Tuesday, November 29, 2011

On Being Outsourced


Yesterday I met with a new client. Her department of 31 years has been outsourced to another country. There is a possibility that the company will transfer her to a different domestic location but since that’s all up in the air, she decided to proactively take control of her future. The company offered outplacement assistance in resume preparation and severance package discussions. When I took a look at her resume I was disappointed because it read like job description. She told me that each outsourced employee was given a 30 minute meeting with a resume writer and since all the team members perform a similar job, they all have the same resume. Well, for employees who have worked for the same company since they graduated from high school or college and have never had another reason to look for another job, I guess that this new resume is better than nothing at all.

My client found me from a Job Search for the Older Job Seeker training class that I gave last spring. When she initially contacted me for help she asked for everything; resume and cover letter help, interviewing assistance and coaching, creating a LinkedIn account and networking. She also asked for help with basic computer skills such as using a thumb drive, formatting a resume using plain test, and applying for a job online.

Should you ever find yourself looking at the possibility of being outsourced (even if there is no reason in the world for you to be outsourced); you’ll need to do a couple of things to prepare.
1. Visit your local library and schedule some computer software classes. Ask the librarian for help. You’ll need Word but also the basics of job search engines or Google.
2. Set up a LinkedIn Profile, start gathering contacts and join groups. Not sure of what your LinkedIn profile should look like? Type your position in the search area and click “People” and take a look at other similar profiles. These may give you some ideas. Another idea is to Google your title followed by the words job description.
3. Write out your accomplishments. It helps to gather up any of your old performance appraisals, emails where you were acknowledged for doing something above and beyond the call, etc.
4. Google your name and see what’s out there. Clean up your Facebook, Twitter or other sites and clean up your comments and pictures.
5. Start a list of possible networking contacts and send them a note or email. Let them know what’s going on and ask if they might know of any positions, other contacts or if they would consider writing you a reference for LinkedIn and/or allow you to use them as a general reference.

Taking these steps and being proactive by readying yourself for this next phase in your career can somewhat ease the stress of the unknown. Also, take advantage of the services your company may offer you. It might not be great (as in the cookie cutter resumes of my client’s team) but it is better than nothing.

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Happy Thanksgiving


Thanksgiving has always been a time to stop, think and count my blessings. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you this Thanksgiving; thank you for your support, your kind words, and your insightful comments.

My family is always in my heart, my friends as well. Since starting Blackbird Learning Associates I have met (some in person and some virtually) a wonderful, supportive group of amazing people. I count them in this circle.

My last words in Job Search for Moms are, “Own your change. Look back with gratitude but look ahead with confidence.” May you always look to the future with confidence and gratitude. Thank you for being here and Happy Thanksgiving.

Monday, November 21, 2011

Companies Offering Benefits to Part Time Employees

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, part-time employment means qualifying to work 1-34 hours per week. Many of our unemployed are turning to part time work for several reasons including hopes for full time employment, a steady salary and benefits. Since the holidays are approaching, some of these companies may be hiring.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of involuntary part-time workers, or those who are working part time for economic reasons rose to 9.3 million in September 2011, up from 8.8 million in August.*

The following companies may offer benefits to part time staff. I say "may" because a few of the articles I reviewed are dated 2010. If you are interested in learning more, please visit their websites and double check.

Barnes & Noble, Cost Plus World Market, FedEx Office, Lands' End, JP Morgan Chase & Co., Lowe's, Nike, JCPenney, Nordstrom, REI, Starbucks, Target, Trader Joe's, UPS, Walgreens, Wegmans, Whole Foods, IKEA, Home Depot, Marriot, U-Haul, McDonalds, Lands End, Capital One Finance, Best Buy, Boscov’s, Macy's, AAA, The Container Store, Staples, Aeroteck.

If you know of any others, please add to the list.

*Career Builder Debra Auerbach.

Monday, November 14, 2011

Five Steps to a Stronger Resume

Everywhere you look these days there is someone giving advice on writing a resume. It can get confusing and overwhelming at times. Perhaps I can help with some of the more common questions such as, “How many pages should my resume be? How many versions of my resume should I have? How do I make my resume stand out? Now that there is no Resume Objective, what should I use instead? How do I figure out how to display my accomplishments?” Here are a couple of suggestions.

1. Resume Length: Your resumes should be no more than two pages. If you have the type of job where you have published research or written white pages or supporting material, those items can be placed on an addendum.

2. Number of Resumes: You should have a resume for every position for which you apply. You’ll need to create a template resume and then use various versions of it for your job search. One suggestion that I like (although timely to create) is to create a word document of all of your previous position responsibilities with measurable accomplishments to support each statement. Also include examples of your strengths, again with supportive accomplishments. Once you create this word document, it isn’t difficult to copy and paste portions of it to match various positions.

3. Resume Polish: The best way to make your resume stand out is to include measurable accomplishments that will show the employer what you did in the past and the impact these had on your former company. The wording should be carefully aligned to the skills listed in the employer’s job posting. Make sure that you include the required skills (key words) and your accomplishments as they relate to these.

4. Good-bye Objective, Hello Summary Statement: A resume now includes a Summary or Qualifications Statement that succinctly describes your outstanding experience and qualifications. It is an attention grabber; something that makes the hiring manager want to read more.

5. Displaying Your Qualifications: The best way to display your qualifications is to first identify them and then display them boldly. The best way to do this is to chart out your past positions by listing your tasks, responsibilities, accomplishments, certifications and trainings. Make sure that you include any volunteer activities to this list because many of your accomplishments as a volunteer are transferable.

The common theme here is to include specific, measurable accomplishments. If not, most likely your resume will be overlooked.

A Letter to our Leaders

Dear President Obama and Speaker Boehner,

Something I learned when my children were teenagers was compromise. I learned not to be bothered with the small things and to concentrate on the larger, more life changing events. I would not nor could not tolerate lying, cheating and dishonesty. Instead I tried to listen, ask questions and negotiate. As an employee in corporate America I stuck to these same principles. Most of the time it worked, too.

Why can’t these same simple values apply within our government? Why have months and now, years passed without civil negotiation and compromise? Have you looked on LinkedIn lately? Have you seen the groups full of hopeless job seekers? Have you read the stories of heartache and disillusion? Our people are desperate. They are turned down for positions because they are seen as too old or too overqualified. They have tried every tactic imaginable to get into a job that may be several steps lower than what they had in the past just to get a paycheck. Our people need help. As a job search trainer I have had over 60 people crowd into a small conference room just to learn one new employment tactic. People from affluent areas, people from cities, and people from the suburbs are all suffering.

Name calling, bullying and childish behavior from our elected officials doesn’t help and only adds to the frustration. Come on, we teach our kids how to behave through civil discourse; it’s time for some real conversation in Washington.

Friday, November 11, 2011

Thank you America

To all our Veterans, thank you for your service. Thank you for protecting our freedom, thank you for your bravery, thank you for your sacrifice.

Sunday, November 6, 2011

Career Assessment Tools

Last week I gave a job search program on Career Assessment and have another one planned for this week. Today, a woman asked me for advice on helping her 21 year old daughter find a career direction.

Since you probably can't make it to my class this week, I thought that I would give you some career assessment tools from my website. They are a combination of instruments that will allow you to focus on your values, interests, personality and skills. Several are from the U.S. government, one is from the Oprah Winfrey electronic magazine and one is from Rutgers University (Placement Office). All are free and you can take them as often as you’d like.

Good luck! If you have any questions, please let me know. I’d be happy to help.

Please Visit a Dermatologist

Today I had surgery for a Stage 0 Melanoma. It was discovered about a month ago when I went to my dermatologist for my annual skin screening...