Kamis, 19 Agustus 2010

How You Can Leverage a Layoff

Jobless? Take This Opportunity to Start Your Own Business
by Dennis Romero, Entrepreneur.com


Diane Lindquist is a four-decade veteran of journalism and an expert on the trade economy of the U.S.-Mexico border. When the San Diego Union-Tribune offered her a buyout in January 2007, after nearly 30 years at the newspaper, she saw the writing on the wall: Older, higher-paid reporters were being shown the door in the name of cost savings. But she also saw opportunity: Where would her readers turn for institutional knowledge and in-depth analysis about the border business scene?

Lindquist decided to take the buyout cash and start her own news operation,mexbiznews.com. The site, launched in the fall of 2008, aggregates outside content but also offers original reports aimed at American investors who are interested in Mexican trade and industry. Advertising has so far been scarce, but Lindquist has found a niche -- and it's pretty much all her own.

"I realized I was offering a one-stop shop for all daily Mexico business news as well as the original reporting I'm doing," she says. "I still think people out there want news, it's just a matter of figuring out a way of how to deliver it."

The path she took -- using her expertise to spin off an independent, entrepreneurial version of her corporate gig -- is a popular one these days. With national unemployment now at 7.6 percent (January 2009) and industries ranging from publishing to transportation to manufacturing shedding jobs by the thousands, many in the out-of-work sector are exploring startups that lie close to home.

The transition from worker bee to lonely boss is never easy, but experts say that there's a history of successful endeavors that were started in a down economy. Workers can take advantage of buyouts, severance packages, and cashed-in 401(k)s. They can translate their experience in bureaucratic operations to more efficient, service-oriented companies. And some, at least, will become financially independent in the process.

"It's not going to be easy to find employment right now," says UC Santa Cruz economics professor Rob Fairlie. "So, in that sense, it's not a bad time to come up with an idea for a business."

In conducting research for his 2008 book, "Race and Entrepreneurial Success," Fairlie discovered that novice business owners who came from jobs dealing in "similar goods and services" were as much as 40 percent more successful with startups than those who were winging it in an unknown field. "It's the classic American Dream that 'I can just do anything I want,'" he says, "but the reality is it's important to know how to do things. You need those skills."

In the ailing field of journalism, where advertising dollars and eyeballs continue to migrate online, laid-off reporters are taking their old beats and turning them into highly focused, web-based blogs and communities. Many have yet to see the kind of ad income that can replace their old salaries, but most are confident that the income and audiences will materialize.

"You have to do a lot of hustling, you have to do a lot of marketing," says Mark Glaser, executive editor of the PBS-run site MediaShift. "Those are skills that journalists don't have and aren't normally taught in journalism school."

Of course, that's changing. Glaser notes that recently launched courses at UC Berkeley and the City University of New York explore entrepreneurial journalism. Both the Knight Digital Media Center at Berkeley and the Poynter Institute in St. Petersburg, Fla., also offer seminars, workshops, and classes in digital journalism. And late last year, Six Apart, the company behind TypePad blogging software and hosting, began offering free services to laid-off journalists.

Kevin Bronson was let go as an entertainment editor in 2008 after nearly two decades at the Los Angeles Times. He started the paper's first music blog, Buzz Bands, and he made it independent last year. Bronson goes out six nights a week to chronicle Los Angeles' indie rock scene -- something he did while at the Times. The result is that he's got a lock on his topic, and though advertising is slow going, investment was minimal. And the tech learning curve, at least for him, has been nil. It's easy, Bronson says. Journalists just have to adjust their mind-sets.

"Old-school journalists have to broaden their perception of what constitutes content," he says. "For my blog, I hesitate to do a post without a photo, music download or video."

Less Clear Transitions

Workers in other industries might find the transition from worker bee to business owner less cut and dried. Michigan's auto industry is reeling from revenue losses experienced by the Big Three car makers. The industry accounts for 70 percent of the 33,000 manufacturing jobs lost in the state in 2007 and 2008, according to the University of Michigan. The problem is, with demand for cars at historic lows, it's hard even for laid-off workers with unique skills to find a niche in a shrinking market.

Robert Wiseman, professor of management at Michigan State University's Eli Broad College of Business, says, "It's a difficult road to be an entrepreneur in this industry." Even so, he says, there are some paths, including taking managerial, technical and manufacturing skills to other sectors. For example, an accountant laid off from General Motors could establish her own bookkeeping firm and offer her services to companies in more robust fields.

Meanwhile the service industry, home of those jobs no one seems to want to do, has plenty of opportunity for enterprising entrepreneurs who don't mind getting their hands dirty, says Bob Shepherd, district director of the Central North Florida chapter of small business nonprofit advisory group SCORE. He implores the idle to start landscaping, painting, car-washing and housecleaning businesses by soliciting work door-to-door if they have to. If business takes off, entrepreneurs can hire crews and take a seat managing the startup, he says.

And career coach Hallie Crawford, author of "Flying Solo: Career Transition Tips for Singles," says the world is your oyster if you can offer virtual services to the next entrepreneur.

"I have a marketing consultant, and I've never met her," Crawford says. Accounting, personal assistant and web-design startups are hot fields and require a computer, a phone, some software, and almost zero startup funds, she says.

"Were you a financial officer or an administrative assistant at your job?" Crawford says. "Almost anything you did in an office, you can do virtually. You need business cards, maybe a website. The only catch is marketing. While it's a low cost to start, you have to be assertive and proactive."

Greg Digneo is a laid-off product manager who recently decided to start up a Web-based company that will essentially pair up laid-off workers-turned-entrepreneurs who have goods and services to offer each other. (He also vowed to spend $500 on the endeavor, which he documented on his blog morecaffeineplease.com.)

"If you're a startup with $1,000 budgeted for marketing, the chances are you're not going to be able to hire a marketing firm," the 26-year-old New Jersey resident explains, "but you can hire someone who's a marketing expert who's been recently laid off."

So far, Digneo says he's putting 10 to 12 hours a day into his project and loving every minute of it: "Now I get to do something I really wanted to do."

Transition Tips

Our experts offer five tips for making the transition from jobless to proprietor:

1. Stay in your field. Entrepreneurs who come from jobs dealing in "similar goods and services" as their startups are 40 percent more likely to survive, according to UC Santa Cruz economics professor Rob Fairlie. Expertise has its rewards.

2. Market yourself. It might be easy to run a virtual business such as a personal assistant service or bookkeeping via laptops and mobile phones, but you'll get no business if no one knows you exist. Professional networking, well-designed websites and proper business cards are a must, says Hallie Crawford, author of Flying Solo: Career Transition Tips for Singles.

3. Keep business hours. If you're starting an endeavor from home, it's easy to forget that you're at work. Keeping regular hours, creating workspace, and dressing for the job can keep you focused. Greg Digneo, for example, is a laid-off product manager who works 10- to 12-hour days at home in his effort to start up a website-based business that will connect entrepreneurs. But "you can start to feel really isolated" working alone at home, says Crawford, so schedule regular breaks, meetings and even meals outside.

4. Get your numbers sorted. Businesses don't grow from water and sunlight. Even minimal operations from home will take planning and spreadsheets. Bigger endeavors will require serious money. Think ahead before you're in the red. You might need as little as a $5,000 personal loan, for example, for web hosting, design services and marketing. "We're advising people to slow down and work on their resources," says Michael L. Keaton, spokesman for the small business nonprofit advisory group SCORE.

5. Find a niche. Stay in your field of expertise, yes. But narrow it down. What can you start up that no one else has thought of? Where are the openings in the market or audience? Journalists who make the transition from corporate print to online publisher, for example, "have to have a topic, a niche and have the ability to work on their own," says Mark Glaser, executive editor of the PBS-run site MediaShift.


Job Info , Jobs Sources , Employment

Bookmark and Share

10 Great Part-Time Jobs With Benefits

by Michelle Goodman, PayScale.com


Contrary to popular belief, working a part-time job doesn't mean you have to forego those almighty benefits.

A number of part-time vocations come with subsidized health insurance coverage, paid vacation days, retirement matching, corporate discounts, and more. You just have to know where to look.

Often, part-time employees must work at least 20 to 30 hours a week to be eligible for company benefits. And some companies won't cough up the health-care and financial perks until you've been an employee for 3, 6, or 12 months. Still, a benefits package is a benefits package, no matter how you get it.

Whether you're a stay-at-home parent returning to the workforce, a college student in need of extra income, or an office worker who's grown weary of the 60-hour-a-week grind, there's probably a part-time job with benefits out there for you.

1. Package handler. Do you have a strong back and an aversion to offices? Then you might get a lot of mileage out of loading and unloading packages at a UPS warehouse in one of the 90 cities the shipping carrier serves. Part-timers must work a minimum of 15 hours a week and wait 12 months before being eligible for benefits. But the company fully funds your health insurance premiums and offers tuition reimbursement for part-timers who take harder-to-fill shifts. Median wage: $11 to $12 per hour.*

2. Barista. Pacific Northwest-based Tully's Coffee serves up some pretty rich perks to the part-time baristas who work in its Washington, Oregon, Idaho, California, and Arizona retail locations. Employees who put in at least 17.5 hours are eligible for sick pay, a 401(k) savings plan, a limited health plan, dental insurance, legal services, and a slew of discounts. On top of those perks, baristas who work at least 24 hours a week are eligible for medical insurance (including PPO and HSA offerings), disability insurance, and holiday and vacation pay. Median wage: $8.45 per hour.

3. Test prep tutor. Do you enjoy working with students? If you have some teaching experience and know your way around standardized tests, working as a classroom instructor or private tutor can be a great way to parlay your skills into a part-time job with flexible hours and health benefits. Companies like Kaplan regularly hire instructors and tutors to guide teens and adults through the test preparation process -- from the SATs to grad school admissions testing to professional certification exams. Median wage: $12.22 per hour.

4. Customer service representative. If you're a people person who's good on the phone, working as a call center rep might be the gig for you. Not only do many of these jobs lend themselves to flexible, part-time shifts, more and more companies are hiring customer service reps to work from their own home.Keep in mind that, to qualify for these positions, you must have a reliable computer and Internet connection. Median wage: $11.16 per hour.

5. Computer software test/quality assurance analyst. Are you the person everyone comes to when their latest software purchase has them stumped? Then why not put your tech savvy to work? Software companies -- notorious for their flexible schedules (including part-time hours) and generous benefits -- always need people to test their creations before they ship. Note: A two-year or four-year computing degree or prior programming experience likely will be required. Median wage: $18.84 per hour.

6. Sales clerk/cashier. If you think working for a grocery store takes you out of the running for subsidized health care, you're wrong. Employees of Whole Foods who work at least 30 hours a week and have put in at least 800 hours with the supermarket chain benefit from the company's fully funded health care plan. Plus, the longer they're with the company, the more paid days off employees receive for vacation, holidays, and personal time. And after a year with the company, part-time employees are eligible for a 401(k) plan and a 20 percent discount on all store items. Median wage: $8.16 per hour.

7. Bus driver. Don't want to work in an office or a retail location? With a valid driver's license and a squeaky-clean driving record, you can try your hand at driving a bus for a living. Not only are the schedules flexible, healthcare benefits and paid-time off are frequently included. In King County in Washington State, after completing a 26-day paid training program, drivers who work at least 12.5 hours a week are eligible for the county's healthcare package, paid vacation days, and sick leave. And after seven months on the job, part-time drivers are eligible for the county's retirement plan. Median wage: $12.80 per hour.

8. Medical assistant. Not only is health care one of the most recession-proof fields out there, it's known for offering more than its share of part-time employment options -- complete with health benefits and paid time off. In fact, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics ranks medical assistants as one of the fastest growing careers today. Sixty-two percent of medical assistants work in doctor's offices, performing a variety of administrative tasks. While some medical assistants learn on the job, many come to the field with a one-year or two-year degree. Median wage: $11.26 per hour.

9. Domestic worker. Like the general public but don't like the hustle and bustle of public places? Then you might like working in a private home as a part-time nanny or house cleaner. In Seattle, the agency A Nanny for You places domestic workers with families, some of whom provide monthly health-care stipends that workers can apply to their own health insurance costs. Plus, the pet waste removal franchise DoodyCalls, which boasts 40 U.S. locations, offers health coverage to employees who have been with the company 30 days and work at least 30 hours a week scooping Fido's backyard droppings. Median wage: $13 to $17 per hour.**

10. Temporary office assistant. As companies struggle to operate with leaner budgets this year, they're more likely to hire temps to handle pressing projects than add another staff member to their payroll. And while you won't catch any company doling out benefits to its temps, the agencies that hire these project-based workers frequently offer such perks. Case in point: Express Employment Professionals, a temp agency with 600 offices in four countries that offers its administrative, industrial, and professional temps health coverage the moment they're placed on their first assignment. After working the requisite number of hours (varies from branch to branch), Express temps also are eligible for holiday pay, a 401(k) program, and computer and job skills training. Median wage: $10.50 per hour.


Michelle Goodman is author of "The Anti 9-to-5 Guide: Practical Career Advice for Women Who Think Outside the Cube" and "My So-Called Freelance Life: How to Survive and Thrive as a Creative Professional for Hire."

Source: Salary data from PayScale.com. The salaries listed are median, hourly salaries for part-time workers with 1-2 years of experience and do not include any bonuses, commissions, or profit sharing.
* Salary data from UPS.
** Salary data from DoodyCalls.


Job Info , Jobs Sources , Employment

Bookmark and Share

6 Ways to Prevent Office Injury

by Larry Buhl, for Yahoo! HotJobs


It's not just the most physically demanding jobs that can lead to serious injuries. Working with a seemingly harmless mouse and keyboard can cause chronic injuries just as easily as hauling a load of cement. In fact, repetitive strain injuries such as carpal tunnel affect hundreds of thousands of American workers a year, and lead to tens of billions of dollars annually in workers comp claims, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

Nelson Liu, a certified acupuncturist in Los Angeles, sees many of these disorders in his patients. "People who sit at desks and work on computers come to me with chronic pain in the shoulders, wrist, neck, and eyes, and they often result from the small, repetitive motions they do on the job every day," Liu tells Yahoo! HotJobs.

Common Injury Causes

The top culprits of what experts call repetitive strain disorders include:

* Sitting in an unnatural posture for a long time.

* Not allowing recovery time.

* Shallow breathing.

* Repetitive motions, such as using the phone, typing with bent wrists and using a mouse.

* Using force or pressure, such as pinching pens, gripping the mouse too hard, or pounding the keyboard.

Even emotional stress can lead to strain and pain. "People are particularly stressed out right now, and often emotional stress turns to physical stress, which turns to worse posture, which turns to pain, which turns to more stress," says Wendy Young, a certified ergonomist in Houston and author of the e-book, getinsideyourcomfortzone.com.

There are ways to break the vicious circle, and they don't necessarily require the most expensive office chair or expert intervention, according to Tony Biafore, an ergonomics expert president of Ergonetics. "A lot of companies think they can solve ergonomics problems with a one-size-fits-all approach, or by buying the most expensive keyboards or office chairs," Biafore says. "Fancy ergonomic equipment is worthless if you don't identify how you're using them."

Decrease the Risk Factors

To avoid pain and possibly chronic problems, ergonomics experts recommend several ways of developing a low-risk working posture:

* Sit naturally. "Many people perch on their chair, lean forward, and tuck their feet under, especially when they're concentrating," Biafore said. Notice how you sit, and make adjustments to the chair or to your posture if any part of your body is experiencing tightness, strain, or pain.

* Type right. You shouldn't have to change your seated posture or angle your hands to type. The keyboard should come to you. If it doesn't, adjust your seating position, or ask for a keyboard tray.

* Check your viewpoint. Your eyes should naturally gaze at the middle of the computer screen. If you have to look up or down, move the display. This goes for placement of paper documents as well -- you shouldn't have to crane your neck to see them.

* Catch the mouse problem. If you have to reach for it, then your seated posture may be out of whack.

* Take breaks. You should get up about five minutes every hour to get out of your chair, get a drink, or just walk to the next cubicle. Young also recommended taking micro-breaks, of about 10 seconds every 15 minutes to rest your eyes and hands.

* Speak up. Report any problem to facilities, HR, or, if your company has one, an ergonomics specialist. If you've identified the problem as merely the need for a wrist pad, an adjustable chair, or a movable display, it's in the company's interest to comply.

Laptop computers present a special challenge because they require users to lean too far forward and reach for the keyboard, according to Biafore. If you can, use an external keyboard and a mouse, and prop up the screen to replicate an LED monitor, Biafore suggested.

Many changes can be small -- like adjusting the seat position or raising your arms off the desk -- and can be done without consulting an ergonomics expert. But remember that one change you make could throw off something else. "The work station should fit your body like a comfortable pair of shoes," Young said.

Making adjustments to your workstation requires paying close attention to your body. "Any kind of pain is a signal, and if you cover it up with medication, or even getting acupuncture, without addressing the underlying cause, it will only get worse," Liu said. "Ultimately the best doctor is yourself -- only you can figure out exactly what's not working and how to fix it."


Job Info , Jobs Sources , Employment

Bookmark and Share

Could You Succeed as an Entrepreneur?

Look for These 7 Signs
by Richard Barrington, VendorSeek.com


Entrepreneurs have a knack for seeing opportunities where others don't. If you see 2009 as a good time to start a business despite the recession, then you may have an entrepreneurial perspective. Now you need to know if you have some of the other characteristics of successful entrepreneurs.

What helps entrepreneurs these days is that virtual business models put more emphasis on talent and less on administration and infrastructure. After all, e-commerce solutions can give you an instant retail presence, credit card processing services can handle your receivables, and equipment leasing can give you access to any machinery necessary with a minimal up-front investment.

So now all you need is the right set of skills and characteristics. Consider whether you have the following ingredients of successful entrepreneurship:

  1. A stand-out talent. You should be able to identify at least one area of ability that makes you stand out from the crowd. This can be anything: technical expertise, sales skill, marketing insight, or logistical know-how. Since small businesses are talent-driven, you have to start out with the belief that you have the raw material with which to compete and succeed. It helps if your skills happen to be in areas with growing demand, such as health care or computer technology. If you have medical knowledge or a skill such as Web design, you may have a little wind at your back.
  2. A differing perspective. "Me-too" businesses have a tough time making a mark, especially during a weak economy. Your business should be founded on the idea that there is a better way to do things. Ideally, you should have enough experience in your chosen industry to be familiar with the normal way business is done, and to have developed some unique insights as to how that can be improved. Being able to clearly articulate a differing perspective should be central to your business plan. In turn, it should also become the vision you communicate to everyone you hire, and the selling proposition you use to pitch potential customers.
  3. A network of contacts. Experience is valuable not only for knowing how other companies do things, but also for helping you form a network that will get your new company up and running more quickly. Remember, people -- especially business-to-business customers -- can be reluctant to do business with a start-up. You should have some contacts who respect you enough personally to take a chance on your new business. Of course a network of contacts can also help you identify potential investors, suppliers, and talented employees.
  4. A war chest. Don't start your venture unless you have identified sufficient funding to not only get started, but to keep your business running through the inevitable lean months at the beginning. Many businesses are forced to go under just as they would be starting to gain some momentum, simply because they underestimated the amount of time it would take for profits to start rolling in. Funding can be from your own savings, outside investors, or loans. Of course, external sources of funding are harder to come by in a recession, but you can use techniques such as equipment leasing and virtual offices to reduce the need for this type of funding.
  5. An acceptance of risk. You should start any new business with a commitment to succeed, but an acceptance of the risk involved. Entrepreneurs are often people who are willing to trade a sure thing working for someone else for even a risky chance at running their own show.
  6. An eye for complementary talent. Once you start hiring people, you should think in terms of rounding out the team rather than looking for people just like yourself. It can be a mistake to have too many would-be leaders in one organization. If you have an independent and visionary outlook, you might do well to complement that with a strong administrator who can take care of the details.
  7. Persistence. Not only does it take a long time for a new business to gain traction, but entrepreneurs often don't succeed on their first try. As long as you have confidence in the first two items on this list -- your talent and your unique perspective on the business -- you should be willing to keep trying.

Richard Barrington is a freelance writer and novelist who previously spent over 20 years as an investment industry executive.


Job Info , Jobs Sources , Employment

Bookmark and Share

How to Love the Job You Have

by Roberta Chinsky Matuson, for Yahoo! HotJobs
hotjobs.yahoo.com

Before we entered into this historic recession, it was easy to leave a job you didn't love. All you had to do was knock on the door of another employer and you could begin work the next week. Those days are gone and most likely will not return anytime soon. But that doesn't mean you have to be miserable in the job that you have.

Here are some tips on how to love the job you have:

Be Realistic

No one's life is perfect. Not even the lives of people who star on those sitcoms you watch. It is OK to have a bad day, week or even month at work. Just be sure the good days are far outweighing the bad.

Be Positive

Focus on what is going well at the office. Is your work still challenging? Could a promotion be in your future? Do you enjoy the people you work with? A "yes" to any of these questions means you have positive energy you can build upon.

Clear the Air

Sometimes it is one issue or person that makes a great job a not-so-great situation. If this is the case, then it is time to clear the air. Write down some examples of how this situation is impacting your ability to perform at an optimal level. Then share your findings with the person or people who are involved.

Don't Believe Everything People Say

It is human nature to boast or even exaggerate a bit. People around you may be saying they love their jobs, but in reality they may be in the same position as you: waiting for the next best thing to come along. Take what people are saying about their jobs with a grain of salt and focus on your own happiness.

This Doesn't Have to Be Forever

Right now it may feel like you have no choice but to keep this job forever. However, this won't be the case if you play your cards right. Use this recession as an opportunity to increase your options. Enroll in evening or online classes, volunteer to work on projects with high visibility and gain the experience you will need to move to a new place in your career. Who knows, this may just be the spark you need to reignite the flames of love again in the job you have.

Get a Life

Enjoying your work should only be one part of having a life that you love. If your job is the only thing that brings joy to your life, then perhaps it is time to focus on having a life outside of work. Look for opportunities to participate in activities that are of interest to you. Volunteer, take up a new sport or get a hobby. These are all great ways to build a life that you can love.

Copyright 2009 Human Resource Solutions. All rights reserved.


Roberta Chinsky Matuson is the President of Human Resource Solutions (www.yourhrexperts.com) and has been helping companies align their people assets with their business goals. Read her new blog on Generation Integration http://generationintegration.typepad.com/matuson/. She can be reached at Roberta@yourhrexperts.com.


Job Info , Jobs Sources , Employment

Bookmark and Share

Be Nice, Not Naughty, to Your Network

Use the Holidays to Spread Cheer More Effectively
by Caroline Levchuck
hotjobs.yahoo.com



The holidays present great opportunities to reach out to people you care about, personally and professionally. When dealing with people in your professional network, do not rely on the clich that "it's the thought that counts." What counts most is solid execution.

Santa Claus aside, you can bet your contacts will take note whether you've been "naughty" or "nice" to them. Use the following scenarios to help you do the right thing when spreading holiday cheer.

Naughty: You send out pre-engraved, homogenous company holiday cards with nary a signature.
Nice: You write a personal note to each recipient, even if it's just a few words.

Naughty: Giving everyone a generic gift that your clients may not be interested in - or able to enjoy.
Nice: Recognizing that not everyone likes chocolate or drinks wine, and instead giving people something that reflects their tastes. Stumped? Try giving out potted plants, personalized gifts (e.g., mugs, caps), or gift baskets of spices. Or make a donation to a charitable organization in which a client has expressed interest.

Naughty: Throwing a holiday party and not allowing folks to bring a guest.
Nice: Forget the party! Most people are busy enough around the holidays. Why not throw a post-New Year's brainstorming session for friends and clients wherein you all help each other set professional goals and offer up advice and support?

Naughty: Your holiday card is the only time you reach out to your network each year.
Nice: Call everyone personally, apologize for being out of touch, and schedule a time to grab lunch or a drink in January.
Naughty: You call in favors at the eleventh hour, stressing out vendors and well-connected friends who are very busy during the holidays.
Nice: Plan ahead for business and don't pull any strings during the holidays -- unless, of course, your job is on the line.


Job Info , Jobs Sources , Career Opportunity

Bookmark and Share

Here We Come A-Networking

Use the Holidays to Make More Contacts
by Debra Davenport
hotjobs.yahoo.com


Just like you can never receive too many gifts at the holidays, you can never have too many contacts in your network. Being well-connected connotes success and influence -- the kind of cachet every serious professional seeks to achieve.

The holidays are a great time to build your list of influential contacts. Whether you're currently employed or searching for the perfect job, consider every invitation a chance to create new career-building relationships.

Here are several networking strategies that have proven successful:

* The best networking takes place at home. Inviting colleagues, prospects, clients, and contacts to your home establishes a more personal relationship. An invitation to your home also creates opportunities for reciprocal invitations and introductions to others' inner circle of contacts. Host a holiday open house, buffet, or afternoon tea. You don't have to impress by spending a lot of money. It's the invitation that counts.

* Give and you shall receive. Feeling altruistic this holiday season? Get involved with a charity. Volunteering leads to important connections and the development of relationships that are not just based on building business contacts, but on helping others.

* Don't assume. Don't reject invitations to events that seem like duds -- they often turn out to offer valuable networking opportunities. You never know who's going to be there. And, while it's possible you may connect with only one person, that connection could turn into a powerful, long-term relationship.

* Create your own networking opportunities. Start a holiday book club, a caroling troupe or a game night. Host a party to honor someone you admire, give an award or even create a scholarship program. There are countless ways of getting people together to enjoy the spirit of the season. All you need is one idea and an invitation.

* Use the Internet. Write a holiday blog or newsletter and e-mail it to your contacts. Include a "viral" element, such as a photo, video, news article, or original quote to prompt recipients to spread your message.

* Follow up with every person you meet. A handwritten note letting someone know you enjoyed meeting them is priceless today, and worth every minute. Your goal is to solidify your initial impression as a savvy professional -- and to be remembered.

* Use your business cards! Your business card is your best networking tool. Always have plenty on hand and don't be shy about handing them out. Include your card in your holiday mailings and attach them to business gifts. In-between jobs? Personal "call me" cards printed with your name, descriptor (e.g., "Sales and Marketing Specialist"), and contact information are the perfect tool for self-promotion. Note: If you're employed but on the job hunt, it's proper protocol to use your personal cards rather than your company business cards.

Most importantly, remember that the holidays are a time of giving. Put the needs of others first while you're working the room. Benevolence is the greatest attribute of any job-seeker, regardless of the season.

Debra Davenport is president of DavenportFolio, a licensed firm with offices in Phoenix and Los Angeles that provides career counseling, Certified Professional Mentoring, professional employment placement and executive search services. She is the creator of the Certified Professional Mentor(R) designation, and you can contact her at debra@davenportfolio.com.


Job Info , Jobs Sources , Career Opportunity

Bookmark and Share

Six Degrees of Employment

by Christopher Jones
hotjobs.yahoo.com


By now, you've probably heard of "Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon," the game which challenges players to trace a famous person's connection to actor Kevin Bacon in six steps or less.

While playing the game probably won't put you in a paying job, the premise behind it just might.

What if, for example, your uncle's secretary's spouse is a headhunter for a Fortune 500? Or, your friend's brother runs a multi-national company which has hundreds of openings?

It would be a shame to have those connections and not take advantage of them. But that's just what some job seekers are doing. They flood the market with resumes, ignoring the other cornerstone of an effective search: Networking.

Family First

If the word "networking" makes you break out into a cold sweat, start slow: Perfect your pitch with family and friends.

Your grandmother (or anyone else who is "so proud of her big-little- sweet-precious baby") may not be the best choice. Try your grouchiest relative. You'll need the most honest feedback you can get.

In Addition to -- Not Instead Of

If people can get together to buy Tupperware, discuss books or pick stocks, why not meet to talk about job searching? These days, more people are.

The Pink Slip Party, which one site describes as a "networking event and career fair hybrid," is one way. A small, intimate gathering of friends is another.

But no matter how varied your networking diet becomes, never neglect industry-specific events. These are the most effective ways to make and maintain industry contacts.

A Soft Sell and a Strong Handshake

Be prepared to be sized up when you step into the networking scene. Here's a quick list to help you stand up to the scrutiny:

* Dress appropriate to the venue. If the event is at a person's home, a three-piece suit is probably not required.

* Practice your handshake. Firm -- not abusive.

* Pop a breath mint -- or two.

* Don't be overbearing. As strange as it seems, some people attend these events to unwind. The strong sell won't work.

* Take plenty of business cards.

Networking Goes Digital

Networking doesn't only happen in bars and hotel ballrooms. It can also happen via e-mail.

For example, when you search for a job online, you'll see lots of openings -- some of which you're interested in, some of which you're not.

If you see a job that doesn't fit your criteria, ask yourself whether a friend who is job searching might be interested. If so, send it to them, and ask them to consider returning the favor.
(You wouldn't want to do this with coworkers. The only person who should know about your job search at your current job is you.)


Job Info , Jobs Sources , Career Opportunity

Bookmark and Share