Thursday, May 28, 2020

Who Cares About You

Who Cares About You Weird experiences in the last few months. As Ive worked to let people know about JibberJobber since April, Ive gotten very interesting responses. It has really helped me understand what resources the job seeker can have access to, at least according to the sponsoring agency. Of course, everything that Ill write will have a pro-JibberJobber slant a big slant ?? But that is because I have seen how helpful this tool is for people to help themselves. I personally think that there are thousands and thousands of people out there that are looking for something like JibberJobber to help them in their job search and to prepare for a job search. So theres my bias. Ive loved calling people (career counselors, and those that work with job seekers) and showing them the system the response is always positive. I love it when I talk with someone and they say I want my brother/son/boyfriend to use this this is perfect for them! What an endorsement. But Ive been somewhat surprised by some other responses mostly from government. One common response comes from government agencies state and federal. They love it! But, they say they cant put a link on their website, or put flyers in their offices because it is endorsing a private entity. Hm. Im confused for a couple of reasons. First, isnt employment a huge issue everywhere? Even when the unemployment rate is low (like now) it still costs tons of money. They say they cant endorse something by an um American citizen. Interesting. I like our government but there are some weird, unfortunate things going on here. I thought that the government was here to help us, and be fiscally responsible (I know, I can hear you snicker as you read this). Do you know who is funding Americas Job Bank? Why in the world does the govt feel that they need to spend money to create and maintain one of the 40,000 job boards available? And why, if they find out about a great services/tool for the citizens, cant they tell the citizens?? So, let me sum this up, without sounding like a dunce. As a job seeker I expect that resources that I pay for (taxes) to help me in any way that I can. I am disappointed that state and federal orgs are not more helpful, sharing really good resources. Instead, they focus on spending money on things that I can get elsewhere (so they are competing with the private industry), and keep resources like JibberJobber a secret. In all fairness, there is one exception the state of Maryland has a great resource page to help people find jobs, and have links to helpful non-govt resources. Go figure. P.S. any exception to govt sites will be big news in this blog just let me know. Who Cares About You Weird experiences in the last few months. As Ive worked to let people know about JibberJobber since April, Ive gotten very interesting responses. It has really helped me understand what resources the job seeker can have access to, at least according to the sponsoring agency. Of course, everything that Ill write will have a pro-JibberJobber slant a big slant ?? But that is because I have seen how helpful this tool is for people to help themselves. I personally think that there are thousands and thousands of people out there that are looking for something like JibberJobber to help them in their job search and to prepare for a job search. So theres my bias. Ive loved calling people (career counselors, and those that work with job seekers) and showing them the system the response is always positive. I love it when I talk with someone and they say I want my brother/son/boyfriend to use this this is perfect for them! What an endorsement. But Ive been somewhat surprised by some other responses mostly from government. One common response comes from government agencies state and federal. They love it! But, they say they cant put a link on their website, or put flyers in their offices because it is endorsing a private entity. Hm. Im confused for a couple of reasons. First, isnt employment a huge issue everywhere? Even when the unemployment rate is low (like now) it still costs tons of money. They say they cant endorse something by an um American citizen. Interesting. I like our government but there are some weird, unfortunate things going on here. I thought that the government was here to help us, and be fiscally responsible (I know, I can hear you snicker as you read this). Do you know who is funding Americas Job Bank? Why in the world does the govt feel that they need to spend money to create and maintain one of the 40,000 job boards available? And why, if they find out about a great services/tool for the citizens, cant they tell the citizens?? So, let me sum this up, without sounding like a dunce. As a job seeker I expect that resources that I pay for (taxes) to help me in any way that I can. I am disappointed that state and federal orgs are not more helpful, sharing really good resources. Instead, they focus on spending money on things that I can get elsewhere (so they are competing with the private industry), and keep resources like JibberJobber a secret. In all fairness, there is one exception the state of Maryland has a great resource page to help people find jobs, and have links to helpful non-govt resources. Go figure. P.S. any exception to govt sites will be big news in this blog just let me know.

Monday, May 25, 2020

About Candace Moody

About Candace Moody Candace Moody is vice president, communications, for CareerSource Northeast Florida. CareerSource Northeast Florida is the regional workforce organization that serves Baker, Clay, Duval, Nassau, Putnam   and St. Johns Counties surrounding Jacksonville, Florida. Candace’s background includes Human Resources, recruiting, training and assessment. She spent several years with a national staffing company, serving employers on in California and Massachusetts.   Her writing on business, career and employment issues has appeared in her weekly column for the Florida Times Union, in the Atlanta Journal Constitution and 904 Magazine, as well as several national publications and websites.   Candace is often quoted in the media on local labor market and employment issues. CareerSource is dedicated to helping Northeast Florida residents find employment.   Visit CareerSource Northeast Florida at www.careersourcenortheastflorida.com.                                   2016 Feedspot.com Top 100 Career Blogs on the Web

Friday, May 22, 2020

Reading the Digital Smile - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Reading the Digital Smile - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Social meetings are as much about body language as they are about what’s said. Whether you’re aware of it or not, everything we communicate comes with a pairing of gestures, facial expressions and eye movements that tip us off to the truth behind the words. In fact, we look to nonverbal cues which are 12 to 13 more powerful than the accompanying content.   We look at nonverbal first. We believe nonverbal more. Unfortunately, the internet has changed this. Suddenly, we’re forced to read another’s words in our own voice with our own interpretation of meaning in play. This inevitably leads to conflict if you don’t know how to read today’s digital smile. We rarely think about our online first impression because it doesn’t happen when we are aware of it. You have 50 milliseconds to make your digital first impression. This is when people decide if they trust you You don’t have to be on Skype, Google Hangout, Face Time, Meerkat, Vine, Snapchat, Periscope or using a Twitter video reply for someone to “get” your digital smile.   There’s a whole host of ways that we smile and this does include digital expressions. Emojis are readily used through many social networks and often do the expressing that our words alone cannot do. Gifs are also expressing this and communicating even more emotion than the emoticons can.   In spring 2015 during the Facebook F8 Developers Conference, it was announced that Gifs would be easily and readily available in Facebook’s messaging app, Messenger, to allow people to communicate more accurately what they fee. On Twitter Digital smiles are captures in retweets and are further enhanced when you’re not only retweeted but you’re quoted along with comments or feedback from the person who share your tweet. A retweet is when someone shares your tweet. They like it enough that they want to share it with people on Twitter who follow them. Favorites are also a form of “digital smile”.   Someone liked what you said or appreciated it enough that they “favorite” it so it shows up and is associated with their Twitter profile. On Facebook The digital smile could be a simple “thumbs up” of approval (liking).   It could also be someone sharing what you wrote. On Instagram A Repost, Regram or Hearts are ways approval is show and often that smile (or even laughter) can come across so strongly that they feel there’s a real connection with the person. What are some ways that you’ve seen or given digital smiles? Share in the comments below.

Sunday, May 17, 2020

Finding Work in 2012 3 Tips for Success

Finding Work in 2012 3 Tips for Success Finding work in 2012 a Tough Challenge? Finding work in 2012 a Tough Challenge? The UK economy is hardly thriving at present, as the ongoing Eurozone crisis and concerns over the failing U.S. manufacturing industry continue to have an impact on the prevailing macro-environment. Even with the more optimistic news that the national unemployment rate fell from 8.3 to 8.1% during the last financial quarter, the job market remains disconcertingly fragile and difficult for those who are unable to stand out within a large and competitive crowd. So how exactly should job seekers be looking to give themselves a competitive edge in an age where employers hold such an advantage? 3 Tips for Success With so many different industries and interviewing techniques within a single job market, it is impossible to have an exact or rigid strategy for your application and interview. There are basic principles that will allow you to retain an edge on your rival candidates, however, and enable you to impress your potential employer. 1. Avoid the Generic and Treat Each Job On Its Individual Merits The bid to impress an employer begins with the job application, and it is crucial to pay attention to each individual opportunity as it presents itself. The use of a generic cover letter or resume can be highly detrimental to your application, especially if you look to pursue a number of job opportunities simultaneously. Not only could the use of unaltered documents suggest that you are interested in any type of employment as opposed to a specific role with a chosen firm, but by failing to respond to each specification individually, you are missing out on the chance to sell yourself and your skill set. 2. Protect Yourself and Your Social Media Profiles The growing popularity of social media and e-recruitment has changed the way in which employers screen potential candidates for work, and you must take great care to address your own social media profiles prior to applying for a position of employment. Given that you alone are not entirely responsible for the content that may appear on your social media pages, it may be worth censoring them throughout the course of your job application process. This way an employer must notify you if they wish to view them, which allows you to prepare for every eventuality. [ALSO SEE: 7 Tips To Get Started On LinkedIn] 3. Buy Into a Firm’s Business Philosophy Regardless of whether a company is product or service driven, it will have a fundamental mission statement, vision and business philosophy that underpins its operation. While every candidate will know the basic purpose of an organisation that they are applying to join, there are not many who take the time to research how their potential employers operate and what drives them towards attainment. By undertaking this research, you can develop and showcase a far greater understanding of your role, and steal a unique and potentially vital edge on your job seeking contemporaries. The Bottom Line While these steps may not guarantee you instant success within the employment market, when combined with a positive and proactive attitude, they can improve your chances of finding work significantly. Remember that in a competitive market, it is by seeking out the smallest of advantages that you can gain access to the greatest rewards.

Thursday, May 14, 2020

Start the Conversation on Financial Insecurity [Survey Results] - Career Pivot

Start the Conversation on Financial Insecurity [Survey Results] - Career Pivot Start the Conversation on Financial Insecurity Copyright: alexraths / 123RF Stock Photo It is time to start the conversation on the financial insecurity of the baby boomer generation. We recently published2 blog posts about financial insecurity during the 2nd half of life. Here are links to the posts so you can review them: Financial Insecurity in the 2nd Half of Life [Survey] â€" Career Pivot http://bit.ly/1rD1F0x Are Baby Boomers Suffering From Financial Shame? â€" Career Pivot http://bit.ly/1Y3ZIXa Both posts talk about how many baby boomers will potentially retire with little or no savings and have to rely mostly on social security. There are many reasons why baby boomers are in this situation. It can be because of being laid off, long-term unemployment, medical bills/illness, and divorce just, to name a few. Baby boomers were taught to avoid talking about finances, let alone open up to others about their struggles. Most have tried very hard to keep up appearances that they are doing fine when perhaps they are not. Maybe it is time to get the conversation about money started! We published a survey asking for comments about your financial insecurity, and here are the results. For More:Are Baby Boomers Destined for Long Term Unemployment? How would you pay for a $400 emergency? The survey shows that 87% of the people who responded said they could cover a $400 emergency. They would take this money from savings or use a credit card. I am curious how long it would take the credit card folks to pay back $400 if they did, in fact, use it for their emergency. Does the person really have the money to handle this emergency? Are they using the credit card as a stop gap for the emergency? Listen to the most recent episode And, if they didn’t have access to a credit card to use to pay the bill, do they really belong to the categories of “sell something to come up with the money” or “unable to pay it?” Why don’t you have more savings? Of the 101 people that responded to our survey overall, we only received nine people who answered our second question of why they didn’t have more savings. Most said that they didn’t make enough to save money, or they responded by saying the Great Recession impacted their savings. The other two potential responses, “I never got around to it” and “I was paying for my kid’s college,” didn’t receive any responses. We received “other responses” from people who said that they were impacted by divorce, bankruptcy, health issues, laid off, or didn’t use their money wisely. This is why they didn’t have savings available for the $400 emergency. Do you know someone who could not afford to pay for a $400 emergency? Our third question asked if you knew of anyone that would be unable to handle a $400 emergency, and an overwhelming number said yes. Is the person that can’t handle the $400 emergency really someone else, or is it ourselves? Are we afraid to have the conversation with our family or friends to let them know that we don’t have $400 for an emergency? Starting the Conversation Money is tied to emotions and self-esteem. We first learned about money when we were growing up. Was money discussed in our families? Were we taught how to manage it, or was it left as the responsibility of someone else? If you add the cultural aspect to the weight of emotions and self-esteem, money is a real hot-button for many people. How each one of us earns, saves, or spends our money is a reflection of who we are. One person may spend their money on a luxury item or service, while another person might see that expense as being wasteful. It all depends on what each person values. This is a big factor in the conversation about money. Some people are forced to manage money better because life events require them to step up and take control of it. This can be a trial by fire experience that requires them to learn quickly in order to stay on stable ground as they move through life transitions. Financial insecurity during the 2nd half of life should be a catalyst for starting conversations about managing money. Are you ready to join in? Check out past Career Pivot survey results here. This post was written by Elizabeth Rabaey, a Baby Boomer herself, is a creative with a love for details. She has spent over 20 plus years working for environmental engineering and consulting companies providing project management and technical assistance on many innovative engineering projects. She has applied creative, literary and scientific skills to these projects to help the client maintain a profitable business operation and protect humans, health, and the environment. Connect with her onLinkedInand Twitter. Like what you just read? Share it with your friends using the buttons above. Like What You Read? Get Career Pivot Insights Check out the Repurpose Your Career Podcast Do You Need Help With ...

Sunday, May 10, 2020

Should you Get a Career Coach - Pros and Cons - CareerAlley

Should you Get a Career Coach - Pros and Cons - CareerAlley We may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners. If youre currently stuck with a dead end job or youre collecting unemployment looking for a job, you may feel like youre stuck in a rut. If youre applying for jobs and receiving no calls, the problem could be on your end, and if you dont know what youre doing wrong, this problem with continue to happen. Clearly you need to restart or rethink your job search (see Time to Move on? Jump Start your Job Search). On alternative is to consider using acareer coach. These are professionals who will be able to give you career advice, help youpolish your resume and help you develop a job search plan that will help get results. Suggested Reading:Should You Consider Using A Career Coach What isa Career Coach? Career coachesreview your job search marketing toolkit (Why You Need a Job Search Marketing Toolkit), which includes your resume, cover letter and job search plan. They help you revise you resume so that it is more focused on your skill set and may even suggest multiple resumes (depending on the diversity of our experience).They will help you update your job search plan (see Planning for Your Job Search) and also help you prepare for interviews. Other services may include providing leads and introductions. Like any field, every professional is going to have their own ways when it comes down to educating their client. A career coach is going to be very similar to a counselor. While a coach wont necessarily guarantee you a job, they will be able to offer recommendations and help you polish your job search skills. The Cost of Career Coaches: Asking how much a career coach costs is like asking how long is a piece of string (How long is a piece of string). Costs depend on the coach (experience, success, etc.), where you are located (major cities will obviously cost more), your needs and the length of time you will use them. Most experts note that you should be prepared to spend anywhere from $100 to as much as $250 per hour, with the industry average around $161 per hour. Some coaches may ask you to sign a contract with a minimum spend. Take a look at Harvard Business ReviewsFind the Career Coach Whos Right for You.Generally speaking, most people who work with a coach will put up to 20 hours of time in. While some people willwork with a coach until they land a job, some coaches may offer session packages as mentioned above. These packages will have a set rate and will include certain services. For instance, one professional may be able to offer resume tips, a mock interview and one-on-one interview for $300. Pros and Cons of Using Career Coaches: The Cons of Hiring a Career Coach: Scams. The industry is riddled with professionals who are looking to guarantee you a job and have no experience to back up their claims. Remorse. A lot of people who take advantage of these services regret buying after they are done. Cost. Being unemployed or underemployed can put a burden on anyones budget. Even if youre working with a successful coach, it can eat up more than a few thousand dollars of your savings. The Pros of Hiring a Career Coach Motivation. A lot of career coaches have the right tools to help motivate you and find the perfect job. Improvements. A qualified career coach will be able to pinpoint your weaknesses so that you can improve them. With this improvement, it can help you land a great gig. Results. Even though its a mixed bag, people do see results when working with the right coach. In the end, youre going to want to make sure youre choosing to right coach. To make sure you pick out the right professional, here are some questions to ask ahead of time How much do you charge? What kind of experience do you have? What is your educational background? What kind of clients do you work with? Do you have a particular area of expertise? With clients you couldnt help, why did you fail? Career Tip of the Day:9 Reasons Why I Wont Hire You We are always eager to hear from our readers. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or suggestions regarding CareerAlley content. Good luck in your search,Joey Google+ What's next? Ready to take action? Choose the right tools to help you build your career. Looking for related topics? Find out how to find the opportunities that help you grow your best career. Subscribe and make meaningful progress on your career. It’s about time you focused on your career. Get Educated Contact Us Advertise Copyright 2020 CareerAlley. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy + Disclosure home popular resources subscribe search

Friday, May 8, 2020

Why You Should Consider Resume Writing Facebook Applications

Why You Should Consider Resume Writing Facebook ApplicationsIf you're like most people, you've probably heard about the benefits of resumes and cover letters, but haven't given it much thought. Now, you may be wondering: are there ways to incorporate the two strategies into your own resume writing process?When you think about it, it's not just the entire job description that a potential employer is looking for in a job applicant. Instead, they are looking for details like a candidate's academic background, their professional achievements, and their organizational skills.Resume writing Facebook applications allow you to give your all to the person who is reading through your resume, including the applicant. This makes it easier for them to see your whole personality and skills in one easy-to-read document.Because resumes have been around for quite some time, and are used by many different companies, it's likely that you have already come across similar information on other forms of in formation. This information can now be combined into one easy-to-use package to help people read your resume from start to finish.What if I told you that you could combine all of the details of your resume into one easy-to-use package that would include information that was shared with you via Facebook? How would you feel when you realized just how much you were going to learn from this? Wouldn't it be fantastic to get a few minutes of training on resume writing and make a few tweaks to your existing resume, and then see your resume, immediately, promoted to a position of employment that you are confident and excited about?In a nutshell, resume writing Facebook applications can give you the chance to learn and write better resumes, making it easier for employers to evaluate your application and generate several free Facebook recommendations for you. So whether you're applying for a position in HR or looking for an experienced recruiting job, you're sure to receive positive feedback from companies who use these applications.So, let's say you're applying for a temporary position in a virtual office and your writing skills are not great. There are hundreds of other applicants who have the same qualifications. How would you feel if all the other applicants were on your best-case scenario, while you had to compete against them in their resume?Although resume writing Facebook applications can be helpful, it's important to know that you still need to learn more about what it takes to create a quality resume. Sometimes you have to get your hands dirty and put your best foot forward, and with a little practice and education, it's possible to write a resume that will impress a potential employer, and do so in style.