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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Job Search Questions

Here are some excellent questions to consider from Tammy Mathieu's blog

• what brings you to what you do?


• did you end-up choosing your career / lifestyle or did it just gradually happen?

• how do your skills fit in?

• what interests do you have?

• what are some of the things you like (i.e. hobbies)?

• what types of places do you like?

• what makes you happy?

• what would you want to do?

• where would you like to go?

• what is the core of your career?

• what do you contribute?

• what is the Big Picture of what you do?

• how does what you do make a difference in other people's lives?

• what is the essence of what you do right now?

• what represents [love, happiness, fun, peacefulness, family, success, etc.] to you?

Why not post your answers below....

To your success

Fran
P.S.  Want to make a video for your job search? 
http://www.easyvideoproducer.com/clickthru.php?id=13200

Job Searching? Here's some help

http://tammymathieu.blogspot.com/2010/09/using-soft-skills-to-create.html

Thought of the day: "I thought I already knew what I needed to do - however after talking to the fishing guide - I realized that I needed to make minor changes. And after making them, I started catching more fish with less effort."

Your career is the greatest investment you can make in yourself. When you are happy in your job, you see positive results in everything around you, from finances to relationships to personal health. So why stay stuck in the current situation if it doesn't completely suit who you are inside?

Easy to use to identify your key strengths and find the right career for you! Download a FREE copy of a 15-Minute Career Test >


http://www.careerjoy.com/news-and-events/events

Get the Right Career Right Now! FREE 1 Hour TeleWORKshop


Thursday, December 2, 2010 - 12:00pm - 1:00pm


Change the way we work. . .change the world! Creating a results-only workplace with best-selling authors Cali Ressler and Jody Thompson

Thursday, December 9, 2010 - 12:00pm - 1:00pm

To your success!!

Fran

Give Yourself An Edge In THe Interview

Follow these steps to stand out in your next interview.



For an interview planning form, Click here

To your success
Fran
http://www.franwatson.ca/

P.S.  Find out who's hiring: 
Whos Hiring – Top employers week of 11-22-10 http://bit.ly/eP1Lmd #career #jobsearch

Searching for a New Job? Some Tips

If you are looking for a job, there are some great tips in this youtube video. Take a look.



To your success

Fran Watson

Job Search Tips - Do You Know What You Want To Do?

I was surfing the net today and came across this article which I thought I would share with you.

What Do You REALLY Want?
Written by Editor, Pick The Brain on December 7, 2007

The statement, “You can do anything you put your mind to,” leads us to believe that all you must do is imagine what you’d like to accomplish, set your mind to the task, and wait for success.

To a certain degree this is true. Focused intention combined with action is a powerful force. But the statement is misleading because it fails to mention the difficulty and necessity of focusing your mind on a specific goal.

Most of us don’t know what we want. We think we do, but we really don’t. We only know what we don’t want. We don’t want a boring job. We don’t want to be poor. We don’t want to disappoint our loved ones.


Knowing specifically what you want is much different than knowing what you don’t want. When you only know what you don’t want, your intentions aren’t focused. Consider this example.

Pete doesn’t want to be poor. He’s sick of earning less than his friends, and he’s determined to raise his status. To accomplish this goal, Pete could take many different paths. He could train for a high paying profession, such as doctor or lawyer. He could start his own company, go into real estate, or do many other things that would lead to acquiring wealth.

But Pete isn’t sure what he wants to do. He doesn’t know which path best fits his skills and personality, so he doesn’t resolve to follow any particular path.

Hoping to answer this question, he investigates a dozen possibilities, but as soon as he runs into adversity he decides that path isn’t for him and moves on to a new solution.

Pete’s actions aren’t focused. Although he works very hard, his efforts don’t build on each other. Rather than building one giant impenetrable sand castle, Pete has built twenty smalls ones that are easily toppled. He ends up confused and discouraged. Ultimately Pete’s lack of focus leads to failure.

Now, what if Pete had chosen a specific path? Suppose he decided on the law profession. His actions would have been clearly defined:

•Get a high score on the LSAT
•Attain letters of recommendation
•Get accepted to a good law school
•Decide on a field of law
•Earn a law degree
•Find a high paying job with a good law firm
A set of specific goals is much easier to achieve than a vague end goal like becoming wealthy. Being focused on a path gives Pete a logical set of actions to follow. Each accomplishment is one step closer to the final goal.

I think we can all agree that committing to a clearly defined path, regardless of which one, gives Pete the best chance of becoming wealthy.

But how can he choose a path if he doesn’t know what he wants? Maybe money isn’t his only goal. Maybe he wants to do something he loves at the same time. Maybe he can’t afford to go back to school. Reality is complicated, and Pete doesn’t want to commit too soon.

And that’s why he fails.

But I don’t think that’s necessarily a bad thing. Most people don’t fit neatly into a predefined path. Forcing yourself into one may lead to success, but it probably won’t make you happy.

This is the point. If you want to be conventionally successful, to attain wealth and status, you need to choose a specific path (preferably something mainstream) and follow it to the letter.

On the other hand, if you aren’t particularly concerned with wealth or success, you can take your time searching for that perfect niche.

Just don’t wait too long to decide. Each moment you deliberate, your already committed competitors sprint further ahead.

But, then again, maybe life isn’t a race, and maybe the most interesting people follow a path all their own.

To find out more about Pick The Brain blog, click here. There are some really neat articles.

To your successful job search.

Fran

Twittering For Jobs

What is Twitter? How do I use it for my job search?

Twitter is a social networking and microblogging service that enables its users to send and read messages known as tweets. Tweets are text-based posts of up to 140 characters displayed on the author's profile page and delivered to the author's subscribers who are known as followers. .

Ok, so how can this help me with my job search?

Twitter has job listings – hundreds of thousands of them. They are posted by companies, by individuals, and by industry preference. You can check out company information using Twitter’s search engine (search.twitter.com) and you can search by topic using what is called a hashtag, (basically any term with a #in front is called a hashtag). So your search would look something like this: #jobs, #jobseekers, #job angels, #twitterjobsearch.

You can also use Twitter to keep current with your field and/or to develop a community with others who share your interests. You can find out about others who share your interests by visiting Listorious.org or TweepML.org.

Twitter forces you to be concise. Just like a 30 second summary, or an elevator speech, of your skills, you have only 140 characters available to you in a Tweet.

Another feature of Twitter is the free job search advice from recruiters, successful job seekers and career experts. You can check out the list of contributors at http://tweepml.org/Twitter-Job-Search-Guide/

Why should I use Twitter?

Twitter is a way to connect with others and move forward in your job search. It does not require you to change your life, just that you be open to new possibilities, such as making new friends, finding new job leads and staying up to date in your field.

Tips thanks to the “Twitter Job Search Guide” – www.twitterjobsearchguide.com/

To your successful job search

Fran Watson
tweet me at @franwats

Passion In Your Work

Something to think about.

"If you're going to put 100,000 hours into your career, it should be something you care passionately about. People have to remember they have a choice and when they are true to themselves in those choices, good things happen." - Patrick & Adrienne Duffy, authors of Pathway to Freedom

Passion can be the fuel that energizes you when you need to put in long hours to complete a project or set up your own business.

What are you passionate about? Can you turn it into a career? Do you want to, or do just want to keep it for fun?

Need help with your job search?

I can help.

Fran

Are You A Zebra?

STRIPES OR NO STRIPES; THAT IS THE QUESTION

I woke up this morning wondering if Zebras believe they are better than donkeys. (It is a good thing I did not have to work today because it got me thinking for a long time.)

Zebras seem like they always take extra care to look ‘just so’ and donkeys are frumpy in comparison. I still don’t know if zebras feel superior to donkeys, but I do know this: people judge other people by how they look all the time.

Case in point: last week, I held a first class ticket on Via Rail from Quebec to Montreal but was wearing jeans and a sweatshirt. As I approached the first class lounge, I was stopped and told to go to the back of the line for economy ticket holders. At the same time, a woman in a very smart business suit bi-passed the same line and let herself into the lounge, no questions asked. In this example, she was a zebra, and I was an ass.

Not convinced? Then ask 5 kids under four which they would rather be when they grow up and I will bet you dollars to donuts that at least 4 will say, “Zebra, I want to be a zebra.” Why? Because they know that zebras demand more respect just by how they look.

Do you want to go places? Then dress like a zebra and people will more likely clear a path for you. Sure a zebra is more likely than a donkey to be taken down by a lion or river croc, but that is the subject of another week’s newsletter.

Have a great week!

PAUL HUSCHILT'S FREE FLUFF AND OTHER IMPORTANT NEWS is a complimentary weekly newsletter. Forward it to a friend. To learn how you can, with permission and thanks, reprint in your own publication for free, simply email paul@paulhuschilt.com.

Paul Huschilt is an award-winning speaker who specializes in humour and workplace wellness. Visit www.paulhuschilt.com to see if he might be the perfect intervention at your next meeting.

**********************

Dressing For The Job is very important in your job search. Do you need a suit? Not for all jobs, but you make a good impression when you dress up to show respect to the person who is interviewing you.

Good luck on your job search.

Fran

Looking For Data Entry Jobs

"Every day at least one person will ask if a particular data entry job is legit.

Every day at least one person will ask to find a data entry position.

Data entry jobs are the most desired, most favourable and most sought after position online. You will hear often data entry jobs are rare, few and far between and it’s true. If that’s the case, why do you see them scattered online so much?"

S. Mcintyre explains:

"Here’s the difference between data entry jobs and data entry programs."
Defining Data Entry Jobs and Data Entry Programs

To your success

Fran Watson

P.S. Looking for blogging jobs? Check out this site:
The ProBlogger Job Board is where bloggers looking for jobs and companies looking for bloggers to hire meet.

Resumes

Peter F. Drucker wrote the following in the Wall Street Journal (March 29, 1995): “Most resumes I get … list the jobs the person has held. A few then describe the job that the person would like to get. Very few even mention what the person has done well and can do well. Even fewer state what a future employer can and should expect from that person. Very, very few, in other words, yet look upon themselves as a ‘product’ that must be marketed.”

Are you guilty of this error? Do you simply list your jobs in chronological order putting the name of the company in first place rather than what you did for the company? Do you dismiss some of your skills as worthless because you are not being paid to do them? Do you neglect to include all the skills you developed in volunteer positions, or while in school, or while raising a family?

Most people have serious misconceptions about what, exactly, a resume is meant to do. Prepare yourself for a shock: The vast majority of resumes are completely ignored.

A resume is not a single document that you can write once and consider “finished”. A resume needs to be targeted to a specific job and/or a specific employer.

A resume is not an affidavit. It is an advertisement, a marketing tool to get you in the door where you can impress the interviewer with your experience. Think about the flyers you see from furniture stores. They show you some of the items they have and let you know that there is much more, just “come on down”.

A resume is meant to be scanned quickly. Long, dense blocks of type are difficult to read, so it is important to present the information in a way it can be easily scanned such as bullet points. You only have a few seconds to make a good impression. Most people scan for key words and spend between 30 and 60 seconds on your resume. Check yours out. Ask a friend to take only 30 seconds to read it and then tell you what they know about your skills.

A resume is a convenience for the hiring official. Often it is used as a way to screen you out of the organization, particularly at job fairs. If they are looking for a certain level of education, they scan your resume and put it in the plus or minus pile. If they are looking for a particular skill set and don’t see it, then it doesn’t make the “interview” pile. Often they may not even accept it.

So, what is a resume? A resume is an opportunity for you to leave the reader wanting to learn more about you.


Fran

P.S. Contact me if you woult like some help in targeting your resume.



Resources used: WOW Resumes - Leslie Hamilton

Want to Work at Home?

10 All-Time Best Work At Home Mom Tips
by S McIntyre

To work from home profitably it involves taking these top 10 work at home tips and implementing them into your business and life.

Organization
If you don’t know whether you’re coming or going in your home life, your home business or telecommute job is going to suffer. Being organized and having some structure is essential when you work at home. When it’s time to disconnect, do so without guilt. Being organized is finding a balance between work and play.

Preparation
Preparation and organization are the two most important steps in achieving success from home. Do you have an equipped and designated area to work your at home job or business?

Research
If you’re offering your own products, services or looking for a virtual employer, you have to do your research. Companies aren’t made the same and what’s suited for many people may not work for you. In a home business it’s imperative to know who your target market is, how well the product is perceived and if a service is needed. On the telecommuting front, there are a variety of things to look for like pay structure, employee or IC status, daily quotas etc.

Business Tools
What do you have to make your work at home job or business easier? Do you have the necessary tools to help you get ahead or to simplify your work? Is there ongoing training, monthly conferences, and mentoring etc.?

Patience and Perseverance
Growing a home business or searching for a telecommute job all requires patience and a lot of it. Success needs to be nurtured, tweaked and watered to make it grow. You have to work through the highs and lows before you find what you’re looking for. Mistakes and slow growth can only make you stronger and better.

Goals
Work on setting daily achievable, but flexible goals in your home life, business or in your job.

Support
It’s important for your family and friends to know your job at home is the same as a person who works outside the home. There should be set boundaries on the times you are working. It’s also important for your family to know exactly the kind of work you do at home. With this understanding they can then offer the support you need from them.

Ingenuity
While there are a lot of people willing to lend a helping hand and offer support, you must also meet them halfway. The more resourceful, creative and independent you are, the better you will grow as a strong business leader or a telecommute employee.

Passion
If you don’t love your home business or telecommute job then at least like it a lot. Like it enough that you are excited to work your business or job.

Belief
Having a YES and CAN do attitude will propel you to achieve greater things in life. Believe in yourself.

There are no secrets or shortcuts just hard work, determination, faith and these 10 tips to guide you to working prosperously from home.

About the Author:
S McIntyre is the founder of WorkAtHomeSpace.com, a free work at home resource focusing on work at home companies, daily telecommute job leads, articles, business resources and other work at home related topics. Sophia co-owns WorkAtHomeBusinessOptions.com, a comprehensive work at home business resource focusing on helping others who are looking for opportunities and ideas to work from home. You will also find tips and articles on how to balance work, family and play in your daily life. Article Source: http://www.wahm-articles.com

More Videos

Here are some more videos for you.

http://video.success.com/from-the-magazine/excuses-begone/

http://video.success.com/experts/sing-the-blues/

http://video.success.com/experts/loretta/

Fran

Videos

Here are a few videos you might find helpful

http://video.success.com/experts/importance-remembering/

http://video.success.com/experts/john-maxwell-passion/

http://video.success.com/featured/define-success/

http://video.success.com/experts/connie-podesta-success/

http://video.success.com/experts/change-life-2/

Enjoy

Fran Watson

Are You Where You Want To Be?

Take 100% Responsibility for Your Life - STARTING TODAY!
by Jack Canfield

This isn’t a trick question.

Certainly you know the answer—the person who has been responsible for the life you live right now: YOU.

Everything about you is a result of your doing or not doing... Your income. Debt. Relationships. Health. Fitness level. Attitudes and behaviors.

I've often said that you are either creating or allowing everything that is happening in your life.

I think everyone knows this in their hearts, but often times people convince themselves into thinking that external factors are the source of their failure, disappointment, and unhappiness.

External factors do not determine how you live. YOU are in complete control of the quality of your life, by either creating or allowing the circumstances you experience.
When I hear people complain about the state of their life (be it their problems with personal finances, weight, their jobs, or general dissatisfaction), I like to help them see things differently.

If they feel “stuck” and unable to move forward for whatever reason, I ask them to scrutinize both what is working well and what isn’t working well in their life and see how they’ve arrived at where they currently are.

For example, if a woman tells me she’s unhappy with her weight—she travels frequently, and has no to time to exercise or seek healthy foods—I point out that her weight is not a result of her travels and schedule. It’s an outcome of what she chooses to eat and how she chooses to move, regardless of her daily agenda. Why not make a conscious effort to pre-plan healthy meals and snacks, even if it’s on the go, and sneak in 10 minutes here and 10 minutes there to be physically active (hey, I know some frequent flyers that make it a habit of running through airports!).

If you’re frustrated with any area in your life, then it’s time to take a little inventory.
Certainly there are wonderful things happening, whether it’s your job, your romantic relationship, your children, your friends, or your income level. Your accomplishments are just as important as your missteps.

First, congratulate yourself on your successes; and then take a look at what isn’t working out so well. What are you doing or not doing to create those experiences?
Watch out! If you find yourself beginning to complain about everything but the choices you’ve made, then you need to take a step back. See if you can stop blaming outside factors for your unhappiness.

When you realize that you—and only you—create your experiences, you’ll realize that you can un-create them and forge new experiences whenever you want.
How empowering is that!

You must take responsibility for your happiness and your unhappiness, your successes and your failures, your good times and your bad times.

All too often we choose to claim the successes and blame the failures on others or other circumstances. When you stop blaming, however, you can take that energy and redirect it to focus on shaping a better situation for yourself. Blaming only ties up your energy. Imagine roping all the energy into a positive effort.

Some ideas to make this happen:

1. Believe, Believe, Believe! Have unwavering faith in yourself, for good and bad. Make the decision to accept the fact that you create all your experiences. You will experience successes thanks to you, and you will experience pain, struggle, and strife thanks to you. Sounds a little strange, but accepting this level of responsibility is uniquely empowering. It means you can do, change, and be anything. Stumbling blocks become just that—little hills to hop over.

2. Take no less than 100% responsibility . Successful people take full responsibility for the thoughts they think, the images they visualize, and the actions they take. They don't waste their time and energy blaming and complaining. They evaluate their experiences and decide if they need to change them or not. They face the uncomfortable and take risks in order to create the life they want to live.

3. Stop complaining . Look at what you are complaining about. I’m fat. I’m tired. I can’t get out of debt. I won’t ever get a better job. I can’t stand the relationship I have with my sister. I’ll never find a soulmate in life. Really examine your complaints. More than likely you can do something about them. They are not about other people, other things, or other events. They are about YOU.

4. Make an immediate change. Are you unhappy about something that is happening right now? Make requests that will make it more desirable to you, or take the steps to change it yourself. Making a change might be uncomfortable for you. It might mean you have to put in more time, money, and effort. It might mean that someone gets upset about it, or makes you feel bad about your decision. It might be difficult to change or leave a situation, but staying put is your choice so why continue to complain?

You can either do something about it or not. It is your choice and you have responsibility for your choices.

5. Pay attention. Looking to others for help and guidance is helpful, but don’t forget to stay tuned in to yourself—your behavior, attitude, and life experiences. Identify what’s working and what isn’t. If you need to, write it all down. Then…

6. Face the truth and take action for the long term . You have to be willing to change your behavior if you want a different outcome. You have to be willing to take the risks necessary to get what you want. If you’ve already taken an initial step in the right direction, now’s the time to plan additional steps to keep moving you forward, faster.

Isn’t it a great relief to know that you can make your life what you want it to be? Isn’t it wonderful that your successes do not depend on someone else?

If you need just one thing to do different today, than you did yesterday, make it this:

Commit to taking 100% responsibility for every aspect of your life. Decide to make changes, one step at a time. Once you start the process you’ll discover it's much easier to get what you want by taking control of your thoughts, your visualizations, and your actions!

© 2010 Jack Canfield
* * *


Article Used with permission:
Jack Canfield, America's #1 Success Coach, is founder of the billion-dollar book brand Chicken Soup for the Soul© and a leading authority on Peak Performance and Life Success. If you're ready to jump-start your life, make more money, and have more fun and joy in all that you do, get your FREE success tips from Jack Canfield now at: www.FreeSuccessStrategies.com
Are you "stuck" in this area? If you'd like me to personally help you clarify your vision for the year, align your goals with your purpose, and develop a detailed action plan to turn your dream into reality... www.TheSuccessPrinciplesWorkshop.com

Don't Let Procrastination Keep You From A Good Job

Do you believe that you have to wait until things calm down a bit before you get your act together?

Do you keep telling yourself that tomorrow you will get at that chore you’ve been putting off, that course you’ve been wanting to take, that phone call you’ve been going to make, take some time to look after yourself, go to the spa, take a hot bath, etc. etc.?

Well then, you are normal. Most of us are waiting until tomorrow, but the truth is, as Sarah Ban Breathnach says, “life never calms down long enough for us to wait until tomorrow to start living the lives we deserve. Life is always movement, always change, always unforeseen circumstances.”

So, what are our options? How do we begin working on this life of ours to make it more satisfying? Sarah says “We can accept, bless, give thanks, and get going. “ Wow, what a concept. Accept things as they are. Give thanks for our circumstances and then just get on with things.

As I read the thought for January 25th from Sarah Ban Brethnach’s Simple Abundance, A Daybook of Comfort and Joy, I was struck by how many things I have let slide. How many times procrastination has crept in and how many opportunities this has cost me. How many times have you had a thought, “I should call so and so”, but then let it slide only to find out later that something happened to that person, they moved away, or they died and that opportunity will never come again. How many friendships have you let slide? How many times have you turned down the chance to do something just for yourself – taking a nice long bath for instance. I can hear you now - “Oh, I couldn’t do that, there is laundry to do, dishes to be done, the house to clean, etc., etc., etc.” Well, those things will always be there. It’s time to stop making excuses. You will NEVER FIND THE TIME to do anything. You need to MAKE THE TIME to do what it is you want to do.

Sarah encouraged me to “Call a friend for lunch, begin to read or even write that novel, organize your papers, try a new recipe for dinner, smile at everyone you meet, sit and dream before a blazing fire, pick up your needlepoint again, act as if you’re grateful to be alive, scatter joy.” Simple things to get us started on LIVING out life instead of letting it pass us by.

Now it is your turn. Think for a moment about one thing that you can do that will bring you genuine pleasure…and then do it.

Think about one thing that will move your job search forward…and then do it.

Think about one thing that will improve your relationship (if you are in one)….and then do it.

Simple things, and easy to do…IF we just go ahead and do them.

What will you do today????

Fran Watson

www.franwatson.ca/SFIsplash.html

Employee or Solution Provider???

Are you an employee or a solution provider?
posted by: rich trombetta on 01/10/10

“I’m Winston Wolf. I solve problems.” - Harvey Keitel in Pulp Fiction
Are you an employee or a solution provider?

By Rich Trombetta
TweetMyJOBS
http://www.TweetMyJOBS.com
@tweetmyjobs

There is no question that the number of unemployed people in America is at a staggering number – 10%. Due to this situation, many job seekers are working on their resume, networking, and using new job tools to look for opportunities. There is one very important thing to remember when looking for a job – you need to position yourself as solution provider, not simply a potential employee.

One of my favorite scenes ever in a movie is in Pulp Fiction. John Travolta and Samuel L. Jackson have gotten themselves into quite a predicament (no need for the gory details here) and they need help badly. A couple of phone calls are made and within minutes Harvey Keitel arrives, he rings the door bell, the door opens, and Keitel says, “I’m Winston Wolf. I solve problems.”

That is what you need to be to an employer – Winston Wolf. Regardless of the position, you are being hired because there is a need. There is a gap. Someone needs help.

The more you realize that you are solving a problem or addressing a need, the more valuable you will be perceived. For example, I was once in a group exploratory interview where about 20 of us were involved with a question and answer session with some leaders at a company. Everyone was asking the typical boring questions. “What type of background do you look for?” “What makes a successful candidate.” Blah, blah, blah. I asked, “looking at things from a very high level, what are your three biggest needs? What if you could wave a magic wand and make these three things happen today. What would those three things be?”

There was silence.

The leader actually paused and said, “wow, that’s a great question.” Then after a few more seconds of silence, he went into all sorts of detail around competition, dealing with market changes, and needing new ideas.

Boom! The tables had turned. It was not about me – it was about HIM. And the more he talked about HIM, the more I identified ways I could help be a problem solver for his major issues. Could I help with all of them? No. But were there some that I could say, “Oh, I have done that.” You bet there were.

Just how impactful was the question I asked? The NEXT DAY I received a phone call from the company saying they wanted to meet with me to learn more about me and areas I could fit.

The lesson? Be Mr. Wolf. Solve problems.


Take this lesson to heart and improve your chances of finding a job.

Fran

How People Find Jobs

The job hunt requires four families of skills: self-assessment skills, detective skills, communication skills, and skills for selling ourselves. Since some people have jobs which demand those same skills, if they are good at their job, they will probably be good at job-hunting. They may have a head start on the rest of us, but these skills can be learned.

How to conduct a successful job search campaign

1. Define your objective: Know what kind of work you most enjoy and perform the best. This requires self-evaluation, looking at your interests and abilities.

2. Write an effective resume: Focus on your qualifications for the type of work you want to do. Show where you are headed, not where you have been. Indicate your qualifications for the position you are applying for. Look at it from an employer=s perspective....what qualities do they need for the position.

3. Prepare your references: Call or visit each person and tell them exactly what you are looking for. Ask them to let you know if they hear of anything, or to make a referral for you.

4. Research: Make a list of potential employers and research each company. Check your library for information. Check the Renfrew County Resource Directory for a listing.

5. Network: Talk to everyone you know about the kind of work you are looking for. You never know what contact will result in a job offer. Consider neighbours, relatives, parents of friends, teachers, paper route customers, etc. You can even Tweet your job search information. Check out www.tweetmyjobs.com and look up information on how Twitter is helping employers and employees find each other.

6. Set up job and informational interviews: Either by phone contact or by sending a letter with your resume and indicating that you will follow up to arrange an interview.

7. Practice interview techniques: Plan what you are going to say. Discuss WHY you want to work for that particular company, WHAT you can do for them, and HOW you will fit in with the company, then practice, practice, practice. Get a list of questions and write down your answers to each one, then practice with a parent or friend. If possible, videotape yourself so you can see how you present to an employer. You can use your webcam, or a small video camera to do the job.

8. Send a follow up letter: Tell them again about your interest in the job or the company. Thank them for taking the time to interview you. Point out your special qualifications or mention something you forgot in the interview that is relevant.

9. Follow up: In person or by phone to check out the results of the interviews, and if you are not the successful candidate, ask how you could improve your chances for next time.

People who are good at job-hunting are willing to change strategies. They spend lots of time doing homework on themselves, researching organizations in detail, doing informational interviewing, building their contacts, and other methods that require work..

People who are good at job-hunting:
 can name their individual skills.
 can describe their favourite interests.
 target small organizations as well as large organizations.
 go after any place that interests them.
 approach organizations through their personal contacts.

If you need help, read some of the articles I've posted, and/or get in touch with me.

To your success

Fran

New Year's Resolutions

Well, it's that time of the year when people think about changing their lives in some way. Some people opt for making a big list of things they are going to do and then find themselves so far behind by day 2 or 3 that they give up on everything.

Some people pick one or two small things to change and work at them for a few days, but then their old lives take over and they forget about their resolutions.

Others make one or two general resolutions that they can stick by the whole year such as; "doing things that make me feel better", so if they go for a walk, or have dinner with a friend, or watch a favourite show, they are successful.

The important thing is to have a goal, something to reach towards.

For job seekers, it is also important to have a goal. You need to know exactly what you are looking for in order to obtain it.

For instance; "I'm looking for a job." is just too vague. "I'm looking for a job as a mechanic." is much clearer and lets people know exactly what you are looking for. They are then more able to help you identify a particular employer who might be looking for a mechanic, or someone with mechanical skills.

If you are currently employed and thinking of leaving your job, you too need a clear cut goal. You need to identify what skills you want to use in your new job, the type of work you want to be doing and the type of employer you want to work for. Once you have done that, you can select two or three employers and then target your resume for them. You may need to send your resume more than once and follow up on a regular basis, but it will be worth it to get the job you want.

I challenge you to set a specific goal for the month of January and share it with me by making a comment below. Then follow up and let me know whether or not you achieved your goal. Then do the same thing for February. Set a goal, let someone know what it is and then follow up with them to let them know how you did. You don't have to face the whole year at once. Take it in bite sized chunks and you will be more successful.

To your success.

Fran

Time for a Career Move?

Internet Business - Is it Time For a Career Move?

It's time for a career change, but to what? Affiliate Management is definitely the way to go! It is a growing and exciting career. It requires a combination of skills such as organization, creativity and leadership to work together in harmony. Best of all, it is a highly sought after position. A successful Affiliate Manager can create an enormous income stream for an internet business or offline companies and are handsomely rewarded. The top 3 benefits of being an Affiliate Manager are income level, networking and hiring demand both in internet business and offline.

Normally, affiliate managers get a base pay plus incentive income based upon performance. They usually get a bulk monthly payment, retainer, or base salary. Typically, the monthly base payment will range between $2,000-$5,000. Then, they also get paid a pre-determined percentage, usually 5%-10% for every sale that is generated through the affiliate program as a result of their efforts. As an affiliate program grows and gets bigger, it can become highly financially rewarding for both the affiliate, affiliate manager and the owner of the internet business or an offline company. This payment structure allows for the affiliate manager to have the best of both financial worlds; security from a base and increased financial opportunity due to performance.

As in most industries, including internet business, a quick way to climb the latter of success is to get in with the big dogs! It is important and beneficial to meet and network with lots of powerful people. The pure nature of affiliate management does exactly this. To run a successful affiliate program, it is required that the individual work closely with affiliate; those who own their own businesses. Many times, affiliates are already making sales which, prequalifies them as being someone with a level influence and success. As with any business, one's success is often times related to the people you know, can learn from and are influenced by.

Affiliate management is not just a position in internet business. It is becoming increasingly popular in the offline world due to the revenue generating power of the system. Most large offline companies have affiliate programs and need skilled affiliate managers. Take a look at monster.com or other job posting/seeking sites and you will see that companies are posting jobs and hiring affiliate managers all of the time. It is a position that is in high demand right now, both in internet business and offline.

Tellman Knudson, CEO of OvercomeEverything, Inc., is a master list builder and well-known for his List Building Club. Tellman teaches students how to build a successful online business. Create your successful business from his step-by-step videos at: http://listbuilding.com

Fran

Awesome Adventures

"The Universe provides for us all every day, no matter how much we have or don't have. We deserve to feel that we are, have and do enough in our lives."
--SARK

If you have never heard of SARK, then you are in for a rare treat. Susan Kennedy (aka SARK) invites you to join her on an adventure!

What vibrant activies have you always wanted to try???? Try them now! Come along with us. See where the road leads. Click here to view more details

I have loved SARK since I found one of her books back in the late 1990's and she has been a part of my life every since. She is real and she encourages everyone else to also be real, to do and be who they truly are.

So, come along with us on our adventure. Take the road less travelled.

Fran

11 Things Your Boss Won't Tell You

source Reader's Digest
Here are the 11 things your boss won't tell you.



1.The company is in trouble. There are rumours of redundancies and tough financial times ahead. Until things are really dire, we’re likely to remain tight-lipped.

2.You deserve a pay raise. If you feel you are due more money or a promotion, be proactive and ask for it. Don’t wait around for us to pat you on the back and make the offer. It’s not going to happen.

3.Dress to impress. Just because the workplace has a casual dress code, it doesn’t mean you should dress like a slob. If you speak with firm command, you will be seen as authoritative and if you arrive early and act keen, you’ll be perceived as a hard worker. So dress, act and talk for the position you want, not the one you’re in.

4.You’re too keen. Just as bad as lazy workers are the painfully over-eager ones. We don’t want to spend time listening to your wild plans to improve the company or find extra projects for you to work on.

5.Your best career move is not in my best interest. You may be well and truly ready for a step up the company ladder, but if you are excelling in your current position, we’d probably prefer it if you stayed exactly where you are.

6.You run your personal life from your desk. We will rarely pull you aside if you are always on Facebook, eBay or the phone organizing your personal life, but do you honestly think we don’t notice? Rest assured we do!

7.Solutions not problems. Don’t come marching into my office with a problem if you haven’t got any suggestions about how to fix it. That’s called whining. Come prepared with some ideas if you want change.

8.You smell. We detest having to pull an employee aside and tell them there have been complaints made about their scent. Remember the deodorant and avoid making us, or your colleagues, feel awkward.

9.Stand your ground. Don’t let people dump work on you. If you can delegate and are capable of being assertive, we’ll be impressed and see you as management potential. Respect is more important than popularity.

10.You should resign. Do you feel like you’ve hit a dead end in your current position? Unless you’re seriously underperforming, don’t wait for us to show you the door.

11.I’m busy worrying about me, not you. We’re busy doing our own job, so if you need help, training or support, then you have to let us know. Tell your boss what you need and take responsibility for your training.

You are your own employer...treat yourself well

Fran

Your Career Health

"Somneone who hates details is not a good candidate for being taught how to scrutinize contracts. Somone who loves details is not a great trainee for sales. Being people-oriented is a characteristic that rarely goes hand-in-hand with being detail-oriented. It's not uncommon for companies to deal with the arduous task of training sales people to pay more attention. Telling a client to hire someone else is difficult, since detail-oriented people-persons simply don't exist. It may be a hard pill for HR to swallow, but accountants don't usually relish selling. What to do?" -- Roger C. Schank, President and CEO of Socratic Arts

*************************
Test Your Career Health by Jim Clemmer

Many of us invest time once a year for an annual checkup of our physical health. But what about a regular career checkup?

Canadian author and literary icon, Robertson Davies, once wrote, "Weigh up your life once a year. If you find you are getting short weight, change your life. You will usually find that the solution lies in your own hands."

Here are six questions to help you discover whether your career is healthy — and, if it isn't, to help put it back on track.

Can I be real at work?
I am all for professionalism. I also like the assurance that whether I am working with colleagues in my field or buying professional services, I am dealing with a true pro that really knows his or her "stuff." But too often "professional" is another name for impersonal. We often equate professionalism with being unemotional or not showing our true selves.

While few people want us to throw a temper tantrum or break down in tears when we might really feel like doing just that, if we can't be real and bring our true selves to work we may be selling our soul (or at least our mental health) for a few bucks every two weeks.

When we can be open, transparent, and not put on a "professional" act, is often when we're the healthiest and most balanced.

A key element of "knowing thyself" is sorting out what's really important to you. Through study, meditation, contemplation, talking with close and trusted friends, consultation with your spouse, keeping a journal, taking a personal development workshop, or whatever works for you, develop a written list of your four to five top principles.

Reputation is what people think I am. Personality is what I seem to be. Character is what I really am. Our goal should be to break down the barriers between the three until they are one.

Am I growing with change?
The popular goals of security, stability and predictability can be deadly. They can lead to stunted growth and reduced learning. In today's fast-changing world, if we fail to change, it is we who will likely be changed. If we don't control our own future, someone else will.

Only a mediocre person is always at his or her best. If you are getting very comfortable with your expertise and skill levels, your learning may have leveled out.

You may not be stretching and challenging yourself enough. Your comfort zone could be fossilizing into a complacency zone. Are your personal habits stepping stones or stumbling blocks?

Use Benjamin Franklin's "method for progressing." He identified 13 virtues he wanted to develop. Each week he worked on one of the virtues for a total of "four courses (cycles) in a year." Each night before retiring, Mr. Franklin reflected on and recorded his progress on that week's virtue.

Join the Daily Reflect and Plan Club. You need at least 15 minutes and ideally 30 to 45 minutes each work day.

Use this time to read or listen to spiritual, inspiring, or educational material, write in your journal, day dream, review the previous day, set your priorities for the next day to sort out the urgent from the truly important, pray and meditate, continue developing your vision, values, and purpose, etc.

Experiment with many of these activities until you find the ones most meaningful for you.

Develop or join a network of colleagues who are as interested in personal learning and development as you are.

This can be a powerful source of learning from other people's experiences. It's also a great place for you to reflect on your own experiences and articulate your improvement plans.

Stretch outside your comfort zone a bit at a time. It will never go back to its original size.

You might try analyzing a problem in a new way, developing a new skill, meeting new people who operate at the performance level you're aspiring to, watching or listening to an educational television or radio program, or making that tough phone call right off the top. Daily or even just weekly small stretches accumulate into powerful new habits and ever stronger discipline muscles.

Skill building starts with assessment. Develop your skills performance gap by identifying what skills you need to fulfill your vision. Then get feedback on your current skill levels.

Have I become a victim?
It's so easy to get stuck in Pity City. Since misery loves company, Pity Parties become popular as everyone points fingers at their favorite targets on the other side of the we-they gap found in many organizations. Problems, setbacks, and disappointments are often wailed about in a rousing game of blame storming: "They're doing it to us again."

We can't choose the sometimes disastrous changes that whack us on the side of the head. But we do choose how to respond. We can try to change or influence the environment to navigate difficult changes. Or we can try to work around the situation and succeed despite "them."

Take the initiative to keep communication channels open with your boss or other colleagues. Outline your roles and responsibilities. Set your top three to five goals. Get your boss' input and adjust accordingly. Meet periodically to review progress and reset priorities.

Try to better understand the bigger picture that "they" are operating within. Do you know what keeps them awake at night? What their key goals and priorities are? How can we align our efforts?

Learn how your organizational game is played. Any organization of five people or more is political. Politics involve relationships, trust, power, persuasion, and influence.

Don't succumb to the "Victimitis Virus" by allowing more senior managers to disempower you. Leadership is action, not position. Be a leader. Make things happen. If you know it's right for your team and the organization, learn how to play the system to get done what needs to be done. Remember the Jesuit's Rule — It's always easier to get forgiveness than permission.

Is there a moose-on-the-table?
Imagine a team meeting around a conference room table. They are reviewing progress and making plans. Charts are reviewed, slides are projected, documents are handed out, and calculations are made. Now imagine that standing in the middle of the conference room table is a great big moose. No one says a word about the moose. Everyone carries on polite conversation as if this situation is very normal. Meanwhile the moose is eating papers at one end of the table while plopping out moose pies at the other end of the table.

The moose is a problem that everyone knows about but won't address. People are trying to carry on as if things are normal. Meanwhile, the problem is blocking progress and has caused some team members to tune out of conversations. By failing to confront the problem, they empower it. The moose grows bigger.

In some organizations, identifying the moose-on-the-table can be a career limiting — or ending — move. The most effective teams regularly ask such questions as: What should we keep doing? What should we stop doing? What should we start doing? These questions identify the moose and move the team forward.

Play with the moose-on-the-table concept. It's a powerful and fun way to get serious issues out in the open. You could get team members at a meeting to write down and hand in a few of the biggest moose they feel are present. Cluster the similar issues and hold a secret ballot on the top clusters. If you suspect people aren't being open during a discussion, ask: "Is there a moose-on-the-table we need to talk about?" Or if you see a potential issue emerging you might say: "I'd like to put a little moose-on-the-table."

Contribute to authentic conversations in an authentic workplace. Speak the truth as you see it. Obviously the time and place needs to be appropriate. Diplomacy and tact are also critical. Help others (especially your peers and those above you) to see the moose-on-the-table.

Is work a four-letter word?
Years ago, I worked in a company with an emotionally intelligent CEO. A favorite motto of his was: "If you love what you're doing, you never have to work again."

We all have our doubt days, when we're not sure we're in the right job. But our jobs aren't work unless those doubt days become as routine as getting up in the morning. If your work has become work, you've lost the passion. Meaningful work goes well beyond what you do for a living; it joyfully expresses what you do with your living.

Identify your strengths and passions. Assess how often and in what ways your current job is aligned with these. If the gap is large, look for ways to make changes in your work, change the work you're doing in your organization, or leave and find work that is in stronger alignment with your strengths and passions.

Our passion for what we do — or our lack of it — tells us if we're in the right place. To be passionate about our work, that work has to keep moving us ever closer to expressing who we truly are. The more closely "who we are" is aligned with "what we do," the deeper is our passion and commitment.

Flight attendants instruct passengers traveling with young children that should the oxygen mask ever drop from the panel above, put the mask on yourself first, and then help your child. Our parental instinct is to do the reverse. Assess whether you're so busy attending to everyone else's needs that you're failing to oxygenate yourself.

Ensure you plan and hold sacred the time to do those activities that recharge and revitalize you. It's the only way you'll have to maintain the energy for your work and to help others in your personal or professional life.

Do I have a job, career or calling?
In the movie "City Slickers," Billy Crystal plays Mitch, a middle-aged man in crisis who has lost his direction. He and his friends go to a dude ranch to participate in a real cattle drive and search for the meaning of life. Jack Palance plays Curly, a crusty old cowhand whose job it is to babysit the city slickers along the dusty trail.

In one memorable piece of dialogue, Curly asks Mitch: "You know what the secret of life is?"

"No, what?" Mitch responds.

Curly holds up his index finger. "This." Mitch looks confused. "Your finger?"

"One thing. Just one thing," Curly growls. "You stick to that and everything else don't mean sh-t."

"That's great," Mitch replies, "but what's the one thing?"

Curly smiles. "That's what you've got to figure out."

In typical movie fashion, of course, Mitch solves his problems by gaining new perspective on his life and knowing what changes he has to make. He learns that "it" — the one thing — varies for each of us. As Mitch tells one of his fellow searchers, "It's something different for everybody. It's whatever is the most important for you."

At least once a year, spend a quiet evening of uninterrupted time "daydreaming" with your spouse or life partner. Take turns fantasizing, seeing, and describing an ideal life together while the other person takes notes. Look at family, house or home, your careers, your physical health, your financial health, community involvement, spiritual growth, and social life. Now start setting goals and improvement plans to turn your fantasies into reality.

To find the core of your deepest and truest inner desires and vision, you may need to keep a running "dream list" for awhile. Record every dream, desire, or goal that pops into your mind. Once the list is complete and exhaustive, start sifting through it to look for patterns or clusters. Begin to group and prioritize your dreams until they're narrowed down to a manageable number. This is your personal source of energy and passion. The next step is unleashing that incredible power through visualization or imagery.

Build your confidence and reinforce your vision by keeping a private "blessings and brag list." It should contain every accomplishment, strength, or success you've ever had along with all the blessings you've enjoyed — no matter how small. Keep adding to it. Review it frequently, but especially when you're doubting or down on yourself.

Balance is a popular and elusive goal for many of us today. Well-balanced people pause periodically to review their progress. They know how easy it is to confuse busyness with effectiveness.

Jim Clemmer’s practical leadership books, keynote presentations, workshops, and team retreats have helped hundreds of thousands of people worldwide improve personal, team, and organizational leadership. Visit his web site, http://www.jimclemmer.com/, for a huge selection of free practical resources including nearly 300 articles, dozens of video clips, team assessments, leadership newsletter, Improvement Points service, and popular leadership blog. Jim's five international bestselling books include The VIP Strategy, Firing on All Cylinders, Pathways to Performance, Growing the Distance, and The Leader's Digest. His latest book is Moose on the Table: A Novel Approach to Communications @ Work.

Finding Energy

How to Find Energy for Your Dream When You Work Full-Timeby Suzanne Falter-Barns
www.getknownnow.com


A recent Canadian study of 1,100 employees, polled across North America, found that one-third loathe their jobs. That’s loathe, as in detest, hate and otherwise despise. So here’s the good news: it’s entirely possible for these folks to overcome the usual obstacles, and actually find a more suitable line of work. The key is in managing energy – one of the key things people say keeps them from actively pursuing their dreams in life.

Here are some energy-saving tricks to help that process.

Dedicate your peak time of day to your dream. Are you a lark or an owl? Do you tend to spring out of bed or hug your pillow when the alarm goes off. Get clear on this key fact, then add an extra hour in this time zone for work on your dream. In other words, get up an hour earlier if you’re a morning person – or stay up an hour later if you thrive at night. Write it into your schedule and stick with it.

Indulge in a Four o’clock protein bar or shake. Replace the guilty candy bar in your desk drawer with a snack that’s actually got enough protein to tide you well into the evening hours. Protein bars, such as Balance, Clif, Luna and Power Bars have only slightly less sugar than conventional candy bars, but they’re loaded with soy protein that metabolizes more slowly for an even energy burn. (Ideally, the bars shouldn’t have more than 13 grams of sugar, say experts.) Shakes made with soyprotein powders available at health food stores work even better, and last longer.

Keep a lean office/work space. Nothing drains energy faster than clutter, especially that which accumulates on desktops. Jeffrey Mayer, author of the e-book, How to Win the Fight Between You and Your Desk, says that our energy is literally bogged down every time we see a pile of papers we have to deal with. So he advises parking everything out of sight in appropriate files. Then he suggests keeping a running to-do list on a pad, with items to check off each day as accomplished. This sense of order and accomplishment can breath new life into dreams that feel long in the tooth.

Stop working at least an hour before bed. Even if you’re a night owl who loves to create deep into the night, give yourself some true down time at least an hour before bed. Experts say this is critical unwinding time that will help you sleep better, and hence renew your energy for the next day’s tasks. Use the time to reconnect with your family or spouse, peruse some fun, non-work related reading, or sit in a room with low light simply listening to relaxing music. This is critical energy recharging time.

Avoid junk food; drink water instead. It’s an old saw, but it bears repeating. Nothing depletes your system quite like junk food. The excess sugars speed up your system so it eventually crashes; the excess salts just drive your thirst. They’re fun, but have not substance. Your body craves the good stuff: carrots, salads, light proteins, whole grains, because digestion of such is so much easier on the system.

Add large amounts of water, and you’ll be running at peak. Take your iron. Grains and vegetables provide us with only about seven per cent of their iron, while meat gives us close to 30 per cent. Added to that is the fact that drinking tea and coffee interferes with iron absorption. So, all in all, you're best off with a supplement, preferably about 18 milligrams per day. Author and nutritionist Elizabeth Somers says you'll see improvements in energy and mental clarity within three weeks.

Refresh your mind. On a regular basis, try to offer it something stimulating, fun and not work or dream-related. Consider playing an instrument, or going to a weekly dance or yoga class. Or taking a walk in an entirely new place. Museum exhibitions, browses through bookstores, hang outs in cafes and uninhibited strolls through the Web are all good for this purpose.

Take brainstorming walks. This is a daily exercise walk in which you clear your mind, and use the time for either a little reflection on what you’re creating, or for possible spiritual connection. As the exercise causes your brain to release feel-good endorphins, you can relax enough to really let your mind wander as your stroll. So this becomes a great time to work out little problems that crop up in your dream work. Be sure to bring along a small notepad, or electronic ‘instant messager’ for recording your ideas. If time’s tight, use this time to walk to or from the office, even if you have to park the car a few miles away.

Eat your lunch at your desk. It’s a simple solution, and remarkably effective. The simple act of bringing a sandwich to work, pulling it out, closing the door, and doing a little work on your dream mid-day can deeply increase your commitment to your dream. And that in turn can really fuel your dream, so making time for it becomes easier, not harder. If it’s hard to work at your desk, take your sandwich and dream work to a nearby café, your parked car, a public library carrel, or any public space where you can work.

Long to lead your own creativity workshops? You can with Suzanne’s Joy
Facilitator’s Training – the turnkey program that helps you create, book, fill and lead your own creativity workshops! Based on her best-selling creativity books, from Ballantine.

©2005 Suzanne Falter-Barns.. www.howmuchjoy.com & www.getknownnow.com

For information on how to find the time, energy, money to live your purpose in life, download Suzanne’s free workbook, The Living Your Joy Companion Workbook And get a daily blast of joyful tips from the Blast o’ Joy blog at www.blastojoy.com.

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Keep your energy at its peak to get the best out of life

Fran

Should You Quit Your Job For Your Dreams?

Should You Quit Your Job for Your Dream?

A Questionnaire by Suzanne Falter-Barns


The next time you’re moodily sitting in your office, wishing you were living your dream instead, answer the following questions… or answer them now! They’ll give you a sense of whether or not now’s the time to make the break.

1.My job is making me crazy; so crazy I’d do anything to quit.
a) Highly agree
b) Mildly agree
c) Don’t really agree
d) Strongly disagree

2.If I left my job for my dream, I’m not sure what I’d do first, or even
how I’d begin it.
a) Highly agree
b) Mildly agree
c) Don’t really agree
d) Strongly disagree

3.My boss runs my life … or ruins it. I feel completely misunderstood and trapped by this job. I don’t even know if I could quit – how would I survive? Who would even hire me?
a) Highly agree
b) Mildly agree
c) Don’t really agree
d) Strongly disagree

4.I hate this job but I really need the money. I don’t see any other viable alternative.
a) Highly agree
b) Mildly agree
c) Don’t really agree
d) Strongly disagree

5.If I stay at my work just a little longer, I stand a good chance of getting a promotion and a raise. Then I could find my way clear to saving a little money for my dream.
a) Highly agree
b) Mildly agree
c) Don’t really agree
d) Strongly disagree

6.Yeah, I could quit my job for my dream, but I could run off to Tahiti, too. That’s way too much risk for my taste.
a) Highly agree
b) Mildly agree
c) Don’t really agree
d) Strongly disagree

7.My spouse/partner is okay with the thought of me quitting my job for my dream. We’ve talked it through and he/she sees it as the next thing I need to do.
a) Highly agree
b) Mildly agree
c) Don’t really agree
d) Strongly disagree

8.My spouse/partner fully understands what life will be like when I make the leap to begin my dream. He/she will be there for me, emotionally and even financially if necessary.
a) Highly agree
b) Mildly agree
c) Don’t really agree
d) Strongly disagree

9.I have a business plan for my dream all organized and ready to go. I’ve even scoped out sources for capital, and necessary space and materials to get to work.
a) Highly agree
b) Mildly agree
c) Don’t really agree
d) Strongly disagree

10.I have a savings account for my dream with enough to get started, plus an emergency savings account worth 6 months of my general living expenses. I’ve also scoped out alternatives to my current health care and insurance.
a) Highly agree
b) Mildly agree
c) Don’t really agree
d) Strongly disagree

11.I’ve been developing a systematic plan for leaving my job for a while now … I feel I’m almost ready to go.
a) Highly agree
b) Mildly agree
c) Don’t really agree
d) Strongly disagree

12.I have an adequate support system in place to really help me move ahead with my dream. It includes good friends and advisors, adequate child or elder care, a supportive spouse, and even a coach or mentor.
a) Highly agree
b) Mildly agree
d) Don’t really agree
d) Strongly disagree

If you answered mostly a) and b) to questions 1-4, you’re stuck. Your job has forced you to forget about essential pieces of yourself – it’s time to get some career coaching now.

If you answered mostly a) and b) to questions 5 and 6, you’re a borderline case. You haven’t yet decided whether your dream is all that important to the quality of your life. Just an experiment, you might want to sit with a blank piece of paper and really brainstorm what it would be like to live your dream.

If you answered mostly a) and b) to questions 7-11 … what are you waiting for? You’ve got a plan, you’ve set up the necessary support and you’re good to go; you should be able to weather the inevitable ups and downs. Be sure to allow your company enough notice to make the transition smoothly, so you can leave with glowing reviews. Congratulations!

Long to lead your own creativity workshops? You can with Suzanne’s Joy Facilitator’s Training – the turnkey program that helps you create, book, fill and lead your own creativity workshops! Based on her best-selling creativity books, from Ballantine.

©2005 Suzanne Falter-Barns.. www.howmuchjoy.com & www.getknownnow.com

For information on how to find the time, energy, money to live your purpose in life, download Suzanne’s free workbook, The Living Your Joy Companion Workbook And get a daily blast of joyful tips from the Blast o’ Joy blog at www.blastojoy.com.
***********************************

So, is it time for you to move on? Do you need some help? Contact me

Have a great week!

Fran

No Jobs???

Think there are no jobs out there?
Think again

Are you reading the papers and thinking, “there are no jobs”?
Do you know that approximately 80% of the available jobs are not advertised.

Are you spending 40 hours a week on your job search?
If you are looking for a full-time job, you should be spending 30 – 40 hours a week on job search activities – reading, researching, networking, preparing resumes, practicing interview techniques, etc.

Do you know how to use the computer/internet to help you in your job search – to look up information on employers and careers?
If not, sign up now and attend a local free computer workshop.

Is your resume up to date and targeted to a specific job or employer?
If not, you may be losing out on jobs you are qualified for. There really is no "one size fits all" resume.
Some of the biggest mistakes made on resumes are: distortions or lies (be truthful in everything), too much information, messiness and typographical errors (typos), lack of specific information, irrelevant information, failure to list job accomplishments.
Proofread your resume carefully. A poll of Fortune 1000 executives revealed nearly one-third of them wouldn’t hire an applicant whose resume contains a typo.


Have you practiced your interview techniques with a friend or family member? Do you know what to say when the employer says, “Tell me about yourself?” If not, sit down and list all the things you have done in every job and every volunteer activity. You may be surprised by all the things you have accomplished and forgotten about. The next step is to summarize your accomplishments to target the skills the employer is looking for.

Put your best foot forward....good luck

Fran Watson

Lost Your Job?

Check out Sam Crowley's new video

Click here

Follow your heart

Fran

P.S. Check out what else Sam has for you

Virtual Competence

Are you virtually competent?

I just read an article by Jennifer Kavur in the August 17th issue of ComputerWorld Canada which talks about this term - Virtual Competente, the new softskill - a term coined by Haggerty and Wang from the Richard Ivey School of Business at the University of Western Ontario.

Virtual Competence consists of three skill sets:

- Virtual Social Skills or an individual's capability to build online social relationships

- Virtual Media Skills, which are the actual capabilities in using a range of tools and features, and

- Virtual Self-Efficacy or self-confidence.

If you don't have these skills, you might want to develop them as in the same issue, there was another article by Jenniver about employers seeking proof of Web 2.0 savvy in new recruits. She highlighted a recent job posting for Best Buy which requested a graduate degree and a "minimum of 250 followers on Twitter.

So, how virtually savvy are you? Do yolu Twitter? Do you use Facebook? Do you participate on any social media networking sites? If not, better start brushing up now!

Happy job hunting

Fran Watson

P.S. You can find me on Facebook

Amazon help

Have you gone store to store trying to find a specific item? Have you been frustrated at the time and expense? Amazon is the place to go for many of your personal and office needs. Find what you want and place your order. Quick and easy. Have a great day!! Fran