Recovering From a Career Crisis
June 10, 2010
If you have ever experienced any of the following, you have had a career crisis:
? Losing your job
? Being fired
? Burning out
? Not wanting to do your job for one more day
A career crisis can be caused either by someone else (being laid off) or by your own feelings (burning out).
Common Causes of Career Crises
There are many reasons why people experience career crises. Here are a few:
? Corporate downsizing
? Burnout
? Relocating for your spouse’s career
? Being fired
? Making the wrong career move
? Corporate politics
? Not fitting in
Why a Career Crisis Is So Devastating
A career crisis is almost always devastating because it can impact your life in so many ways. Here are a few examples:
1. Money: Losing your income with no warning can be financially devastating.
2. Status: If your job gives you status or a professional identity, you may feel devastated without it.
3. Surprise: If the job loss happens without warning, you will probably feel shocked.
4. Self-esteem: You may feel embarrassed by what has happened.
Leaders Meet Challenge Heads-UP With Confidence –
May 31, 2010
Maybe “buck” is better referred to as the Boss’ Challenge. Business owners are faced with making lots of decisions - some quickly made - others take more time with greater consequences.
Time Vs Wages –
A few years ago (maybe 30!) a top secretarial job paid $75. a week or less. You can compare it to the $700 weekly paycheck today. Has about the same buying power. Inflation is real. Salaries increase every year mainly to stay even with inflation, sometimes with less buying power.
Obviously, we refuse to talk about taxes (April 15th) or capital gains (that’s where nothing happens except the Government gets 20%) and then death taxes arrive when you have nothing to say about it. Up to 55% of the farm. Yes, a big Wow!
Death and taxes are for real. Best decision is to stay on the "right" track. God has a special plan for you and your future. Government has your best interest at heart, too. It’s always important to keep your house in order. Never know! You could wake UP dead! If not, tax report filing is soon due.
Formal Business Attire is Making a Comeback
May 24, 2010
The dot com boom of 1990s brought with it a laissez-faire attitude to dress code. Business casual was not a word that was part of our daily vocabulary.
Business casual may have been good for the dot comers, but the casual attire tried to find its way into other industries as well. Human resource departments all over the country were forced to reconsider their dress codes, many of them having to finally put theirs in writing.
Dress codes vary from industry to industry, and the company ultimately has the discretion in what their employees are required to wear. Some companies made it clear through employee manuals what was to be considered acceptable attire.
Now that the dot com era has settled a little, we are noticing that the trend is heading back to where it once was. Big business has gone back to a more formal dress code, realizing that they only have one opportunity to impress their clients.
Men’s business attire traditionally consists of a suit and tie, closed-toed dress shoes, and no flashy jewelry, with the exception of a timepiece. Men are to be neatly groomed with a conservative hairstyle and shiny shoes.
Beat the Crowd with Winning Resume Cover Letters
May 18, 2010
Far too many people underestimate the importance of resume cover letters. In a sense, a well written cover letter works like an agent on your behalf. It tosses a sales pitch for you to the employer, explaining why you should be at the top of the list for interview calls. Taking the time to write a cover letter tells the employer you are willing to go above and beyond; not just simply slap a resume in an envelope and mail it.
Not All Resume Cover Letters Are Created Equal
No two resume cover letters should ever be the same; each one should be uniquely tailored to the job for which you are applying. A generic cover letter is insulting to an employer and will quickly find its way into the trashcan. When writing cover letters keep the following tips in mind:
Address resume cover letters to an actual entity, not just a generic “To Whom it May Concern” or “Personnel Director.” If you are not sure who to address, find out and then make sure you spell their name correctly. Do not just assume.
The Perfect Fit: Women & Franchising
May 8, 2010
An interesting combination of factors at this time in history may be the reason so many women are turning to franchising to fulfill their entrepreneurial desires. Women’s increased financial power, better education, and corporate experience, combined with their desire for more autonomy and desire to connect with others who share their values make franchising a great fit for many women.
Women are better educated now than ever. They have accumulated considerable corporate experience. After years in the corporate world they are tired of being locked into super-human schedules which often include brutal hours and travel obligations. They have grown weary of corporate politics, the corporate craziness of power struggles and meaningless competitive games. They are bored with unchallenging positions. They long for greater autonomy, flexibility and control of their schedules. They begin to hear that entrepreneurial voice, saying "You’re smarter and more capable than 90% of the management team ? why not use your talents to run your own show?" or, "I’ve paid my dues and now it’s time to do work that I love, work that feeds my soul." or, "Why am I working myself to a frazzle to build equity in someone else’s business? Why not build equity in my own?"
How To Start Your Own House Cleaning Business
May 2, 2010
If you are thinking about starting your own house cleaning business, begin by evaluating your present circumstances. There are no right or wrong answers to these questions, but how you reply will affect what you do.
How much strength and stamina do you have? If you have lots, you can schedule more house cleaning jobs than someone who is more average in these ways.
What times of the week are you available? If you have a job, weekly meetings of any kind, or children that you want or need to be with at certain times, draw up a schedule of when you can be available for your new house cleaning business. Don’t worry if there are only a small number of hours per week that you can work right now. That will be enough to get you started, and you will be glad of the income.
Do you want to work alone or with your partner or another friend? If you have someone compatible to work with, it can be more fun to work together. Also, it can make it easier if you or your co-worker gets sick or has a family emergency come up.
Cleaning Houses for a Living Has Some Unexpected Benefits
April 24, 2010
If you’re looking for a way to earn a living or just to make some extra money on the side, cleaning houses for a living is probably not the first thing that comes to mind.
Cleaning houses? Doesn’t that sound like a lot of unpleasant, grungy work?
Yes, it does sound pretty unpleasant, and that is exactly why there is very good profit in it. Most people hate to clean. Add to that how busy everyone is, and you have a recipe for success.
Maybe you’re not so fond of doing your own housework. But having your own business cleaning houses could be surprisingly enjoyable, because there are many benefits to this work. Here are just a few:
By learning how the professionals clean houses, you can do it much more quickly and easily than you ever did before.
You can start this business with a little simple promotion and gain customers within a week or two.
You can begin with less than $100.
You can select your own schedule. Maybe you want to work particular days or evenings. For example, if you have children, you might want to work at times when your partner is at home to watch the kids.
Create A Rappin? Resume
April 15, 2010
(Percussion sounds emanating from who knows where while you listen to the cadence of the words below.)
It’s time to sell yourself.
May the words light up the way.
It’s now your chance to shine,
And it’s soon gonna be your day.
So make sure you show them
All the many things you can do.
It’s now your chance to shine.
With a resume just for you.
No, no, no! Wait a minute! This isn’t the kind of “RAP” that you should use for your resume. Although, there would be some shock value, and the person doing the paper screening would surely get a laugh and not likely forget your name. The WRAP to which I am referring is W, written wisely and well; R, review, rewrite, re-read; A, analysis and awareness; and P, proofread and proofread again.
Get Your Dream Job!
April 9, 2010
Anyone who is a jobseeker knows that looking for a new job or career is a job in itself. Once you have completed the laborious task of writing your resume and submitting it to various companies, you now have to pass the screen test to get the job. Interviews are the gateway to landing your ideal job. These five tips will help you get own your way to making that job yours.
Tip#1
Be Confident
"Your first impression is your only impression." Nothing is worse than a limp handshake, slumped shoulders, poor eye contact or poor communication skills. A potential employer can tell immediately if you are the man or woman for this job by your body language. Although aggressiveness is a turn-off, being passive gives the indication that you are not sure of yourself or your qualifications. Keep eye contact when answering questions or when the interviewer is speaking directly to you. Smile occasionally to show your interest and enthusiasm. Keeping a steady gaze on the interviewer can be disturbing to an interviewer. Look away occasionally. Lean forward to show that you are interested in what the interviewer is saying. Speak in a concise and clear voice. If you have problems annunciating certain words, don’t try to use them on an interview. If this is difficult for you, practice with a mirror and pay attention to your facial expressions.
Career Development - When Its Time for a Change
March 31, 2010
There’s a certain courage required to hear your gut. To really be true to how you are feeling. And that is never more important than in your career. Sometimes people feel that they are not completely happy. At other times they might have a sense of distance from the business or organisation they are in.This lack of ‘alignment’ makes for discomfort - and many people listen to it for the whole of their careers (and lives) and yet never truly hear it.So what are the clues that can help us realise that if change is in the air, it is a good thing, rather than something to fear? Here are 19 things to look out for:-
So what to do about it.
