Valuable Job Search Tips

The Dallas Morning News in an article on page 1J in its January 24, 2010, issue, “How to Find Valuable Employees” by BULLETIN BOARD, edited by Amy Winter lists following tips for job seekers and employees who want to be team players:


1. A winning mindset – Workers should have an optimistic and a realistic attitude.


2. Quickness on their feet – How will you as a job seeker deal with an unhappy customer?


3. An eye on the prize – What process is used to make a difficult decision?


4. Good sportsmanship – Integrity and truthfulness are essential to an organization’s success.


5. Stay optimistic – Accentuate the positive!


6. Join a social networking site – A job seeker should consider joining Linkedln, Facebook, or Twitter.


7. Attend a professional/trade association meeting – Meetings provide important networking opportunities.


8. Ask for more duties – One should welcome opportunities to shine!


9. Join a workplace committee – One should volunteer time to serve others.


10. Look at an organization’s goals and compare them to your own goals – Will this employer be a good fit for you?


11. Find ways to reduce costs – Cost saving ideas voiced in an interview may impress the interviewer.


Have you tried one or more of these strategies? Please share your experience in this blog.


Thanks! Glyn

Where there is Smoke …..

The Dallas Morning News in an article on page 1J in its January 24, 2010, issue, “Don’t Let Your Looks Blow Your Interview” by NewsUSA provides some suggestions for proper interview dress.

However, I am thinking that proper hygiene is also very important. One should give attention to his/her fingernails, facial hair, piercing, and hair. Another factor is one’s breath. While I am not a bigot about smoking, I am not hiring at this time. I think that the scent of smoke on one’s breath or clothes is an indication of a smoking habit. HR managers may be alert to signs of future health problems and related insurance premiums.


Please comment in this blog particularly if you think that I am off-base with this posting.


Thanks!     Glyn

“I Cannot Believe This Has Happen To Me”

A friend of mine gave me a copy of the January 2010 issue of the magazine Think – Current Issues from a Distinctly Christian View. She suggested that I read the article “I Cannot Believe This Has Happen to Me” on pages 28 – 29.


Here are some interesting facts and ideas contained in the article:


Since 2007 the US unemployed have increased from 7.6 million to 15.1 million.


How do you eat an elephant? One bit at a time.


The loss of a job is one of the most emotionally trying times a person can endure. Emotions such as confusion, betrayal, resentment, anxiety, and fear are quite common in the first few days.


There is a great deal of religious content in this article which may be helpful to some.


The following are logical steps that should be taken when developing a job search plan:


1. Make a list of people (at least 25-50) that you know who may have access to job opportunities. Make contact with them either in person, telephone, text or email. Studies show that 80 – 85% of positions are filled through referrals and not by applying to advertised jobs.


2. Revise your resume. Highlight your strengths, quantify your results, and be professional in your presentation.


3. Practice answering questions about yourself and your strengths and weaknesses. Develop what many professionals call your “elevator speech” - a 30-second summary describing who you are and what benefits you can provide to a prospective employer.


4. Be careful developing a resume and posting it on any and every job board that exists. Be selective and protective when it comes to distributing your personal information.


5. Execute your job plan during business hours. Reaching out to your network during the day presents a more professional image. Use the evening to summarize your progress and plan the next day.


6. Follow up, both on resumes that you have submitted and with members of your network. Be professional without being a nuisance.


7. After your interview, follow up with that person through a handwritten card or note. This is a nice touch and leaves a lasting impression.


8. Jobs will not fall out of the sky. Maintain a positive attitude and professional approach in your search.


9. Look toward the future. Plan for improving your position in the job world, but on the other hand, prepare yourself that you may be forced into taking a position that is less than anticipated.


10. Believe in yourself and guidance from above.


I hope you find these suggestions helpful. Please post your comments in this blog.


Thanks! Glyn

Education and Job Search

The Dallas Morning News in an article on page 1J in its January 17, 2010, issue, “Education Evolves to Meet Workforce Needs” by North American Syndicate quotes the following Department of Labor statistics concerning job growth over the next five years:


1. 90 percent of the fastest-growing jobs require some form of secondary education


2. 54 percent increase in information technology positions


3. 41 percent increase in veterinary technicians


4. 34 percent increase in medical assistants


5. 32 percent increase for pharmacy technicians


6. 29 percent increase in dental assistants


7. 22 percent increase for paralegals



These statistics focus on the growing need for an educated workforce. The article encourages busy adults to consider education programs that accommodate their lifestyle. For example, there are many night classes and online classes available throughout the US. I earned an MBA and Ph.D. by going to night school and working full time. Please share your experience in this blog about how you have continued your education.


Thanks! Glyn

High Energy Job Search or Go Fishing!

I was speaking with a job counseling professional today who expressed her concern about the lack of interest shown by job seekers. She and her husband provide weekly job counseling at a church in Dallas. She said that recently very few individuals attend these free counseling session. She is puzzled about this poor showing by the unemployed.



I am hoping that this situation is not a trend but an isolated event. Nevertheless, I encourage all unemployed to take advantage of professionals who provide at no cost job search advice. You should try an intense two week regime filled with job search activities. If my advice yields no results, then go fishing!


Thanks! Glyn

The STEM Fields Are Important in 2010 and Beyond!

The Dallas Morning News in an article on page 1J in its January 10, 2010, issue “Make Yourself Indispensable in the Workplace” by ARAcontent states “In fact, the U.S. Department of Labor predicts a growing demand for technological advances will result in a job growth of 22 percent for STEM occupations between 2004 and 2014.”


What exactly is STEM? STEM refers to careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.


Schools and universities are focusing their curriculums to developed students that are prepared to meet the needs of high tech organizations. This prediction does not mean that there is no place for liberal arts graduates; however, it does mean the graduates with STEM degrees will find an improved job market for their training.


What advice do you recommend for graduating high school students and others who are returning for additional training? Please share your opinions concerning STEM with other job seekers in this blog.


Thanks! Glyn

GIGs and Office Ports

Watching and listening to WFAA TV today, I heard the news reader talk about GIGs and Office Ports. This strategy is for unemployed to gather at executive suites to search for short term assignments. Executive suites or “office ports” have office equipment, Internet, telephone answering, reproduction and other office services. This idea reminds me of labor pools where laborers gather waiting for potential jobs offered by small business people driving by seeking labor assistance on a daily basis.


One person at the office port said that she received as many as three or more assignments in a given day. She is having trouble keeping all the balls in the air. However, she is employed and earning money!


Another advantage of an office port is the job seekers share information about available jobs. Frequently an opportunity is a requirement for several workers.


Please comment in this blog about GIGs and Office Ports and the locations of Office Ports.






Thanks! Glyn

2010 Census Jobs!

Shown below is an announcement concerning “2010 Census Jobs.” This information is also available at the following link: http://2010.census.gov/2010censusjobs/



2010 Census Jobs


The U.S. Census Bureau is recruiting temporary, part-time census takers for the 2010 Census. These short-term jobs offer good pay, flexible hours, paid training, and reimbursement for authorized work-related expenses, such as mileage incurred while conducting census work. Best of all, census takers work right in their own communities.


Census taker jobs are excellent for people who want to work part-time, those who are between jobs, or just about anyone who wants to earn extra money while performing an important service for their community.






Hundreds of thousands are needed for temporary jobs


Conducting the census is a huge undertaking. Hundreds of thousands of census takers are needed nationwide to help locate households and conduct brief personal interviews with residents. Most positions require a valid driver's license and use of a vehicle. However, use of public transportation may be authorized in certain areas.


Your community is counting on you


Every 10 years, the Census Bureau takes a snapshot of our population, determining how many people reside within the nation's borders, who they are, and where they live. The results help determine your representation in government, as well as how federal funds are spent in your community on things like roads, parks, housing, schools, and public safety. As a census taker, you'll play a vital role in making sure that everyone is counted.


Bilingual speakers are encouraged to apply


All census takers must be able to speak English, but people who have bilingual skills are needed in communities where a large number of residents primarily speak other languages. If you have the appropriate language skills and cultural knowledge to communicate well in your community, we encourage you to apply.


Apply today by contacting your Local Census Office or by calling 1-866-861-2010 1-866-861-2010 .


Please let me know if this information is helpful to you or someone you know that is seeking a job.

Thanks!   Glyn

Handle Your Job Search Like a Job

The Dallas Morning News in an article on page 1J in its January 3, 2010, issue by ARAcontent quotes Anthony Davis, a career services professional “If you expect to work 40 hours a week, then you must be prepared to put in many hours in your job search.”


I not so sure that spending 40 concentrated hours each week will result in getting a job. A friend of mine who had been unemployed for several months told me that he had spent full time looking for a job with no luck. However, out of the blue a friend referred him to someone and the result was a job within days.


I am reminded on the old adage “preparation meets opportunity.” Job seekers should keep their resumes current and relevant, maintain their list of references, and always displace a positive attitude.


Please share with job search ideas for 2010 in this blog with others.


Thanks! Glyn

Happy A New Year – 2010!

Below is a link to a December 2009 letter written to Crabby, Kurt MacRae. I think that the resolutions in this posting may be helpful to unemployed job seekers.


http://www.examiner.com/x-10186-Job-Search-Examiner~y2009m12d26-Jobsearch-resoltuions-2010-and-Crabbys-comments


Dear Crabby,


I wrote some resolutions for the New Year. 2009 was not my finest year, and I am thinking that I need to do something about it in 2010. My job-search seemed to stall, there were some things I wanted to change anyway, and maybe those will help my search.


It's time to be pro-active, positive, and productive, and to that end, I wanted to share these and ask if you had any to add, that you would add as suggestions. Thanks for being there this year; I hope you'll stay with us in 2010.


Pro-active in Pittsburgh


2010 Resolutions


1. I resolve to lose 40 pounds. While that shouldn't make a difference in my job-search, perhaps this added weight is affecting people's opinions as to whether I can do my job, or if I have enough drive to accomplish a goal; I'm going to drive to accomplish that goal now.


2. I am going to appreciate my family, my friends, my community, and I'm going to let them know it. Sometimes it's easy, when times are tough, to ignore those relationships that are strongest and most important. I want to keep those strong.


3. I'm going to take time for me; I'm going to learn something new, or play an instrument, or get involved in a sports league or volunteer work, that makes me feel good.


4. I will dedicate one day each week to the job boards. I will reset my search criteria and get emails only once per week; will that hinder my search? Companies are moving so slowly in hiring anyway, it seems to make sense, and will reduce my stress levels. I'm wasting time looking at every email as it comes into my mailbox.


5. I will attend at least one networking event each week, and I will focus not only on events for those out of work but, business events where I can mingle with other working people.


6. I will target companies I want to work for, and I will research those companies so I'll be will-informed when I talk to hiring managers.


7. I plan to stay positive: It is easy to get down, and I have from time to time, especially when all of the interviews have not panned out the way I had hoped. Rejection is part of this game so the more work I do, the more rejections I may get but that simply means the closer I will be to landing a new position.


8. I'll invest some of my time into a good, ongoing support group/workshop with other people who are looking for new opportunities. It's a good opportunity to network, share in positive re-enforcement, and gain some new insights and ideas for my job-search (one good idea that nets me a shot, can make my time investment a huge money-saver).


9. I will write down my goals, both personal and professional, by 1/1/2010, and I will monitor those all year.


Crabby, that's about it, and obviously some other tasks will tag along with these nine. I wanted to share these with your readers and see if you, or any of your readers, would like to suggest more.
Thanks, Happy New Year..


I encourage readers to post job search questions and strategies for finding a job which have worked for you.


Best wishes to all for a great 2010!






Thanks! Glyn