Tuesday, December 29, 2009

The 2009 Year In Review

Resume Solutions, LLC was more active than I could have imagined looking back at 2009. However, I do not feel like we scratched the surface considering the number of people who are unemployed. 

We gave presentations mostly in churches and libraries over the past year. However, we did have an opportunity to provide resume critiques at a Job Fair in May. The typical size of our audiences generally ranged from 5 people to 20 people. Females were this year's dominant gender in attendance. Although as the year progressed men came out more often.

Conducting research was a consistent activity throughout the year. We started The Informed a group on BrightFuse that has a purpose of empowering its members with information that will help them with their professional development. 

In an effort to promote the business we have done workshops, posted fliers, and become active in social media with information on Facebook and Twitter.

Our biggest accomplishment was designing a series of workshop modules on a variety of career topics. We presented workshops such as "Creating A Resume that Properly Represents You", "Developing Strategies to Improve Your Interview Skills", and "Conducting An Effective Job Search".

The year 2009 was a success for Resume Solutions, LLC and we look forward to helping more people in 2010 with their professional development!



Thursday, December 24, 2009

Growth

I was reviewing a colleagues profile on BrightFuse an online talent community and that person said they were working on growth. That started me to thinking. What type of growth? Do you know what type of growth you are looking for? How do we measure growth?

That person could be talking about spiritual growth. Spiritual growth is the process of developing a closer relationship to God by praying and studying God's word found in the bible. My colleague could also be speaking of professional growth. Professional growth would be defined as any activity that an individual takes that will foster their professional development. Such activities could include furthering your education, taking company sponsored courses, or simply taking your job more seriously.

How do you know what type of growth you need? The answer to that question is left up to debate. We are all at different points in our lives.  To get a better handle on that subject we must be honest with ourselves and decide that change is needed. Once we determine that change is needed, the area in our life that we prioritize for change speaks to the type of growth we are seeking.

Lastly, how do we measure growth? I measure growth in one word progress. You may not be at your ultimate destination but when you start seeing positive change you have Growth. You have growth that you can measure when you start replaying events in your life and see a change in how they were handled compared to how similar events were handled in the past.

Growth should be a life-long goal that we pursue!


Monday, December 21, 2009

Working In Retail At A Glance

Historical high rates in unemployment speak to the fact that many Americans are seeking employment.  If you are searching for a job you should ask yourself which industry would best meet your needs.  In this article we will look at jobs in the Retail industry.

Retail has long been the employer of many. They have been the employers of teens, college students, retirees, and spouses who have tried to supplement their household incomes. One of the reasons for the popularity of retail is due to the flexible work shifts it provides.  If you are considering working in retail be prepared to work a variety of shifts which may include weekends, evenings, and holidays.  You should also be prepared to stand for long periods of time because Retail positions aren't usually sit down positions.  If your lifestyle doesn't fit such demands you may want to think twice before you accept a job in Retail.

Retail jobs are great places to work for people who like to work as a part of a team. They provide opportunities for employees with leadership skills to become managers.  Retail jobs are also good for people who have a desire to work with the public. You will need to be able to manage a wide range of personalities. Most of all if you need to be right Retail may not be for you because the customer is always right.

Wages in Retail are usually slightly above minimum wage. Many jobs in Retail give employees the opportunity to earn commission on top of their wage. However, the largest wages and salaries are usually reserved for Store Managers and District Managers. 

Do your homework before you accept a position in Retail to determine if it will be the right for you!


Monday, December 14, 2009

Start Planning Today for 2010!

It is often said that failing to plan is planning to fail.  I say that today is the most important day in your life.  It is a day that you can regain control in your life by planning for 2010.  To create your master plan write down all the things that you would like to accomplish in the coming year. After you do that take some time to think about a realistic timetable in which you can accomplish your goals. Then write down the months of the year on a piece paper like the following:

January   February   March    April


May    June    July    August


September     October     November      December


Underneath each month list an activity or goal that you have for that month. Finally make sure you keep this plan visible or somewhere you will see it on a daily basis. Approaching a new year and a new decade with a plan for each month that is visible to you daily will help you become more successful! 

Career Workshops Tips

1. Attend the workshop.  (Low attendance can cause workshop offerings to be eliminated.)

2. Arrive on time. (Be on time so that you don't distract anyone by arriving late.)

3. Ask questions. (Your question may be the question someone else needs to ask.)

4. Remain open to constructive criticism. (You can't learn anything if you already know everything.)

5. Provide your feedback. (Complete surveys so that the presenter knows how they are doing)



Thursday, December 10, 2009

Christmas Wish List for the Job Seeker

We are only 15 days away from Christmas and you maybe preparing your wish list to give to family and friends. Many Americans probably won't spend like they have in past years. The primary reason many people won't be spending as they have in the past is due to job loss or the threat of a job loss.  With that thought in mind I have decided to create a Christmas Wish List for the Job Seeker.

1. Effective Job Search Techniques and more interviews.

2. People to network with within their industry.

3. Positive encouragement that things will improve.

4. Training or education that will make them more Job Ready.

5. A resume that stands out for the right reasons.

As we prepare to celebrate Christmas remember the Job Seekers in your life. Find out if there is something you can do to help them in their search! 

Friday, November 20, 2009

Job Scams

Job Scams are erroneous job ads distributed by impostors that look to lure Job Seekers to provide them with with personal data and/or perform a fake job.  You may receive a job offer from someone who claims that they found your resume or CareerBuilder or Monster. 

To avoid being the victim of a Job Scam remember the following steps:

1. Never give out your bank account information.

2. Never give out your credit card information.

3. Never forward, transfer, or wire money to an employer.

4. Do not transfer money and retain a portion for payment.

Most companies do not need personal bank information to pay an employer with the exception being the US government who would need your bank account information to do a direct deposit.

If you want more information on Job Scams go to the following link:  http://www.worldprivacyforum.org/jobscamreportpt1.html



Thursday, November 12, 2009

Handling Rejection

Most of us encountered rejection for the first time as a young child or teenager. The experience was an eye opener when someone from one of our social groups informed us that we did not measure up. We probably began to ask ourselves or our parents why. It is never easy to handle rejection but is a necessary skill to learn.

Handling rejection during your Job Search can be difficult. You should view rejection as an opportunity to learn. Ask yourself these questions:

  1. Did I give my best effort?
  2. Is there anything I could have done differently?
  3. Would I have fit within the culture of the organization?
  4. Do I try to apply to the organization at a future date?

I believe that a way of handling rejection is turning rejection into a positive. You may not have received the answer that you were hoping for from a potential employer. But if you actually get a response from a company in this job market you are ahead of the game. It shows that your resume and cover letter were good enough that you were considered. That is a victory in today's job market.

Monday, November 9, 2009

Healing After A Job Loss

When an unexpected job loss occurs it creates a scenario that most us aren't ready or equipped to deal with.

Oftentimes after a job loss we seek and are given advice of where to look for a new job. If we are lucky we may receive help from our employer in the form of a company that will provide assistance with resume enhancement or interview practice. There is no support system in place to help us  with the actual job loss.

I firmly believe that we overlook our own personal healing for a few reasons. Men tend to overlook healing after a job loss because we are frequently trained not to deal with our emotions. We may scream or pick up other addictions but we don't deal the actual problem. Both men and women overlook their own healing because they are consumed with finding a job as quickly as possible. This practice is understandable but unhealthy. Furthermore, I think we don't heal properly after a job loss because we blame ourselves for our job loss. We are filled with I should have, if only I had, they never liked me, I knew something was up, or some other conclusion that blocks our healing.

No matter what the reason is for your job loss give yourself  time to heal after the experience. Determine what you can learn from the situation. Seek the assistance of family, friends, or even a counselor so that you prepare yourself to move forward in your career.

Sunday, November 8, 2009

Using the PRESTON Formula to Succeed

I have devised an acronym using the letters in my first name to help you succeed on your job.

P = Prepare (Be prepared to work, be prepared to learn, be prepared for change.)

R = Retain ( Retain what you are taught so that time isn't wasted reviewing the same info.)

E =  Embrace (Embrace the culture, ideas, and philosophies of your company.)

S =  Sacrifice (Be committed to coming early or leaving late to get the job done.)

T=  Teamwork (Help your co-worker or share your ideas when requested by a supervisor.)

O =  Ownership (Minimize the issues that your boss will have to handle on your behalf.)

N = Neat (Maintain a neat appearance and an orderly work area.)

Following these steps will help you become a star in any work environment.


Thursday, November 5, 2009

The Resume vs. The Job Application

When I give my resume writing workshop I often get questions that apply more to a job application than a resume. I will attempt to examine the best approaches to both.

You want to put factual information on your resume and job application.  To place false information on your job application could be sufficient grounds for termination. A job application may ask an applicant for a social security number whereas I would never recommend anyone placing their social security number on their resume.

A job application may require you to list all the positions you have held in the past 10 years. As you create your resume you have the liberty to include the positions of your choosing.

It may be common to include your references on a job application. However, I would not include references on your resume. Your references should be created on a separate sheet of paper.

Your resume does not automatically take the place of completing a job application. You can expect to be asked to complete a job application prior to an interview.

While your resume and a job application may contain similar information they do have differences. Do your homework so that you handle each appropriately.

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Keeping the Recruiters Attention

Your resume should begin with a Summary instead of an Objective. This is what many recruiters are looking for today. As you create your summary remember it should include your greatest selling points. 

To ensure that your resume grabs the attention of recruiters implement these strategies. First of all make sure that your summary is brief, and when I say brief I mean no longer than four sentences. Secondly, you should strategically add industry key words in your summary. You can obtain a job description of the job you want to support you in this effort. Lastly, you must explain the value you can bring to the company. 

Any recruiter who reads your summary should be able to determine the position that you want, why you would be a potential fit, and if they want to continue reading your resume. Don't try to create the summary in one draft. It may take a few drafts to create the perfect Summary for your resume. 

Friday, October 30, 2009

Who's Really in Charge?

So often when we face job loss or the prospect of job loss we focus on the financial impact of the job loss. We make statements like we live from check to check or if we miss one check we are going to be in trouble. This is common because we oftentimes believe that our job is what holds the key to our existence.

However, I contend that God is the key to our existence. God gave us the job that we have or had. God also gave us the skills and talents to perform that job. God will give us our next job. You have probably heard the famous statement that when one door closes God will open another door. I truly believe that statement.

I believe that job loss can be a scenario that God is trying to get our attention. Maybe God has been trying to get our attention and we have ignored God. Furthermore, job loss can be a faith test from God to us. It is easy to believe in God when things seem to be going your way but the true test of faith is how you react to struggles such as job loss.

We must remember that God will not give us more than what we can handle. I am not saying that you won't get discouraged from time to time. You are a human being even when you have great faith and belief in the power of God. But as a child of God your condition of being discouraged should be temporary. So ask yourself now who's really in charge in my life?

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Don't Give Up

With the holidays and the year end approaching this is not the time to give up. I realize that you may have been searching for employment for months. You might not be able to find a job that is a good fit for you. Your skills may not be sufficient to get the job you want. You may have been downsized or recently laid off. Take the last two months of 2009 and prepare for 2010. 

Find someone that you trust to review your current resume. Your resume is your calling card and it has to be tight. Your resume will generate calls for interviews which lead you to getting the job. When you finish with your resume, create a cover letter and a list of your references.

After you are done with those steps it is time to develop a Job Search Plan. Your Job Search Plan will be a detailed report that will list activities that you will engage in to find employment.  You can plan to utilize online job boards one day, and network with contacts on another day. Set goals for yourself that are attainable.

Determine what you want to do! Take a skills assessment if you are unsure of what your next career move should be. Investigate the possibility of going to school or getting specialized training. If you can' t afford school seek financial assistance or develop skills that you can do at a limited cost. You can improve your typing skills with little cost to you. You can also improve your knowledge of Microsoft Office applications like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Improving your basic computer skills can help make you more employable.

 

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

How to Use Social Media in Your Job Search

In this blog I will briefly examine how to use social media in your Job Search. I will start with a website that many of you may be familiar with Linkedin. Linkedin can be found at www.linkedin.com. Linkedin allows you to network within a community of professionals.

Linkedin allows you to post a picture, your resume, and it allows you to obtain professional recommendations. Linkedin provides you a platform to showcase your accomplishments and skills. In doing this you are allowing yourself to be discovered by employers. Job seekers oftentimes focus their energy on finding job leads and potential employers.  Social Media provides job seekers a way they can be researched and discovered. For this reason you should proofread and update your profile on a regular basis so you can protect your image.

Linkedin also has a Job Search engine that you can use to search for jobs. You don't have to pay to use this service either. Linkedin is also helpful when you are trying to address a cover letter. It gives you information pertaining to who posted the job, when the job was posted, and the position of the person who posted the job. This information will allow you to personalize your cover letter.

Linkedin is well respected by many professionals and I feel that it should be used in your Job Search. In order to make Linkedin work, you have to invest time in it. When it is hot continue to use it and if isn't working try something else and come back to it at a later time.


Monday, September 28, 2009

Strategies for Dealing With Unemployment Part IV

In this fourth and final installment of "Strategies for Dealing with Unemployment" we will look at how unemployment can impact your mind.

Dealing with unemployment can have a tremendous effect on your mind. You go from being employed and having a definite purpose everyday to being unemployed and wondering what you should do to find your next job. For some it can be easier to deal with unemployment at its onset, but as time passes uneasiness and panic can settle in if you allow it.

Unemployment can have a great effect on their mind of men and women. Men are the expected leaders and bread winners of their households. Many women are the leaders in single parent homes or the leader in their own household. Without the security of knowing where the next dollar will come from it can cause anyone to question their worth.

To help you cope with the mental aspects of unemployment try these tips:

1. Seek to develop your relationship with God. (He will be there with you!)

2. Keep your friends and family around for you for support.

3. Take advantage of counseling if it is available.

4. Journal or keep a diary so you will have an outlet to express your feelings.

5.  Never lose faith in yourself!


 


Monday, September 21, 2009

Strategies for Dealing with Unemployment Part III

In this third installement of "Strategies for Dealing with Unemployment" we will examine the financial issues created by unemployment.

You should create a budget for yourself so you can survive on less money than you are accustomed to. It would also be a good idea to sit down with your family and let them know of pending lifestyle changes that may be forthcoming. Develop a plan "B" that can generate some income and implement it immediately.

Five things most people can consider to earn extra income while you are unemployed.

1. Landscaping
2. Car Detailing
3. Babysitting
4. House Cleanning
5. Personal Services (running errands, transportation service etc..)

If you were fired then you need to apply for unemployment benefits as soon as possible. You can sometimes take care of this online and sometimes you have to go to the state unemployment office. Know matter what handle this task immediately. If you have a 401k seek the assistance of a financial professional to determine if or when you should rollover your 401k proceeds.

If your company is downsizing and your position is being eliminated you need to find out if you are going to be offered a severance package. A severance package is a portion if not your full salary that you will receive for a specified amount of time.

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Strategies To Deal with Unemployment Part II

In this second installment of "Strategies To Deal With Unemployment" we will examine Job Search Techniques and Networking. In an employer's market it is critical that you have excellent job searching techniques. Gone are the days of going to websites like CareerBuilder, Monster, and HotJobs and posting your resume and getting calls for interviews right away. If you need to start a job search consider the following solutions:

(1) Go directly to the websites of companies that you are interested in. (There are jobs that are posted internally that are never posted to the public.)

(2) Utilize community resources such as churches and libraries! Many churches have career ministries that are comprised of volunteers who are either business professionals or human resources professionals. Their insights can be invaluable to job hunters. Your local library can be an excellent resource to fuel your job search. The library has computers that are FREE for public use for those who do not have a home computer. They have a wealth of material available such as online resources, and books. Many libraries are bringing in professionals to speak on career related topics. You can find out pointers on resume writing and interviewing which can help you during your job search.

(3) Networking with everyone you can network with. Start off with family and friends and let them know the type of job that you are seeking. Instead of it being just you involved in your job search you will develop a team to assist you in this process. If you are a member of any professional organizations seek the help of the organization. For recent college graduates who are searching for employment continue to network with college job placement offices and alumni associations. If you have a lot of pride and prefer not to network with people who know. You may consider networking within talent communities such as BrightFuse.com or Linkedin. Both websites give you an opportunity to post an online resume with a picture of yourself. You can network with colleagues within your industry an earn recommendations.

Ultimately, a job search in today's times requires creativity and a variety of activities. Check back next Tuesday when we will examine Setting Goals while you are unemployed.


Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Strategies to Deal with Unemployment Part I

This is the first installment of a four part series brought to you by Resume Solutions, LLC on " Strategies to Deal with Unemployment". The first topic we will examine is Time Management. When you are working your time is planned for you. You are hired in as a full-time, part-time, or contractual employee. In any case you have a defined amount of hours that is assumed that you will be working. 

Once you are unemployed you no longer have a work schedule and for some of us that means we lose structure. Most of the time you have things to do. Some of those things may include searching for a job, catching up with family, or finishing a project that you never had time for while you were working.

Finding a job in this economy is tougher than ever before and if you waste time it could cost you big. You could become discouraged after the weeks start to pass and you don't get any calls for interviews. My solution to this problem is creating a calendar or planner of your daily and weekly plans. Keeping a planner will help you make the most of each day. In addition to that it will give you something to look back at when the week is over. You should be able to identify activities that are working and ways that you can make better use of your time. Be sure to log all your activities daily so that this exercise can be most effective.

As you manage your time make attainable goals. Start off by setting a goal for the number of interviews you will go on for a month. Follow up that goal with setting a goal for the number of jobs that you will apply for each day. You may also want to set a goal for the number of people that you will network with within a week.  The whole goal of your activity is creating activities that will help you make the most of your time and help you find a job.

Check back on next Tuesday when I examine what strategies to use while you are conducting your job search and the art of networking. 

Sunday, August 30, 2009

Controlling the Controllables

There are many things that we can not control during a job search. But this blog is not intended to enable underachievers. This blog is being created to inspire those who are striving for success. In order to achieve anything you must set some goals. When you set goals you are taking control over your situation.

For example you can not make an employer call you.  However, you can attempt to increase your chances by setting a goal for the number of companies you submit your resume to.  If you don't have a resume or if your resume needs work you can set a goal of devoting a specific amount of time to creating a new resume. In each scenario you are in a proactive mode that allows you to focus on what you can control.

Our mindset and attitude are other things we can control. Life may be tough for you but you can choose to look at things from a positive perspective or a negative perspective. A positive perspective will eventually lead you to uncovering some new opportunities. A negative perspective will mentally drain you and leave you stagnant.

Breathe life back into your job search by setting attainable goals and rewarding yourself when you achieve them.

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Job Searching Resources

There are many online job boards like CareerBuilder, Monster, and HotJobs that are common places to search for jobs. Some people may be thinking that they have put their resume on every online job board and they need new resources to fuel their job search. So the question becomes what should I do next?

I recommend that you utilize every community resource. You can start with your local library. Most libraries have computers for public use. Remember to bring your flash drive so that you can save your work. They also have books on creating resumes and cover letters. The libraries I have visited are hosting career workshops and they are FREE! 

If you have a church home find out if they are running any programs for people who have suffered job loss. Many churches have career ministries that can be utilized for people who have questions. In addition to getting career information, you can get spiritually uplifted.

I also recommend that you check out your local television stations websites. They have job information from companies that post jobs directly on their website.

The goal of a successful job search is to equip yourself with as many tools as possible to land yourself an interview.

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

How many resumes should I have?

It is a good idea to have multiple resumes if you have specific skills that can be used in different industries. For example if you were a Sales Manager you could potentially have one resume for sales and another resume for a management position.

I have noticed that when people try to fit multiple skill sets into one resume it creates a lengthy resume. A lengthy resume is not bad if it is justified, but remember that it is your job to quickly capture the attention of the reader of your resume and show them how you could fit into their organization. Don't forget to use keywords relating to your industry because many times companies don't even read resumes anymore, they have software that scans the resumes in their database to find candidates for open positions.

When you try this two resume approach it allows you to be specific about what content you will use for each resume. Creating an industry specific resume will likely shorten that specific resume and it may show some gaps in your employment history. You will address this by attaching a cover letter with your resume explaining your specific qualifications and overall employment history. 

Monday, August 24, 2009

Take a look at Industry Data

If you are unsure of what career you want to pursue next there are two things to consider. First, I would take a  career assessment. You can find FREE career assessments online at websites like monster.com and thebeehive.org. A career assessment should help guide you in the right direction. Secondly, I would research industry data.  According to an article in the Jobs section of the Sunday Detroit Free Press you should research industries and job sectors that are experiencing worker shortages or still experiencing job growth.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics releases updated figures every month on occupational job growth. The following sectors have gained jobs this year: health care, education, government, food services, and IT(Information Technologies).

Ultimately, if you are considering going back to school or getting additional training then it would make sense to get training in sectors where there is job growth. 

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Your July Resolution

I challenge everyone that is seeking a job or a breakthrough with their business to commit to accomplishing 5 different activities during the month of July.

There are no right or wrong answers here.

I will start us off with my five activities that I will commit to for the month of July.

1. I will dedicate 30 minutes per day to searching for jobs on online job boards.

2. I will create a business plan for my business.

3. I will research companies that I would like to work for and send them letters to see if they have any unlisted opportunities available.

4. I will continue to motivate other job seekers because I believe blessings come through helping others.

5. I will continue to network with my contacts on BrightFuse.

I pray that everyone that reads this will get their blessing in July!

Thursday, June 18, 2009

The Cover Letter

There is a debate over whether a cover letter is necessary. I have spoken to some recruiters who say no one reads cover letters. While I have talked with other recruiters who say that they love cover letters. I say cover letters are important if they are used correctly.

A cover letter should serve as an introduction to your resume. You should start off by letting the recruiter know why you are writing them. It may be about a specific position or it could be to determine if there are opportunities within the organization. Following that you should describe your strengths. These strengths can be your soft skills or hard skills. After listing your strengths you can discuss specific positions you have held and how you made a difference using your strengths. The cover letter should be closed by stating that you are confident that you can bring value to the organization and that you welcome an opportunity to further discuss your qualifications in person. Hopefully, the combination of a well written resume and well written cover letter will be an interview.

If you have further questions regarding a cover letter you can Google cover letters on the internet to generate samples. You can also check your library or bookstore for books on cover letters. If you don't have time for that you can hire a professional like Resume Solutions, LLC. Go to our website www.resumesolutionsllc.com for more information.

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

The Job Fair

A Job Fair is a place where employers get to inform or interview numerous potential candidates for hire. To make the most of the Job Fair you should follow a few basic practices.

The first item on your agenda is to find out which employers are going to be at the Job Fair. You need to know this because you want to make sure you talk with representatives from the companies that most interest you. The key here is to treat the Job Fair like an amusement park. There are alot of rides and attractions to see at an amusement park but you only want to invest time to see your favorites.

The second item on your agenda will be to make plenty copies of your resume. You will want to bring one resume for every company that interest you. It is also a good idea to bring four additional resumes that you will give to the Job Fair hosts who oftentimes adds your resume to their database and companies that you may have overlooked.

The third item on your agenda is to remember to stay positive during the Job Fair. Sometimes a company that you thought would be present does not show up. Sometimes you might be presented with some questions that you weren't prepared for. Or maybe your nerves just get the best of you. In any case remain calm and do your best.

The fourth item on your agenda should be to practice your pitch. Included in your pitch is a firm handshake, a smile, and a brief description of yourself, and what you are looking for.

In the end a Job Fair is like most other things in life it is what you make of it. It is also an opportunity to practice your presentation skills and possibly find a lead for a job opportunity.

Friday, May 1, 2009

The Power of Networking

If you are unemployed or thinking about preparing for life after your current job then you need to Network. Networking is simply communicating to people in your circle that you are looking for an oppportunity. Don't let your pride or your need for privacy stop you.

There are countless online career websites such as Dice, CareerBuilder, Monster, and HotJobs. Those sites simply list jobs and give you an opportunity to post for positions. When you network you get insider information as to when a position will be open. You will also be told how to apply and what to expect during the hiring process. You get this type of information because somone you know is working or familiar with that organization.

You can start networking with your own family. Familiarize them with your background and let them know that you want to keep your options open. Reach out to your friends and let them know you are looking for employment and familiarize them with your background. If you are involved in church or any professional organization let those people know too. Basically you want to have as many people helping you look as possible.

After you reach out to your circle. Create a new circle by networking online. Websites such as Linkedin and Brightfuse are excellent places to do strategic networking. You can network with people who work within the industry you are targeting. These websites allow you to display your qualifications in a resume format.

Whichever method of networking you choose don't overlook it because it could help you land the job you are seeking. The best part of all is networking for the most part is free.

Thursday, April 30, 2009

Assessing Your Skills

Are you tired of your current job? Have you been forced to take a buyout or retire early? Where do I go from here is a question that you may be asking yourself?

Today we will take a look at assessing your skills. We will breakdown the skills of a teacher and how those skills could be transferable into other jobs.

Teachers usually like to help others, usually children or young adults. They also are comfortable speaking in front of groups of people. They are oftentimes great motivators. Teachers also are good planners, they make lesson plans for their students. Teachers usually like to read and process information well. Teachers are well educated, they usually have a Bachelors degree and state certification.

So we have uncovered the following transferable skills: desire to help others, public speaking, good planner, good reader, well educated, excellent comprehension

Possible jobs that could be a match for this skill set indude the following:
Corporate Trainer, Mentor, Career Coach, Life Coach, Business Consultant, Library Worker, Daycare Provider, Motivational Speaker, Financial Advisor

Corporate Trainers teach and motivate people oftentimes in large groups.
Mentors help people develop.
Career coaches develop plans on an individual basis and may also do seminars.
Life coaches use their love for reading and processing information to help others develop.
Business Consultants use their knowledge along with planning to improve workplace situations.

Library workers can work with young people and help them locate reference materials.

Daycare provider is a place where former teachers can still work with children.
Motivational speakers is an occupation where a teacher could use their planning skills and present materials use their public speaking skills.

Financial Advisors educate people on insurance and investment options.

If you need help in assessing your skills contact Resume Solutions, LLC today at http://www.resumesolutionsllc.com/.

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Where do I stand with my company?

With companies downsizing daily there is no certainty in today's workforce. However, there are signs that companies provide that may suggest that your days may be numbered in your current job.

The first sign that your job is in trouble is when the help that you are given from management goes from verbal to written. The Human Resources personnel within most companies want documentation proving why they are justified in firing you if things get to that point.

Another sign that your job could be in jeopardy is your company hiring people that do your current job. A manager with the ability to think ahead will try to hire and train your replacemant before letting you go. Utlimately they have to make sure that the job gets done and that goals are accomplished.

If you are worried about your job security ask your boss they should be able to give you an idea of where you stand.

In the end do the best you can in your job.

An above all remember that it is not your job that provides for you it is God that provides for you!

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

What is a resume?

A resume is a personalized brochure that highlights for an employer the job that you seek, your education, and all your relevant job experience. It should also include all of your relevant accomplishments.

You should look at your resume as you making your first impression to a potential employer. Your resume will arrive to potential employers and start selling you before you ever get to sell yourself. Therefore, it is an absolute must that your resume is error free. Don't depend solely on your computer's spell check either. Have a friend or family member review your resume for accuracy.

Your resume should also properly represent the you of today. For example you may have had to take a few jobs to pay your bills but those job may not represent areas that you want pursue in the future .

If you need help enhancing or creating your next resume contact Resume Solutions, LLC at http://www.resumesolutionsllc.com/.