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Showing posts from January, 2011

New Job Blues ... Now What?

You’ve landed what you thought was the job of your dreams. Each stage of the interview went smoothly - you sold them on your skills and expertise, and your prospective boss sold you on the position and benefits of joining the company. He/she seemed excited about extending an offer. And then, with offer in hand, it was thrilling to give your notice (or tell your friends you’re finally employed after a long stint of unemployment!). All seemed right with the world. You’ve now been on board a few days…  a week… perhaps even a month. Suddenly you’re not so sure you’ve made the right decision. The job that seemed like a dream is starting to feel like a nightmare. Perhaps the position isn’t what you thought it would be; it’s either too narrow, too broad, not challenging enough, or more of a stretch than you imagined. Maybe the company isn’t measuring up. Or, perhaps your boss isn’t the caring, supportive mentor you thought he/she would be. In a state of confusion, you wonder what you ...

If Your Resume is the Cake, Your Cover Letter is the Icing.

Cover letter writing is almost as important a skill for a job seeker to learn as resume writing.  The cover letter accompanies the resume at all times as the primary support document.  Whether you use traditional mail, email, faxing, or another type of electronic submission, this should always be sent with the resume.  There are, of course, other tools you’ll use when job seeking.  Your cover letter and resume come first of course, followed by follow-up letters, thank-you letters for after the interview, reference sheets, salary histories, and job acceptance letters.  If you have good cover letter writing skills, and good resume writing skills, the other written tools should be a snap to compose. Your goal in this is to get the attention of the hiring manager, just as it is with resume writing.  The method and format are a little different however.  Your resume will cover all, or most of your professional career, and will be from one to two pages....

Executive Job Search: 3 Jobseeking Ways to Find a Job Faster

<b>Got a difficult problem in your job search?</b> Say, a lack of networking contacts? Or trouble answering interview questions? Well, you've got company. Problems in a job search are as common as mosquitoes in July. But ... have you ever written your problem down on a piece of paper? I'll bet you haven't. Because, when you write problems down, you take an immediate, huge leap towards solving them. Think about it: Every great invention or solution, from the atomic bomb to the Xbox, was first worked out on paper. Why not solve your employment problems the same way? <b>Here's a three-step method that will help you do it ...</b> <b>1) Start by asking the right questions</b> Most folks put themselves behind the eight ball in their job search by asking questions that are depressing and demotivating. Questions like, Why won't anyone give me a job? or How do I network when I don't know anyone? Ack. Pass the happy...

Excellence' Program Assists People With Disabilities

People with disabilities remain an untapped resource in the nation's work force, facing an unemployment rate of 70 percent. NISH, a nonprofit organization that helps secure federal contracts for agencies that employ people with disabilities through the Javits-Wagner-O'Day Program, is working to change the status quo. The organization has introduced a new program whereby agencies designated as "Centers of Excellence" serve as mentors to other agencies to help them improve the quality of the service and products they provide to the federal government. The Javits-Wagner-O'Day Program is the largest single source of jobs in the U.S. for people with disabilities. Often referred to as the JWOD program, it provides employment opportunities for more than 45,000 people who are blind or have other severe disabilities. Through the JWOD program, NISH works with a network of more than 600 nonprofit agencies that employ and train people with disabilities. The program st...