Finding Work in Tough Times - The Hunt for Reality, Optimism and a Job

Teresa, a 40-something manager, rode a career wave that peaked and crashed. The major telecommunications company where she had worked in Silicon Valley for many years showed signs leading up to the lay off. When Teresa lost her job, it marked the third round of layoffs at her company. The first had occurred four months earlier...

''You could see a trend," says Teresa. "I knew my position was in peril because I was finished with a large project and was looking for things to do. I was not surprised, but it was disturbing."

The company dwindled from 700 employees to 400. Last to be laid off were well-paid managers and directors. When Teresa found herself in that group, she deployed a seven-tiered approach to facing the job market anew. You can use these tips too. Use them to get a new job in your current field or to pave a new career path.

1. Seek Training and Support

Get the training you need to sharpen your interview skills and update your resume. Career transition companies like Lee Hecht Harrison (http://www.lhh.com) offer courses to give you a roadmap that optimize your job search results.

Certified career coaches, like the author, are also available. Coaches work with you one-on-one or in groups (typically with over the phone convenience) to build your communication and confidence. You can use your sessions to practice interviewing and receive feedback on strengths and weaknesses. Coaches point out where you're going astray, how to maximize your efforts and keep you on track so you can obtain the best possible job options.

Other resources such as professional organizations offer job leads, an opportunity to network within your industry and can provide subgroups for job seekers. Join existing job seeker groups within an organization or start your own. Form a "success team" with four to eight people. Get together with them to share job leads, successes and failures. You can hire a facilitator to direct the group and offer guidance about tough job obstacles or take turns switching off leadership for each meeting.

The success team that Teresa joined provided her with support during a time of uncertainty. It offered shoulders to cry on and a cheering squad to motivate each other onward.

The group also provided answers and self-esteem boosters. Teresa explains, "When people get laid off, it really is a loss. When it happens each of us needs to address the lingering issues and come to terms with: why was I laid off? Why not this other person?" Bringing these questions to a facilitated group helped build morale.

Whether you are pondering these questions in a group setting or on your own, also consider these questions: What can I learn from this? And, what is next for me? You may or may not get to the bottom of all the "whys" but you can learn from your experience and build the courage to move forward into your next opportunity.

2. Set Goals and Work Toward Them

Take some time to set both short term and long-term goals. Do you want to work toward a new career path? Do you need to find a job right away? Based on your professional and personal needs, form goals directed toward your next employment move. Sometimes setbacks can hold the gem of an exciting new opportunity. For example, let's say you enjoy designing web sites for friends and you have your own blog. You've dreamed about taking this hobby to a professional level. Does the ending of your current job give you the chance to go for your dream? You may opt to work either full time or part time while you get trained for and launch a new business. There are many ways to make it happen. Look for the opportunity in the setback. Shape a goal around it.

It may be challenging, but set at least one goal that is three to five years in the future. This will give you a bird's eye view of what you're moving toward. Write down your future goal with a date associated with it, such as: To advance my career and get a marketing manager job by June 30, 2011. Let your goal stretch you. Also make it real enough that you believe you can do it. Your longer-term goal will inform goals you need to set today.

Facing reality: what goals do you need to set today to get a job or make a career change? Set a four to six week goal. Make sure to write down what you intend to do by when. For example: To obtain a product development job at the same salary or greater by April 15, 2008. Once you put a specific goal with a target date out there, you can map out daily and weekly action steps to move you toward your outcome.

Each person in Teresa's success team created six-week goals and shared them with the group. This created instant accountability. Teresa's goals were: Join two volunteer organizations and to have a job offer at the end of six weeks. Teresa accomplished her goals. You can too by mirroring what she did. No matter how scared you are take action anyway. The next tip will give you what you need to create a plan and go...

3. Create a Plan and Go

Your goals are in place. Now post them in a visible area to remind yourself of them every day. Then let the rubber hit the road. Take at least one hour to figure out how you will achieve them. Develop a marketing plan featuring you as the product. Don't know where to begin? Seek the advice of a certified career coach or talk with a successful colleague. Bouncing ideas off of someone and saying your thoughts out loud can clarify next steps.

To discover her personal job roadmap, Teresa asked herself these questions: What are my job search objectives? How will I position myself in the job market? What skills and experience will I emphasize? With whom will I network? What companies will I target? What types of jobs will I seek?

Ask yourself the same questions. Also ask: What is my purpose? Why do I need a new job?

Answering these questions ignites fire beneath your job hunt. What are the compelling reasons that motivate you to wake up in the morning and search? Examples include: advance your career, learn new skills, support your family, connect with people and build a sense of personal accomplishment. Your purpose provides the key to unlocking your drive and motivation. Become intimately acquainted with the why behind your job pursuit. Remind yourself of it daily, especially if you are resisting taking action.

4. Set and Hold Daily "Work Hours"

If you are unemployed, your job is now to get a new job. That means that you must dedicate part or full time hours to a structured job pursuit.

You went from having set works hours to the vast open space of free time. We all long for it, but when it's before us free time can be daunting. Make sure that you set and hold "work hours" each day. That is, dedicated and focused time toward your job search. Know in advance what you'll do each day.

Teresa set regular 9 to 5 work hours. To lock in this schedule four days a week, Teresa rewarded herself for hard work. She says, "I took one day off as an incentive because you know how demoralizing it can be to find a new job."

You can also set up rewards or consequences to help you stick to your job search schedule. Another professional woman, for example, enjoyed spending summer weekends at the local water slide with her kids. She decided that if she didn't get her focused tasks done during the week as planned then she would have to spend the weekend working while her family was off playing. Her family wanted to spend fun time with her so they all rallied behind her to get her job activities done during the week. It was a strong incentive to keep her going even when she didn't feel like picking up the phone or dressing for an interview. She managed to follow her set schedule and avoided the "no fun" consequence. She found herself splashing away in the rush of water with her kids and husband: her reward for putting in a week of concentrated efforts.

5. Broaden the Range of Jobs You Will Consider

You're sending email blasts to get the word out. You've researched companies of interest and tapped into your network. But still no results. To get back out there, earn some income and re-build your confidence, you may need to broaden the jobs that you'll consider.

Perhaps you have been out of the market for a while to raise children, for example. The available jobs today may differ from those available when you were in the job market before. There may be a larger or smaller number job openings in your field of interest.

Put yourself out there and find out. Ask around. Search the net. Discover what people currently in your desired industry have to say. You may have to expand the types of jobs you are willing to accept and that match your skills.

A colleague of Teresa's, Jim, approached the job market as if the economy was still robust. As an ex-director, he pursued vice president and director-level positions, which made high salary demands. But, given the rapidly declining market and changed hiring needs, potential companies were not interested.

Jim started looking into government postings. But city and government positions, once overflowing, had been dramatically cut. To avoid a prolonged job search like Jim's, Teresa offers the following advice.

When you're faced with accepting less than you are accustomed to, Teresa suggests, "Lower your expectations about what you're going to get. When your gut feeling says to take the job, do it. Don't let pride get in the way." Do not stall. You never know where the position will lead. With often 100s of people applying for every open position, jobs can fill quickly. If it is not your dream job, it can be a temporary place holder until you find a more suitable career move. Here's how...

6. Fill Your Job Search with Leveraged Tasks

What actions will give you the highest return toward getting a new job?

Whether you're dedicating 40 hours a week to a job search or devoting an hour a week outside of your current job, continue to take steps toward your next position.

As mentioned, Teresa filled four full days a week with the targeted actions. You can take the same steps to accelerate your job search.

- Research job search engines like http://www.monster.com and Yahoo's http://www.hotjobs.com. Also peruse local on-line job listing sites to check out openings in your area.

- Contact hiring managers to ask questions by phone or in person. Or try contacting someone in a department of interest and see if they'll chat with you for 10 minutes about what it's like to work there.

- Submit resumes and always follow up by phone and email to make sure that the company received them. Don't just be another sheet of paper in the stack. Get noticed by making personal, voice-to-voice contact.

- Network. Contact colleagues for job leads. Set up lunches and coffee meetings to let people know you're searching. Friends and colleagues can be your greatest allies in finding work.

- Research companies before interviews. Even reading a press release about a new product the company created can let the interviewer know you did your homework.

- Interview. Getting an interview alone is a positive step. Be prepared with questions and clear examples of how your work fits the position. Greet the interviewer and a firm (but not bone breaking) handshake.

- Follow up with prospective employers. After an interview, call the person who interviewed you, send an email or a hand written thank you note. Re-emphasize your commitment and enthusiasm for the job.

- Attend trade shows and industry forums. This will give you direct access to recruiters and employees from targeted companies. Job listings are commonly displayed at trade shows.

- Join new business organizations. Get connected with members and build relationships with those inside of companies you would like to work for. Professional organizations often share strong leads with members.

7. Find Meaning Outside of Work

Many of us define ourselves by work, work, work. But when we lose our jobs, our identity in work is gone. There's a pause in those dinner party conversations when someone asks, "What do you do?" Before you could happily say, "I'm overseeing the Benefits Department at Seagate Technology." Now you fumble for words explaining your situation. Finding meaning outside of work will help you define yourself beyond your job. You are still worthy. Your job loss may even connect you with dormant parts of yourself. Was there a time in your life that you did a fun hobby? Did you used to enjoy wood working classes? Are there recipes you used to love to cook? What's that volunteer organization that you used to joyfully devote time to?

As you recall, one of Teresa's job search goals was to join two volunteer organizations. She says she did this to "get out there and do something. It was a way to make myself feel valued during this time of uncertainty. If I'm not working, I might as well be doing something." She enjoyed spending one Saturday a week leading tours at a historical property in Palo Alto, California.

We humans are wired to be productive. Dig your hands into volunteering at the community garden or take that Pilates fitness class one day a week. Do something that increases your energy and reminds you that there is more to life than work. Spend a full stretch of time doing something purely fun. Or commit one night a week to that cherished hobby you've almost forgotten about. It will lift your spirits and motivate you to keep going on your job search.

And while playing and pursuing work, you will remember the balancing act of life with its opportunities and challenges. If you look at life as a series of cycles and phases, you're in the midst of one to the next. Ideas and answers will point you toward new job beginnings. Teresa took her job hunt as an adventure saying, "You can't take it too seriously. As long as you have a roof over your head and food to eat with a little spending money... there is always much to be grateful for." With gratitude for what you do have and a willingness to let go of what is lost, you will be well on your way for what the future holds.

So step into the river, one step at a time, feeling the rocks beneath your feet until reach more fertile ground.

And are you ready to learn more about how to turn your goals into reality?

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The Truth About Job Recruiters

A job recruiter must be successful in their positions to gain respect in the community they work in. This means that they need to be able to find potential employees quickly, screen them, and send them to the potential employer. The job recruiters also needs to be able to handle several different clients at once in most cases. There are a few different types of job recruiters. One type of recruiter is an internal person for the business. This means that they work in house for a company and thus taking care of all recruitment needs their company may have.

This type of job headhunter usually does not receive a commission on each person they find for the available position. The second type of job recruiter is called a third party recruiter or headhunter. These recruiters will receive commissions for every employee they find. Within the third party option is two types as well. You can have a retained job recruiter that receives payment up front for the work or you can have a contingent recruiter that only receives payment after the position has been filled.

More often, a job recruiter is assigned to fill top-level positions in larger corporations or in the sports industry. For this reason, a job recruiter differs from a temporary agency or other job placement agency. Their main goal is to help their client, the business or corporation, to find the right employee for the position. If you are a corporation, looking for a job headhunter you will want to be aware of both the advantages and the disadvantages of using their professional services. When you weigh the advantages against the disadvantages, you may find that a job recruiter is not the best option for your business. First, we will look at the advantages listed below and then we will look at the disadvantages for corporations. We will then look at the advantages and disadvantages for potential employees.

Advantages:

* Saving time
* Background check
* Having someone screen potential employees
* Testing the potential employees for skills
* Often higher level positions
* Internal job recruiters
* Advertising for the position

Most corporations find time management to be an essential part of creating a successful business. This means that any work they are able to get done in a quick and efficient manner is important. Often times when you are a part of a larger corporation, you do not have time to spend on finding potential employees, interviewing them, and hiring the correct person along with your other duties. A job recruiter is able to do the work for you. This means you are saving time for other more important matters. Job recruiters will screen the potential employees, which is also a time saver. The job recruiter will have the information on the job opening, therefore they will be able to screen the resumes that come through the office and eliminate a potential candidate from the list, narrowing down the company’s choices. During the screening process is also the testing aspect of employees. Not all job recruiters will test employees for the skills needed for the position. This is where they differ from a job placement agency. They may test for specific skills or they may leave those options to the company. Part of testing for certain skills and screening employees are to help the corporation fill higher- level positions. The low-level positions or medium level positions may not require many skills. This means that companies tend to do this hiring internally rather than creating an extra expense. A corporation wants to know that they are receiving a qualified professional for the position without spending the time interviewing each potential candidate. While it is up to the company to higher the potential employee, they are most often working off the information supplied by the job headhunter. When a job recruiter is helping to find a potential employee, they are saving you advertising costs.

Generally, a corporation using a job headhunter will not post the job in the newspaper or among other sources leaving the recruiter in charge of the description provided as a means to find potential employees. Part of advertising for the position may include setting up the corporation website for potential employees to find. This is a third party way to make sure that potential employees find your job position, but that your corporation does not field the information.

The last advantage of having a job recruiter would be choosing an internal recruiter to work directly for the company or a retained headhunter. While a retained recruiter does exact a fee for the work they will continue to work until the position is filled and during that time, they are working solely for the corporation that has retained them. In other words, they have an exclusive agreement.

If the corporation has a in house headhunter, the corporation is paying the person a salary rather than commissions for a job completed. Most corporations that will choose this option have a high turnover rate or high expansion rate where they benefit from this internal service. In other words if the corporation is in need of a job recruiter once or twice a year a in house job recruiter may not be the best option.

Now that we have looked at some of the advantages let us look at the following disadvantages.

* High placement fees. Usually 20%-30% of the candidate annual salary
* Control of the hiring process
* Lack of quality control
* Mostly for large companies with high level positions
* Third party job recruiters

We left off in advantages talking about internal or retained job recruiters. A retained job recruiter can be considered a third party job headhunter. This means that they are outside of the company acting on behalf of the corporation, as a mediator in other words. The other type of third party job recruiter that we have yet to mention is called a contingent job recruiter. This means that they do not receive payment until the position is filled. They also do not have an exclusive agreement. These types of recruiters will work for middle management, professional, and technical ranges. Therefore, there is already a limitation there. Fees are another disadvantage for most companies. As mentioned above job recruiters require payment for their services. These fees can be anywhere from 15% to 30% of the candidates annual salary. Most job recruiters will receive the commissions as long as the employee is working for the company and that they pass the probation period which is usually 3 months. So not only is the corporation paying a salary to the new employee, but they are also paying the recruiter as well. Some firms may have a one- time fee of the above percentage. The corporation also has to look at how much the fees are in comparison to how many employees they will need per year. This can bring the choice of an in house job recruiter into the mix. An in housel job recruiter is a salaried employee so the potential of being less costly is there if the demand for new employees is relative.

When considering a job recruiter whether they will be in house or a third party you also have to look at the typical positions they will fill for you. Most job recruiters work to find potential employees for high- level positions such as management, the technical industry, or sports. You may find filling a secretary position or clerk position out of context when dealing with a job headhunter. They are set up to find the employees with skills. They may even search other corporations for potential employees luring them away for a better position. While this can be beneficial to large companies such as corporations, they are not helpful for a medium sized or smaller business.

The last disadvantage for a corporation or business stems in the interview and testing process. While it will save your corporation the time and potentially money depending on the fee scale, you lose control of the process to a certain degree. The potential for missing the correct employee is high. Job recruiters can receive thousands of resumes and applications making it difficult to sort through each and everyone for the potential employee.

They may send you several choices and you will find no one in the mix at least not right away. If the position is one of immediacy, this can be a problem. You may also find that the recruiter has eliminated a potential employee based on the information you have provided without considering all the possibilities. In the instance of using a job recruiter, you are losing most of the control for hiring the right employee. While the corporation has final decision, the possibilities that have been eliminated could be the difference in finding a permanent employee and one that becomes temporary.

As a corporation, you have a responsibility to yourselves for saving time, finding the correct employees, and saving money. This means that you have to weigh all aspects of using a job recruiter for your business needs. While it is your choice more often, the disadvantages overrule the potential advantages of using a job headhunter.

Let us see what the result for potential employees may be when we make the same type of comparison. The advantages are as follows:

* Set up a web page
* Interview tips
* Searches
* Job database
* Career advice
* Access to position not listed in newspapers and other sources
* No cost to potential employee

For a potential employee having a web page set up with your resume and all pertinent information is very important. It will help potential employers to find your information online with the ease of access. Job recruiters may offer you the service of helping you set up your own web page through their company. This means that potential employers will have access to your information without having to call you or seek you out. You will also have access to more searches through a job recruiter. In other words, a job headhunter most often has access to potential jobs that are not listed on any database you have access to. Often times when a high level position is available a corporation will be looking to the recruiter to find the potential employee through resumes, web sites, and applications rather than posting an advertisement online, in newspapers, or with other sources. Using a recruiter can give you the access you would normally be denied. Some job recruiters also offer career advice. They will point you towards the information you have to learn in order to qualify for the positions they normally work to fill. They will also in some cases help you to create your resume so that it looks better to the potential employer. This is very helpful when you consider how difficult it may be to find the position you are looking for and need.

Briefly mentioned above was the fact that you would have access to potential job you may not otherwise have access to. This bears mentioning again. Most employers save on advertising costs by using job headhunters to search for potential employees. While you may not be able to see the job descriptions through searches or databases, you will still have access to potential jobs when you submit your resume to a recruiter. They will analyze your resume for the job positions they are looking to fill. If they see what is necessary for that position they will forward your information on to the corporation or bring you in for an interview before doing so. This means you have the access to options you did not before.

The last advantage of a potential employee or job seeker using a recruiter is the lack of fees to you. While the corporation is paying a fee for the service, you can submit your information to the headhunter for no charge. This is not always the case with job placement agencies. While most job agencies will pay you as a temporary employee, some have been known to charge you for their services. Therefore making no fees from a recruiter an advantage.

As with the advantages, you will find there are several disadvantages for using a job recruiter. In fact, you will find that there tend to be more disadvantages than advantages making the use of job headhunters out of favor.

Disadvantages

* Recruiters work for the company, or are independent
* See several thousand resumes
* Do not always call back
* Place resume in a database
* Are often looking for one position with specific skills
* Often higher level positions
* Privacy laws
* May overlook what is the best job position for the sake of making a sell to the employer

Some of the disadvantages are self- explanatory so we will not spend time on those; however, we will delve into those that need extra care. Job recruiters are extremely busy with resumes and finding the right employee so they will not call you back if you are not right for the current positions they have available. This can leave you to wonder about employment and cause undue stress. They will place your resume in a database, which can seem like an advantage; however, they may not always find your resume again when a job becomes open for which you are qualified. A job recruiter is also looking to fill specific positions with certain skills. If you do not have these skills despite your education and background, they will not call you in for an interview. They are also looking for high- level employees. In most cases a job headhunter will have their loyalty geared towards the employer. Why? Well simply because they are the ones that are paying their services.

The last and most important disadvantage that must be looked at is privacy laws. Most job recruiters are not required to keep your information private. They may even sell your information to other people. While there are certain laws prohibiting this to happen, there are certainly ways around it. You must read every job application carefully to make sure that they are not able to sell or spread your personal information before choosing a job recruiter to work with. As a disadvantage, this is the most powerful one for rejecting the idea of using any type of job recruiter or job headhunter.

There are many reasons why an employer or job seeker may wish to use a job headhunter to find them a new position. With the advantages of using a job recruiter weighed against the disadvantages you will find that most often using a job headhunter is not the best option for you or your company. Job recruiters tend to have recruiting fees, not all headhunters will keep information private, and they may not be able to help you. Some recruiters offer web pages, searches, job databases, and career advice to potential employees. This is why you need to understand you options before choosing a job headhunter. This is important when looking for the perfect job opportunity.

You must be selective if you are a employee or employer. Use only a job recruiters that have been referred to you. The service offered by the job recruiters should always be free of charge for the job seekers.

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Job Interview - Best Prep Questions

As professional recruiters, we have learned over the years there one question we can ask of almost any job candidate prospect to determine their level of willingness to cooperate with the hiring process, and their ability to adapt their preconceptions of the hiring process to the practical aspects of a professional job search. Everyone answers that one question pretty much the same. The question: "Who can present your credentials best, you - the person who actually lived your experiences, or me?" Well the obvious answer is "you," the person who lived your experiences. But that is the wrong answer. Which illustrates why so many folks have difficulties with job interviews, often wondering later why things didn't turn out better. Why would your recruiter be a better person to present your credentials than yourself? Because a recruiter will organize your credentials so they appear as a solution to the employer's needs. Typically, when job candidates present their own resume and supporting credentials in an interview, they present their background in a way that is the most flattering, not necessarily the most effective or logical for getting the job at hand. This article reviews how a job candidate can organize and present their credentials in a job interview so it is to their best advantage. The best way to prepare for a job interview is by learning which questions will likely arise in a job interview, and having some predetermined answers for those questions - answers that both illustrate your skills and successes and present your experiences as the solution to the job you seek.

Often, face to face interviews are preceded by a telephone screening, whereby a key Human Resources or other representative contacts the job candidate directly by phone to ask some basic questions. While the strategies described herein apply to phone and on-site job interviews, the objectives differ. In the telephone interview, the objective should be to quickly illustrate your interest in the job and skills you bring to bear so as to generate a job interview. With the face to face interview, the objective should be to lead to a job offer. Attempting to get a job offer differs from actually getting the job. A job candidate who asks for the job offer by selling themselves to the company as the best fit and most motivated candidate, will likely leave the job interview with an offer in hand.

MOST IMPORTANT JOB INTERVIEW CONSIDERATIONS:

DON'T BE ON TIME - BE EARLY

It is important you arrive at the interview 20-30 minutes early. Obviously, being late sends a negative message about you to the interviewer. Many interviewers don't meet with candidates who arrive late. Plan ahead. Investigate traffic patterns relative to the time of your job interview. Don't expect the interviewer will be sensitive to delays caused by traffic congestion or an unexpected traffic accident. They expect you will allow for those eventualities, just like they do.

DRESS & LOOK PROFESSIONAL

Women: A skirt, dress or dress-suit or pant-suit are the most appropriate for the female candidate. Make sure your clothes are neat, clean and well pressed and make sense. Avoid controversial garb, anything too revealing or too trendy. You want to look professional, not like you are there to get a date or express a fashion statement.

Men: A dress suit, shirt and tie is the most appropriate clothing for the male candidate. Make sure your clothes are neat, clean and well pressed. Avoid flashy colors, jeans, T-shirts or tennis shoes. Wear your hair neat (including facial hair), clean and well groomed.

Oh yeah, and please cover tattoos and body piercings. While your private friends may enjoy the current fad of body art, most likely, a new employer isn't impressed, in fact, may look upon those expressions as somewhat immature - regardless of how you may feel about them. If such corporate attitudes are uncomfortable for you, find another prospective employer who is more open to such un-requested expressions of personality. Otherwise, be professional, dress professional, behave professionally.

PREPARE

Have a pen, notepad and extra copy of your resume and references with you. Make notes of questions you want to ask that relate to the job and company. Put those items in a place that will be easy for you to get to when you need them in the interview. If you currently use a daily/weekly planner, bring that with you too. You should try to arrive at your interview well rested, with a clear mind and a plan for presenting your credentials and supporting materials like references.

GREET JOB INTERVIEWER ENTHUSIASTICALLY

Smile, be friendly, not nervous, offer a solid handshake and say something friendly, like: "Good morning, pleasure to meet you, and thank you for the opportunity to visit with you today." Show your enthusiasm about the opportunity to work for their company. Remember, they are interviewing you for a job that requires specific skills and genuine enthusiasm -- if you don't express that at the interview, they many not be convinced you have the stamina required for the job.

DON'T HIGHLIGHT NEGATIVES

For the job interviewer, it is all about filling the job with the right person. Believe me, most job interviewers don't want to hear about your antique tin can collection, or how you landed that elk last year on your vacation. An interviewer wants your undivided attention on their job needs. Your personal habits distract from that focus. Such personal comments may include topics like: smoking, chewing gum, nervous finger or feet movement, tapping a pencil or a fork, humming, whistling, stretching, cleaning finger nails, clearing your throat, excessive "ums" in conversation, or focusing too much time on unrelated topics. Don't make negative remarks about your past or present employers or workmates. Negative remarks will not help your cause, and will seem as though you are blaming others for poor results.

RESEARCH THE COMPANY THOROUGHLY

Learn as much as you can about the company and the duties of the job position which interests you, like income range and associated benefits. Family and friends are sometimes sources of information about the company you seek for employment. But don't rely on hearsay, try to talk to someone in the company about the requirement and expectations of the job you seek. And utilize more than one source of comments about the company you are considering. Any positive things you learn about the company, make sure you mention them to the interviewer as a way to express your long term interest in the job you seek. Be prepared to answer questions about why you want to work for their company, offering sensible reasons that are practical in results.

PREPARE TO ASK QUESTIONS

You don't want to confuse the interviewer with too many questions. Remember, they are interviewing you, so be prepared to answer all their questions smartly. But challenge the interviewer with some of your own questions - determine those questions before you arrive to the job interview. Keep good eye contact when you ask your questions. Don't get into lengthy discussions. The idea is to engage the interviewer, to show them you can take charge when required and get the information you need. You should strive to create a list of questions that go to the heart of the job you seek.

KEEP A GOOD ATTITUDE

Be confident and knowledgeable and you will express a good attitude. But don't seem over confident in your abilities. Remain relaxed, answer questions sincerely. Be interested in the job and the company. Lighten up some and use a little humor! Your job interviewer should be made to feel you really want the job and their company. Show serious interest so that you will be considered a serious candidate. Do not mention offers of interviews with other companies, unless asked.

SPECIFIC QUESTIONS TO EXPECT

When answering questions that have a pre-determined answer, remember to offer a straight forward and immediate answer, and keep it simple. Avoid yes/no answers, unless you are offering an example to illustrate your answer. In fact, as much as possible, try and offer your key answers in a format of : Strategy-then-example. In that sense, if you were to discuss aspects of how to build a team of your workmates, you could answer with a short comment about your overall strategy of how to build a team, then follow that up with a quick real-time example of how you recently utilized that strategy and the results you got. Something like - "I build a team by making sure everyone involved understands our mutual goals, the timing, and their influence on those goals. When I did that last Spring, as we were introducing a new product, the goal was to sell more product by training team members to up-sell the new product to existing customers - we increased sales over 20-percent in one month."

"TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF"

Most people feel their personal lives are important, so when this question is asked they talk about everything from their children to their wives to their religion and even their favorite hobby or television show. Job interviewers want to hear some of that, or they don't feel they did a proper interview. But, the truth is, the job interviewer is more interested in getting the right skills and experience for the job. So keep your personal comments superficial, and in answering those personal questions, spin your answers in a manner that your answer reflects the skills and knowledge required for the job. After all, you are interviewing for the job, not a hobby partner.

"WHAT ARE YOUR STRENGTHS"

This is your primary time to express how your experience and skills match up to the requirements and needs of the job you seek. Be specific, but don't spend an hour. Keep your words simple. Write out as many of the answers as possible before the interview, so you can be comfortable when you explain your skills. Again, be brief and use examples.

WHAT ARE YOUR WEAKNESSES?

Mature thinkers tend to know their weaknesses. That is why most job interviewers ask this question. Will you admit you have weaknesses, and if so, how do you manage those? Is the weakness too major to allow you to be successful in the job you seek? Meaning to say, know in advance how you will answer this question. For instance, many hard workers are accused of working to many hours. Sometimes it's to do with the workload, sometimes it's just a matter of poor time-management. So if you say you are accused of being a "workaholic," temper that answer by admitting you do work hard, but that you always maintain a reasonable workload for you and your team, so you and your team (if there is one) are active, but you are not really behind in your work. So admit a weakness or two, but express how your results don't suffer.

DESCRIBE YOUR MANAGEMENT STYLE?

If you are seeking a management oriented position, describe your management style. Is it more hands-on? Is it analysis based? Do you delegate and verify results? Whatever your style, describe it specifically, not generically. Don't offer hourly-wage answers, offer management oriented answers; hourly wage answers include comments like: "I'm always to work on time; I always get my work done; I get along with others;" and such. Those are the attributes a manager expects of the people who report to them. Make your answers relative to management. Describe your ability and success when you delegate; your success with smart, accurate analysis and reporting and how those reports lead your activities; outline strategies you use to motivate or influence team members. Be detailed, but in short answers.

"WHY DO YOU WANT TO LEAVE YOUR CURRENT JOB?"

There is nothing wrong with leaving one job for a better one. Make sure the interviewer sees you as being in that mind-set. If there are serious issues afoot in your current or recent job, don't spend time discussing those, keep the focus on how you are a good match for the job at hand, and how you are motivated to improve and advance. A good response might be something like: " I am always looking to better myself. I heard positive things about your company and this job in particular, so I wanted to explore my options".

"WHERE DO YOU WANT TO BE IN FIVE YEARS"

This isn't a trick question, like most people believe, having two sides: 1) To show how ambitious are you. 2) Are you loyal. It's okay to say you want to advance, if that is the case. But do it politely, a good generic response may be something like: "I want to be a better manager than I am now." Or, "I would be actively working towards promotions in this company."

OTHER QUESTIONS YOU NEED TO BE PREPARED TO ANSWER:

Obviously, there are too many hiring scenarios to try and cover all pertinent job interview questions here. But, there are some basic questions that may likely arise, and for which you should generate pre-fabbed answers, so you can offer an intelligent and job related response if such questions come up in conversation. Write out your answers to each of these questions.

How will you be an asset to our company (good opportunity to mention prior achievements, without being boastful.)

Why did you pick this industry?

Describe a unrelated leadership role that you held.

What has been your greatest challenge in your career?

Give me an example of a problem that arose in your job, and how you solved it.

Tell me about a project you initiated and the results.

What types of situations put you under pressure and how did you deal with it?

Give me a situation in which you failed, how did you deal with it?

How do you work with difficult people?

What was your greatest accomplishment?

What challenges are you looking for in a position?

What motivates you?

If I asked people who know you to describe you, what three words would they use?

Describe a situation where you had to work with someone who was difficult. How did you handle it?

What traits are most important for a good manager?

Tell me a about a team project of which your are particularly proud of. What was your contribution?

What type of environment appeals to you the most?

What characteristics are most important in a good manager? How have you displayed one of them?

What makes someone a good leader?

What are your expectations of a good employer?

What do you do in your spare time?

The whole idea here is to leave nothing to chance. Literally write out your answers in advance. Most job candidates do not follow this good advice, believing they already know how best to present their credentials. Don't make that mistake. Organize your answers in advance, put them in perspective of how your skills and know-how best fit the job for which you are interviewing. By organizing these simple tasks to prepare for your job interview, you will greatly increase your odds of getting hired. Don't leave your next great job to chance. Prepare for it now.

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How to Find Teen Jobs Online

Finding a job online can be difficult for teen job seekers. The big boards cater to adult job seekers and very few post jobs specifically for teens. There are however a few job board out there that were created by teens and for teens. Getting started with your online job search is very easy. Here are the steps you will need to take.

- Step one - Find the job board that is best for you and register there. There are boards for teens only. My advice is to use a search engine and search on teen jobs or summer jobs. If you register with a niche teen board you will not be competing with adults for the same position. Make sure you fill out all of the information requested. The more information you provide the better off you will be. Keep in mind that employers view hundreds of these online applications, so you need to give your profile some personality and make sure that you stand out.

- Step two - Sign up for job alerts. This is a service that will email you when a job gets posted meeting your specific criteria.

- Step three - Follow through and apply to all jobs in your area and make sure you supplied your cell phone and email information. When you apply it is a good idea to submit a personalized cover letter and a resume as well. This will help you separate yourself from the other applicants who simply fill out the application.

Good luck in your teen jobs search.

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Your Anger is Killing Your Chances (At Getting a Job)

Lots of our clients "come in" angry. Getting laid off after years of service is not fun. Most of our clients were looking forward to staying with the company until they wished to leave. Most of them feel they have a "right: to be angry. Well, they do have a right to be angry in the same way as they have a right to take a gun and blow off their right toe. And that probably has less real world consequences than your anger at your (now former) employer.

Anger manifests in many ways. The first and most stupid of all these ways is with a lawsuit. Except for the lawyers, nobody wins in a lawsuit. Whether you prevail or not, a lawsuit is a public record. Future prospective employers can "Google" you and the lawsuit will pop up, especially if they use one of the many background checking companies who knows how to do searches for such. An employer would be nuts to hire you. You've proven that, if things don't go your way, you're going to sue.

Most employers know that filing a suit against an employer is a very career limiting move. Therefore, threatening or having your attorney threaten usually is just plain not useful. They'll know you're probably bluffing.

And, keep in mind that employees very rarely prevail in suits against employers. Their attorneys are better than the ones you can likely afford, and few attorneys take these types of suits on contingency. So...expressing your anger through the legal system is a waste of your time.

"Badmouthing" your former employer is also a very career limiting move. It will get around that you are badmouthing the former employer, and new prospective employers will simply wonder if they are next on the list.

It is incredibly short-sighted in this time to say anything bad about anyone. You do not know how far or deep their influence goes, or how well known they are. For example, my roots in Denver go back 50 years. My family has been very well known in a variety of arenas. Badmouthing me, for example, would simply reflect poorly on the person badmouthing me. My reputation here is solid, and many people who know me would defend me....making the credibility of the person badmouthing me very shaky. And you never know, when you badmouth an employer, if the same reality is present. Don't ever say anything negative about anyone unless you have a professional responsibility to do so. Even then, tread carefully.

Do not file sexual harassment complaints, discrimination complaints, ADA complaints or other kinds of complaints against employers. Yes, sexual harassment occurs, discrimination is common, and the disabled get a raw deal. But these sorts of complaints are very easy to discover in the referencing process that goes on prior to an offer. Many employers will pass on an employee who has filed any kind of EEO complaint, no matter how valid.

The reason is simple. EEO complaints are often used to strike back at managers who discipline employees. This is especially true of sexual harassment complaints. Employers do not want to hire trouble or conflict into their organizations. Who can blame them?

If you are being sexually harassed or discriminated against, put your anger on hold and simply move on. First, no job is worth the hassle of the investigations, the shunning by other employees, and the wariness of your employers. Secondly, most of these complaints don't go anywhere. The nature of most sexual harassment is that it is done privately. It is often a matter of "he said, she said." While, in the past, the alleged victim was simply believed, and the alleged perpetrator punished, this is no longer feasible. Several alleged perpetrators filed suits against companies that disciplined them without evidence...and won. This is, all evidence to the contrary, still America, and people must have due process. If you are getting unwanted sexual attention....quit and move on. You'll be much happier than if you try to make trouble, no matter how valid that trouble may be.

(Yes, I know that feminist groups will beat me up for what I've just said about sexual harassment. Let me be clear: I have a zero tolerance policy for sexual harassment in the company I run. I am being pragmatic, not ideological. If you have to choose between the two, pragmatic is better.)

But the anger issue goes beyond carrying out anger in lawsuits, grievances and badmouthing. It is career suicide to hang on to that anger when you're interviewing for a job. The fury that you feel...the sense of injustice...will come through to employers.

This is a problem I often see in my middle aged and older workers. They are angry because they don't think that they should have to be looking for a job at their age. They are angry because they see younger people getting promoted when they may have reached the apex of their careers. They're angry because they think they're being discriminated against in interviews due to their age.

But this is operating in the same entitlement I see in younger workers who feel that they should be making $100K right out of college. It is petty and downright stupid. This kind of entitlement has, unfortunately, swept across America in many ways. But the very people who descry the entitlement attitude of people regarding government are often the angriest because they feel "entitled" to not be looking for a job and so on.

And it is picked up instantly by employers. Having this anger or having desperation are the two most rapid ways to destroy your chances of employment. Employers who pick up anger in a potential employee know that they are hiring problems. And who wants to hire a problem? Enough of those come along without hiring them, too.

Get Rid Of Your Anger

You must get rid of your anger if you hope to wind up employed anytime soon. Your anger is irrational, anyway, as well as physically harmful to you. Here are a few tips for letting go of your anger.

1). What are you angry about anyway? You did not have a right to the job you held. It was a privilege given to you by the employer/ If you want to have control over your life 3/4 go into business for yourself. While this does not give you total control, it is better than working for the Man. One of my CEO friends, Preston Wilson, points out that, so long as you work for the Man, you are vulnerable and at that person's beck and call.

You chose the life of working in a corporation for someone else. Getting laid off or terminated is one of the possible consequences of that decision. If you don't like the potential consequences (and everything has potential consequences), chose another path.

But don't allow your angry emotions to rule you when one of the very real potential consequences of being an employee comes about. That job was not your right. You weren't entitled to it.

2). Accept this time as a gift. This is a great gift from the Universe, whether you realize it or not. It is your forced chance to re-evaluate your life and see if you need to travel some different roads. Rather than being angry about this, be grateful to God or the Universe or whatever that you have been given this chance.

I've known lots of people in life who haven't been given this kick in the ass, and they have retired frustrated and depressed. They have heads full of regrets and wishes that they are too old to do. Not you! You have been given this opportunity while you're still young enough to actually do those things you have been wishing to do.

I can hear the "money" objection. But "money" is always an excuse. There is always money to do those things you truly wish to do, and never money to do those things about which you are ambivalent.

You may have a few physical limitations. But most of what you truly wish to do in life you are going to be able to do.....if you get off of your dead ass and get started on them. And the gift your former employer just gave you is the kick in the seat of the pants to do just that.

3). Laugh at yourself (and others who are angry about being laid off). It is just plain silly to be angry at being terminated or laid off. At worst, you did things to lead to it. Don't do them again. At best, you were caught in an industry storm. You might as well be mad at a hurricane!

4). Find creative ways to make ends meet. Most of my readership has some cushion. For those of you who don't, find creative ways to make money.

A friend of a client/friend of mind was laid off. His wife had been making custom bracelets with custom messages on them for friends for years. He knew a bit about the internet, and put up a website for her.

Well, he got a new job, but soon had to quit. His wife's little business was bringing in so much money, and growing so fast that everyone in the family had to get involved. Getting laid off gave this family a family business, and a great deal more freedom, both financially and time-wise.

Get A Job Outta Your Head

Too many people think that they need a "j-o-b" to make money. I haven't had a job since I've been 23 (with a brief, miserable, 2 year exception). Obviously, I'm not starving.

Oh sure, it would be nice sometimes to have guaranteed vacation days and sick days, to have better benefits than small businesses can get in our backward country, and so on. But I would never want to work for anyone!

Now, what this means is that I'm constantly interviewing for a job. Bringing new clients in is very similar to a job interview...several times a month. If I don't succeed, I don't pay the bills, and I get cranky creditors. Yet, I would prefer to cut off vital parts of my anatomy to having a (spit) job. Why would I want to enslave my body and mind in that way?

Now, this philosophy isn't for everyone. But the philosophy that someone else needs to give them a job is simply foolish...and short-sighted. So long as you are counting on another person to take care of you financially, you are enslaved!

Rather than simply looking for a job, look at the dozens of ways that one can make money without a job. One might engage you enough that you will gain the courage to get out of the rat race and be your own man or woman.

Remember...even if you win in the rat race...you're still a rat.

Look at life a bit differently. Let go of your anger. Get creative. You'll be better for it at the end.

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Top 15 Effective Tips For Job Search

Looking for a new job is a challenging and a very daunting process. Each and every step taken in the process should be professional, appropriate, and focused. For this it is very important to have a mindset of what you want so that you can easily get away from the midst of job search. There are many other factors that play a crucial role when searching for your dream job.

Here are some of the most effective tips for job search:

1. The first thing to remember is that your first impression will make a huge difference and in case of a job search it is made through an effective resume. Make your resume clear and precise yet expressive and communicative. Ensure that it is free of errors and full of key essentials like your credibility, your worth, your skills, and your years of experience.

2. If in case you find it difficult to prepare an appropriate resume you can get in touch with some job consultancy that can help you build an effective resume. These days there are many such companies and online portals that offer resume making services at cost-effective prices.

3. Look for appropriate jobs rather than applying for all the available jobs in the market. You very well know your qualifications so apply only for those where you feel you are the best matched candidate.

4. Don't run for too many good jobs but select few best jobs and apply for the same.

5. Explore your possibilities by posting your resume online, browsing online job portals, searching through newspapers, and even attending job fairs.

6. These days there are many good job portals that make your job search easier and better. You can take help of search engines to learn about such websites and portals.

7. Use your contacts to follow the best job in the market. Many times the most demanding and fruitful jobs are not advertised but if you have a strong business network and social contacts as well you may get a chance to apply for the job and get a footstep into the specified company.

8. Be confident and follow up. Don't be afraid to call the employer for any kind of feedback or follow-up as it improve your chances of getting employed.

9. When going for an interview make sure that you are dressed up smartly in formal clothing.

10. Ensure that you reach at the interview spot on time and are well prepared for the same.

11. Be generous and pass on a thank you message after the interview or the business meeting.

12. Be smart enough to answer all the queries of the employer. Any kind of hesitation and ignorance of work related information will take you down the drain.

13. Stay moving with the corporate world. You should be well aware of all the happenings in the corporate sector so that you know well where to hit and when. You also get to learn more about the companies and then it becomes easier for you to select the best company for job hunt.

14. Don't lose hope and give up. At times the job market is really tough and it becomes difficult to get a fruitful job but continue with your efforts to pluck jobs from the market.

15. Keep all the references ready to give to the interviewers. References have become very important these days because of the fast competition in the corporate world. Every company is in search for grabbing the best candidate.

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What is a Geologist's Salary on an Oil Rig?

Are you thinking about taking up a Geology major in college? It is not a bad course, and prospects are pretty good overall. Employment opportunities look pretty solid for the next few decades, strongly supported by world economic fundamentals. After all, geologists are the people who find new deposits of oil, gas, metals and minerals - all of them raw materials in great demand from both developed countries (e.g. the USA and Europe) and developing countries (especially China and India). The major employers of geologists are the government sector, the mining industry and the oil/gas industry.

So, what is a geologist' salary on an oilrig? According to a 2008 survey by American Geologic Institute, it ranges from $80,000 to $100,000 for a fresh Geology graduate with a relevant Masters degree. Another survey by the University of Houston in 2007 indicated that experienced petroleum geologists (10 years and up) earn an average salary of $132,132 a year. Those are increases of 50% for new geologists on offshore oil platforms and 23% for experienced geologists prospecting for oil since 2003/2004. This is a salary range that can turn the CEOs of many small companies green with envy.

But it is now the summer of 2010 and we have just exited one major recession and hit a major bump in the road because of the Deepwater Horizon disaster. Surely there must be some impact for a geologists working offshore? Well, if you are graduating (or a veteran looking for a new employer) today, there will probably be some artificial downward pressure on your pay. But seriously, the demand for oil workers and people who can find oil is not dependent on the short-term status of the economy. The demand for skilled geologists and other rig workers has historically depended on the price of oil. Just look at the Roaring '80s, where the economy was booming but the price of oil was low. Oil companies and drilling contractors were laying off workers left and right. Look at our recent recession for an example of the opposite - the price of oil remained strong ($60 to $70 per barrel) despite the weak economy. Although they laid off workers on less productive land-based oil fields, they hired workers for newer and more lucrative offshore oil fields.

Fundamentally, there are three major reasons why a geologist will still continue to earn the big bucks for the next 10, 20 or even 30 years. The first is that it is difficult to train a good geologist. 20,000 students enrol in Geology each year, but only 2,800 graduate with the needed specialties to look for oil. Geology is a four-year course, and it is not easy to pass. Besides, a field geologist is not someone who lives above the clouds in an ivory tower. He is, frequently, someone who must travel long distances, face both man-made and natural danger, and work in difficult situations. In some ways, he is closer to Indiana Jones (except with a Geology degree instead of an Archaeology degree) than he is to Einstein.

A second major reason for the continued strong demand for Geology graduates is that many old, experienced oil geologists are now in their 40s, 50s or 60s. The previously cited University of Houston survey also discovered that 72% of oil workers are above 40. Most of them were last hired in the last oil boom in the 1970s, and are the survivors of the oil glut of the 1980s. Those who left the oil industry went to more stable government jobs (or to work for the mining companies) in the mass lay-offs. Any good oil company CEO knows that a good petroleum geologist who can find him a new oil field is worth as much as the Marketing director or Finance Director.

The third big reason is that oil is an important fuel and raw material for modern plastics, etc. Even if greener technologies (e.g. hydroelectricity, solar panels and wind turbines) overtake oil in importance, there is no replacement for the use of oil to create all the different kinds of plastic in use today. By the way, if you are so worried about green energy supplanting oil, consider these facts:

* Solar panels are made of plastic (synthesized from petroleum) and silicon;
* The bodies of wind turbines are largely made of plastic;
* The heavy vehicles and equipment used for building hydroelectric dams, mining aluminium (for wind turbine blades) and silicon (for solar panels) are usually diesel-powered;
* The trains, ships and trucks used to move the raw materials (e.g. aluminium and silicon) from the mines to the factory for processing all run on diesel.

Basically, good petroleum geologists are in great demand. Among their most important duties is helping to find new sources of oil. Their salaries will remain high for a good, long time to come.

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