Jennifer Jacob

8 Tips To Get Your Desired Job

2012-09-24T02:24:00.000-07:00

You have to make a job out of getting a job, in other words: It's not just a matter of applying for one job and waiting, or even applying for lots of jobs with the same approach. Getting the job you want is a full time project. It helps if you can plan out the key steps. Here are 8 steps that should help you:

1. Research your target employer and the job role. The more you know about them, the better your chances of winning.

2. Make recruitment agents your competitive advantage. Explain you will prepare well for any interviews as this will raise their chance of earning commission by placing you into a job! Find out which companies they place a lot of people into, as this could be an easier way into your next job. Ask them (or an employer's human resources department) which process they will use to decide who gets the job. Who will be interviewing you, when and what should you prepare? What are the top 3 most important qualities that the interviewer will be looking for?

3. Find out the key requirements: Each time you apply for a job you should find out the key job requirements and make sure you put 3 aspects of your experience that match the job at the top of the first page. What can you refer to in your education, interests, social life or sporting achievements that show you have the qualities that the role requires? Are you able to provide references from people who know you and your capabilities? Do you have any specialist knowledge in areas the job requires, perhaps from holiday jobs or voluntary work?

4. Always put a covering email or letter with your CV. State clearly your interest in the job and one or two reasons why you are suitable for the job. Don't just use the same generalised content every time as it is likely to be ignored!

5. Follow up by phone no more than 3 days after mailing the application.Get through to the person handling the application and ask if it's convenient for the person to speak - people can be busy - if it's not convenient fix a time to call back. When you can speak to the person handling the applications, ask if your application arrived ok, stress your interest in the job and ask what the process will be and when interviews will be held.

6. At the right time, ask for an interview. It's just a question - ask in a friendly positive voice stating that it's really important to you as your research about the organisation makes you really interested in the job. You have a right to ask and they have a right to say yes or no, but if you don't ask you don't get! As soon as you get an interview agreed, find out who you will be interviewed by and what they will be looking for.

7. Preparation: Take time before the interview, think about all the possible questions you could get asked and the answers. Try out the question and answer session with a friend to see how it feels to answer tough questions. Think about, and note down, a few questions you can ask that demonstrate real interest in the job and the organisation.

8. Follow up and time management: Use some kind of a calendar or diary to track your activities in the search for a job. After an interview, not more than 48 hours, send a thank you email to the interviewer and as well as thanking them for their time repeating your interest in the job and re-confirming two or three reasons why you fit the job. In your diary, record who you spoke to, what they said and when to call back or when to expect the next step. With several job applications going on at the same time, it's easy to forget calling someone back or providing a reference by a certain date.

Finally, when you do start your new job make sure you have a plan for early success, try our course Work to help you. LET'S-BEGIN courses are built on a unique range of working experiences from over 30 years in job roles that required very strong inter-personal skills in sales, sales management, general management and organisational leadership.

How to Improve the Quality of Your Networking?

2012-09-10T07:05:00.002-07:00

In this age of metrics, it’s tempting for job hunters to seek solace in the sheer numbers of their effort: 200 job postings answered, 300 resumes mailed, 400 business cards collected for the purposes of professional networking…..

But if you think about how these brute-force employment campaigns affect the professional on the other side of the desk -- the HR recruiter, the networking contact in a powerful position -- it quickly becomes apparent that the rack-up-the-numbers networker is on the wrong track. That’s because these days employers are looking to select a very few outstanding professionals from a tidal wave of good people who just want a job.

So in the end, the quality-oriented networker, the thoughtful individual who always tries to give better than he gets, should have the advantage. Here are 10 points to keep in mind as you emphasize quality over quantity in your professional networking.

1. Quantity Is a Turnoff

If you hand out business cards like you’re dealing poker, most folks will fold. “People don’t want to do business with a card thruster,” says Shel Horowitz, a marketing consultant in Hadley, Massachusetts. In fact, speed networking probably does not yield the best return on your investment of time. “Quantity networkers are forgettable individuals,” says Benjamin Akande, dean of Webster University’s George Herbert Walker School of Business & Technology. “If a guy is just looking for his next consulting contract, I don’t want to know him.”

2. Don’t Work the Room

Don’t kid yourself: If you’re always on the lookout for the next professional hookup, people will take offense. “When people spend 50 percent of the time looking over my shoulder, I don’t feel warm and fuzzy,” says Sally Haver, a senior vice president at The Ayers Group, an HR consultancy in New York City.

3. Take Time to Make a Real Connection

When you and a new acquaintance seem attuned, take time to explore how you might help each other out. “A lot of people figure that coming back from a networking opportunity with just one contact makes it a failure,” Horowitz says. “But my hour with one good contact makes it a success.”

4. Make Your Case for Building a Relationship

Recognize that if you’re between jobs, you probably have more discretionary time than most of your valuable networking contacts do. “People are overrun with requests,” Haver says. “Unless there’s a compelling reason for someone to meet with you, they won’t make the time.” So work hard to make yourself useful.

5. Exchange Stories

Don’t forget that you are more than the professional objective at the top of your resume. “Networking is about telling your story, describing your human competitive advantage -- what you do that nobody else can do,” Akande says. And ask a new contact to tell you her story. “At the start of a professional relationship, I ask questions to get unique pieces of information about the person,” Haver says.

6. Respond to Others’ Challenges

There’s no better way to establish a business networking relationship than to contribute to the solution of your new contact’s pressing problem. “If someone states a challenge that they’re facing, respond -- no later than the next morning -- with something of value that addresses their issue,” says John Felkins, president of Accelerant Consulting Group , an organizational development consultancy in Bartlett, Tennessee.

7. Set Yourself Up for the Next Contact

If you intuit that a new contact will have lasting value, start building a bridge to your next exchange before you say your first good-bye. “I ask people what they’re working on right now, which gives me a segue to another contact,” says Akande. “I make notes so that the next time I can say, You mentioned in our last conversation…’”

8. Make Yourself Useful, Again and Again

“If you consistently position yourself as a resource to others -- fellow college alums, former colleagues -- it will make you more valuable to your contacts, and, in turn, their contacts, as time goes by,” says Amanda Guisbond, an account executive in the Boston office of PR agency Shift Communications.

9. Don’t Forget Social Media

Social media are powerful tools for professional networking when used judiciously. But spam is distasteful no matter what the social medium du jour. So be selective, and use virtual contacts to supplement, not supplant, face-to-face meetings. As Horowitz puts it: “Social networking is deeply reinforced by an in-person connection.”

10. Mind These Three Watchwords for Quality

Looking for a slogan to sum up quality networking? Try Haver’s: Selectivity, discretion, mindfulness.

Some exclusive Tips For Getting A Promotion

2012-09-02T05:38:00.001-07:00

Once you have found a job that you love, it's important not to get too comfortable in your new position. Although I will be the first to admit that everyone needs some time to settle into a new job, but once you're comfortable with the job, it's time to start thinking about a promotion….

The tricky thing about promotions is that almost everyone wants one, but very few people are willing to actively work toward getting them.

Working hard isn't enough, however, because most of the time the people who get promoted aren't always the people who work the hardest and never complain. Some people work themselves to death, hoping that a promotion will be tossed into their lap. When it doesn't happen, they become discouraged and their work ethic suffers. Most employers want to promote people who are good at what they do and who have leadership abilities. If you want to get promoted, you have to show that you are eager to learn, willing to lead and take charge of your career path.

If you have been trying to get promoted, here are 5 tips that can help:

Do your best at every task - When your boss has a project that needs to be done quickly, he or she will most likely give it to the person who is the busiest. It might seem counterintuitive to give more work to the person who has the most on their plate, but the busy person is also the one who is most likely to give the task their best effort. Managers take note of this and soon, the busiest person will be kept busy doing the most challenging and rewarding projects. These projects give them a chance to learn new skills and deliver results to people who will notice them. Which means that they have a shot at showing their skills and leadership abilities to the very people who will make decisions about who to promote.

Always be professional - Everyone tries to be professional, but even the best of us can allow our egos to get in the way of our otherwise professional behavior. In a meeting, when working with a team or even in a dispute with a co-worker, your have to put your ego to the side. Going into a meeting and arguing with someone might make you feel better and you might even "win" the battle, but anything you gain will be short lived. That type of behavior shows that you can't handle stress, criticism and that you don't work well with others. These aren't qualities that employers want in their managers. When it comes to conflict at work, don't take it personal. Instead, use the experience as a chance to show that you can stay cool under pressure and that you respect others - all great management qualities.

Trust yourself - When faced with a difficult problem, we almost always know the right decision, but we often don't act on it. Instead, we over think it and put off making the decision until it's too late. Instead, trust your instincts and make a decision. If you really don't feel qualified to solve the problem, make a list of pros and cons and present the problem, along with possible solutions to your boss. Showing that you are able to work under pressure and make decisions is an important part of being a good leader.

Accept responsibility for your actions - If you make mistakes - and trust me, you will - take responsibility for them. Even if you don't think it was all your fault, accept the blame and move on. Don't take it personally and don't try to defend your honor. Your boss isn't interested in the excuses and they will only make you look bad. Once you accept the blame, move on and don't dwell on it. Forget the mistake, but keep the lesson. Don't fall into the trap of beating yourself up over it. Be grateful for your mistakes because without them, you wouldn't have the chance to learn from them and get better.

How to define that why you have lost your job

2012-08-29T07:56:00.001-07:00

Recognize that there is life after a job loss and take some time to reflect and recharge your attitude. Think about what you learned from the experience, what you could have done differently, and what you will do going forward………

Here are seven things to prepare you when the subject comes up in an interview:

Don't lie.
Be prepared to be up front and honest about your dismissal. Don't lie. If you fail to disclose that you were dismissed for cause, it is likely to come out when the employer checks references and your perceived dishonesty for not sharing this information may cost you the job. When interviewing, be brief in discussing the situation, show what you've learned or what you are doing to change and then move on to what you accomplished and how you can contribute to the new company.

Right job, wrong boss.
If your dismissal resulted from a change in management and you didn't get along with a new boss due to bad chemistry or a difference of opinion, acknowledge that you recognize some people just don't click, then share references of other supervisors you previously worked for and other colleagues.

You might say, "My new supervisor and I, unfortunately, had very different personalities and management styles. I made a strong attempt to create an amicable relationship. I had very good relationships with previous supervisors and was well-thought of by my colleagues." Whatever you do, don't bad mouth the boss. You'll be the one who looks bad. Have a list of other supervisors and coworkers readily available to share with the interviewer. Most people have had a difficult boss at some point in their career and will likely understand.

Change in strategy.
Briefly acknowledge that there was a change in company strategy that you didn't fully agree with, then move on to what you learned from the situation. Say something like, "After the merger, my new boss had a different strategy in mind for our product group. I didn't fully agree with it. Looking back, I realized that I should have tried to find out more about the rationale for the change and find ways to support it." Don't trash the company. Don't blame the company for not following your direction. Every company will change. Show that you are willing to adapt to change.

Lack of skills.
If your job moved forward but you didn't, it's probably time to acquire the necessary skills to succeed. If you haven't yet embraced technology, use your time off to take a few beginners computer classes and learn common office software. In addition to local colleges, many industry associations offer courses and workshops to keep your skills up to date. Take a refresher accounting course, attend a workshop to recharge your creativity, improve you management skills or learn to write for the web. Share your new-found skills with prospective employers and show how these skills will add value at the new employer.

Poor reviews.
If you received a series of poor performance reviews, you need to truly assess why. First, if you can muster the courage, consider calling your old boss and asking for advice. You may find the conversation easier than you think, now that the ties of employment have been broken. Call or meet with a former colleague or two and ask them for their honest opinion of how you could improve. Don't be defensive. Listen openly.

If you made repeated mistakes, if you weren't thorough enough in your reports, or missed your sales quotas, consider what you could do to improve. You may find that the job you had wasn't really right for you. If you were a great sales administrator who was promoted to an outside sales position, but lost your job because you couldn't make the quotas, perhaps you need to seek an administrative position. If you were a great sales person who was promoted to manage the sales force then let go due to your poor management skills, maybe you'd be happier and more successful if you were back in front of customers instead of behind a desk.

Misdeeds or dishonesty.
If the reason for your dismissal was for something more egregious, like misusing company funds, sexual harassment, substance use or falsifying company information, you may need to accept that companies could be reluctant to hire you. Whatever the reason always be honest, say only what you need to say, share what you learned and how you've changed and focus on the more positive aspects of your performance and accomplishments.

Solid and legitimate references.
Ideally, your former employer will agree to just give the facts, by verifying your dates of employment and your titles. Secure references from other supervisors and colleagues who will give you a positive review and vouch for your integrity and ability. It's best to have two to three business references as well as a couple of personal references.

No One Likes Rejection. Here's a Great Way to Make it Work in Your Favor

2012-08-25T06:42:00.002-07:00

You just reached the end of your phone screen or your interview and the news is not what you wanted to hear. So this individual be they a hiring manager, recruiter, or human resources person, will not be hiring you nor will they be bringing you in for a future interview…….

End of the road, right? Well, not so fast.

Nobody likes rejection, but here is one time when you can make simple human emotion work in your favor. You can use a recruiter's secret that makes rejection work in Your Favor and puts new momentum in your job search.

Here is the situation:

You just had a conversation with someone who

is a likely fountain of information about the industry.

already knows a little about your background and the fact that you showed incentive by either calling or inquiring about a specific opportunity.

would like to end the conversation on a positive note.

In short, you've got them right where you want them, especially at point (c.) above. So don't slink off the phone or out of their office without taking full advantage of your power. This is your golden opportunity to get further information for your job search. After all, you've earned it.

Remember, people usually want to help other people. It's a basic human emotion. When someone can help someone else in a small easy way, they will be glad to do so. All you have to do is ASK.

So ask a parting question such as:

"Is there someone else in the company that (is hiring, could use someone with my skills)?" or,

"Are there other divisions or sister companies that might need people like myself?" or

"What other companies in your niche should I also consider?" or

"Who do you know in the business community that I might introduce myself to?"

Make a list of these questions beforehand. Put them in your own words and pick the one or two that you feel the most comfortable with. Write these as part of your phone script and keep them handy when you’re on the phone. Commit them to memory and use them.

Bonus Tip: In parting, ask to leave your phone number with this individual in case they should come across another lead in the future and want to call you.

You will be amazed at the amount of support you get when you just ask. When you get a lead, thank them and always ask if you may use their name when you call in to speak with their referral.

5- Steps to Improve your Presentation Skills during Job

2012-08-13T08:33:00.001-07:00

At some point in your career, you might have to stand up and present to a room full of people. And when you do, you'll find that it's not as easy as it looks. So to help you do it, read these tips and hints to improve your presentation skills….

So you've been handed a suite of new projects to manage. What's next? Take these 5 steps to make sure you don't end up working around the clock and pulling your hair out while you're at it.

Prepare with care

To give a great presentation, you need great preparation. Start, by thinking about your topic and the audience and what they are most interested in. Then list your key points and write down the general structure of the presentation ahead.

If you need to, write down every word that you want to say and memorize it. Experienced presenters don't need to do this. But if you're a little nervous or you're new to presenting, then by writing everything down it will boost your confidence and settle your nerves on the day.

On the day

Take these 5 tips to give a fresh, vibrant presentation:

1. Get a good nights sleep beforehand. Eat a healthy breakfast and try and free your schedule, so you're more relaxed going into it.

2. Before you present, spend 15 minutes going over your presentation.

3. Then concentrate on your breathing for 2 minutes. This focuses your thoughts, relaxes you and gets rid of any nerves.

4. Remember, the open and close of your presentation are the most important parts. So put in extra effort here, to make it memorable.

5. If you forget something or make a mistake, then never stop and apologize. Keep going and try and relax. It will soon be forgotten.

Body Language

It's said that 80% of a successful presentation is about body language, and only 20% is about content. So use these top tips to communicate the right message through your body:

1. Make eye contact with people at all times. Never stare at the ceiling or back of the room as you present, unless the nerves are too much.

2. Appear confident. Use an open stance, stand tall and proud. Smile and let your personality shine. Don't be overly formal.

3. Remember that relaxed body language conveys honesty and openness. So walk around a little and make use of props to hold onto.

4. Vary your voice and use slow, open hand gestures. Never have your hands in your pocket or play with a pen. Move your hands to an open position and then pause for effect.

5. Speak slowly and carefully, but passionately. If you're enthusiastic about the topic, then your listeners will be as well.

Spark Interaction

Encourage interaction with others during your presentation. By having others talk for a few seconds, it takes the focus off you temporarily, to let you clear your head and focus on the key points ahead. Another trick to clear your head is to pause while your team are reading a slide or considering a key points you've just mentioned.

Public speaking is one of the most challenging things to master. But if you prepare carefully, take it slowly on the day and are enthusiastic about it, then you will deliver a powerful presentation to your colleagues.

The Top Ten Success Don'ts

2012-07-30T00:30:00.002-07:00

Every person out there, especially you, has his/her own special abilities and potential to achieve whatever they set their mind to….

Sadly due to the wrong mindset, that true potential is never reached. There are many reasons why most us in our own minds are unsuccessful. But I am going to express what I believe are the top ten. I want to share them with you so you can become aware of them, and ultimately drop some of these habits or traits, whatever you want to call them. Lets get started right now.

10.Procrastination
Yup, everyone knows their guilt in this area. If there is an important task you must get started on, by all means, START NOW! Not tomorrow or a month from now, right now! There will never be a perfect time or place to start, so start now! I honestly believe that procrastination causes time to speed up. You say "Okay, I'll start next week", next week comes "okay next week" and so on. Whatever the task is, it is always on the back of your head. And you know you were supposed to start last night. No more of this, this has to change. This is one of the first crucial steps to doing anything, do it right away!

9. Comfort

Think of where you are at in your job. Whether you like it or not it's money right? And for the time being, it sure beats getting a whole new different job starting form square one, when your already at square 9 or 10, right? As well as the fact that for many of you it has taken quite some time. 1, 3, 8, 15, 20 years to establish yourself, which you do not want to go to waste, correct? We can safely agree that you are for the most part comfortable with your situation. You do not feel the need to go outside of your comfort zone and try something new or different. If you want to accomplish things for your SELF, and not your BOSS, you have to be willing to sometimes venture outside of the comfort zone.

8.Fear

One big reason we as human beings choose not to go outside our comfort zone is fear of the unknown. Whether it be fear of loss, change, or fear of fear itself, no one will give it a try. This is how fear, comfort and procrastination team up and stop you from ever stepping up to the plate, let alone getting started. IF you let go of fear, the sky's the limit. The biggest risk is not taking one!

7.Overwhelming

Getting started is just the first small hump with even bigger ones to follow. Seeing where you need to go, and seeing all the obstacle obscuring your view can be too much too handle sometimes. Most of the time success, however you define it, is a far, far, far path, the kind that makes it easier to just turn around and go back. You must learn to break a big task into smaller steps that can be completed daily.

6. Boring effect

If you do not make what your doing fun and interesting, you will become bored with it and eventually withdraw completely form your task. You might even have to question whether it is a smart move to even consider going on with certain tasks you might be doing, because deep down it is not something in your heart that you enjoy doing or can tolerate. Be creative as to not lose interest, and always follow your heart.

5.No Urgency

Treat the tasks you complete yourself like the tasks you do for your job. If you hope to make a big change with where you are in your life, you must place whatever that is in high regard. When it comes to yourself, it's very easy to hold low importance on tasks beneficial for you. There is no pressure to get them done, usually there is no pay, and you don't have to report to anyone. It's very easy to forget about. If you want big change, treat it with bog importance.

4. Unaware of self-improvement

I had a friend who wanted to become an entrepreneur and quit his job. He had goals of making $60,000/yr form his own business. As soon as you set a goal such as that, you need to acquire the right mentality and responsibility to live up to it. But he was still heavily involved in his job and took his business lightly. There would be no way for him to be making that kind of money with the mindset he had at the time. The only way he can make that a reality is to become more professional and have a higher self-esteem, which he did not care about. Bettering yourself in the best ways possible towards your success, is the only way to success.

3. Short-term thinking

The only way to ultimately get by in this world is to look at the big picture. Nothing happens overnight, even the lotto (you have to wait 3-5 weeks after you claim the money). Many people today fall victim to wanting results NOW, and if that doesn't happen, they are thru with whatever they signed up for. Do you honestly think Bill Gates got what he wanted in one year? Absolutely not. It took him more than a decade to get to where he is and maintain it. He knew he had to stay in for the long run and make decisions based on that.

2.Absence of knowledge

Knowledge is an important key to whatever you do. Everyone wants to be able to instantly transform and have the type of skills they've always wanted without the hard work and research. Even worse, trying to start a certain task or job without acquiring the proper skills can waste money, time, and effort. Do not pursue something you cannot do. Countless times have I come across individuals who not only foolishly jump in head first without proper knowledge, but they also have a certain air about themselves and feel they can do it on their own without anybody's help. In the end, they eventually got frustrated, and moved on to something different. Make sure you seek the help you need beforehand and acquire the skills needed to start your task.

1.No Clarity

This is the single most devastating business killer of them all. 85% of new businesses fail in the first 3-5 years of business. Either there was not any clarity, or they did not change what they needed to stay clear. Do not venture into the void if you are not clear on exactly where you want to go. Having no clarity will only cause you too shoot shots in the dark, not knowing what you are trying to hit.

Your outlook on life should be clear and long term, but that doesn't mean you lose focus on daily tasks. If you really elevate yourself in these areas, and are willing to make changes, I'm sure you will accomplish whatever it is you set out to do.

How Facebook can actually help you find a perfect job of your dreams?

2012-07-27T00:37:00.002-07:00

Facebook may sometimes look like a way to simply post some pictures, chit chat with loved ones or tell your friends about your birthday, but on the other hand it can be useful in your professional career…..

Facebook allows job seekers tap an informal network of friends or friends of friends who can play a vital role in creating success. The collections of friends you have on Facebook are more likely to have your back.

How to take benefit from it?

Modify your avatar In an online search, your avatar is usually the first thing that a potential employer sees on Facebook. So if you are in search of employment, it is significant to have a professional avatar, which can help you get hired. You should get a custom avatar which should include your contact information and it should let people know that you are looking for a job. In addition, your profile must be kept secret; it just should contain the information of your email address and the history and experience of jobs so that recruiters can reach you directly.

Make use of your status

Using you status is a good way to tell your Facebook friends that you are looking for a job. For instance, refer to your own website, which features samples of your work and curriculum resume, or ask them to write you an e-mail if they are be acquainted with any of a good lead. Be specific when you tell your friends about what type of job or company you’re after. It will make it easier for them to help you out. We suggest that during your job search use your status to update your friends on how it goes. Do not flood friends with all the little details; try to make every status conversational and optimistic.

“Keep it real” but never get yourself appear like a saddest and most hopeless person alive.

Take out an ad of Facebook

When you complete you degree and graduated from university, you wish to get hired for a job, so at that time you can take out an advertisement on Facebook to target the desired companies. The advertisement is seen to the Facebook users. Once you click on the advertisement, users can refer your personal website that contains your curriculum resume/CV. After that each company will be able to inform that your resume is passed on to their Human Resources department and or wish to meet you. Facebook is the fastest and easily useable platform which contains a number of job opportunities for everyone like you.

Companies where you desire to work:

Since most companies have a presence on Facebook these days, by clicking on the “like” button on the fan page of any company will be the signal that you are interested in doing a job there. In addition, it is a simple way to learn about the latest news and happenings in the company, It can be helpful with interview. Also remember some companies also place their available jobs on their page.

Always Keep it genuine

As we all know that Facebook is a less formal network, people expect to see a more relaxed part of your personality so there is no need to bestow a professional tone. Try to present a casual as well as professional and responsible personality. It will give a great effect.

Advice And Tips On Avoiding Interview Disasters

2012-07-20T06:26:00.001-07:00

There are definitely things that you can do to avoid minor mishaps which could ultimately blow an interview…..

Become familiar with these 7 potential interview disasters so you can prevent them from obstructing your path to that ideal job.

Showing up late is both rude and inconsiderate. Is this the first impression that you want to leave with a potential employer? Map out your route and try it out before the interview. Plan on being at least half an hour early to your appointment. This will provide a buffer to protect against wrong turns, traffic jams and all the other mishaps that may befall you. If you arrive early, you can use the time to calm your nerves.

Many a nervous candidate has been known to accidentally call the interviewer the wrong name. In order to avoid this disconcerting faux pau, find out who you will be speaking to before the interview. Memorize the name(s). If this information is not available prior to the meeting, then write the person’s name on your notepad as soon as you sit down for the interview. If you do slip-up, do not make a huge fuss. Apologize quickly (and sincerely) and move on.

Choose your words carefully. Avoid impulsive answers; the first thing that pops into your head may not be the best response. Remember, it’s ok to pause if you need some time to think. Feel free to say "that’s a good question; let me take a moment to think about it." This demonstrates that you think before you speak. Is your everyday speech peppered with expletives or other potentially offensive phrases? If so, take care to avoid these during your meeting.

Interviews are stressful situations for even the most qualified candidates. This tension can lead to candidates freezing up during the meeting. Alleviate some of the expected stress by practicing mock interview questions. Have a friend conduct simulated interviews. If possible, have him/her conduct the interview in a variety of manners including reserved, rushed, and disinterested. This way you will be better prepared for whatever the interview may bring.

Nature has a funny way of acting up at the wrong moments. Fortunately, you can help prevent these unwanted incidents. Avoid the awkwardness of a growling stomach by eating a few hours before the interview. Be careful in what you eat and drink in the 24 hours prior to the interview. Do not overindulge; an upset stomach or hangover is formidable distraction.

The interview is no place for humbleness. Too much modesty can make you appear introverted or lacking confidence. Don’t be afraid to be your own cheerleader. Prior to the interview, make a list of your accomplishments both personally and professionally; practice talking about them. Have a friend listen to your answers as you practice. This will help prevent you from crossing the line between justifiable pride and boasting.

No one wants to work with a stick in the mud. With this in mind, how can you prevent from appearing lukewarm? Smile and maintain eye contact. Sit forward in your chair. Avoid speaking in a monotone. Be positive in your responses.

By preparing yourself against these potential interview disasters you are one step closer to getting the job of your dreams. Remember sometimes it really is the little things that make the difference.

Locating the Job You Want

2012-07-15T05:07:00.003-07:00

Most small companies are not household names. They tend to advertise jobs locally, their businesses often are quite specialized, and typically they don´t have a human resources department to promote them...

Small companies are forming at rapid rates and are generating most new jobs in the US. Use local resources (such as radio and newspapers) as well as your contacts and Web sites to learn about small employers hiring needs.

The Internet has created profound opportunities for all companies, large and small, to publi cize themselves and their job openings. If your resume is posted on major search engines, any employer can easily find it. Also be sure your networking efforts include both large and small employers.

Posted Jobs
A posted job is one that´s advertised or somehow actively publicized by an employer to encourage applications — usually to fill the position as soon as possible.

Job postings can be direct or indirect:

· Direct postings are job descriptions that are made public, either broadly or narrowly. Printed announcements often are internal postings on traditional or electronic bulletin boards to inform current employees. Jobs may be directly posted externally on the Internet, usually in the company´s Careers or Employment section. Ads in local and/or national newspapers, journals and magazines (such as Chemical & Engineering News), data banks, or other Internet lists are also examples of direct postings.

· Indirect postings occur when an employer provides information about job openings to a third party — temporary employment agencies, headhunters, or faculty. Sometimes an available job will be intentionally leaked out to generate appropriate candidates. Jobs announced at employment clearinghouses sponsored by professional societies (ACS, Eastern Analytical Symposium, Pittsburgh Conference, and many others) are considered indirect postings because you must attend to learn about them.

In addition, vendors at trade shows and technical meetings often have job opportunities to discuss, even if the opening isn´t posted publicly at all. (Remember that many vendors are small companies.)

Finding Posted Jobs
For directly posted jobs:

· Visit your sources regularly, including newspaper or magazine ads, Internet web pages, your network members, bulletin boards, and so forth.

· Identify those jobs that seem to match your values, drivers, and skills (see Chapter 2).

· Follow instructions in the ad exactly to apply for the job and line up an interview.

Because they are readily available to any applicant, competition is heavy for directly posted jobs. To find indirect postings, you must go where the postings are placed:

· Call or visit temporary agencies and headhunters in your area to ask about jobs; remem ber, many temporary agencies have national and regional job lists, as well as local ones.

· Go to meetings that feature employment clearinghouses and visit the exhibitions area, where vendors display their products (for example, the ACS Career Fair occurs at the semiannual ACS national meetings).

· Keep resumes or business cards with you and hand them out.

· Try to interview on the spot — encountering a potential employer in person can be a great advantage in the job search process.

Many candidates use these techniques, so your competition will be heavy for both directly and indirectly posted jobs, too.

Key Salary Negotiation Technique

2012-07-10T06:46:00.002-07:00

Here's an ideal scenario: After a grueling number of job interviews with a prospective employer who is hiring someone for the job of your dreams, you're again meeting with the hiring manager when she turns to face you and gives you the job offer, but at a salary below what you had expected. You are still excited, elated actually, but what you do next could have consequences for years to come.

Even if the job offer is acceptable to you, most career experts agree that you should take the time to clear your head and consider the offer -- away from the pressure of an interview. So, make sure to thank the interviewer for the job offer and express your interest in the job and the company, but ask for some time to consider all the details.

But what if the offer is unacceptable to you? If it really is one of your dream jobs -- or even simply a job you really want -- you should consider moving into the negotiation phase by making a counter proposal to the employer. That's what this article is all about -- taking you through the key negotiation strategies you should apply and providing you with one key tool -- the counter proposal letter -- as a means to negotiating a better offer for yourself.

Key Salary Negotiation Strategies

1. Delay salary and benefit negotiations for as long as possible in the interview process. You’ll have more power to negotiate when the field of candidates has been reduced to just you -- when the employer is completely sold on you as the best candidate for the position.

2. Remember that you'll have your greatest negotiation leverage between the time the employer makes the original offer and the time you accept the final offer. Once you accept an offer, you have little to no room to negotiate.

3. Don't negotiate at the time the initial job offer is made. Thank the employer for the offer and express your strong interest and enthusiasm in the job, but state that you'll need time to evaluate the entire compensation package. Most employers are willing to give you a fair amount of time to review -- and if you run across an employer who wants a decision immediately, consider long and hard whether you want to work for such a company.

4. Do your research. The greatest tool in any negotiation is information. Make sure you have done a thorough job of determining your fair market value for the job you are seeking, the salary range of the job for this specific employer, and geographic, economic, industry, and company-specific factors that might affect the given salary. Also try to obtain information on the employer's standard benefits package so that you have information beyond salary.

5. Just do it. While a large percentage of corporate recruiters (four out of five in one study conducted by the Society for Human Resource Management) are willing to negotiate compensation, only a small percentage of job-seekers actually do so. You don't have to be an expert negotiator to get a sweeter deal; you just need to know the rules and strategies of negotiation.

6. Negotiate to your strength. If you are a smooth talker (an extravert), call the employer and ask for a follow-up meeting to discuss a counter proposal. If you communicate better in writing, follow our guidelines for writing a counter proposal letter (below).

7. Always ask for a higher salary (within acceptable limits) than you are willing to accept so that when the employer counters your proposal, the salary should be near your original goal. And when possible, try and show how your actions (once on board) will recoup the extra amount (or more) that you are seeking -- through cost savings or increased sales revenue, productivity, efficiencies.

8. If the salary you're offered is on the low end -- and the employer has stated that salary is not negotiable (probably due to corporate salary ranges or pay grade levels), consider negotiating for a signing bonus, higher performance bonuses, or a shorter time frame for a performance review and raise. Always negotiate base salary first, and then move on to other elements of the job offer.

9. When presenting a counter proposal to the employer, be sure and include a few benefits that are expendable so that you can drop them in a concession to the employer as negotiations continue.

10. Remember that even if all salary issues are "off the table," there are still numerous other benefits you can negotiate, such as moving expenses, paid vacation or personal days, professional training, and more. See the sidebar for the entire list of negotiable items.

11. Never stop selling yourself throughout the negotiation process. Keep reminding the employer of the impact you will make, the problems you will solve, the revenue you will generate. And continue expressing interest and enthusiasm for the job and the company.

12. If you have no intention of accepting the company's offer, don't waste your time or the company's by entering into negotiation. Negotiation is a process designed to find common ground between two or more parties.

13. If you have multiple job offers, don't put the companies into a bidding war for your services; it rarely works out.

14. Don't enter negotiations with the wrong attitude. Always have in the back of your mind that your goal with these negotiations is a win-win situation. You want to get a better deal, but you also need to let the employer feel as though they got a good deal as well.

15. Given a number of factors, such as the strength of the economy, the size and vitality of the company, and the supply of job candidates with similar qualifications, some employers simply will not negotiate.

16. Never make demands. Instead, raise questions and make requests during negotiations. Keep the tone conversational, not confrontational.

17. Be prepared for any of a number of possible reactions to your counter proposal, from complete acceptance to agreeing to some concessions to refusal to negotiate.

18. You have to be willing to walk away from negotiations. If you don't have a strong position (a good current job or one or more current or potential job offers), it will be harder for you to negotiate. If you really need or want the job, be more careful in your negotiations.

19. Once the employer agrees to your compensation requests, the negotiations are over. You cannot ask for anything more -- or risk appearing immature or greedy and having the employer's offer withdrawn or rescinded.

20. Always be sure to get the final offer in writing. Be extremely wary of companies that are not willing to do so. Note: one advantage of writing a counter proposal letter is that you list the terms of the offer in your letter.

Make Extra Income From Home Jobs

2012-07-03T06:45:00.002-07:00

Everyone knows how to do something. Believe it or not, there are still people who don't know a thing about using the web……

And even if that was the only thing you knew, it would still be something you could use to teach others and make extra income. So I'm sure you know a lot more than just how to search the web. So let's look at different ways you can use what you know and transform that into a way to pay the bills.

1. Tutoring

There are companies that are willing to pay you to work from home and tutor people. You can even do a Google search and you'll find companies on your own as well as on the RatRaceRebellion.com website. You can gain experience working with one of these companies or even volunteering at a youth program, local school, or non profit organization. Then market yourself as an expert in whatever field you tutor in. Make bulletin postings, classified ads, circulars and you can even add yourself to the Yellow Pages.

2. Teacher

Just like there are online schools, there are online teachers as well. KeyStone High School, for example, hires teachers to work from home and there are literally hundreds if not thousands of high schools, universities, and independent course programs that employ in the same manner.

3. Training

Earn extra money training company employees in skills not currently offered. You can market your clients through a direct mail campaign and follow up each mailing with a phone call. Offer in person meetings for a chance to display your talent and market your abilities. Another idea is to partner up with others offering similar training and you can spread the training time over a 5 day period; increasing the rate of pay and acquiring awesome career experience.

4. Test Coach

Many people are confronted with tests and have a hard time passing. From the GED, SAT, ACT, CLEP, the BAR and more. If you can train others to prepare for a test, why not make money doing so? Advertise your coaching abilities in school bulletins, school papers, and online ads where students hang out.

5. Mentor Modestly

When venturing into something new, we all wish for support we can talk to as well as learn all of the ins and outs with. Such people are not always easily accessible. This is where you come in. Say you've been successful in stocks. Why not offer to take someone under wing, teach them enough about the subject to send them packing; all the while collecting a modest fee for your efforts.

There are many more opportunities that you can conjure up to keep you busy and on your way to earning a living from home. Stop waiting. Stop dreaming. Start planning and finally start living.

Be Confident On Your New Job

2012-07-01T06:51:00.000-07:00

True, the economy is not at its high point, not even close but that doesn't mean it is all doom and gloom….

It just means that perhaps it is time to dig in your heels and take a more realistic approach to your situation.

In my experience, job-seekers who take the statistics to heart and follow the jobless reports too closely set themselves up for psychological torment and a sense of hopelessness. Whether you are unemployed or want to change jobs, don't let fear scare you away. After being turned down for job after job, rejection can really take a toll on your self-esteem. Shut the TV off, stop watching the news about the unemployment numbers, and start promoting yourself. Take steps to package yourself as attractively as possible.

If you are unemployed, think of creative ways to use your time and give your resume an extra punch. Let hiring managers know you haven't been sitting at home licking your wounds. If you are currently employed, these job-search strategies can work for you as well:

Consider part-time volunteer activities that still allow enough time to mount a strong career-search campaign.

Choose organizations that are relevant and can add value to your experience.

Participate in online courses or undertake a self-study program if you can't afford formal training.

Use some of the more proactive strategies to land a job. Don't take the same approach as others by simply applying online to postings. Most jobs are actually never posted on job boards or websites. Instead, decide what jobs you can realistically attain, and go after those. Even if they aren't in your previous salary range, consider swallowing your pride and weighing new alternatives, particularly if you have been unemployed for a while.

Research employers to target.

Evaluate companies in your geographic region. Jobs may be available that are not advertised.

Make a list and send a well-written, error-free resume with cover letter via multiple avenues.

Go back to traditional US Postal mail (a.k.a., snail mail) to get you noticed when email becomes a black hole.

Network, network, network!! Oh, and did I say network. Use social media resources like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to connect with former coworkers and colleagues. Your connections just might know someone who would be interested in your skills. Participate in discussion groups and add your input. Do whatever it takes to get your name out there and make people aware that you are a potential asset. Adopt an attitude of optimism; let go of fear and move forward.

No matter what the current odds, people are getting new jobs every day, and you can be one of them!

Is Working Abroad For The Beginners Difficult?

2012-06-27T06:50:00.000-07:00

Looking for a job overseas can be a challenge, especially for the first time traveller. If you've decided you want to try something new and you're considering working abroad, here are some suggestions….

Finding a job with a Canadian-based employer that operates overseas can make your experience easier. You'll be able to attend interviews and gather more information about the job while you are still in Canada.

If you have limited experience traveling, and aren't very familiar with different regions of the world, look for a region that is predominately English-speaking. Adjusting to a new area and having to learn a new language can be a double challenge.

As well, look for a job that will utilize your skills and take advantage of your past experiences. Going overseas to work should help your career and benefit you in the future.

You might also want to consider looking for a job through an employment or placement agency that has overseas assignments. Often, agencies and recruiters can provide a valuable service in dealing with your future employer and in giving you information about the necessary documentation, visas, etc.

If you want to work at a specific company in one of their overseas locations, visit their website. Often companies don't post jobs anywhere but their company website and it's a good opportunity to see what openings are available around the world.

Canadian government departments often have positions available overseas. Check their website. The advantage of working for the government in an overseas position is the amount of support and assistance available. Different departments recruit for different jobs, so make sure you check the all the departments you are interested in.

Though there won't be any money involved, volunteering overseas through a Canadian agency or organization can be a great way to get your feet wet and to try traveling and working abroad. You'll gain valuable insights into what it's like to work abroad, and you might not necessarily have to commit to a contract or a specific time frame.

Working abroad for the beginner can be a rewarding experience if you keep in mind some simple suggestions. Consider working for a Canadian employer with overseas offices. Consider working for the government or using the services of a recruiter. Both these offer support and information that can be vital to your success overseas. Volunteer assignments are a great way to test your capacity for working overseas in a different environment and may not carry all the obligations that a paying job might.

5 Ways to Maintain Your Value on the Job Market

2012-06-20T08:45:00.002-07:00

1. Do not bounce from job to job

As a job seeker, be aware that an inverse relationship exists between the number of jobs you have had in the past few years and the likely amount of your next job offer. Bouncing from job to job is a serious red flag to employers….

This is regardless of whether the job hopping is a true representation of your professional reliability. Although it looks better if you left the jobs rather than if you got fired, either is still a clear negative on your CV.

The best advice I can give to those who have had a few jobs in the past few years is to be upfront about the issue on either your resume (in the objective section) or within your cover letter.

Remember to be candid, clearly state that you want a job within an organization that you can grow with for the years to come and do not make excessive excuses for your failure to be at each company for longer time periods.

2. Continue to hit quotas or receiving professional awards

This is much easier said than done as there are many uncontrollable variables for the job seeker when it comes to this arena. To maintain hitting your quotas as a sales professional, come to an agreement with your current employers as to what fair numbers are...though, do it after being at the company for a little bit.

You'd be surprised as to how firms are willing to negotiate this aspect of your sales job and how lucrative meeting those numbers will prove to be at future jobs.

3. Do not have gaps in your resume

Although logic would say that someone unemployed for an extended period of time is much more eager to get back to work than somebody who has had 10 jobs in the past 12 years, 'tis is not the case. We all want what others have and prolonged unemployment on one's resume turns employers off.

As a job seeker who has been unemployed for a period of time, what do you do to fill any gap of unemployment?

I recommend doing some sort of charity work if you can't find the job right for you. Not only will this show the employer that you have been active, but the charity may hit home in the HR rep's heart and you can slide in for an easy interview.

4. Leave jobs on a positive note

Regardless of how much of a pain your boss is, always do your best to leave your current company with a smile on your face and remain in good terms with the individuals at your now prior firm.

Remember that those who are smart enough not to get the last word in, are less likely to receive a bad recommendation killing a lucrative job offer last minute. When angry, people can be irrational, vindictive and immature; don't give your now ex-manager reason to act in manners as such.

5. Try to stay in no more than 2 or 3 industries

In any industry, to get over a certain point in salary range, you must be considered an expert in your respective field. The more niche this field is, the more lucrative your future job offers are going to be.

For instance, being in media is not likely to warrant as high as job offer as someone who has the same amount of years in something more specific such as social media.

After 2 or 3 jobs, you should find an industry that you truly love and shine in it. Not only will this increase future compensation, but it will also increase your career longevity as well as the contacts you make within the vertical and the ability to continuously leverage those relationships.

Additionally, if you're ever looking to relocate, your chances will be higher possessing a niche expertise.

How to Get a Job Without Experience

2012-06-17T05:35:00.003-07:00

Wondering how to get a job without experience of any sorts? It isn't as difficult as you think it is…..

There are many students out there who don't have any experience before they start applying for jobs. How do they do it?

Every job doesn't demand experience just like every job doesn't demand a degree. A degree or some experience just increase your chances of getting a job by many folds. The importance of a degree or of some experience cannot be questioned but not having them isn't the end of everything. In the end, what matters is your will and your passion to pursue a particular career. Again, there are jobs that demand compulsory experience or mandatory related experience. These are jobs that you have to work hard to land up with. But again, that isn't impossible either. There are a lot of ways by which you can get your hands on some of the best jobs possible and that too, without experience. Given below are a few tips that tell you how to do it.

How Can You Get a Job Without Any Experience

Hunt Them Down
One of the best ways to increase your chances of getting a job without experience is by searching for as many jobs as possible. Look in the papers, on the Internet and ask as many friends as you can. There are jobs for college students without experience out there that are specifically meant for freshmen and the training is provided on the job itself. These are the jobs you need to keep your eyes open for.

Don't Be Too Selective
Your chances aren't bad but you have to agree that they aren't as great as someone who has experience. So, don't be too choosy while taking up an opportunity if at all it comes your way. You can take this up and be at it for a few months so that after that particular time span, you at least have some experience to bank upon. When the time comes to apply, apply for all the vacant spots. You never know what actually strikes it lucky for you!

Money for Nothing
Another tip here is to not look at the money. There are a lot of companies that would take you in as a trainee or for an internship. An internship is something that is easily achievable if you have a college degree. If you don't, you can apply for the post of a trainee. Don't reject the offer just because they aren't paying you or because they aren't giving you enough. The start can be tough, but gradually with time, you will be paid on your confirmation and as you complete more time in the company.

Job Portals
One of the best ways to get jobs without experience is by creating your profile on various job portals. There are a lot of job portals out there who don't even charge you anything for uploading your profile and looking at available prospects. Apart from these, you can also sign up at the local employment agencies. You will have to provide a few educational details and some details as to what you are looking for in the job and the payments. A lot of organizations go through this medium of recruitment for employees.

Resume
Whether you apply to a vacant post directly or whether you create a profile online on the Internet, one thing you will surely need is a resume. You will be required to create this even if you are a freshman. Now, make this resume as attractive as you can so that it stands out from the rest. Don't forget to mention all your qualities and traits. Also, do a better job with what are your dreams, aspirations and goals in life. Don't forget to upload a photograph too and mention the smallest of courses you have done till date.

Now that you know how to get a job without experience, you can start applying as soon as possible to get your hands on one soon. There are a lot of high paying jobs without a degree or without experience waiting for you. If you get hold of too many jobs that don't require experience, zero in on one that involves something you like. If you have placements in your college, make sure you appear for all of them. Here, it is already considered that you don't have experience. Be receptive and ready to take advantage of any opportunity that comes knocking on your door. Best of Luck!

Is Part Time Job Is Right For Working Mom?

2012-06-14T09:09:00.001-07:00

Many mothers straddle the line between working full-time and staying home with their kids. Working part-time can be a great way for women to stay connected to both their careers and families…..

But moms who have staked out this middle ground attest to the tradeoffs required to do it successfully.

Think you could find your comfort zone in a part-time job? Moms who've done it and advocates for women help you sort out the benefits and drawbacks of this potentially appealing option.

Women who switch from full-time to part-time earn less in ways that go beyond salary, according to Linda Meric, director of working women advocacy group 9to5.

For example, when lawyer Julie went from working five days a week to three, she lost her benefits, worth 24 percent of her pay. And after Gretchen, an arts educator, switched jobs when she had a baby, she earned significantly less from the new position and did not receive benefits.

Julie and Gretchen agree: Along with reduced earning power, they must accept a different career outlook. Julie notices her law school friends are steadily gaining pay and prestige, while she treads water at her part-time job. Gretchen's goal is to keep her career afloat and alive while she works part-time.

Despite the sacrifices, Julie and Gretchen have no regrets about working part-time. They both are comfortable with their decision to trade pay and promotions for more time at home.

Gretchen wanted to avoid having to do the massive and difficult juggling act that one has to do with a full-time job and a family. And Julie couldn't see herself as both a mom and a full-time lawyer. The supermom is kind of a myth, she says. Part-time can be the best decision for your quality of life.

Part-time work also has long-term career benefits not afforded to women who leave the workforce completely. Taking one year off results in about one-third less pay over the course of a 15-year career, Meric points out. And Jill Miller, CEO and president of advocacy group Women Work!, says trying to return to work after time away is enormously difficult, because employers first look for recent paid employment.

Follow these tips to thrive in a part-time job:

Seek Support: Julie enlists relatives to watch her kids when clients demand extended hours.

Assess Your Needs: Gretchen says it's important to focus on what's right for you and your family, regardless of what others say or do.

Shop for Benefits Early: Before you have children, Miller advises women to position themselves in companies with progressive benefits.

Tips For Stay Busy When You’re Out of Work

2012-06-12T07:20:00.001-07:00

If you find yourself out of work during our current economic slowdown, you should not be idle either….

Indeed, even if you have no idea what you might want to do with yourself, there are plenty of baby steps that you can take that will help you to discover the path you want to take.

Let People Know that You are Looking for Work: I realized this past October that the opportunity I was pursuing was not right for me and that I was not right for it. After a couple of days of consideration and discussing options with my wife, I resigned from my position and began to consider ways of letting my network of former work colleagues know that I was in need of a job. I started by sending e-mail messages off to everyone I knew who might be in a position to help me find a job. I did this in early November. Initially, I did not get any responses but in mid-December, and again this morning, I received two separate job inquiries, both of which appear to be leading to interviews in the next week or so. The jobs were not advertized but my colleagues had evangelized on my behalf and the results appear promising. If I had not been honest with my colleagues and admitted I needed help, I would not have the two opportunities that I currently have.

Update Your Resume: I hate updating my resume. Indeed, this morning I had a preliminary interview with the CEO of a company and had to scurry after the call to complete a resume for his review. If you have not been a good personal record keeper, it may take you some time to gather all of the information that you need for your resume, so jump on that project early and then make a point of always keeping an updated resume on-hand for the rest of your career.

Consider New Opportunities that You Might Like to Explore: If you are between jobs, there may be no better time to consider changing to new fields of work. If you have been trapped in an office for a number of years, perhaps you would like to jump into an artistic endeavor or into a job that will let you work outdoors. Consider your qualifications and talk to people who have jobs that you might like to try. You may find that you have the credentials to make a relatively seamless transition to something that you will really enjoy.

Take Classes that will Improve Your Resume and Bring You Up To Date: If you have been out of school for a few years, you may find that you will benefit from taking a class or two that will bring you up to date in your area of expertise. Perhaps you want to go in a different direction and now is the time to pursue a new field of study, if you can afford it.

Seek Additional Licenses that May Help You to Find a Job: I have a friend who is licensed to work as a hairdresser in 8 or 9 states. Every time she is between jobs, she gets another license. She is now looking for a job and can do so with the flexibility to move to whichever state gives her the best job options. If she had not obtained the licenses during past periods of joblessness, she would not have the flexibility that she needs now.

Take Care of All of the Chores that You Have Put Off Because of Work: If you are out of work, you have no excuses if you fail to accomplish all of the chores that you have avoided during your past periods of employment. When you go back to work, you should have a house that is organized, painted, wallpapered and in every way how you want it to be, to the extent that the tasks are within your ability. If you go back to work and find yourself lamenting that you wasted all of your time while you were unemployed, you will have only yourself to blame.

Find a Part-Time Job: Any job is better than no job if you need money. Do not be ashamed to take a job that is below your usual level of employment. My Dad worked construction before he became a dentist. My brother worked in a kitchen before he became disabled. I worked retail for many years before I graduated from law school. Whether you think of yourself as a white collar worker or not, consider taking any job just to keep you from sitting around your house watching TV and to keep a bit of cash coming in.

Explore Unemployment Benefits: If you have been terminated from your job, even if you received a severance payment, you may still be eligible to collect unemployment benefits.

Master the Use of Internet Networking Tools: I have used my current hiatus to develop my LinkedIn and Facebook networks. I have obtained as many endorsements from past colleagues as possible and generally raised my visibility among all of my colleagues. In short, I have used the Internet to make sure I stay in everyone’s face so that they will think of me if opportunities arise.

Take Some Time to Enjoy Yourself and Your Family Even if money is tight, find ways to enjoy your time off with your family. Take walks together. Play board games. Sit together and read. Go to the gym. Whatever else you may do, use the time that you have to both revive your mind and body.

Refresh Your Resume And Get The Job

2012-06-10T01:26:00.006-07:00

If you're not getting results from your resume, it could be more than a poor job market. You've had years of experience and a stellar job record. So why don't employers look at your resume and want to hire you on the spot?....

The answer may lie in one word: accomplishments. The key to writing accomplishments is to focus on results. Your resume can be loaded with details about your previous jobs, but without compelling accomplishments, it will blend in with hundreds like it.

What Is an Accomplishment?

Accomplishments (also called achievements) are different from abilities, duties, or strengths. Abilities are what you can do, duties are what you have done, and strengths are what you do well. Accomplishments show:

The specific actions you have taken in a particular situation

The skills and abilities you used to meet a challenge

The results or outcomes you achieved

The following example is a job responsibility, not an accomplishment: Wrote grant proposals to numerous funding sources to support program.

To turn this into an accomplishment, show the results and benefits: Wrote three successful grant applications to private foundations, resulting in funding to serve an additional 100 clients.

Write Down Your Accomplishments

Before you start writing your resume, draw up a list of accomplishments. You won't use the same ones in every resume, so have some in reserve for different types of positions. Don't forget that your volunteer work and education can also be counted as accomplishments—as long as they are related to the job you want.

To jog your memory about your accomplishments, ask yourself these questions:

Have I:

Accomplished more with the same or fewer resources? (How? Results?)

Received awards, special recognition, etc. (What? Why?)

Increased efficiency? (How? Results?)

Accomplished something for the first time? (What? Results?)

Prepared original papers, reports, and articles? (What? Why important?)

Managed a work group, a department? (Who? How many? Results?)

Managed a budget? (How much? Result?)

Identified problems others didn’t see? (What? Results?)

Developed a new system or procedure? (What? Result?)

Been promoted or upgraded? (When? Why important?)

Summarize Your Accomplishments

Try the Challenge-Action-Results (CAR) approach. For each accomplishment, write down the answers to the following questions:

The Challenge: What was the pre-existing problem, need, or situation?

The Actions: What did you do about it? Be specific. You can also include any obstacles you overcame, and the skills you demonstrated.

The Results: What results did you produce? Quantify the results (use numbers!).

After answering the questions above, summarize your answers in an accomplishment statement to include in your resume.

Tips For Finding Your First Healthcare Job

2012-06-05T03:47:00.004-07:00

When you're trying to find your first job as a healthcare professional, it may seem the cards are stacked against you…..

After all, employers prefer job candidates with healthcare experience, and can't get that requisite experience unless someone hires them, right?

It's a vicious circle, but you can escape it. With some patience and persistence, you should be able to work in your chosen healthcare profession. New healthcare professionals talked to Monster Healthcare about how they landed their first jobs -- and how you can, too.

If your healthcare education included an internship or clinical rotations, you made valuable contacts that can likely help you in your job search. "Don't be afraid to talk to people and ask for help," says Christine McElroy, MS, who lined up a job while still in graduate school and began working as a genetic counselor at Children's Hospital Oakland in June 2000. Your school advisor or internship supervisor can inform you of healthcare job openings and expand your pool of acquaintances as well as be a valuable reference.

McElroy interviewed with only two employers before accepting her current position. She learned about the first opening from a former classmate who called to tell her about a position in her workplace. She learned about the other opening through the National Society of Genetic Counselors email listserv, which periodically posts job listings. While a student, she also attended the society's meetings and says the events were "hot spots" for meeting others in the field. "Don't be shy about networking," McElroy advises.

Besides networking through professional healthcare associations, you can demonstrate your dedication to potential healthcare employers by getting out in the field and volunteering. "There's no better way to find a job than to volunteer first," says occupational therapist Julie Henderson, director of restorative services at the Human Rights Initiative in Dallas. "You're looking for a job anyway, so why not go volunteer a couple of hours a day at different places within your field?"

As a student, Henderson worked with classmates to develop a new occupational therapy program geared toward the homeless population, and she knew she wanted to continue with community work. Although she took some part-time home-health contracts to pay the bills right after she graduated, she knew she didn't want to do it full-time. "I didn't think I'd be effective as a healthcare professional if I didn't like my job," she says.

Holding out for the right fit was a good strategy for Henderson. She ended up taking the place of another occupational therapist at the Human Rights Initiative who remembered hearing about Henderson's program for the homeless. Henderson now works with political refugees and people who have been granted asylum by the US government.

Henderson sees clients in the community most days. When she is in the office, she's surrounded by attorneys. "I'm the only medical professional in a law office. It's unique," she says. Henderson advises other healthcare professionals to consider such alternative paths. "Just find the nontraditional stuff and sell yourself." she says. "It's the easiest way to get a job. You're not fighting anyone else for a job, rather creating one."

If you're lucky enough to have a healthcare degree currently in high demand -- like pharmacy or nursing -- you're likely to receive multiple healthcare job offers. Be sure to weigh the decision carefully, and don't be blinded by big money, says Michael Dietrich, PharmD, assistant professor for pharmacy practice at Midwestern University College of Pharmacy in Glendale, Arizona.

"My advice to students is to keep an open mind," Dietrich says. Unless the offered is significantly below market level for other such healthcare jobs, "I tell students that they need to remove money from the equation and figure out what is going to make them happy as a professional," he says.

How Can You Reduce Your Job Hunting Expenses

2012-05-30T00:38:00.002-07:00

Today’s reality is such that changing jobs is commonplace. But for once the dreaded job-search now has an upside: Deductions! Employment search expenses can be deducted as miscellaneous itemized deductions if you’re looking for a position in the same field, at essentially the same level as the one you left…..

The expenses are deductible even if you don't get the job.

You can claim job-seeking expenses as long as the amount of all miscellaneous itemized deductions is more than 2 percent of your adjusted gross income. Job seeking deductions are also subject to the overall limitation on itemized deductions based on AGI threshold amounts. To figure your deduction on Schedule A, subtract 2 percent of your adjusted gross income from the total amount of these expenses. Your adjusted gross income is the amount on Form 1040, line 35.

What job hunting deductions can be taken?

Employment Agency Fees:

If your new employer repays your agency fees, you must include the amount in your gross income up to the amount of the deduction you claimed earlier.

If your employer pays fees directly to the agency and you have no responsibility for them, you do not have to include them in your gross income.

Resume Preparation:

Typing and printing

Postage

Toll telephone calls

Advertising

Photographs (if required for your resume in your trade or business)

Travel for Your Job-Search:

Airfare or mileage (In some circumstances actual automobile expenses have been approved)

Lodging

Meals (based on either actual expenses or standard federal per diem rates)

Legal Fees Protecting Employment Status

Useful Job Hunting Tips:

Your job search must be for a job in your current, or most recent, trade or business and should be at a similar level of responsibility with duties similar to those of your most recent job.

If you have not held a job in that trade or business for an extended length of time your job search will be considered for a new trade or business and your deductions may not be allowed.

If you held a college internship or valid job while in college and your search is for a job in the same trade or business, you will be able to take the job search deductions.

If you are just out of school and had no similar paying jobs in school, you are looking for a job in a new trade or business and your deductions will not be allowed.

If you take a personal trip and happen to do some job hunting while on that trip, only the expenses specific to the job hunt in the destination location will be deductible. Travel to and from the location and lodging and meals while there will not be deductible. Avoid unnecessary job-hunting trips to vacation spots.

Turn Your Job Hunt into the Internet Job Hunt

2012-05-28T03:26:00.001-07:00

Job is essential for us for many reasons. There are various reasons why we need a job. Job is not only a major source of income but also helpful to us in many ways. Job is also important for us from the career perspective…..

Job-hunting is made easy now. The Internet has revolutionized this whole world. This is a new era for job-hunting. The job-hunting on the Internet has made the job-hunting era into the Internet job-hunting era. The IT sector and its contributions to this world have made this world a new place. There is Internet everywhere. Internet has made the work of many industries and people easier. The Internet has given the highest contributions to the communication industry. The Internet job-hunting involves the searching of job on the Internet.

The Internet has several job sites. The various job sites on the Internet have various categories of jobs. The job sites bring jobs from all over the world. The employers use the Internet which is a source to reach the thousands and millions of job-seekers around the world. The job-seekers on the other hand use the Internet as a source to reach at many jobs available in the job market. The Internet job-hunting is very easy and simple. It involves less time and effort. The Internet job-hunting strategies are made to simplify the job-hunting process. The Internet job-hunting strategies will help the job-seekers in getting jobs successfully. The strategies are made for the benefit of the job-hunting for job-hunters.

The human resource employment is a growing field. There are number of opportunities in the human resource careers. The human resource employment is creating many opportunities for human resource jobs and human resource careers. The human resource jobs are available in plenty in US. There are many States in US like Chicago, California, Texas etc which have many human resource jobs.

Four tips to help land you a summer job

2012-05-23T05:45:00.004-07:00

Sometime mid-spring, everyone you know starts to freak out about summer jobs. Your friends get all secretive about who they heard was hiring, and your parents start requiring up-to-the-minute status updates on every pointless detail …….

Sure, you can choose to diss the job search all together, but that means you’ll spend the summer bored, broke and having to do Mom and Dad’s laundry. That’s just awkward for everyone. So you need a job for the summer, and you need it fast.

So, here are a few tips to make sure you’re not stuck folding Dad’s boxer shorts in the middle of July.

Everyone has that one friend with the dream summer job – the one who makes more than you, works less and seemingly possesses an unlimited amount of sick days. (And by sick days, we mean days spent tanning by the pool while reading a copy of US Weekly). It may seem like that friend has won the summer job lottery, and we don’t want to be the fun police, but what is he/she really learning? Even if a summer job isn’t the yellow brick road to your dream career, you can learn awesome job skills, or even turn it into a permanent paycheck.

You’ve probably heard to dress for the job you want, not the one you have. And your mom has told you, You only get one chance to make a first impression. As annoying as these are to hear, cliches serve a purpose. Dressing for the job you want shows employers you’re motivated. And there are no do-overs in your job search, so you better get it right the first time.

This starts with being honest with yourself. If you’re a proud vegan and you aren’t sure you could stand handling prime-cut filets, then skip the restaurant job route. Being honest also includes your initial conversations with potential bosses. Don’t over-commit to the amount of hours you’ll be able to work and then back down later. Also, don’t claim you possess certain skills if you don’t. We know it’s exciting to be on the cusp of landing a job, but the quickest way to crash and burn is to get caught in a lie.

When dozens and dozens of your peers are competing for the same coveted job, don’t make it easy for a potential employer to take you out of the running early. From having your cell phone blowing up during an interview to dropping off a resume with your mom in tow, the list of these embarrassing faux pas is long. When in doubt, pause, then exercise a little common sense.

Some Tips For Ending a Job Interview

2012-05-20T05:51:00.002-07:00

In preparing for a job interview, you've probably practiced a firm (but not too firm)handshake, rehearsed answers to tough interview questions about your background and spiffed up your lucky interview suit. But many job hunters overlook a crucial part of the interview process: the very end……

As you finish an interview, you have one last chance to sell the interviewer on your skills -- and get the information you need in order to follow up. Experts offer these tips for successfully closing an interview:

To be sure you can follow up later, don't leave the interview without getting the names, titles and contact information of everyone you met. This includes people you may dismiss as unimportant. "You don't know who has pull," says Laura DeCarlo, president of Career Directors International, a global professional association of resume writers and career coaches.

You should also ask what the next steps are in the process: Will the most-promising candidates be called back for another interview? Is the company about to make a hiring decision? How soon does the hiring manager expect to move to this next step?

"It's totally appropriate for a candidate to ask this," says Peggy McKee, founder of Career Confidential.

Once the interviewer explains how the process will unfold, DeCarlo explains, "You say, 'Thank you. Is it OK if I call you if I haven't heard from you?'" Although you don't need the interviewer's permission to follow up, having the interviewer say it's OK will likely make you less apprehensive if doing so becomes necessary.

After you thank the interviewer and briefly summarize why you think you're a good fit for the job, McKee suggests asking straight out, "Based on this interview, do you feel that I could be successful in this position? Will you move me forward in the interview process?"

A positive response doesn't mean you're guaranteed to get the job. But the interviewer will likely remember you as a stronger candidate. "When you answer yes, you cross a line mentally," McKee says.

What if the interviewer expresses reservations? "That's the big fear," McKee says. But even though it may be disappointing, it's better to know. "This is your only really strong opportunity to find out what her objections are, so you can overcome those objections," she says.

For example, if the interviewer says you lack experience in a particular area, you may realize that you didn't emphasize your relevant experience enough. You can now clarify, either on the spot or in a follow-up letter.

You may get a noncommittal answer -- the interviewer may say simply that there are more candidates to interview, for example. If that happens, use this as an opportunity to ask for more information about how the hiring process will play out.

Your interview thank-you letter will be more effective if you can mention specifics about your interview. The best way to do this, DeCarlo says, is to write down everything you remember -- good and bad -- as soon as you can after the interview.

Finding a New career While You Are Currently Employed

2012-05-16T06:40:00.003-07:00

The current job market is not ideal and there is uncertainty; that said there are great career opportunities out there. If you are currently employed it is more difficult to conduct a job search, but it can be done smartly and respectfully…..

Here are some tips for a productive job search while currently employed, and moving on with grace:

Job hunting while you are employed can be tricky. You don't want to burn bridges or be replaced before you have found your dream job. While in general the more people who know you are looking, the easier for people to find you, this is not an option when you need to keep your current employment. Conducting a job search confidentially means choosing the people you tell wisely. Typically you wouldn't include your co-workers, upper management, or company contacts in this secret. Working with a recruiter will protect your identity until mutual interest with a prospective employer is established. When you do have an interview, let the company know that your job search is confidential.

This is your job search, make sure you do this on your personal time and use your own resources. Make sure that you provide only personal the contact information on your resume or cover letter. For job search correspondence, use a personal email, or set up a new email, and use your own phone and personal computer. This is respectful of the work contract in which you are currently engaged, and will keep you out of any conflicts that could arise if your job search becomes known.

Just as the job searching should be done on your own time, ideally interviews should too. This is not always possible of course, so when you can't schedule a phone or onsite interview outside of work hours, use your paid time off. Rather than invent any reasons, simply use your personal time. And be careful if you going to work on the same days as your interview that you don't give yourself away by arriving dressed in a suit and tie that you never wear to work!

Privacy settings may include your name and contact information for example, and some offer the ability to block specific viewers such as your current company from viewing your resume. While the internet offers vast resources, be careful about what you broadcast on social media from Twitter to LinkedIn, your comments can be widely distributed and very difficult to retract. Review your photos and personal information as employers use social media too!

It is difficult to utilize networks when your job search is confidential, however you can strengthen relationships and communications in general which may open up some doors and offer insight into new opportunities.

Stay invested in your current position and honor the work contract and trust that you have with your current employer while job searching. Until you have accepted an offer in writing, don't tell anyone about your job search or new job. Once the new position is confirmed, tell your boss first and follow the usual protocols of providing adequate notice (typically at least two weeks). Be graceful in your departure. The relationships you have built here are important, whether for continuing business relations in the same industry, obtaining recommendations in the future, or even future employment down the road with colleagues.