Blog entries September 2009
09/23/2009Things About Job Searching That Mama Never Told You
The following list was created by author Billie Sucher of Career Transition Services. A guru of human nature pertaining to job searching; she invited job seekers to add their own observations. I invite CareerBoard readers to do the same.One of the things I love to do is make lists, jot notes and keep track of stuff. Yesterday I was rummaging through my files looking for something and came across a file captioned "Things Mama Never Told You 2009." In it, I found scribbles, notes, and thoughts that people had shared with me about the process of looking for work. Feel free to add your own ideas to those listed below:
1. That it will take longer than you think to discover a new opportunity.
2. That you may need to look to self to generate income by: starting a business; self-employment; independent contractor; accepting a straight commission job; moonlighting and/or starting a business on the side while working full-time.
3. That not everyone will want you, regardless of how educated, experienced, credentialed, talented or awesome you may be.
4. That you will be surprised by how much you get rejected.
5. That just because you think you had a great interview, it doesn't mean the employer thinks so.
6. That you may be asked illegal or inappropriate questions during an interview.
7. That you may take things way too personally when they don't go your way.
8. That you will need to have a laser-like focus and an open mind.
9. That people you thought would help you don't; that people you thought wouldn't help you do.
10. That hunting for work is like finding a needle in a haystack, so become an expert at hunting for needles in haystacks.
11. That technology is a tool and that people hire people.
12. That you may not find a good job; you might land an interim gig.
13. That you may work as an independent consultant, project-to-project for an organization, so long as your expertise is needed and there is funding to pay for it.
14. That you can never go back to what was; that you can only maneuver through what is.
Janice Worthington
09/14/2009Have You Checked Out?
Join Us for a Webinar on Tuesday, September 29th
CareerBoard and Janice Worthington, Certified Job & Career Coach, continue in the series of webinars on the various professionals who determine a hire...the external recruiter, human resource manager and hiring decision-maker.
Joining Janice will be Terry Martin, a senior corporate Human Resources executive who recently retired from Emerson Network Power/ Liebert Corporation in HR. Terry has 38 years experience in corporate HR working for Liebert and other manufacturing companies. Janice and Terry will discuss what candidates can do to really stand out from the crowd and land their dream jobs!
Title: Who You Have to Impress to Get Hired-Part Two
Date: Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Time: 1:00 PM- 2:00 PM EDT
After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the Webinar. System Requirements PC-based attendees
Required: Windows 2000, XP Home, XP Pro, 2003 Server, Vista Macintosh- based attendees Required: Mac OS X 10.4 (Tiger) or newer Space is limited. Reserve your Webinar seat now at:
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My friend has checked out. He hates his job because he believes there's no hope for a promotion. My friend used to love this job. He enjoyed helping customers with great ideas and cherished the hero status he was awarded when solving their problems.
Everyday he looked forward to going to work and many times took work home with him. But alas, sales are down and the company has to freeze both hiring and sales incentives. There have been no lay-offs but morale is down and so now my friend hates his job.
My neighbor has checked out too. Someone went into her unlocked car and stole her satellite radio. Still her homeowner's insurance immediately replaced the radio but now, after 25 years in the neighborhood, she no longer likes her house. She barely talks to me. She wants to move.
I was amazed when I found out that though the reported unemployment rate is 9.7%, it is actually higher because it excludes those who have stopped looking for jobs. They too have checked out.
If you are one who has "checked out" because of disappointment in your job search I urge you to reconsider. My friend who hates his job might well regret his "half empty" glass philosophy if it affects his performance. Sales will ultimately increase but he could well be unemployed if his negativity is seen as a disadvantage to the team.
My neighbor's house is nearly paid off and her behavior because of one incident could well lead her to make a counter-productive financial decision. To relocate your residence as a knee-jerk reaction could be regretful.
As we begin to recover from The Great Recession (which has begun) and hiring increases, those who have checked out will be further behind than those who have continued the hunt.
So whatever you do, don't check out in your job search. If you have, now is the time to begin again. Those who don't stay in the game can't win the game. Those who persevere always out-perform.
Janice Worthington