A recent study reported by the Wall Street Journal looking at the relationship between salary and happiness has concluded that  75,000 dollars a year is the point at which people remain most happy. Above this number there is no measurable increase in one’s personal satisfaction.

It doesn’t mean that you will be less happy if your earn more, just that you won’t be any happier above the $75,000 mark.  So if you count yourself among those in this group, take a moment to reflect on how lucky you are.  On second thought, you are probably already happy so that won’t be necessary.

source: lifehacker

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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

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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!

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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.

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Resume Expert Paula-Plume

Your résumé is a very big part of job hunting, but few people know how to write one properly. Not getting the interviews you want? Then your résumé may need some polishing! Follow these simple tricks and your résumé will get noticed.

Use a header that grabs attention.

When applying electronically, write to grab the reader’s attention. Reference the job number or position and tell the recruiter more about yourself. Use something like “experienced marketer available for direct mail position.”

Focus on the job that you’re seeking.

Generic résumés are usually not very effective. Review the description of the job that you’re applying for and then list your skills, knowledge and strengths that match the job. Use industry jargon to show what you know and how it pertains to the job.

Keep your objective to the point.

Your objective should sum up your desired position and unite it with your skills and experience. Power words like “dynamic,” “experienced” and “qualified” should be used. This will grab the recruiter’s attention, making them want to know more.

Use your résumé as a marketing tool.

Your résumé is a tool that should help you sell yourself to employers. Structure it in a way that’s easy to read, gets their attention and lands you an interview. Use bulleted lists and brief descriptions to explain your experience and skills.

List your strengths in the first third of your résumé.

You have approximately 30 seconds to sell your résumé before a reader moves on to the next one or arranges for an interview. So, you must have a powerful objective and move right into your experience and skills. Try using symbols like % and $ because they always stand out. For example, “Led a group that increased sales by 45%.”

Your résumé is a tool to get you the interview, not the job itself.

It’s not necessary to provide every detail for every job you’ve ever held. Call attention to the jobs that you have had that tie into the position you’re seeking. List your main jobs in one section of the résumé and list the less important ones under a heading “Miscellaneous (or Other) Employment.”

Use action words.

Using words like “implemented,” “negotiated” and “conceptualized” in your descriptions will really make your résumé stand out. Action words always let your potential employer know that you’re a go-getter and are ready to be assertive.

Make your résumé an easy read.

Use bullet points and steer away from long paragraphs; this will make your résumé easy to read and follow. Since you don’t want anything to distract the reader from what you can do and your qualifications, always be clear, concise and to the point.

Remember, every little bit helps.  Your résumé is a first impression so be sure to take the time need to make it stand out. Good luck!

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So what can you do? Here are some tips and suggestions in finding employment:

1. First, make sure your resume is up-to-date, and clearly outlines your skills and experience. (Getting some professional assistance in crafting a well-written resume may not be such a bad idea)

2. Be proactive by generating a list of companies. Go to their website and see if they have posted job openings. Not all companies post on job boards. If there are specific companies you are targeting you may want to contact their HR department or hiring authority, depending on the size of the organization, and contact directly. This can take some time and practice. I know people who’ve taken this assertive approach and landed a job.

3. Create a blog to market yourself or find and participate in other people’s blog.

4. If you are in the IT (Information Technology) field you can search online, and attend local user groups. I know personally, there are several local user groups for various skill sets like .NET developers, Java developers, Oracle, and graphics/multimedia to name a few.

5. Network, market yourself. Join one or two social networking sites. As a recruiter, I like LinkedIn.

6. Organize and keep track of where you have posted your resume, and also what companies you’ve applied to. Create a spreadsheet and basic info of company name, position, contact or any other useful info.

7. In addition to the previous tip, I would take an extra step and for any contact names and info you have gathered, I would follow up by calling the person listed in the job description. This could show initiative and set yourself above the competition.

8. Contact a recruiter, especially if they specialize in your field or industry.

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Career Expert Catherine Jones

Ronald Reagan once said: “A recession is when your friend loses their job. A depression is when you lose yours.”

We’re hovering on the edge of a recession and having well honed job hunting skills is something which is increasingly important for American and European workers.

Just out of interest – Americans get frantic about a possible recession when the unemployment rate goes over 5%. However, in many European countries, the normal unemployment rate is closer to 10% – this is largely due to different measurement standards and a higher percentage of people receiving government assistance. On the other hand, it is a lot harder to fire someone in most European countries.

Our first piece of job search advice is to examine your monthly income versus your expenses and also to look at the rate at which you will go through your savings if you become unemployed.

Obviously, the longer that you can afford to spend looking for a job before you burn through your saving, the better off you will be in the long run. While you look for work, you may be able to do freelance work, if this is applicable to your field. In fact, in some fields, such as copywriting, editing and programming, you can make a good income on the side this way.

Our next piece of job search advice is to get all of your ducks in a row when it comes to job hunting. Get your resume or CV into shape and come up with cover letters which explain exactly why you are the best candidate for the position. After any interview, send a thank you note – write one at the same time as you write your cover letter and prepare it for mailing in case you land an interview. Take it with you and mail it on your way home from the interview.

Get organized with your job search. Make good notes of your activity so you don’t duplicate your efforts or forget things.

You also have to be prepared to put in the effort required to find a new job. You’ll be making a large number of phone calls and sending out a lot of resumes each week. You’ll also have to spend plenty of time following up on all of these calls and resumes. Remember that volume is the name of the game here. Don’t make the mistake of focusing on just one job and feeling down if you don’t get it.

You’ll have to be flexible enough to accept temp-to-hire positions or if necessary, work through a temporary agency or staffing company. You may have to relocate – look at the positives of the situation.

If things are slow, then think about enhancing your skills by getting additional certifications, taking classes or getting any additional training needed to get a leg up in the job market.

Last of all, keep an eye out for jobs which are both publicly posted and non-posted. Remember that even in good economic times, less than 20% of jobs are publicly posted. Talk to people and ask them about positions which are not advertised. You can safely assume that any job which is posted online is being deluged with applicants.

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