Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Looking For Work?

Why can’t I find work?


The first question to ask yourself is, “where am I looking?” If the newspaper is your only source, you are cheating yourself of some great opportunities. If you are searching on the internet, you are also short-changing yourself. Many companies do not use either of these methods for hiring; they use networking techniques. You have heard people say, “It’s who you know,” and this is true.


Think about it for a minute. Which would you choose, a complete stranger or a person referred by one of your employees or friends? If you had a choice between placing a job ad that costs $100 - $200 or paying an employee a bonus of $50 for a referral, which would you choose? It makes economic sense for employers to use networking, and it makes good sense for you to do it too.


How do you network? To start off you make a list of everyone that you know, even slightly – your barber/hairdresser, the bank teller, the cashier at the grocery store, your next-door neighbour. Keep writing until you can’t think of anyone else. Then look at your list again and try to figure out where each person works and what kind of information they could provide you with. These are probably not the people who will be hiring you, but they may be the link to the person who will.


Have you let everyone know that you are looking for work and the type of work you are looking for? Or do you just say you are looking for “anything.” People need to know more facts than that. Will you really do “anything” or are there some limits on what you are willing to do. Take some time to write down a short summary of your skills and experience and what you are looking for. Use this when contacting employers.


Is your resume up to date? Does it have all your skills and experience on it? Is it targeted for the specific work area you are looking for, or is it so general that people have to try to guess what it is you are applying for? Do you have extra copies that you can give to the people in your network? Or are you waiting until that perfect job appears before you write it up? You should always have a current resume ready as you never know when that perfect opportunity will arise.


to your job search success

Fran
P.S. Are you videotaping your interview practice? It's a good idea to see how you look to an employer. Click here to learn more

Saturday, November 12, 2011

Action Plan

WHAT IS ACTION PLANNING?

Action planning is a process which will help you to focus your ideas and to decide what steps you need to take to achieve particular goals that you may have. It is a statement on paper of what you want to achieve over a given period of time. Preparing an action plan is a good way to help you to reach your objectives in life.

An effective action plan should give you a concrete timetable and set of clearly defined steps to help you to reach your objective, rather than aimlessly wondering what to do next. It helps you to focus your ideas and provides you with an answer to the question ‘‘What do I do to achieve my objective?’’.

It’s OK to have several objectives, but you will need to make a separate action plan for each, otherwise things get confused.

Although here we are applying the techniques to careers, an action plan can be used effectively to help you to reach your goals in many aspects of your life, for example: to pass your driving test.

The following are all valid goals for an action plan:
 To get more involved in a student society to get to know more people.

 Deciding what skills I need to improve and deciding how I will improve them.

 To investigate the different tools available to help me to choose a career, such as computer-aided careers guidance.

When action planning in a careers sense there are likely to be three main areas in which you want to develop action plans. These are:

* Choosing the career you wish to enter.

* Working out a strategy to help you enter this career e.g. application and interviews.

* Developing skills that you need to acquire to allow you to enter the career of your choice and to be successful in it.

It's time to take action for your career. If you need help, click here

To your job search success

Fran

P.S. If you need someone to help you through the job process, click here

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Interviews

Common Job Interview Questions

By rehearsing interview questions, you'll become more familiar with your own qualifications and will be well prepared to demonstrate how you can benefit an employer. Some examples:

"Tell me about yourself."
Make a short, organized statement of your education and professional achievements and professional goals. Then, briefly describe your qualifications for the job and the contributions you could make to the organization.

"Why do you want to work here?" or "What about our company interests you?"
Few questions are more important than these, so it is important to answer them clearly and with enthusiasm. Show the interviewer your interest in the company. Share what you learned about the job, the company and the industry through your own research. Talk about how your professional skills will benefit the company. Unless you work in sales, your answer should never be simply: "money." The interviewer will wonder if you really care about the job.

"Why did you leave your last job?"
The interviewer may want to know if you had any problems on your last job. If you did not have any problems, simply give a reason, such as: relocated away from job; company went out of business; laid off; temporary job; no possibility of advancement; wanted a job better suited to your skills. If you did have problems, be honest. Show that you can accept responsibility and learn from your mistakes. You should explain any problems you had (or still have) with an employer, but don't describe that employer in negative terms. Demonstrate that it was a learning experience that will not affect your future work.

"What are your best skills?"
If you have sufficiently researched the organization, you should be able to imagine what skills the company values. List them, then give examples where you have demonstrated these skills.

"What is your major weakness?"
Be positive; turn a weakness into a strength. For example, you might say: "I often worry too much over my work. Sometimes I work late to make sure the job is done well."

"Do you prefer to work by yourself or with others?"
The ideal answer is one of flexibility. However, be honest. Give examples describing how you have worked in both situations.

"What are your career goals?" or "What are your future plans?"
The interviewer wants to know if your plans and the company's goals are compatible. Let him know that you are ambitious enough to plan ahead. Talk about your desire to learn more and improve your performance, and be specific as possible about how you will meet the goals you have set for yourself.

"What are your hobbies?" and "Do you play any sports?"
The interviewer may be looking for evidence of your job skills outside of your professional experience. For example, hobbies such as chess or bridge demonstrate analytical skills. Reading, music, and painting are creative hobbies. Individual sports show determination and stamina, while group sport activities may indicate you are comfortable working as part of a team. Also, the interviewer might simply be curious as to whether you have a life outside of work. Employees who have creative or athletic outlets for their stress are often healthier, happier and more productive.

"What salary are you expecting?"
You probably don't want to answer this one directly. Instead, deflect the question back to the interviewer by saying something like: "I don't know. What are you planning on paying the best candidate?" Let the employer make the first offer. However, it is still important to know what the current salary range is for the profession. Find salary surveys at the library or on the Internet, and check the classifieds to see what comparable jobs in your area are paying. This information can help you negotiate compensation once the employer makes an offer.

"What have I forgotten to ask?"
Use this as a chance to summarize your good characteristics and attributes and how they may be used to benefit the organization. Convince the interviewer that you understand the job requirements and that you can succeed.

Good luck in your job hunt

Fran

P.S. For more information or assistance, click here

Monday, November 07, 2011

Transferable Skills

Identifying your skills and getting that job

When applying for a job, it is important that you identify your strengths and weaknesses and get prepared to address them. By knowing your advantages, the chances of getting the job that you want will become easier. But you should not get too confident since this is one of the common mistakes that plague job applicants. Appearing too confident or as somewhat of a "know-it-all" will only get you labeled by your interviewer as unfit for the job.

Identifying your skills

First thing's first. You should identify your skills. You should be able to articulate your abilities and expertise. Many people have a hard time telling their skills and abilities as this may seem to be bragging, or "blowing your own horn". But you should not be shy or afraid to discuss your skills. In fact, it is important that you are able to convey to your potential employer exactly what your talents are. You need to be able to sell your abilities to an employer. That is how you will get the job that you want.

It is important that you don't appear arrogant or condescending but you should also avoid selling yourself short. If the interviewer asks you about your strengths or what separates you from the other applicants, you should be able to readily give a good answer. But before you even get to the interview part, your resume should highlight your skills and talents for your prospective employer to see.

Type of skills

There are two main types of skills, hard skills and soft skills. Hard skills are tangible in the sense that these are things that you do such as: knowing how to operate different kinds of machinery, knowledge of a specialized computer program, ability to type quickly, skills on using many types of tools, credentials regarding special crafts, etc. Soft skills are skills that are rather abstract in nature like personal qualities. This may include: communication or interpersonal skills, being a good team player, having the ability to work on your own, being enthusiastic or organized and decisive.

The steps to follow

1. Begin by making a list of your previous jobs and experience acquired

Make a list of all the companies that you worked for and the things that you learned from these jobs. There will be a lot of things to list and you should be careful enough not to forget even the smallest things or activities that you were part of or organized. Often we forget skills because they are so muh a part of us that we do them without thinking. Take some time to itemize all the things you do in a day or a week. It is also a good idea to list the volunteer activities that you participated in.

2. Include a list of your hobbies

Although it might sound trivial at first, it is also very helpful to list some of your hobbies. There are a lot of abilities that your prospective employer may get from your hobby list and it will also give them an idea of your personality.

For example, if you were part of the school's debating team, then your employer may deduce that you have good analytical skills. If you were a champion chess player, then your employer will have the impression that you are good at making critical decisions. Think of your daily routine and the things that you do and often take for granted. Are you an organized person who always keeps your things in proper order? Are you an extrovert that can easily make friends in a matter of minutes? These may seem ordinary to normal things to you, but your future boss might think otherwise.

3. Deciding what career you want

After listing all your skills and all the things that you do well, you may now decide what field or career you want to take a crack at. Select the skills contained from your list and partner it with the employment you are seeking. Always take time to consider if your skills are relevant to the job that you are aspiring for. Don't worry if you have to cut out some of the skills from your list. It is important to focus on skills that the prospective employer will probably value.

4. Stand by what you write

You should be realistic about your skills and the level of expertise that you have with it. For example, if you indicate that you are a very organized person, then you should be able to show this to the interviewer by being able to organize your thoughts and effectively use the time that was given for your interview.

If you have someone prepare your resume for you, it is important that you be comfortable with what it says. Don't be pressured into putting skills on your resume that you are not confident about. The employer will be able to "read" your unease from your body language. Make sure that you have a "story" or example for each item of strength you list in your highlights.

It is important to know your skills every time you are job hunting. Always put your best foot forward and good luck!

Fran Watson

P.S. If you would like some help with your resume or job search, contact me

Thursday, November 03, 2011

Job Applications

Should You Apply for Non-Advertised Jobs?

Are you in search of a new job? If you are and if you are like most job seekers, there is a good chance that you would turn to the internet, namely job posting websites, or to your local newspaper, namely the employment section. While these are the best ways to go about finding information on available jobs, there are many job seekers who choose to submit resumes or job applications to those who are not hiring. Before you start taking this approach, you will want to examine the pros and cons of doing so.

Before examining the pros and cons of submitting a job application or your resume to a company that is not hiring, you may be curious as to how you can go about doing so. Many job seekers use two different options. In today’s society, many businesses have online websites. These online websites may give the mailing address for the company in question. There are many job seekers who will submit their resumes to that address in hopes of seeing success. Others will simply mail in or drop off their resumes or job applications to local companies that they know the address to.

As for the pros and cons of applying for non-advertised jobs, you will find that there are a number of pros or plus sides to doing so. One of the pros or plus sides to submitting your resume or a job application to a company that does not advertise or state that they have any current job openings is the jumpstart that you can give yourself. Many companies will choose to take out job advertisements when they have open positions, but others will just go through their current pile of resumes and job applications. If you play your cards right, one of those resumes or job applications may be yours.

Another one of the many pros to applying for non-advertised jobs is the impression that you may create of yourself. Many employers view the submission of job applications and resume as showing initiative. This is the type of impression that you want to create for yourself. You want a prospective employer to be pleased with your wants and your need to have a job, namely with their company.

Although there are a number of pros and plus sides to applying to non-advertised jobs, there are also a number of cons or downsides to doing so as well. One of those downsides is the impression that you can make. As previously stated, some employers may view the submitting of a resume or a job application as showing initiative, but you may be surprised how others feel about the same action. You may end up creating a bad name for yourself without meaning to do so. It is possible that some companies would view your submission of an unsolicited resume or job application as spam.

Another one of the cons or downsides to applying for non-advertised jobs is the response time. As previously stated, many companies choose to go through their pile of job applications and resumes. One of these job applications and resumes can be yours, but you never know when you may end up getting a call for a job interview. You could receive a phone call in a few weeks, a few months, or even a year later. This may not help you if you are looking to find a new job now. With that in mind, you may have nothing to lose by submitting your resume or job application anyways. You may be surprised with a quick response time.

As outlined above, there are a number of pros and cons to submitting your job application or resume for a non-advertised position or company. Since the decision is yours to make, you will want to proceed with caution, as your intentions can swing both ways. That is why you should take the above mentioned factors into consideration when making your decision.

To your job search success

Fran Watson

P.S. If you would like some help with your job search and resume development Click here

Sunday, October 30, 2011

Unemployed? Looking for Work?

Why can’t I find work?


The first question to ask yourself is, “where am I looking?” If the newspaper is your only source, you are cheating yourself of some great opportunities. If you are searching only on the internet, you are also short-changing yourself. Many companies do not use either of these methods for hiring; they use networking techniques. You have heard people say, “It’s who you know,” and this is true.


Think about it for a minute. Which would you choose, a complete stranger or a person referred by one of your employees or friends? If you had a choice between placing a job ad that costs $100 - $200 or paying an employee a bonus of $50 for a referral, which would you choose? It makes economic sense for employers to use networking, and it makes good sense for you to do it too.

How do you network? To start off you make a list of everyone that you know, even slightly – your barber/hairdresser, the bank teller, the cashier at the grocery store, your next-door neighbour. Keep writing until you can’t think of anyone else. Then look at your list again and try to figure out where each person works and what kind of information they could provide you with. These are probably not the people who will be hiring you, but they may be the link to the person who will.

Have you let everyone know that you are looking for work and the type of work you are looking for? Or do you just say you are looking for “anything.” People need to know more facts than that. Will you really do “anything” or are there some limits on what you are willing to do. Take some time to write down a short summary of your skills and experience and what you are looking for. Use this when contacting employers.

Is your resume up to date? Does it have all your skills and experience on it? Is it targeted for the specific work area you are looking for, or is it so general that people have to try to guess what it is you are applying for? Do you have extra copies that you can give to the people in your network? Or are you waiting until that perfect job appears before you write it up? You should always have a current resume ready as you never know when that perfect opportunity will arise.


If you need help with your resume or your job search contact me

To your job search success

Fran Watson
Career/Employment Coach

P.S. You will also find some tips on interviews here

Friday, October 14, 2011

Need A Resume?

How to write a resume

So you want to know how to write a resume? Maybe you are a recent graduate and are just beginning your job search with diploma in hand. Perhaps you already have a job and want to switch careers or companies some time down the road. Even if you already have a job, it is always a good idea to have a current resume in case you decide you want to change jobs or find yourself downsized. Learning how to write a resume can be one of the most important skills you can acquire in the business world.

Start by gathering together all the information you will need to construct the resume. This is the first step in knowing how to write a resume. When you have all of the information close at hand, the writing process will be much easier. You will need to know the names of the last three places you have worked at along with their address and telephone numbers. Take a moment and jot down the dates you worked there, your job title, and your job duties.

You also need to have your education information. It depends on where you are in life as to what you include here. You will put your most recent education and training, but do not include elementary education. You’ll need the dates and any diplomas received as well as areas of study and any awards received. Include the name of the school as well as the address.

The sections of your resume should include: Highlights of skills, job experience, education, skills, awards and achievements, and volunteer or community involvement. If you are a member of an organization or club, include it in this section. Unless you are specifically requested to provide references, do not include them. However, if the ad for the job you are applying for asks you to include references then state “References are attached” and include a separate reference sheet.

When learning how to write a resume, it is important that you be very professional and use positive words. Your resume is what a prospective employer will see first, so you want to make a good first impression! You have approximately 45 seconds to achieve this.

For more information check out this page.


To your job search success.

Fran Watson

P.S. If you would like help with your resume, please contact me for information.

Wednesday, October 05, 2011

Cover Letters

How do you write a cover letter for employment

The job market can be very competitive which leads many people to ask themselves, “How do you write a cover letter for employment?” It is true that writing a compelling cover letter can often be a daunting task. A cover letter introduces not only your resume, but you as well. You want that cover letter to be interesting and make the person reading it not only WANT to read your resume but HAVE to read your resume.

There are some very specific things that should be in your resume. Start out by referring to the job that you are applying for and note where you found the position opening. Remember that if you found it in a newspaper, underline the name of the newspaper. Sometimes these little details really count! Employers like to know if their advertising dollars are paying off and what is giving them the best "bang for their buck". Then go on in your cover letter to say how excited you are to know that there is a job like this available and how interested in it you are.

Your resume should be concise, but your cover letter can be a little more in-depth. I have applied for countless jobs and experimented around with various formats for cover letters, during my career as an Employment Counsellor. That does not necessarily make me an expert but it surely has taught me a few things about what I shouldn’t do!

First and foremost, be brief in your cover letter. Introduce yourself, tell the employer why you want the job, let them know about your special skills that would make you perfect for the job, and then express your eagerness for a personal interview. You should ALWAYS include a telephone number at the end of the cover letter so that the employer knows how to reach you. They may not always pay attention to the top part of your resume, but they most likely will see your contact number in your cover letter.

So, how do you write a cover letter for employment? Just speak from the heart and let the person reading the cover letter know that you are truly interested in the job and that you have the qualifications to do the job. Be sure and let them know, too, that what you do not know, you are eager to learn.

Your cover letter should be professional, but it should also reflect your personality. That is what will get you the interview. Once you are face to face with the person doing the hiring, it will be all up to you. After all, it is your personality – as well as your abilities – that make you perfect for this job. When you are face to face, you can express that in ways that can never be shown on a simple piece of paper!

If you have your resume and cover letter prepared professionally or by an agency, make sure that you are happy with the results. You are the one who is going to have to defend whatever is on your resume. If you feel that it isn't "really you", then that is what is going to come across in an interview. You need to be comfortable with what is down on paper.

To your job search success

Fran Watson

P.S. For more information on cover letters, click here

P.P.S. If you would like coaching for your job search, please contact me.

Friday, September 30, 2011

Unemployed?

Coping With Unemployment

The downturn in the economy has caused increased unemployment in our area and the lengthy delay in receiving benefits can make basic living tough. However there are a number of things you can do in order to survive financially.

Step 1: Apply for Employment Insurance as soon as you receive your Record of Employment, or at the end of 3 weeks if you have not yet received it, even if you are sure you will have a job soon. It could take 6-8 weeks before you receive a cheque for EI.

Step 2: Examine your budget or if you haven’t had one before, prepare one now. Cut back as much as possible on all non-essential items.

Step 3: Don’t use your credit cards as a source of funds on a regular basis, or you will be in worse financial shape. Use them only for emergencies.

Step 4: Consider talking to the bank about the possibility of deferring payments for a limited time if necessary.

Step 5: If you have a high debt load you may want to talk to your creditors about reduced payments for a time or consult a credit counselling agency for advice on how to handle your debts.

Step 6: Make sure that your resume is up to date, and that you have a copy on hand at all times.

Step 7: Network! Let everyone know that you are currently looking for work, and the type of work you are looking for.

Remember, losing a job is comparable to losing a loved one and it may take some time to get over the loss. It’s okay to be angry or sad or frustrated. Don’t try to keep it all in. Talk to someone about how you are feeling.


To your job search success!!

Fran
P.S. Check out my site for some free job search tips

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Job Search Mistakes

7 Biggest Mistakes Employment Seekers Make
By Dr Alicia Karwat, KeySteps Pty. Ltd. February 2011

Ron McGowan, the author of the book “How to Find WORK in the 21st Century”, has just sent us an email with his account of the seven biggest mistakes employment seekers make.

This is Ron’s way of advertising the book to career coaches, however as he is making a good point in all seven of them I want to share them with you. Review and reflect on your approach to the job search.

1. Ignorance about the impact of Social Media Networks
Recruiters and hiring managers are saying that up to 45 percent of the applicants they review are being rejected because of what they found out about them online. The warning that all social media experts give is: “If it’s online – it isn’t private.”

2. Ineffective use of Social Media Networks.
Getting hired today is moving in the direction of being found by employers rather than the traditional approach of applying for work. Employment seekers must learn how to use social media networks effectively.

3. Focusing on advertised positions.
At least 80 percent of the employment opportunities are never advertised and employment seekers must learn how to sniff these out.

4. Too much emphasis on jobs.
If the only option you give an employer is to offer you a job, you’re making it hard for them to hire you. This is especially true for small businesses, where most of the action is. Being willing to accept part-time, temporary and contract work – without reservations is essential.

5. Ignorance about marketing.
We’re a society that knows how to apply for a job. The challenge for employment seekers today is to become proficient at finding work. Anyone lacking this skill will be unemployed for a long time.

6. Too much focus on resumes.
Employment seekers must learn how to create a variety of tools that are marketing oriented and focused on the needs of the employer.

7. Living in the past.
We keep waiting for the Great Recession to be over and lots of jobs to come back. It’s not going to happen. For a growing number of workers the era of the traditional job and all the stability that came with it is over. In trend-setting California, only about 30 percent of the workforce have traditional jobs. That’s where we’re all headed. Accept it, adjust to it, and move on.


The articles appearing on this blog may be copied in full or in part and used in other sources provided the user acknowledges the author of the material, the name of their organisation and that the material was sourced from the CareerEQ blog site.


I hope this article saved you from making some of these mistakes.

Fran Watson
Career Coach

Cover Letter

How do you write a cover letter for a resume?

When you are looking for a job, it can be overwhelming and it makes many people ask, “how do you write a cover letter for a resume?” There is no easy answer to this question, but we can give you a few tips on how you can write a winning cover letter for your resume that just might get you the interview that you desire.

When you are researching the question how do you write a cover letter for a resume, the first thing you need to consider is what type of job you are applying for. You are only given a certain amount of space on your resume (if you are writing it the way you should be) to showcase your experience and abilities. The cover letter is used to clarify and highlight different parts of your resume that you want your potential employer to look at.

How do you write a cover letter for a resume? Well, start by acknowledging why you are applying for the job and where you saw the advertisement for the job. If you are just inquiring about positions that might be available, your cover letter will look much different. You will tell them that you are here and available for work. Your cover letter should be something that makes your potential employer become intrigued. Just be sure to keep it professional.

When you are writing your cover letter, you should introduce yourself and then state where you found out about the job that is available. If you know someone in the company, make sure that you mention their name in the second or third sentence of your cover letter. While some people do not think it is wise to mention people you know, the truth and reality is that it could make a difference in getting an interview. After all, the saying is “It’s not what you can do, it’s who you know!”

When you are researching how do you write a cover letter for a resume, you should keep in mind what your final objective is. Then express that in the body of your letter. Make sure that you tell your prospective employer how excited you are at the opportunity to interview with them and that you are the perfect candidate for the job. Tell them that your experience and your qualifications are exactly what they need and then sit back and wait for that interview phone call!

Take a look at your current job and see if it fits your value system. If not, consider what changes you might need to make. If you are not working and you would like some help to choose the career that best suits your values or lifestyle, contact me.

To your career success

Fran Watson
Career Coach

P.S. Check out this free cover letter book
http://www.franwatson.ca/worlds_greatest_cover_letter.pdf

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Resume Writing

How to write a good resume

How do we define a “good resume”? In my experience, a good resume is pleasing to look at, easy to read, and contains all the information necessary to know whether or not the person represented by said resume can do the job in an effective and efficient manner. A good resume should look professional and reflect the abilities of the person it is meant to represent without a lot of fluff in between the lines.

Your resume is equivalent to a "sales flyer". It should have enough information that the employer wants to meet you, but not so much that he/she doesn't have to. You want to be called for an interview, so don't give too many extra details.

Knowing how to write a good resume could quite possibly be one of the most valuable business skills you can ever learn. Hardly anyone stays in the same job for years and years and years like days of the past. We are constantly looking for new challenges, more money, and more satisfaction, so having the skill of knowing how to write a good resume is something that you will always have. It can mean the difference between getting an interview and not getting an interview.

The employer wants to know 3 things: What can you do for me? How can you save me money? How can you save me time? They are making an investment in you and want to make sure they are getting their money's worth.

A good resume will include only pertinent information about you – the job applicant. It is written in a professional and positive manner focusing on abilities, skills, and talents that can benefit your future employer. Of course, that can be a little difficult to do on paper, but not when you know what words to use. A thesaurus can be a life saver here when you are looking for the right words.

Never, ever, make any job sound like it is a mundane, boring position. It doesn’t matter if you are standing behind the counter at your local Starbucks, you can still focus on the positive aspects of that job. For example, when you make the coffee, you are responsible for quality control. When you give it to the customer, you are insuring good customer service. When you ring it up on the cash register, you are responsible for cash flow. Any job can sound much better when you “flower it up” and be creative in doing so!

You can look on the Internet for tools and tips on how to write a good resume. Not only do they have examples of resumes to refer to, there are many articles on how to write a good resume and even resume writing services where you pay a professional resume writer to craft your resume from information you provide to them.

Want to know how to write a good resume? Just be honest, give as much information as possible in the space provided, and then let the resume talk for you.

Keep watching this blog for information on How To Ace The Interview.

Fran Watson
Career Coach

Monday, September 12, 2011

Choosing A Career

Why Work

Why do People Work? Many people would say, “For the money”, but is that the only reason???

We cannot possibly do everything for ourselves, so we need other people to do things for us, and then pay them for their work. In order to do that, we must also do things for other people so that we can earn money. Therefore, you might say that “for the money” would be true. But what about personal satisfaction??? Would you do ANY job if it paid well enough? Or are there some jobs which you wouldn’t do, despite the salary.

The things which you value like income, location, and free time can play an important part in your career choice. Other values might include: friendship, enjoyment, loyalty, family, independence, leadership, achievement, self-realization, expertness, service, prestige, security and power.

Some jobs provide an opportunity for expressing what we believe and value, while other occupations may go against our values. A job which supports your value system will interest and motivate you far more than a job which goes against your values, despite the monetary rewards.

Many people choose careers that do not pay very well because they enjoy the work and get satisfaction from doing the job or perhaps because it allows them to be close to home and family.

Some people choose to work in an area they are good at or because they have discovered that they have the skills needed for that particular position. Still others may choose to work at a job which provides enough money to pay for extra curricular activities or luxuries, such as a boat or skidoo or yearly vacations to distant locations,.

Look at the following list of “rewards” that people might get from work and see what your priorities might be.

WORK:

* lets me use my special abilities, skills and knowledge
* makes me feel that I’m doing something useful
* keeps me busy and helps fill in time
* lets me be creative
* involves doing a variety of tasks
* allows me to meet a lot of people
* lets me experience new things and learn more
* lets me see something for my efforts
* allows me to be responsible
* gives me power/influence over others
* provides opportunities to make friends
* lets me help people
* provides money
* allows me to be with others
* provides physical activity for me
* allows me to contribute to the community
* lets me control my own time
* allows me to satisfy my other needs
* offers me chances for improvement and/or promotion
* allows me to be known and liked by many people

Take a look at your current job and see if it fits your value system. If not, consider what changes you might need to make.

If you are not working and you would like some help to choose the career that best suits your values or lifestyle, contact me. Let me help you with your career choices.

Fran Watson
Career Coach

Tuesday, September 06, 2011

Career Options

Fortune Cookie



This is from the International Speech Contest - Toastmasters International and was the 2nd place speech. I loved it and wanted to share it with you.

It's up to you.... What will you do??

Fran Watson

P.S. For more information on Toastmasters Click here


Toastmasters District 61

Monday, September 05, 2011

Resumes

A Resume Reference Guide

Are you in the process of finding a new job or changing careers? If you are, you may also be in the process of creating a resume for yourself. Although resumes can be complicated and nerve-wracking to develop, they are usually a lot easier to write than originally thought. With that in mind, there are still many problems or complications that arise. For many resume writers that problem has to do with references.

On your resume, there is a good chance that you will list references. These references can typically come in two different formats. These formats are personal references and professional references. You will find that many employers actually like to see a combination of them both. Also, on average, most hiring companies like to see at least three references on their job applications and resumes.

Now that you know what many companies look for, in terms of references on a resume, you may want to start listing your references right away. While this approach is one that you can take, you may want to proceed with caution. As previously stated, one of the many mistakes that resume writers make involves their references. Some of the most common mistakes, as well as ways to prevent those mistakes from happening, are outlined below for your convenience.

One of the biggest mistakes that a job seeker, possibly just like you, makes involves listing no references at all. If you are simply submitting your resume, you may be able to get away without having any references listed, but you may not want to take any chances. If you are currently still lining up your references, you may want to have the phrases “references available upon request,” under the heading of references on your resume. Should you fill out a job application and are asked to provide references, you will want to do so. Omitting information on a job application may cause your application to be overlooked.

Another mistake that many job seekers make, in terms of their resume references, is not asking to use a reference in the first place. In almost all cases, you will find that your references are checked. That is why it is important that you ask each individual that you would like to have listed on a resume or a job application before officially listing them as a reference. If you have already submitted your job application and resume, without asking first, you will want to let each individual know, as soon as possible, that you used them as a job reference and that they may be receiving a phone call. This is important, as you do not want your references to be caught off guard, as it may impact their responses.

As previously stated, most companies like to see a combination of professional and personal references on their job applications and on all submitted resumes. This is a mistake that many job seekers also make and one that you will want to not make. For that reason, you may want to consider listing four references on your job applications or resumes. This would allow you to have an even number of personal references and professional references.

The above mentioned mistakes are common mistakes that many job seekers make when writing a resume for themselves. By keeping these common mistakes in mind, you can ensure that you do not make similar ones. This should automatically improve your chances of landing the job of your dreams or at least a job interview.

Good luck in your job search

Fran Watson
Career Coach

P.S. Check out this Cover Letter guide

Thursday, September 01, 2011

Toastmasters Builds Leaders by Developing Communication Skills

How often have you heard the comment, “He or she is a born leader?” There are certain characteristics found in some people that seem to naturally put them in a position where they’re looked up to as a leader.

Whether in fact a person is born a leader or develops skills and abilities to become a leader is open for debate. There are some clear characteristics that are found in good leaders. These qualities can be developed or may be naturally part of their personality. Let us explore them further.

Seven Personal Qualities Found In A Good Leader

1. A good leader has an exemplary character. It is of utmost importance that a leader is trustworthy to lead others. A leader needs to be trusted and be known to live their life with honestly and integrity. A good leader “walks the talk” and in doing so earns the right to have responsibility for others. True authority is born from respect for the good character and trustworthiness of the person who leads.

2. A good leader is enthusiastic about their work or cause and also about their role as leader. People will respond more openly to a person of passion and dedication. Leaders need to be able to be a source of inspiration, and be a motivator towards the required action or cause. Although the responsibilities and roles of a leader may be different, the leader needs to be seen to be part of the team working towards the goal. This kind of leader will not be afraid to roll up their sleeves and get dirty.

3. A good leader is confident. In order to lead and set direction a leader needs to appear confident as a person and in the leadership role. Such a person inspires confidence in others and draws out the trust and best efforts of the team to complete the task well. A leader who conveys confidence towards the proposed objective inspires the best effort from team members.

4. A leader also needs to function in an orderly and purposeful manner in situations of uncertainty. People look to the leader during times of uncertainty and unfamiliarity and find reassurance and security when the leader portrays confidence and a positive demeanor.

5. Good leaders are tolerant of ambiguity and remain calm, composed and steadfast to the main purpose. Storms, emotions, and crises come and go and a good leader takes these as part of the journey and keeps a cool head.

6. A good leader as well as keeping the main goal in focus is able to think analytically. Not only does a good leader view a situation as a whole, but is able to break it down into sub parts for closer inspection. Not only is the goal in view but a good leader can break it down into manageable steps and make progress towards it.

7. A good leader is committed to excellence. Second best does not lead to success. The good leader not only maintains high standards, but also is proactive in raising the bar in order to achieve excellence in all areas.

These seven personal characteristics are foundational to good leadership. Some characteristics may be more naturally present in the personality of a leader. However, each of these characteristics can also be developed and strengthened. A good leader whether they naturally possess these qualities or not, will be diligent to consistently develop and strengthen them in their leadership role.

You can develop your leadership skills by becoming a more confident speaker. There are Toastmasters Clubs around the world and you can find one close to you by going to http://www.toastmasters.org and entering your information.

Rome was not built in a day and leadership takes time to develop as well.

Fran

P.S. For more tips on public speaking, Click here: http://www.franwatson.ca/publicspeaker.html

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Need a Laugh?

Need a Job? See link below.




http://bentobjects.blogspot.com/

Hope you enjoyed this and it made you think outside of the box about what you can do with your life.

Fran Watson
http://www.franwatson.ca/coach.html

Friday, August 12, 2011

Tips from Jack Canfield



What do you want?

What are you going to do about it?

When are you going to do it?

Post your commitment below.

Fran Watson

Thursday, August 11, 2011

Get More Interviews - Resume Real Estate?


by Phil Rosenberg
Career Advice: Get More Interviews By Effective Use Of Resume Real Estate
Mar 16 2011 in Featured, Resumes, reCareered Blog by Phil Rosenberg


The real estate of your resume is one of the most important, and most over looked concepts of effective resume presentation. But most resumes I see have an poor idea of how the use of real estate affects the reader’s impression of your qualifications.

First, what in the world is resume real estate?

Resume real estate describes the use of space and placement on your resume. Not all spaces are created equal – that’s why resume real estate is today’s career advice topic.

Most resumes I see are clearly planned around paper. However, most interview decisions are made on a screen, not paper. This is makes a huge difference, because the human eye focuses on different information in the space of a screen, versus on paper. Most screens display only about half of a page, while readers focus on the whole first page of a paper resume. In the average “15 seconds” (http://www.recareered.com/blog/2010/10/01/15-seconds-2/) a recruiter/HR rep/hiring manager spends making an interview decision, if you don’t show why you are superior candidate quickly, you won’t make the cut.

Is your resume ever printed out? Sure, usually for review just before an interview, but most hiring managers typically make the interview decision from a resume they view on screen. Of course there are exceptions to every rule, but let’s concentrate on how the majority of decision makers work, since it applies to the majority of candidates.

Back to real estate…

In an online resume and in 15 seconds, the human eye scans what’s on the screen…typically the top ½ of the first page. This is your most valuable resume real estate. Press the page down key. This is your next most valuable resume real estate, typically the second 1/2 of your first page.

Your goal is to get your reader to press page down … if you’re successful, you have your reader’s attention for more than 15 seconds, and increase your odds dramatically that you’ll get an interview.

If you haven’t captured your reader’s attention in the top half of your first page and convinced them to hit page down, you’re probably not getting an interview with this reader. So if all of the sizzle to your resume is on the second page, you are asking your reader to hit page down, twice, to get to the really good stuff that is relevant to the company. How likely is that, in 15 seconds?

For today’s career advice, here are a few suggestions to maximize use of your resume’s real estate, and some traps to avoid:

1.Small Headers – Use small headers and top margins. No one other than you needs to see your name in 24 bold font in flashing lights. The thinner you keep your top header, the more room you have to show your reader why they should hire you. Make your header 2-3 lines max in 10 font.

2.Kill the summary – Avoid a summary and key accomplishments section at the beginning. Both are seller’s pitch, and your reader doesn’t believe them. Your hiring manager believes the bullet points contained within your work experience. These are your features and benefits and most corporate buyers make decisions based on features and benefits … not seller’s fluff.

3.Personal Branding Statement – Instead of a summary, use a crystal clear, very concise personal branding statement (see :How A Personal Branding Statement Can Help Job Seekers” at http://www.recareered.com/blog/2011/02/24/career-advice-how-a-personal-branding-statement-can-help-job-seekers/).

4.Don’t describe the company – Directly under your personal branding statement, list your experience. Don’t waste space describing your prior companies – your hiring manager isn’t hiring your past company…you are asking them to hire you.

5.Minimize the unimportant – If your most recent experience isn’t relevant to the job you are applying for – minimize it, by only listing where and when you worked keeping it to a line or two. If you spent the past two years at a non-profit, and you are trying to get back into your prior technology industry, make sure to draw your reader’s eye to what’s relevant – your technology industry experience, by expanding the relevant experience.

6.Maximize the important – Make the first three bullet points relevant to the specific company, department, and hiring manager. Do research (see “4 Killer Ways To Use Research In Job Search” at http://www.recareered.com/blog/2010/07/16/4-killer-ways-to-use-research-in-job-search-best-of-recareered/) to determine what the most burning problems are, and demonstrate how you’ve already solved them.

Emphasize the three things your reader is looking for on your resume (see “Three Items Employers Look For In Resumes” at http://www.recareered.com/blog/2011/01/07/three-items-employers-look-for-in-resumes/). Your reader’s attention will focus most on the first three bullet points.

7.Use short bullets – no more than 2 lines. The human eye doesn’t scan detail in bullets longer than two lines. Use bullets, not paragraphs. The human eye doesn’t scan details well in paragraphs.

8.Seal the deal – Use the second (and possibly third) page to seal the deal, to add additional evidence. If your reader has gotten to the second page, the interview is probably yours to lose.

9.Death to zoom – Don’t Zoom. About ½ of the resumes I get are zoomed to 150%, because they were saved while in zoom mode. Most resume writers use zoom for final reviews, to make sure that typing and spacing is correct. If you save in zoom, the reader pulls up the document in zoom. At 150% zoom, the reader doesn’t see ½ the first page, they see ¼ of your resume, drastically cutting your most valuable real estate.

10.Save as .doc – Most companies save resumes in word or text, and a good percentage haven’t upgraded to Office 2007 and the .docx extension. If you have Office 2007, save in 97-2003 compatibility mode. The majority of companies and recruiters want your resume in word format, not .pdf.
I get so many resumes from frustrated candidates that have their most compelling information that makes the candidate a good fit … on page 2. These same candidates couldn’t figure out why they weren’t getting interviews.

How will you change how you manage your resume’s real estate? Readers who try today’s career advice, please comment and share your success stories.
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To attend our next complimentary live webinar featuring action items to immediately improve your resume, hidden job search, and job search strategy plus live career Q&A with Phil Rosenberg of reCareered, register at http://ResumeWebinar.com .

Also, check out the complimentary Linkedin job search webinars sponsored weekly at http://LinkedJobSearchWebinar.com .

Join our mailing list to for newsletters, announcements of complimentary upcoming webinars and other job search resources. Sign up at http://www.reCareered.com/free-resources/webinar-registration/

For access to more information:
Follow reCareered on Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/company/recareered.com
"Like" reCareered on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/reCareered
Follow me on Google+: http://gplus.to/philrosenberg
Follow reCareered on Twitter: http://twitter.com/philreCareered
Join Career Change Central on Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/e/gis/1800872

There is a lot more really good information on Phil's website. I encourage you to check it out.

Fran Watson

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

First Impressions

Now that your resume and cover letter have got you in the door, it is time to make a good first impression. Remember, the interviewer makes a decision within 2.8 minutes, so it is up to you to make sure that the decision is in your favour.

“The interviewer makes an immediate overall judgment about you within the first five seconds, and the next 25 seconds are spent checking the chemistry and verifying the initial impression”
–Ollie Stevenson, author of 101 Great Answers to the Toughest Job Search Problems

Your appearance is very important. This is the first thing the employer sees. Your appearance will reflect your attitude and give the employer an impression of what your work habits will be like – will you be neat or careless in doing your job? Will your appearance affect the customers that the business serves? How will co-workers react to you. In short, does your appearance indicate that you are conscientious about how you do your work?

Jewellery should be minimal and go with what you are wearing. Check your appearance in a mirror from as many angles as possible. Sit in a chair in front of a mirror to see how you look sitting down. Make sure there are no gaps showing. Body piercings are your choice, but they may impact the employer’s decision to hire you, particularly if you will be doing customer service.

The other important part of appearance is how do you smell? Many people are allergic to perfumes. Sometimes people try to cover up body odour or cigarette smoke by applying scented deodorants or colognes. It is hard to concentrate on interviewing someone if your nose is being assaulted. Some people may actually get headaches from the smells, and for someone who is a non-smoker, the smell of a freshly smoked cigarette is unpleasant.

So, ensure that you are freshly showered, hair clean and neat, teeth brushed (with or without mouth wash), nails clean, shoes polished, no perfume or cologne (or very little – basically, if you can smell it, it’s too strong), don’t smoke within 10 minutes of your interview and then use a breath mint before the interview.

Body language can play an important role in your interview. Much of what we say or think is reflected in our body language. That is one of the reasons why it is important to be able to defend everything on your resume. If you are unsure about any part of your resume, it will come across in your body language – in the way you hold yourself, your eye contact, or your voice.

Project the image that fits the job you’re going after
• Make eye contact, smile and trust your gut reactions
• If they sit, you sit; if they joke, smile
• Sit forward in your chair to show interest and enthusiasm
• Check out your posture and outfit in a full-length mirror before heading out to the
interview

Don’t slouch, play with objects, shift a lot, laugh nervously, cross your arms in front of your chest – these actions indicate nervousness

Good luck!

Fran Watson
P.S. Stop back for more job search tips

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

A New Idea

Struggling with your job search? Is your struggle is related to your self-esteem? Do you want to change your circumstances? Watch this video...



To your job search success
Fran
www.franwatson.ca

Wednesday, March 02, 2011

What's Your Excuse??

Found this cool video about a blind quilter. It really made me think about job searching and the types of things we can do if we change our attitude.



What is your excuse??

Fran

Sunday, January 30, 2011

Video Job Application???

Well, it's worth a shot.... 



This won't work for the general market, but if you are looking for a position in marketing, it might be what gets you in the door for that interview.

Remember, your resume is your sales flyer. It's job is to get you in to see the hiring manager for a face-to-face interview.

Make sure what goes on YouTube is something you won't mind seeing 10 years from now.

Best of luck in your job search.

Fran Watson

P.S. Want to make your own video? Click Here

Sunday, January 02, 2011

Attract The Work You Want

Need a Job or do you want to change jobs?


Over 400,000 people a day start a new job and it is estimated 47% of the people employeed, are looking to change jobs in the near future.

Excuse Me, Your Job Is Waiting online course approaches job-hunting from Lynn Grabhorn's philosophy of the astonishing power of feelings read by more than one a million readers. Laura George, the author of the course, applies the powerful Law of Attraction to the life experiences of both losing and getting a job.

Don't make the mistake of thinking this course is about touchy-feely concepts. It is NOT!

This course is stuffed with great, practical ideas for landing the job you really want. Laura George, the author of the course, has extensive experience as a human resources manager and consultant, as well as just as much practice being on the other side of the HR desk as a job seeker.

Laura George shows you the job market through the employer's eyes and offers insider information on:
résumés
cover letters
internet job boards
on-line applications
interviews
salary negotiation strategies
and much more.

Best wishes for a happy and prosperous 2011!

Fran Watson

P.S.  Get started now... Click here