“Be Ready to Go Social to Land A Job”

An article in the November 29, 2009, issue of The Dallas Morning News, page 1J, “Ready to Go Social to Land A Job” by ARAcontent, lists some important questions to ask yourself and be then prepared to go social. The questions by Marc Scoleri, a career services professional, seems to describe the ideal position for a job seeker. Unfortunately, job seekers are not typically able to be so discriminating in this job market.
Snabon-Health says that socializing and networking are important and suggests the following ideas:

1. Joining and volunteering with professional organizations in your field of interests.
2. Attending monthly meetings and social mixers.
3. Meeting hiring managers that are difficult to contact during business hours.
4. “Putting yourself out there; it’s who you know that can help get you in the door, and it’s what you know that keeps you there.”

Please comment in this blog if this information is helpful to you or someone you know. Thanks! Glyn

Starting Your Own Business

Starting your own business is very exciting and frightening. Anyone interested in starting-out on their own should consider meeting with a SCORE (Advisors to Small Business) counselor for advice. Advice that I should have followed. In addition, one thing that you also need immediate is an excellent accountant or attorney to guide through the start-up process. Money so spent is a wise investment and may avoid headaches later.

Information about SCORE is available at www.score.org.

Coming Out of Retirement Requires Some Work

An article in the November 22, 2009, issue of The Dallas Morning News, page 23A, “Coming Out of Retirement Requires Some Work”, by Metro Creative Connections, suggests many baby boomers are considering returning to the workforce. Many of us semi-retired actually never completely left the workforce. Nevertheless, below are some suggestions:

1. Check with Social Security to determine how additional income could affect your social security benefits.

2. Research organizations that offer employment to older adults. The names Home Depot and Wal-Mart come to mind.

3. Update your resume emphasizing accomplishments making sure that it is error free.

4. Prepare for the interview by rehearsing with a younger friend, off-spring, or spouse.

Is there a job that you always wanted but the pay was not sufficient to support your lifestyle? Perhaps in retirement you can go after your dream job. Here are some personal examples of people I know that have returned to work:

One person joined the police reserve after completing police training. He is now riding patrol and making arrests!

A former IBM friend is now working at Home Depot helping people with their home projects. He has rejected promotions offered since he enjoys working with customers.

Oh, by the way, I am still teaching MBA students at the University of Phoenix.

Please comment in this blog if this information is helpful to you or someone you know. Thanks! Glyn

“How to Make That Temp Job Permanent”

An article in the November 21, 2009, issue of The Dallas Morning News, page 23A, “How to Make That Temp Job Permanent”, by Chip Cutter, The Associated Press, suggests how a seasonal job can become permanent. I have discussed this subject in previous blogs; however, here are a few points to remember:

1. You should let your boss know that you are interested in a permanent job. The old admonition to sales people is to ask for the order. You should ask for the job!

2. You should make yourself available for additional opportunities such as late night shifts and weekends.

3. You should perform any tasks assigned in an excellent manner by arriving early for work, following your schedule, and not requesting time off unless it is absolutely necessary.

4. You should meet and interact with existing employees. Since temporary workers are actually auditioning for a permanent job, supervisors watch to see how you fit-in with existing employees.

All organizations typically have modest employee turnover. According to the article, cited organizations hire 20 to 30 percent of temporary workers for permanent positions. So here is a chance for you to be a great worker and win a permanent job!

Please comment in this blog if this information is helpful to you or someone you know. Thanks! Glyn

Greetings To Contacts

As we enter the holiday season – Christmas, Hanukah, Kwanzaa, and others –, it is an excellent time to contact friends and acquaintances. You might give them a greeting, explain your situation, and ask them to suggest some contacts that may assist in your job search.

Please comment in this blog it you think this job search strategy will be helpful in finding a job.

Thanks. Glyn

Playing Hooky

In an article in the November 15, 2009, issue of The Dallas Morning News, page 1J, “Economy not Helping Absenteeism”, by Amy Winter, Creators Syndicate, suggests that workers have no shame about coming up with unique lies for missing work. Here are a few creative examples of excuses for missing work:

1. I got sunburned at a nude beach and can’t wear clothes.
2. I woke up in Canada.
3. Someone threw poison ivy in my face and now I have a rash.
4. I was injured catching a sea gull.
5. I accidentally hit a nun with my motorcycle.
6. I got caught selling an alligator.
7. I broke my tooth while eating a taco.
8. I have a headache from eating hot peppers.
9. A bee flew in my mouth.
10. My mom said I was not allowed to go to work today.

Please comment in this blog with your favorite excuse for missing work.

Thanks! Glyn

Dress for Success Tips for Job Interviews

An article in the November 8, 2009, issue of The Dallas Morning News, page 1J, “You’ve Gotten The Interview- Now Dress For Success,” by North American Precis Syndicate, suggests the following tips as you dress for a job interview:

1. Consider the industry: Every industry has its own set of style rules. For example, banks, accounting and law firms tend to wear business suits, while creative industries such as advertising agencies and marketing firms often wear business casual.

2. Do your homework: You can research the organization and its employees by driving by the company observing the employees arrive and depart, or you might go online to view photos of company employees. Take your cue from how the employees dress.

3. Be polished: You need to make sure your clothing is in good order: no wrinkles in clothing, shoes shined, and hair kept. I personally do not care for visible tattoos and piercings.

4. Leave any luxury or designer clothing and accessories at home: High-end handbags and watches that cost thousands of dollars may make you look frivolous.

5. Make a favorable impression: “Wear one thing that reflects your personality and creativity” says Amy Goodman. “A colorful tie, heirloom earrings, shoes with a unique design or an eye-catching watch may be what helps an interviewer remember you from a sea of candidates.”

Please comment in this blog if this information is helpful to you or someone you know. Thanks! Glyn

Erased, Sealed, Blocked

In an article in the November 11, 2009, issue of The Wall Street Journal, page A1, “More Job Seekers Scramble To Erase Their Criminal Past”, Douglas Belkin states that job seekers are facing a difficult employment market and background checks reach deeper than ever into their past.

“Though the definition, terminology and methods of expungement vary by state, its general intent is to restore people to the legal status they enjoyed before a brush with the law – often giving them the right to answer ‘no’ when a prospective employer asked if they’ve been arrested or convicted. Most felonies, such as sexual assault or armed robberies, can’t be removed. But in many states, some lesser crimes can. After a successful appeal, official records may be shredded, erased, sealed or blocked from view by anyone except entities such as police or schools.”

I suggest that interested parties who may have had an encounter with the criminal justice system obtain a complete copy of this important article either in print or on the Wall Street Journal website: www.wsj.com.

Please comment in this blog if this information is helpful to you or someone you know.

Thanks! Glyn

Linkedln.com - Possible Valuable Networking Site

An article in the November 8, 2009, issue of The Dallas Morning News page 1J, “Know How to Use Online Job-Search Tools” by Cheri Butler asked whether the Internet is a crutch or a valuable tool. She says that www.linkedln.com has become a most respected site for social networking and job searches.

Ms. Butler, stresses the importance of just plain networking. Finding a job is a full-time job. Just waiting for the telephone to ring or for an email containing a job offer to arrive may be quiet and disappointing. I suggest that you become a pro-active person and make everyday a work day – searching for a job.

Please comment in this blog about your experience with Linkedln.com.

Thanks! Glyn

Social Networking and Job Searches

I found the following website that rates the effectiveness of Top 10 Social Networking sites:

http://social-networking-websites-review.toptenreviews.com/

As job seekers develop strategies to aid in finding jobs, social networking may be beneficial approach. Networking is an effective way to contact individuals who may in turn introduce a job seeker to potential employers.

Please share your experiences using social networking sites to assist your job search.
Thanks. Glyn

Tis the Season!

Christmas, Hanukkah, and other special days are times when many people frequent retail stores for shopping. Consequently, now is an excellent time to seek employment at shopping centers and malls. I encourage job seekers to consider the season and focus your job search. Perhaps a temporary position may become a permanent one based on your performance on the job.

Please post your comments about your successes in seeking employment during the holiday season.
Thanks. Glyn