How To Decrease Your Chances Of Getting Laid Off

Many people are struggling these days. The economy has been in the pits for a long time, and unemployment is high. Most people who are employed aren’t really making what they are worth. And many other people have simply stopped looking for work, and have started receiving benefits from the government. Once you get laid off from your job, it can be tough to get back on your feet. Especially if you don’t see it coming. One day you think everything is fine, and then next thing you know you’ve got no job. But the truth is that by being proactive, you can take measure to keep this from happening. In this article, you’ll learn just what to do.

The first thing to realize is that you’ve got to take a two prolonged approach. One is to do what you can now to help you find a job should the worst happen. There are several steps you can do. Another is to make every effort to not be the one who gets laid off. There are steps you can do for this as well. Most people simply show up every day, do their job, and then go home. You’ve got to take it one step further.

First of all, you should always be looking around at what’s out there. Always keep an updated resume, and always be sending a couple out every week or so. This can be a great way to see what you’re really worth, as well as make some valuable contacts.

Another thing to protect yourself is to increase your skills. Always be learning new things. This can help two ways. One is that it will keep you valuable on your current job. Another thing it will do is to make you more marketable. So you should do whatever it takes to keep your skills sharp. Take seminars, read books, take classes at night, whatever you can do.

Be proactive in your current job. Ask your boss how you can do your job better. Volunteer to do other things you aren’t trained for. Let your boss know you can count on him or her when the time comes. Never turn down a request for extra work. When the time comes to lay people off, they lay off those that are least productive, and who contribute least to the bottom line. Make sure you are important and necessary to the company.

These steps will help you out quite a bit when it comes to protecting your source of income. Keep building your contacts and your skills, and you should do fine.

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MAKING THE MOST OF A JOB FAIR

A job fair is a forum where employers gather for a demanding day of recruiting. As a job seeker you there maybe 10 to 100 plus employers who have exhibit recruiting areas. (There maybe some companies that hold their own on-site recruiting events.) As a jobseeker you must take in account that employers invest an abundant amount of time and money in job fairs and career days,  which they take very seriously. Some companies may occasionally use these events for public relations and image-building purposes than for actual hiring, most of them collect resumes in the hopes of finding good candidates for current or future positions. (And yes, they do look at the resumes.) Your main goal at a job fair is to get noticed as a viable candidate, and to get your resume into employers’ files of ‘strong prospects’ – the first to be considered for jobs as they become available. Job fairs provide a unique chance for you to meet employer in person,  as employers use job fairs as a forum to meet you in person before the process of an  application and interview.  And chemistry definitely counst. This is where you having strong networking skills – and an ‘elevator speech’ – come in handy . At an event such as a job fair,  which will be very busy, you’ll  only have one to two minutes to make an impression to a potential employer. You must be able to convey a brief outline of your qualifications in a personable, professional and concise manner. Don’t make the assumption that a job fairs is a passive recruiting activity. Although job fairs provide a great environment to explore career options, each encounter with an employer is an active, ‘real’ interview. Whether you are interviewed on the spot or asked to return later for a scheduled meeting, take the process seriously. Dress professionally, bring plenty of resumes, and don’t forget a notebook or clipboard to write down contacts, phone numbers and other notes to reference after the event. Always prepare for job fairs by finding out what companies will be represented and, if possible, learning something in advance about those firms you are most interested in. To get the most out of the day, arrive early, visit all the employers represented, and talk to each recruiter. Even if you don’t feel you’d be interested in working for a particular company, talk to the recruiter anyway. Use the opportunity to discuss the kind of position and organization you are looking for, with the hope that the recruiter might be able to offer a referral or some useful suggestions. You never know who knows whom or what opportunities may present themselves through a ‘master networking event’ like a job fair. So ask plenty of questions – you’ll rarely find a better opportunity to gather so much information in one place at one time.

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Tips To Be A Superior Resume Writer

When someone loses a job, there are a lot of challenges that lie in the future. There are many tools needed to win a new position, and one of the most paramount is an effectively written, attention-getting resume. It is hard to be a good resume writer. Lots of things resume instructors taught a decade ago are frowned on now, and vice versa. One should not shoot oneself in the foot by using an insufficient resume.

There are several things a resume should NOT do:

* Be boring, or a “carbon copy” of thousands of other resumes

* Be negative

* Highlight education and job experience without including accomplishments

* Explain skills which are not needed for the role in question

* Discuss the applicant’s interests, hobbies, or personal life

* List references, or say “references furnished upon request”

* Be greater than two pages

* Not be proofread

Many resumes look exactly the same. They furnish the applicant’s name, address, and phone number. Then, they touch on “seeking to obtain experience,” “I do not have experience but am prepared to learn,” or other such negative statements. Then, they specify the applicant’s education and every single job the job seeker has ever had. They mention a few skills which may, or may not, have anything to do with the job in question and wrap up with an extensive list of the candidate’s own personal interests and hobbies. This presents the recruiter with three or more pages of fluff that is quite often completely immaterial to the job in question. The recruiter could not care less if the applicant collects coins. The recruiter wants to know “can this individual work with us within our company culture and help us make a profit?” The recruiter also knows that job applicants will supply references when requested, so there is no need for detailing them on the resume. Also, if job seekers point out that they are detail-oriented and have many spelling or grammar mistakes, they have taken themselves from consideration immediately.

Here is what a resume SHOULD do:

* List a core set of talents important to the job in question

* Be positive. The applicant is the hero

* Highlight value-add talents as they will help the company

* Show a list of achievements from work experience and the job applicant’s education

* Be to the point and limited to two pages.

* Include no errors

The applicant should promote him or herself with the resume, illustrating to the recruiter how the job seeker will benefit the company. If the candidate merited rewards for performance, dedication, or other work related topics, the resume should state that. If the applicant was acknowledged for teamwork and ability to meet deadlines, the resume should cover that, as well. The resume should only relate skills essential to the job in question. Employment help centers keep a standardized list of skills for many jobs. Pick their brains to get the needed text. They are there to aid with finding employment. Thin the skills down to groupings that are no more than two lines long each and therefore easily grasped. Present the skills in bullet form. The work experience and education should be very brief and merely highlight the facts. As top resume writers know, the applicant should make absolutely sure there are no errors. EVERYONE says he or she is detail oriented. Those who show it will definitely succeed.

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Career Advice On Changing Your Career After Redundancy

Redundancy can definitely knock off confidence; however do not let it stop you from getting another job. In fact, this can be a good opportunity for you to look for a better career. Changing career after redundancy cannot be too hard by not letting the negatives delay your progress. If you are one of the people who are declared as redundant, do not assume that it is your fault.

Listed below are useful advices from professional career advisers, which you can get ideas on how to move on, in terms of changing career after redundancy.

Inform and connect with network – Your network can be composed of your old colleagues, former co-workers, people you meet from seminars, clubs and religious organizations, commercial contacts, self-employed individuals who may potentially teach you on starting a business, and even your previous employers. Your best plan could be telling your colleagues and friends about your job hunting. Surely, you will have a positive feedback from the people who have been well acquainted of your potential value. If you have been redundant due to some changes in the company, your previous employer may refer you to another job, which can also be a match to your skills and experiences.

Update your contacts – Aside from your previous contacts, give yourself a break and meet new people. Among the many people you can meet in a vacation or petty business meetings, you can meet some potential employers or good people who can give you some job ideas. Do not forget to save their contact numbers and emails and keep in touch, however do not be too pushy on your interest to change career after redundancy. 

Sort out your finances – Before you run out of cash while looking for good opportunities, settle your debts, ongoing bills, and many other liabilities. Allocate a little money for your savings and budget your disposable income just good enough to save you until you get a new job or support you in case you decide to train.

Get training or consider re-training – You can take your redundancy as a good opportunity to attend a training that will advance you to changing your career. Using a little money from your savings or if you have received a payout from your redundancy, use it to join workshops and seminars or enroll into a new course or classes that will enhance your skills and experience to be able to reach a higher level. Once you finish your training, you have a higher chance of landing a job that is better than your previous job.

Expand your horizon – Do not allow yourself to get stuck into the situation. Move on and settle for a new job, for instance you may want to work abroad or venture another field of interest, which you know you can be happier. You can work in a new company, which can be farther or nearer to your place, assume bigger responsibilities and earn a bigger pay, and surpass whatever accomplishments you have had with your previous work.  Raise yourself to the top and give room for yourself for improvement and be recognized.
 

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Tips On Finding Yourself A Better Career In A Demanding Job Market

Finding a better job today is tough, considering the fact that the job market is getting more demanding and the number of potential applicants is also increasing. However, if you are not satisfied with your current job anymore or if you want a shift in career for the better, do not be afraid to try and get the job you deserve.

Listed below are some positive actions that you can take in order to find a new career in a demanding job market.

Be smarter and faster – In opting for a new job; do not forget to update your resume by including samples of your previous work and appraising your skills, experience, and other achievements. Attend one networking activity in a week, rather than once a month and make more phone calls a day to potential networking contact, rather than not making an effort at all. As soon as you find a better opportunity, send your resume right away, return calls if ever you receive some, and send a thank you email for every job opportunity while also stating that you are willing to attend for an interview.

Get out from the box and try new strategies – Seek for greater opportunities and challenge yourself in applying for a job in larger cities or go out of town to attend seminars, workshops, and other networking activities in a totally new industry. Instead of mingling with the same people every day, join some new circles and welcome changes. Try to search for jobs from sources that you have not tried, such as newspapers, job boards, magazines, and many more. If you have gotten used to working in small companies, level up by applying trying to move to bigger corporations, or vice versa.

Avoid sounding too desperate – Look for some ways in which you can gain extra money. At some point, you should understand that looking for a job may take time and you would not be in the best frame of mind to find a better career if you are so stressed out about paying your monthly bills and other liabilities. Employers would also sense if you are only applying for a job to make a living or applying because you can make a big difference. Try some freelancing jobs and get self-employed or do some part-time jobs like working as a tutor.

Move to a city with jobs – If you have been thinking about relocating, move to a city with greater job opportunities. Your chance of getting a better career is always higher when you live in a city. In contrast with the jobs in rural areas, the monthly job wage big cities are also higher.

Help other people – One of the best ways to earn good offers is to help other people find ways for their own. Forward job listings that you know is good for your friend or invite a colleague for a cup of coffee. Barter your strength, such as volunteering to be a speaker in public seminars, workshops, and other training activities. The more you pay it forward, the more things are bound to come back.

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Top 5 Attention Grabbers to Start Your Cover Letter

Imagine yourself as an HR manager on a typical Monday morning. You have a cup of coffee and a stack of applications that you have to look through. Almost each and everyone are very close to being the same, but all of a sudden one stands out with an attention grabber. All of a sudden you are wake and very interested in this person. Now hopefully if you weren’t the HR manager at that time that it would be you that stands out. Nothing to worry about because we are going to give you the top five attention grabbers to make that HR manager interested in you!

1. Dropping the name of the person who referred you:

Nine out of ten times you are very likely to get a call for an interview if you drop the name of the person that referred you. The reason for this being is that if they hired that person; why not hire someone that is very closely alike.

Example: “At the suggestion of John Doe, I am contacting you to express my great interest in the open position of;..

2. Research the HR Manager:

If you know who the HR manger is, and you really want the job, you should do some research on the individual. See if there were any articles written by them and if so, quote something from their article. Flattery can sometimes go a long way with employment.

3. Research the Company:

In almost every article that I have written, you should ALWAYS research the company. Keys to find out are their mission statement, future, and products that they make. Quote a recent statistic about the company or relevant article to show that you know your information.

4. Lead with one of you most relevant successes that apply to the position:

State astounding achievements that are recent in your career, but make sure they are relevant to the position you are applying for. Stating information that is irrelevant to the position can lead the reader in a different direction.

5. Use Higher Level Words:

Get out your thesaurus because HR managers love it when a cover letter applies the English language to the greatest extent. What I mean is that you should use words like “amazing”, “enthusiastic”, and “astounding” in your cover letter. These words add that spice to your cover letter and will show the HR manager that you are highly educated. Other lingo that you should research is the business that you are going into. The lingo in banking is very different than that of a mechanic.

Using these top five tips when learning how to write a cover letter can come in very handy and will help you to stand out and say “Here I am!”
 

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4 Ways To Get A Promotion

Decades a go, the only thing you really needed to do to get ahead in a company was be there for a certain number of years. Your quality of work didn’t have to be outstanding, but just your simple sustained presence there would eventually earn you a promotion. Today, you could be the employee who is single handily bringing in the most money, but your employer might never notice it unless you point it out yourself. Here’s how.

Show them the money

If your particular work or ideas have brought the company lots of money, show your boss the proof. Example a woman worked for years for a music school giving singing lessons. However, the academy decided how many students each teacher could take on, so the woman’s income was greatly determined by the committee. When she wanted a promotion to be on the board as well as being a voice coach, she showed the board proof of all of the new clients that had come to the school specifically because they heard how good she herself was at teaching people how to sing. With those numbers proving she had tactics to bringing in more clients, the woman was made vice president of the board.

Create the job you want

Maybe the skills you bring to the table are very useful to the company, but don’t fit your current job description, but you’ve been putting them to use anyways. Explain to your employer how a new position, created just for your skill set, would benefit the company. It demonstrates that you closely evaluate the company’s needs regularly and it lets you stay away from the word “promotion.”

Ask at the right time

Your boss arrives at work already with a full workload, full schedule and head full of worries. Your rushing up to him as he is hopping in the elevator to say, “I wanted to talk about a possible promotion” just makes you another problem he has to deal with that day. Wait for the opportune moment, like at a casual office party where your employer is feeling more laid back and enjoying a glass of wine, or as a business dinner is winding down. Everyone is more receptive to new ideas when they are feeling laid back. Think about yourself when you’re in a rush to catch a bus and somebody tries to talk to you and you get so annoyed. If you are taking a relaxing stroll down a shopping street in no rush at all, you’re more open to hear out somebody who approaches you to talk.

Be ready

Learn whatever you need to learn in order to fulfill that position before asking for it. If you need to master a computer program, speak a second language, get a certain certification, do it ahead of time. This makes you practically a shoe in for the job as no time will have to be spent on training you or integrating you into the position.
 

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Facebook Timeline – Don’t Complain, It’s Good For Business

How can you even begin to keep up with Facebook? As soon as you get used to their last changes, they spring something new on you. The latest is Facebook Timeline – it’s been forced on us without our consent! All fan pages now use the Timeline format. Well, stop your crying because this is a good thing and here’s why.

Timeline offers a lot more than the old format did. You can engage more easily with your customers and brand your business better. They’ve listened to our feedback and created something that’s all-around better.

The Cover

First, you’ll notice that at the top of your profile is a huge picture. This is your ‘cover.’ It’s the most powerful branding opportunity you have on Facebook. Don’t believe me? Look at Coca-Cola’s Timeline. Check out the New York Times’ profile. They’ve used their cover in a cool, creative way, and that’s what you can do too.

New and Improved Tabs

Remember those boring tabs on the left-hand side of the page? Actually, you might not because what’s to remember? Timeline offers ‘views.’ These are basically the same except that their thumbnails instead of text. I smell another branding opportunity!

Control Your Posts

On the old profile format, whenever somebody posted on your wall, it appeared at the top. Whenever somebody came to your wall, they’d see whatever random thing somebody posted last. If you wrote a really cool post that you want people to see, it would get buried under all the new stuff. This is why I always advised people to backlink to their info, not their wall.

Timeline lets you control which posts are seen first. One way is the Starred Post feature. You ‘star’ a post and it stays on top. Another feature is the Weekly Pinned Post. You choose the week’s greatest hit and keep it there for all to see.

Multimedia Wall Posts

Have you ever tried embedding a video on your wall with the old profile? You needed to be basically an amateur coder to do it. You had to use iFrame and it could be messy if you weren’t a pro at stuff like that. Timeline makes it as easy as copying and pasting to put multimedia on your wall. This includes videos, music, slide shows, testimonials, custom apps and just about anything else you want to slap up there

PM Me ASAP

I mentioned better engagement with your fans. Well, Timeline lets your fans send you a private message. If they want to communicate through your page, they don’t have to post publicly or send a message to the admin’s profile. This may seem like a tiny change and it is really, but it has serious consequences. You’re put in much more direct contact with your fans and if you use this to your advantage and communicate with them well, it can really help with your branding as the nice guy/gal. Timeline is good, trust me. Once we all get used to it, we’ll realize that this is a change for the better for Internet marketers and business owners.

The Do’s and Dont’s Of Preparing For a Job Interview

In order to have the best job interview that any job seeker would want to have, it’s best to make sure you are at least 10 minutes early for the scheduled appointment. Don’t come too early or too late. Give yourself enough time to spend with the interviewer–don’t arrange another appointment 15 minutes after the first appointment. Your time with the interviewer should be uninterrupted.

Your appearance and dress should be just right for the interview because you dont want to be too casual or too formal clothing. Dress conservatively without flashy colors. Be well groomed and shave for your interview. Women should make sure they look very neat. Hair should not be in the face, it should be up or tied back. Makeup should be subtle. The way you look is very important to your interviewer. If your appearance is bad for the interview, that is the impression an employer will have of your job performance. Neat appearance is always a must.

At the interview, when you shake an employer’s hand, shake it firm, solid grip. Don’t shake hand passively. Be businesslike but pleasant and friendly. Smile throughout the whole interview. Make sure your smile does’nt look fake. Good eye contact is very important. If you can’t look into their eyes, look at the bridge of the nose. This will seem as if you are looking into the eyes. Sit straight up but toward the interviewer. This will make it seem as if you are very interested in what the interviewer has to say. Don’t smoke or have poor posture during the interview. If you are under stress, try to act calm.

Let the employer take charge of the interview. Answer the questions briefly but completely. Don’t ramble on about unimportant things and waste time. Dogmatic statements should be avoided. Tell the employer exactly what you expect from your job. Also tell exactly what they can expect from you. Stress your qualifications in a positive, affirmative tone. When the employer tells you what type of person is wanted, use this information when telling the employer about your qualifications. It is very important to tell what they want to hear. When you tell people what they want to hear, they start to agree with you. Don’t over do it and exaggerate with lies. Use your resume or records to support any claim you make about yourself. If you don’t understand a question the interviewer asks you, repeat it back to see if you understand it. Try to see what the interviewer wants to find out about you. If you know what they want, make your answers fit the need.

Talk about previous jobs if they are in your favor. Don’t say anything bad or criticize previous employers or fellow workers. If you say anything bad about anyone, your future employer can expect trouble from you. Don’t say anything negative about yourself. Try not to discuss anything personal, financial or domestic unless you are specifically asked. If the interviewer questions you at a quick pace with confusing questions, they are doing this to put you under stress. Stay in control and answer calmly. Don’t be overly impatient when an employer asks you a question. Wait for the finish question and then answer it completely and in a relaxed manner. You don’t want an employer to think you are desperate for the job. Don’t take anyone with you to the interview–this makes you seem insecure.

If the employer does not offer you the job at the end of the interview, ask them when you will hear from them or when you can call to find out a decision. If you are asked to come back, write down the time and place you are to attend. After the interview, thank the employer for spending their time with you. Ask them of any other company that may need a person with your qualifications. A good practice is to also thank the employer by mail with a “thank you” letter. Many applicants don’t do this, so this may give you an edge on the job.

Copyright (c) 2012

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Self Rediscovery With A Mid Life Career Change

There can be several reasons why people suddenly opt to changing careers at middle age. Some people are forced to make late-life career change because of the increasing demand of the job market. Other people are also moved by their passion to find better careers and settle for a job that could make them happy. Mid life career change is normal especially with women, according to Forbes woman magazine.

It is not easy to move into a different industry when you are already at 40, however it can be an opportunity for you to rediscover yourself. At some point in your current or previous job, you may have lost track of who you are. After working so hard for many years have you found out your strengths and weaknesses? Have you discovered the real purpose of your life? Have you determined what you love to do? Do you really know what motivated you on moving forward?

According to some career advisers, making mid life career change is a good opportunity to explore what you really want to do in life. Perhaps you have already bought properties, put up a family, and have made great accomplishments in life. However, you can view the mid life career change as a chance to personally grow, something that you can call a self fulfillment or self enjoyment. Rediscovering your full potential may take time, however the result could be very rewarding. Listed below are some tips from career experts on how to start rediscovering yourself.

- Consider seeking for a career that you like most regardless of its pay. Think of a career in which you can share your talent and be the best of you.

- Read books about career assessment and self development in order to be guided n choosing your second career. Be open to the possibility that this could be you retirement career as well, hence make the best of it.

- Write a journal to exercise your thoughts. You can keep a daily record of your thoughts, including your doubts and indecision until you finally get to know yourself better.

- Sign up for some online classes and workshops which you can attend as you stay at home. This can give you a new perspective, especially if you enroll into a course that is related to your specific field of interest. You can also take an online career assessment test or personality test, which can aid you in taking the right path.

- Join some groups or set up for a little such as joining retreats or spending a little vacation on your dream place and reflect. Listen to yourself and take time recollect your thoughts and dreams.

It is never too late to change career at middle age. When you have finally realize your full potential, settle for what you prefer to do and do not be afraid to make decisions.
 

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