Jim Stroud's "Jobseeker's Revenge"

How to Work a Job Fair

2006-02-18T19:41:00.000-05:00

As this is the "season for hiring", let me share with this blog a "real" question from a "real" career seeker regarding "Career Fair Management 101." I hope you find the solutions helpful.

ASK THE CAREER ENGINEER! http://www.thecareerengineers.com Francina R. Harrison, MSW

Q: I have attended area job fairs in the past and have felt totally lost. This may sound like a strange question, but what should you do exactly at a job fair?

A: When I attend job fairs I do the following:

1. Research the companies prior to the job fair. Most sponsors will advertise in advance to let the public know which companies are coming. Use your Internet sourcing skills to research company history/culture, current job postings, upward mobility and compensation programs.

2. Develop your market – have a Plan A, B, and C. Every company that attends a job fair may not meet your initial skill sets. So find those 10-15 companies that may be an exact match to what you are looking for (make those your Plan A companies). The remaining companies should be classified as your Plan B, C and so on. I recommend you go to every table to learn first hand about specific employment opportunities. Never assume you know…go find out.

3. Make a personalized cover letter, combined with your resume, for your Plan A companies and go to those companies first. This is something that I have done in the past and it helped me to stand out from the competition.

4. Meet the managers/recruiters and sell your skills and what you bring to the table.

5. Be prepared to deploy your resume at a moments notice. A recruiter should not have to “pull teeth” to get your resume.

6. There is a time for shyness…this is not it (blow your horn).

7. Interview the companies. Now is the time to ask questions that may make you feel uncomfortable in the interview chair like (salary, schedules, and how does the representative like working there).

8. Take all company literature and business cards for follow-up and future employment search activities.

How to work at home and love it!

2006-02-12T20:43:00.000-05:00

After the birth of her daughter, Carrie Opara knew she didn't want to return to her old job as a mental health counselor. But finding a legitimate work she could do at home was no small feat.

She tried a multi-level marketing plan and wound up in debt. She looked on the Internet and found plenty of scams. Finally, she heard about Palo Alto, Calf.-based LiveOps, a call center that hired people to work out of their own homes.

A couple years later, she's earning about $2,000 a month working 30 to 35 hours a week from her home in Columbia, Md. -- about what she was making as a counselor. Her shifts can be as short as 30 minutes, although she typically works five-hour blocks while her 5-year-old is in school, plus some nights and weekends when her husband, a CPA, can take over child care.

Opara, 44, said she still faces the challenges familiar to every working parent: How to work enough hours, spend enough quality time with her family "and still figure out how I'm going to clean my house, make dinner and do the grocery shopping." Not having to commute or pay for child care, however, are big bonuses.Credit card interest out of control? Find a lower rate.

"It's fit in perfectly," Opara said, "and we also like the flexibility."

Technology is opening up new opportunities for parents and others who want to work at home -- even as it allows the scam artists a wider reach. Finding and landing legitimate, profitable work still isn't easy, but here are a few venues to try:

A call center in your home

You hear a lot about companies routing their customer service calls to workers overseas, but a less-noticed trend is the growth in home-based call center workers. The number of such workers in North America has tripled since 2000, according to an estimate by research firm Yankee Group, with more than 670,000 phone agents in the U.S. and Canada now working at home.

Want more? READ: 4 real jobs you can do from home

Are Your Communication Skills Sabotaging Your Career? - Part 1

2006-02-12T20:38:00.000-05:00

By Dee Piziak

Stop Talking Yes, you heard right. Stop talking and start listening. Most people are very poor listeners and even worse, they constantly interrupt the other person. Since everyone enjoys talking, it takes a real effort to break these very bad habits. But it is the only way you will ever become a successful communicator. A good rule of thumb is to let the other person do 75% of the talking and you only do 25%.

The Power of Listening The reason why listening is so powerful is because it builds trust. The more you listen to another person, the more he or she trusts you and believes in you. Listening also builds the other person's self-esteem. When you listen carefully to another person, you are in effect telling them that what they have to say is so important that you aren't going to say one single thing until they're done. People will seek you out because they will feel very comfortable in your presence. The more they seek you out, the further ahead you will get and you will be amazed at how quickly your career starts to move forward.

Ask for Clarification If you aren't 100% certain what the person is saying, never guess or assume. Ask for clarity because if you don't, you'll end up talking in circles. Then the other person will leave the conversation thinking "She doesn't get it." They never say "Gee, I'm a lousy communicator and I didn't explain it to her properly"; they always say "She doesn't get it." I know it's unfair but that's what happens...

The most effective method I've ever learned for getting more information is to ask "How do you mean?" It's such a mild and polite question that it's impossible not to answer. The other person cannot stop himself or herself from answering more extensively. You can then follow up with other questions and have a very productive conversation.

Use Open Ended Questions Avoid questions that can be answered with a simple “yes” or “no.” Open-ended questions encourage the speaker to expand on his or her thoughts and comments. And one question will lead to another. By asking open-ended questions, you can draw out of the other person everything that he or she has to say on a particular subject. Then you have all the information you need to respond intelligently.

Pause Before Replying This is a key strategy that the very best verbal communicators use. A short pause of three to five seconds is all you need to do. When you pause, you accomplish four things. First, you avoid interrupting the person if they had more to say. Second, you show respect by giving careful consideration to what the person just said. Third, what the person said will sink into your mind and your response will be much more on point than if you just blurted it out. Last, but not least, you come across as a very thoughtful and intelligent person.

I'll tell you right now that pausing is the hardest thing to learn. Even though it's only three to five seconds, it feels more like three to five minutes. At first, it's very awkward to do. Try a little experiment: start observing the executives and highly respected managers in your organization. You will see that they use this strategy all the time. It works for them and it will work for you too.

Body Language When you are speaking to someone, maintain eye contact at all times. Don't scan the room, looking for other people. That's rude. Don't look down at the conference room table or the floor or past the person. That shows your lack of self-confidence. Never cross your arms or hang out in the chair as if it's your personal Barcalounger. Carry yourself in a relaxed yet professional way. If you are comfortable, you'll make the other person feel comfortable too.

Ask someone (who you think has a very professional style) to critique you on your body language just as soon as you are done reading this article. I'm not kidding. This is one of those silent career killers that nobody will tell you about because it's embarrassing to talk about.

Use These Strategies All the Time Don't just use these strategies for meetings or when you talk to managers or high level people. Use them all the time. By doing so, you will quickly break old bad habits and completely turn your verbal communication skills around in no time at all.

But the most important reason is that when you use these techniques, you are giving out a high level of respect and consideration to whoever you come in contact with. And everyone deserves to receive that, regardless of whether they are the CEO or the janitor. It's the right thing to do.

Dee Piziak is a manager for a Fortune 500 company and a university instructor. Her consulting firm, Acadia Communications, specializes in professional coaching, career development, and resume writing. Visit her website at http://www.acadiacommunications.com and sign up for her FREE monthly career coaching newsletter.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dee_Piziak

25 words that hurt your resume

2006-02-06T23:52:00.000-05:00

Often, when job seekers try to sell themselves to potential employers, they load their resumes with vague claims that are transparent to hiring managers, according to Scott Bennett, author of "The Elements of Resume Style" (AMACOM).

By contrast, the most successful job seekers avoid these vague phrases on their resumes in favor of accomplishments.

Instead of making empty claims to demonstrate your work ethic, use brief, specific examples to demonstrate your skills.

In other words, show, don't tell.

READ: 25 words that hurt your resume

Hosting Your Resume Online- A Path To Success

2006-02-04T12:48:00.000-05:00

By: Eric Lester

These days, unless you're an IT engineer the first place you're likely to go to look for job opportunities is the web. Monster is just the biggest example: there are dozens of job listing sites focused on industries, career types and on geographical regions. Many of the general career websites provide an opportunity to file a resume in their database, made available to companies seeking employees. Most have fairly sophisticated search techniques that allow you to search their database of available jobs by area, career type, salary range, industry, company size and so forth.

What many job seekers don't recognize is the value of the internet in presenting themselves - an online resume, so to speak. But people who use websites to provide their employment background have found many additional features that will optimize the presentation of their skills and experience.

Every online job inquiry requires at least the submission of a resume. The career web site or the HR department requesting the resume may well request a format, and they inevitably vary. Some want an attachment in Word, some won't accept attachments, insisting on an email inclusion. In both those instances, you can never be sure that the document you send will look the same when it's opened by the recruiter as it looks when you send it. The appearance of the document is never an issue when all you are sending is a url to be clicked.

Your resume will look just as you want it to look, every time. And the value of a website does not end with just providing consistency in the appearance of your basic document. Some job listings ask immediately for samples of your work, whether it's in written or graphic form. Prospective employers want to see your writing skills, whether it's for white papers or advertising copy or business plans or operational proposals. If you're in the graphics field, of course you've got to have a "portfolio" - if you're in advertising, they'll want to see your "book."

You can design your website to include samples of your work. Further, you can set up your web site to present different sets of samples for different job applications. All this requires is grouping types of work samples and providing a password to access them. Send a url and a password, and you've accomplished a couple of things.

The first and most obvious is that you can make the most professional presentation possible by using the tools available with HTML. The best an email response can be is a one dimensional document with a dull font and no highlighting. It is equally possible that a resume sent via email will not present properly; margins and tabs will be out of line, and so forth. Attached documents may also be askew if your software and the software of the reviewer don't match up.

The second, and equally important effect that a resume on a website provides is ease of access. All that is required is a click, and your resume or CV is presented in browser format. Many freelance writers feel that this approach gives them leverage in replying to job placements; a url is less likely to be discarded or overlooked than an email or a word processor attachment.

Those ironclad rules about one page resumes aren't so threatening when there are no pages involved, but just a little scrolling through a polished, graphically enhanced HTML document. At first glance a website when you've got no current income seems like an unnecessary luxury. But with many website hosting plans starting at less than $10 a month, such an investment seems insignificant considering the possibility of shortening your job search substantially.

About The Author: Madison Lockwood is a customer relations associate for http://www.apollohosting.com. As a small business consultant, she helps prospective clients understand how a website may benefit them both personally and professionally. Apollo Hosting provides website hosting, ecommerce hosting, & vps hosting to a wide range of customers.

Need work? USA added 193,000 jobs last month

2006-02-04T12:47:00.000-05:00

Employers stepped up hiring in January, boosting payrolls by 193,000 and lowering the nation's unemployment rate to 4.7 percent, the lowest since July 2001.

The fresh snapshot of the jobs climate, released by the Labor Department on Friday, suggested that the economy started the new year on fairly good footing.

Although the 193,000 gain in payroll jobs in January fell short of the 250,000 new jobs that economists said to anticipate before the release of the report, it still marked a sturdy showing and was the biggest increase in jobs since November.

READ: U.S. economy added 193,000 jobs in month

Need work? USA added 193,000 jobs last month

2006-02-04T12:46:00.000-05:00

Employers stepped up hiring in January, boosting payrolls by 193,000 and lowering the nation's unemployment rate to 4.7 percent, the lowest since July 2001.

The fresh snapshot of the jobs climate, released by the Labor Department on Friday, suggested that the economy started the new year on fairly good footing.

READ: U.S. economy added 193,000 jobs in month

A War Story

2006-02-02T17:40:00.000-05:00

After being laid off from his last job, George Brown knew exactly which company he wanted to work for next, but every time he called, the Personnel Department told him the company wasn’t hiring. So George sprang into action, and another Guerrilla job-hunter was born.

George printed business cards that were round, slightly larger than normal, and very colorful. On the front was a picture of a pizza with a circle-shaped message: “Win a Free Pizza”. The flip side of the card gave his name, email address and telephone number along with the promise of a pizza for the first person to get him an interview with the company.

Dressed for an interview, George stationed himself at the entrance of the company and handed out cards to anyone who would take them. He kept this up for a couple of days and became the topic of conversation at the company. One manager figured that anyone who would go to so much effort deserved an interview. One extra large pizza later, George Guerrilla Marketed his way to the job of his dreams at very little expense, and the company is more profitable because of it.

Compliments of Shari Miller, Principle of The Elmhurst Group, http://www.elmhurstgroup.com/

#11 of 50 Ways to Find a Job Today

2006-02-01T06:38:00.000-05:00

Use personal letterhead and envelopes

If you want to increase the pull of your direct mail campaigns then consider putting together matching letterhead and envelopes that have your picture on them. I use the head and shoulders shot below with quotes from clients to increase my mass mailings. You can do the same thing. I recommend you do this with your second and third tier prospects because the direct one-on-one approach will work better. This is a great idea for marketing and sales people who want to change industry and need to generate a large quantity of leads quickly.

♦ Use a good quality head shot.

♦ To save money ask a friend to use their digital camera. Make sure it’s set on the highest quality. You’ll need a 400 dpi resolution jpeg to ensure a crisp picture.

♦ Wear a good suit and tie.

♦ Take off your glasses so the flash doesn’t reflect off them.

♦ Use a lig

Guerrilla Marketing for Job Hunters

2006-01-27T06:22:00.000-05:00

Guerrilla Marketing for Job Hunters

If you’re looking for a job, you’ve probably realized that typical tactics—like cold calling and bombarding companies with resumes—don’t work well in today’s intensely selective and competitive job market. With real-life war stories from successful job hunters and expert tips and tactics from prominent headhunters, Guerrilla Marketing for Job Hunters gives you plenty of insurgent ideas for finding and landing the right job. more...

Employers are checking you out on-line

2006-01-26T06:51:00.000-05:00

Increasingly, what companies find about you on the Web -- good and bad -- is crucial for job hunters, KEVIN MARRON writes

By KEVIN MARRON

Wednesday, January 25, 2006

Special to The Globe and Mail

#5 of 50 Ways to Find a Job Today

2006-01-24T21:48:00.000-05:00

Write a prospecting letter.

Harness the power of direct mail. The first thing you need to do for a prospecting letter is compile your list. Find 5-10 companies you want to work for based on your research. Compose a letter to your network of contacts asking them if they know of anyone who works at any of the companies on your enclosed list. When a contact does know someone at one of the companies ask him or her to forward your resume to them and let you know how to follow up on the referral. Enclose an eXtreme makeover resume or a functional one with 3-5 bulleted accomplishments that would be of interest to hiring managers at the companies you target.

♦ Send the letter to all your direct contacts first: lawyer, accountant, friends, colleagues, former employers.

♦ Send the list to your closest neighbors next and then people that you don’t necessarily know but you’ve always meant to stop by and introduce yourself to.

♦ Attach a hand written note to your list and sign your name

♦ If you hit a dead-end find out who supplies the company with computer products, stationery or any other service and approach them the same way.

♦ Don’t be surprised if someone calls one or two of your target companies and tells them you are doing research on them… that’s not a bad thing to have happen. David Perry - http://guerrillajobhunting.typepad.com/

1 of 50 Ways to Find a Job Today

2006-01-21T12:50:00.000-05:00

BECOME THE EXPERT You can become recognized and branded as an industry expert by writing and producing a newsletter. All you really need to do is summarize best practices – add your experience or comments – print and mail it. When you send a newsletter with topical information that’s actually useful, employers may recognize your name when you telephone, making them more likely to take your call. When they in turn are looking to hire someone with your expertise you’re likely to be one of their first calls. ♦Newsletters should be 1-4 pages but no longer. Summarize lengthy pieces and refer the reader to your web site for the full text version. ♦You can dress up the newsletter without breaking the bank by using pre-printed paper from companies like Paper Direct, http://paperdirect.com/ ♦Make an electronic version and put it on your website. More ideas: http://www.gm4jh.com/

#1 Rule for Job Hunters in 2006

2006-01-18T14:24:00.000-05:00

Be found. Sounds so simple doesn't it? But really, if a recruiter today was looking for someone with your exact skill set could they find you. Easily? You might be surprised. Why make them work harder than they already do.

Job boards aren't a panacea for job hunters. So what are the tricks you ask?

Well start where recruiters start – Google. Do you have an e-resume or homepage that details or at least hints of your business prowess? Are you on LinkedIn? Can they Zoom you at Zoominfo.com? That’s where recruiters typically begin searches. If you answered "no" to any of those questions ---- you have work to do.

For a primer on job hunting which compliments Jim’s book The Job Search Strategist v2.0 http://jimstroud.com/manifesto/index.html check out Guerrilla Marketing for Job Hunters and open a free LinkedIn account at the same time https://www.linkedin.com/static?key=gmjh_preview

Well!!! What are you waitng for? Some one is looking for you right now. Make yourself easy to Find. Till next time, David Perry www.perrymartel.com

Merry New Year! (Or is it Happy Christmas? I forget...)

2005-12-22T12:53:00.000-05:00

Happy (fill-in-the-blank) Holiday and have a Merry New Year! (or something like that.) Plus, a big congrats to my fellow bloggers who walked away with the prestigious Best Blog Awards from Recruiting.com. (I am just happy to have been nominated.)

Special Kudos to Shally and my co-bloggers: Gretchen, Jenna and Julie. See you all at Starbucks!

Personal Loans For Self Employed Applicants

2005-12-22T10:57:00.000-05:00

By: Joseph Kenny

Many people are attracted to the benefits of self-employment, from setting your own hours and being your own boss to having control over the development of your business and career. The control over your lifestyle and work is a good reward for the risks involved in setting out on your own. But there are definite challenges involved also. One of the most daunting aspects of self-employment is finding credit. Lenders are often wary of lending to someone who is self employed, particularly if they are new to it and cannot provide proof of steady income.

However, as the character of the UK economy continues to change, and lifelong employment from a single company becomes ever more rare, banks and other lenders are becoming increasingly willing to lend to the self-employed. In fact, now, a self employed person is just as likely to get approval for a mortgage or other loan as someone in more traditional employment. Improvements in credit checks, which allow lenders to see how you cope with debt in general, as well as other changes in lending practices mean that borrowing for the self employed is now easier and faster.

Your Credit Score

Today, lenders can make immediate decisions on whether or not to lend, based exclusively on your credit score. Credit reports are becoming more important than proofs of income, and a self employed person who pays all bills and monthly payments on other loans on time, will have every chance of obtaining a loan. These same credit reports are what allow banks to make rapid decisions for lending to traditionally employed applicants also.

As self employment increases in popularity, lenders are beginning to compete for a market share in this increasingly lucrative market. The terms and rates available are pretty much the same as for other loans and definitely far better than what they used to be. In fact, if you have borrowed as a self-employed worker in the past, now may be the time to refinance such loans with better rates and terms.

Secured or Unsecured Loan

Another issue to consider is whether you want a secured or unsecured loan. Secured loans generally offer better rates and are secured over your home or automobile usually. However, if you are unable to repay the loan, the security is used instead. Now that unsecured loans are becoming easier to obtain, you should perhaps consider this option, particularly if the loan is being used for business purposes as it means you home or car will be less at risk from repossession.

The bottom line is that today, the self-employed have more options than ever before so don’t let this become something that discourages you from seeking credit or makes you accept less than ideal terms or rates.

About the author: Joseph Kenny writes regulary for the loan information sites http://www.selectloans.co.uk and also http://www.ukpersonalloanstore.co.uk/.

Get Yourself Ready To Impress During A Phone Interview

2005-12-21T00:09:00.000-05:00

By Heather Eagar

Preparing for an interview over the phone is primarily a mental exercise, and something that is easy to prepare for. It is the second impression that you will make on a hiring decision maker – the first impression was obviously made for you by your resume and cover letter, and must have been positive, or you would not have this interview appointment. That being the case, it is worth while to prepare for it and be ready to put your best foot forward.

Step one in getting yourself mentally prepared is to rehearse. Practice in front of the mirror, or with a friend or your spouse listening to you, asking questions and playing the part of the interviewer. Make a list of questions you expect the interviewer to ask and have good answers prepared, but have them on the top of your head in general and not memorized. Memorized answers can sound canned and not real, and will not help you. You need to appear genuine and real.

Step two is preparing and practicing two or three ideas that you want to get across to the interviewer as to why you are the right person for this job. If you are having trouble thinking of ideas, read your resume again. Look for the key points, qualifications or accomplishments you have written, and be ready to discuss them.

Step three is think of what you can do for the company. The hiring manager really doesn’t care why you would like the job; he cares about how you can help his company if you are hired.

Step four, on the morning of the interview get dressed. Wear the same clothes when you are on the phone that you would wear if you were in front of the interviewer in person. Dress for success and your attitude will reflect it. Dress in your pajamas or an old sweat shirt and your attitude may reflect that as well.

Step five is to smile. Smiles are contagious, even if they can’t be seen. Good salesmen know this and practice smiling on the phone. There is something in your voice and attitude that is conveyed when you smile, and the person on the other end of the phone can sense it. There is truth in the old saying, “Smile and the world smiles with you.” It is basic human nature.

Step six is to speak clearly and enunciate. Use a good quality phone, a land line not a cordless. If at all possible do not use a cellular phone for the interview. Crackling noises are distractions and bad cell sites, leading to dropped calls, are a negative. You only want positives during your phone interview.

Step seven is the interview itself. Relax, be yourself and do your best. When it is over remember to thank the interviewer for his or her time, and offer to provide any other information they might need to make a decision. Be professional and you may well be rewarded with a job.

About the Author: Heather Eagar provides reviews of the top resume writing services that put you in charge of your career so that you can get the job you deserve. sign-up for your free Job Search Tips E-course.

Try not to break it 007!

2005-12-20T18:14:00.000-05:00

A little birdy told me about a new toy Indeed has released. If you have GTalk, send a 'hello' to indeedjobs. Then follow the directions and find yourself a new job!

If this sounds a little cloak and dagger to you, give Indeed a buzz (through GTalk) yourself and see what happens.

Job Hunting On The Sly

2005-12-20T09:21:00.000-05:00

By Alesia Benedict, CPRW, JCTC

So you want to look around for your next career step but you are concerned that your current employer will find out and give you an early exit? Confidentiality in your job search is a reasonable concern and makes the way you approach finding your next position all the more important. Confidentiality and privacy issues in today’s hyper-informative world are issues that should be taken seriously.

Keeping your intentions of changing jobs a secret is a challenge but secrecy is in your best interest. Case in point: Hilda was a highly paid pharmacist working for an independent pharmacy in Atlanta. She was approached by a new independent pharmacy who was a direct competitor of her current employer. The word leaked out that she was considering taking a directly competing position and her employer terminated her employment out of concern for operational security. As pharmacist-in-charge, she had full access to retail/wholesale pricing, future plans, insurance reimbursement rates and customer information – all data that would be highly desirable by the competitor. Hilda’s employer just could not take the chance that she would leave and take all that information with her so they terminated her. Unfortunately, the competitor did not make an offer of employment to Hilda and she was left out in the cold – not hired, and fired. If she had taken greater pains to keep her options confidential, she may not have ended up in the predicament of suddenly being unemployed.

On the flip side, it may be tempting to let slip to your current employer that you are looking around for new opportunities to provide some leverage for a raise or a promotion. Fishing for a counter-offer is a no-win situation. In a survey by the Wall Street Journal, 93 percent of employees who accept counter-offers to remain with an employer leave anyway after 18 months. If you are unhappy enough to spend months hunting for a new position, dealing with recruiters, and going on interviews, the true value of a counter offer should be questioned. Employers make counter-offers for their best interest – not the employees’. Employers need to make sure projects are completed, that deadlines are met, and that production does not lag. An employee who accepts a counter-offer has branded himself as disloyal and possibly a gold-digger and will forever more be viewed as such by superiors.

Common sense rules when going about a confidential job search. Do not use your work phone, email, or company cell phone to conduct any job search activities. Do not surf the job sites during your lunch hour or at anytime on your work PC. Be careful of the conversations you have within earshot of other co-workers. Do not leave your resume lying on your desk at work. Keep your plans and intentions quiet, even from close office friends whom you feel you can trust. Request confidentiality from all potential employers until an offer is made.

Beyond the obvious, consider the following tips for keeping your job search hush-hush:

Remove identifying information from your online resume. Replace your name with a generic title such as “Senior Marketing Executive”. Use only your cell phone number and a web-based email address that can be dropped after your job search. City and state is sufficient for address – no need for street address or zip code. Remove your current employer’s name and replace it with something that is descriptive, yet unidentifiable such as “Major Manhattan-based Financial Organization”.

Be careful in your networking. Networking is essential to an effective job search, but indiscrete networking can breach your wish for confidentiality. Networking carefully can be even more difficult in closed industries or highly-specialized fields. Ask more questions than you answer in group settings; talk about possible employment options with decision-makers only; and provide your resume only to someone in a position to assist you confidentially.

Protect your references. References should only be provided in an interview, and preferably not at a first interview. You don’t want your colleagues getting wind of your intentions before an offer is imminent.

Consider a confidential job search agent. If you have an annual salary of greater than $500,000 and/or you are well-known in your industry, hiring an agent to conduct your job search might be a good idea. The agent can extend inquiries without breaching confidentiality. An agent is not a recruiter, but rather someone who works for you individually to act as your liaison with potential employers.

In addition to confidentiality in a job search, everyone should be concerned about protection of privacy. Never, ever give out your social security number, driver’s license number, or bank account numbers to anyone during the job search process. There are scam artists out there who will take advantage of your vulnerability as a job seeker to steal your identity, your money, and your reputation. Privacy Rights Clearinghouse has some helpful tips for protecting your privacy during your job search at http://www.privacyrights.org/fs/fs25-JobSeekerPriv.htm.

The World Privacy Forum has an excellent article about an Internet job scam that is a must-read for anyone considering using the Internet for their job search. This particular job scam involved 23 Internet job boards including Monster.com, CareerBuilder.com, and PreferredJobs.com. The scam involved a posting that required the new hire to transfer money into their personal bank account and then transfer it back out to an account overseas via Western Union, keeping a percentage of the total amount for their work. According to victims of the scam who responded to the article, the interview and application process for the position was extremely convincing and they were totally taken in. The article can be found at http://www.worldprivacyforum.org/jobscamreportpt1.html.

The bottom line is that confidentiality starts with you. A secret shared is no longer a secret and cannot be controlled. If you are serious about keeping your career ladder climb quiet, you must take the precautions that are necessary. Employers have a great deal to lose when they lose employees – human capital investment, corporate information, competitive data – so keeping your intentions to leave might well be in your best interests until the time is right.

About the Author: Published in 25 career books, Alesia has been cited by Jist Publications as one of the "best resume writers in North America" and quoted as a Career Expert in the Wall Street Journal. Serving as the Resume Expert for over 50+ organizations, she has numerous media appearances to her credit and is a frequent keynote speaker. http://getinterviews.com

Do not hit the copy machine!!!

2005-12-19T00:02:00.000-05:00

Click here if you can not see the video

“Hey Donald… Does ‘You’re Fired’ Constitute Some Type of Employment?”

2005-12-16T01:45:00.000-05:00

By Daniel (Danny!) Parrillo, Strategi LLC
San Francisco, CA
dparrillo@strategi.biz

Like others, I’m looking forward to the season finale of Donald Trump’s “Apprentice” show… Had this funny thought pop into my mind…

Just finished an HR Law course and remember chatting about what constitutes employment. Talked to a few professional associates – and asked them this question:

“When Donald Trump says ‘you’re fired’, isn’t he implying that there was some type of employment involved? How can you fire someone who’s not an employee?”

A member of my online HR Law class was John Koenig, an attorney with the Maryland based firm, Robinson & Koenig. He responded as follows: “that’s a good question! Certainly some type of implied understanding of employment – whether it was a employee, trainee, recruit or whatever… if not with Donald Trump directly – another alternative theory could be to say that they (the Apprentices) were fired from the show.”

Talked with Joan Ehrilich, District Director of the San Francisco EEOC. “It’s dramatic license in my opinion. He’s using it as a cliché`- and it’s very important and effective for television. He uses the language to make a point on the show. Anyone can use any form of terminology in interviewing or termination of employment. What someone does need to be concerned about is - was the terminology sensitive and done in a manner that would avoid lawsuits? Was an explanation given for the termination of employment or contractual services? Was an explanation given for not hiring that person? Was the explanation justified and not ‘just a smoke screen’ for another reason that could be interrupted as discrimination or illegal?”

Karen Mattonen C.A.C. of Advanced Career Solutions, Inc. is a major force in the staffing and recruiting circles I corral around in… and she reminded me that an employer could offer the job to anyone they seem fit and most states have “At Will” employment status. It is within the interviewing and hiring process itself where especially the candidates that didn’t get the job can interrupt actions as discriminatory and/or illegal activities.

Regarding the “Apprentices” and my good pal Donald… the legal contracts are in place for this specific example as well as the FCC because these people appear on television. It is my understanding that they are basically classified as “talent” and are technically “actors” – covered by all legal aspects of that industry.

But I think we all could agree that we deal with “talent” when recruiting and trying to staff technology-based requirements. We all know about the Microsoft lawsuit that spurred a huge amount of discussion on what constitutes an employee and a contractor – but do all staffing professionals in our industry know exactly what constitutes employment? (Check out the IRS Federal-State Reference Guide Publication 963, Chapter 4 “Determining Worker Status”). How about an understanding beyond the IRS SS-8 form? Does the SS-8 cover you, no matter what?

As recruiting and staffing professionals, I believe that we should be aware of the legal issues that confront our industry right now. Topics regarding overtime for contractors, use of H1-B candidates and converting them to employees… lawsuits about employers using contractors to substitute employees…. Know about the recent settlement made by Electronic Arts here in San Francisco for $15.6 million (October 2005)? And hopefully, the Bay Area Technology Recruiters Group and the Electronic Recruiters Exchange (www.erexchange.com) will be the venue for you to receive that information… (how do you like that for a plug ?)…

It’s all about how things are perceived during the interviewing and hiring process – as well as during employment. If an action, response or behavior during the interviewing process could be perceived as discriminatory or illegal, you’ve got a problem on your hands – and perhaps, legitimately so.

As staffing and recruiting professionals, it is imperative that we sincerely realize the importance of our role in the hiring and recruiting process… and that our clients and/or employer understands that how the process is conducted is imperative to the bottom line of any business (know what settling out of court for some recent lawsuits have cost technology employers recently? Know how much time dealing with an EEOC complaint takes away from your HR staff?)…

It’s heading back to an “employee market” and if prospective employers don’t conduct themselves in a proper, ethical and legal way – they may not only find an in-box full of EEOC complaints, but they will also find many quality, top-notch talent saying “You’re Fired” to that organization for prospective employment consideration for that person’s career (not just a single employment search).

Are you a weekend warrior?

2005-12-15T00:37:00.000-05:00

Some say weekends are for relaxing, sleeping in or traveling. But if you're a full-time employee and you dream of entrepreneurship, weekends can be for that, too. Take those 48 weekend hours (and, let's be honest, those precious weekday evening hours, too), maximize your efficiency, and build your startup.

Brian Eddy and Chad Ronnebaum did that very thing when they built Q3 Innovations, a product design, development and distribution company that specializes in the personal safety market. These Eagan, Minnesota, entrepreneurs started in 1999 when both had full-time jobs--in fact, Eddy, 30, a lawyer, just recently left his law firm to work on the business full time, while Ronnebaum, 30, still works full time in the pharmaceutical industry. Friends since the sixth grade, the pair decided that even though they both had successful careers, they wanted to own a business and bring products like the Alcohawk, a digital breath alcohol screener, to consumers.

During their six-year startup phase, says Eddy, "We worked about 50 hours a week at our careers and about 40 to 50 hours a week at our business." A typical weekday for Eddy was getting up at 7 a.m., doing business activities until 8:30 or 9 a.m., then heading to the office. After getting off work at 6 p.m., he spent about an hour with family and went into entrepreneur mode for the evening and most of the weekend.

How can weekend entrepreneurs ensure startup success?

READ: Weekenders

Are You Doing Great Work? Or Merely Good Work?

2005-12-14T00:52:00.000-05:00

By: Milton Glaser

You may not know the name of Milton Glaser, but you probably know at least one of his works of art – the “I 'Heart' NY” logo. In his book, Art is Work, Glaser provides these provocative definitions of work:

1. Work that goes beyond its functional intention and moves us in deep and mysterious ways we call great work.

2. Work that is conceived and executed with elegance and rigour we call good work.

3. Work that meets its intended need honestly and without pretence we call simply work.

4. Everything else, the sad and shoddy stuff of daily life, can come under the heading of bad work.

I combine Glaser’s second and third distinctions to have just three categories: Great Work, Good Work and Bad Work. (And by “Work”, I’m talking all of “the stuff you do”. It’s not only about what you do in the office, but what you do 24/7. Work includes looking after your children, watching TV, preparing meals, exercise, being with friends, being by yourself, and so on).

How do you know what’s what? Here’s my litmus test.

Great Work

Great Work brings with it both exhilaration and terror. You’re delighted when someone asks you what you do, and they have trouble getting you to stop talking about it. You tap into reserves of courage and chutzpah to get done what needs to be done. You often have no idea how to do what needs to be done – and are only a little fazed by that, because you are certain that this is truly what needs to be done.

Great work is a place where impact and effect trumps over efficiency and process. It is often a place of waste, because creativity needs waste to thrive. It is a place of inspiration, where suddenly all your past makes sense (“A-ha! That’s why I did that, learned that, experienced that”). It is a place that honors your skills, your passion and your experience.

Great Work is also a difficult place to be. The temptation to “downgrade” to the comfort of Good Work is constant. Your “inner critic” is rampant, whispering “Who are you to try this? Who do you think you are to be this ambitious? Don’t you know you’re doomed to failure?” Great Work can also be elusive, because it can degrade in a moment to be simply Good Work. To do Great Work, you must be ever vigilant.

Good Work

With Good Work, there is no shame attached. You’re doing work that uses your skills, it gets stuff done, it may well pay you a wage. It’s comfortable, because you know what you’re doing. It is probably something of a routine or a habit.

So it’s not that you’re having a bad time. It’s just that when you’re asked by strangers what you do, sometimes it feels like you’re trying to convince yourself more than them that this is great. Good Work is often about “being efficient”, without ever asking the difficult question “is this the right work to be efficient with?” (Peter Drucker says this: “Efficiency is doing things right; effectiveness is doing the right things”). In a year’s time, you won’t remember the Good Work you were doing a year ago.

And as for Bad Work, the test is simple. It’s when you have that sudden flash of realization and you ask yourself: Why exactly am I wasting my life with this?

Take action

Here’s a quick exercise. Draw a biggish circle on a piece of paper. Now, divide it into three segments that represent the proportion of each of these types of work in your life today.

How much Great Work are you doing? More than 80%? Less than 20%?

In my experience, many of us are doing a fair amount of Good Work – but very little Great Work. The goal is to remove Bad Work from our lives, and continually increase the amount of Great Work.

What would you have to say “no” to, to double the amount of Great Work in your life? What would you have to say “yes” to, to halve the amount of Bad Work in your life?

Resources for Great Work

- Peter Block, The Answer to How is Yes - Michael Bungay Stanier, Get Unstuck & Get Going… on the stuff that matters - Richard Carson, Taming your Gremlin

About the Author: Michael Bungay Stanier, is a certified coach, Rhodes Scholar and author of the best selling coaching tool, Get Unstuck & Get Going available at http://www.GetUnstuckandGetGoing.com . Sign up for Michael’s free Outside the Lines ezine at http://www.BoxofCrayons.biz.

For the roadwarrior on your Christmas list...

2005-12-13T00:59:00.000-05:00

The Ford F-Series has remained the undisputed leader in pickup trucks for 28 straight years by always pushing the limits of towing, hauling and cargo capability. Today, at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show, Ford unveiled its new mobile office system – the marriage of “Built Ford Tough” brawn with Microsoft and Stargate Mobile brains to create the ultimate work truck for contractors.

The foundation of the new mobile office package, which is featured in the California Custom “General Contractor” F-250 Super Duty built for SEMA, is a GPS, wireless broadband, printer and digital camera-equipped mobile computer that will allow a contractor to bid jobs, order and purchase parts and materials, and process payments while ‘on location’ from their truck.

The Ford mobile office system is in development for inclusion as a dealer-installed accessory through the “Genuine Ford Accessories” program in 2006.

READ: FORD TRUCK ‘MOBILE OFFICE’ ALLOWS BUSINESS ON THE GO

Merry Christmas Katrina!!!

2005-12-12T14:41:00.000-05:00

This is what Katrina looked like from space, a collective mass of swirling marshmallow clouds. It is a curious and wonderful thing to observe from space. However, those who lived beneath it had a different point-of-view.

No need to show to show the devastation Katrina caused.No need to be reminded of the children crying. It was not so long ago and we do not all of us forget so soon.

This is why I have posted this comment. It is because some refuse to forget and not only that, many more still want to help. The vehicle of that assistance is a virtual class: “Job Hunting Is A Team Sport.”

In a nutshell, it is a simple strategy for finding work by teaming up with other jobseekers (as narrated by me).

If all has gone according to plan, then you downloaded this document and the audio that came with it from a link on a blog. (Maybe someone made a copy and passed it to you, or sent the whole thing to you in email. Either way, its okay with me.) The whole purpose of this lesson is to help any and everyone looking for work, but especially those displaced by Hurricane Katrina. So if you would, please do one (or all) of the following:

1. Trackback (or email) this link (and the MP3 that goes with it) to anyone and everyone looking for work, but especially those displaced by Hurricane Katrina. (Pointing it out to Career Ministries, Charitable Associations and Jobseeker Networking Groups would be a good idea too.)

2. Listen to the presentation, learn and teach others this job hunting strategy. (You have my permission as long as you do not charge any fees for it.)

3. Drop me a note and let me know if it has made a difference. I would really appreciate that.

Jim Stroud jstroud@microsoft.com ---

Click here to download the presentation notes.
Click here to download the MP3.

Listen, learn, pass it on...

The future of resumes is... video?

2005-12-12T05:30:00.000-05:00

I predicted that people would add video to their resumes or blogs as a means of promoting themselves. Interesting... Although it could be a bit shorter (and more relevant to the actual work he does), I like his willingness to take risks. Click here to see for yourself.

Are you really working at home?

2005-12-12T05:05:00.000-05:00

It’s getting harder and harder to drag myself out of my warm bed and face the cold commute each morning. I think it’s a safe bet that I’m not alone in thinking working from home is looking better with each windy, snowy day.

But after learning about this CareerBuilder.com survey, your boss might think twice about letting you take the office home regularly if you’re not a productive worker. According the survey, 25 percent of workers spend less than one hour on their professional duties when working from home, 53 percent spend less than three hours and only 14 percent put in a full 8 hours.

View the full post...

You like me! You really like me!!!

2005-12-07T00:02:00.000-05:00

Jobseekers Revenge and The Digability Blog (my other blog) were both nominated for a "Best Blog Award" by Recruiting.com!!! (Big yay!)

Voting on the Best Blog stops on December 21, 2005 and will be announced on December 26th. Since my blogs were nominated, its now up to a panel of judges to make the final decision. (Keep your fingers crossed for me and my fellow bloggers - especially Gretchen Ledgard, the "first lady of Corporate Recruiting Blogs!" (Don't let anyone else tell you different. SHE is the woman.)

Click here to check out the other nominees!!!

How to Find a Telecommuting Job on the Internet

2005-12-06T22:05:00.000-05:00

By: Danielle Hollister

Most people who use the Internet to search for a new job are probably familiar with the various career websites, like Career.Net, and the popular job boards, like HeadHunter.com, which allow the user to customize their search for job opportunities by specific professions, direct companies, or a defined geographic area.

These folks have possibly obtained list after list of jobs available for workers seeking employment in industries like, computers, engineering, Internet technology, management, sales, and secretarial services. But the majority of people using these well-known search engines and career links probably haven’t located a lot of results featuring lists of jobs for telecommuters.

It’s actually possible that some job hunters haven’t even considered searching for telecommuting jobs. But the reality is there’s potential opportunities for employees in many professions to explore options for telecommuting or working from home doing the same types of jobs that traditionally required traveling to an office or store to work at least eight hours a day five days a week in order to earn a living in their chosen career.

Times are changing and the trends are shifting toward more employees wanting to work from home and more employers offering telecommuting job alternatives.

Professionals in fields like consulting, data systems, graphic arts, Internet services, research, travel and writing have already established new careers as successful telecommuters.

According to a recent article in American Demographics magazine, people are starting home businesses at a rate of 2 million a year. Although estimates of the number of people working at home and the definitions of a home office worker vary greatly, several studies report an increase in telecommuting employees.

Working from home is not for everyone. Some key elements that are essential to a successful telecommuting career include: self-discipline, organizational skills, computer access, functional office space, the ability to work alone, and the dedication and desire to focus on career objectives from the comfort of home.

If the idea intrigues you, investigate any of the following web sites for more information about the telecommuting industry, suggestions that show you how to succeed as home worker, and, of course, a list of telecommuting jobs.

FREE WEB SITES:

Telecommuting Job Opportunities
http://www.tjobs.com/jobopps.htm *Site offers lists for artists, data entry, desktop publishing, photography, sales, web design, writing and others.

Telecommuting Home Page at About.Com
http://telecommuting.about.com/msub3.htm
*Site provides links to various related resources, job sites, telework centers, and a new page posting job openings for telecommuters.

Workaholics4Hire
http://www.workaholics4hire.com
*Site provides job search, resume help, employers and much more.

How to Find Telecommuting Jobs My Way
http://members.aol.com/SiennaPco/telejobs.htm
*Site supplies expert advice on telecommuting based on her proven methods.

Most sites furnish job seekers with other tools, like newsletters about the growing industry, tips from experienced telecommuters, business ideas, and articles designed specifically for people, who want to work from home.

Although you may be inclined to limit your focus to websites with job listings, you may be surprised by what you can find in some free publications from helpful hints to make your search for work simpler to loads of links to other informative websites.

A word of caution for you to seriously consider - Read the terms and conditions posted on all web sites offering job lists or related publications very carefully. Some sites that advertise FREE information actually mean FREE IF YOU... buy this book, join this group, purchase this product or become a member of this company.

Generally speaking, you should not have to pay a fee to be eligible for employment with any legitimate business or career resource.

If a company captures your attention by claiming to offer anything FREE and you find FEES hidden in the fine print somewhere on their website, chances are you may be disappointed with the services or products they offer.

If a company promises that you will earn millions by becoming affiliated with their business, pay close attention to the particulars.

There are numerous web sites that charge a fee or require membership for their job services based on the claim that they provide the most extensive resources for finding telecommuting opportunities.

Some are real and others are scams. It’s hard to tell the difference.

One step you can take to try to find out if the company is legitimate before you sign up for anything they offer is by contacting the Web Assurance Bureau (http//wabureau.com/) or NetCheck Commerce Bureau Consumer Services Center (http://www.netcheck.com/) Both of these companies have lists of websites, which meet the basic standards of good business practices. Consumers can also file complaints about Internet sites that they feel failed to fulfill contract terms or promote professional operating procedures. These virtual advisors give consumers in cyberspace an avenue to voice legitimate positive or negative comments about web companies for other Internet users to review to minimize their risk of being ripped off.

For more insight into telecommuting, consult these other online resources that offer free information.

Gil Gordon Associates-(http://www.gilgordon.com)

June Langhoff's Telecommuting Resource Center-(http://www.langhoff.com)

My final suggestion for potential telecommuters is don’t give up on finding a way to give up the nine to five forever. If you are determined to abandon the traditional trek to the office, devote your time and efforts to discovering a different road to career success.

As you stand at the crossroads, consider this: Your journey to freedom as a telecommuter can easily turn into a jaunt to failure, if you don’t have the focus, discipline, and desire required to work from home.

If you’re serious about this quest for a successful future as a satisfied, financially secure professional, who can sit in the corner office and see his own backyard, and the feeling of hope and hunger for change are alive in your head and your heart, the sky is the limit for your flight into the future as a professional telecommuter.

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What would you do if you had a million dollars?

2005-12-05T22:57:00.000-05:00

MARK THIS DATE: DEC 6TH 6:30 TO 8:30

CINDY CANNON WILL BE STEPHANIE C. HARPERS GUEST AT "CAREER AND COFFEE".(THIS WILL BE A FREE CAREER WORKSHOP.)

Come learn from the best. Cindy Cannon, once awarded as the # 3 recruiter in the Nation by the largest recruiting firm in the world, shares 20 years of proven secrets.

LEARN THE INSIDER SECRETS OF INTERVIEWING, NETWORKING AND MARKETING YOURSELF TO YOUR NEXT EMPLOYER.

JUST A SAMPLE OF INFORMATION YOU BETTER KNOW AND WHAT YOU'LL LEARN…
· What 6 things should you bring to EVERY interview?
· 9 out of 10 hiring decisions are based on what?
· What's the one thing you should NEVER do in any interview?

In today's market, you simply cannot afford to be under prepared...The time for your next career advancement or step backwards just might come before you know it!

Don't let downsizing, merging, outsourcing or any other influence determine your career advancement. Take charge with this hands on and ready to use right now Insider Knowledge.

WHERE? WHEN? TUESDAY NIGHT, THE 6TH AT 6:30

For directions to Mocha Match www.mochamatch.net/location.asp or call 404.377.7788

###

Funny commercial for burned out workers

2005-12-03T23:12:00.000-05:00

View this clip on Vimeo

A shout out to Gary Bremermann...

2005-12-01T14:57:00.000-05:00

Here is an interesting item forwarded to me by soon-to-be author David Wright. Check it out...

1. If you get a call from a recruiter, be polite. I know it can be irritating sometimes when you get a "cold call" at work, but the person calling may just be calling you to offer you a dream opportunity. Most good recruiters will understand that you may be in an open office and unable to talk. They just want to introduce themselves and find a time that you can talk in private, either by telephone or by a face to face meeting. If you can't talk, at least ask them to send you an email, or if you are reluctant to provide your email address, ask for theirs and do follow up. If you can talk, give the recruiter a few minutes of your valuable time to hear what they have to say. If you're not interested, at least be polite about it because in a year or two you might be interested in something and you don't want to have left a bad impression on the recruiter. I know of a few cases where a prospective candidate has missed out on an "opportunity of a lifetime" just because they were very rude to a professional consultant calling them.

2. Before moving forward with a recruiter, find out about them and their company. Sad but true, there are quite a few unethical, poorly trained recruiters in the Tokyo market. Before you commit to actively work with a recruiter (i.e. send them a resume or agree to be presented for a specific job) do some due dilligence and find out whatever you can about them. What is their area of expertise, what is their process/approach to recruitment, what kind of success they have had in your specialized field, etc. Also ask them about their confidentiality policy. A recruitment firm should NEVER send out your resume to a client without your prior knowledge and approval. Trust and high ethical standards are critical, so ask yourself if you can really trust the person you are working with.

Click here to read the rest of the story

Avoid the Top Three Cover Letter Mistakes!

2005-11-29T06:47:00.000-05:00

By: Deborah Walker, CCMC

As a career coach and professional resume writer, I’m often asked “How important are cover letters to my job search?” My answer is, “It depends on how long you want to search for your next job.” If you are in no hurry to get interviews, then don’t worry about your cover letter.

The fact is I’ve never met a job searcher who wants to have a painfully slow job search. The whole point of sending out resumes is to get multiple interviews as quickly as possible. But many job seekers still unwittingly sabotage their efforts by using substandard cover letters. Instead of helping you, your cover letter may actually be hurting your job search.

For fast job search results, make sure to avoid these top three cover letter mistakes:

1. Not understanding the hiring motives of your audience
2. Repeating rather than introducing your resume
3. Overuse of the word “I”

1. Not understanding the hiring motives of your audience

There are three basic audiences that a job seeker sends his/her resume to: executive decision-makers, resume screeners, and third-party recruiters. Each of these groups has its own hiring motives.

· Executive decision-makers are looking for candidates who will have a significant impact on bottom-line initiatives, such as time saved, income generated, revenue built, etc.

· Resume screeners are searching for candidates who directly match the lists of qualifications in the job description.

· Third-party recruiters are looking for selling points to help position you as a top candidate.

Knowing these hiring motives will help you craft your cover letter specifically to catch the attention of your particular hiring audience. By appealing directly to the reader, you are creating an immediate bond that will make you a stronger candidate.

2. Repeating rather than introducing your resume

Repeating the exact same things you wrote in your resume is one of the most common cover letter mistakes. No one wants to read the same thing twice. By the time most people have finished writing their resume, they feel that they have run out of ideas and just cut and paste to create a cover letter.

Instead, the cover letter should be what sells the reader on your skills. Like the jacket-cover introduction to a good book, the cover letter should give the reader a taste of the great things to come and encourage them to read more.

If you are don’t have any idea what your top skills are and how they will help the company, neither will your reader. Take the time to craft the right words and statements to make your skills shine.

3. Overuse of the word “I”

A cover letter that begins nearly every sentence with “I” is as boring as a conversation with someone who only talks about himself. That kind of person one avoids at all costs. Is that the way you want your reader to see you?

Focusing all the attention on yourself may seem like a good way to sell your skills. But it can also reflect lack of interest in the company, in the job, and in making a real contribution to that workplace. There’s a good balance to be drawn between selling yourself and selling what you can do for the company.

Creating variety in the sentences of your cover letter is an easy way to show your interest without being self-centered. By shifting the emphasis to the recipient/company—and away from yourself—you can prove that your main interest is not just in winning the job but also in doing it effectively. Try to rewrite sentences that start with “I,” “me,” or “my,” to start with “You,” or “Your.” Show how you can make a difference for them.

A cover letter that is poorly written may cause your resume to be ignored. But a well-crafted cover letter will invite and encourage the reader to take a closer look at your resume. You’ll make a positive first impression before your resume is even opened.

Rather than making your cover letter an afterthought, take the time to really consider the type of presentation your cover letter will make. If your resume isn’t winning you job interviews, consider hiring a professional resume writer to help. It’s true what they say: You never get a second chance to make a good first impression.

Deborah Walker, CCMC
Career Coach ~ Resume Writer
http://www.alphaadvantage.com/
Email Deb@AlphaAdvantage.com

The blackhole of resumes

2005-11-28T23:46:00.000-05:00

Agencies, especially the larger ones, are overwhelmed with resumes. Thousands of candidates submit their resume to agencies every day through the agency websites, making it nearly impossible for each submitted resume to be properly reviewed. Agencies have to implement a variety of complex methods that allow them to "weed out" inappropriate candidates just because of the sheer volume of resumes they receive. To demonstrate, let's follow Johnny Q. Resume as he travels through agency-website cyberspace.

READ: The Computer Monkey ate my Resume

Simply Fired!

2005-11-23T23:34:00.000-05:00

Do you have a funny, strange, but true story about being canned? If so, this is the website for you. If your story is chosen, you could win a video camcorder and an Apple iMac G5 multimedia system.

Click here for more information.

Did you know Careerbuilder was blogging?

2005-11-22T08:13:00.000-05:00

Check out Careerbuilder's blog as they have some interesting stuff there. (I guess I am on a Careerbuilder kick today- smile) Check this article out...

***

Tired of sitting in bumper-to-bumper traffic? Maybe you should look into a more commuter-friendly company.

The Environmental Protection Agency recently released its 2005 Best Workplaces for Commuters, an annual list of Fortune 500 companies with the best commuter benefits. The 90 companies named Best Workplaces for Commuters this year are credited with offering commuter benefits to nearly 600,000 employees, conserving nearly 30 million gallons of gasoline and saving more than $80 million annually, according to the Energy Information Administration.Listed below are the top 20 companies for 2005. If you are looking for a more commuter-friendly place to work, click through the links to see the jobs available at these companies today.

1. Intel
2. (tie) QUALCOMM
2. (tie) Oracle
4. Sun Microsystems
5. Microsoft

Click here to read the entire article...

Careerbuilder has a TV Station for Jobseekers!!!

2005-11-22T07:49:00.000-05:00

Here is a neat resource brought to you by the good people over at Careerbuilder. Did you know that they have a TV STATION for jobseekers? Well, sort of... Click the screenshot below to see it for yourself.

Me Likey Windows Live

2005-11-07T23:57:00.000-05:00

We recently launched a new (awesome) product called “Windows Live” and if you didn’t know, now you know. Windows Live is a big deal in consideration of all the things it will do, but let me help you grasp the possibilities by showing you one trick that you can immediately use. Presently, we do not have our jobs available in RSS (disappointed sigh…), but never fear… Thanks to Windows Live I have a hack that works great. Let’s go through it step-by-step.

Below is a screenshot of Windows Live in its simplistic splendor. You can make cosmetic changes like adding more columns and hiding categories and such, but I will let you discover that on your own as you play with it.

The first thing I want you to do is “Sign in” which means you have to create an account. No worries, its all free.

Once you are signed in, you can add the name of your favorite blog into the search box. In this example, I am using my other blog “Jobseeker’s Revenge.” Once I entered the title of the blog I hit the search button. (See arrow)

The search results returned are specific blog posts from the web. Nice to see, but not what we want. We want to click the Feeds button (see arrow).

Now the search results reveal blogs titled “Jobseekers Revenge” and blogs that mention Jobseeker’s Revenge. After reviewing the results, it’s the first link I have an interest in so I click “Subscribe.” (see arrow)

And like magic (abracadabra), it appears under “My Web.” Please, hold the applause.

Now the next time I come back to my “Windows Live” homepage, I can choose to read the “Jobseeker’s Revenge” blog from the menu. (See arrow)

This is how it looks once you do. You see the most recent post in all its glory. You also have the option to read only the headlines (by clicking collapse all) or reading all the post by making one long page of blog entries (expand all). You can do these things from the links just under the blog title. (see arrow)

Now this is where the hack comes in I was telling you about earlier. Leave Windows Live for a moment and visit Pagebites. Pagebites is a careersite that aggregates (among other things) jobs from multiple careersites (Careerbuilder, HotJobs, etc.) Click the Jobs link (so that the word Jobs turns black) and enter in criteria relevant to your background. In this example, I am adding “Microsoft, Sales” for the keywords and Redmond for the city I am interested in working in.

Pagebites brings back over lots of results for Microsoft jobs where the keyword Sales is mentioned. Groovy! Now notice the orange RSS button? (see arrow) Click on it!

What pops up is an XML file on the results you just found in Pagebites. No need to make sense of it, all you have to do is copy the web address of this information. Click on the address until it is highlighted, on your keyboard hit CONTROL (the CTRL button) and “C” (also on your keyboard) to copy it. Once done, head back to the Windows Live page.

Now that you are back on the homepage, click the Advanced Options. (see arrow)

The first slot under Advanced Options says “Subscribe to a specific feed by entering the URL below.” This is where you enter the address in you just copied over at Pagebites. (Simply click inside the slot and on your keyboard hit CONTROL (the CTRL button) and “V” (also on your keyboard) at the same time and that will paste the info in.)

And Abracadabra! There is a link to the Pagebites’ job search results page, just under the link to the news feed for Jobseeker’s Revenge. Let’s take a look at it.

I click the Pagebites link and (as before with my blog example) I see the first result in the news feed and headlines for all of the other results.

Now this is VERY groovy! Why? By using Windows Live in this way, you can keep a close eye on all Microsoft job opportunities as they are posted to the multiple careersites in REAL TIME! Imagine a job being posted at 9:15am, you see it on Windows Live at 9:16am and reply at 9:17am ahead of your jobseeking competition who rely on job alerts that go out at a certain time or check only one or two careersites infrequently. When job searching, every bit helps, right?

Good luck!

-Jim

How To Reign In Life As A Referral King (or... Queen)!

2005-11-04T00:44:00.000-05:00

How To Reign In Life As A Referral King (or... Queen)!
By: Jim Stroud

You are a powerful person of influence and I should know who you are. If I am speaking to a CEO, then this is not a preposterous statement. However if I am speaking to a customer service representative of a small coffee shop, then you may think that I'm talking to the person behind you. Let me assure you that no matter your station in life, this statement holds true. You have in your ability to reign as a "referral king" (or "queen") and reap untold fortune by leveraging your network of important people. As such, you have at your disposal a goldmine of job leads to exploit. Is that a yawn I hear? Let me read into your mind. "Jim," you say to yourself, "What can you tell me about networking into a job that I don't already know?" I'm glad you asked that… If you would permit me, I would like to detail a formula (a secret sauce if you will) for becoming a magnet for job leads. This formula will work for the seasoned Harvard MBA professional and Car wash attendant alike. Sound incredible? It's not and I will prove it to you.

Set up a vanity domain name. Nothing too fancy, your name is enough (for example, www.jimstroud.com). You can also opt to go for something catchy like www.computerguy.com. I suggest using a name that people most commonly refer to when they think of you. Usually that is your name, but for some folks… its "Computer Guy." Do whichever you are most comfortable with.

Create a list of everyone you know socially, professionally and casually. Detail their professions, the last 3-5 companies they worked for and their hobbies or interests. Also find out what their dream job would be and the kind of people they would like to meet.

Create a list of personal recommendations. Write down your favorite restaurant, favorite types of movies, music, celebrities you admire, et cetera. The more you can think of the better.

Now comes the fun part, add to your domain a webpage that advertises your professional background, say… a resume page for example. (It does not have to be fancy.) Now add a link to your resume page called "Personal Recommendations." On your personal recommendations page list:

The kinds of people you have contact with professionally, socially and casually.
Lend your opinion to hobby-related items. For example, if you are an avid runner mention that you know the best paths for running in Atlanta (or wherever you reside).
Mention that you are looking to refer people to your contacts all the time and as such, you are seeking those individuals with a background in X. Better yet, how about stating, "I have a contact in Atlanta looking for a lead into Telecom companies. He has 15 years experience in sales. Want to meet him? Let me know!"

What does this information do? It lets people know what leads you can offer. It gives people a way to possibly connect with you beyond business referrals. (How much more comfortable would you be with someone if you shared an interest?) Thirdly, it makes you attractive to other referees who see your genuine effort to help others.

Once all this is done, contact as many recruiters you can that service the industry that you excel in. Upon contacting them, advise them that you are not necessarily looking for a job. Rather you are offering to them your free referral services. As you have X number of years in a particular industry and as they (the recruiters) also serve that industry, knowing you is of immediate and future benefit to them. Now if you have sold your "referral service" adequately enough, you would be among the first to hear about unadvertised jobs in your industry. Why bother with advertising (and associated costs) when they can just call you? (You like that? Me too!)

Now consider this! This technique is a golden opportunity that helps YOU out in two other very important ways. First and foremost, everyone appreciates a good lead (business, job, restaurant recommendation, etc.) and it costs you nothing to give one. However if you recommend things long enough and people tend to appreciate your information, you become somewhat of a person everyone needs to know. Think about it, who do you call when considering a video rental? Everybody seems to know at least one movie-fanatic who has seen it all and loves to tell about it, right? Is that you? If so, then you have positioned yourself as an expert on movies and your opinion counts more than the occasional movie-goer. (If you were to brand yourself as a giver of job leads, particularly in a niche area, then I dare say that you will become quite popular very fast.)

Secondly, you are solidifying relationships with those in your network as you produce leads for them! Like I said, everyone wants to know who there is to know and where the best place to be is. As you give out that information, people will thank you for thinking of them. This also gives incentive for them to think more of you and the leads that you want to receive. (Pretty cool huh? Yeah, I thought so too…)

If you are someone who after gathering names and creating leads are less than happy with what you have to offer (although I can not emphasize enough the power of knowing people on every level), I suggest getting out there and meeting new people. If you are a social butterfly, then this is not a problem. If you start to sweat when trying to approach someone in public however, I would like to suggest a different strategy.

Online personals (such as One and Only) are a good way to meet people when you are shy. Think of it this way, you want to place yourself in the best possible situation. Everyone involved in personals are looking to meet other people and chances are, they know people who know people. Quite possibly the people they know are people that can benefit you and/or your network. There are no worries about immediate rejection as mostly you chat by email. If you are single, I highly recommend this approach. Its fun and you might even get a wife out of it. (Hey, it can happen!)

Are you feeling powerful yet? If not, you will once you realize the influence you presently have within your network of contacts and as people seek you out for referrals. Once this happens you will be eligible for crown, cape and signet ring. The knights of the round table would stand at your entrance. Horns will blow and rose petals would fall because his/her highness has arrived with generous referrals for those weary peasants who happen into their domain.

Sick? Or sick of working?

2005-11-03T18:44:00.000-05:00

Nearly every adult in America has had a bout with the flu. And once you get knocked down by influenza, you’re flat on your back.

No single malady keeps more people out of work, and even the combined muscle of big business, science and government hasn’t been enough to crush this microscopic troublemaker. Vaccines have progressed in flu prevention, but the closest we’ve seen to a cure is chicken soup and a hug.

Next time you’re in the midst of a self-diagnosis, wondering whether you should spend the day at work or with Oprah, consider the facts.

How do you know it’s the flu?

The term “flu” is tossed around casually enough to confuse what actually qualifies as an influenza infection. There is no real “stomach flu,” for instance, and while the flu shares some symptoms with the common cold, they are very different viruses. Far more than a case of the sniffles, influenza typically comes on with a miserable mixture of fever, chills and body aches. The onset of a high temperature—101 degrees to 102 degrees Fahrenheit in adults, and higher for children—is sudden, and the patient can hardly bear to stand upright.

And the flu bug is just getting started. Because it’s a disease of the respiratory tract (nose/mouth to lungs), flu is also characterized by coughing, stuffy nose and sore throat. The cough, dry and unproductive in early flu stages, is believed to be the result of fragile tissue being destroyed in the trachea.

Abdominal pain and nausea are less common, except in children, and everyone can expect a painfully pounding headache, especially after a coughing fit or in response to light. Other fun stuff includes pink eye and the requisite runny nose. The medical term for runny nose is rhinorrhea. Tell your boss you have a contagious case of rhinorrhea, and see how quickly that gets you a day pass.

That’s the flu.

READ: The Flu Goes to Work

"It's Time To Profit From Your Pastimes"

2005-10-31T07:18:00.000-05:00

Do you exist from payday to payday? Do frequently you find yourself saying, "There has to be more to life than this?"

It's very natural for people to seek the security that a job using their professional knowledge and skills offers. They spend most of their lives doing something they're good at but don't necessarily love.

What an awful way to live our lives. Richard Bach, author of Jonathan Livingston Seagull, cautions us, "Shop for security over happiness and we buy it at that price."

The reality is that prosperity and security come from using our gifts and talents fully. We frequently invest our talents and passion into hobbies and rarely give thought to turning these into income generators.

Using your favourite hobby or pastime to create an income has many benefits. Why? Because any business you decide to become involved in should be doing something you love - something you believe in - something that you would work at no matter what income it generated.

By working at something you believe passionately in you will find the energy, drive, and stamina to see your business through the tough start up phase and the times when there is more work to do than you can handle.

Do you like cooking? Create a cookery website that offers recipes, hints and tips to readers. Start a subscription newsletter for others who like cookery and sell your recipes by publishing a simple booklet. Do you enjoy making things? Sell them at markets and boot sales and through mail order (be sure and mark up the price for shipping and handling).

Do you enjoy DIY? Print and distribute flyers in your neighbourhood listing your services. Do you enjoy travel? Write a small tour guide about the places you visit and sell it through your website and to tourist operators to give to customers who visit those areas.

Almost anything you love doing can be magically transformed into a business opportunity for you.

Start educating yourself by reading and researching other home-based businesses. The Internet is crammed with information and much of it is free. Read magazines like "Small Business Opportunities," and "Entrepreneur," many of their articles are excellent. Read books on starting a business.

Attend meetings for Small Business Owners in your area. Ask your local Chamber of Commerce, Business Link or Enterprise Trust about these meetings. The insights you will gain from people who are already in business is priceless.

When you turn your favourite hobbies into income sources there's no telling where you'll be in a couple of years time. You may even be able to resign from your 'secure' job and pursue your passions full time. Wouldn't that be great?

What are you waiting for? It may take time to realise a profit but you will be living with joy and passion that will enrich your life in hundreds of ways.

Creating an abundant life is that easy. Start creating yours now!

Learn How You Can Boost Your Income And Create A More Fulfilling Life with Jackie's book, "Be Happy, Make Money: How To Turn Your Skills, Talents, Hobbies & Ideas Into Multiple Income Streams" http://www.bookshaker.com/product_info.php?products_id=114

Are you a weekend warrior?

2005-10-28T14:30:00.000-04:00

How can weekend entrepreneurs ensure startup success?

READ: Weekenders

The Big Payback! Courtesy of Uncle Sam...

2005-10-25T22:31:00.000-04:00

Thousands of people have money sitting at the Internal Revenue Service that could be claimed if they would just tell the tax collectors where they live.

The IRS said Tuesday that $73 million in tax refunds that were sent to taxpayers this year did not reach the destination. In most cases, the post office returned the checks as undeliverable because the taxpayers had moved.

The money belongs to more than 84,000 taxpayers, some of whom have more than one check waiting to be claimed.

Checking on the status of a refund — by calling 1-800-829-4477 or visiting IRS Web site at http://www.irs.gov — could be worth $871 to the average taxpayer due an unclaimed refund.

READ:IRS Says Unclaimed Tax Refunds Total $73M

Is It Time To Update Your Resume?

2005-10-25T07:59:00.000-04:00

The motto “Be prepared,” isn’t just great advice for Boy Scouts; it’s also great career advice. You never know when the perfect career opportunity will present itself. If a recruiter called you today with your dream job, would you be prepared to send out an up-to-date resume right away?

There are four critical times to update your resume:

· At least once a year · Any time your career focus changes · When you anticipate layoffs with your company · When you begin to feel dissatisfied with your current position

1. Update your resume every year.

This is where many people fall short. When that recruiter calls with the perfect job, you may suddenly find your resume is years out of date, and you’ll have to scramble to catch up.

Keep your resume current by including your best accomplishments each year. Don’t count on your memory to recall everything you achieved in years past! You are likely to overlook critical achievements and contributions. If you need assistance, a resume coach may be able to help you through the process with some targeted questions on your most recent jobs.

2. Update your resume when your career focus changes.

If you want to change your career path, then you also need to change your resume. There are several ways to shift the focus away from your current job and toward your new career.

By focusing on the skills that will be useful in your new career, you can position yourself as a stronger candidate for the job. Highlight those transferable skills in your new resume, bringing them front and center.

In addition to highlighting your transferable skills, shift your list of accomplishments to support those skills. Accomplishment statements give credibility to transferable skills and prove your ability to cross industry or occupational lines. Well-crafted accomplishments make a big difference in whether you win the interview or are passed over.

Finally, be sure you understand your audience. As you shift career focus, it is critical to understand the hiring motives of your target market. Use your resume as an effective selling tool by correctly anticipating the recruiter’s “wish list” for great job candidates.

3. Update your resume when you anticipate layoffs within your company.

A harsh reality of today’s economy is the need for corporate downsizing. Layoffs and losses are becoming more and more common. But you can prepare for any worst-case scenario by keeping your resume up-to-date.

Don’t make the mistake of being overly optimistic. It’s safer to assume that you are on the “out” list. Most people who get caught unexpectedly in a layoff thought they were indispensable to their employers. You might be important or well-liked, but remember that the bottom line always has a louder voice than you do. Get your resume ready as soon as you see any indications that downsizing is on the way.

Don’t mistake company loyalty for a fear of change. Often employees would rather take their chances with a potential layoff than make proactive steps toward finding a new job. Once they’re laid off, it’s already too late. Remember, as a candidate, you are always more marketable while still employed. Avoid this trap and start your job search early with self-marketing tools (resume and cover letter) that are up-to-date and top quality.

4. Update your resume when you are dissatisfied with your current position.

Job dissatisfaction leads to feelings of frustration, worthlessness, and often hopelessness. But there is no reason to stay in a job you hate. Being prepared with an updated resume can help you feel better in your current job. When you have a really terrible day at work, you can respond to job opportunities that same evening with confidence in your up-to-the-minute resume. Taking proactive steps toward a new career will give you back your optimism and self worth.

If it’s time for you to update your resume, first decide whether your resume requires a simple update or a complete rewrite. If you have been using the same resume format throughout your career, it’s possible that you have outgrown the old look. What your resume promoted ten years ago may not be appropriate or significant for your career choices today. And if you’ve simply been “tacking on” to your old resume, it may start to resemble a house with too many additions, with little sense or direction.

A professional resume critique can help you decide exactly what you need to move forward. A well-written resume can make an incredible difference in:

* The length of time it takes to make your career move * The quality of your next position * The income potential of your next position

Your resume is your best sales tool in finding a new job, and it deserves the investment of your time and commitment. With a little extra effort now, you’ll be prepared for anything that comes your way—and be well on the path to your next great job.

Deborah Walker, CCMC Career Coach ~ Resume Writer www.AlphaAdvantage.com Email Deb@AlphaAdvantage.com

Dr. Tony Evans: Your Career And Your Calling

2005-10-24T22:11:00.000-04:00

LISTEN TO: Your Career and Your Calling by Dr. Tony Evans

The Urban Alternative (TUA) is a Christian ministry that seeks to equip, empower and unite Christians to impact individuals, families, churches and communities for the rebuilding of lives from the inside out by means of Radio, Television, Rallies/Crusades and Resources.

Click here for more info on Dr. Tony Evans

Kill the cubicles!!!

2005-10-23T17:54:00.000-04:00

What would happen if you allowed the workers to design their own workspaces? Would you get more comfortable motivated workers who refuse to go home? Could be... Just ask the guys at Pixar who flat out refused to allow cubicles to confine their creative imaginaries. Ain't it Cool News toured the Pixar facilities and (among other things) posted pictures of their workspaces. Below is a clip from an AICN blogpost. Ahhh... feel the envy.

Instead of cubicles, each of the animators has a customized space. There was one guy who had this groovy corner office that was open on two sides, and he had no chair at all. He had the entire office set up so that he could work standing, like so:

That was a pretty extreme example of what someone could do with their space. A lot of the animators decided early on that they didn’t want cubicles, so instead, Pixar found these groovy little cottages that they bought for them. Walking through the animation department is like walking through a neighborhood for dwarves. Lots of little houses laid out along “streets,” each one with an address on the door.

The animators also have lounges set up so they can congregate and relax, including a jungle-themed lounge with piñatas hanging overhead.

Want more? Click here...

Chill out man!

2005-10-21T14:59:00.000-04:00

Men with stressful jobs may already be at risk of early artery disease by their early 30s, a new study suggests.

Researchers in Finland found that among the more than 1,000 young adults they studied, men who reported high levels of job strain were more likely than their peers to show signs of early artery narrowing. The same was not true of young women, however.

A number of studies have found a link between job strain and heart disease, but it's not clear that work demands are the cause of the higher risk.

The new findings, published in the journal Psychosomatic Medicine, point to a possible connection between job strain and the beginnings of atherosclerosis, the build-up of plaque in the arteries that eventually impairs blood flow and can lead to a heart attack or stroke.

The study included 1,020 men and women taking part in an ongoing project looking at cardiovascular risk factors in young adults. Participants, who were 32 years old, on average, answered questionnaires about their work conditions and underwent ultrasound scans of the carotid arteries in the neck.

The researchers defined high job strain as work that puts high demands on employees but offers them little independence or leeway in how to accomplish their tasks. Past studies have suggested that such jobs can be particularly stressful.

READ: Job strain may be hard on young men's arteries

Winning the Game of Retirement

2005-10-21T08:56:00.000-04:00

Consider yourself an athlete in the sport of investing. Physical endurance is important when it comes to the sprint, however mental poise will see you through the long run. An investor can have the most reliable information available, but with the absence of emotional control, you may fail to reach the goal.

You should strive to be the Tiger Woods of investing and when you reach the eighteenth hole, your score is based on the portfolio's value. Upon retirement, you will know your ranking. At this time, the more desirable position would be that of team owner, not peanut-tosser.

It is in the world of sports, you may find relevant ideas for retirement planning. There are no guarantees when it comes to investing in stocks, yet you may want to consider the following attributes shared by champions.

The first step in developing your portfolio is to put together a team of all-stars. Forget the minor league players, you need the Sammy Sosa's and Randy Johnson's to fill your roster.

Relieve the players with weak relative strength versus the index and keep the ones with strong relative strength. If you are unaware of these changing numbers, contact an investment professional knowledgeable in this area.

Next, limit yourself to the number of players allowed on the field. In football, for example, your team may only have eleven players on the field while the play is live. Your team is penalized for too many players. This seems to be a difficult rule for many investors. As a coach, you may have drafted a college superstar who turns out to be a professional dud.

Do not allow your self- esteem to keep the player in the game. Analyze your back-up players and be aware of the time remaining on your retirement clock.

Although it may be emotionally difficult to pull the stock, keeping it may limit your overall score.

You should always focus on long-term fundamentals without neglecting short-term reviews (ie: annual updates). This does not mean you become a speculator of stocks; you just position yourself as the number one draft picker.

If resources do not allow for adequate diversification, or if you are new to investing, consider hiring a manager. In other words, find mutual funds suitable for your investment risks, time horizons, and goals.

Your batting average is no better when you hit a home run versus a single. It may be more exciting to post a high slugging average, but even Babe Ruth struck out now and then.

Another point worth noting is to keep your winners. Unless you can find a better player for that position, let your winners carry you to a championship. John Elway did it for the Denver Broncos in 1999 at age thirty-eight. Remember, we pick our starters because we believe in their abilities to outperform. Still, it is vitally important to monitor your holdings. You may one day decide to retire a player who does not fit into you overall game plan. Until that time, remain focused on the goal line and block out the noise of the market.

In the game of rugby, players advance the ball forward while pitching it back to another player. The idea here is to look forward, but never forget what the past teaches us.

Players may come and go, but victory never loses its appeal. We all look for success in our investment portfolios and a time to take home the gold. Keep a positive attitude and dedicate your resources to winning the game of retirement.

About the Author: Wardlaw's belief is that familiar life elements best illustrate practical investment strategies; not typical investment jargon. With that philosophy, the author assists financial planners/advisors, brokerage firms, periodicals, and other investment information syndicates create informative and entertaining articles. For comments and questions, please contact the author at www.tools2invest.com or tools2invest@yahoo.com.

Never too old to learn something new

2005-10-20T15:28:00.000-04:00

Lloyd Huck, a retired chairman of the board of Merck & Co., could afford to retire anywhere in the world, but two years ago he chose to live near his beloved alma mater: Pennsylvania State University.

Huck, 83, is now living out his golden years as vigorously as he did on campus 60 years ago: He's taking an astronomy class, attends football games, enjoys theater and opera, and chats with students as he strolls the elm-shaded campus.

''We didn't want to go to Florida, and our friends were dying off in Morristown, N.J., so we decided we needed younger friends," Huck said.

Like Huck and his wife, Dottie, nearly 70 percent of the 200 residents at The Village at Penn State, an 80-acre retirement community that overlooks Beaver Stadium, are either alumni or retired faculty. They are also part of a growing trend of seniors paying tens of thousands of dollars to live their twilight years near a university campus.

Spurred by growing research suggesting that mental activity fights off dementia, college-affiliated retirement communities have sprung up in 50 college towns across the country, linking the retired set with schools such as Notre Dame, the University of Florida at Gainesville, the University of Michigan, and Lasell College in Newton, according to Leon A. Pastalan, professor emeritus of architecture at the University of Michigan.

''If you look at traditional retirement communities, they do not provide much for personal growth," said Pastalan, who studies housing issues for older adults. ''They provide you with a nice place to live, but there is really nothing for the soul or for self-enrichment. I view this as an extremely important movement that is really just beginning."

For seniors, returning to their college campus brings back old memories of a seemingly care-free time when they met classmates and were just beginning to think seriously about their careers.

READ: Seniors opting to retire with a touch of class

I am mother, hear me roar...

2005-10-17T12:00:00.000-04:00

This is an interesting blog! Its all about Working Mothers who prefer to stay in the game of 9-to5.

From their blog...

The Mom Corps provides flexible contract opportunities with some of the nation’s most prestigious firms to highly educated and experienced professionals. These firms, motivated to outsource projects as business expands and contracts, have difficulty reaching the large resource of professionals who are capable and willing to work in the same manner. For both the firms and the professionals, The Mom Corps is the solution.

READ: A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A WORKING MOM

Good news for Elena and Victor

2005-10-17T11:52:00.000-04:00

Elena and Victor Kulick were given keys to a small Jerusalem apartment on Sunday, after living in a field behind a downtown cemetery for four months. They have been granted use of the apartment, in the student housing owned by Jewish Agency housing company Amigur, for two months. Meanwhile, an effort was launched Sunday to find the couple a permanent housing solution.

Victor, a doctor and psychotherapist, and Elena, a musician and piano teacher, were thrown out of a rented apartment in the city's Kiryat Yovel neighborhood on June 7, when they were three months in arrears on the rent. The landlord changed the locks without even allowing the couple to retrieve their belongings.

The couple got in financial trouble after the temp agency through which Victor worked forced him to resign, and Elena's income from housecleaning didn't cover the rent.

READ: Homeless couple gets apartment

Eulogy for a turkey...

2005-10-14T11:43:00.000-04:00

What do you do when tragedy hits home? No one wants to think about it, but it happens to us all. An unfortunate incident happened recently and it is with regret that I inform you (dear reader) that “Tom The Turkey” is dead. Tom was making his daily patrol when he was struck by a car earlier this week. There were rumors of conspiracy and malicious intent, but at this writing no formal charges have been made.

In case you are unaware of the unofficial mascot of the Atlanta Microsoft office, I suggest that you read an old entry of mine - "The Happy, Sad Tale of Tom The Turkey."

Tom was a beloved and misunderstood figure who was hero and villain, scourge and protector and an anti-hero of mythic proportions. When I last encountered Tom The Turkey, he was as we all remembered him – feathers outstretched and stiff-necked in his resolution to guard the parking lot from would-be predators. He… He… (sniff-sniff) Forgive me dear reader, but this is all so sudden. (Deep breath) Tom, you will be missed. Tom… you are missed.

-Jim

P.S. On a lighter note, there are turkey sandwiches in the cafeteria for all MS-Atlanta employees. (Free while supplies last!!!)

How To Be A Freelancer In Demand: Become A Busy Client’s Best Friend

2005-10-13T20:11:00.000-04:00

By: Shelley Wake

The best clients are the busy clients. Why? Because they're the ones with successful businesses, so they have enough money to pay you. They're also the ones who are busy enough that they really need you. And they’re the ones who are likely to have ongoing work for you.

They’re also the ones who are the easiest to keep because you know exactly what you need to do to keep them. It’s simple – just make their life easier and save them as much time as possible and they’ll come back.

It may seem like a simple thing, but it will make a big difference to clients. I know because I've spoken to hundreds of clients and have constantly been told how busy they are.

Here's what three clients had to say.

“The Best Freelancer” –Emma, Editor

“The difference between the freelancer I never call again and the freelancer I call on month after month has nothing to do with writing skill. The difference is that the great freelancer gets done exactly what I need done without any hassle. If I can give her the job, forget about it, and know it’ll get done right, it will always go to her first.”

“Make it Easy for Me” -Josef, Business Manager

“I contracted someone to do an ad campaign a few months ago. They started emailing me pictures all the time. “What do you think of this for the ad?” “Could this work?” “Do you like this one?” “Hey, here’s one you’ll like.”

I don’t have time for these constant interruptions. I’m sort of glad they wanted my opinion, but do it right. Research and choose a small selection of suitable ones. Then send me those at the end of the week and ask for me to choose which one will work best. That would have been a good (and business-like) approach.”

“No Time to Waste” -George, Project Manager

“I work with some people who seem to think that the whole thing is fun and games. I sort of understand that to them it might be. They’re sitting at home and maybe time isn’t precious to them. But it is to me.

I don’t have time for long phone calls. I don’t have time to read long and detailed emails. I definitely don’t have time to read long emails where you describe how you approached the project and why you liked completing it. If it’s not on topic, I don’t need to hear it. And if it is on topic, it’s still best to keep it short and to the point.”

Making it Easy for Clients

Making a client's life easy is simple to do. All you have to do is remember that the client is busy every time you contact them and think about how you can make it easier for them. Here's a good example for a freelancer who was asked to send a brief overview stating the angle and content of the article.

First Example of Brief to Client

After a lot of thought and research, I have decided that the angle of the article will focus on effective ways of trading shares on a budget. I plan to cover three main topics. These will be new floats, low-cost shares, and how to reduce trading costs.

Second Example of Brief to Client

Angle: Trading Shares on a Budget

Content:

New floats
Low-cost shares
Reducing trading costs

Both examples communicate the same meaning. But the example with headings and bullets is much easier to read. The busy client can learn exactly what they need to know with little more than a glance. It also has a more professional and organized look and so creates a better impression of you.

And as a final added bonus, the easiest way for the client is also the easiest and quickest way for you. So, you win a little extra time and quite possibly a long-term client.

A Final Tip

Remember that if clients seem rushed, they probably are. If clients seem stressed, they probably are. Don’t think of it as a bad thing – think of it as a great opportunity.

If you can be one of the people that makes life easier and takes away some of the stress, you’ve got yourself a client that is likely to pay you well and pay you often. And that’s what a successful freelancer needs to succeed.

About The Author: Shelley Wake is the editor of Winning Freelance Work, What Clients Want, and Where’s My Whale? The Complete Guide to Catching Killer Clients. Shelley and her team of researchers interviewed hundreds of clients for these books and found out exactly what it takes to win great projects and great clients. Link: http://www.writingstuff.com/books1.html

How to help me, help you...

2005-10-10T10:15:00.000-04:00

Dear prospective job hunters.

Thank you for taking the time to look at our site, and thank you for being interested in working with us.

Most applications I receive go straight to the deleted-items folder because of a few simple mistakes. I'm beginning to feel bad, so if you are going to make the effort to apply for a job here, or anywhere else, I'd like to offer you some advice.

To successfully interest me in hiring you, you need understand what we as business owners face on the other side of the fence. Hiring is the most important task I face, but it is also 76th on my list of a hundred other things to do today. When we put a posting on Craigslist, we usually get around 100 responses within 48 hours. They flood into my inbox, and I have to push them aside until I have time to give them the attention they deserve. In the meantime, I have phones ringing, deadlines to meet, problems with our systems, employees with questions, and much more to compete for the limited capacity of my brain.

But, don't let this put you off. It doesn't take much to distinguish yourself. Here's how...

1. YOUR COVER LETTER MUST ANSWER OUR NEEDS.

When I do get round to your email, I do not have time to look at every detail. I make quick and rapid decisions about whether I will call you or not. I don't even get to most resume's because the cover letter is so drab. If you want to stand a chance at getting a response, you ABSOLUTLY MUST spend some time on this.

So, how should you write a cover letter? - Simple, read our post, and tell me quickly how you can meet the needs we have listed. Use examples wherever possible. Take a look at these two different letters....

READ: Tips for applying to a job from Craigslist

Bosses' top 10 pet peeves

2005-10-07T19:41:00.000-04:00

We've all heard employees complain about their bosses. But the manager/employee relationship is just that, a relationship. That means there are two sides to the story, and employees are not the only ones who may have a beef about fellow office denizens.

Author John Putzier, who was a recruiter for 10 years, talked to employers and employees at various companies to compile information for his new book, "Weirdos in the Workplace: The New Normal -- Thriving in the Age of the Individual." Here are some choice gripes bosses had about difficult employees:

1. Abuse of sick leave: This is a hot button for many bosses. According to Putzier, recent studies cite that one out of three employees who calls in sick really isn't. That sure makes it hard for the boss to plan when and how the work will get done.

2. Poor hygiene: A bar of soap and tube of toothpaste can go a long way in improving relationships at the office. If you wonder how people know it's you before you've even rounded the corner, you may want to kick your personal hygiene routine up a notch.

3. Out-of-control cubicles: It's great that you have a thing for troll dolls, but when your decorative enhancements spill over and out of your cube, it's time to tone things down a bit.

Read: Bosses' top 10 pet peeves

6 Steps To Ensure You Always Have A Job

2005-10-06T08:29:00.000-04:00

Did you ever notice that there are certain people who have great jobs? They are always working on a consistent basis even in shaky industries and uncertain times? And then there are those who are either constantly unhappy in their careers, or go for long periods of time without work. They blame the world and wonder why bad luck always seems to “happen” to them.

You make your own luck. Your career is great when you focus on making it great. This means not waiting for things to happen; but making things happen instead. It means being pro-active instead of reactive. Rather than aming others for past mistakes, you are passionate about new possibilities. You are not afraid. Instead, you are excited about what you do, and what you contribute everyday. And, if you are excited about your job, you will find that other people will be committed to having you stay on as a member of the team. So How So You Make Sure You Are Never Without A Job? Follow These 6 Steps Below.

1. Tell Yourself That You Will Always Be Employed

What you say matters. Your words have power, meaning, and intention. When you tell yourself something bad will happen to your job, this will probably happen. If you tell yourself that you are marketable and confident that you will always be working, your words can make this true.

2. Anticipate Trends In Your Industry

If your job is being eliminated or outsourced, you want to know about it before you are in the room with human resources telling you that your job is going away. Research your industry. Know what’s happening and what the experts say will happen. This way you can make informed decisions. Look for trends. When you find them, start to train yourself in these areas. Knowledge is power. Having the right skills at the right time ensures that, no matter what is happening around you, you will be needed and employable.

3. Have An Updated Resume

Your resume showcases your skills and abilities to the world. It is a selling tool that outlines your unique qualifications so an employer can see, at a glance, how you can contribute to the employer's workplace. When you are looking for work, prospective employers know immediately whether you are a fit for a position. If you are not looking for work, your resume reminds you of the contributions you make on a regular basis, something you can easily forget when you are immersed in the day-to-day. Whether you are looking for a job,or you have one, an updated resume is essential for your career.

4. Create A 30 Second Introduction

Whether you are looking for a new position now or sometime in the future, your 30-second introduction is an important tool for your job search. It creates an impression, and you want the impression to be a good one. Information to include in your introduction is: 1) Your name, 2) Type of position you seek specifically, 3) Your skills and strengths, 4) Background or accomplishments. Where job seekers go awry in the 30-second introduction is they are not specific enough. Without a few brief and clear details, the listener cannot understand what they want and won’t refer them because they do not know what they are looking for. Example: “I have a background in finance and can do pretty much anything in this area.” Versus “I am looking for a CFO job in a large manufacturing company located in the NYC area.” The more specific you are in your 30-second introduction the better results you will achieve.

5. Network On A Regular Basis

If you start to network only when you need something, you will have a lot of catching up to do. Therefore, network every day. Wherever there are people, there is an opportunity to network. You do not always have to go somewhere to network successfully. You can network within your own company. Are there opportunities for you? Ask people and find out. They are your best resource for information. Invite co-workers to lunch. Take the time to walk by someone’s office to say hello.

In addition, who can you tap into outside of where you work? Every industry has an association. When is your industry’s association meeting in your area? Check the date and go. Get involved in this group so more people can get to know you. So, if something happens to your job, you’ll have people to reach out to. Lastly, send e-mail or call people you know already on a regular basis. If you are always keeping in touch, then you will not feel bad that you are bothering someone when it’s time to reach out and ask for help.

6. Always Be On The Look Out For New Opportunities Read trade publications. Read memo’s not only from your area, but others. Think about what you could be doing differently. Get your creative juices flowing. Think positively. Rather than “it cannot happen,” believe that what you want is possible and is within your reach. Then, make it happen.

So, what do you say? You only have one life to live, so it might as well be a life you love!

Deborah Brown-Volkman is the creator and founder of the Career Escape Program, a 4 week program that helps participants find their dream job. Deborah be reached at http://www.career-escape-program.com, or at http://www.surpassyourdreams.com

Meet Jim Stroud TODAY @ Carrers and Coffee

2005-10-04T20:30:00.000-04:00

Want to hang out and talk about your job search? I will be presenting "Jobhunting Is A Team Sport" today at Careers and Coffee. Be there or be square... Here are the details: Careers and Coffee®.is a faith-based employment ministry designed to meet the unemployed or underemployed at a time of brokenness due to job loss.

Careers and Coffee®.provides job leads, resume reviews, job search strategies, target company contacts, and the opportunity to be linked in with other professionals who have access to organizations around the world.

Careers and Coffee®.meets every 1st Tuesday of the month from 6-8 pm at Mocha Match Coffee House located at 627 East Decatur Ave, Suite F, Decatur, GA 30030 (2 blocks fromthe Avondale Train Station)

For more info about Careers and Coffee®. contact the offices of Stephanie C. Harper at 404.299.8757, by email at careersandcoffee@stephanieharper.com or visit the website www.stephanieharper.com

The Human Side: Debt Stress

2005-10-04T07:02:00.000-04:00

By: Angie Noack

In all the technical discussion you hear about credit card debt, the best ways to manage it and pay it off and all the rest, one thing goes largely ignored. Credit card debt is extremely stressful, and can have a very negative effect on your life, if you let it. It’s as bad as an addiction, always hanging over you, bringing you down, making it hard to life your life the way you want to. In this article, we’ll take a look at how you can recognise debt stress, and what you can do about it.

The Symptoms of Debt Stress.

There are an awful lot of symptoms that can be caused by stress. Some of the most common ones are: headaches, not being able to sleep, feeling depressed and irritable, and being forgetful and unable to concentrate on what you’re doing. If you’re not sure whether your symptoms are related to stress or something else, you should go and see a doctor.

Who Gets It?

Almost everyone who has debts is stressed about them. Debt is blamed for millions of days off work every year, and is one of the leading causes of suicide – it seems like most times you read about someone who has committed suicide, their name is followed by “who owed [a very large amount] in debts”. Students and graduates are especially vulnerable, as debt is growing amongst them faster than in any other group.

The average adult owes many thousands in debts – and since that’s the average, it means that many people must owe much more. Never forget that you’re not alone, and there’s always someone worse off than you.

How to Deal With It.

Stress caused by debts is often considered to be embarrassing, or shameful. People with lots of debts don’t want to talk about it, even with their family, for fear of upsetting people or looking like a failure. It is very important, though, that you do talk about your problems, as keeping it all inside yourself will make you much, much more stressed. It is especially important that you talk to your partner – they are the number one person who can support you.

The best thing to do then is to find two people: one who can advise you, and one who can be a counsellor. That means a professional who knows what they’re doing in financial matters, as well as a psychologist or psychiatrist, or some other kind of counsellor. Don’t let stigmas put you off – this is about your health.

The next thing to do is to have a good think about how you got that debt to begin with. See if you can find old credit card statements. What did you spend the money on? You need to sit down, work out a budget, cut unnecessary expenses and try to free up as much money as you can to pay back debts. Even if it’ll be a long time before you get everything paid off, knowing that your debt is gradually going downwards can be an excellent cure for debt stress.

About the author: Angie Noack is a finance and debt consultant. Her blog can be found online at http://www.creditcardinfoonline.com.

I know what you did last night...

2005-10-03T21:57:00.000-04:00

When was the last time you looked yourself up online? Been awhile? Okay, when was the last time a potential employer looked you up online? If you do not know the answer to that, then perhaps such is the reason why the other guy got the job and not you. Now are you sufficiently paranoid? Good... With so much easily-accesible information on the web, a recruiter can visit a few search engines (the poor man's background check) and discover embarrassing data on you or worse, someone with the same name as you.

When deep into a jobsearch (or in general for that matter), it never hurts to have all of your bases covered. Here is what I suggest you do to keep your virtual identity embarassment free.

1. Search on your name in the big 3 searchengines (MSN, Google and Yahoo) and see what comes up.

2. If something comes up that you rather potential employers not know about, email the owner of the website and ask them to remove it.

3. If the webmaster will not remove it, or if you can not contact that person at all, prepare a statement and file it in your mental rolodex. If you are ever questioned about it, at least you have the advantage of being prepared ahead of time.

Hope this helps...

Unbe-freakin'-lievable!!!

2005-10-03T21:21:00.000-04:00

A college student who hopes to graduate without debt by selling $1m dollars worth of internet advertising space has already made $74,000. (Can you believe that?!!)

Read about it here: Student's cash-raising net scheme

Has Anyone Seen My Twenties?

2005-09-29T11:32:00.000-04:00

Premature aging is spreading across the UK and is particularly prevalent amongst recent graduates in the UK who, upon leaving university, are plunged straight into fears about the property ladder, pensions and paying off their student debts. These young people graduate at the age of 21, do not pass go and head straight to 35, worrying about their personal finance investments before finding their feet in life.

These un-twentysomethings lifestyles can generally categorised within two extremes, either not going out at all because they have no money or going out and partying every Friday and Saturday night, because they feel directionless. Groups such as these may not seem particularly worrying, but many graduates are finding that they are working themselves to the bone by taking on two jobs and working seven days a week just to meet their bills. Some young graduates are known to even take on multiple jobs so they can bolster up their salary details for mortgage applications. By doing so, they commit themselves to a loan that can only be repaid through exhaustion.

These characteristics have been assigned to the emergence of the quarter-life crisis, but this epidemic of financial concern tends to be a problem for those who have been through higher education, rather than those who took full time employment straight after leaving school. This represents a worrying trend given the government encouragement for increased school leavers to attend university.

UK graduates find it particularly tough as they are often groomed to believe that they can get good salaries and corporate jobs. Yet many young people leave university only to be hit by the hard reality that the competition is immense and that expectations must be lowered. Some graduates, unable to find work immediately after graduation, get themselves into further debt by taking out career development loans and other forms of commercial borrowing to undertake a further qualification.

Due to the volume of UK graduates on the market, the need to stand out has made life much more competitive. Contacts, professional qualifications, Masters degrees and relevant work experience are now required to help secure a “graduate” career.

Moneynet ( http://www.moneynet.co.uk ), a consumer finance website, released a recent report stating that graduates need to check their credit histories when they finish their courses. Richard Brown, the CEO of moneynet warned that graduates could face a credit history nightmare at the end of university due to relocation, late payments and low credit. Moneynet has taken steps to provide publications which can help students and their families finance higher education, but the sheer scale of the student market now dictates that financial problems go beyond a lack of financial planning.

According to Credit Action ( http://www.creditaction.org.uk/debtstats.htm ), a third of prospective students underestimate the cost of university, with 25% of freshers expecting their parents to foot the bill. Both parents and students apparently underestimate the true costs of university – parents by almost £4,000 and students by over £6,000. A quarter of parents state that they still have adult children living at home and over 14% of parents with adult children have remortgaged their homes or taken out loans to help their children out of the financial quagmire. Student debts and difficulties getting onto the first rung of the housing ladder are given as the main reasons for offspring being unable to leave home. First-time buyers are being required to save harder and for longer to secure their first home, in spite of a supposedly cooling housing market.

It also seems that parents who try to help out their offspring by giving cash to get them out of their financial struggles may be doing more harm than good according to the NatWest. The report shows that those who accepted payouts from their parents were 25% more likely to then go overdrawn in the future than those who didn’t take this form of financial help. Overall a third of young people said their parents had never taught them how to manage their money. If you’re a parent and concerned that your children need help with managing their pocket-money, moneynet offers a family finance guide with a few suggestions.It doesn't offer a magical solution to student debt, but it might provide some help in financial management.

Resources:
http://www.creditaction.org.uk/home.htm
http://www.moneynet.co.uk/student-finance-guide/index.shtml
http://www.moneynet.co.uk/family-finance-guide/index.shtml

About the author: Rachel writes for the personal finance blog Cashzilla - a mighty personalfinanosaurus who lives in Scotland with his girlfriend Nessie – the Loch Ness Monster.

Contact details: Rachel Lane
E-mail: rachel@positiveinterest.com
Web: http://www.cashzilla.co.uk

How hipsters chat at work...

2005-09-27T10:48:00.000-04:00

New Office Slang

404 - Someone who is clueless. From the Web error message, “404 Not Found,” which means the document requested couldn’t be located. “Don’t bother asking John. He’s 404.”

Adminisphere - The rarified organizational layers above the rank and file that makes decisions that are often profoundly inappropriate or irrelevant.

Alpha Geek - The most knowledgeable, technically proficient person in an office or work group. “I dunno, ask Rick. He’s our alpha geek.”

Assmosis - The process by which some people seem to absorb success and advancement by kissing up to the boss rather than working hard.

READ: Funny Office Slang

What Separates Your Services From the Rest of The Pack?

2005-09-27T09:01:00.000-04:00

Determine what makes you UNIQUE. It's easier than you think!

Begin by answering the following questions:

1. What is the ONE THING that you do that others in your profession are NOT doing?

2. What is it about your actual business that makes you different or unique in some way?

3. What results can you promise your clients that others do not?

4. When a prospect asks the question, "Why should I hire you, instead of so and so" how do you respond?

If you're really stuck trying to define what makes you different, ask a couple of your best clients why they chose to work with you—and continue to work with you—instead of your competitors. Use this information to create a unique marketing message that appears in all of your marketing efforts.

Remember, if you're not differentiating yourself from your competitors –you ARE invisible to your prospects!

Small Business Marketing Advisor Connie Scholl, provides Independent Professionals with simple, effective and low-cost market strategies guaranteed to DOUBLE their current client base." To learn more about her popular small biz marketing programs, and to sign up for her FREE Marketing Solutions ezine, visit http://www.conniecoach.com

Is that 2nd job really worth it? Find out here...

2005-09-23T15:08:00.000-04:00

If you are married with mouths to feed and your spouse is keeping the kids at home because daycare is too expensive, well... chances are you made the right decision. Sometimes two working spouses are not worth it once you consider all the variables. However, if you need convincing (or just plain curious) Microsoft has a tool that will bring it home to you.

The Microsoft Second Income Calculator is a free tool for evaluating the true financial return of adding a second income. Its as easy as 1-2-3.

1. Go to The Microsoft Second Income Calculator

2. Enter information such as: Annual Income, Taxes, Work Expenses and Lifestyle

3. Review the results and be amazed. The Microsoft Second Income Calculator breaks down how much money you are losing (when applicable) annually or hourly as a result of taking on a second job.

Hope this helps...

Have dice, will travel...

2005-09-22T11:50:00.000-04:00

Workers who used to shuffle the cards and count the cash at casinos in Louisiana and the Mississippi Gulf Coast before Hurricane Katrina are turning by the thousands to a Web-based gaming industry recruiter to find work.

H-R-Logix of Edmond, Oklahoma, markets recruiting management technology to some of the nation's largest casino companies.

The company has teamed with more than 140 casinos to create an online listing where job applicants can view a collective pool of thousands of available gaming positions nationwide."

READ: Web-based company helps displaced gaming workers find jobs after Katrina

Jobless Claims Related to Katrina Surge

2005-09-22T11:30:00.000-04:00

The number of Americans thrown out of work by Hurricane Katrina shot up by 103,000 last week, bringing the total seeking jobless benefits because of the storm to 214,000, the government reported Thursday.

The latest weekly jobless claims figure showed that the adverse economic impact from the country's most expensive natural disaster continues to rise as more evacuees are able to make it to state unemployment offices to file claims.

The 214,000 total number of applications for unemployment benefits related to the hurricane included 91,000 claims for two weeks ago, a figure that had originally been put at 68,000, and 20,000 claims for the week ending Sept. 3.

The 103,000 new hurricane-related jobless claims were out of a total of 432,000 claims last week, which was the highest level for total jobless claims since July 5, 2003.

Last week's total increase was up from 424,000 claims filed the previous week.

Some private economists are predicting that a half million people or more will have lost jobs when Katrina's final economic toll is calculated.

READ: Jobless Claims Related to Katrina Surge

How do I look?

2005-09-21T23:51:00.000-04:00

I changed the look of my blog yesterday and would love some feedback. If you would, leave me a comment with your thoughts? Thanks! -Jim

And you thought you were sick of spam...

2005-09-21T23:39:00.000-04:00

Do telemarketers get on your nerves? If so, this is the cure that ails you. The National DO NOT CALL list. It will only take a minute of your time. It blocks your number for five (5) years.

For more info: National Do Not Call Registry

What do you do when recruiters call you at work?

2005-09-21T10:04:00.000-04:00

Oh, to be among the wanted. That's what many workers out there say when they hear friends or colleagues moaning that they don't know what to do when a recruiter -- or headhunter -- calls them at work to tell them about an exciting new job.

But to be among the wanted: It can be a tricky balance of checking out an opportunity and remaining loyal to an employer. And it's particularly difficult when one is sitting at that employer's desk, talking to a recruiter on the telephone. So sneaky. So underhanded.

So common and so necessary.

Recruiters often happen upon workers in one of three ways:

The workers are well known or other people refer them, and they are very good at what they do. These people are in very senior positions or have specialized skills.

Others are found because they are incredibly active in their job searches, whether they are searching or not. They are on job boards and databases, and because of that, they end up in recruiters' files or simply on a recruiter's radar screen. Often.

And others are found because they are very public. They are association officers or on boards, or can be found easily via a Web search. These are people who hold positions in the community. Therefore, recruiters or organizations know about them.

These people might get calls rather often from recruiters who are paid by companies to find good hires for open positions. The recruiters are essentially trying to make a sale. That's great for a lot of people. But the question lingers: How do these people handle the sticky situation of being recruited while at work?

READ: Shhh -- Recruiter on the Line

Gary put his resume on a billboard and it worked!

2005-09-19T10:41:00.000-04:00

Here is an interesting strategy I picked up from Sourcing - Recruiting Sources Secrets, it seems that someone has rented a billboard to hype their resume.

When a person is informed by his employer that he is being terminated, the first inclination is usually to begin scouring the classified ads. But Gary Radke of Bellevue has gone the route of blowing his name up and putting it on a billboard to aid in the hunt for his next career opportunity. Radke, 35, was recently let go from his position as director of event marketing and e-commerce at the Weidner Center for the Performing Arts because of the facility’s recent financial struggles. He was one of six people who was told his employment would be terminated at the end of June.

Radke said that while he has checked online for job postings at company Web sites since learning of his fate several months ago, it was not until recently he decided to pursue using a billboard to publicize his quest for a new job.

“I had joked early in my job search of putting up a billboard,” Radke said. “As things went along, the results were not as good as I hoped, so I said, ‘Let’s give it a try’”

READ: Bellevue man supersizes job search with billboard

Billion-dollar payout for asbestos workers

2005-09-17T11:56:00.000-04:00

The State Government could be liable for more than $1 billion in extra compensation for thousands of asbestos victims it abandoned because they were smokers.

A Daily Telegraph investigation has found that a recent landmark court decision could hit the Government's coffers at a time when it is already under massive financial pressure.

For years the Government's Dust Diseases Board had rejected the claims of hundreds of victims of asbestos-related lung cancer because the workers were also smokers, even though most asbestos workers smoked.

But in a case brought against the board, the District Court ruled asbestos exposure multiplied the cancer risk in a smoker and that the board had to pay compensation.

Medical experts spoken to by The Daily Telegraph estimate there could be between 6000 and 12,000 sufferers of asbestos-related lung cancer diagnosed by 2020.

With a typical payout of about $200,000, if just 6000 came forward it would cost the Government $1.2 billion.

READ: Asbestos payout to top $1bn

Mesothelioma kills workers in Japan

2005-09-17T11:51:00.000-04:00

Train driver Isamu Tatsutani is not the only former employee of the West Japan Railway Co. to have died of mesothelioma, a type of lung cancer caused by asbestos.

But his legacy is unique-a set of four diaries, detailing his two-year fight with the disease, culminating in his death in summer 2004. He was 61.

Along with his love for his family, one theme runs throughout his diaries: "Why didn't the company tell us of the danger involved?" he asks, again and again.

A native of Kakogawa, Hyogo Prefecture, Tatsutani was exposed to asbestos while working for what was then the Japanese National Railways (JNR).

Thirty years later, mesothelioma claimed his life.

Estimates suggest there could be as many as 100,000 former JNR employees who, like Tatsutani, were involved in the maintenance and scrapping of train engines and carriages, where they inhaled asbestos particles used as heat insulators.

READ: Dying man's torment

People are sick from working in Britain...

2005-09-17T11:37:00.000-04:00

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) published new statistics on work-related ill health in Great Britain. Gives new meaning to "sick of working." Check out these snippets...

In 2004 there were 7,080 new cases assessed as qualifying for compensation under the Department for Work and Pensions' Industrial Injuries Scheme. This compares with 7,910 new cases in 2003. There were falls in cases of chronic bronchitis, vibration white finger and carpal tunnel syndrome. Cases of asbestos-related disease (mostly mesothelioma and asbestosis) continued to rise.

Each year an estimated 6,000 people (uncertainty range 3,000 to 12,000) die from cancer due to past exposures at work. In 2003 over 1,870 people died from mesothelioma, a cancer caused mainly by occupational exposure to asbestos, and around, as many again are likely to have died from asbestos-related lung cancer. In addition to these cancer deaths, over 100 died from asbestosis and nearly 250 from other types of pneumoconiosis, mostly associated with coal dust and silica.

READ: Latest occupational health statistics published

Gas and the unemployed jobseeker...

2005-09-15T01:22:00.000-04:00

Unless you live in a plastic bubble, secluded from the outside world, you are no doubt feeling pain at the pump. When I took this picture two weeks ago (above), unleaded was coasting at $2.81 in my neighborhood. Thanks to a concerted effort to squash price gouging (and mass hysteria over potential gas shortages), the cheapest unleaded now hovers at $2.62. And to that I say, "Wow!"

Who would of thunk that a $2.62 would only buy one gallon of gas? Not I and I suspect, most unemployed jobseekers did not consider that either. As frustrating as it may be to interview and interview and interview for your dream job (or any job for that matter), now it may very well become too expensive to find work! I mean, do you buy groceries or fill up your tank for the week? Ouch!

Well, if you can identify with this rant, help is here and Microsoft is bringing it. Follow-along as I show you how to find the lowest gas prices in your neighborhood. Its as easy as 1-2-3.

1. Hop over to http://autos.msn.com. In the left hand colum is a link called "My Car." In case you have thick Coca-Cola glasses and vision like Mr. Magoo, I have an arrow pointing to the "My Car" link in the above screenshot.

2. Under the "My Car" section is a link called "Gas Prices."

3. Up pops a map citing gas stations in your area that MSN has been tracking. All you have to do is add the zip code for your area.

How do we do it? Every night MSN Autos receives pricing data from over 90,000 gas stations across the nation. We then process that information and provide it to you free-of-charge. Pretty cool, huh?

4. Scrolling down from the map, you will notice that MSN Auto sorts gas prices by zip code and ranges them from Cheap to "You-gotta-be-kidding!" (or whatever expletive you desire). Anyways, the cheapest gas is always on top. Hope this helps!

Pass it on...

-Jim

Beware of the Top 5 Interview Mistakes

2005-09-13T12:42:00.000-04:00

We've all heard stories of job candidates who looked great on paper but who were absolute disasters in person. With fewer interview opportunities available in our competitive job market, it's essential to make the best possible first impression. Learn from the mistakes of others and avoid these top five worst interview blunders:

1. Not preparing for the tough interview questions.

Like every job seeker, you probably have your own set of tough interview questions you hope will never be asked. The best strategy is to prepare ahead of time with answers to ALL of these questions. A career coach can be a great resource for helping you work out suitable answers with a positive spin onnegative or challenging career situations.

2. Failure to match communication styles.

Making a great first impression is easier to do when you communicate effectively with your interviewer. The best way to do this is by mirroring his or her communication style. Allowing your interviewer to set the tone of the conversation will put him or her at ease and makes the conversation flowmore naturally.

For instance:

* If the interviewer seems all business, don't attempt to loosen him or her up with a joke or story. Be succinct and businesslike.
* If the interviewer is personable, try discussing his or her interests. Often personal items on display in the office can be a clue.
* If asked a direct question, answer directly. Then follow up by asking if more information is needed.

3. Talking too much.

In my recruiting days, I abhorred over-talkative candidates, and so did most of my client employers who interviewed these candidates. Over-talking takes several forms:

* Taking too long to answer direct questions. The impression: This candidate just can't get to the point.
* Nervous talkers. The impression: This candidate is covering up something or is outright lying.

To avoid either of these forms of over-talking, practice answering questions in a direct manner. Using role-playing in preparing for your interview will help you avoid excessive, nervous talking.

4. Saying negative things about your current or past employers or managers.

Even if your last boss was Attila the Hun, avoid stating your ill feelings about the person or work situation. No matter how reasonable your complaints, your negative comments will be viewed as disrespect towards your boss. When faced with the challenge of talking about former employers, make sure you are prepared with a positive spin on your experiences.

5. Giving away too much salary and earnings information.

Candidates often weaken their future earning potential by speaking too freely about their current income. No matter the official salary range of the position you are interviewing for, your current earnings have an enormous effect on the size of the offer. Investing in a career coach to help you answer salaryquestions can add thousands of dollars to your new job offer.

You already know that it takes a strong resume that sets you apart as a candidate of choice to be invited for an interview. The next step is to hone your interviewing skills to actually win job offers. Polishing your interviewing skills can mean the difference between getting the job and being a runner-up.

Deborah Walker, CCMC Career Coach ~ Resume Writer Web: http://www.blogger.com/www.AlphaAdvantage.com Email Deb@AlphaAdvantage.com

Now Hiring: Corporate Chaplains

2005-09-11T20:46:00.000-04:00

In the middle of a winter night last year, the family of a forklift operator in Danville, Ill., suffered two devastating blows. In a fire that destroyed their home, the Kemps also lost their youngest child. While the family had no pastor, priest, or rabbi to turn to, someone came to their aid immediately: the chaplain at McLane Co., David Kemp's employer. Cleveland Taylor arrived amid the fire trucks, helped the family get clothing and meet its needs over many weeks, and held the funeral service for the baby.

As fewer Americans attend houses of worship on a regular basis, more people are receiving the compassionate help one might expect of a minister from corporate chaplains - professionals hired by companies to be a listening ear, a quick responder in crises, an arm to lean on through difficult challenges.

It's not that businesses are trying to take on a religious role. Corporate chaplains serve people of any or no faith, and the use of their services is voluntary. But business leaders increasingly recognize that employees who face crises often can't help bringing their personal difficulties to work, and job performance can suffer. Making provision to care for their workforce becomes a part of good business practice.

Bringing chaplains into the company "takes issues away from managers that they don't know how to handle and gives them to those that do," says Tim Embry, CEO of American LubeFast Inc., based in Duluth, Ga.

As a result, many employees are getting support that can make a significant difference in their lives, while companies say they're seeing a more satisfied, even more productive workforce.

READ: Spiritual guidance... in the workplace?

SEEKING SURVIVORS: Patricia Montaque and Florida Derischebourg...

2005-09-11T15:16:00.000-04:00

Got this in email, pass it on...

Ron Parker is from New Orleans. He was living in Los Angeles before moving to Atlanta a few years ago. He had about 30 relatives that have disappeared. Luckily his mother and her mother was visiting Los Angeles at the time but they live in New Orleans. His wife and his three daughters and their family is okay and was not in New Orleans.

His father passed away years ago but his father's sister and his mother's brother's family - about 30 people total have disappeared. The bad thing is that the family homes were right next to where the levee broke where all the houses were 10 feet under the water.

He is really getting more upset by the day and said he might go down there soon. He has 8 other people staying with him who were friends of his daughters in college.

He told me not to send a BIG email or tell anyone about what was happening and that they were going to try to solicit help from www.blackamericaweb.com/relief But it might help if we took stuff over or gave them money.

I told him they have sent people to 30 states so it might take at least 6 months before he hear from them. That's got to be hard.

You can help me look for them.

His father's sister - Patricia Montaque & Family

His mother's brother - Florida Derischebourg & Family

I have been posting their names everywhere...You can also help to post their names.

From:

Ron Parker
(404) 294-0706
Stone Mountain

Job Fair for People Displaced by Hurricane Katrina

2005-09-11T14:52:00.000-04:00

Monday and Tuesday, September 12 & 13

A job fair has been organized and is seeking companies and organizations that have job openings at any and all skill levels. If you are interested in participating on one or both days, please contact Miranda Roberts at mroberts@cityofstockbridge.com or 770.389.5982 ext. 221. If you have only one or two openings and can not attend the job fair, please email (WORD format) the job description and contact information and copies will be distributed to attendees/ hurricane evacuees.

VISIT THE JOB FAIR AT:

Merle Manders Conference Center
111 Davis Road
Stockbridge, GA 30281
770.389.5982

Georgia Offers Job Fair for Victims

2005-09-07T19:29:00.000-04:00

Ryan Clayburn isn't too picky about where he'd like to work next. He just wants to get back to work after Hurricane Katrina last week ended his position as an outside salesman for a company in New Orleans.

"Right now I'm looking for anything in sales, but I'll take anything at this point," said Clayburn, dressed in a snappy new suit he bought Tuesday for any job interview that might come his way.

Clayburn was among an estimated 1,000 people, most Katrina refugees with a few locals thrown in, who took advantage of a job fair Wednesday in downtown Atlanta put on by the state of Georgia.

Back in New Orleans, Clayburn's wife, Jennifer, had been the director of sales at a Wyndham Hotel. She fortunately has already landed a new job in Atlanta, a position in the sales office of the downtown Sheraton Hotel -- the same hotel where the job fair was held.

"We live in Hammond (north of New Orleans), but we are moving to Atlanta," said Clayburn, who sold liquid gas products for Messer, an industrial sales company in New Orleans.

"We are getting out of there for safety reasons," he said. "There were three shootings in my neighborhood last night and a shooting at a local gas station."

At the job fair, more than a dozen companies had booths set up to meet one-on-one with applicants. The usual requirement that all applicants present a Social Security card or other papers was waived for the day, considering most of the refugees didn't grab their important documents as they fled their homes.

READ: Georgia Offers Job Fair for Victims

Job fairs help Katrina victims find work

2005-09-07T19:27:00.000-04:00

More than a week after Hurricane Katrina left her city in sodden ruins, Beth Bridges isn't dwelling on what she lost. Like thousands of other New Orleans refugees in Houston and elsewhere, she's hunting for a job, a home and a new start.

"I hope to find something in higher education, but secondary education would be okay," the 54-year-old former Dillard University administrator said as she wandered past tables and job postings at a hastily-organized job fair in downtown Houston Wednesday.

Job postings from employers at the fair ran the gamut of skills, from bank tellers and licensed plumbers to data entry clerks and warehousing laborers. Oilfield services company Baker Hughes sought engineers while Christian Brothers Automotive advertised for technicians and shop foremen. The U.S. Army posted a contact number, as did the Houston Public Library, the Houston Zoo and a temp agency. The Houston school district also is seeking teachers, counselors and other professionals.

Similar scenes played out in other cities that have taken in Katrina refugees seeking work.

READ: Job fairs help Katrina victims find work

Why do we get Labor Day off?

2005-09-05T11:19:00.000-04:00

The nation will observe Labor Day this coming Monday, allowing millions to enjoy the waning days of summer, as well their last chance to wear white pants without earning a "tsk tsk" from Miss Manners. How did this early September holiday get its start?

Though President Grover Cleveland declared Labor Day a national holiday in 1894, the occasion was first observed on Sept. 5, 1882, in New York City. A parade was organized by the city's Central Labor Union, a branch of the Noble Order of the Knights of Labor, a secretive labor union founded in 1869 by a clique of Philadelphia tailors. Historians still debate over whom, specifically, to credit with the idea of a holiday dedicated to the workingman. Some say that Labor Day was the brainchild of Peter J. McGuire, co-founder of the American Federation of Labor. Others argue that Matthew Maguire, the CLU's secretary, was the holiday's mastermind and that he doesn't receive proper credit because he ticked off the mainstream labor movement by running for vice president on the National Socialist Labor Party ticket in 1896.

Read: Why do we get Labor Day off?

Jobs for Katrina refugees...

2005-09-04T17:19:00.000-04:00

I got this in email today. Pass it on...

Subject: Hurricane Cleanup Employment (Please Forward to known out of work refugees)

Construction company hiring 1000 people to help with hurricane clean up. $10/hr, 80-90 hrs weekly, food, lodging, transportation to area. Start immediately, could go on for 1-2 yrs. Anyone interested can call directly to LVI Svcs, 713-991-0480.

PODCAST: David Teten - Circle Of Experts

2005-09-01T15:43:00.000-04:00

In part two of my conversation with David Teten, I discuss his venture "Circle OF Experts" and its benefits to jobseekers.

Are you interested in consulting to leading hedge funds and other institutional investors?

In part two of my conversation with David Teten, I discuss "Circle of Experts," a network of thought leaders in diverse industries who offer their expertise to leading institutional investors. (Tip: Joining is free. You are paid by the hour for your insights.)

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO MY INTERVIEW WITH DAVID TETEN (3:26)

Play now, pay later...

2005-08-31T00:52:00.000-04:00

Every investment involves an element of risk, and borrowing to pay for college expenses is no exception. Borrowing remains a sound investment for most students, but many who borrow and then drop out appear to have lost the bet. Students who borrow money for college begin postsecondary education with more academic and financial risk than other groups. Some of these students, after borrowing and then dropping out of college, beat the odds and go on to productive careers. Perhaps their courses and experience help them succeed, even without a certificate or degree. Or perhaps they come from families sufficiently well off that the accumulated debt is not burdensome.

Yet, along with those who do not finish high school and those who stop with a high school diploma, many college dropouts fall into what has been called "the forgotten half" of our nation's young adult population. The findings in this report, in providing a snapshot of students' experiences, suggest that many borrowers who drop out of postsecondary education may be left behind in the nation's economy.

The growing reliance on loans to finance rising college tuition has drawn widespread attention in the media and public policy debates. Much of the publicity and concern focuses on students who pursue a four-year degree and take on significant debt, averaging from $15,000 to $20,000 in debt by the time they graduate. Some college graduates have borrowed much larger amounts, and average debt burdens are especially high for low-income and minority students who complete their programs of study.2 However, most students who achieve their degrees reap sufficient economic benefits to pay off their loans.

For the first time, this study examines those who may be least well-served by our current system of financing higher education: students who invest in their own education by borrowing, but who do not complete their postsecondary programs. A recent report by the Education Trust warned that "hundreds of thousands of young people leave our higher education system unsuccessfully, burdened with large student loans that must be repaid, but without the benefit of the wages a college degree provides." This report examines the dimensions of this problem and identifies ways to address it.

Read: Borrowers who drop out.

PODCAST: David Teten, Author Of The Virtual Handshake

2005-08-30T08:54:00.000-04:00

David Teten, Co-Author of "The Virtual Handshake"

I RECOMMEND: The Virtual Handshake: Opening Doors and Closing Deals Online David Teten and Scott Allen

More people have used the Internet to participate in an online group than to read news or even to buy something. Online social networks have enjoyed phenomenal growth in recent years, and every major Internet portal now offers some kind of social networking or "blogging" tool to its users.

But these tools are not just recreational, they are rapidly becoming essential tools for business. They are part of a "social software" toolkit that includes blogs, relationship capital management software, advanced contact managers, virtual communities, web conferencing, instant messaging, and much more. The Virtual Handshake gives you the tools to take advantage of these new technologies to become dramatically more successful in business.

The Virtual Handshake shows you how to:

* Sign new customers, meet new business partners, and find your dream job
* Create a powerful professional presence online
* Attract business in online networks
* Meet more relevant senior people
* Start and promote your own blog
* Master the email deluge
* Analyze and value your social network
* Use web conferencing and discussion forums to build strong relationships
* Manage your contact database
* Ensure privacy and safety online

"After reviewing this material, I must say that this product is ridiculously under-priced for the value it brings. Teten and Allen get it and (even better) they know how to explain it to novices and experts alike. The Virtual Handshake is a must-read for any and all businesspeople seeking to do business anywhere, at anytime and in any industry."

-Jim Stroud, Recruitment Specialist, Author and Entrepreneur.

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO MY INTERVIEW WITH DAVID TETEN (3:25)

Why Social Networks Don't Work!

2005-08-29T20:18:00.000-04:00

Why Social Networks Don't Work! (Or... The Linked In Manifesto)
by: Jim Stroud
(C) 2005 Jim Stroud

Unless you are new to the internet or, are a novice to its mysteries, you are no doubt familiar with social networks. For the uninitiated, social networks are online communities where people meet and exchange business information with one another. In the most perfect of scenarios, someone you meet in a social network will connect you to one of their trusted contacts and business will be consummated. There are several such networks in operation (among them Ecademy, Spoke and Ryze), but the most popular is Linked In of which I am an avid subscriber. To be fair, I have met quite a few people with Linked In and can sing some of its praises. However, there is a downside to using social networks of any kind. I suspect that it is this singular reason why many forsake social networks and dismiss them as a fad of the age. What is the leading detriment of social networks? Ironically, the issue is that many people do not know how to network offline and those habits are simply transferred to the online arenas of social networks.

As a member of Linked In, my profile is open for public review. As I have been fortunate enough to work with certain companies, I am often approached for leads into organizations I have been affiliated with. This results in a near avalanche of emails of which I offer no complaint. As I use Linked In as a recruiting vehicle (in addition to expanding my network), It is simply par for the course. My concern is the tone of the inquiries of which I will paraphrase, "Gimme, gimme, gimme and give it to me now." Initially, I thought such encounters would prove only a minor annoyance. Unfortunately, I find myself battling a growing disdain for those who do not grasp the concept of quid pro quo nor, the fleeting art of courtship. If you are a fairly connected person with a "golden rolodex" of leads, why should I expect you to introduce your more coveted contacts to me upon request? Furthermore, how much assistance should I expect you to give a perfect stranger that you have only met virtually? Would it be illogical to assume that you are not so willing to risk your reputation with a trusted ally, by recommending an introduction to someone you barely know? I would not think it illogical, but such seems to be the faith of several who have reached out via social networks. The end result? Hundreds (or is it thousands?) of requests go unanswered or flatly refused, leaving the disillusioned to claim the ineffectiveness of social networks. This also has a rebounding effect on those proficient in networking who wonder how much longer they will continue to suffer countless requests made by virtual hands outstretched for whatever they can glean from their solicitations.

"The most annoying requests are those made by people who have not read my profile, but want to connect only for the sake of making a connection to their list, or selling a product said Steve Eisenberg, an E-Business professional and a faithful user of Linked In.

It is my good fortune however, to report that there is a solution that benefits all concerned. I have crafted a guideline of conduct for social networks and would share it with you now, dear reader. I call it "The Linked In Manifesto" after my favorite social networking service. (Despite the actions of some, Linked In still remains on my short list of necessary web sites.) Please consider the following suggestions mandatory when you next decide to engage someone via a social network.

1. When approaching someone for the first time, do not ask for anything! Instead, offer a gift to encourage them to correspond with you. I would suggest that your offering be presented in one of three ways.
OFFER AN IDEA: Consider the profile of the person you want to connect to and imagine a way to make their business life easier; then share it with them. For example, "I notice from your profile that you are a veterinarian with a focus on Cats. I checked and the domains CatDoctor.com and PurrfectPractitioner.com are not taken. Just a thought, but maybe you should consider snapping these up. If you would like to discuss Veterinarian Science or Cats in general, drop me an email."
OFFER INFORMATION: Perhaps you could visit an online news source, browse stories and share insight into an event that would prove of interest to your intended connection. For example, “I read in the paper that Company X is moving into VOIP and opening a center in Tacoma. Isn't that in your backyard? As a Telecom professional, I hear about such things all the time and have no problem sharing the more interesting gossip. If interested, drop me an email.
OFFER INTRODUCTIONS: Exclusivity is always an attention grabber. For example, I noticed from your profile that you own a firm that designs video games. My son works for Atari and when he is not developing games, he and his co-workers barricade my basement and play games until the beer runs out. My son is happily employed, but I can not speak for his pals. If you like, I could introduce you to them. Just let me know..."
2. Do not attempt to connect with someone unless you plan on getting to know them. In other words, maintain honorable intentions by inviting them to call you or meet with you for coffee at Starbucks. All too often, social networkers seek out what they can achieve at the moment and this is counter-intuitive to the nature of networking. Try as you might to put a face with the name, learn their hobbies and future endeavors and give them a chance to learn you and find commonality. If at all possible, ferret out a non-business activity that you can bond over (Sports, TV Shows, Et Cetera.) Successful, long-term business comes from trust and trust takes time to develop, yet it is always worth it.
3. Stay in touch with online contacts and advise them of your preferences should other social networkers approach them about contacting you. (For example, my department is not hiring. However, if you come across someone out of Company X, I will gladly chat with them.) In the virtual world, it is easy to lose tracks of those you were once so close to. Set a day on your calendar to speak to or visit with, those connected to you and reacquaint yourself with them. Find new reasons to stay in touch and seek out ways that you can help enrich their lives professionally and socially. (It goes without saying that you should take note of your contacts preferences as well.)
4. Jealously guard your connected list by being very selective of the invitations you accept. (After all, we are all measured by the company we keep and our associations testify of our character more loudly than our denials.) When refusing a connection however, attempt to offer help in some way. For example, "Thank you for requesting a connection to me on Linked In. May I ask why you chose to connect with me? In the event that I am unable to assist you, I am more than happy to refer you to another or offer any advice I can muster. Please advise..."

In conclusion, the best advice I can give has already been given. In the book "The Heart Of Networking" by Ricky Steele, the consummate networker Ricky Steele said that "Networking is a thinking person's game." Strategy plays a huge part in networking offline and the rules apply online as well. A social network is not a machine where you insert a quarter and instant business rolls out like a gumball. Rather, it is an opportunity, a chance to present yourself to those you may one day recruit. It is also a chance to be ignored. Social networks work well for those who know how to come bearing gifts, pursue long term relationships and value the contacts they already developed. If you have considered joining a social network but do not have the time to cultivate the encounters that come from it, save your time, talent and energy. Social networks don't work.

Streaming Faith in the Workplace!

2005-08-25T16:36:00.000-04:00

What happens when you couple a course and set of principles with your career? What possible goals can you obtain in the workplace by allowing God to direct your course? The course of your career depends on how you apply the superior principle...faith, to any given situation in the workplace. Faith in the workplace changes the course that others set before you. Faith allows your path in the workplace to be directed by the word of God. Faith trusts the unseen, but not the unknown.

READ: Streaming Faith in the Workplace!

10 Biggest Causes of Workplace Stress

2005-08-24T20:35:00.000-04:00

10 Biggest Causes of Workplace Stress
by Dale Collie

According to CNN-Money.com, Americans spent more than $17 billion for anti-depressants and anti-anxiety drugs in 2002, up 10% from the year before and nearly 30% over a two year period. The Institute for Management Excellence reports that American industry spends more than $26 billion each year for medical bills and disability payments with another $10 billion for executive's lost workdays, hospitalization, and early death. While these trends might be caused by some who are simply intolerant to stressful situations, it should also be recognized that properly managed circumstances can reduce stress, maximize employee productivity, and improve the living conditions of everyone. Out of control stress also costs companies through increased absenteeism, lack of enthusiasm for the job, poor performance, and bad attitudes. Improvements in each of these areas can bring improved productivity and increased profits.

To find out what is most stressful to employees, Bill Wilkerson, CEO of The Global Business and Economic Roundtable on Addiction and Mental Health, conducted a survey and reported the ten top sources. As you'll see, all ten of these stress causing situations are related to leadership communications. The names Wilkerson gave each of these causes are in quotation marks.

10. "The treadmill syndrome"
Employees who consistently have too much or too little to do creates a lot of stress. Some employees are highly stressed because they simply have too many responsibilities. Others work around the clock, not necessarily on the clock, but throughout the day and at home. These are generally the employees who have too much to do and too many responsibilities.
Solution: You can control stress caused by the treadmill syndrome by making sure work is evenly divided and properly prioritized. Sometimes you can save money by hiring additional employees and reducing the additional costs of excessive stress.
9. "Random interruptions"
Interruptions keep employees from getting their work done - telephones, walk-in visits, supervisor's demands.
Solution: You can control this type stress by encouraging proper time management, delegation of responsibilities, and clarification of expectations.
8. "Pervasive uncertainty"
Uncertainty is created by constant, unsatisfactorily explained or unannounced change.
Solution: Keeping everyone well informed can reduce stress and improve productivity. Take time to meet with people and put the details in a written memo so they can review the facts after the emotions cool down.
7. "Mistrust, unfairness, and office politics"
These situations keep everyone on edge and uncertain about the future. Management of trust and fairness is just as important as any other management tool. If people cannot trust management, performance goes down. And, everyone is affected if even one employee is treated unfairly.
Solution: You have to make sure everyone is treated fairly - in fact and in perception. Word spreads quickly, and everyone sympathizes with the "victim," as they see it. They feel they will be treated the same way.
Unfairness can also be seen in management's acceptance of those who thrive on office politics.
Solution: Do not reward office politics in any way. Verbally reprimand those who are negative about others or those who spread rumors. If their statement isn't uplifting, don't let them make the comment about others.
If you fail to take action, morale goes down and stress goes up.
6. "Unclear policies and no sense of direction"
Lack of focus causes additional uncertainty and undermines confidence in management.
Solution: Clear communication of policies and company goals is required, and it must go beyond the management level.
Not all middle managers are good at communicating these important subjects, so top management must communicate in a such a way that everyone is clear on where the company is going and what company policies are enforced.
Use memos, articles, personal meetings, small groups, announcements and anything else that reinforces your policy. Repetition is important. Actions consistent with policy are more important as the words.
5. "Career and job ambiguity"
If people are uncertain about their jobs and careers, there is a feeling of helplessness and of being out of control. This goes beyond the job description and annual performance review.
Solution: People want to know that their job is secure and know what is expected of them. Many employees also want to know about career progression and what they must do to advance.
Keep people informed of business situations, threats, and obstacles that must be overcome. They'll find out through the grape vine if you don't tell them. There is no such thing as a secret, so be right up front with everyone.
You don't want to be an alarmist, but these people have families to take care of. Some of them are applying for mortgages, loans, and other financial commitments that they might not make if they are as fully informed as you are.
4. "No feedback - good or bad."
People want to know how they are doing, and whether they are meeting expectations. If you don't communicate your thoughts on their performance, they are stressed about how well they are doing.
Solution: Daily or weekly confirmation can help reduce stress significantly. Managers who wait until year end to explain job performance are about 51 weeks too late.
3. "No appreciation."
Failure to show appreciation for employee participation generates stress that endangers future efforts.
Solution: Daily, weekly, and monthly appreciation will help reduce stress and increase profits.
2. "Lack of communications"
Poor communication up and down the chain of command leads to decreased performance and increased stress.
Solution: Just as it is important to keep people advised of company policies and changes they can expect, management needs to listen to employees. Improved communications up the chain of command can give people a chance to pass along ideas, suggestions, and complaints, reducing stress and helping achieve more.
1. The greatest stressor in the workplace is "lack of control."
Employees are highly stressed when they feel like they have no control over their participation or the outcome of their work.
Solution: Savvy managers know the value of employee suggestions, comments, and input on the business as they participate. Very few managers know as much about the individual jobs as those doing the work day after day.
Stress control is a leadership responsibility. Those who ignore prevailing stress levels are negligent in their duties. Grasping the concepts and reducing stress one step at a time can have an amazing impact on the bottom line and on the lives of those who do the heavy work.

Subscribe to "Stress Management -Timely Tips" at http://www.couragebuilders.com

Dale Collie - Professional Speaker & former US Army Ranger, CEO, and University Professor. Advising business leaders on corporate stress control, improving productivity, and increasing profits. Author of "Winning Under Fire: Turn Stress into Success the US Army Way" (McGraw-Hill)

Brother, can you spare a gallon?

2005-08-24T00:29:00.000-04:00

The search for affordable housing has pushed many north suburban workers to the outer reaches of the New York City metropolitan area in pursuit of the American Dream.

It's not unusual to find workers commuting from southern Dutchess and Orange counties to business centers in Rockland, White Plains, Tarrytown, Armonk and, of course, Manhattan.

Depending on their destination, that means traveling distances of 50, 60 or 70 miles or more to get to work, often times by car.

Traditionally, workers have been willing to foot the additional expense, frustration and time lost in commuting to earn the higher wages Manhattan and its immediate environs pay while benefiting from the lower costs of living in far-flung communities.

But the recent increase in the cost of filling the tank means workers, especially those at the lower end of the pay scale, are doling out a lot more to get to work.

READ: Rising gas prices worry workers, employers

I RECOMMEND: PageBites

2005-08-18T09:00:00.000-04:00

I had the good fortune of interviewing Ralph Harik, CEO and Founder of PageBites, Inc. In my opinion, this is a company that recruiters and job seekers will want to keep a close eye on. Expect more from these trailblazers in the near future.

Q: What was the inspiration behind PageBites?

We wanted to create a product that would improve the lives of our siblings, our relatives and our friends. After considering many ideas, we decided that matching people to jobs is a difficult and challenging problem that needs to be addressed.

Q: How long has it been in existence?

We have been thinking about semi-structured search for some time now, but we have been working on this specific project for only a few months.

Q: What is your vision for PageBites?

PageBites offers both resume and job search. We are a destination for both employers and job seekers.

For employers, PageBites offers a single website to search for qualified candidates. Employers can also contact us to have their job openings included in our job index.

For job seekers, PageBites offers high exposure for their resumes (we do not charge employers any fees to use our site). PageBites also offers job seekers the ability to search for job openings that are aggregated from a variety of job boards.

PageBites is a vertical search company. Our goal is to build products that will improve people's lives. At the moment we are concentrating on job and resume search because it is a problem that is important to many people.

Q: PageBites seems to be funded by advertising so far. Will it always be free?

Searching for resumes and for jobs on PageBites will always be free. Posting your resume will also always be free.

The current business model, where employers must pay to search for resumes, is broken. There is no reason why employers should be paying hundreds of dollars to access a database of people who are looking for work. Smaller companies might not have the resources to pay these expensive fees. Free access to qualified candidates should be available to all employers.

Q: What is the advantage of using PageBites as a recruiter?

Unlike many other career sites, our service is free. We do not charge recruiters any money to search for resumes, and we do not require users to login before searching the site.

In addition, PageBites enables recruiters to easily find the candidates that best match the requirements of a job opening. A recruiter can restrict the resume search results to a particular location. Recruiters can also restrict search results to a specific skill or a particular degree. For example, you can search for people who attended Stanford and know C++ by typing "skills:C++ education:Stanford".

Q: What are the advantages to a job seeker for using PageBites?

PageBites aggregates job listings from a number of boards. Job seekers can, with one search, find a greater number of job openings.

We also allow job seekers to post their resume on PageBites. Each user is given a directory on PageBites with 10 MB of space to post resumes, cover letters, portfolios, etc.

Posting is made easy through the use of a rich text editor. This provides users with a familiar interface to input their resumes. The rich text editor also offers users the freedom to design and format their resumes without needing to know any HTML. In addition, users that already have a resume online are able to submit the URL of their online resume to PageBites.

Q: Is your website still in beta? When can users expect a big promotional push?

PageBites is still in Beta. We will be releasing more useful features in the coming months. We are continuously improving the site and we are always testing out new ideas.

Q: What have you not told me about PageBites?

We are really interested in receiving feedback from users. We would love to hear from both recruiters and job seekers.

It is too easy to become a recruiter...

2005-08-15T08:32:00.000-04:00

My article, "A great idea that will never happen..." was featured in the July edition of Online Recruitment Magazine. Visit the website to download a free copy: www.onrec.com

Here is a snippet...

It is too easy to become a recruiter. I suppose that can be said for a variety of disciplines, but I would wonder how closely those positions affect the bottom line the way recruiting does. A company is powered by its people and the gas of that engine is recruiting. Staffing professionals know this, C-level executives are aware of the fact and likewise savvy investors who bet on the jockey rather than the horse they ride on. However, across many organizations the staffing department is grudgingly regarded as a resource of necessity that is wholly unappreciated. To make an unfair comparison, recruiters are often thought of like Firemen; well appreciated in times of fire, but forgotten otherwise. Sure, there are organizations that give lip service to the value of recruiting, but consider these questions. How often does the CEO of your company wander the cubicles of the staffing department to personally congratulate their contribution? When was the last time the staffing department was given kudos in a press release from upper management? When the stock goes up in your company, is staffing cited as a factor?

Recruiting overall suffers from bad publicity (or the lack of a significant amount of good publicity) reflected in the unspoken accolades from above and the occasional disdain from candidates. What do I mean? If a candidate is unemployed, unhappily employed or under-employed, then a call from a recruiter is a welcome God-send. Conversely, if the candidate is comfortable in their present role, such solicitations can be a nuisance. Furthermore, consider those recruiters who engage unqualified candidates and handle their candidates haphazardly. The end result is a negative impression of a certain company and a black eye on recruiting in general. It would seem that when recruiting (in any discipline) you have to contend not only with the requirements you are trying to fill, but also the biases of recruiting coming from all concerned. Fortunately, I have a strategy for turning this around.

Simply put, serving as a recruiter does not carry the prestige of being a doctor or lawyer; neither high school nor college students decide early on to become a recruiter. (How many graduate programs offer an intensive training in recruiting?) It has been my observation that people tend to "stumble" into recruiting and therein lies the issue. Returning to my initial statement, it is too easy to become a recruiter.

Click here for the rest of the story.

Sorry, I only hire good-looking people.

2005-08-12T08:33:00.000-04:00

Hmmmm... Maybe this guy was just shopping for dating prospects and only preferred blondes to women who look like Naomi Campbell? (left) Check this out...

A former San Francisco cosmetics sales manager, who said she was punished for refusing an order from her boss to fire another woman and "get me somebody hot," can take her lawsuit to a jury, the state Supreme Court ruled today in a case that sets new standards for retaliation claims.

In a 4-2 ruling, the court said Elysa Yanowitz's allegations, if true, would show that L'Oreal illegally retaliated against her for opposing sex discrimination by a general manager at the giant cosmetics firm.

Yanowitz, an 18-year employee, was L'Oreal's regional sales manager and chief of marketing for Ralph Lauren fragrances in Western states when she tangled with general manager Jack Wiswall during a 1997 tour of a San Jose department store. According to her lawsuit, Wiswall told her that a dark-skinned sales clerk was "not good-looking enough," and directed her to fire the woman and "get me somebody hot."

During later visits, Yanowitz said, Wiswall kept asking her why the woman had not been fired, and at one point – when he passed by a young, attractive blonde woman – told Yanowitz, "Get me one that looks like that." She said she asked Wiswall for a reason to fire the woman, never got one, and ultimately refused, after learning that the woman was one of the top sellers of fragrances in the region.

(As Home Simpson would say, "Doh!")

Read: Fired cosmetics worker can sue, state high court rules

5 Fields that pay women more than men

2005-08-11T11:20:00.000-04:00

My research for Why Men Earn More uncovered twenty-five differences between what men and women do in the workplace. Here's the rub. Everything men do leads to more money; everything women do leads to more balanced lives-and usually, to better lives. So you don't just want to imitate men.

The road to high pay is a toll road. The trick is discerning which tolls are worth it. For example, working outdoors in the rain and sleet is a disadvantage for most people, but many park rangers choose the profession precisely because they love the out-of-doors. Here are ten tips for you and your daughter to consider. Most lists are slanted toward female executives, but women-like men-come in all education and skill levels, so this is a diverse list.

Five fields that pay women more than men and also provide excellent opportunities are:
Speech language pathologists ($45,000 women; $35,000 men; women make 29% more than men)
Statisticians (35% more than men)
Advertising and Promotions Managers
Motion Picture projectionists
Dental hygienist

READ: WorldWIT - Women. Insights. Technology.

You have to give him credit for creativity...

2005-08-10T10:29:00.000-04:00

Frustrated with your job search? Why not stick your resume on a tee-shirt and walk around the city with it on? What kind of results can you expect? Check out the story of one guy who did just that...

READ:Damn, I Need A Job

Need a job? Indeed you do...

2005-08-10T09:37:00.000-04:00

The New York Times Company announced today an investment in Indeed, Inc. (www.indeed.com), a search engine for jobs that enables job seekers to search millions of job listings from over a thousand Web sites. The Times Company, Union Square Ventures and Allen & Company, LLC are together investing $5 million for a minority interest.

"We are pleased to join Union Square Ventures and Allen & Company in backing Indeed, an innovative new firm that provides compelling job search capabilities to Internet users," said Martin Nisenholtz, senior vice president, digital operations. "The Times Company has strong help-wanted franchises in print and online, and we believe it is important to invest in new technologies and services in this advertising category."

Indeed is the most comprehensive search engine for jobs, adding over 110,000 new jobs per day - more than any other job search engine. Indeed includes jobs from over 1,000 unique sources, encompassing company career pages, major and niche job boards, national and regional newspapers, and hundreds of associations. Indeed indexes all new jobs from each source every day, making it the freshest and most accurate source of jobs on the Web.

READ: Indeed unveils most comprehensive search engine for jobs | Indeed.com

Yeahhh, boyyeeeee!!!

2005-08-08T12:50:00.000-04:00

I have a question. How many ways can you re-engineer your skills and make it in new industries? Here is an example to inspire you.

Tupac and Biggie, move over. A new hip-hop feud is brewing that glamorizes not guns and 'hos but Java and secure encryption algorithms.

While gangsta rap is seen as celebrating the violence and aggression that claimed two of its brightest stars, "geeksta" rap is a hip-hop genre celebrating coding skills and school grades.

Also dubbed "nerdcore," this branch of hip-hop is for geeks, by geeks. Geeksta rappers adopt the same combative verbal-assault stylings of their forerunners, but bust rhymes about elite script compiling and dope machine code.

The term was first coined in 2000 by nerdy New York rapper MC Frontalot in a track of the same name. Nerdcore now refers to artists waxing lyrical about topics as disparate as engineering and Lord of the Rings.

In recent months, the field has seen a growing number of releases from computer science labs, where egocentric grad students show off their Ph.D. credentials in tracks like "Have to Code" and "End of File."

"The stigma that was once attached to computer geeks and role-playing nerds is diminishing incredibly fast," said "digital gangster" Bryce Case Jr., aka ytcracker. "It has almost become trendy to have skills on a computer. Rather than guns and 'hos, I speak about DDOS attacks and camgirls."

The self-proclaimed "#1 greatest computer science gangsta rapper ever" is MC Plus+, a geeksta leading light whose moniker comes from the C++ programming language.

The Purdue University, Indiana, Ph.D. candidate and "CS pimp," whose album Algorhythms was recorded with pirated software, calls himself "the Tupac of the computer science world."

READ: Rap Marketing Comes to Nerdcore

I am now a cartoon!

2005-08-05T13:39:00.000-04:00

For those who don't know, I occassionally blog on the "Technical Careers @ Microsoft" blog with Gretchen Ledgard and other Microsofties. We recently added cartoon image of ourselves courtesy of Hans Bjordahl of Bug Bash. Here is a snippet of my latest entry there which introduces me to the audience.

Hi! My name is Jim Stroud. Most folks call me Jim Stroud, so feel free to do the same. I have been known to find quality candidates like a chocolate covered millionaire with a fist full of shoes finds women, but I suppose that is subjective. Online Research, Recruitment Strategy, Viral Marketing and Recruiting are all ingredients in my resume; add a pinch of creative writing and a dash of entrepreneur to the recipe and you will have a Jim Cake. (Yummy! And non-fattening.)

READ: Meet Jim!

TUTORIAL: Did you get my email?

2005-08-05T08:58:00.000-04:00

The most aggravating aspect of any job search is the ambiguity of waiting for an update on your status. Did they like me? Did I answer their questions correctly? (Or worse yet...) Did they receive the updated resume I emailed to them last week? No way to know for sure, so you wait and wait, until now...

If you use Microsoft Outlook, you have a way of tracking your emails. Well, at least you can tell if your resume was delivered, read and when. Would that prove useful to you? I thought it might. Let's look at this cool Outlook function step-by-step.

Step 1: Write your letter.

Step 2: Click the "Options" tab and choose "Options..."

Step 3: Under the section labeled "Voting and Tracking options," check Request a delivery receipt for this message and check Request a read receipt for this message.

Step 4: Click the "Close" button and send your email as you would normally.

Step 5: Watch your email for the following messages.

Once your email has been delivered, you will get an email that says this:

Your message

To: Recruiter
Subject: A pleasure talking to you.
Sent: 8/03/2005 1:49 PM

was delivered to the following recipient(s):

Recruiter on 7/12/2005 1:50 PM

Once your email is read, you will get an email that says this:

Your message

To: Recruiter
Subject: A pleasure talking to you.
Sent: 8/03/2005 1:49 PM

was read on 8/04/2005 6:48 PM.

And that is how you do that. Happy job hunting!

Does this job make me look fat?

2005-08-03T08:59:00.000-04:00

"Luckily, most jobs send out signals about how right they are for you -- or not," says Jack Welch, former CEO of General Electric and author of "Winning."

"These signals apply to jobs at every level of an organization," Welch writes. "You can be right out of school, a middle manager trying to move up, or a senior executive looking for a top pick."

In "Winning," Welch has created a list of the most important signals to be aware of and how to read them:

People

Take it as a good sign if: You like the people a lot -- you can relate to them, and you genuinely enjoy their company. In fact, they even think and act like you do.

Be concerned if: You feel like you'll need to put on a persona at work. After a visit to the company, you find yourself saying things like, "I don't need to be friends with the people I work with."

Opportunity

Take it as a good sign if: The job gives you the opportunity to grow as a person and a professional, and you get the feeling you will learn things there that you didn't even know you needed to learn.

Be concerned if: You're being hired as an expert, and upon arrival, you will most likely be the smartest person in the room.

Options

Take it as a good sign if: The job gives you a credential you can take with you, and is in a business and industry with a future.

Be concerned if: The industry has peaked or has awful economics, and the company itself, for any number of reasons, will do little to expand your career options.

Ownership

Take it as a good sign if: You are taking the job for yourself, or you know whom you are taking it for, and feel at peace with the bargain.

Be concerned if: You are taking the job for any number of other constituents, such as a spouse who wants you to travel less or the sixth-grade teacher who said you would never amount to anything.

READ: TIP SHEET: Careers -- How to tell if job fits right

The blind leading the business...

2005-08-03T07:44:00.000-04:00

Twenty visually impaired graduates will attend a two-day event to help them build confidence and make more successful applications for jobs in professional careers.

The event, organised for the fourth time by the charity Blind in Business and supported for the second year running by SHL, world leader in objective assessment, will take place at SHL’s Woodstock House in Long Ditton, Surrey on the 18th and 19th of August. As well as hands on practice sessions and seminars, all the participants will have the opportunity to water-ski as a fun and confidence-building activity.

The graduates will receive advice and support on all stages of the recruitment process, including how to complete application forms and how to be successful in job interviews. Recruiters from twenty renowned organisations: Citigroup, DSTL, BDO Stoy Hayward, Morgan Stanley, Herbert Smith, CMS Cameron McKenna, CSSB, Barclays, Royal Bank of Scotland, Allen & Overy, TMP Worldwide, Logica CMG, GCHQ, KPMG, JP Morgan and Accenture, will attend the event to learn more about employing individuals with visual impairments, and to engage in practice interviews with the graduates.

The ’mock’ interviews benefit the graduates, who have the chance to meet recruiters and receive feedback from them afterwards and the recruiters, who will be able to put best practice into action and receive feed back from the candidates.

Read: Blind in Business challenges barriers to the recruitment process