses their judgment. Try to highlight the most essential information about you.
Emphasize your most recent job. Specify your accomplishments. Use action and power words that can describe your work abilities. It can add life to your resume.
Make sure your resume is current.
Avoid unimportant information like your weight, height, salaries etc. Let someone else check and review your resume. They can help you know if there is an error and if it needs some revising.
Market yourself well. You have to make your employer believe that they are making a right decision for hiring you.
About the Author
Jimmy Sweeney is president of CareerJimmy and author of the brand new, "Amazing Resume Creator." In just 10 minutes flat you can quickly and easily CREATE or UPDATE your resume without spending a lot of money. Just a few clicks of your mouse turns an "average" resume into an AMAZING resume guaranteed to land you more hot job interviews next week.
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