Consider Being A Personal Virtual Assistant?

An article in The Dallas Morning News – January 15, 2012, edition on page 1J, “A Virtual Way to Assist Employer” by Christine Durst and Michael Haaren of Creator Syndicate answers a reader’s question about opening a home-based business.  The reader had 10 years experience as an administrative assistant.

Using the acronym PVA (personal virtual assistant), the writers suggests that executive level personnel typically have a great need for someone to handle many scheduling and personal tasks that executives often have.  Further, authors make the point that an independent contractor removes the requirements for payroll taxes and benefits that accrue to an organization’s employees. 

In addition our organizational culture seems to have removed “girl Fridays” from the workforce. Have you asked someone to pick-up your cleaning or bring you coffee lately?

Beginning in the 1990s, the PVA industry has its origin in countries including India, Philippines, and Australia.  However, the field is just beginning in the US.   

If you enjoy taking care of details and errands for others, I think that you might consider becoming a PVA.

Please share with readers of this blog your opinion about PVAs.

Thanks.

Glyn

Life’s Routines and Finding Employment

Recently I have been thinking about how our lives are replete with daily and weekly routines.  Do you have such routines that occupy your time?  

For example, on every Wednesday my wife and I go to North Dallas Shared Ministries (NDSM) where we volunteer our time to assist people in need.  Wednesday afternoon my wife attends a meeting of ladies in our condo who discuss various current events and share a drop of wine and some nibbles during their discussions.  Fridays are spent volunteering by my wife at NDSM and for me at SCORE.   Saturday includes breakfast at Angela’s.  The Sunday   schedule always includes church followed by lunch at the Corner Bakery, Fernando’s, and Houston’s.  My Mondays frequently included the grading of papers from my Thursday night class. Tuesdays typically includes lunch at the Black Eyed Pea.

As you can see, we are retired; however, I recall that days during my full-time work were also filled with routines.  So I am thinking that job seekers may have also become trapped in a nest of routines.  My concerned here is that staying with unsuccessful routines while not mentally challenging may not result in finding employment.  I have heard many people say that continuing to do the same thing again and again and expecting different results is one definition of insanity.

So what is my message?   I encourage all job seekers to review their weekly activities.  Change something!  There are numerous suggestions for job seekers contained in my blogs.  I suggest that you make a weekly schedule that includes measurable job seeking activities.  Each Monday or perhaps Sunday night, you should review the results of last week’s accomplishment and planning activities for the coming week.  

By developing a measurable work-plan, I think that you will greatly improve the possibility of becoming employed.  Do you have routines that may inhibit your ability to become employed?

Thanks, Glyn

New Year’s Day 2012

Do you consider New Year’s Day a time to start anew, or do you consider New Year’s Day simply a time to continue your existing path?

I suppose the answer to this question is that it depends.  If you are pleased with your life and want it to continue with perhaps only some minor course corrections, then you should continue as you are.  However, if 2011 has not been particularly kind to you, perhaps it is time to redefine your action program.

For individuals who are seeking employment or are unhappy with their present situation, New Year’s Day can be an opportune time to change the strategy used to obtain a satisfying employment and life. Here are my suggestions for you to use in developing a new strategy:

1.  Objectives - What – It is important that you clearly define your objectives for 2012.  Objectives should meet the SMART test - Specific, Measurable, Acceptable, Reasonable, and Time-Based.

2.  Strategy - How – Based on your defined objectives, you should develop strategies for achieving your objectives.

Developing a strategy without first establishing clear objectives is the same as choosing a means of transportation for taking a trip before deciding where you are going.  Here is an example that you might use as you develop your own strategy:

Objective:

Specific – A position in retail – sales or operations

Measurable – Hours per week in focused job search - 25 hours, Contacts per week - 5, interviews per week - 2, job offers - 3

Acceptable – Criteria for yourself, family, and others – relocation, shift         work, travel required

Reasonable – What were your previous earnings salary range for         position you are seeking

Time-Based – Typically you can expect one month search time for     each $10,000 per year target salary

Strategies:  This blog contains numerous ideas for identifying job opportunities and obtaining job offers including resume preparation, Internet searches, and interviewing skills.  I continue to recommend extensive use of networking among friends, family, job fairs, nonprofit organizations, previous work relationships as a proven strategy for becoming locating and landing a job.

These steps may seem like too much work; however, give them a try and measure your results.

Best wishes for a successful 2012!  Please share your job search successes with readers of this blog.

Thanks, Glyn

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