The Dallas Morning News in an article on page D1 in its December 30, 2009, issue states that consumer expectations for the job market reached their highest level in two years in December. I hope that this news translates into job seekers actually finding jobs. I encourage all job seekers to renew their efforts focusing on finding meaningful employment.
I plan to continue posting employment search suggestions in this blog throughout 2010 and 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
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Sunday, December 27, 2009
“Don’t neglect the classifieds when job hunting”
An article in the December 27, 2009, issue of The Dallas Morning News, page 1J, “don’t neglect the classifieds when job hunting” quotes Cheri Butler, Associate Director of Career Services at the University of Texas Arlington: ‘Some employers won’t post job openings on the major online job sites. Maybe they want to avoid being overwhelmed with applicants, or maybe they just want to find the best local candidates without attracting job seekers from throughout the country. The fact is, if you’re not scanning the newspaper classified, you’re missing out on an opportunity.’
Perhaps this article is a bit self-servicing for the DMN; however, I think if you are a job seeker, it is worth your time to review job postings in local newspapers.
Please comment in this blog if this information is helpful to you or someone you know. Thanks! Glyn
Perhaps this article is a bit self-servicing for the DMN; however, I think if you are a job seeker, it is worth your time to review job postings in local newspapers.
Please comment in this blog if this information is helpful to you or someone you know. Thanks! Glyn
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Up in the Air
My wife and I just attended the showing of the movie Up in the Air staring George Clooney as Ryan Bingham, a corporate specialist whose job is to visit downsizing organizations and inform employees that they are being laid off. Perhaps you and certainly I can relate to employees receiving the bad news.
The movie graphically shows the emotions of employees as they are told that their services are no longer needed and are presented with a severance package. How does one cope to such a sudden and traumatic event?
In a scene early in the film, Bingham convinces the recipient that the bad news of his layoff provides him an opportunity to pursue his personal goals which have been deferred because of the demands of his job. Poignant moments toward the end of the movie show laid-off employees realizing that their situation is not hopeless and that they have the support of their families.
I think the film’s message can be encouraging to the many who have been victims of a loss job. I encourage all job seeker to avoid feelings of failure and depression. Remember your strengths and the individuals that support you and get on with the rest of your life!
Please share your experience with other job seekers concerning the lost of a job.
Glyn
The movie graphically shows the emotions of employees as they are told that their services are no longer needed and are presented with a severance package. How does one cope to such a sudden and traumatic event?
In a scene early in the film, Bingham convinces the recipient that the bad news of his layoff provides him an opportunity to pursue his personal goals which have been deferred because of the demands of his job. Poignant moments toward the end of the movie show laid-off employees realizing that their situation is not hopeless and that they have the support of their families.
I think the film’s message can be encouraging to the many who have been victims of a loss job. I encourage all job seeker to avoid feelings of failure and depression. Remember your strengths and the individuals that support you and get on with the rest of your life!
Please share your experience with other job seekers concerning the lost of a job.
Glyn
Thursday, December 17, 2009
12 Myths to Trash if You Want to Get Hired
The following article was emailed to USAA members. I think it contains important suggestions for job seekers.
12 Myths to Trash if You Want to Get Hired
No matter what career you're seeking, finding employment continues to be a challenge. To improve your chances, career experts advise avoiding these common misconceptions.
Myth 1: Most jobs are advertised in newspapers and online sites.
Only 15% to 20% of job openings are publicly posted, reports Randall Hansen, publisher of Quintessential Careers website. The number of people actually hired through these ads is less than half that, he says.
To add insult to unemployment, many employers have increasingly found e-job applications more of a hassle than a help, says Christine Bolzan, founder of Graduate Career Coaching. "So many people automatically respond to the online offerings that employers are often reluctant to post a job," she says.
If you search online for a job, Hansen recommends going directly to prospective employers' websites or searching Google by profession, industry or geographic area. "Many industry and professional associations also run job boards," he says. "For example, the American Marketing Association has one for marketing professionals."
Myth 2: The Web is the modern way to search for work.
Use the Internet to gather information and promote yourself, but don't depend on it as a one-stop, e-shop for good job opportunities. Instead, focus on getting real face time. "Person-to-person networking has never been more important," says Bolzan, who offers these suggestions to advertise yourself:
§ Sound out friends and family about openings.
§ Schedule informational interviews with people in your field of interest.
§ Catch up with former colleagues and classmates.
§ Get involved in professional organizations.
Myth 3: Resume + cover letter = interview ± job.
Today, you have to market yourself and your skills, says J.T. O'Donnell, a career strategist and founder of Careerealism.com. Consider a career-focused website or blog as a way to tell your story, she says.
Use professional networking sites like LinkedIn to promote your experience, research what's current in your career field and develop professional contacts.
Myth 4: The more applications in play, the more offers on the way.
Put away the application shotgun and become a job sharpshooter, advises O'Donnell. Study the positions you want and identify the companies that have them. Then, aim carefully by crafting customized resumes and cover letters designed to hit the mark. "It's a matter of quality over quantity," she says.
Myth 5: Any job in this economy is a good job.
If the rent is due and your desired line of work still eludes you, taking a career detour may be unavoidable. At the same time, keep faith with your long-range professional goals and keep your skills current by staying active in related organizations, taking a class to add new skills or volunteering for an organization that relates to the job you're interested in.
Myth 6: Experience and qualifications matter more than character.
Most interviewers gauge how well candidates might fit in with their team. At your interview, smile, make eye contact, ask informed questions and demonstrate genuine enthusiasm for the position. Never undervalue authenticity and likability in your effort to win the job, advises O'Donnell.
Myth 7: It's not what you know, it's who you know.
It's more a matter of how well you know them, when you knew them and who they know, says Bolzan. "You need to stay in contact with decision-makers even when they aren't hiring," she adds. "You need to let them know you're still out there by gently touching base every 30 to 45 days."
Myth 8: The interview is all about you.
A job interview is more than a one-way audition of your skills and personality. You also need to show genuine interest in the company and position.
Learn everything you can about the company and the person who will be interviewing you, if you can find out that person's name. Scope out online information about the company through Google searches. Learn about your interviewer through LinkedIn company profiles and corporate Tweeters. Shared alma maters, favorite teams or professional memberships can go a long way to breaking the interview ice.
Myth 9: Dumbing down your resume is an effective strategy.
If you've been told you're overqualified, you might be tempted to remove dates and even advanced degrees from your resume. This would be a mistake, says O'Donnell. Such a move smacks of desperation and can be a deal killer if a background check reveals the truth.
A better approach is to explain in detail why you're enthusiastic about the position and the company and what specific needs you are uniquely qualified to meet. Also, demonstrate you have the flexibility and qualities to mesh with the team. Ask questions and show your readiness to learn what others have to teach.
Myth 10: Grad school is always a good fallback.
"Only go to grad school if you can 100% prove that you need those skills to advance your long-term goals," says O'Donnell. Using higher education as a place to wait out a down job market could leave you further behind financially and professionally.
Myth 11: Landing a job you love is the most important thing.
Instead of fixating on your vision of the ideal job, concentrate on how you like to live, learn and relate. Ask yourself:
§ Do you prefer to work solo, or as part of a team?
§ Do you thrive in high-pressure situations, or easygoing environments?
§ Is your computer like an extension of your fingers and brain, or a necessary electronic evil?
Leverage this self-knowledge to target jobs and careers that play to these preferences and strengths. The resulting job might not be perfect, but if you are tackling tasks you enjoy on a daily basis, you might end up with the next best thing.
Myth 12: If you've been fired, your job prospects are toast.
Getting fired or laid off doesn't carry the stigma it once did. What counts is how you handle interview questions about the situation. Whatever you do, don't rip into your old boss or workplace. Take the rational, philosophical route. Think of jobs like shoes — some fit better than others. You can use that analogy when discussing lost jobs, says O'Donnell. "Tell the interviewer, 'It just wasn't a good fit.'" Then, finish that thought by explaining why this job seems tailor-made.
Please comment in this blog if these suggestions are helpful to you or a job seeker you know. Thanks!
Glyn
12 Myths to Trash if You Want to Get Hired
No matter what career you're seeking, finding employment continues to be a challenge. To improve your chances, career experts advise avoiding these common misconceptions.
Myth 1: Most jobs are advertised in newspapers and online sites.
Only 15% to 20% of job openings are publicly posted, reports Randall Hansen, publisher of Quintessential Careers website. The number of people actually hired through these ads is less than half that, he says.
To add insult to unemployment, many employers have increasingly found e-job applications more of a hassle than a help, says Christine Bolzan, founder of Graduate Career Coaching. "So many people automatically respond to the online offerings that employers are often reluctant to post a job," she says.
If you search online for a job, Hansen recommends going directly to prospective employers' websites or searching Google by profession, industry or geographic area. "Many industry and professional associations also run job boards," he says. "For example, the American Marketing Association has one for marketing professionals."
Myth 2: The Web is the modern way to search for work.
Use the Internet to gather information and promote yourself, but don't depend on it as a one-stop, e-shop for good job opportunities. Instead, focus on getting real face time. "Person-to-person networking has never been more important," says Bolzan, who offers these suggestions to advertise yourself:
§ Sound out friends and family about openings.
§ Schedule informational interviews with people in your field of interest.
§ Catch up with former colleagues and classmates.
§ Get involved in professional organizations.
Myth 3: Resume + cover letter = interview ± job.
Today, you have to market yourself and your skills, says J.T. O'Donnell, a career strategist and founder of Careerealism.com. Consider a career-focused website or blog as a way to tell your story, she says.
Use professional networking sites like LinkedIn to promote your experience, research what's current in your career field and develop professional contacts.
Myth 4: The more applications in play, the more offers on the way.
Put away the application shotgun and become a job sharpshooter, advises O'Donnell. Study the positions you want and identify the companies that have them. Then, aim carefully by crafting customized resumes and cover letters designed to hit the mark. "It's a matter of quality over quantity," she says.
Myth 5: Any job in this economy is a good job.
If the rent is due and your desired line of work still eludes you, taking a career detour may be unavoidable. At the same time, keep faith with your long-range professional goals and keep your skills current by staying active in related organizations, taking a class to add new skills or volunteering for an organization that relates to the job you're interested in.
Myth 6: Experience and qualifications matter more than character.
Most interviewers gauge how well candidates might fit in with their team. At your interview, smile, make eye contact, ask informed questions and demonstrate genuine enthusiasm for the position. Never undervalue authenticity and likability in your effort to win the job, advises O'Donnell.
Myth 7: It's not what you know, it's who you know.
It's more a matter of how well you know them, when you knew them and who they know, says Bolzan. "You need to stay in contact with decision-makers even when they aren't hiring," she adds. "You need to let them know you're still out there by gently touching base every 30 to 45 days."
Myth 8: The interview is all about you.
A job interview is more than a one-way audition of your skills and personality. You also need to show genuine interest in the company and position.
Learn everything you can about the company and the person who will be interviewing you, if you can find out that person's name. Scope out online information about the company through Google searches. Learn about your interviewer through LinkedIn company profiles and corporate Tweeters. Shared alma maters, favorite teams or professional memberships can go a long way to breaking the interview ice.
Myth 9: Dumbing down your resume is an effective strategy.
If you've been told you're overqualified, you might be tempted to remove dates and even advanced degrees from your resume. This would be a mistake, says O'Donnell. Such a move smacks of desperation and can be a deal killer if a background check reveals the truth.
A better approach is to explain in detail why you're enthusiastic about the position and the company and what specific needs you are uniquely qualified to meet. Also, demonstrate you have the flexibility and qualities to mesh with the team. Ask questions and show your readiness to learn what others have to teach.
Myth 10: Grad school is always a good fallback.
"Only go to grad school if you can 100% prove that you need those skills to advance your long-term goals," says O'Donnell. Using higher education as a place to wait out a down job market could leave you further behind financially and professionally.
Myth 11: Landing a job you love is the most important thing.
Instead of fixating on your vision of the ideal job, concentrate on how you like to live, learn and relate. Ask yourself:
§ Do you prefer to work solo, or as part of a team?
§ Do you thrive in high-pressure situations, or easygoing environments?
§ Is your computer like an extension of your fingers and brain, or a necessary electronic evil?
Leverage this self-knowledge to target jobs and careers that play to these preferences and strengths. The resulting job might not be perfect, but if you are tackling tasks you enjoy on a daily basis, you might end up with the next best thing.
Myth 12: If you've been fired, your job prospects are toast.
Getting fired or laid off doesn't carry the stigma it once did. What counts is how you handle interview questions about the situation. Whatever you do, don't rip into your old boss or workplace. Take the rational, philosophical route. Think of jobs like shoes — some fit better than others. You can use that analogy when discussing lost jobs, says O'Donnell. "Tell the interviewer, 'It just wasn't a good fit.'" Then, finish that thought by explaining why this job seems tailor-made.
Please comment in this blog if these suggestions are helpful to you or a job seeker you know. Thanks!
Glyn
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Rallying From Rejection
How does one deal with rejection by a potential employer? An article on page 1J, in the December 13, 2009, edition of The Dallas Morning News, by Ralph Lee, MultiAd Builder suggests the following ideas for dealing with job rejection:
1. Sometimes, the other applicant is just a better fit for the job
2. Don’t take rejection personally
3. Don’t let it negatively impact other parts of your life
4. Be prepared for rejection
5. Rejection could be a blessing in disguise
6. Handle the rejection tactfully
7. Just one “yes” is all you need
From personal experience, I agree with the above ideas. I know that a positive attitude is the key to success in all endeavors including finding a job. Further, energy is also important from both an internal and external perspective.
Please comment in this blog if you have suggestions for job seekers who are dealing with rejection.
Glyn
1. Sometimes, the other applicant is just a better fit for the job
2. Don’t take rejection personally
3. Don’t let it negatively impact other parts of your life
4. Be prepared for rejection
5. Rejection could be a blessing in disguise
6. Handle the rejection tactfully
7. Just one “yes” is all you need
From personal experience, I agree with the above ideas. I know that a positive attitude is the key to success in all endeavors including finding a job. Further, energy is also important from both an internal and external perspective.
Please comment in this blog if you have suggestions for job seekers who are dealing with rejection.
Glyn
Sunday, December 13, 2009
“Independent Contractor or Employee? Some Clarification”
As discussed in an article on page 8, Fall 2009, issue of Texas Business Today, by William T. Simmons, Legal Counsel to Texas Workforce Commission Chairman Tom Paulson, contract labor is a very misunderstood term. Is a worker an independent contractor or is a worker an employee of an organization? In order to be considered an independent contractor, the article lists the following three criteria (some states require only two criteria to be met):
1. The worker is free from control or direction in the performance of the work.
2. The work is none outside the usual course of the company’s business and is done off the premises of the business.
3. The worker is customarily engaged in an independent trade, occupation, profession, or business.
Frequently temporary help personnel are employees of a staffing organization and are not independent contractors. Nevertheless, “An independent contractor is self-employed, bears responsibility for his or her own taxes and expenses, and is not subject to an employer’s direction and control. The distinction depends upon much more what the parties call themselves.”
I suggest that job seekers review the IRS requirements to become an independent contractor before assuming that role. Please comment in this blog if this information is helpful to you.
Thanks! Glyn
1. The worker is free from control or direction in the performance of the work.
2. The work is none outside the usual course of the company’s business and is done off the premises of the business.
3. The worker is customarily engaged in an independent trade, occupation, profession, or business.
Frequently temporary help personnel are employees of a staffing organization and are not independent contractors. Nevertheless, “An independent contractor is self-employed, bears responsibility for his or her own taxes and expenses, and is not subject to an employer’s direction and control. The distinction depends upon much more what the parties call themselves.”
I suggest that job seekers review the IRS requirements to become an independent contractor before assuming that role. Please comment in this blog if this information is helpful to you.
Thanks! Glyn
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Take Advantage of Layoff to Learn and Grow
As suggested in an article on page 1J, in the December 6, 2009, edition of The Dallas Morning News, by Cheri Butler, Associate Director of Career Development of the University of Texas at Arlington, there are several ways that laid-off workers can effectively spend their time. Here are some ideas suggested in the article:
1. Spending more time with family and friends
2. Fixing up your home
3. Exercising
4. Relaxing
5. Volunteering
6. Going back to school
7. Starting your own business
8. Traveling
I am not so sure of these ideas, however. When I have been out of a job, I was very uptight and spent day and night seeking employment and worrying, but that is just me. I do remember, however, spending a great deal of time replacing fence posts in my backyard. Perhaps taking some diversionary projects is a good idea.
Please comment in this blog if you have suggestions to job seekers as to how they can use their time while not looking for a job.
Thanks! Glyn
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Opportunities for Temporary Jobs!
As announced by The Department of Labor and reported in The Wall Street Journal December 5, 2009, issue and in many other media, job losses for November 2009 were slowed to 11,000; however, temporary jobs were increased by 52,400!
Many of these temporary jobs were in the manufacturing, distribution, and information technology industries. As I have suggested previously in this blog, temporary jobs are frequently the pathways to permanent employment. I suggest that job seekers focus on these temporary jobs. You might consider submitting your resume to organizations specializing in providing temporary labor to industries of your experience and specialization.
Please comment in this blog if this information is helpful to you or someone you know. Thanks! Glyn
Many of these temporary jobs were in the manufacturing, distribution, and information technology industries. As I have suggested previously in this blog, temporary jobs are frequently the pathways to permanent employment. I suggest that job seekers focus on these temporary jobs. You might consider submitting your resume to organizations specializing in providing temporary labor to industries of your experience and specialization.
Please comment in this blog if this information is helpful to you or someone you know. Thanks! Glyn
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Networking and Religious Organizations
As I have frequently written in this blog, I believe that networking is a key strategy in finding a job. I want to encourage all job seekers to pursue becoming involved in social organizations and in particularly with religious organizations. Why religious organizations? I believe that religious organizations by their very nature are caring and interested in the well fair of their members and associates. Many such organizations have existing activities for individuals seeking employment.
You may want to check out the websites shown below which contain employment leads:
http://www.christianet.com/christianjobs/
http://www.webstergardenschurch.org/unemployment.html
http://www.rileyguide.com/support.html
http://www.supportworks.org/cat756.htm
Please comment in this blog if this information is helpful to you or someone you know. Thanks! Glyn
You may want to check out the websites shown below which contain employment leads:
http://www.christianet.com/christianjobs/
http://www.webstergardenschurch.org/unemployment.html
http://www.rileyguide.com/support.html
http://www.supportworks.org/cat756.htm
Please comment in this blog if this information is helpful to you or someone you know. Thanks! Glyn
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