How to Prepare for a Layoff

How to Prepare for a Layoff This is what I get in my email every day a Google Alert on the work layoffs: I wonder about those 2,000 employees for the Royal Bank of Scott (RBS), or the 130 employees of USA Today did they see the writing on the wall? Did they ignore it, like I did? Or were they busy working hard, plunking on their keyboard trying to prove their value so their name wouldnt end up on the list? Were they hiding in the corner, ignoring reality, or were they out doing stuff in preparation for a termination? If you came to me and said Jason, Im getting laid off in 6 months, or I have a six month severance package, WHAT DO I DO??, heres what I would recommend: Figure out your finances. How much time do you have before you have zero dollars in the bank?  This goes FAST.  All of my meager savings  went away because of automobile problems in the first week of unemployment!  Oops.  Figuring out your finances helps you understand where you are at, how helpful unemployment insurance would be and what you need to make ends meet.  You can start to think about Plan B (asking family for help) and Plan C (asking your church for help), etc.  You can also figure out if a McDonalds job would even be helpful working 40 hours a week at minimum wage would that really solve your financial gap?  Im not sure you have to do the math on that one. Start networking. Brainstorm your contact list.  Write every name down even people you dont like.  This is not a discriminatory exercise, this is a lifeline.  Just because you dont like them doesnt mean they cant be immensely helpful in your transition.  Maybe they like you and dont realize you dont like them :p  Networking is a continual process its not a one-time communication.  Read at least one good networking book to put you in the right frame of mind. Figure out what your value proposition and pitch is. Read Peggy Klaus book Brag.  Be ready to answer the question hows your job search going?  Be ready to stand up and give a 10 30 second elevator pitch.  Fix up your LinkedIn Profile so it communicates your expertise and value prop.  Google your name and see what comes up (and then resolve to get the right results when someone else googles your name). Name 3 target companies you are interested in working at. These arent the only companies youll look at but it gives you a place to start, and when someone asks how they can help (they disguise that question by asking hows the job search going?) you can respond with a request to help network into any of those three companies.  Change the companies every day if you want, but be able to state at least 1 or 2 companies in every conversation you have with someone who can help you. Get ready for a long process. My dad said Youll be out of work for at least 6 months. I thought he was mistaken but he was absolutely right.  This can be a fun, although frustrating, time.  Spend more time on stuff youve been neglecting (books, family, working out, hobbies, etc.).  Dont beat yourself up for being a casualty its usually not your fault you are on the street looking (along with millions of others).  Get your head in the game, and have the right attitude, or else your bad attitude will get in the way of your networking and other efforts. Those are the strategies Id advise you to do as you prepare for a transition whether it is in a crummy economy (like now) or a great economy (like when I was unemployed but still couldnt land). Here are the tools I recommend you get on right away: JibberJobber.com. You need to organize your job search and networking efforts.  Where did you send which version of what resume?  Who do you follow up with when?  This is very difficult to keep track of with any non-database system especially as your job search goes on and on. LinkedIn.com. This is where professional networking is done and recruiters are here in droves.  Get on LinkedIn and do all the right stuff.  If you need help get my LinkedIn DVD.  Bundle it with the JibberJobber premium account and get significant savings. There are more but thats all Id recommend for now I dont want to overwhelm you with were you could be get started RIGHT NOW. You may have heard of the concept of digging a well before you are thirsty, right? That means RIGHT NOW. How to Prepare for a Layoff This is what I get in my email every day a Google Alert on the work layoffs: I wonder about those 2,000 employees for the Royal Bank of Scott (RBS), or the 130 employees of USA Today did they see the writing on the wall? Did they ignore it, like I did? Or were they busy working hard, plunking on their keyboard trying to prove their value so their name wouldnt end up on the list? Were they hiding in the corner, ignoring reality, or were they out doing stuff in preparation for a termination? If you came to me and said Jason, Im getting laid off in 6 months, or I have a six month severance package, WHAT DO I DO??, heres what I would recommend: Figure out your finances. How much time do you have before you have zero dollars in the bank?  This goes FAST.  All of my meager savings  went away because of automobile problems in the first week of unemployment!  Oops.  Figuring out your finances helps you understand where you are at, how helpful unemployment insurance would be and what you need to make ends meet.  You can start to think about Plan B (asking family for help) and Plan C (asking your church for help), etc.  You can also figure out if a McDonalds job would even be helpful working 40 hours a week at minimum wage would that really solve your financial gap?  Im not sure you have to do the math on that one. Start networking. Brainstorm your contact list.  Write every name down even people you dont like.  This is not a discriminatory exercise, this is a lifeline.  Just because you dont like them doesnt mean they cant be immensely helpful in your transition.  Maybe they like you and dont realize you dont like them :p  Networking is a continual process its not a one-time communication.  Read at least one good networking book to put you in the right frame of mind. Figure out what your value proposition and pitch is. Read Peggy Klaus book Brag.  Be ready to answer the question hows your job search going?  Be ready to stand up and give a 10 30 second elevator pitch.  Fix up your LinkedIn Profile so it communicates your expertise and value prop.  Google your name and see what comes up (and then resolve to get the right results when someone else googles your name). Name 3 target companies you are interested in working at. These arent the only companies youll look at but it gives you a place to start, and when someone asks how they can help (they disguise that question by asking hows the job search going?) you can respond with a request to help network into any of those three companies.  Change the companies every day if you want, but be able to state at least 1 or 2 companies in every conversation you have with someone who can help you. Get ready for a long process. My dad said Youll be out of work for at least 6 months. I thought he was mistaken but he was absolutely right.  This can be a fun, although frustrating, time.  Spend more time on stuff youve been neglecting (books, family, working out, hobbies, etc.).  Dont beat yourself up for being a casualty its usually not your fault you are on the street looking (along with millions of others).  Get your head in the game, and have the right attitude, or else your bad attitude will get in the way of your networking and other efforts. Those are the strategies Id advise you to do as you prepare for a transition whether it is in a crummy economy (like now) or a great economy (like when I was unemployed but still couldnt land). Here are the tools I recommend you get on right away: JibberJobber.com. You need to organize your job search and networking efforts.  Where did you send which version of what resume?  Who do you follow up with when?  This is very difficult to keep track of with any non-database system especially as your job search goes on and on. LinkedIn.com. This is where professional networking is done and recruiters are here in droves.  Get on LinkedIn and do all the right stuff.  If you need help get my LinkedIn DVD.  Bundle it with the JibberJobber premium account and get significant savings. There are more but thats all Id recommend for now I dont want to overwhelm you with were you could be get started RIGHT NOW. You may have heard of the concept of digging a well before you are thirsty, right? That means RIGHT NOW.

Build Your Digital Relationships Before You Need Them - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Build Your Digital Relationships Before You Need Them - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career The old rules of professional networking translate to the online world as well. Im sure youve heard the phrase build your network before you need it. Every single job search success story that Ive heard stems from someone already having a network, tapping into that network, and then securing referrals and interviews from it. In this way, your online network is your only insurance policy against a layoff, and it is a bridge to new opportunities as well. On the other hand, if you choose to solely focus on job boards, newspaper ads, and job fairs, your job search will last five times as long. If youre starting a business and you dont have a large network, then you are at a big disadvantage and youll have to spend more time networking, when you could be investing in your business and serving customers. The facts Avoid networking at your own peril. You cant afford to ignore online connections these days, especially when almost every first impression is created virtually, and people are more accessible than they have ever been. As you can see by the following statistics, building your network before you need to is timeless advice. If you have a network, especially an active one, its far easier to land your next big job, start or expand a business, or move up in a company. 70% of jobs are secured through networking (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics) Jobs seekers spend 68% of their time looking at online job postingsand less than one-third of their time reaching out to others (UpMo.com) 92% of small business owners recommend business-focused online networking (WeCanDo.biz) What happens when you build your network when you need it? You shouldnt rush to build your network. Theres a reason why ExecuNet states that 74% of executive jobs are through referrals. Theres also a reason why one-night-stands dont result in relationships! If youre looking for a new job or another opportunity (and dont have a network), you will exude these three qualities (acronym=DAD) to people who youre trying to network with: Desperate: Job seekers, entrepreneurs who are trying to raise venture capital, and corporate workers who are begging to move up the ladder, will naturally appear desperate if they dont have a support system to back them up. Other people will know that your desperate because youll promote yourself and hand them a resume, without shaking hands with them. You will try too hard, talk too fast, and ask for an introduction, without even getting to know the person. I dont know about you but I dont respond favorably to those types of people. Aggressive: Being aggressive is a very good thing in life, but if youre overly aggressive because you need something from someone else, then it makes you look bad. For instance, if youre really looking to get promoted and you bug your boss every day, you will probably either lose your job. Also, if youre looking for a job and youre in a conversation with someone, youll harass them in-person, and then through email after, until they respond. You need to understand that people will only go out of their way for you if they already know you, like you, trust you, and feel that they can proudly endorse you. Disingenuous: You cant force relationships on people, so your attempts to network when you need it become viewed as dishonest and insincere. People know what youre after so they will be turned off, not engaged, and not welcoming of your resume. Adding one hundred new LinkedIn contacts isnt going to result in a job because people dont know who you are, what you want, and if they receive an email from you saying that you want a job, you will be LinkedOut. When you have an agenda, other people can smell it out, and it will be hard to convince them to support you. The difference between online and offline networking Online networking When you have an online brand, you will be judged on the size of your network (your popularity), your influence within your industry, how you describe yourself and what you do professionally and personally, and the way you go about reaching out to other people. Also, its important to note what your intentions are for networking online, and how you will continue to provide your knowledge to that networking community forever. When you network online, there are certain unspoken rules, such as dont add a friend without sending a customized introduction letter, and figuring out whats in it for them. In the online world, your introductions and conversations are cataloged, shared, and responded to. This means that you have to be twice as careful as what you would say in-person. Key differences are: your network is visible, searchable, and people can draw conclusions about who you are based on who youre connected with on a grand scale. Offline networking When youre in an offline networking situation, people can get a good feel for who you are based on your behavior, body language, and words. They can also grasp how you conduct yourself, and who you associate yourself with. All of these factors in drawing people into your networking database. Offline connections tend to become online ones as well, especially if someone wants to follow-up with you or remain connected because they or you might feel compelled to work with them in the future. Key differences are: Offline networking, or networking in a real-world environment, breeds stronger connections because you get a better sense of who someone is based on emotions. 5 steps to build your digital network in preparation for a career or business move Lets think of building your digital network like building a house. Here are the following steps you should take: Have a plan of attack: Before you build a house, you need to know where you want the house built, who you want to work on it, what materials youre going to use, etc. When you build your online network, you will want to know which social media sites you want to use, and which target group of people you want to build relationships with. Lay the foundation down: Always, always, always, import your current email, instant messaging, and social network contacts in everything you do. Of course, you shouldnt do this if you have a personal profile, but otherwise you should. By starting with a base, even if its your parents, friends, and a few acquaintances, its easier to build off of it. You cant build a house without a foundation, and a deed. Get all your bricks together: Once youve chosen the social networks, blogs, and other websites where you want to grow your network, then you have to enable others to become connected to you. For instance, with a blog, youll want to add the Facebook Like Plugin, or a Share This Plugin. By doing this, youre able to attract more referrals from people who are in your industry. Other bricks youll need are the design, some content to make it appear that youre human, and flawless profiles. Build a house: Once you have the foundation and the bricks, then you need to build a community by driving conversations, commenting on other peoples materials, and become a leader in your category. Make house additions: You should always look to expand your network by providing more value, building a better site, or even starting your own social network. You want to keep leveraging new technology so that you can reach more people. Your turn Do you typically put off networking until you need to?

Three Signs Youre Financially Disempowered

Three Signs Youre Financially Disempowered Why that’s dangerous and what to do about it. Do you know how much money is in your savings account today? Are you aware of the current interest rate on your mortgage? If not, you are probably financially disempowered and could be in danger of losing it all. Let me tell you about financial disempowerment. I am the daughter of a billionaire; I was raised in a household of great wealth and luxury. Yet for all of my childhood and much of my adulthood, I was actively discouraged from learning about budgeting or personal finances. I was always reliant on others to give me the funds I needed and wanted and I wasn’t taught how to understand or use the power of money. Instead, I was raised with the expectation that I would marry someone wealthy and that someone else would continue to take care of my financial needs. Money was not a source of happiness for me â€" I felt disempowered, devalued and in a regular state of panic. By the age of 40, I was a newly-divorced mother of two with $2 million in debt and no understanding at all of how financial institutions work. Your financial story is probably not as extreme as mine, but don’t let that fool you.   Every one of us can surrender our financial power in subtle and not-so-subtle ways. And, if you are going to create and maintain the prosperity that you deserve, you must have oversight of what your money is doing. You must choose to empower yourself. Heres How To Tell If Youre Financially Disempowered There can be many signs that you are not financially empowered, but three common telltale signs are when you: never consulted about purchases or investments. don’t know how much money you owe, are owed, or have saved. constantly fall prey to impulse spending. If you recognise any of the above symptoms, then you are choosing to be disengaged from the financial decisions affecting your life. In this case, I encourage you to take immediate steps to become more empowered around your personal finances. You can do this by becoming more: Engaged: It may be easy to leave financial decisions to someone else, it also may be what you are most familiar with, but if you are to choose what is best for your money you must become engaged in your financial situation. Being engaged means more than being interested. Many people can be interested in what is happening what their finances. They may ask questions or read statements,   but to be truly empowered you need to be deeply involved in the decisions that make a financial impact on you. Don’t abdicate yourself of this incredible responsibility to you. Educated: These days, the internet provides countless opportunities for you to learn online, and financial literacy classes are available for all ages and all walks of life. There is simply no excuse for not knowing how financial systems work or what particular investment options involve. Make the effort to learn, research and be aware of how your money is working for you. Also, allow yourself to be vulnerable and open to support from others. Don’t be afraid or ashamed to ask questions.   Learn from others and seek support.   Because this is a vital component in making healthy, sustainable financial decisions. If you don’t know something, openly admit your situation and start educating yourself in that area. Bold: Perhaps the most important step to financial empowerment is to be bold enough to stand your ground if you see others making decisions that are undermining your financial situation. Become your own “No” man or woman.   Be willing to say no to others and yourself.   And choose to be your own advocate for financial growth and a wealthier future. In addition to the above, a vital component of financial empowerment is knowing how to curb those destructive impulse-buying habits. To stop impulse spending, I have a simple three-step process. Firstly, ask yourself “Can I live without this?” If you are being honest with yourself, the answer to this questions is normally “yes”. Secondly, if you can live without it, realise that the purchase is a choice. Finally, ask yourself “Is now the right time to make this purchase?” This empowers you to be in control of your impulses and your money. This guest post was authored by Curry Glassell Curry Glassell is a dynamic producer, author, speaker, philanthropist,   and facilitator.   She is an art-loving mother of two, with a rare personal story and a unique perspective on   financial empowerment. As a Right Riches for You facilitator, a special program by Access Consciousness ®, Curry draws upon her personal experience with great wealth, huge debt and joyful wealth creation to help others re-create their financial story and realize what’s actually out there for them in the world, if they let it in.   For more on money and wealth on Ms Career Girl, check this one out. Better yet, see the series on creating a new money plan.   Then,   feel free to leave your comments!

Oxfam Photo and Video Competition University of Manchester Careers Blog

Oxfam Photo and Video Competition University of Manchester Careers Blog OXFAM PHOTO AND VIDEO COMPETITION Don’t miss out on a unique opportunity this academic term. GAIN EXPERIENCE AND BOOST YOUR CV This is an exciting opportunity for any gifted photographer or media interested student to gain experience and boost their CV by helping to create a promotional video for Oxfam. While all entries will be credited for their footage, the proud winner of this nationwide challenge will be featured on Oxfam’s website. Even better, it is for a great cause as you will be working with local Oxfam staff and volunteers to overcome poverty and suffering. THEY  NEED YOUR HELP They are making a promotional video (2 min) with live footage from community fundraising groups around the country and   need your help to record local fundraising events and interviews through photography and filming. The aim of the video is to recruit new fundraising groups and group members; therefore footage must be fun, vibrant and people-focused. THE WINNER WILL BE FEATURED ON OXFAM’S WEBSITE Once material from each region has been collected, it will be pooled together and made available for editing for participants who wish to enter the competition. Footage of last year’s Oxfam beneficiaries will be provided as this should also be incorporated into the final cut. Best edited video will be publicised on our website. INTERESTED? Please contact Nancy Gartside on ngartside@oxfam.org.uk with your CV, covering letter and/or examples of your work. There are events they would like   you to cover taking place in November, so please get applying ASAP! All Media

Whats Wrong with Copying an Executive Resume Sample - Executive Career Brandâ„¢

Whats Wrong with Copying an Executive Resume Sample

Career Collective

Career Collective Two talented and innovative career experts have put together a collective group of about 20 other experts to share advice on key career search topics. Congratulations to Jacqui Barrett-Poindexter and Miriam Salpeter! I am honored to be a part of that initiative and yesterdays post Are You a Cookie Cutter Job Seeker? was the question of the month posed to the experts. I hope you take the time to read the advice and great wisdom of the other experts. You will hear resounding messages of individuality and persistence and knowing your market. Each month there will be a new question posed of the panel. I hope you enjoy and learn as I continue to learn from these talented people. FYI: If you dont already have a reader (such as google reader) set up, I highly recommend subscribing to all these experts blogs. If you would prefer to receive their regular posts in your email, you can sign up to receive those on their websites as well. Regularly reading new information is good for the brain and soul! If you are on Twitter, you can find all these experts actively engaging there too. Have a great weekend! Happy Healthy Hunting!

An Example of Writing Skills in a Resume

An Example of Writing Skills in a ResumeThere are many different skills that an individual with a PhD in medicine can use to enhance their career opportunities. It is therefore important for someone who has this level of education to show the employers how good they are at using these skills. The following article will discuss an example of writing skills in a resume.One skill that an individual with this level of education will need to show in a resume is the medical field. Medical professionals will need to be able to clearly state what their specific area of expertise is and how they use their knowledge in the work place. The type of specialization needed in a particular area should be clear from the introduction of the resume. This is so the employer will be able to read more easily and make an accurate assessment of whether or not they are hiring the right person.Examples of other skills that an individual with this level of education can showcase in a resume are listed below. T hese include executive management and leadership skills. People who have this level of education and leadership skills will need to discuss in detail what they do in these areas and how they use these skills in their professional lives. They should include in the resume their roles in the workplace and their responsibilities in the decision making process. These are two key skills in the field of medicine that all medical professionals will need to demonstrate in a resume.Other examples of writing skills in a resume are listed below. These include the ability to present information in a clear and concise manner, research skills, problem solving and decision making skills. All of these skills are key when it comes to the professional life of a medical professional. The individuals who have these skills will need to include these in their resumes.When it comes to research skills, most people may know what this means. However, the people who have this level of education and training ma y want to demonstrate how they demonstrate this ability. This can be done by including a detailed description of the techniques they have used in their research.Problem solving and decision making skills are all important in a professional life. All of these types of skills are required in the work place. The individuals who have these skills should be willing to explain how they use them and why they use them. This is an important part of a medical professional's life and they should be able to provide examples of how they use their skills in the workplace.An example of writing skills in a resume can be found on the internet. Most schools now offer careers advice and support services. These services can be found online. The following information is found on a careers advice website.In addition to information regarding the specific job requirements, a resume should also contain information about the applicant's skills. The resume should also include contact information, contact hour s, preferred method of communication, the candidate's hobbies and interest areas, hobbies and interests, special skills, awards and honours, teaching credentials, military accomplishments, and any other relevant information about the person. A sample of writing skills in a resume is listed below.