Christmas Day, 2011

What memories do you have of Christmas Day?

 

I grew up on a small farm near Hubbard, Texas, about 75 miles south of Dallas.  My mother and her two sisters and their families always spent Christmas Day together.  We opened our presents on Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day was a day filled with food including turkey and dressing, candied yams, green beans, salad, and desserts of all types.

After lunch, the men frequently began to play “42”, a game using 28 dominoes.  The women cleaned the kitchen and discussed the problems of the day or wondered about the actions of neighbors and friends. Then they would model their Christmas gifts. We children played with toys Santa had delivered and games such as hide and seek.

Have thinks changed?  For my wife and me, spending time with our children and grandchildren are the highlights of the season.  The food is still wonderful.  Throughout the year, my wife buys special gifts for our grandchildren as we travel on cruises and car trips.  These gifts are hidden in our home on Christmas Eve.  Gifts for each grandchild are hidden in a designated room and the search begins!  The fun is watching the grandkids searching for their gifts. Even though the children are now much older - some are 21 – they insist on this gift searching tradition.  Being with family and attending Christmas Eve church services are the memories that I will keep.

On reflection, I don’t think that things have really changed that much.  The Day reminds me of family members that are no longer here that I miss especially this Day. All in all, however, I think that today is even better than the “good old days”!

Please share your Christmas memories with other readers of this blog.

Thanks, Glyn

Making a List and Checking It Twice!

Two articles in The Dallas Morning News the December 18, 2011, edition on page 1J: “Don’t Stop Looking During the Holidays” by Cheri Butler and “Pros and Cons of Putting Off Job Search” by Lindsay Novak of Creators Syndicate, deal with the issue of stopping job searches.  Both articles encourage job seekers not to delay their job searches by taking time-off for the holiday season or a sabbatical after completing school or leaving a job.

I am not Santa, but I suggest that job seekers make a list of things that you could do during the Christmas and holiday seasons.  Below is my suggested list for job seekers:

1.  During family gatherings, discuss your situation with relatives.  You may be surprised at the possible contacts you may discover.

2.  When attending social gatherings, work the room, introduce yourself around, and start conversations concerning work-related subjects.

3.  At your church or volunteer organizations, determine if they have job counseling or networking meetings.

4.  While visiting shopping malls, check to see postings for open positions.

5.  Of course, you should spend time each day with our friend the Internet.  In this blog I have posted many sites for job seekers.

If only one of these ideas encourages you to continue your job search, I will be pleased.

Please share with readers of this blog your list of suggestions for job seeking during the Christmas – holiday season. 

Thanks.

Glyn

A Time to Share!

As we enter December, we begin seeing opportunities for us to help the less fortunate.  Many organizations have Christmas Trees with the names of children as well as senior adults attached with a message containing individual wishes for Christmas.  What is special about this season of the year?

I personally begin thinking of family traditions and my father, mother, and brother who are no longer with us.  I have many memories of visits by Santa Claus and surprises presents.  This Christmas my wife and I will enjoy the company of our son, daughter, their wife and husband, and five wonderful grandchildren.  We are all in good health and have fulfilling lives.  We are blessed.

I know for the unemployed this is a difficult time.  Funds to purchase gifts may be limited and feelings of self-pity may creep-in.  My suggestion is that you seek others who are less fortunate and be a friend to them with acts of kindness such as serving meals and giving clothing.  Everyone appreciates being told that their friendship is important.

Please share with readers of this blog your special memories of the season.   

Thanks.

Glyn

What Do You Bring to the Table?

While speaking with my classes or providing job counseling to clients, I frequently ask them what they are bring to the table.  When you visit Las Vegas or another center for gambling and sit at a gaming table, the dealer will ask what are you bring to the table. If you are short or void of funds, you may be politely asked to vacate the seat.

Frequently as job seekers consider possible employers they focus on what the employer will provide them.  I am thinking that is the wrong question.  The important question to be answered is what you will provide the hiring organization. 

As you seek employment, I suggest that you develop a list of reasons why you should be hired to fill the open position. You should approach the situation with a positive can-do attitude with specific examples of your experience and accomplishments. Remember you can accept or reject a job only after it has been offered.  Your primary objective in a job seeking activity is to receive a job offer.  Once you have the offer, you have the option to accept or reject it.

As a job seeker, what are you bringing to the table?   

Thanks.

Glyn

More Discussions Focused on Home-Based Businesses

An article in The Dallas Morning News –November 27, 2011, edition on page 1J, “Six Unusual Home-Based Businesses” provides the following examples of home-based businesses:

1.    Bottled art: Laura Bergman turns pieces of broken glass into homemade jewelry.  www.bottledupdesigns.com

2.    Shop fashionably:  Alexandra Suzanne Greenawalt, a freelance, personal stylist and fashion expert based in New York City takes clients out shopping or advising them ‘in their closet’.  www.alexandrastylist.com

3.    All about cats: Lynn Maria Thompson’s business, Old Maid Cat Lady, offers products for cats and people who love cats.  www.oldmaidcatlady.com

4.    Invisible writer: Judy Katz is an experienced ghostwriter. She has ghostwritten or edited over 22 books. www.ghostbooksters.com

5.    That’s the shot: Steven Holtzman and his father have been running West Coast Aerial Photography, Inc. from a home office since 2001.  www.photopilot.com/blog

The article states that the above list is just a sampling of hundreds of specialties that are Internet home-based business.  You can review more examples of home-based businesses including open jobs at (Rat Racer Rebellion).  www.ratracerebellion.com  

Please share with readers of this blog your experience with a home-based business and if you find this blog helpful. 

 Thanks.

Glyn

Make a Job of Your Avocation!

An article in The Dallas Morning News –November 20, 2011, edition on page 1J, “It’s Never Too Late to Follow Your Dream” by Lindsey Novak of Creators Syndicate suggests that it is never too late to purse your dream job.  The article quotes a reader who states that friends say that changing careers late in life is a big mistake, and with this economy people should be satisfied with the job they have.

The article got me thinking about avocations. When talking with my students or clients, I suggest that if they are bored with their present jobs and are not giving it their best efforts, they should consider spending time with their dream job, hobby, or consider starting a small business. Energy not being used can be redirected to challenging tasks that are very satisfying. Who know?  Maybe your performance on your current job will be improved!  

I am a retired computer person, but I continue to teach at the University of Phoenix and do volunteer work at SCORE and the North Dallas Shared Ministries.  Maybe this blog will eventually make me a millionaire!  Please share with readers of this blog your thinking about avocations.

Thanks.

Glyn

More Resume Writing Tips

A fellow job counselor of mine, Bob, at North Dallas Shared Ministries, www.ndsm.org, sent me the following tips about resume writing which were written by www.monster.com.  You can find addition resume writing tips my clicking on the red letter link words.

By Charles Purdy, Monster Senior Editor, Monster

Your resume needs an update -- that is, if your resume is like that of most people, it’s not as good as it could be. The problem is language: Most resumes are a thicket of deadwood words and phrases -- empty clichés, annoying jargon and recycled buzzwords. Recruiters, HR folks and hiring managers see these terms over and over again, and it makes them sad.

Wouldn’t you rather make them happy? It’s time to start raking out your resume, starting with these (and similar) terms.

1. “Salary negotiable”

Yes, they know. If you’re wasting a precious line of your resume on this term, it looks as though you’re padding -- that you’ve run out of things to talk about. If your salary is not negotiable, that would be somewhat unusual. (Still, don’t put that on your resume either.)

2. “References available by request”
See the preceding comment about unnecessary terms.

3. “Responsible for ______”

Reading this term, the recruiter can almost picture the C-average, uninspired employee mechanically fulfilling his job requirements -- no more, no less. Having been responsible for something isn’t something you did -- it’s something that happened to you. Turn phrases like “responsible for” into “managed,” “led” or other decisive, strong verbs.

4. “Experience working in ______”

Again, experience is something that happens to you -- not something you achieve. Describe your background in terms of achievements.

5. “Problem-solving skills”

You know who else has problem-solving skills? Monkeys. Dogs. On your resume, stick to skills that require a human.

6. “Detail-oriented”

So, you pay attention to details. Well, so does everyone else. Don’t you have something unique to tell the hiring manager? Plus, putting this on your resume will make that accidental typo in your cover letter or resume all the more comical.

7. “Hardworking”
Have you ever heard the term “show -- don’t tell”? This is where that might apply. Anyone can call himself a hard worker. It’s a lot more convincing if you describe situations in concrete detail in which your hard work benefited an employer.

8. “Team player”
See the preceding comment about showing instead of telling. There are very few jobs that don’t involve working with someone else. If you have relevant success stories about collaboration, put them on your resume. Talk about the kinds of teams you worked on, and how you succeeded.

9. “Proactive”
This is a completely deflated buzzword. Again, show rather than tell.

10. “Objective”
This term isn’t always verboten, but you should use it carefully. If your objective is to get the job you’ve applied for, there’s no need to spell that out on your resume with its own heading. A resume objective is usually better replaced by a career summary describing your background, achievements and what you have to offer an employer. An exception might be if you haven’t applied for a specific job and don’t have a lot of experience that speaks to the position you’d like to achieve.

Please let me know if this information is helpful as you develop or update your resume.

Thanks! 

Glyn

Finding Jobs Through-out the World

I received a complimentary email today about this blog from Serg, an employee of the Jooble Company.  Jooble.com is a web site that provides job listings for the United States and many other countries. More information about Jooble can be found by contacting:  Ladoburn Holdings LTDKimonos, 43AP.C. 3095, LimassolCyprus.

Listings of US based jobs can be found at www.jooble-us.com.

Please let me know if you find this site helpful.

Thanks! 

Glyn

Ideas to Improve Your Resume

An article in The Dallas Morning News –November 6, 2011, edition on page 1J, “7 Tips to Strengthen Your Resume” by Cliff Garinn lists ideas that strengthen resumes.
I think that an important point to remember is that a resume is not a job description.  A job description details the tasks and responsibilities for a particular position; a resume should identify an individual’s strengths and accomplishments while performing such tasks.

When possible, a resume should be tailored to specifically describe how an applicant meets the posted job requirements.  It is a good idea to use the terms used in the job posting in the resume.  Often resumes may be scanned and analyzed by computer software that selects the resumes to be read by a recruiter.  

Of course many job applications are Internet based requiring job seekers to fill-in blanks.  I encourage job seekers to have critical job information such as employment dates, skills, and personal references summarized on memo pad.

Do you think that resumes and cover letters are becoming less important since so many organizations are seeking applicants via their Internet sites?  

Thanks.

Glyn

Seasonal Work and Picking Cherries

When I was posting the blog about seasonal home-based work, I was thinking about an article that I just read about the need for seasonal workers in many areas of U.S. agriculture.  Increased action by governments to control illegal workers has resulting in shortages of agricultural workers in many areas within the U.S.

I support such action and am wondering with our high levels of unemployment, why U.S. workers cannot meet these demands.  I recognize that the agricultural jobs require skill and experience; however, both can be achieved by U.S. citizens. Perhaps the pay is insufficient to attract workers to temporarily relocate to the work areas.  But if the financial losses are significant, perhaps the operators may be willing to pay wages that will attract workers.

My wife and I were in Oregon in August and visited The Dalles which just completed its annual cherry harvest.  A waitress at a restaurant told us that the area was filled pickers that return every year for the cherry harvest.  I am sure California, Texas and many other states depend on such migrate labor during critical harvests. Is this shortage of seasonal workers a problem that can be solved or reduced by U.S. workers?   

What do you think?  Please share your thoughts with readers of this blog.

Thanks.

Glyn

 

Home-Based Seasonal Work

An article in The Dallas Morning News – October 30, 2011, edition on page 1J, “Apply Now for Home-based Seasonal Jobs” by Christine Durst and Michael Haaren of Creators Syndicate provides the following links to jobs available for seasonal workers:

1.    http://bit.ly/tEDdC8 - 1-800-FLOWERS is looking for home-based agents.

2.    http://bit.ly/s4TSaz. - Arise hires home-based independent contractors for a major tax software company.

3.    http://bit.ly/qQzzYP - VIPdesk hires home-based agents and concierges as employees as customer service agents to handle its Eddie Bauer account.

4.    www.aplineacess.com/en/ - Alpine Access 1,000 home-based customer service representatives.

The article provides the following advice to job seekers for home-based seasonal jobs:

1.    Apply early

2.    Be flexible and available

3.    Present a positive, can-do attitude

4.    Emphasize your customer service skills and experience

5.    Be a great performer once you have landed a job!

As the Christmas season is upon us, now is a good time to pursue seasonal job opportunities – either home-based or on-site.

Please share your thoughts about seasonal home-based jobs with readers of this blog.

Thanks.

Glyn

Cover Letters and Thank You Letters

An article in The Dallas Morning News – October 23 2011, edition on page 1J, “Is ‘Cover Letters: Elements of Style” by Cliff Garinn states that a cover letter gives an applicant another change to emphasize what he/she can contribute to the target organization.  Below are some of Garinn tips:

1.    No spelling or typing errors

2.    Address the letter to an individual who makes the hiring decision

3.    Write letter in a personal style

4.    Refer to specifics about the organization and the open position

5.    Indicate understanding of the how you meet the job requirements qualifications

6.    Ask for a response by stating you are looking forward to a meeting

I have found that a written response following an interview or any communication from the target organization is most important. Immediate after the meeting, you should send a thank you letter to the interviewer containing specific references to your conversation. Perhaps an email to the interviewer is sufficient.  Anyway, I think that your communication should indicate your interest in the opportunity (assuming that you are) and that you look forward to the next meeting.

   

What suggestions do you have concerning cover letters and thank you responses?

Thanks.

Glyn

Try the Employment Guide Website!

Every time I search the Internet for sites to assist job seekers in finding jobs, I find even more sites.  Today I am reviewing http://www.employmentguide.com, a site that provides the facility to search by job type and location. 

Please give this site a change to assist you in your job search and give me post your comments in this blog for others to read.

Thanks!

Glyn

Internet Links to Home-Based Jobs

An article in The Dallas Morning News – October 9, 2011, edition on page 1J, “Five Home-Based Jobs with a Social Side” by Christine Durst & Michael Haaren of Creators Syndicate contains the following Internet links to sites that provide job listing for home-base jobs:

www.Narms.com  I think that this link to the National Association for Retail Marketing Services website is very rich with many additional links to jobs and related information related to home-based businesses.

http://assemblersinc.net

Assemblers, Inc. is a leading provider of merchandise assembly, installation, delivery, and repair services that operates throughout the Southeast United States. 

 

www.taskrabbit.com

This site has coverage only in a few cities; however, it provides leads for errand runners and other task-handlers and may provide ideas to job seekers.

Please comment in this blog if you find these links helpful to your job search.

Thanks.

Glyn