This is an inspiring story of a business owner who is rewarding his workers by actually giving them the company that they have helped build and make successful over the years. It is refreshing to hear about a businessman that is not motivated merely by self-interest and greed, but rather in sharing his success with his employees.
(Click on the picture for full story)
Career Expert Antonio Vianna
It is estimated that the majority of Americans know someone whose job has been affected by a tough economy, either a job loss or a job change. How we anticipate and respond to these types of unexpected and expected changes is often based on our feelings about the change. For some, the job change or loss is negative because there is no longer a primary source of income; perhaps there has been a change in the hours worked so your routine is upset; perhaps you have a new boss or new co-workers, or a new work location, or even new technology, all of which requires you to learn something new, to change the way you used to do things. However, the positive aspect of a job change could be a promotion, an opportunity to learn something new from others or from new technology, a chance to be with people whom you have not worked with before, and therefore, an exciting time.
Changing world and economic conditions, career changes, and changes in life’s conditions will continue to be a part of the American life for the next decade, at least. So, it is best to prepare for this inevitability by taking advantage of these changes. Resisting inevitable change results in more harm than good. Most Americans identify themselves with their job/career, so a job/career loss is very personal. And further, we go through the same stages of dealing with a job/career loss as we would with a loss of a loved one:
A. ignore (It is not happening to me)
B. shock (I don’t know what to do)
C. anger (I’m angry as hell)
D. acknowledge (Here is what I’m going to do)
Only when we acknowledge a job/career change/loss can be effectively and efficiently move on. Don’t keep it a secret – tell others – ask for help – admit you don’t know everything – be prepared to change.
Great career opportunities exist in a good economy as well as in a bad economy. They always have and always will. What each of us must understand is how the world environment is changing the way work is done. For example, with a heightened sensitivity on the environment, “green jobs” are being created and companies are labeling themselves “green companies.” For example, this means a career, such as a Tourism Specialist, might now be identified as an Eco-Tourism Specialist because the additional responsibilities are to ensure that the work is performed without harming the environment. New job demands of the Eco-Tourism Specialist might mean to ensure that all vehicles transporting tourists from point “A” to point “B” must be fuel efficient, that the places where the tourists are lodged and fed must be energy efficient, or that the bags used to carry items must be biodegradable. The point is that the changes in the environment has caused a change in the way the job is performed.
Sensitivity to the changing world conditions also means being aware of what jobs to avoid, because in the long run they are not sustainable. Examples could include jobs that are more likely to be outsourced, more likely to be combined with another job, more likely to be computerized, and least likely to add economic value to the organization.
Employees as well as employers can help during these tough times. For example, employers could engage the employees in a discussion for ideas if there is a consideration of a downsizing. Some approaches include but are not limited to reduction of work hours, job sharing, job loaning, use of unpaid vacations and sabbaticals, creating a job faire, training employees for another job, creating resume books of those who are affected and share that information with other employers. The list is almost endless. The employees too can offer ideas as well. In addition to those mentioned above, the employee might decide to return to school for further education/skill training, and most certainly take this opportunity to really understand their Interests, Competencies, Motivation, Capabilities, and Best Working Environment. Two keys are worth mentioning. One, draw from your past but do not let the past draw on you, and two, find ways to add value to an organization either by increasing revenue or by decreasing costs.
There are many places that employees can look for help in finding their next career job. Here are some places:
A. Former companies
B. Former employees (all)
C. Companies’ suppliers and customers
D. City Chamber of Commerce
E. Employment Agencies
F. Executive Search Firms
G. Outplacement Firms
H. Metro Career Centers
I. Friends and Neighbors
J. Employment Development Department
K. Company Websites
L. Industry Websites
M. City Websites
N. Job/Career Websites
O. Newspapers
P. Industry/Professional Journals
Q. Professional Associations
R. College Placement Centers
career expert Jason Kay
There are literally, millions and millions of Government jobs out there and there is actually a specific process you need to complete in order to apply for such a job. The benefits, health, dental, paid vacation and holidays are outstanding and they are all provided through taxpayer’s money.
There are resources available online that makes looking for a government job easier than hoofing around town looking door to door. Here are the steps you need to know:
1) Current Openings: You will need to look at the current openings in your area first and any job search site can help you with that. USAJobs.gov is the best place to search for a government job. From this you can decide which jobs are of interest to you.
2) Application: You can fill out an Optional Application for Federal Employment (OF612). This is a downloadable file in Microsoft Word (.doc) format. Once you fill it out you can print it. Optionally, you can write a federal resume. These resumes must contain additional information than private sector resumes and are formatted a bit differently. Get more information at KSADoctor.com.
3) Information: You will need to provide certain information as well:
a. Full name
b. Mailing address
c. Phone numbers, day, night, mobile
d. Social Security Number
e. Country Of Citizenship
f. Highest Federal Civilian Grade, if any
g. Education – school name, address, degrees, majors
h. Work Experience – fully detailed information
i. Other qualifications – job related training, skills, certificates, leadership, honors, awards, etc. etc.
4) Civil Service Exam: There is a number of civil service exams possible and each department has their own tests and how they administer them. There are written tests, essay tests, in-basket tests, assessment centers, performance tests, physical abilities tests, psychological tests and of course an interview. Not all of these tests are needed for each posting; this was just a list of what types of tests there are for various government positions. There are online resources for information on the individual tests.
a. These tests are scheduled to happen at certain times and you will be assigned a date and time to appear for your testing.
b. In order to be considered and possibly hired for a position, you must pass any and all tests given to you. If you are not hired during the valid date for the test results, you will need to re-take the tests at another time.
5) Interview(s): That’s right, there will probably be more than one interview and just like the Civil Service Tests, you must do well on all subsequent interviews to receive a job offer.
Just because you do well on everything, does not mean you will get the job for which you apply. As with any other employment offer, there are other people vying for the same job as you. Being that this is a government posting, the number or people applying is probably even greater than in the private sector. Be sure to really study up on the specifics of what will be expected of you throughout the screening process.
Lastly, depending on the position, some agencies may want you to undergo a physical examination, drug screening or a probation period before hiring and these periods can last anywhere from 6 months to a year. That’s it, now you know how to apply for government jobs.
Job Expert Clint Schubert
Finding a job in this economy is not an easy task. Often people get overwhelmed and stressed because finding a job is a job in itself. All the small details about landing a job are sometimes to much to handle and most people don’t know where to start. I’m going to give you some simple steps that will help guide you in making a decision as to which jobs you should pursue. The first step is to ask yourself “WHY?” What is the reason(s) you are looking for a new job. Is it because you don’t have one? Or maybe you are not satisfied with your current job. If you do not have a “WHY” then you need to get one. Your “WHY” is what drives you on your quest to get a new job and even after you get it. The Second step is to write down a few of your skills that you both enjoy doing and are good at. Finding out what your strengths are will help you think about the job possibilities that will make you stand out above the crowd. For example if you are friendly with strangers and speak well maybe you should concentrate on a customer service type position. If you are creative and artistic maybe think about working as a graphic designer for an advertising company or Yellowbook etc. Writing down what you are good at will help you think about jobs you might excel at.
What Are The Top 5 Jobs?
If you are in need of a job immediately you should consider one of these 5 jobs listed below. Each are different with their own advantages and disadvantages but overall they are all great jobs to have. This list of jobs are also easy to obtain as long as you have a basic high school education.
1. Caterer – Start your own catering business with very little money required to invest. You can advertise locally and make a decent return on your investment on each event. Birthday parties and weddings are the two most popular functions that hire caterers.
2. Government – The U.S. Government is hiring. You can work as a postal carrier or construction worker or anything in between. Most of the government jobs can be found online and you can apply within a few minutes. Good benefits and pay can be expected.
3. Fitness Trainer – Being a personal fitness trainer is fun and pays well. You can get started immediately on your own or get hired by an agency who helps train you and prepares you for the position. This job is for people who are health conscience and like to work with others.
4. Insurance Agent – Being an insurance agent does require a few weeks of training but can be a very rewarding job. Most companies will hire you even if you dont have experience. This job can require some traveling but is a fun and exciting job to have.
5. Network Marketing – Being a representative for a company can be the most exciting and profitable way to earn an income. It also allows you to get started immediately once you make the decision to join a company. Most MLM or network marketing companies require a small investment to get started so make sure you do the proper research to make sure you are joining a legitimate company that has a legimate product or service.
You know your job search efforts are starting to payoff when you receive that call to schedule an interview. A feeling of nervous excitement sweeps over you and your thoughts begin to race about what the interview will be like and how to make the best impression possible to convince them you are the best person for the job.
The bitter irony about job interviewing is that people who interview well don’t always make the best employees. Nevertheless, it is the standard tool used by every organization to make their selection on a candidate. Therefore, it is imperative to approach the interview with poise, confidence and professionalism. It is no secret that researching the company and its business model is an important first step in preparing for the interview. Once you have a good understanding of the company, you can begin to organize your thoughts as to how your skills and background will be of benefit to the organization. Now it is time to focus on a few common interview questions.
“Tell Me About Yourself” is a common lead off question for the interview. It is a chance to give your 30 second commercial about yourself by showcasing your education, skills and past work experiences. This is not a time to drone on about yourself and your life, but rather to target specific instances in your background to match the traits and skills needed for the job opportunity. It is best to appear natural and conversational in tone and avoid sounding rehearsed. Divide your attention equally among all those in the room who are participating in the interview while maintaining direct eye contact. Try to avoid too many pregnant pauses, or looking at the floor or ceiling. Body language suggests that looking at the floor can indicate deceit and looking up at the ceiling can show uncertainty.
“What Is Your Greatest Weakness” or another version “Tell Me About a Time You Failed” are questions that would ordinarily make us squirm, but that can be successfully answered without casting ourselves in a bad light. Resist the urge to reply with something cute like “ice cream” or “chocolate” or “messy desk”. The interviewer is trying to see how you handle uncomfortable situations with a keen eye toward how you act under pressure while also gauging your honesty. Present examples that show a challenge that you were faced with and how your unique skills or traits allowed you to overcome the challenge and lead the objective to a successful resolution in the end. For example, you relied too heavily on computer systems to track sales so you created paper backups on critical reports that could be accessed anytime, in the event the system was down.
“Are You a Team Player” is a question that should be welcomed in the form of a gift. It is your chance to elaborate on how your communications skills can help you to deal effectively with coworkers, management and customers. Provide examples of times when you have shared information with coworkers that has resulted in increased sales, customer satisfaction or process improvements. It is essential to show your focus is on that which is best for the company. Talk about a time when you embraced change and improved your job performance or made recommendations that were adopted by management.
Being well prepared for these 3 common interview questions will increase your confidence and help guarantee a successful interview. So put your best foot forward and remember, you only get one chance to make a first impression, so be prepared and make it a good one.
Frenemy
This manipulator seeks to gain your trust by pretending to be your ally and friend. They will call you after work or suggest going to lunch in an attempt to share with you their gripes about management and other coworkers. This is in an effort to loosen you up and get you to make similar derogatory statements about others or share any inside information you may have learned about someone. This person cannot be trusted to keep what you have told them in confidence, and will usually begin to share your statements with others in an attempt to cast you in a bad light and make themselves look better.
Rumor Mill
This is the person who gets satisfaction from broadcasting every juicy morsel of gossip they hear about others of a personal or business nature. Examples would include talking about romantic involvements among employees, possible business changes such as layoffs, or why someone was fired.
Backstabber
The Backstabber has no qualms about throwing someone under the bus if it serves to advance their career in some measure. They will create the false impression that they work in the company’s best interests and report to management every error or conduct violation that they see in anyone around them.
Corporate Sociopath
This individual seeks advancement in the corporation by any means possible without regard to the impact it may have on others careers. They are remorseless and incapable of feeling empathy for anyone in the way of their climb to the next rung on the corporate ladder. They are usually emotionless and driven workaholics that are both humorless and robotic in their interactions with others.
Sycophant
The Sycophant is the “Eddie Haskell” of the organization who uses flattery on those in positions of power around him to ingratiate himself. This is usually a person with weaker skills than their teammates and therefore uses charm to try to level the playing field.
Teacher With Pets
The Teacher With Pets is in a leadership role and shows favoritism to some of her direct reports. She is motivated by personal perceptions of individuals rather than by maintaining an unbiased results based approach to measuring performance. This creates discord and disfunctionality among the team as signs of favoritism become more evident.
If you are working around any of these types of coworkers, the best advice is to maintain a professional and dedicated work ethic within your position in the company. Work to live but do not live to work since your job is only one of the many aspects of your life. Always remember that “loose lips sink ships” (or careers) and keep your friends close and your “frenemies” closer.
Career Expert Jason Kay
Most people look forward to job reviews about as much as they do a root canal. No matter how well you think you’re doing, there’s always the possibility that your supervisor will see things differently and call you on the carpet for your actions-or inactions. But there are steps you can take before, during, and after your evaluation to boost your career and actually help you look forward to reviews in the future.
Before the Review
Get on the boss’ calendar. While most people don’t enjoy a performance review, they are crucial to your career. So if your boss doesn’t conduct them on a regular basis (annually or semi-annually), the best thing you can do is ask for one. Why? First, you really do need to know what your supervisor thinks of your performance so that you can continue the good stuff and change the bad stuff. Unless you want to spend the rest of your career exactly where you are, that is. Second, reviews are typically when employers hand out raises and promotions. Not a bad incentive to schedule one today.
Come prepared. Sure, performance evaluations mostly consist of your manager telling you how she thinks you’re doing, but it should include some two-way communication. You should be prepared to share important information-such as your sales numbers, praise from satisfied clients, and projects you’ve spearheaded-so that you can lay out the positive contributions you’ve made.
During the Review
Stay calm. You may feel as jumpy as a kid in the principal’s office, but you need to force yourself to stay cool and professional at all times. And if the boss turns the conversation into a list of all the ways you’ve fallen short over the past year, don’t argue. It is okay, however, to respectfully point out the strengths you’ve brought to the organization. This is where your list of accomplishments comes in handy. And remember to never, ever take what your supervisor says personally. It’s business.
Iron out a plan for the next year. To avoid any surprises in future reviews, you need to know how your success will be measured. Ask your boss to work with you on a plan for the coming year (or six months) so that you both know how your progress will be measured. If there are markers in place-and you meet them-you’ll never fear a review again.
Ask for her input. You want to make sure your manager knows how committed you are to doing a good job for her. It may become crystal clear what skills she thinks you need to work on, but if not, ask her to share with you the areas in which she believes you need to improve. You’ll not only score major points for asking, but this may be the most valuable information you get out of your review.
Thank him. Especially if you feel like you’ve been raked over the coals, you may not want to express gratitude. But think about it this way: your boss has just given you very powerful information. He’s told you where he believes you have room for improvement, and, assuming you can make changes in those areas, you’re on your way to serious career growth. More money, more responsibility, a new title-it all starts with knowing where you stand with the head honcho.
After the Review
Determine a course of action. You should come out of your review with an action plan for the coming months, and there’s no time like the present to begin working on your goals. If your boss indicated that you need to acquire more skills to advance, begin looking into that computer or marketing class now.
Start looking around. If your review was more of a blood-letting than a constructive conversation between employer and employee, you may have to face the fact that your boss either doesn’t like you or doesn’t like the work you’re doing. If you think you can change one or both of those things, by all means, give it a try. If you don’t think that’s a possibility, start putting out discreet feelers for other opportunities.
Show me the money with a financial planning career! If you’re considering a career in financial planning then you better enjoy working with numbers and people, more specifically, people and their money. Arm yourself with information found in this article to assist you in making an informed decision.
What is a Financial Planner?
A financial planner is someone who acts as an adviser to his or her clients. They find out what the client’s financial goals are and use this information to create a plan. This plan gives clients a roadmap to follow in achieving their financial goals (such as retiring by a certain age, having a certain amount of money saved for something etc.). Contrary to what some believe, a financial planner is a lot different from an accountant, as financial planners advise how to use money, whereas an accountant keeps track of the money.
Financial planners are considered “jacks of all trades” because they must know a lot about the financial world. They must be well versed in stocks, savings bonds and other forms of investments. This does not mean that they do not consult with others, however. Good financial planners also consult with a client’s other advisers (lawyers, accountants etc.) to fully understand a client’s situation so that they can offer good information. Because of the variety of things they must do, a financial planning career is very intriguing for those who like variety in their day-to-day activities.
What Does it Take to Become a Financial Planner?
A financial planner should have a bachelor’s degree that includes coursework in mathematics, statistics, economics, & business. A degree is not a requirement, but in nearly all instances a planner will need the Series 7 and Series 66 or 67 license to conduct business on a client’s behalf. These licenses allow them to act as a representative of a securities organization and give financial advice.
What is the Pay?
Financial planners, like many others in the corporate/business world, are usually very well paid. Many financial planners earn at least $55,000 a year, with some pulling in as much as $100,000 or more per year. How much you make will depend on whether you’re working for a financial firm or going it alone. Typically, as long as you have a good client base, freelance financial planning is more profitable.
Cautions About Financial Planning Careers
A career in financial planning is not for everyone. Some people are cut out for the work, but others are not. Some of the cautions about financial planning include:
There are four core methods of job search and I encourage job seekers to use all of them. When you are in search, looking for a job is your full-time job and you should plan to dedicate 35-40 hours per week to your search or a percentage of that it you are searching while employed. Here’s a quick rundown of the four methods of search.
Job Boards – When using the boards, you need to be as strategic as possible in your approach, because there is an enormous amount of information posted on the boards and employers receive multiple responses for each position they post. One of the best strategies for managing your presence on the job boards is to stick with niche boards that best match your professional level, industry, or job function rather than spending time on a board that claims to be all things to all people. This allows you to be a big fish in a smaller pond and potentially garner more immediate recognition from a hiring authority. For example, a senior-level executive is generally better-off creating a presence on a six-figure job site than on a general job board that posts jobs at all professional levels. Another way to optimize your time spent on the boards is to set up job alerts based on keywords and geographical preferences to streamline the amount of time spent on the boards and optimize the amount of relevant leads.
Recruiters – A recruiter can be a great ally during a search, but keep in mind that recruiters are generally only going to be interested in your candidacy if your skill set matches a position in their current job requisition portfolio. In addition, recruiters can only expose you to the positions from the companies that are willing to pay a recruiter to manage the search process. When you partner with a recruiter, you only get to see a small percentage of the available jobs in the market.
Cold Calling – People in search often find their jobs by cold calling on potential decision makers in companies. By creating a marketing letter that communicates your skills, accomplishments, and value-add, you can attempt to forge relationships with key people in the companies you would like to work for. The goal of the letter is to build a relationship with people in companies where no relationship existed before. If you can create and nurture a relationship before there is a need to fill a position, you are much more likely to be considered as a candidate when there is an opportunity because you are now part of the inner circle of contacts within the company. This method takes work and may not yield immediate results, but if these new relationships are nurtured over time, they can grow into opportunity with the company down the line.
Networking – Networking is the art of exchanging information continuously and graciously with members of your professional and social communities. People are more likely to share information with people they know and trust. Sharing information about job leads comes naturally in networking circles. Attempt to give more than you get and don’t keep tabs on your goodwill versus someone else’s and eventually you will find that you can almost always find a connection for whatever you need…whether it’s a recommendation for a great restaurant, advice on a project, or a tip on a job lead.
Yes, it’s a lot of work, but it is quite rewarding to help others and receive their help in return. Now it’s time to put these strategies to work. Best of luck in your search and beyond!
Do you find yourself working in a mind numbing and soul stealing job? If so, join the millions of other Americans who freely admit they are not working at the company or job of their dreams. Well then, what happened?
Life happens sometimes and it becomes necessary to accept a position due to the ordinary pressures of busy lives. The car was on the fritz for the last time and you needed to replace it. We needed a bigger house to accommodate our growing family. My daughter wanted to join a ballet class with her friends. Whatever the reasons might be, you took a job that enabled you to meet your living expenses, and now 5 , 10 or 20 years later, are wondering where the time went and you might be feeling just a little stuck.
If this sounds like you, don’t despair. Remember, life sometimes does begin at 40. First, determine what your interests are or if you have any unique skills. This can be a challenging exercise, but discussing it with family or close friends can yield answers. Next, do a financial assessment of what your salary needs are to meet your household budget. Finally, the master key to finding a better job is to begin researching top companies that offer careers aligned with your interests.
Every year, Fortune Magazine publishes a list of the top 100 companies to work for. Chances are, that company you are working for is not on the list. Other surveys abound such as the Human Rights Campaign list of best companies for LGBT employees, Working Mother Magazine’s list of top companies, and Black Enterprise Magazine’s list of best companies for diversity. A simple search of the internet will start you on your journey of finding the right company to target. Remember, companies are like shoes. You might have to try on quite a few before you find a comfortable fit.