Hi well we are just about ready to close out another wonderful year of tremendous "change" and new and exciting possibilites. Merry Christmas to all
and a Happy Healthy and Prosperous New Year!
Here are some helpful interview hints......
See you in the New Year!!!! Happy Holidays!!!
Pam
Interview Tips
Interview Dos
Arrive on time or a few minutes early.
If presented with an application, fill it out neatly and completely. Don't attach your resume unless you're told to do so.
Greet the interviewer by last name if you are sure of the pronunciation. If not, ask the employer to repeat it.
Project energy and enthusiasm. Smile and shake hands firmly.
Wait until you're offered a chair before sitting. Sit upright, look alert and interested at all times.
Listen carefully and respond succinctly and articulately. Look the hiring manager in the eye while speaking.
Early in the meeting, try to get the interviewer to describe the job and the duties to you so you can focus your responses on your background, skills and accomplishments that relate to the position.
Be sincere and truthful while focusing on communicating your specific professional achievements that relate to the accounting or finance job opening.
Interview Don'ts
Don't answer with a simple "yes" or "no." Explain whenever possible.
If you don't understand a question - or need a moment to think about it - say so. Never pretend to know something or someone when you don't.
Don't rely on your application or resume to do the selling for you. Interviewers will want you to be convincing.
Don't make negative remarks about present or former employers. When explaining your reasons for leaving, communicate your rationale professionally.
Don't over-answer questions. If the interviewer steers the conversation into controversial - or even illegal - topics, try to do more listening than speaking. Keep your responses non-committal.
Don't inquire about salary, vacations, benefits, bonuses or retirement on the initial interview unless you are sure the employer is interested in hiring you. If the interviewer asks what salary you want, give a range based on your research of the job market, but indicate that you're more interested in the opportunity for continued learning and professional development than in a specific salary.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Friday, November 14, 2008
Happy Thanks Giving!! Gobble Gobble!!
Happy Thanksgiving !!!
Thank you - Your business is appreciated. Have a wonderful Holiday!
This year I am so Thankful for All my friends and Family and just wanted to say a special Thank you to you for all you do.
Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving and a Happy Holiday..
All the Best,
Pam
Jokes for The Turkeys.......................
A lady was picking through the frozen turkeys at the grocery store, but couldn't find one fresh enough for her family. She asked the stock boy, "Don't you have fresh turkeys?" The stock boy answered, "But they are all dead. Now how can I make them take a bath?"
What did the mama turkey say to her naughty son?
If your papa could see you now, he'd turn over in his gravy!
Asked to write a composition entitled, "What I'm thankful for on Thanksgiving,"
little Timothy wrote, "I am thankful that I'm not a turkey."
Have you finished off the first one?
Yeah!
Eaten it too?
Yeah!
What happened to the other one?
The other turkey is now reading our conversation, boss.
If a man wants to eat a turkey on Thanksgiving, what does a turkey want?
Ans- It simply wants to run away.
What did the turkeys sing on Thanksgiving Day?
Ans- God save the kin.
What did the turkey say to the man who tried to shoot it?
Ans- Liberty, Equality and Bad aim for all.
What will a turkey with a dramatic bent of mind say to another turkey on Thanksgiving morning?
Ans- To be or not to be roasted, that is the question.
The pro football team had just finished their daily practice session when a large turkey came strutting onto the field. While the players gazed in amazement, the turkey walked up to the head coach and demanded a tryout. Everyone stared in silence as the turkey caught pass after pass and ran right through the defensive line. When the turkey returned to the sidelines, the coach shouted, "You're terrific!!! Sign up for the season, and I'll see to it that you get a huge bonus." "Forget the bonus," the turkey said, "All I want to know is, does the season go past Thanksgiving Day?"
Thank you - Your business is appreciated. Have a wonderful Holiday!
This year I am so Thankful for All my friends and Family and just wanted to say a special Thank you to you for all you do.
Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving and a Happy Holiday..
All the Best,
Pam
Jokes for The Turkeys.......................
A lady was picking through the frozen turkeys at the grocery store, but couldn't find one fresh enough for her family. She asked the stock boy, "Don't you have fresh turkeys?" The stock boy answered, "But they are all dead. Now how can I make them take a bath?"
What did the mama turkey say to her naughty son?
If your papa could see you now, he'd turn over in his gravy!
Asked to write a composition entitled, "What I'm thankful for on Thanksgiving,"
little Timothy wrote, "I am thankful that I'm not a turkey."
Have you finished off the first one?
Yeah!
Eaten it too?
Yeah!
What happened to the other one?
The other turkey is now reading our conversation, boss.
If a man wants to eat a turkey on Thanksgiving, what does a turkey want?
Ans- It simply wants to run away.
What did the turkeys sing on Thanksgiving Day?
Ans- God save the kin.
What did the turkey say to the man who tried to shoot it?
Ans- Liberty, Equality and Bad aim for all.
What will a turkey with a dramatic bent of mind say to another turkey on Thanksgiving morning?
Ans- To be or not to be roasted, that is the question.
The pro football team had just finished their daily practice session when a large turkey came strutting onto the field. While the players gazed in amazement, the turkey walked up to the head coach and demanded a tryout. Everyone stared in silence as the turkey caught pass after pass and ran right through the defensive line. When the turkey returned to the sidelines, the coach shouted, "You're terrific!!! Sign up for the season, and I'll see to it that you get a huge bonus." "Forget the bonus," the turkey said, "All I want to know is, does the season go past Thanksgiving Day?"
Friday, November 7, 2008
How to find a job during a recession- from CNN
How to find a job during a recession
15 October 2008 3 views No Comment
Excellent CNN.com story for job-seekers in this economy to take notes:
If you are getting ready for a job search during troubled times, here are some tips from the experts.
1. Take a closer look at industry data
Research industries and job sectors that are experiencing worker shortages or still experiencing job growth. These are the areas where you may want to focus your search.
Don’t Miss
Eight industries needing bilingual workers
Time: What to say when someone loses their job
Help wanted: Must be comfortable around bombs
More CareerBuilder.com stories
CareerBuilder.com produces a quarterly job forecast that indicates hiring manager trends for the next few months, both regionally and across major sectors. The Bureau of Labor Statistics releases updated figures every month on occupational job growth.
For example, by looking at the BLS data, you will learn that health care, education, government, food services and drinking places, and IT categories have all gained jobs this year.
2. Freshen up your skills
“Don’t give an employer a reason to pass you over because you don’t know the basics,” states Diane Morgan, director of career services at London Business School. Morgan says everyone should know basic office skills like Microsoft PowerPoint and Excel. “Since these are skills you can teach yourself from the Internet or a library book, there are no excuses for not having them.”
Another alternative is CBInstitute.com, which offers easy-to-use online courses at all levels, including business etiquette, project management, foreign languages and typing. You can take courses at times that are convenient for you, so no matter how little time you have to invest, you can make it work. At the same time, the courses are affordable and reasonably priced.
Morgan also suggests brushing up your sales skills (persuasion, negotiating and influencing) even if you aren’t in the sales industry. You need to sell your best product, which is you, so make sure your personal pitch is relevant, timely and effective, she asserts.
3. Try part-time or freelance work
“Rather than one ‘job,’ think in terms of multiple positions. Breaking in [to a new job] may be easier if you aim for part-time work within a company,” advises Katy Piotrowski, career counselor and author of “The Career Coward’s Guides.” “Line up multiple part-time positions and you’ll benefit from more job security; if one position evaporates, you have the others to fall back on.”
Moreover, it will pad your résumé and your wallet.
Rachel Weingarten, author of “Career and Corporate Cool,” recommends job sharing or taking over for someone on maternity leave or during the holiday crunch.
“A lot of people don’t want to commit full-time skills to a part-time or temporary gig. In this economy though, it can allow you to not only try on a job for size, but to also improve your skills, impress a potential long-term employer and network like crazy with people in your chosen industry,” she says. “Instead of nervously waiting for the right full-time career, you can potentially make something better happen in the short term.”
4. Rev up your social networking
Gone are the days of peddling your résumé at anonymous networking events with watered-down drinks and goofy nametags. Now you can have countless opportunities with a few keystrokes and a couple of mouse clicks.
Sure you’ve received those requests to join LinkedIn and BrightFuse, and you certainly use Facebook daily. (Scrabble anyone?) But now is the time to really take of the network you’ve probably casually built over the years.
Networking is easier than in years past because of the easy access to your network and those of your friends and colleagues, Matuson declares. “Now you can go onto [social networking] sites and see who in your network knows someone at a company that you might be interested in working for. You can then ask them to make an introduction on your behalf.”
15 October 2008 3 views No Comment
Excellent CNN.com story for job-seekers in this economy to take notes:
If you are getting ready for a job search during troubled times, here are some tips from the experts.
1. Take a closer look at industry data
Research industries and job sectors that are experiencing worker shortages or still experiencing job growth. These are the areas where you may want to focus your search.
Don’t Miss
Eight industries needing bilingual workers
Time: What to say when someone loses their job
Help wanted: Must be comfortable around bombs
More CareerBuilder.com stories
CareerBuilder.com produces a quarterly job forecast that indicates hiring manager trends for the next few months, both regionally and across major sectors. The Bureau of Labor Statistics releases updated figures every month on occupational job growth.
For example, by looking at the BLS data, you will learn that health care, education, government, food services and drinking places, and IT categories have all gained jobs this year.
2. Freshen up your skills
“Don’t give an employer a reason to pass you over because you don’t know the basics,” states Diane Morgan, director of career services at London Business School. Morgan says everyone should know basic office skills like Microsoft PowerPoint and Excel. “Since these are skills you can teach yourself from the Internet or a library book, there are no excuses for not having them.”
Another alternative is CBInstitute.com, which offers easy-to-use online courses at all levels, including business etiquette, project management, foreign languages and typing. You can take courses at times that are convenient for you, so no matter how little time you have to invest, you can make it work. At the same time, the courses are affordable and reasonably priced.
Morgan also suggests brushing up your sales skills (persuasion, negotiating and influencing) even if you aren’t in the sales industry. You need to sell your best product, which is you, so make sure your personal pitch is relevant, timely and effective, she asserts.
3. Try part-time or freelance work
“Rather than one ‘job,’ think in terms of multiple positions. Breaking in [to a new job] may be easier if you aim for part-time work within a company,” advises Katy Piotrowski, career counselor and author of “The Career Coward’s Guides.” “Line up multiple part-time positions and you’ll benefit from more job security; if one position evaporates, you have the others to fall back on.”
Moreover, it will pad your résumé and your wallet.
Rachel Weingarten, author of “Career and Corporate Cool,” recommends job sharing or taking over for someone on maternity leave or during the holiday crunch.
“A lot of people don’t want to commit full-time skills to a part-time or temporary gig. In this economy though, it can allow you to not only try on a job for size, but to also improve your skills, impress a potential long-term employer and network like crazy with people in your chosen industry,” she says. “Instead of nervously waiting for the right full-time career, you can potentially make something better happen in the short term.”
4. Rev up your social networking
Gone are the days of peddling your résumé at anonymous networking events with watered-down drinks and goofy nametags. Now you can have countless opportunities with a few keystrokes and a couple of mouse clicks.
Sure you’ve received those requests to join LinkedIn and BrightFuse, and you certainly use Facebook daily. (Scrabble anyone?) But now is the time to really take of the network you’ve probably casually built over the years.
Networking is easier than in years past because of the easy access to your network and those of your friends and colleagues, Matuson declares. “Now you can go onto [social networking] sites and see who in your network knows someone at a company that you might be interested in working for. You can then ask them to make an introduction on your behalf.”
Monday, October 13, 2008
Interview preparation
The 30-Minute Interview Preparation
Is it enough?
Interview preparation is recognized as a critical part of the recruiting process, and recruiters acknowledge that they have responsibility for preparing a candidate for the interview. The question is: how much preparation is adequate and appropriate?
To learn more about the interview preparation process I posted the following questions on LinkedIn:
For candidates: Having worked with a recruiter, what was your experience with interview preparation?
For recruiters: As a recruiter, how much time do you spend in interview preparation with your candidates?
The response from candidates includes:
"What prep?"
"I think 95 candidates out of any 100 asked the same question would say, 'what preparation?"
"Content was just info. on people involved, a little on the business. Not really prepared to be honest."
"If I was a recruiter, I’d haul the person into my office and drill them. Or have extensive notes prepared for them."
The responses from the recruiters include:
"At least a solid half hour."
"I spend at least a half hour per interview prepping candidates."
" …which takes 30 - 45 mins in total."
"I am a firm believer that too much coaching and preparation brings on anxiety, and from experience, when the candidate is focusing too hard on everything you told them-they end up trying too hard during the interview."
"30 minutes and an in-depth email with all the details"
Summing up these responses, candidates don’t think they are getting adequate preparation from recruiters and recruiters think that thirty minutes is an adequate amount of time for interview preparation.
Many recruiters have the philosophy that a candidate should not be too prepped for an interview. They see interviews as a place where a candidate should perform spontaneously and reveal their "true" self. Their concern is that too much preparation will bias the interview, which would put the client is at risk of hiring an unqualified candidate that "just interviews well". I propose that this is an outdated and incorrect notion.
As I have written previously, the interview is a sales call. Can a sales person be too prepared for a sales call? The more the candidate knows about the company/position/hiring manager, the better they are prepared to answer questions and handle objections. The better they are prepared to proactively communicate why they are an excellent candidate, the better their chances of landing the job.
As excellent sales people, recruiters have a great deal to teach candidates about selling themselves in an interview. Let’s take just one example. Teaching a candidate the difference between selling themselves based on their potential benefit to the company instead of features (experience) would significantly improve their performance. Is knowing how to sell oneself based on benefits being too well prepared?
To avoid the risk of a bad hire, hiring managers are primarily looking to screen out rather than screen in candidates. Thus, more qualified candidates interview poorly and lose a job than bad candidates interview well and land an unwarranted job. The more recruiters can prepare their candidates, the greater the benefit for both the candidate and the client company. Next month I will suggest efficient ways of preparing candidates for interviews.
Eric Kelly
Is it enough?
Interview preparation is recognized as a critical part of the recruiting process, and recruiters acknowledge that they have responsibility for preparing a candidate for the interview. The question is: how much preparation is adequate and appropriate?
To learn more about the interview preparation process I posted the following questions on LinkedIn:
For candidates: Having worked with a recruiter, what was your experience with interview preparation?
For recruiters: As a recruiter, how much time do you spend in interview preparation with your candidates?
The response from candidates includes:
"What prep?"
"I think 95 candidates out of any 100 asked the same question would say, 'what preparation?"
"Content was just info. on people involved, a little on the business. Not really prepared to be honest."
"If I was a recruiter, I’d haul the person into my office and drill them. Or have extensive notes prepared for them."
The responses from the recruiters include:
"At least a solid half hour."
"I spend at least a half hour per interview prepping candidates."
" …which takes 30 - 45 mins in total."
"I am a firm believer that too much coaching and preparation brings on anxiety, and from experience, when the candidate is focusing too hard on everything you told them-they end up trying too hard during the interview."
"30 minutes and an in-depth email with all the details"
Summing up these responses, candidates don’t think they are getting adequate preparation from recruiters and recruiters think that thirty minutes is an adequate amount of time for interview preparation.
Many recruiters have the philosophy that a candidate should not be too prepped for an interview. They see interviews as a place where a candidate should perform spontaneously and reveal their "true" self. Their concern is that too much preparation will bias the interview, which would put the client is at risk of hiring an unqualified candidate that "just interviews well". I propose that this is an outdated and incorrect notion.
As I have written previously, the interview is a sales call. Can a sales person be too prepared for a sales call? The more the candidate knows about the company/position/hiring manager, the better they are prepared to answer questions and handle objections. The better they are prepared to proactively communicate why they are an excellent candidate, the better their chances of landing the job.
As excellent sales people, recruiters have a great deal to teach candidates about selling themselves in an interview. Let’s take just one example. Teaching a candidate the difference between selling themselves based on their potential benefit to the company instead of features (experience) would significantly improve their performance. Is knowing how to sell oneself based on benefits being too well prepared?
To avoid the risk of a bad hire, hiring managers are primarily looking to screen out rather than screen in candidates. Thus, more qualified candidates interview poorly and lose a job than bad candidates interview well and land an unwarranted job. The more recruiters can prepare their candidates, the greater the benefit for both the candidate and the client company. Next month I will suggest efficient ways of preparing candidates for interviews.
Eric Kelly
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Yearning for the Authentic ! It Pays to be Authentic
Yearning for the Authentic
Throughout human history, there has never been a shortage of men and women willing to point humanity along the right path. Nor have the needs of the human family ever been a secret: food, shelter, purposeful work, companionship, freedom, forgiveness, acceptance, and love. In every age, there is an abundance of people who are able to articulate the truth of these matters and announce their social implications particular to that time. These people stand at the crossroads and point humanity down a path they have never traveled themselves. In our own age, there is certainly no shortage of books, tapes, courses, radio shows, seminars, retreats, and television programs - all of which speak to these needs in various ways.
But amidst this abundance, there is a great poverty. It seems in every place and in every time, the shortage is always of men and women willing to lead humanity along the right path with the example of their own lives. In each moment of history, authentic lives are ever so rare.
Appearance vs. The Authentic
Our own age seems to be governed by illusion and deception. We have built a whole culture based on appearance. Everything looks good, but scratch just below the surface, and you will discover little substance. Appearance has become a standard. We have grown so numb to the realities of good and evil that lying and cheating have become almost universally accepted as necessary evils. So we tolerate them, as long as they are performed in the dim light of "respectability." Occasionally, in the midst of this cultural darkness, the great light of the human spirit shines forth with honesty and integrity. At those times we seem surprised, even taken off-guard. Honesty, loyalty, and integrity seem almost out of place in the modern schema.
But beneath the surface, under the guise of appearances, this age like any other is made up of people like you and me. And if you listen carefully, if you look closely, you will discover that the people are hungry. Created to love and be loved, we feel a restlessness, a longing for more, a profound discontent with our lives and with our culture. Our hunger is not for appearances, but for something of substance. We are hungry for truth. The people of today are starving for the authentic, thirsting for the tiniest droplet of sincerity, aching to experience the genuine.
By Matt Kelly
Throughout human history, there has never been a shortage of men and women willing to point humanity along the right path. Nor have the needs of the human family ever been a secret: food, shelter, purposeful work, companionship, freedom, forgiveness, acceptance, and love. In every age, there is an abundance of people who are able to articulate the truth of these matters and announce their social implications particular to that time. These people stand at the crossroads and point humanity down a path they have never traveled themselves. In our own age, there is certainly no shortage of books, tapes, courses, radio shows, seminars, retreats, and television programs - all of which speak to these needs in various ways.
But amidst this abundance, there is a great poverty. It seems in every place and in every time, the shortage is always of men and women willing to lead humanity along the right path with the example of their own lives. In each moment of history, authentic lives are ever so rare.
Appearance vs. The Authentic
Our own age seems to be governed by illusion and deception. We have built a whole culture based on appearance. Everything looks good, but scratch just below the surface, and you will discover little substance. Appearance has become a standard. We have grown so numb to the realities of good and evil that lying and cheating have become almost universally accepted as necessary evils. So we tolerate them, as long as they are performed in the dim light of "respectability." Occasionally, in the midst of this cultural darkness, the great light of the human spirit shines forth with honesty and integrity. At those times we seem surprised, even taken off-guard. Honesty, loyalty, and integrity seem almost out of place in the modern schema.
But beneath the surface, under the guise of appearances, this age like any other is made up of people like you and me. And if you listen carefully, if you look closely, you will discover that the people are hungry. Created to love and be loved, we feel a restlessness, a longing for more, a profound discontent with our lives and with our culture. Our hunger is not for appearances, but for something of substance. We are hungry for truth. The people of today are starving for the authentic, thirsting for the tiniest droplet of sincerity, aching to experience the genuine.
By Matt Kelly
Monday, September 29, 2008
Getting a job in a slow economy can be a tough task
Getting a job in a slow economy can be a tough task. Though there are jobs out there to be found, it can be tough competition and you need to be prepared. Here are some tips on how to find job opening and do your best to get the job.
SEARCH FOR THE JOB: First you need to know what you are good at. If you have a degree, then you already know what field you are looking to land a job in. If you do not have a degree, you need to make a list of things you can do and have experience with, then start searching for those types of jobs. Start by searching for a job in the local newspapers and online at job websites. Go to your local job and family services office and let them know your job qualifications and experience. Get a list of any job fairs coming up that you can attend. Let them know your contact information and what type of jobs you are looking for and interested in so that they can contact you whenever they have those types of jobs come available. Also, network with family, friends, and past co-workers. Always ask them if they have heard of any new jobs that you could qualify for and ask them to keep you updated on any new jobs that they hear of.
PREPARE: Once you have found a job to apply for you want to be prepared. Have a well written cover letter and resume prepared to hand out any where at any time. Search online for "sample" cover letters and resumes if you are starting from scratch and don't know where to begin. You can find some very good templates by searching for "sample resume" or "sample cover letter". Make sure your cover letter and resume are top quality. Once you have typed them up take them to the job and family services office and have someone proof read them and let you know what you can change to improve their quality.
INTERVIEW SKILLS: Again the job and family services office in your area is a good place to see about classes they offer or if they know of any that you can take to learn interview skills. You can also look online for questions frequently asked in interviews and practice answering those questions in a mirror or with another person. An interview is somewhat like taking a test, the more practice the better you are at acing it.
SEARCH FOR THE JOB: First you need to know what you are good at. If you have a degree, then you already know what field you are looking to land a job in. If you do not have a degree, you need to make a list of things you can do and have experience with, then start searching for those types of jobs. Start by searching for a job in the local newspapers and online at job websites. Go to your local job and family services office and let them know your job qualifications and experience. Get a list of any job fairs coming up that you can attend. Let them know your contact information and what type of jobs you are looking for and interested in so that they can contact you whenever they have those types of jobs come available. Also, network with family, friends, and past co-workers. Always ask them if they have heard of any new jobs that you could qualify for and ask them to keep you updated on any new jobs that they hear of.
PREPARE: Once you have found a job to apply for you want to be prepared. Have a well written cover letter and resume prepared to hand out any where at any time. Search online for "sample" cover letters and resumes if you are starting from scratch and don't know where to begin. You can find some very good templates by searching for "sample resume" or "sample cover letter". Make sure your cover letter and resume are top quality. Once you have typed them up take them to the job and family services office and have someone proof read them and let you know what you can change to improve their quality.
INTERVIEW SKILLS: Again the job and family services office in your area is a good place to see about classes they offer or if they know of any that you can take to learn interview skills. You can also look online for questions frequently asked in interviews and practice answering those questions in a mirror or with another person. An interview is somewhat like taking a test, the more practice the better you are at acing it.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Never Give Up! The Best is Yet To Come!!
With all the wonderful things! to consider! now is not the time to give up but to press on! Kind of like the Frank Sinata Song the Best is Yet To Come!
Monday, September 22, 2008
How to Remain Active and Positive during Unemployment
By Enlightened1
It can often be disheartening being out of work, and the drudge of searching for a new position may be tedious and somewhat depressing, especially if this process stretches on over a series of months. While these down times may not be altogether unavoidable, they can be lessened. Stay active and stay sane.
Step1 Organize. Keeping your job search results and the positions you apply to neatly filed, along with information on the companies or organizations researched, will not only help to maintain focus but will serve as a reminder when those calls start coming in later. It will also be a way of keeping track of your activities. This way at least, you’ll be able to see the day’s productivity.
Step2 Attitude determines action. Try to maintain an upbeat attitude. While your primary focus should be your job search, don’t ignore the urge you may have to take a break intermittently. This will help in maintaining morale and you can return to your search refreshed.
Step3 Learn a new skill. There may be new skills that can distinguish you from other candidates in the workplace. Now is the time to sharpen those job skills or even learn new ones which may further your career or open other opportunities.
It can often be disheartening being out of work, and the drudge of searching for a new position may be tedious and somewhat depressing, especially if this process stretches on over a series of months. While these down times may not be altogether unavoidable, they can be lessened. Stay active and stay sane.
Step1 Organize. Keeping your job search results and the positions you apply to neatly filed, along with information on the companies or organizations researched, will not only help to maintain focus but will serve as a reminder when those calls start coming in later. It will also be a way of keeping track of your activities. This way at least, you’ll be able to see the day’s productivity.
Step2 Attitude determines action. Try to maintain an upbeat attitude. While your primary focus should be your job search, don’t ignore the urge you may have to take a break intermittently. This will help in maintaining morale and you can return to your search refreshed.
Step3 Learn a new skill. There may be new skills that can distinguish you from other candidates in the workplace. Now is the time to sharpen those job skills or even learn new ones which may further your career or open other opportunities.
Friday, September 19, 2008
Don't Worry Be Happy!
Here's a little song I wrote
You might want to sing it note for note
Don't worry, be happy
In every life we have some trouble
But when you worry you make it double
Don't worry, be happy
Don't worry, be happy now
Don't worry, be happy Don't worry, be happy
Don't worry, be happy Don't worry, be happy
Ain't got no place to lay your head
Somebody came and took your bed
Don't worry, be happy
The landlord say your rent is late
He may have to litigate
Don't worry, be happy
Don't worry, be happy
Don't worry, be happy, Don't worry, be happy
Don't worry, be happy, Don't worry, be happy
You might want to sing it note for note
Don't worry, be happy
In every life we have some trouble
But when you worry you make it double
Don't worry, be happy
Don't worry, be happy now
Don't worry, be happy Don't worry, be happy
Don't worry, be happy Don't worry, be happy
Ain't got no place to lay your head
Somebody came and took your bed
Don't worry, be happy
The landlord say your rent is late
He may have to litigate
Don't worry, be happy
Don't worry, be happy
Don't worry, be happy, Don't worry, be happy
Don't worry, be happy, Don't worry, be happy
Monday, July 28, 2008
A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject.
A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject.
- Winston Churchill
I guess I am a fanatic about recruiting, training and being prepared. After thousands of interviews with potential candidates what I notice is
that the candidates needs to try become a fanatic about researching the dream job and become a student of the company and the value they can add to the potential firm.
It is my job as an employer, recruiter to tell the story about the company and sell the candidate. My biggest advice is ask yourself a question before each job interview? How can I set myself apart from the other candidates? what will it take for me to be successful. Alot of candidates are interviewing me at the same time. So I try to share as much information about the position as I possibly can.
It is ok to be a fanatic about something that means alot to you.
- Winston Churchill
I guess I am a fanatic about recruiting, training and being prepared. After thousands of interviews with potential candidates what I notice is
that the candidates needs to try become a fanatic about researching the dream job and become a student of the company and the value they can add to the potential firm.
It is my job as an employer, recruiter to tell the story about the company and sell the candidate. My biggest advice is ask yourself a question before each job interview? How can I set myself apart from the other candidates? what will it take for me to be successful. Alot of candidates are interviewing me at the same time. So I try to share as much information about the position as I possibly can.
It is ok to be a fanatic about something that means alot to you.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Fly Like an Eagle!!!!!!! Add your References to your Resume
I want to fly like an Eagle let your spirit carry me. In these wonderful days of summer we are taking time to reflect about our career decisions and the economy and our search for "new" ventures, "new" friendships, and "new" ideas.
How to Identify, Present & Leverage Your References
To Land the Job You Want
References are one part of the job search process over which you have complete control. Why, then, don’t we spend as much time and effort compiling our references as we do our resumes? Solid references can make that critical final difference, so it’s important to line up references who will help you seal the deal. Here’s how to get the most from your references:
Create a professional references document.
Prepare a separate document listing three to five references, being sure to include their name, title, company name, company address and work phone number. In parenthesis you may indicate your relationship (for example, supervisor, peer, internal client). Include your own contact information at the top of your Professional References document the same way you do at the top of your resume. Don’t send it with your resume unless specifically asked to do so by the employer—but do take a copy to your interview.
Assume references will be checked.
Most companies do check references these days, so you need to choose the right contacts—those who think positively about your work and who are easy for prospective employers to reach. Use only business or professional references unless an employer asks for personal or character references. Include at least one current or former superior, one peer and one subordinate. Clients, customers or others familiar with your work can also serve as credible references.
Ask permission.
Make certain the references you choose remember you and are comfortable speaking on your behalf. Be sure you have their correct contact information. Discuss your job goals with them. Refresh their memories of your qualifications and instances when you demonstrated skills the employer desires. Give each a copy of your resume so they have something to refer to when contacted by an employer.
Choose appropriately.
Someone who can vouch for your technical abilities may not be the best person to speak about your managerial skills. Try to select references based on the requirements of the job you are seeking.
Be courteous.
If you’re conducting an active job search, rotate your references so that the same two or three people won’t be contacted by every prospective employer. As another courtesy, you might ask them to write a recommendation letter (or draft one yourself for their review and signature). Many times this will meet the need and may help reduce the number of calls.
Stay in touch.
Ask your references to let you know if someone contacts them for information about you, be sure to let them know when you land a job, and don’t forget to thank them for their help.
Your resume should include a statement that “References are available upon request.” It’s a good idea to take the time early on to identify your references and develop your Professional References document. Having people on your side who are well-spoken, accomplished and know the quality of your work is a real plus during your job search, and can help keep your career in gear!
How to Identify, Present & Leverage Your References
To Land the Job You Want
References are one part of the job search process over which you have complete control. Why, then, don’t we spend as much time and effort compiling our references as we do our resumes? Solid references can make that critical final difference, so it’s important to line up references who will help you seal the deal. Here’s how to get the most from your references:
Create a professional references document.
Prepare a separate document listing three to five references, being sure to include their name, title, company name, company address and work phone number. In parenthesis you may indicate your relationship (for example, supervisor, peer, internal client). Include your own contact information at the top of your Professional References document the same way you do at the top of your resume. Don’t send it with your resume unless specifically asked to do so by the employer—but do take a copy to your interview.
Assume references will be checked.
Most companies do check references these days, so you need to choose the right contacts—those who think positively about your work and who are easy for prospective employers to reach. Use only business or professional references unless an employer asks for personal or character references. Include at least one current or former superior, one peer and one subordinate. Clients, customers or others familiar with your work can also serve as credible references.
Ask permission.
Make certain the references you choose remember you and are comfortable speaking on your behalf. Be sure you have their correct contact information. Discuss your job goals with them. Refresh their memories of your qualifications and instances when you demonstrated skills the employer desires. Give each a copy of your resume so they have something to refer to when contacted by an employer.
Choose appropriately.
Someone who can vouch for your technical abilities may not be the best person to speak about your managerial skills. Try to select references based on the requirements of the job you are seeking.
Be courteous.
If you’re conducting an active job search, rotate your references so that the same two or three people won’t be contacted by every prospective employer. As another courtesy, you might ask them to write a recommendation letter (or draft one yourself for their review and signature). Many times this will meet the need and may help reduce the number of calls.
Stay in touch.
Ask your references to let you know if someone contacts them for information about you, be sure to let them know when you land a job, and don’t forget to thank them for their help.
Your resume should include a statement that “References are available upon request.” It’s a good idea to take the time early on to identify your references and develop your Professional References document. Having people on your side who are well-spoken, accomplished and know the quality of your work is a real plus during your job search, and can help keep your career in gear!
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Do you have a job that’s just like everyone else’s? Are you looking for a nine-to-five…but wish you weren’t?
I thought this was a really good article to share:
Do you have a job that’s just like everyone else’s? Are you looking for a nine-to-five…but wish you weren’t? Do you wish there was another option, one that would lead to an exciting, unique, and fulfilling line of work? I recently interviewed more than 100 people who currently hold their dream jobs as research for a new book called How’d You Score That Gig?. These individuals, who are travel journalists, event planners, fashion designers, forensic scientists, interior decorators, internet business owners and more, have one thing in common – persistence.
As unattainable as a dream job might sound, with the right amount of forethought and preparation, you can make the move as well. Here are six tips to get you started:
1) Learn about yourself. Take time to do a self-assessment of your values, how you like to work, and what you’d be compelled to do even if you never got paid. Research careers and industries that map to your skills and interests. Hit the Internet, set up informational interviews, take relevant coursework, and arrange to go onsite at a company in your chosen field.
2) Don’t be deterred by a lack of experience. In developing a resume and other promotional materials for the field you want to pursue, think about how your current skills and talents apply to the responsibilities you’ll hold in the new job. For example, knowledge of project management, client relations, information technology, and sales will take you far in most types of careers.
3) Ease into a new career one foot at a time. Perhaps this means earning a paycheck at your current job while doing a part-time internship in your new field or taking an adult education class or workshop on the weekend. The only way to find out if you’re passionate about something is to try it – ideally with as little risk as you can manage.
4) Remember that any progress is good progress. Even confident people stay in unsatisfying jobs because they feel safe, and because they’re afraid of making a bad decision. But in the quest to uncover a source of meaningful work, though, your worst enemy is inertia. Make an effort to do one thing, like e-mailing a networking contact or attending an event – that moves you a bit closer to your big picture goal.
5) Start early. Twenty and thirty-something’s have more flexibility when it comes to test-driving different careers. The process of self-discovery is much easier when you’re unencumbered by family responsibilities and substantial financial burdens, and when you haven’t yet reached a level in a career where it’s tougher to turn back. That said, it’s never too late to pursue your passion. More and more baby boomers are leaving the world of traditional employment for alternative career paths that will fulfill them well into retirement age.
6) Have realistic expectations. Even if you’re lucky enough to hold your dream job, there’s no such thing as the perfect work situation. Every job has its ups and downs, and aspects we love and aspects we don’t love. And dream job doesn’t mean “cushy” job. As your mom always told you, anything worth having in this world requires some effort. There will be some days you feel like shutting the alarm off and going back to sleep, but many more where you feel more energized by the prospect of work than you ever thought possible!
Alexandra Levit is the author of How’d You Score That Gig: A Guide to the Coolest Careers - and How To Get Them . She speaks at corporations, universities, and conferences around the country about workplace issues facing young employees, and her career advice has been featured in more than 800 media outlets including the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, the Associated Press, ABC News, and National Public Radio.
Do you have a job that’s just like everyone else’s? Are you looking for a nine-to-five…but wish you weren’t? Do you wish there was another option, one that would lead to an exciting, unique, and fulfilling line of work? I recently interviewed more than 100 people who currently hold their dream jobs as research for a new book called How’d You Score That Gig?. These individuals, who are travel journalists, event planners, fashion designers, forensic scientists, interior decorators, internet business owners and more, have one thing in common – persistence.
As unattainable as a dream job might sound, with the right amount of forethought and preparation, you can make the move as well. Here are six tips to get you started:
1) Learn about yourself. Take time to do a self-assessment of your values, how you like to work, and what you’d be compelled to do even if you never got paid. Research careers and industries that map to your skills and interests. Hit the Internet, set up informational interviews, take relevant coursework, and arrange to go onsite at a company in your chosen field.
2) Don’t be deterred by a lack of experience. In developing a resume and other promotional materials for the field you want to pursue, think about how your current skills and talents apply to the responsibilities you’ll hold in the new job. For example, knowledge of project management, client relations, information technology, and sales will take you far in most types of careers.
3) Ease into a new career one foot at a time. Perhaps this means earning a paycheck at your current job while doing a part-time internship in your new field or taking an adult education class or workshop on the weekend. The only way to find out if you’re passionate about something is to try it – ideally with as little risk as you can manage.
4) Remember that any progress is good progress. Even confident people stay in unsatisfying jobs because they feel safe, and because they’re afraid of making a bad decision. But in the quest to uncover a source of meaningful work, though, your worst enemy is inertia. Make an effort to do one thing, like e-mailing a networking contact or attending an event – that moves you a bit closer to your big picture goal.
5) Start early. Twenty and thirty-something’s have more flexibility when it comes to test-driving different careers. The process of self-discovery is much easier when you’re unencumbered by family responsibilities and substantial financial burdens, and when you haven’t yet reached a level in a career where it’s tougher to turn back. That said, it’s never too late to pursue your passion. More and more baby boomers are leaving the world of traditional employment for alternative career paths that will fulfill them well into retirement age.
6) Have realistic expectations. Even if you’re lucky enough to hold your dream job, there’s no such thing as the perfect work situation. Every job has its ups and downs, and aspects we love and aspects we don’t love. And dream job doesn’t mean “cushy” job. As your mom always told you, anything worth having in this world requires some effort. There will be some days you feel like shutting the alarm off and going back to sleep, but many more where you feel more energized by the prospect of work than you ever thought possible!
Alexandra Levit is the author of How’d You Score That Gig: A Guide to the Coolest Careers - and How To Get Them . She speaks at corporations, universities, and conferences around the country about workplace issues facing young employees, and her career advice has been featured in more than 800 media outlets including the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, the Associated Press, ABC News, and National Public Radio.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Blazing New Territory!!
Here are some quick time-saving job search tips that will help your hunt for a new job go smoothly.
Be Prepared. Have a telephone answering machine or voice mail system in place and sign-up for a professional sounding email address. Put your cell phone number on your resume so you can follow up in a timely manner.
Be More Than Prepared. Always have an up-to-date resume ready to send - even if you are not currently looking for work. You never know when an opportunity that is too good to pass up might come along. Have a supply of good quality resume paper, envelopes and stamps on hand.
Don't Wait. If you are laid-off, file for unemployment benefits right away. You may be able to file online or by phone. Waiting could delay your benefits check.
Get Help. Utilize free or inexpensive services that provide career counseling and job search assistance such as college career offices, state Department of Labor offices or your local public library
Be Prepared. Have a telephone answering machine or voice mail system in place and sign-up for a professional sounding email address. Put your cell phone number on your resume so you can follow up in a timely manner.
Be More Than Prepared. Always have an up-to-date resume ready to send - even if you are not currently looking for work. You never know when an opportunity that is too good to pass up might come along. Have a supply of good quality resume paper, envelopes and stamps on hand.
Don't Wait. If you are laid-off, file for unemployment benefits right away. You may be able to file online or by phone. Waiting could delay your benefits check.
Get Help. Utilize free or inexpensive services that provide career counseling and job search assistance such as college career offices, state Department of Labor offices or your local public library
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Another Rainy Monday!
Hi - just wanted to touch base this week . Another Rainy Monday! and while the clouds are still out and it is wet and dreary keeping a positive attitude can really make a difference. I am thankful for the rain because afterall we do need water and our bodies are made up of water. So , this brings up a good point. It is important that we get lots of Water! well maybe, but that we also, remember to feed our minds with positive things so that we can prepare for the search for the right career, the direction our lives are taking. Maybe, Another Rainy Monday isn't bad afterall. So we can just look at the sunshine in Bermuda
and thank God for Another Rainy Monday!!!!!!! :)
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Time for a Fresh Start!!!!!!!!!!!
Happy New Year! Changes are coming and you have to be ready to
go with the flow in your search for new employment. As a business owner,
companies are always thinking about the bottom line and how your performance level effects the business. To add value to your search for a
new career ask yourself three important questions,
1. How do I effect the bottom line what value do I bring to the company interviewing with?
2. How can I make a difference in the year to come at thecompany I select
in adding value to the firm?
3. How can I relate the added value I bring to firm by my everyday communication.
Perhaps, in answering some of those questions you will be able to rise
above the average candidate taking a look at new opportunities.
Happy New Year! and You Remember your Value to your firm!
If you are "not" bringing a value add to your company perhaps it is time to find a "new" company to bring value to?
go with the flow in your search for new employment. As a business owner,
companies are always thinking about the bottom line and how your performance level effects the business. To add value to your search for a
new career ask yourself three important questions,
1. How do I effect the bottom line what value do I bring to the company interviewing with?
2. How can I make a difference in the year to come at thecompany I select
in adding value to the firm?
3. How can I relate the added value I bring to firm by my everyday communication.
Perhaps, in answering some of those questions you will be able to rise
above the average candidate taking a look at new opportunities.
Happy New Year! and You Remember your Value to your firm!
If you are "not" bringing a value add to your company perhaps it is time to find a "new" company to bring value to?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)