Using Your Own Home Computer for Employment

An article on Page 1J in The Dallas Morning News in the October 31, 2010, edition “The Benefits of Teleworking” by Metro Creative Connection discusses the advantages of using the Internet by organizations and employees. While I do not think that this article breaks any new ground, it reminds me that many of us now earn some income by working at home.  I teach online classes for the University of Phoenix.   

Frequently we see the term telecommuting; however, the term teleworking is a new one to me.  I believe the terms basically have the same meaning -- doing work for pay remotely from an organization’s offices.  Anyway, perhaps you job seekers that are proficient in using the Internet should seek such opportunities.  I am thinking that this mode of work may be an avenue for employment for individual with disabilities and/or individuals living remotely from an organization’s operations.     

What do you think of pursing this type of employment opportunities?  If you are doing telecommuting, please share your experience with readers of this blog.

Thanks!    Glyn    

“Leaving the Workplace Can Help Spark New Talents and a New Career”

An article on Page R1 in The Wall Street Journal on October 25, 2010, by Kelly Green, “Find Your Inner Artist”, got me thinking about life beyond full time jobs. I know that many of us older folks still do part-time work.  I am a teacher at the University of Phoenix. Others may do consulting.

However, more free time can be applied to fulfilling activities. One example is my writing this blog which hopefully is read by some.   A friend has just published his first novel – a long time dream.  Others devote time and energies to volunteer organizations.  The cited article provides three examples: a stock analyst turned songwriter, a teacher turned painter, and a clothing rep turned collage artist.

I encourage readers of this blog who have retired to share how they may have realized their passions and become an inner artist.     

Thanks!    Glyn    

Executive Women Find Jobs!

An article on Page 2D in The Dallas Morning News on October 24, 2010, by Cheryl Hall, “Executive Women Share Tips on Job Hunt”, provides the following suggestions from four women who were out-of-work and found executive positions:

To get a foot in the door:
1. Get clear in your mind about what kind of position you want.
2. Tell everyone you know exactly what you’re looking for.
3. Work your network as far back as possible.
4. Target companies that fit your dream job.
5. Stay busy. Do volunteer or contract work.
In the interview:
1. Go in with a sense of culture. Visit the company website to see how people dress and how they “speak” in their bios and corporate information.
2. Show how you’ll plug into the organization immediately.
3. Be yourself. If they don’t like you, it probably isn’t a good fit.
4. Be patient and but persistent.

It is interesting to me that the advice from successful executive women is very similar to advice frequently given by recruiters and job counselors to all job seekers. Perhaps you should consider these suggestions as you seek employment.

If you have recently become employed, please share with readers of this blog how you landed the job!

Thanks! Glyn

The United States Department of Labor publishes a great deal of information that may be helpful to job seekers.  Below is a link to an outline of the key factors to be considered before your job interviews.  Key suggestions are:

Job Interview Tips

An interview gives you the opportunity to showcase your qualifications to an employer, so it pays to be well prepared. The following information provides some helpful hints.
Preparation:

• Learn about the organization.
• Have a specific job or jobs in mind.
• Review your qualifications for the job.
• Be ready to briefly describe your experience, showing how it relates it the job.
• Be ready to answer broad questions, such as "Why should I hire you?" "Why do you want this job?" "What are your strengths and weaknesses?"
• Practice an interview with a friend or relative.

Personal appearance:

• Be well groomed.
• Dress appropriately.
• Do not chew gum or smoke.

The interview:

• Be early.
• Learn the name of your interviewer and greet him or her with a firm handshake.
• Use good manners with everyone you meet.
• Relax and answer each question concisely.
• Use proper English—avoid slang.
• Be cooperative and enthusiastic.
• Use body language to show interest—use eye contact and don’t slouch.
• Ask questions about the position and the organization, but avoid questions whose answers can easily be found on the company Web site.
• Also avoid asking questions about salary and benefits unless a job offer is made.
• Thank the interviewer when you leave and shake hands.
• Send a short thank you note following the interview.

Information to bring to an interview:

• Social Security card.
• Government-issued identification (driver’s license).
• Resume or application. Although not all employers require a resume, you should be able to furnish the interviewer information about your education, training, and previous employment.
• References. Employers typically require three references. Get permission before using anyone as a reference. Make sure that they will give you a good reference. Try to avoid using relatives as references.
• Transcripts. Employers may require an official copy of transcripts to verify grades, coursework, dates of attendance, and highest grade completed or degree awarded.

Learn more:

Finding and Applying for Jobs and Evaluating Offers

• Where to learn About Job Openings
• Job Search Methods
• Applying for a Job
• Job Interview Tips
• Evaluating a Job Offer
• For More Information

  http://www.bls.gov/oco/oco20045.htm

Please share with readers of this blog your ideas concerning preparation for a job interview.    

Thanks!    Glyn    

Self-Employment Could be the Answer

 

An article on Page 1J in The Dallas Morning News on October 10, 2010, by North American Precis  Syndicate,  “Self-Employment Can Help Fuel Recovery”, stresses the importance of self-employment to the US economy.  As a SCORE (Counselors to Small Business), I have opportunities to assist many individuals who have or plan to begin their own business.  Typically such individuals are energetic, creative, and risk takers. Unfortunately many lack adequate financial resources to start a small business.

There three basic approaches to becoming self-employed or opening a small business: start from scratch, buy a franchise, or buy an existing business.  If you have special skills in fields such as information systems, engineer, and health care, you might consider becoming an independent contractor or a contract employee.  Regardless of the approach taken, getting busy with a potential income producing activity is much better than remaining at home hoping for lightening to strike!  Please review the tools available for small businesses at  www.score.org.

Please share with readers of this blog your ideas about self-employment.    

Thanks!    Glyn    

Battling the Blues

An article on Page 2D in The Dallas Morning News on October 6, 2010, by Diane Stafford of The Kansas City Star, “Battling the Blues” states that counseling, volunteering can help during a long job hunt. From personal experience I can say that being unemployed is a very stressful time.

Ms. Stafford suggests the following steps for discouraged job seekers:

1. Recognize your job loss to begin your recovery and face it head-on.


2. Seek resources to tackle the problem using counseling and prescription drugs. Job seekers are often so hurt that they can’t begin to present themselves as energetic, emotionally stable employees.


3. Leave the house and volunteer with a nonprofit group. Giving help to others gives a sense of self-worth and helps build personal relationships which could lead to employment opportunities.

I will add that it is very important to stay busy. Use a weekly day planner to schedule your week. Knowing that you have things to do and places to go reduces thoughts of self-pity and sends you into action!

Please share with readers of this blog your ideas about battling the blues.

Thanks! Glyn

Social Networking and Finding a Job

 

There are many articles and postings discussion the use of social networking by job seekers and employers.  Major social networks include FaceBook, Myspace, Twitter, Linkin and others.  This blog lists references some postings that provide opinions concerning the use of these networks. 

1.      

S        1.   Social Networking Can Be Perilous to Your Employment.

Recruiters search postings on the Internet so you should not post any personal information that might be detrimental to you job search.

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/61351/social_networking_can_be_perilous_to.html?cat=31

2.     An article posted on September 19, 2008 by Daniel Schwartz  states:

Overall, employers should tread very carefully in using social networking sites as a screening device.  There are very little substantive advantages to using such sites and there are several landmines employers need to avoid. While they may satisfy an employer's curiosity, the time-worn principles of checking references, conducting interviews and, if necessary, background screening, should typically satisfy most employer's need to hire the best candidate.

Using Social Networking Sites for Employment Screening; Is there a Right Answer?

3.    Do's and Don'ts of Social Networking When Looking for Work

This article contains a list of suggestions for job seekers to follow.

http://sentinelsource.com/articles/2010/09/28/business/news/free/doc4ca212f93b324939269200.txt  

by Metro editorial Published: Tuesday, September 28, 2010

My advice to job seekers is that they should post nothing on a social network that they would not say in a fully loaded elevator moving to the top of an office building.

Please share with readers of this blog your experiences with using social networks.     

Thanks!    Glyn