Tips for Quality Teamwork

Team work is a significant for an organization or company. It is essential to have effective task and logical end. Teamwork is the cornerstone that can either make or break your department. As per Bill Bethel words: A successful team is a group of many hands but of one mind. Tips to get out the best work in team.

Effective communication: The communication between the team members should be free flowing, well channelized and directed towards achievement of project success.

Efficient assignment: Assigning responsibilities is as important as ensuring it is fulfilled perfectly. Therefore, it is essential to assign work as per the capability of team members.

Common goals: The focus clearly is attainment of common goals. Therefore, it is vital to set aside personal points of view, be aware of organizational goals and work towards achieving targets together.
Respect: To work in coordination, it is essential to understand and respect others in the team.

Trust: A term vital for any relationship also applies to a team-oriented environment. Team secrets, details of new projects or any new development within the team shouldn’t be divulged unless it is in the interest of the organization.

Site a good example: Each team member, through his work, should set an example for others to follow.

Four New Year's Resolutions to Fast Track Your Career

1. Upgrade your autonomy.

Specialists in the uber-trendy field of positive psychology have identified the #1 barrier to your happiness (the cultivation of which is surely a valuable New Year's goal). The culprit? Lack of autonomy (as anyone with a micromanaging boss can tell you). This current year, find ways to flex your mojo by choosing, to the extent possible, when and how to do your work. Two excellent strategies are lobbying for more flexibility in your list (as with Best Buy's "Results Only Work Environment"), or, at minimum, aiming to reduce the number of soul-sucking meetings you're subjected to (check out these tips for reasons to call off meetings and some positive alternatives you can suggest).

2. Take more lunches.

Networking maven Keith Ferrazzi famously instructed us to "Never Eat Alone" (the title of his excellent 2005 book) as a method to build connections. The advice becomes even more urgent, however, when coupled with research from Stanford University business school professor Jeffrey Pfeffer, who investigates how executives cultivate power. As he notes in a latest Harvard Business Review blog, "If you're in a position to bring together unrelated groups of individuals who benefit from being in contact with each other, that's a form of power." In short, the path to success is becoming a "broker" who fills holes, transmits information and cultivates connections.

3. Lose weight.

You didn't think I'd leave off this perennial favorite, did you? Unfortunately, this advice applies only to the ladies out there, as you'll see in this Wall Street Journal piece. For male execs, corpulence correlates with high pay up to the point of obesity, when their salaries begin getting docked. For women, shedding pounds can be lucrative: if you weigh 25 pounds below average, you'll bring in over $15,500 more than your "normal" peers and nearly $30,000 more than overweight women. (I'm officially noting my socio-political revulsion, but I'm sure the researchers are correct.)

4. Spend more time with your family.

And alas, this one's just for the gents. This interesting Harvard Magazine profile of Harvard Business School professor Amy Cuddy discusses her study into perceived warmth and competence on the work. Mothers, it turns out, are seen as nicer and less competent in the workplace, Cuddy reports, while "fathers experience the 'fatherhood bonus.' They're viewed as nicer than men without kids, but similarly, if not more, competent. They're seen as heroic: a breadwinner who goes to his kid's soccer game once in a while." So dads: time to hit the stands and begin cheering.

Tips to Boost your Interview Skills

Even the smartest and most qualified job seekers need to prepare for job interviews. Why, you ask? Interviewing is a learned skill, and there are no second chances to make a great first impression. So study these strategies to enhance your interview skills.

Practice Good Nonverbal Communication:

It's about demonstrating confidence: standing straight, making eye contact and connecting with a good, firm handshake. That first nonverbal impression can be a great beginning -- or quick ending -- to your interview.

Dress for the Job or Company:

Today's casual dress codes do not give you permission to dress as "they" do when you interview. It is important to look professional and well-groomed. Whether you wear a suit or something less formal depends on the company culture and the position you are seeking. If possible, call to find out about the company dress code before the interview.

Listen:

From the very beginning of the interview, your interviewer is giving you information, either directly or indirectly. If you are not hearing it, you are missing a major opportunity. Good communication skills include listening and letting the person know you heard what was said. Observe your interviewer, and match that style and pace.

Don't Be Too Familiar:

The interview is a professional meeting to talk business. This is not about making a new friend. Your level of familiarity should mimic the interviewer's demeanor. It is important to bring energy and enthusiasm to the interview and to ask questions, but do not overstep your place as a candidate looking for a job.

Don't Be Cocky:

Attitude plays a key role in your interview success. There is a fine balance between confidence, professionalism and modesty. Even if you're putting on a performance to demonstrate your ability, overconfidence is as bad, if not worse, as being too reserved.

Take Care to Answer the Questions:

When an interviewer asks for an example of a time when you did something, he is seeking a sample of your past behavior. If you fail to relate a specific example, you not only don't answer the question, but you also miss an opportunity to prove your ability and talk about your skills.

Ask Questions:

When asked if they have any questions, most candidates answer, "No." Wrong answer. Part of knowing how to interview is being ready to ask questions to demonstrate an interest in what goes on in the company. Asking questions also gives you the opportunity to find out if this is the right place for you. The best questions come from listening to what you're asked during the interview and asking for additional information.

Don't Appear Desperate:

When you interview with the "please, please hire me" approach; you appear desperate and less confident. Maintain the three C's during the interview: cool, calm and confident. You know you can do the job; make sure the interviewer believes you can, too.

Job Hunting Tips for your New Years Resolutions - Reactive Search

Tip #1 - Know what you want and where to look.
Before starting to look, do a good assessment of your preferences and priorities. Know what you are looking for and where you won't go. It is better to begin by identifying your bull's eye job and expand from there than to apply for anything and everything you find online. If you know you and your significant other have no intention to move to Iowa, don't begin applying for jobs there. If you know that you would prefer to work in marketing or PR, don't start applying for jobs in logistics. More times than not, you might get these jobs, only to be left having to launch another job search after you confirm what you already knew (i.e. you don't like to live in Iowa or like working in logistics). Being able to articulate your preferences will also be invaluable to keep your supporters and network updated about what you like and how they can help you. Also, know that hiring managers are busy and want to make sure that they get the most bang for their buck. Therefore, they will avoid big job boards and instead will advertise their jobs on industry-specific job boards. For more information about responsible job boards, see my earlier post on where to find job postings in Corporate Social Responsibility, Social Enterprises, and Non-Profit Management.

Tip #2 - Focus on quality over quantity.
Hiring managers are too busy to parse out what on your resume is most relevant to the work you are applying for. Furthermore, many times, your application will not be reviewed by a hiring manager right away. Instead, it will be scanned by a software programmed to assess whether 60-80% match in words appear between your resume and the job posting. If you do not meet that requirement, your resume will be discarded even before any human being has a chance to evaluate your credentials. Therefore, when applying for jobs, make sure that your tailor your resume (and cover letter) to highlight your most relevant qualifications and education using when possible the same terms as those provided in the job description. Of course, you need to remain truthful and accurate about your experience and education. The more you can highlight how close your profile is to the ideal candidate described in the job posting, the higher your chances to get the interview.

Tip #3 - Be pleasantly persistent.
Applying for the job online is only the initial step in converting your application into an interview. Within 10 days of your application, I would recommend that you conduct informational interviews with people who work at the organization to learn more about the organization's culture. Learn as much as you can online, and then connect with friends of friends, friends of mentors, or alumni from your alma mater who work in the organization. Tell them about what you have learned online that make you interested about the organization, and ask them about their experiences at the organization. If they ask if you are interested in a job, you can say yes, but focus the conversation about their experiences at the organization, taking notes about how these conversations further strengthen your interest in the organization. About 10 days to 2 weeks after you apply, send a follow up email or call the hiring manager to ensure that s/he received your application, and to reiterate your interest. Then include 2-3 additional points from your conversations with people from within (provide their name and their title as well) that make you even more interested in the opportunity. Then follow up with them every 10 days to two weeks if you don't hear from them. Always remain pleasant in your conversation, reiterating your interest, asking if the person has any insights regarding the hiring time line for the position, or needs any additional information regarding your application. As compared to the vast majority of other candidates who might not have followed up or taken the time to learn more about the organization, this step might become your differentiating factor. Most importantly though, this step will also enable you to find out whether this organization is the right environment for you.

Five ways to risk failure and improve your career

Don’t let it sting.
If you try something new and difficult such as applying for a “reach job” and then you miss the mark or get rejected, don’t think of it as stoppage. As my mother used to say, “Failure is just a perception.” Pat yourself on the back for taking the risk, and move on.

Find a problem.
If your job feels unfulfilling, find a difficulty at work that needs solving. Then work on finding the solution. This is also a basic recipe for identifying new business ideas. If you don’t succeed, figure out why and try again.

Get unstuck.
If you hate what you’re doing, fix it. Take on new tasks at work, for example, or learn a new things. The worst thing that can happen is you’ll fail. More likely, though, you’ll figure you why you’re stuck.

Surprise yourself.
Do something completely out of character. Apply for a job in a foreign country. Sit in on a meeting in a different department. Open your mind to new career possibilities by taking a chance at something unknown.

Easy does it.
Many people get all worked up trying to come up with ways to forward their careers. Great ideas often come when you stop trying so hard. Pay attention to your daydreams and the things you read or see on TV that truly interest you. There might be a future career or business idea there.

10 Career Resolutions

Like the old saying, "Today is the first day of the rest of your life," it's never a bad time to start moving your career in a better direction. Here are 10 New Year's resolutions to help.

1)Pay Attention in Class
Treat every workday like a school day. Be sure you learn something and use it to make yourself more productive. It doesn't have to relate to your skills set. It may be as simple as understanding how to work with specific peers or emotional intelligence. Take mental notes. Don't sleepwalk through the day.

2)Look for the Next Rung
You need to excel at your job. This is how you gain credibility. But understanding your next step is key to career happiness. Career pathing is critical to remaining engaged on the job. Schedule a discussion with your manager to get clarity on the next challenge. If you don't get it on your team or in your company, it may be time to look elsewhere.

3)Understand Company Goals
Make sure you understand how your job contributes to your company's business objectives. Are you in a revenue-generating role? A brand-awareness role? Is your mission to delight the customer? Knowing how your job fits into the big picture will give you inspiration and a sense of accomplishment -- and will help you understand your job's impact.

4)Be Ethical
Bring integrity to your job. Whether you're running the company or cleaning its bathrooms, be honest in all you do. Don't call in sick just to get a day off -- that's stealing. Put in an honest day's work. Be accountable. If you're working remotely, be sure you are. Do what you say you're going to do. Honesty and reliability mean a lot to your manager.

5)Stay Fit
OK, this was probably on your last New Year's resolutions list, but that's because it's so important. Try to break a sweat for 20 minutes, three days a week. Go for a walk at lunch. Join a gym. Lift weights. A healthy body makes a healthy mind. Exercising increases blood flow to the brain and gives you ideas. You'll be more productive at work, and best of all, you'll feel better.

6)Stretch Your Role
Occasionally think how you can go above and beyond. Are there projects outside your defined role you could help with? Be proactive; ask to join. Come up with your own ideas, and work with your manager to implement them. If you're a hamster, step off the wheel and poke your head out of the cage. Stretch a little. This won't go unnoticed.

7)Manage Up
Make sure you and your manager are in firm agreement on what you're doing. Be proactive and get on his calendar to ensure you're meeting or exceeding expectations. Don't assume he's paying close attention. There are bad managers. If there's a disconnect between what you're doing and what your manager wants, you're partly to blame. Don't wait until review time.

8)Manage Across
Even if you work primarily alone; be sure to make time to understand your peers' roles and how they go about their jobs. Show an interest. Don't just choose a few friends and become part of a clique. High school is over. You never know when you may need people -- or be reporting to them.

9)Communicate
Don't leave people waiting for answers. If you're in an email environment, return emails promptly. Let people know what you're doing. If you're working on a project, always ask yourself who needs to know about it, and then tell them. Talk to people; give them a heads up. And when someone helps you out, be sure to thank him. It's amazing this even need to be on a list, but bad communicators abound. Don't be one of them.

10)Make Time for Play
Have fun. Work hard, but smile while you're doing it. No one likes a grump. Approach each day with a positive spirit and stay loose. Enjoy your family and friends as well. Make time for them -- and you. It's called work-life balance. All work and no play make life a chore.

Broaden your scope when it comes to career ideas

Whether you are at the start of your career, looking for a change, or simply after a new job, it is a good idea to brainstorm different career ideas and approaches.
This section outlines how to network and provides a list of tips, books and websites, all dedicated to career ideas.

How to network

Networking isn't necessarily asking for a job. It’s about letting people know you are available so if a vacancy comes up, they will think of you. In fact, tapping into your existing network is often the best way to find new opportunities or generate new career ideas.

Three steps to effective networking

1. Start by making contact with someone you know. Unless you see them regularly (at work or at weekly social or sports events) it is quicker to contact them by telephone.
2. Then try a 'warm call', that is, use the name of a mutual friend or acquaintance as an introduction when you call someone you don't know personally.
3. Finally, try 'cold calling' employers to ask whether they are likely to recruit people with your capabilities and skills.

Tips for making contact

It isn’t always easy speaking with people you don’t know. Follow these tips to take the pressure off yourself and ensure you give a good impression.
• write down what you want to say and rehearse it
• tell them your reason for contacting them
• check if they have time to talk at the moment – if not, call back later
• keep the phone call short and focus on your reason for calling – this makes a professional impression
• research the organization before you go to a meeting – potential employers will be impressed by your initiative
• follow up your meeting with an email or letter thanking them for their time.

6 Tips for Career Success & Balance

It's based on several premises of yoga, each of which can be applied to several aspects of your every day life:

1. Don't pay attention to the actions of others - watching others in action, whether it's in yoga class or on the job, is of little help to you. It distracts you from the issue or task at hand.

2. Keep your focus on how you're doing - are you moving advance? Or is it time to make some modifications to your style and approach? This is just as main for your financial situation, as well as personal and occupation aspects.

3. Push to the limit, but be aware of your limits - a lot of careerists think they can accomplish greatness by just spending more time and energy on the issues or roadblocks they face. I've seen a lot of "success stories" fail in a pile because they went beyond their limit one time too often.

4. Be mindful of goals, recognize progress - the most satisfied people I've met over the last 30 years have a detailed plan for their life. They do not put their faith in others to look after them. They review their preparation regularly.

5. Take a deep breath - many people really forget to breath at times during the day. As in yoga, that limits performance obviously. I suggest that you consciously do some deep breathing a couple of times a day to ensure you are getting enough oxygen to perform at a high level.

6. Let it go - when the class done, don't continue worrying or fretting about why you couldn't get into a pose as well as the previous class. It's common that our bodies and our brains work differently each day, don't struggle against nature. Accept it and take advantage of what's working now.

7 Tips to Give Your Career a Social Media Facelift

• Give your perspective a facelift.
To develop a valuable social media marketing presence, requires accepting that social media has become an integral part of how we communicate and share information. Not participating means that you’re missing a big part of the conversation.

• Do your research.
Just as you would practice for the job interview, use time lurking on the sidelines to get a feel for how people communicate and share on social media networks and the type of language they use.

• Check the grapevine.
In business, as in your individual life, you need to know what people are telling about you. Two simple, low cost ways to accomplish this are Google searches and alerts. This may not job as well if you’ve got a common name.

• Put your best foot forward.
The online equivalent of the fresh interview suit is your social media presence on various social media platforms. To this finish, think about how you want to position yourself just as you would when marketing any other product. Unlike the previous fashioned resume, career-oriented social media tends to be forward looking.

• Practice your talking points.
Regardless of the size of your rolodex, in social media each one begins at the same point. To become the belle of the social media ball, it’s main to build your friends and followers.

• Be generous with your praise.
One way to build your presence is to help earlier colleagues and staff. Where appropriate, provide them recommendations on LinkedIn without being asked. Pay it forward without upsetting about whether they will reciprocate.

• Work the crowd.
Get out and meet people in actual life. While social media enables you to stay sequestered behind your laptop, it’s serious to get out and meet people in real life. This way you can strengthen relationships with people you got acquainted by participating in social media.

Ten worst job seeking tips ever

1. Don't give a summary for your resume.

2. Include as much as possible in resume. No,no! Editing is a business talent.

3. Use corporate speak. Do you ever warm to teachers who use teacher speak? Have you any plan what they are really saying? The most up-to-date advisers recommend writing your resume the way you speak.

4. Don't ever postpone the phone screen..

5. Don't bring up money. Do bring up cash. Why waste time?

6. Send your resume via an online job ad or company site only.

7. Don’t send a paper resume.

8. Wait for them to call your name. Don't follow this opinion. Instead, use your LinkedIn connections to put you in tough with someone who can put in a word with the hiring manager.

9. Give them all. Hold off on references.

10. Post your resume on all job board. No. You don't want to be overexposed and undervalued.

5 Tips for making sure you can find a new job

1 .Get involved in networking organizations. Look for networking groups that have a broader membership than those in career transition: ExecuNet, which has chapters across the nation, is a group that brings executives, recruiters and business leaders together for discussion in person and online. Leadership organizations can also be large networking groups.

2. Use your alumni network. The term “alumni” can apply to different groups: your college, high school, sorority/fraternity or people you worked with at a previous employer. Mobilize the m all. Alumni associations can give a wealth of contacts and resources for job hunters. Have you caught up with a college roommate lately? Use LinkedIn or Facebook to find out how they are and where they’re working. You could find a potential advocate for a target employer. If not, you’ve at least reconnected with an old friend.

3. Volunteer your expertise. Use your knowledge in a field to help others, and it can advantage you in your job search. Employers want to hire people who are well regarded in their fields. Volunteering provides the opportunity to build a reputation in an industry while making key contacts.

4 .Be curious wherever you go. As you’re networking or just running errands, be aware of what’s going on around you and ask questions. Curiosity generally leads to discovery. That can mean meeting someone who will lead you to a potential job. If you’re shy about touting yourself, asking people about their works, careers or interests can be a way to expand your network in new and surprising ways.

5 .Remember, it’s a little world. With so many people in so many industries displaced in the recession, it’s highly likely you will know people at potential employers. earlier work experience with someone on the inside can be a major advantage.

How to Get the Top Jobs

1. Get varied experience
Don’t get stuck in your job, role, or even field of work–try at least two or three job functions over a period of time. Human resource chiefs and recruiters typically look for people with varied knowledge when hiring for the top job. Even having worked in different cities or countries counts, because it shows how adaptable you are.

2. Specialize
This may sound contrary to the point above, but experts say that ideally you should be a expert in at least one role. That goes a long way in earning respect from your peers and juniors.

3. Get more education
Getting a mid-career education can help leapfrog your occupation.
What you study depends on your aim.
One obvious option would be to sign up for an executive or full-time management program, where you can learn about strategy, business development and so on. Or, you could do a expert course on leadership-development, or people-management, skills essential for a top-level manager.

4. Take risks
One easy way to get noticed by the bigwigs is to sign up for tough projects. Maybe the organization is looking for someone to begin a new initiative in a remote town, or you have an out-of-the-box idea that could help raise the productivity of your team.

5. Join a start-up
If your present organization doesn’t give you the chance to be bold or try new things, your best bet might be to join a start-up. This is an extreme case of risk-taking, because it could mean lower pay (if at all) and the chance of failure is large. But it’s a great way to learn a lot about running a business, managing people and several other things in a short period of time.

6. Keep up with the world
To achieve the top, you need to know a lot about what’s happening in your industry, and even related industries.

7. Networking
Everywhere in the world, networking is key to career achievement. This is particularly true for high-profile jobs, which are often not advertised openly. If you know the correct people, and enough of them, it will be easier for you to learn of vacancies when they come about.

Job-Hunting Tips For 2011

1.Keep your social networking alive, well and professional.

If you've been neglecting your Linkedin account and playing Farmville instead, it's time to switch gears and look at social networking as one more step in the successful job search. It's okay to have accounts for personal social networking, but spend less time on those and lot more time on the profiles you have that relate to your past, current and future career. Get involved in local groups on Linkedin, update your professional blog every day and follow professionals in your field on your Twitter account.

2.Find a job with Twitter.

Twitter is helpful for far more than to-the-minute updates on the personal lives of your favorite friends and/or celebrities. Twitter can help land you a fresh job. First, follow influential folks in your field. Keep up with what's going on. Participate. Be part of the profession even if you're still looking for a job. Second, use a Twitter search device to look for jobs, conferences and networking opportunities with people in your field

3.Polish up your resume.

Social networking is a great way to get the contacts you need, but most often you'll still have to send in a resume for those job applications. Don't send an outdated resume in after you've updated your online presence. Make sure that both your resume and your online profiles are current and the best representation of your job experience and education.

4.Get active even (especially) if you're unemployed.

Local connections are one of the most powerful ways to find a job; and you'll only get depressed if you sit at home in your sweats every day. Join local organizations, volunteer and get involved in your community. Use your expertise to help other people out. Offer free seminars in your church or community association, write articles for the paper or mentor someone who's new to the field.

5.Look for ways to be an expert.

If you're a fresh graduate looking for your first job, then that whole "job experience" section of the resume is often a painful subject. You may not be able to fill it up with years on the job, but do what you can to establish some expertise in your part. Attend conferences and seminars, take classes and get certifications.

Nine top telephone interview tips

1. Ensure that you have a quiet area with no possible distractions. You don’t want your children/others etc disturbing you in the middle of your chat. It’s very distracting and you will come across as unprofessional and unfocused.

2. Your tone of voice speaks volumes about your enthusiasm so talk with energy and motivation. This is vital as it is one of the few methods an interviewer can use in determining a person’s interest in the role. Sales trainers often include this as part of their programme when training telesales staff. Energetic voice tones are very infectious and help to connect you to your speaker.

3. Another division of sales training is to smile when you talk. This is very main when talking on the phone. This does not mean grinning but smiling speaks volumes about you and illustrates to the interviewer that you are enthusiastic. This is infectious.

4. Research is vital here – have your notes in front of you and have your work done. Do not have reams of notes in front of you as you will get flustered if you cannot read them clearly – jot down key bullet points in front of you. Lack of research tells the interviewer that you have little interest in the role. This is equally important in face to face interviewers and is a fundamental basic so should never be overlooked.

5. Speak clearly to the interviewer. In Interview situations, people can get anxious and stagger over their words or speak too fast. Relax, take your time and answer each question carefully. Deep breathing is very effective here, take a few deep breaths before you talk.

6. Always be professional. The interviewer is assessing your skills right from the begining of the conversation. This is also applicable when arranging your venue etc for a face-to-face Interview. Be professional and polite and enthusiastic at all times. All interviewers are making judgements on their candidates even when they are talking about mundane issues. Inappropriate humour and comments should not be included here.

7. Have a list of your Unique Selling Points in front of you. What are these? These are your career ‘highlights’ or your key achievements. These points will help differentiate you from other candidates. These points are very main as they help sell you to the interviewer. Most importantly, they can really make a lasting impression with the interviewer.

8. A very interesting method used by some is to stand when taking the phone call. This alters the sound and energy of your voice. It also helps project your voice and helps you sound more assertive.

9. Ask your friends/family how you come across on the telephone. Without realising it, we can talk too fast, be unclear or sound disinterested. This information can actually help you improve in your communication skills. Although you have the added advantage of not seeing the interviewer face-to-face, this can also be a disadvantage as the interviewer is judging you solely on your voice.

Seven Tips for Part-Time Business Owners

1. Get your family involved.

Whether it's answering the telephone, stuffing envelopes or putting together orders, giving family members the chance to help out is a great way to get more accomplished in less time -- while also making them feel like they're part of your business.

2. Be ready to give up personal time.

You won't have much time for TV, reading or hobbies you used to enjoy. Be sure the sacrifice is worth it, or both your work and your business will suffer.

3. Focus on the task in front of you.

When you're at job, focus on work. Don't let thoughts of your business distract you.

4. Make the most of every minute.

Use lunch hours or early morning to make telephone calls. Use commuting time on the train to catch up on paperwork.

5. Take advantage of time-zone differences and technology.

If you do business with people in other states or countries, make time differences job to your advantage by calling early in the morning or after work. Use faxes and e-mail to communicate with clients at any time.

6. Don't overstep your boundaries.

Making calls on company time or using your employer's supplies or equipment for your own business purpose is a big no-no.

7. Be honest.

Only you can assess your position, but in many cases it's best to be upfront with your chief about your sideline business. As long as it doesn't interfere with your job, many bosses won't mind. You'll also gain by being honest rather than making them feel you have something to hide.

The big switch: Eight practical steps to making a career change

1. Review your history.
You know the saying: You can’t know where you’re going until you know where you’ve been. So think back, way back, to that third, fifth and ninth job and write them all down. For one, it’ll explain you how far you’ve come, and, if you’re like most Americans, it’ll illustrate just how many different tasks you’re capable of carrying out. Don’t forget to include volunteer positions.

2. Make a list. Or three.
Write down all the skills you mastered at each of those jobs, even the seemingly trivial. That major makeover you pulled on the office lunch room may seem inconsequential, but it may be a clue that you have a hope in interior design. On another page, list your interests. The things you like to do when you’re not earning a paycheck.

3. Find a direction.
The lists you made are clues to a new way, but you have to have the right tools to decode the signs. Soloway suggests using professional career and personality tests (check out careermaze.com as an example) to figure out what your skills and interests are telling you. Career counselors at JVS use the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, among other tools, to narrow down the types of careers that fit your individuality and talents

4. Try on some shoes.
You’ve narrowed down your options. Now how do you select between pastry chef and greeting card designer? Dig in and find out everything you can about your prospective career: which skills are needed, which degrees are required, what is the pay, what the job conditions are like. Simple online research can fill in many of those blanks, but for the real dish, you have to network face to face.

5. Stay busy.
Spending days at a time in your pajamas, rotating laptop, Blackberry and TV screens in front of your face will not only drag down your feel, it’ll sully your resumé. utilize your free time wisely to show prospective employers that you are active, resourceful and willing to work, even without a paycheck as motivation. Volunteer at your synagogue, a local shelter, school or food bank. Bonus points if you do something that’s relevant to your field of interest. Look for internships, freelance opportunities and other ways to get your foot in the door.

6. Hit the books.
To snag certain jobs, like an X-ray technician or an electrician, you’ll have to sign up for a vocational school. For others, you may be able to fill in the educational gap with classes at a community college, an online course, or some how-to books: i.e. Bartending for Dummies, Day Trading for Dummies, Event Planning for Dummies. Educating yourself shows initiative and drive, and even if the most important thing you study in your creative writing class is that you can’t string a sentence together, at least you can cross Romance Novelist off your list of potential careers.

7. Take baby steps.
Going from school psychologist to web designer is quite a leap, so consider making the transition in several steps. Soloway encourages clients to get “stepping stone jobs” that move them one step closer to their desired career. For instance, our psychologist can apply for a job writing content for the LAUSD website to gain some basic knowledge of what makes a site appealing.

8. Recruit cheerleaders.
Job hunting, particularly for career shifters, is incremental in nature and may take years to achieve the final goal. You’re going to require a cheering section, with verve, and stamina for the long haul. The career counselors at JVS are there to hand you cups of water and granola bars throughout the marathon, Soloway says. But you can recruit your best friend, your daughter, your neighbor – whoever will be genuinely interested – to keep track of your progress and help you focus on the positive.

Holiday job search tips offered Dec. 6

"Job Searching through the Holidays" is the topic of the Hudson Job hunt meeting on Dec. 6 at Christ Church Episcopal. Sign-in starts at 7:15 p.m., and the meeting begins at 7:30. It is free and open to the public.

Robin Raybuck, founder of Robin Raybuck and Associates, a career management and coaching firm, will share her ideas for job searching through the holiday period. She has extensive experience in the field and has had her own business for 16 years.She is a frequent speaker and author of several articles.

She completed her master's grade and some doctoral work in counseling and business at Case Western Reserve University.

Raybuck will talk about the strategies for successful holiday job search and will also offer ideas for handling the ups and downs of job searching during the holidays.

4 Job Search Tips for Aspiring SEO/SEM Specialists

1. Show, Don’t Tell

It doesn’t matter how pretty your resume is or how many years of experience you have. What SEO firms are looking for is evidence that you can do a good job pulling their clients’ websites to the top of search engines. Do that, and you’re in.

“What I want to look at is sites that they’ve optimized,” explains Nick Spears, the director of search for SEO firm Incredible Marketing. “And I am going to basically open up the source code; I’m going to look at how they’re optimizing title tags and things as simplistic as keyword meta tags and descriptions.”

2. Work For Anyone to Build Experience

Work on your own website. This is how both Spears and Canu got their begin. Spears says he used his first sites as “crash dummies” in order to test what worked and what didn’t work. Billy learned SEO while running an online DVD rental business. Working on your own website can be a great way to not only perfect your trade, but build a portfolio.

Volunteer to help a non-profit develop its SEO. You’ll be contributing to a cause you care about and building your portfolio at the same time.

3. Experience Trumps Degree

Since SEO is a relatively fresh field, most accreditation programs are relatively new, and universities are just now starting to offer classes on it. There are instructional programs offered through organizations like SEO company Bruce Clay and the Search Engine Marketing Professionals Organization (SEMPO), but your knowledge will trump any certification that you can buy.

4. Keep Learning

An SEO specialist’s job changes as fast as the Internet. The rise of social search and social media, for instance, has affected how SEO works.

“Someone who would come to me and say, ‘I have a very well understanding of Facebook and Twitter’ is going to be a step ahead of someone who just comes in and says, ‘I understand the SEO strategies and record and things like that,’ ” Spears says.

6 Ways To Impress Your Boss

Ask What Needs to be Done
It sounds like a no-brainer, but quiz your boss on what is the most important method you can spend your time and then make those tasks a priority, suggests Steve Langerud, director of professional opportunities at DePauw University. By tackling the objectives that your boss holds in high esteem, you'll naturally be in a better spot to get attention and praise for your work.

Demonstrate Your Value
Forget what your job description says, create an action plan for how you can be doing your job better, says Mary Hladio, founder of Ember Carriers Leadership Group. Consult your boss and other leaders within the group for their input, and put the ideas in motion.

Be a Team Player
Shaunti Feldhahn, author of "The Male Factor," says high-level managers of both sexes want to know that their employees are on board with the team, particularly at critical moments. "In a demanding period, you want to make sure you are sharing the same pain," she says. For example, this might mean staying late for a meeting or pitching in on a company-wide initiative.

Your Boss
Even if it's not part of your job requirements or you haven't been asked to do it, voluntarily offer your boss reports on your progress, says former Human Resources trainer, Mimi Donaldson. "Bosses are busy," she says. "You cannot expect them to notice when you do something great." But a routine email summing up your day-to-day accomplishments and where you stand on major projects is an influential method to keep your boss informed without monopolizing time.

Network Like You're Unemployed
Langerud also advises reaching out to colleagues in other departments and requesting their feedback on how you can help them be more effective. Around the company, it will only develop your reputation, he says, and it will likely get circulated back to your boss that you are a problem-solver and a dedicated worker.

Be Heard and Seen
It's not about gossiping around the water cooler every morning, but finding subtle, yet powerful, routes to contribute to your firm. For instance, it may be presenting a strong, thoughtful point in a meeting, or sharing innovative ideas up the ranks about ways to develop your company's operation. Plus, being seen at company events, such as holiday parties and other social gatherings, volunteer activities and corporate retreats, shows you care about your job.

The Bottom Line
Not only is the job market more competitive in recessionary times, it's also getting increasingly hard to get a raise. That's because the pool of money corporations reserve for rewarding staff - even the most stellar of employees - is shrinking. According to a survey by the business research organization The Conference Board, the average company is only budgeting 2.8% for wage increases in 2010, a number that hasn't dipped under 3% in more than two decades. The current work environment demands that you must stand out in your boss's mind if you want to get a bump in your salary or a promotion.

4 Tips to Answering Tough Interview Questions Correctly

When answering interview questions, here's the first rule...

1 - Stay Positive...ALWAYS!

The “what’s your greatest weakness” question is your opportunity to shine. One way is to demonstrate you are a positive person by nature. Everyone likes a person with a positive nature, right? Remember you are in the interview to make yourself desirable for hiring, so you might say, “I rarely sit there and think of myself in those terms, nevertheless, I do want to respond to your question” or something on those lines. Notice by the way I did not say “I rarely sit there and think of my weaknesses.” Okay, I take it back. Here’s a rule of thumb that always applies: Do not use or repeat negative terms, even if the interviewer throws it out there.

Here are three other rules I suggest you follow:

2 - No Superlatives!

Keep it singular. Superlatives such as “weakest” or “worst” or “biggest” indicate the greatest degree of whatever is it describing. “Worst weakness” is the weakness of the highest degree implying there are other weaknesses of varying degrees but weaknesses nonetheless. That begs the question “what are some others?” Likewise, “need most to improve” implies there are others areas for improvement. In any case, try this as an alternative: “If I had to come up with one…” (No negatives; no multiples).

3 - No Absolutes!

The absolute, as in “my weakness is…” states the weakness exists unconditionally: Utterly fixed and not likely to change. WOW! Wouldn’t it be better to be a little less restrictive, something more conditional like “it could be I am…” Conditional responses suggest you yourself are not completely convinced of it. This type of response also accomplishes what the bungling technique of using a “strength” to describe a weakness consistently fails to achieve – that your “weakness” may not be a weakness after all.

4 - Keep it Real!

Your “weakness” should be one (singular) that is subjective – of your person. Humanize it!

Top tips on how to get new work

A predicted 500,000 public sector workers could face redundancy and be looking for jobs in the private sector.

While a third of public sector workers believe their background puts them at an advantage, more than a fifth (22%) fear it will put them at a distinct disadvantage.

Employers, meanwhile, say public sector experience is "not very important".

We've teamed up with recruitment specialist Hayes with these top tips on how ex-public sector workers can appeal to the private sector: Don't take it personally Redundancy in these tough times is not the result of poor performance. Focus your energy on planning your next move and remain confident. Identify transferable skills Make your CV appeal by showing your strengths and experience and how they will add value in a new role. Update your CV You may be used to filling out application forms for jobs, but the private sector tends to rely more on CVs. Make yours as clear and succinct as possible and refer to skills, rather than tasks and duties. Consider updating skills and temporary work Learning new skills and qualifications will help you stand out, giving employers evidence you can do the job and are capable of developing. Short-term positions will keep skills up-to-date and may help get your foot in the door. Know the differences Private sector employers often struggle to interpret public sector job titles. You'll need to demonstrate how your skills and experience are relevant to the role you're applying for and show potential employers you understand the market they operate in. Different interview styles The public sector often uses competency-based interviewing, where candidates have skills assessed by being asked how they would perform in a given situation. The private sector uses a range of techniques and interviews can be less formal. Remember, do your research.

10 Top tips from employers to job seekers

Loyalty: One of the key things mentioned, particularly by Production Manager Lotty McWilliam for Eon Media, was that loyalty to their company was “key”, showing commitment to the company or potential employer.

Enthusiasm: was also mentioned by many employers as important. Lincoln Co-operative worker Faye Amberson said: “It would be great if the employee had enthusiasm about the job.”

Passion: Another top tip would be displaying passion for the company. Lee Johnson from Rock Star games said it was key, particularly for his line of work, to have some love for the job: “You need passion, and for this job it needs to be for games.”

Friendliness: Rockstar’s Johnson also said that this is a desirable quality from a possible employee, particularly “a nice bloke,” simple to get on with.

Creativity: Displaying some imagination got the head nodding for Eon Media Lotty McWilliam, who found “showing some creativity” made a candidate stand out.

Well prepared: A huge factor of getting a job was bought up by Business Link’s Mike Gibbs, who said preparation was totally vital for success to getting a job and maintain a successful career.

Willing: Eon Media produced one more key tip: “We want people to be willing to put themselves out there and show confidence in their work.”

Know your market: A big thing for self-employed and employed workers. Mike Gibbs said: “Understanding your client base and what they want is a big thing.”

Eager: Showing that you’re keen and excited about a job ticked the box with the Lincoln Co-op’s
Faye Amberson: “It’s great if you can show eagerness at the occupation.”
Understanding company ethics: Several companies like the Lincolnshire Co-operative have a code of ethics and beliefs, which they expect candidates to share

Tips for Living: Bouncing back emotionally after a job loss

Imagine that your supervisor comes to your desk and ask if you have a minute to speak and then says, "I am sorry, but we're going to have to let you go."

Your life now seems to be spinning out of control, and you feel like you have landed in the borrow pit on the freeway of life because you have been let go from a position you expected to have until you retired. You clean out your desk, and now you need to tell your spouse.

This condition happened to me three times between 2005 and 2008. The first question I asked myself was, "Now what?"

While my first concern was the care of my family, my heart ached and my spirit was crushed.

The first week of unemployment, I did what I thought was needed. But as the days progressed, I began to understand that I had lost more than a job; I had lost my purpose. I realized I would no longer be learning alongside my colleagues. I had lost my self-confidence, and I felt I had lost the respect of each one I knew.

Once I lost my job, my priorities quickly changed. I needed to provide for the necessities of life: mortgage, utilities, food and fuel for my vehicles. Finding a job became a major concern. My bills were not being paid. I was depressed, angry, frustrated and felt lost. I didn't feel challenged and I wasn't growing. My world had collapsed.

So how do you begin cope with all of this?

You need to accept that you are grieving. Denial is such an easy emotion to embrace that it is difficult to accept that you no longer have your former job. You need help to overcome the grieving stage. You begin by getting on your knees and opening your heart to your Father in Heaven. Tell him everything you are feeling: your frustrations, your pain, your loss, your needs and your hate. Be truly honest with your emotions. You may feel actual physical pain, so take a sick day and stay in bed.

However, you only get one sick day in your new position as a job hunter. No benefits yet. The next day, get back to work on the job hunt. Remember, only one day.

You cannot keep a confident person if you sit around the house all day. You need to be engaged in some type of work. Work at anything. Now is not the time to hold out for the dream job. You need some income, no matter how small it may be, to feel like you are contributing to the needs of your family. Be a handyman for the elderly in your church and neighborhood, mow lawns, work fast food, convenience stores, or gas stations, anywhere that regularly hires.

Tips for landing your dream job

Learn about yourself. Take time to perform 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

BBB offers tips on getting holiday jobs

The Better Business Bureau offers the following advice for job hunters this holiday season:

Start the search earlier rather than later: The key to landing a seasonal job is to start searching early. Retail, shipping, restaurants and catering companies are common sources of seasonal employment.

Work where you shop: Try to identify seasonal employment with businesses you actually shop at or frequent. You will already be familiar with the company and its products and discounts available for employees mean significant savings when shopping for Christmas gifts.

Put your best foot forward: Even if you are just picking up application forms at stores in the mall, dress your best and be prepared for an interview. This includes being familiar with the company’s brand and its products.

Be flexible: Full-time employees usually have first dibs on the preferred hours and shifts, so, as a seasonal employee, expect to work long, sometimes inconvenient hours including working on Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve. If this is a second job, be upfront and clear with your new employer about your available hours.

Goldman Sachs shares job interview wisdom

Before the interview

• Make a list of your education separating your strengths, weaknesses, experiences and skills. Goldman’s advice is to create a story from these that will resonate with your interviewer and show that you are the right candidate for the job.

General preparation

• Know your CV inside out and decide on your key selling points. Practice talking about them in a confident and conversational tone. Use your experiences to show your leadership and communication skills as well as your capability to work as part of a team.

• Research the position and the company so that you can articulate your interest in an informed way. Be aware of relevant industry information.

First impressions

• To make a good impression ensure you arrive early and dress properly for the interview. Prepare a list of talking points and memorise key dates. Remember the names of those interviewing you.

Interview formats

• Goldman favours “behavioural interviews” which involve you giving examples of your skills. The plan is that past behaviour will indicate future performance.

• Other formats include the “historical interview”, which talks your through your CV in chronological order. Using your CV, you’ll be expected to tell your story.

• And don’t be thrown off by the “case study interview” which will involve questions that need some creative thinking such as: “How many manhole covers are there in New York?” Just remember, the goal isn’t to get the right answer but to provide a sound argument for arriving at your response.

At the end

• Ask a few questions about the company or the interviewer’s view of industry trends. Whatever you do, don’t ask about income and benefits as you’ll have plenty of time to discuss these once you get a job offer.

Tips for a successful job interview

Although the first interview is often the most intimidating, the following guidance can help you create a great first impression on your interviewer by not appearing too inexperienced.

Dress appropriately – in your interview the aim is to impress upon your interviewer that you are a professional, and appearances count. The important thing to focus on is being well-groomed, neat, clean, and wearing conservative clothing and jewelry – a suit works wonders.

Non-verbal contact is crucial – about 50 percent of communication is non verbal. This means having good posture, maintaining eye contact, and having a firm (not bone-crushing) handshake. Most importantly, be attentive to your interviewer. This is exemplified by your body posture and will help you appear more professional.

There are certain topics you should avoid – never talk about income or benefits on the first interview. This should only be broached by your employer. Avoid talking negatively about past employers or organizations. Find something positive about the experience that helped you become a better, and more employable, person.

Be prepared – research the employer so you know what you are getting into and can ask questions about the company when speaking with the recruiter.

Be polite – be sure to always say “please” and “thank you” when appropriate. At the end of the interview, thank the interviewer for taking the time to talk with you. Finally, make sure that you write a “thank you” note to your interviewer and mail it within 24 hours after the interview.

Be an active participant – many people get so focused on the “hunt” to find a job that they forget to think about what they really want to gain from their career. Think about what qualities, such as type of work, duties or environment are most important to you. Ask about them. It is main to think of these things because even if you get the job, you might find yourself incompatible or unhappy with it.

How To Nail Job Interview Tips

It's important to nail a good impression at the first job interview because most interviewers form their opinion of you in the first few minutes.

Here's a few tips to help you with your interview. You may want to talk to people who have worked at the company. If it's practical, hang around outside the building while employees are arriving and note how they dress and behave.

Learn the name and title of the person you'll be meeting with. Arrive at least 10 minutes early to collect your thoughts. Take time to greet and acknowledge the secretary or administrative assistant. This might be old-fashioned courtesy, but this person may provide some influence.

Always bring an extra resume and letters of recommendation in case the interviewer doesn't have them handy. Be open and upbeat. Face your interviewer with arms and legs uncrossed, head up, and hands and face at ease. Smile and always look the interviewer in the eye because this builds honesty and trust.

Know the company's business, target clients, market and direction cold. Walk in prepared with a few relevant questions and listen carefully. Subtly give the impression that you're already part of the team by using "we" when asking how something is done. For example, say, "How do we deal with the press?"

Conclude with a positive statement and a quick, firm handshake. Ask when you might follow up, and get a business card from the interviewer. And one of the most important steps is to send a thank-you note. This shows responsibility.

Career experts offer tips to make job hunt less frightening

Job hunting can be scary, even after Halloween has passed. Here’s a set of tips from job clubs, recruiters and human resource consultants to improve the odds of a good job offer:

• Use LinkedIn to connect with people you’ve worked with, and connect the site’s relevant online groups to get your name in their networks. Recruiters are scavenging names from LinkedIn because they know that people who know people are the greatest resources.

• Don’t just look on well-worn paths. If you only react to online job postings, you’re going to be joining hundreds, maybe thousands, of other applicants.

• Spend only a fraction of your time answering online ads, then try to focus on specialty niches, trade publications and corporate sites.

• Get out of your house. Attend professional and association meetings in your field. Ask others for detail, not jobs. Let people know what you’re looking for.

• Don’t pass up doors that don’t seem inviting at first glance. It may not be wise to refuse jobs because they don’t pay what you used to earn or aren’t a step up.

• Go to job clubs, community career offices at community colleges and large public libraries, where you’ll find outstanding and free job search resources.

• Don’t masquerade as someone you’re not. Have an accurate self-perception of your talents and your market value.

• Study the landscape. Don’t misuse your time hunting in depressed areas or industries that have nothing to give.

• Make your own goodies. If you aren’t getting a job dumped in your lap, create one. Sell your talents.

10 tips to build your career in IT

So you've heard that, despite doubts about the economy, CIO salaries can still reach £200,000 - or higher. You'd like a slice of that action. But first you need to build your IT career. What's the secret of the high-earners?

When you meet some of the most successful IT professionals in the world, one fact shines out: none of them set out with pound (or dollar) signs in their eyes. They simply wanted to be great IT people who added value to their organisations. And because they were, the success and the stellar salaries (in some cases) followed as a matter of course.

So what is the secret of their success? Here are 10 characteristics which the top IT leaders share

1. They understand how IT can help their businesses grow.

To put it another way, they know what part IT should play to help realise the organisation's strategy. Take, for example, Sharon Bevis-Hoover, Coca-Cola's director of IT global transformation. Last year, she caught the eye of Coke's new chief executive Muhtar Kent, who asked her to work out how IT could help transform the global business.

2. They lead from the front.

They know that's the way to build a high-performing IT team. Jacqueline Guichelaar, who has a high-profile IT role at Deutsche Bank, can provide a lesson or two there. Her ability to build and lead teams of IT professionals has propelled her career through a succession of big IT jobs around the globe.

3. They know how to make change happen.

That is important when so many people feel threatened by IT-led change. You can't manage change well unless you're as fascinated by people - and what makes them tick - as with technology, advises Graham Johnson, transformation director at Ecclesiastical Insurance.

4. They are great IT talent-spotters.

They know that effective IT leaders don't grab all the glory for themselves. Every one of the top IT leaders has that ability.

5. They talk business language.

They know managers aren't impressed with technical jargon. As Abby Ewen, director of business transformation at global law firm Simmons & Simmons, say, "I can have nerdy conversations with the best of them, but I can also have strategic conversations. And I think that part of being a good manager is being able to make the leap between high-level and low-level subjects."

6. They know that great IT projects come from great teams.

Heather Allan is corporate services director at The Global Fund, which deploys a £2bn each year to fight Aids, tuberculosis and malaria. She says, "You have to motivate and inspire a team with a clear vision of the future and you have to energise and motivate people to want to achieve it."

7. They create strong relationships with their stakeholders.

To put it another way, you need to win friends and influence people. Take Ian Woosey, group IT and e-commerce director at Carpetright. He worked with people throughout the company to help design end-to-end processes which new IT systems would support. Then he gave people in the business a role in defining the new system requirements.

8. They manage expectations of IT.

IT is not a 'silver bullet' that solves all problems. Allan Paterson, director of information systems for the Isle of Man government, says, "The key to a successful career in IT is delivery, delivery, delivery." But, notes Paterson, that doesn't mean agreeing with every off-the-wall idea that comes your way.

9. They use new technologies to deliver competitive edge.

One top IT professional who knows about this is Richard Cross, technology director at ITV. Cross has been proactive in finding ways to use IT to cut costs. And he was also at the forefront in helping ITV harness digital technologies to deliver new viewer services.

10. They contribute to senior management decision-making.

In order to do so, they acquire deep industry knowledge to add to their IT expertise. And that lesson applies as much in the public as the private sector. For example, the fact that Alan Cook acquired a deep knowledge of local government as well as IT made him an ideal choice for head of service business improvement and IT at Cumbria County Council.

Employment experts offers tips for job seekers

Most people don't view themselves as a company.

But in the competitive world of job hunting, that's not a bad approach to take, according to Dan Schawbel.

A recognized "personal branding guru," Schawbel is the managing partner of Millennial Branding LLC, and a leading authority on personal branding.

Schawbel advises job hopefuls to launch a broad attack in their quest for employment. And in many cases, that means thinking like a company.

"There are millions of job seekers out there and the ratio right now is five applicants for every one job opening," Schawbel said. "The online world has become a global talent pool. If you don't have an online website, a blog or you're not on Facebook, every time a job comes up you're losing opportunities."

Schawbel said job seekers can greatly increase their chances of being hired by developing specialized skills.

"Seventy percent of employers are looking to hire people for specialized positions, while 61 percent of job seekers have more generalized skills," he said. "Try to pick an area and become the best in the world at it. You'll become more marketable and it will allow you more flexibility to move up."

Schawbel also noted that business are looking beyond technical skills and experience. These days, they're also placing an increasing importance on interpersonal skills, such as good communication, teamwork and organizational abilities, as well as cultural fit.


Marinoff, associate director of Cal Poly Pomona's career center, said today's job market is tough for everyone - students included.

"The average number of people who apply for every job posting that appears on Monster.com or other web-based job search sites is 300 to 500," Marinoff said recently. "So if you are a student who will be graduating next June you need to be looking now."

Marinoff said the job seekers in the current economy need to be focused - and aggressive.

"It's not about quantity, but quality," he said. "The summary to me is, `Am I the best dressed in the line? Do I have the best portfolio? Am I the most qualified?' It's very competitive, but we have a program in place through our career center that has a 100-percent placement rate.

We're working with students one at a time to make sure they are prepped and hand delivered to employers."

Schawbel said schools like DeVry University and its Keller Graduate School of Management offer specialized bachelor's and master's degree programs that are focused on high-growth career fields.

"You should do some research online to find flexible and affordable opportunities to dial in your personal brand niche," he said. "It's important to have an educational foundation. And some of these schools have professors with real-world experience. So it's not just about who you know, but also who they know."

Los Angeles County's unemployment rate held steady at 12.6 percent in September, but every San Gabriel Valley city saw its jobless rate decline, according to figures released last week by the state Employment Development Department.

Nice job! Essential Tips For Saying “Thank You” to a Company

If you’re a repeat customer – and who isn’t? – then a well-written “thank you” note is more than the polite thing to do when you like a product. It can also be a means to preferential service the next time you visit.

Why? Because your missive could end up in an employee’s personnel file, or your own file if you’re a very frequent customer. Other employees could see the note, and based on what you’ve written, you could have a very different, and probably better, service experience.

I won’t argue the details, like whether you should write it by hand or not, because at the end of the day, a thank-you note is a thank-you note.

But suffice it to say that if you have a good experience, you should consider doing something about it.

There’s another reason why you should recognize a job well done, beyond the likelihood that you’ll be recognized for it. And that is that almost no one does it, and when they do it, they don’t do it well. People love to complain. But praise is rare, sadly.

So how do you do it?
1. Send it to the employee; copy the boss

If someone delivered great service, send the thank-you directly to that person with a copy to the boss – not the other way around.

Think about it. Who are you saying “thank you” to? The supervisor? But that person didn’t deliver the superior customer service. Still, it’s important that the boss know you’re recognizing the employee.
2. Choose your medium carefully

An email letter can convey your gratitude quickly, but a hand-written letter signed by you can appear more personal.

If you’re dealing with a big business, go the email route. For smaller companies, where a letter like yours can be pinned to the bulletin board in the break room and read by everyone, go for the personal touch.

If the company is hip to social media, you might try an online video. Here’s an example from a woman who liked the service she got at a Toyota dealership.
3. Keep it tight

No one has the time to read a two-page letter about great service. But two paragraphs? Absolutely.

You should be able to say everything in less than 300 words, including the following points: who you are, what you mean to the company (in terms of annual business), what happened, how a specific employee fixed the problem, and how it makes you feel about the company in general. If the letter is good enough, it will end up on the company’s site, like these customer testimonials from an online fur store.
4. Be as specific as possible.

An effective thank-you letter is precise – what, exactly, did the employee do that compelled you to write the letter? It wasn’t just her delightful smile and attentive nature that made you put pen to paper, was it? That kind of exactness may not mean anything to you, but it means everything to the employees, because they’ll be rewarded for their behavior. And you, in turn, could become everyone’s favorite customer.

Saying “thank you” may be more important than complaining about a product. Not because you’ll be treated better – although you could – and not because it could help the employee (it could, too). Do it because encouraging good service will reinforce the behavior company-wide, which could lead to a better customer experience for everyone.

30-day career boost for job seekers

An exciting new programme to unlock the potential of job seekers has been launched in Galway. Potential participants taking part in this 30-day career boost project, which starts on November 8, will enjoy taking part in a parachute jump, climbing Croagh Patrick, and visiting an active Dáil Éireann session. There will be kayaking, mountain trailing, bio energy sessions, charity events, brainstorming talks in addition to a variety of problem-solving activities and sample interview preparations - all complemented by appropriate and extremely beneficial career tips throughout the 30 days.

Eric Elwood commented that he is delighted to support this community project by saying “It is great to support this initiative which will be invaluable to job seekers, it’s a great idea.” Joe Connolly added his voice. “I am seriously impressed with the idea of affording people the opportunity to participate in a range of initiatives, a brilliant idea which will be extremely workable.”

Former Cllr Mary Leahy's involvement came about because of its practical advantages which will connect people to their objectives in a meaningful and spirited way. Galway footballer Diarmaid Blake added, 'this is a super project which sounds like a lot of fun, shows great initiative which will be seriously productive for job seekers."

The brains behind this unique initiative is part-time GMIT lecturer Seán Connaughton, who explains that everything we need to lead a successful and fulfilling life is available to us within our own community.

“We need to talk other people's currency and become more aware of how our skills and attributes will benefit potential employers. The one obstacle in life for most of us is having a lack of confidence. Confidence really starts with building on our self-worth, which allows us to have a broad range of skills, interests and motivation.

“The project is designed to expand people's skillset in an encouraging and productive way. Each activity is designed to facilitate a continuity of achievements. The only real way to achieve our potential is to set realistic challenges, throw in some fun and the results will speak for themselves,” explained Mr Connaughton who has achieved his commitment to run a series of interactive programmes to highlight the need of vulnerable children in Zambia, throughout 2010, after a recent trip to Africa. He explained, “It’s all about getting people involved and encouraged to achieve their goals and ambitions as well as being resourceful in their quest to land that all-important job.”

“This 30-day career boost project will significantly increase people's job ambitions. The project will prove to the participants that they can easily gain or regain their confidence through accomplishment, and by being part of something special,” he adds. “We're looking for people who want to achieve their potential and who will actively engage in the programme. It’s the first of its kind in Ireland with the detail behind the project designed to greatly benefit and support each participant.

”The goodwill in the community is very evident with the uptake on making all the events possible. It's really down to the humanity of people who believe in supporting the community in practical, memorable and beneficial ways. No body said no which is a huge positive message in itself.

“All the contributors to the 30-day programme are giving their time and resources on a voluntary basis. The activities involved will lead people to excel and broaden their choices, and exercise their influencing skills as well as encouraging them to be motivated through hope and encouragement. It is designed to instill confidence, get participants thinking and show them that action builds confidence, leading to positive opportunities of securing job fulfillment.” More importantly, it will show them how to use their skills and time wisely and effectively.