News for today's 2018: 08/20/09

Fat, ugly and stupid

9:03 PM Tukiyooo 0

I received an email yesterday that reminded me of something I've wanted to write about for a very long time. It was the sweetest and kindest email I've ever received from a reader of my blog. S.R. wrote me that she reads a lot of blogs and had never written to a blogger before. She went on to say I was "stunning/gorgeous". Wow! That got my attention. No one ever says that about me! Then she said something I know is so very true, "when I read your blog, I hear such a negative self-image at times....so sad". S.R. is right, I have a really bad self-image. I'm always criticizing myself, putting myself down, saying I'm fat and ugly and stupid. That I'm boring and uninteresting. Sadly, I believe most of these things. The funny thing is I know why I'm like this. It's because of my mother. Now I had the most amazing mother you can possibly imagine. I was blessed with incredible parents. I won the lottery when it came to parents. I grew up being told I was smart and pretty, that I could do or be anything I wanted in life. I was told this over and over from the time I was a young child all through my adult life. So what happened? Why am I like this? It's really simple. Even though my mother told me how great I was over and over, she said just the opposite about herself. She said she was fat, that she hated how she looked. She said she was stupid. My mother was really pretty with a beautiful smile. I look at pictures of her when she was young and she was gorgeous. She looked like a movie star. She had a weight problem after having three kids, but she was still very pretty. She lost 100 pounds when she was 65 and kept it off during the last 20 years of her life. She still said she was fat. She was 5' 8" and weighed 145. About her being stupid, it wasn't true. She was really smart. She skipped two grades in high school and graduated when she was only 16 years old. Yet she said she was stupid and dumb, when really she was one of the smartest people I've ever met. My point is you can tell your kids anything you want, but it's really what you say about yourself is what they're going to hear and copy. They will grow up to be like you. If you say you're fat and stupid and ugly, I guarantee you're going to hear your kid say that same thing about themselves. So if you can't have a good self-image for yourself, at least fake it the best you can for your kid. When you look in the mirror, and your child is watching you, don't say, "oh, I'm so fat, I just look awful" or make comments that you're stupid. That's probably the greatest disservice you can do to your child. I don't blame my mother for how I feel about myself. I know she did the best she could and would never have intentionally said those things if she knew I was going to take them on as my own image. The really sad thing is that I can't seem to change it. I know it's not really true, yet I hear that little voice in my head constantly telling me that I'm fat, ugly, and stupid.

Fat, ugly and stupid

I received an email yesterday that reminded me of something I've wanted to write about for a very long time. It was the sweetest and kin...

Want That Job? 6 Body Language Tips

5:00 PM Anonymous 0

<a href="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/zt/ar5b8gw65qtfdwsplmzt.gif"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/zt/ar5b8gw65qtfdwsplmzt.gif" style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> <div>Want That Job? 6 Body Language Tips by Janine Driver, "Lyin' Tamer" Reading and understanding body language is critical to your success in a job interview. Nonverbal communication equips you to understand what interviewers are thinking, helping you tweak your body language to get them to like you ... and offer you the job! 1. The wet fish versus the bone crusher The handshake tells a story about each of us. Do you shake hands softly? Do you come in from the top and deliver a "bone crusher"? Aggressive people have firm handshakes; those with low self-esteem have limp, "wet fish" handshakes. A great handshake is a three-step process: · Make sure your hands are clean and adequately manicured. · Ensure hands are warm but free of perspiration. · Execute your handshake professionally and politely, with a firm grip and a warm smile. 2. The eyes have it What's considered an appropriate amount of eye contact may vary in different countries. In North America, 60 percent eye contact is a safe figure -- one that can give hiring managers a feeling of comfort about you. More eye contact than this and you may seem too intense; any less and you risk appearing uninterested. Eye-contact tips: · When you meet the interviewer, look her right in the eyes, then think to yourself, "Wow, so great to finally meet you!" This will make you smile, and she'll pick up on your positive mood. When we look at someone we find interesting, our pupils dilate, a phenomenon the other person instinctively picks up on. · During a job interview, keep your eye contact in the upside-down triangle area of your interviewer's face: from the left eyebrow, to the nose, back up to the right eyebrow. Warning: Staring at a person's lips is considered sexual, while looking at their forehead is considered condescending. 3. Get it straight Posture is an important thing to master on an interview: Get your posture straight and your confidence will rise with it. Next time you notice you are feeling a bit down, pay attention to how you are sitting or standing. Chances are you'll be slouched over with your shoulders drooping down and inward. This collapses the chest and inhibits breathing, which can make you feel nervous or uncomfortable. 4. Get a "head" of the game When you want to feel confident and self-assured during an interview, keep your head level, both horizontally and vertically. Also assume this position when your goal is to be taken seriously. Conversely, when you want to be friendly and in the listening, receptive mode, tilt your head just a little to one side or the other. 5. Arms lend a hand, too Arms offer clues as to how open and receptive we are, so keep your arms to the side of your body. This shows you are not scared to take on whatever comes your way. Quieter people tend to move their arms away from their body less often than outgoing people, who use their arms with big movements. Keep gestures within the frame of your body, or you'll risk being seen as out of control. Avoid the negative action of crossing your arms during the interview. Here are two common perceptions of hand gestures: · Palms slightly up and outward: open and friendly · Palm-down gestures: dominant and possibly aggressive 6. Get a leg up on the competition Our legs tend to move around a lot more than normal when we are nervous, stressed or being deceptive. As a result, try to keep them as still as possible during the interview. You should not cross your legs during a job interview, as it creates a barrier between you and the interviewer and may lead to fidgeting. When you cross your ankle at the knee, this is known as the "figure four," and is generally perceived as the most defensive leg cross. Janine Driver, Lyin' Tamer, is a body language and deception detection expert, author and contributor to NBC's "Today Show." Janine offers her signature training to Fortune 500 companies across the globe, to give them an edge in the game of life! For your free mini-course on "Body Language Business Bloopers Successful People Avoid at All Costs" visit www.lyintamer.com today. </div> <div></div><div>Search more than 100,000 Jobs by <a href="http://jobs.careerbuilder.com/JobSeeker/Jobs/JobResults.aspx?SB%3Asbkw=&SB%3As_freeloc=&SB%3Asbfr=30&sbsbmt=Find+Jobs+%C2%BB&lr=cbrockl&cid=US&excrit=QID%3DA3852768340946%3Bst%3DA%3Buse%3DALL%3BCID%3DUS%3BSID%3D%3F%3BTID%3D0%3BENR%3DNO%3BDTP%3DDRNS%3BYDI%3DYES%3BIND%3DALL%3BPDQ%3DAll%3BPDQ%3DAll%3BPAYL%3D0%3BPAYH%3DGT120%3BPOY%3DNO%3BETD%3DALL%3BRE%3DALL%3BMGT%3DDC%3BSUP%3DDC%3BFRE%3D1%3BCHL%3DAL%3BQS%3DSID_UNKNOWN%3BSS%3DNO%3BTITL%3D0%3BOB%3D-modifiedint%3BJQT%3DRAD%3BJDV%3DFalse&IPath=ILM">CLICKING HERE!</a> </div>

Want That Job? 6 Body Language Tips

Want That Job? 6 Body Language Tips by Janine Driver, "Lyin' Tamer" Reading and understanding body language is critical to you...

Use Your Age to Your Advantage

2:00 PM Anonymous 0

<a href="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/53/ar5f2xj74hx18z886d53.gif"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/53/ar5f2xj74hx18z886d53.gif" style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> <div>Use Your Age to Your Advantage by Joe Turner, the "Job Search Guy" While it's true that not all employers will be gung-ho about hiring, or even retaining, older workers in the coming years, the overall statistics might well be on your side if you're 50 or older. The limited numbers of younger generations simply will not match the rising need for workers over the next 10 years. This means that employers will be forced to look at alternate labor sources. Sure, they can outsource, further automate or contract their staffing ranks, but this will not suffice in all cases. The plain fact is that you hold many advantages over your younger colleagues, but you're going to need to play your age to your advantage. If you have a few years under your belt, here are four tips to use age as an advantage in your job hunt: Go on the offensive Too often, older workers think they have to apologize for their years of actually working. Remind yourself that you're experienced, not old; you're seasoned, not over the hill; you're here and now, not history. It's all about spin and reframing, so drop the apologies. You may be older, but you're not stupid and you're not dead. Use your savvy to sell against youth and inexperience. There are benefits to being older, like having wisdom, common sense and a long work record of accomplishments that you can translate into benefits to the employer. In other words, sell your track record. During the interview, take advantage of your successful work history and draw from those successes to meet the needs of the employer. Sell results, not years Realize that hiring managers today are looking for results, not years. Talk the language that an employer understands and appreciates: return on investment. Instead of citing 20 years of experience, identify the benefits to the employer and put them into monetary terms as much as possible. Back up your accomplishments with facts that are benefit-based. Sell them from the perspective of the result and how it benefited your present and previous employers. Money talks and it talks loudly. Here's some good news: Money can trump age. As an employee, you either make money or save money for your employer. If the hiring manager doesn't see your value in one of these two categories, then you don't want to work for this company. In this recession, if the company isn't concerned about its bottom line, then it may not be around for long and isn't a viable option for you anyway. Get as close to money as you possibly can through the language of your accomplishments, and list them on your résumé. Wear just one hat While you may have accumulated experience in a number of areas, don't confuse the person reading your résumé with all the different roles and jobs you performed over the years. Focus only on the job title for which you're applying. Tell the hiring manager what he wants to know and nothing more. Most likely you've worn many different hats during your career. If any of your duties and experiences don't directly address the job title's requirements, don't emphasize them. In fact, remove them from your résumé entirely, if possible, as they will only give employers another reason to screen you out, and you don't want that. This is your story. Tell it your way. Magnify only the aspects of your background that are relevant to your target objective. You want to focus your résumé to reflect yourself in the most positive, powerful ways possible. Modify your résumé Take another look at your résumé. Ask yourself, "Would I hire myself for this position?" Spin your story in your favor by reworking your résumé to emphasize your strengths. Make sure everything on it relates in some way to your desired job objective. Drop older job titles. You generally shouldn't need to show more than 10 years of work history. Any prior work is most likely irrelevant now and will take the reader off track. Remove obvious road markers, like dates. For example, remove college degree dates and other older professional training dates that may go back more than a few years. As a recruiter, Joe Turner has spent the past 15 years finding and placing top candidates in some of the best jobs of their careers. Author of "Job Search Secrets Unlocked" and "Paycheck 911," Turner has interviewed on radio talk shows and offers free insider job search secrets at: http://www.jobchangesecrets.com. </div> <div></div> <div>Search more than 100,000 Jobs by <a href="http://jobs.careerbuilder.com/JobSeeker/Jobs/JobResults.aspx?SB%3Asbkw=&SB%3As_freeloc=&SB%3Asbfr=30&sbsbmt=Find+Jobs+%C2%BB&lr=cbrockl&cid=US&excrit=QID%3DA3852768340946%3Bst%3DA%3Buse%3DALL%3BCID%3DUS%3BSID%3D%3F%3BTID%3D0%3BENR%3DNO%3BDTP%3DDRNS%3BYDI%3DYES%3BIND%3DALL%3BPDQ%3DAll%3BPDQ%3DAll%3BPAYL%3D0%3BPAYH%3DGT120%3BPOY%3DNO%3BETD%3DALL%3BRE%3DALL%3BMGT%3DDC%3BSUP%3DDC%3BFRE%3D1%3BCHL%3DAL%3BQS%3DSID_UNKNOWN%3BSS%3DNO%3BTITL%3D0%3BOB%3D-modifiedint%3BJQT%3DRAD%3BJDV%3DFalse&IPath=ILM">CLICKING HERE!</a> </div>

Use Your Age to Your Advantage

Use Your Age to Your Advantage by Joe Turner, the "Job Search Guy" While it's true that not all employers will be gung-ho abou...

5 Ways to Get the Job You Want -- in Any Economy

12:00 PM Anonymous 0

<a href="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/lc/ar5f34y7301zdntzwmlc.gif"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/lc/ar5f34y7301zdntzwmlc.gif" style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> <div>5 Ways to Get the Job You Want -- in Any Economy by Brian Tracy, author of "Reinvention" With all the bleak economic news and reports of massive layoffs, it's easy to lose sight of an exciting fact of work: There have never been more opportunities and possibilities for talented people than exist today. The rate of new business formation in the United States has passed more than 1 million new companies per year. Employers everywhere are looking for bright, resourceful and committed people to help their businesses grow. The best way to help the best companies find you is to become a self-directed job searcher. Regardless of your employment experience, your target industry or the economic climate, you can get a job -- a great job -- if you are willing to work hard and know how to work smart. Here are some of the very best ideas, strategies and methods for putting your career back on the fast track. 1. Take control of your career The average person starting work today will have 11 full-time jobs and as many as five different careers over the course of his or her lifetime. To weather the storms of lifelong career change, you must be proactive, not reactive. Begin by seeing yourself as self-employed. See yourself as the president of a company with one employee: you. See yourself as having one product to sell in a competitive marketplace: your personal services. You are completely responsible for research and development. No matter who signs your paycheck, you are always on your own payroll. This attitude is the starting point for getting the job you want for the rest of your career. 2. Take stock of yourself Before you go out and look for a job, do some self-reflection. Make a list of all the things you can do for which someone would be willing to pay. What have you done especially well at your previous jobs? What sort of activities in your work and your personal life do you most enjoy? The good news is that you will always do the very best at something that makes you the happiest. To help yourself follow the right career track, describe your ideal job. The greater clarity you have about exactly what it is you want to do and how much you want to earn, the easier it is for someone to hire you. 3. Understand the job market All labor, including your own, is subject to the economic law of supply and demand. The only way to ensure you get a rewarding job is by doing something important for which there is a demand in the marketplace and in which you are difficult to replace. A change in technology, consumer preferences or the economy can make a particular talent or specialty obsolete almost overnight. You must continually upgrade your knowledge and skills and adjust your efforts so that they conform to the needs of the current job market. In a free society such as ours, everybody works on commission. 4. Don't mistake unemployment for a vacation Look at your job search as a full-time job, taking 40 to 50 hours a week. Get up and get dressed each weekday morning as if you were going to work, eat a light, high-energy breakfast and then get going. Looking good and staying productive not only improves your attitude, but also impresses other people, both those inside your own house and those on the outside. Remember, you should never see yourself as unemployed. You are a fully employed person in a temporary state of transition. 5. Sow seeds everywhere Most of the jobs available are not advertised. They are hidden and waiting for you to discover them. Along with regularly surfing Internet job sites, be sure to list your qualifications and interests on every site that might attract employers seeking someone like you. Visit community job fairs and talk to exhibitors. Keep an eye out for news of new product releases and then seek out key people in the company. A business expansion represents job opportunities. Gather information about a prominent individual in an organization you would like to work for. Ask that person, by phone, by e-mail or in a letter, to grant you a 10-minute informational interview. Almost invariably, your interest, knowledge and gratitude will pay off in a job offer. Adapted from "Reinvention: How to Make the Rest of Your Life the Best of Your Life" by Brian Tracy (AMACOM Books). Brian Tracy is an internationally recognized leader in the art and science of motivation and empowerment. As a personal and professional development consultant and speaker, he works with Fortune 500 companies and addresses more than 250,000 people a year. He is the bestselling author of numerous books, including "Reinvention: How to Make the Rest of Your Life the Best of Your Life." </div> <div></div> <div>Search more than 100,000 Jobs by <a href="http://jobs.careerbuilder.com/JobSeeker/Jobs/JobResults.aspx?SB%3Asbkw=&SB%3As_freeloc=&SB%3Asbfr=30&sbsbmt=Find+Jobs+%C2%BB&lr=cbrockl&cid=US&excrit=QID%3DA3852768340946%3Bst%3DA%3Buse%3DALL%3BCID%3DUS%3BSID%3D%3F%3BTID%3D0%3BENR%3DNO%3BDTP%3DDRNS%3BYDI%3DYES%3BIND%3DALL%3BPDQ%3DAll%3BPDQ%3DAll%3BPAYL%3D0%3BPAYH%3DGT120%3BPOY%3DNO%3BETD%3DALL%3BRE%3DALL%3BMGT%3DDC%3BSUP%3DDC%3BFRE%3D1%3BCHL%3DAL%3BQS%3DSID_UNKNOWN%3BSS%3DNO%3BTITL%3D0%3BOB%3D-modifiedint%3BJQT%3DRAD%3BJDV%3DFalse&IPath=ILM">CLICKING HERE!</a> </div>

5 Ways to Get the Job You Want -- in Any Economy

5 Ways to Get the Job You Want -- in Any Economy by Brian Tracy, author of "Reinvention" With all the bleak economic news and repo...

Hundreds of Applications and Still No Job?

10:00 AM Anonymous 0

<a href="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/56/ar5d5dy75np173zll356.gif"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/56/ar5d5dy75np173zll356.gif" style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> <div>Hundreds of Applications and Still No Job? by Anthony Balderrama, CareerBuilder.com writer Here's how every job seeker secretly hopes his or her search will go: 8:00 a.m. You see an ad for the job of your dreams: close to home, makes use of your skills, offers the right pay. 8:05 a.m. You apply for the job. 8:07 a.m. The hiring manager, out of breath, calls you. "We must have you. The CEO said to pay whatever you ask for -- we need you on our team ASAP!" 8:10 a.m. After you give your demands (a high salary and access to the company jet), you're faxed the job offer. 8:15 a.m. You head out the door to your first day of work. In reality, the process takes a few weeks or months longer, and you probably won't get every single perk you want. Along the way, you don't hear back from the companies you think are perfect matches for you, and it takes weeks to get an interview after sending in your application. You probably spend a few days (at least) wringing your hands over whether or not you'll ever find a job. No matter who you are and what industry you're in, anxiety is just part of the process. But everyone has a different breaking point, and after so many résumés, you're bound to start asking, "I've sent out hundreds of applications -- why isn't anyone hiring me?" Here's a checklist for you to review so you can either put your mind at ease ("It's not me; it's them") or revamp your searching technique ("Well, it might be me"). Maybe the factors slowing down your job hunt are not under your control. But it doesn't hurt to double-check. 1. Location Before you start blaming yourself for not getting any leads, take a look at your surrounding area. Not all cities have the same job market. A dearth of construction jobs in a northeastern suburb might be the polar opposite of the situation in a southwestern boomtown. Whether or not you want to or can relocate for your job is a personal matter, but you should consider the unemployment rate of your region when assessing how your hunt is going. 2. Which jobs When you look at how many applications you've sent out and how many you've heard back from, you might want to divide the list into two columns: jobs you expected to get and jobs you applied for on a whim. Many job seekers decide to send out applications for jobs they know they're not qualified for, whether they just want a paycheck or they think it would be fun to try a completely unrelated field -- even though they know the odds of getting a call are slim. These Hail Mary passes are perfectly acceptable, but don't consider their failures to be, well, failures. The jobs that align with your experience, education and skills are the ones that should be the gauge of your success. 3. The résumé Here's where a lot of things go wrong. That one piece of paper, digital or hard copy, causes a lot of problems. Here's a quick rundown of what you should check: · Is your contact information (including your name) listed so the employer can call or e-mail you? · Did you target the content to the job posting? Use the same phrasing, list experience that correlates to the requirements and give specific examples of achievements that will intrigue the employer. · Did you attach the résumé as a document in an e-mail? For security reasons, many employers won't open attachments, so your résumé might go unread. In addition to the attachment, paste it in the body of the e-mail to be safe. · Was there a cover letter attached to it? No cover letter can mean no consideration for some hiring managers. 4. The interview If you've been called in for interviews already, then you're doing something right. Not getting a job after interviewing doesn't mean you blew it -- it means you made the shortlist, but someone else might have been a better fit. But it never hurts to review your performance. An interview is often a chance for the employer to see if you fit into the company culture. Are you too rigid for a casual environment? Are your verbal communication skills good enough for your position? Hiring managers also use this opportunity to learn about you in a way they can't through a résumé. They want you to elaborate on your experience and answer any questions they still have. To make a good impression, preparation is key. You don't want to sound rehearsed, but practicing your answers to questions, your handshake, how you'll sit in the chair and anything else you're likely to encounter will help you. If you can avoid being the deer in the headlights, you'll be able to focus on the quality of your answers. 5. Appearance Not to be superficial, but presentation means a lot. From the layout of your résumé to the wrinkles in your interview attire, your professionalism is being judged. How are you presenting yourself to employers? Don't start your cover letter with, "Hey!" and don't end it with a smiley-face emoticon. Your résumé shouldn't be full of ClipArt butterflies and smiley faces. And you should leave some white space between sections so that the entire page isn't a single paragraph of text. The hiring manager needs to see a job candidate who takes the job seriously, even before you're called in for an interview. During an interview, you should dress appropriately. That doesn't mean trying too hard -- say, a tuxedo for an administrative assistant's job -- but it does mean dress for the environment and look like you spent time preparing. If you're told the environment is business casual, then you don't need a suit, but you still need to iron your pants. Anthony Balderrama is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com. He researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues. </div> <div></div> <div>Search more than 100,000 Jobs by <a href="http://jobs.careerbuilder.com/JobSeeker/Jobs/JobResults.aspx?SB%3Asbkw=&SB%3As_freeloc=&SB%3Asbfr=30&sbsbmt=Find+Jobs+%C2%BB&lr=cbrockl&cid=US&excrit=QID%3DA3852768340946%3Bst%3DA%3Buse%3DALL%3BCID%3DUS%3BSID%3D%3F%3BTID%3D0%3BENR%3DNO%3BDTP%3DDRNS%3BYDI%3DYES%3BIND%3DALL%3BPDQ%3DAll%3BPDQ%3DAll%3BPAYL%3D0%3BPAYH%3DGT120%3BPOY%3DNO%3BETD%3DALL%3BRE%3DALL%3BMGT%3DDC%3BSUP%3DDC%3BFRE%3D1%3BCHL%3DAL%3BQS%3DSID_UNKNOWN%3BSS%3DNO%3BTITL%3D0%3BOB%3D-modifiedint%3BJQT%3DRAD%3BJDV%3DFalse&IPath=ILM">CLICKING HERE!</a> </div>

Hundreds of Applications and Still No Job?

Hundreds of Applications and Still No Job? by Anthony Balderrama, CareerBuilder.com writer Here's how every job seeker secretly hopes hi...

Handling a Recession's Effect on Your Career

8:00 AM Anonymous 0

<a href="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/vh/ar5d26r631z0j58bmtvh.gif"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/vh/ar5d26r631z0j58bmtvh.gif" style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> <div>Handling a Recession's Effect on Your Career by Robert Half International In a recession, one thing is certain: Change is coming, especially as firms tighten their belts, reorganize, merge with other companies or close. Needless to say, preparing yourself for these types of transitions is crucial to your career success. Here are some of the changes you may experience during this recession and how to handle them: New priorities As organizations come to understand the new economic reality, projects that create immediate revenue will become the focus. So, a long-delayed product launch may immediately shift to the front burner. Since resources will be needed for these revenue generators, you may find yourself moved quickly onto new projects. Therefore, it's important you remain flexible and work with your manager to identify assignments that most impact the bottom line. Added responsibility Some companies may need to reduce head count while others may implement a hiring freeze. In either situation, remaining staff members will likely be asked to take on additional work. Some of these responsibilities may fall outside your normal role, so show a willingness to learn new skills. Your firm may even offer to subsidize training, so inquire with your manager about what the organization provides. In addition, identify tasks that can either be delegated or put on hold while you tackle any extra duties you've been assigned. Internal moves Companies that are set on filling open positions may decide to look internally to reduce the cost of recruiting new talent. That means there could be an opportunity for you to advance within your organization. If your firm does not have a formal process for posting internal openings, maintain a strong network of contacts within the organization so you can learn about vacant roles. Make sure your network includes individuals outside your department and at different levels of responsibility. Speak to your manager about specific positions that interest you; he or she can help you learn more about the job or provide support for your campaign. More reporting When finances are tight, managers need to take a closer look at how money is being spent. Don't be surprised if you're asked to provide detailed reports on how many hours a project takes and the cost involved. By carefully tracking that information, you'll be prepared should your boss request it. Also, look for ways to save the firm money or improve efficiencies. Being proactive with these types of recommendations will show your manager that you have a big-picture mind-set. Fewer perks Whether it's scaled-down celebrations, smaller bonuses or an end to free doughnuts on Monday, don't be surprised if some of the perks your firm has traditionally offered are sacrificed in an effort to reduce costs. Even if you've grown accustomed to these extras, don't let the changes negatively affect your mood. Understand that sacrifices need to be made in order to ride out this economic storm. Layoffs The unfortunate reality is that some businesses may need to let people go. No one wants to think about that possibility, but you should be prepared nonetheless, especially if you know that your firm is struggling. Make sure your résumé is current, noting how you've added value to your company, and increase your networking activities so you're ready should you find yourself suddenly forced to find a new position. The current recession poses a number of challenges for not only job seekers but also those who are employed. Keep in mind, though, that the economic downturn can also present you with opportunity. Changes made within your organization may allow you to build marketable skills, take on new assignments or even prepare for future advancement. And by being flexible and open-minded, you'll demonstrate your ability to deal with any hurdle that comes your way. Robert Half International Inc. is the world's first and largest specialized staffing firm with a global network of more than 360 offices worldwide. For more information about our professional services, please visit http://www.rhi.com/. </div> <div>Search more than 100,000 Jobs by <a href="http://jobs.careerbuilder.com/JobSeeker/Jobs/JobResults.aspx?SB%3Asbkw=&SB%3As_freeloc=&SB%3Asbfr=30&sbsbmt=Find+Jobs+%C2%BB&lr=cbrockl&cid=US&excrit=QID%3DA3852768340946%3Bst%3DA%3Buse%3DALL%3BCID%3DUS%3BSID%3D%3F%3BTID%3D0%3BENR%3DNO%3BDTP%3DDRNS%3BYDI%3DYES%3BIND%3DALL%3BPDQ%3DAll%3BPDQ%3DAll%3BPAYL%3D0%3BPAYH%3DGT120%3BPOY%3DNO%3BETD%3DALL%3BRE%3DALL%3BMGT%3DDC%3BSUP%3DDC%3BFRE%3D1%3BCHL%3DAL%3BQS%3DSID_UNKNOWN%3BSS%3DNO%3BTITL%3D0%3BOB%3D-modifiedint%3BJQT%3DRAD%3BJDV%3DFalse&IPath=ILM">CLICKING HERE!</a> </div>

Handling a Recession's Effect on Your Career

Handling a Recession's Effect on Your Career by Robert Half International In a recession, one thing is certain: Change is coming, especi...

No Degree? - 7 ways to sell your experience

6:00 AM Anonymous 0

<a href="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/4v/ar5c47968xf74qldq04v.gif"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/4v/ar5c47968xf74qldq04v.gif" style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> <div>No Degree? - 7 ways to sell your experience by Rachel Zupek, CareerBuilder.com writer Becky Blanton, 53, has worked for five major media companies, been an assistant advertising director for a Fortune 500 company and owned her own newspaper. She's also currently writing a book called "Staying Hungry: The Official Guide for Never Settling for What Life Puts on Your Plate," about grit, determination and perseverance. With such an impressive career backdrop, you might be thinking Blanton's educational background is equally impressive. Though she has some college education under her belt, Blanton doesn't have her college degree. She does everything she can to gain experience by attending conferences, workshops, seminars and job training classes and shadowing friends at work. Blanton is not alone in lacking a college degree. In 2007, 46.6 percent of the labor force had less than a high school diploma and 69.9 percent had no college degree, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. While getting an education is certainly important, many people argue that it's not the degree that's important; it's what you learn and how you apply it. "There are many myths about what a degree can do for you," says John Murphy, author of "Success Without a College Degree." "Too many college grads depend on the promise that their degree is a 'golden ticket.' Employers know that vague degrees, such as English literature, humanities, sociology and liberal arts have little to do with the practical world. The things that get jobs have more to do with attitude, first impressions and experience than a diploma." Blanton agrees that a diploma is not the most important thing to an employer. She says that not having her degree has never been a disadvantage. "I have only been turned down from one job because of a lack of a degree and that was teaching journalism at a college," Blanton says. "Experience, not education levels, is what employers are after. They want to know you can do the job. I had to work a little harder, learn a little more and go the extra mile to show employers I could do the job. I learned the people skills, attitude and job skills to succeed and didn't rest on my 'I have a degree' laurels that so many people do." If you don't have a degree and you're looking for ways to land a job in spite of it, here are some tips on how you can sell your experience, regardless of your education. 1. Be a problem solver "Millions [of people] graduate with vague degrees that only attest to one's ability to read books and take tests, but not necessarily solve problems," Murphy says. "Industry experience conveys that you can solve problems for an employer right away or with little learning curve. Examine your experience and spell out how you helped solve problems, any problems. Competitors with degrees won't be able to compare." 2. Tell your 'Rocky' story "Not having an impressive academic pedigree -- or any degree at all -- can be a plus if you've found a way to succeed to this point without one," says Sean O'Neil, principal of One to One Leadership, a sales and management training and recruitment company. "The more you can demonstrate a history of success relative to more pedigreed peers the better. You can paint yourself as a self-made professional, as compared with the silver-spoon Ivy Leaguer who had all the odds in their favor." 3. Be open to education "Many companies have favorable back-to-school plans for their employees. If you're speaking with a prospective employer that places a large emphasis on academics, you might want to indicate a desire to take advantage of their plan," O'Neil says. "Demonstrating a desire to make up any gaps in your résumé while on the job might just tip the scales in your favor." 4. Don't make it a big deal "Don't make it such a big deal and it just might not be," says Bill Gaffney of the Amaxa Group, a recruiting and coaching company. "If it is an impediment to you, then you are going to reflect that when you talk with the company. There are really very few companies where the degree will stop [someone] from hiring a person if they are the best out there." 5. Focus on achievements over education "If you don't have a degree, it's very important for you to shine in every other aspect of your résumé," says Cathy Severson, career counselor and owner of Retirement Life Matters. "Don't settle for a list of tasks, but really demonstrate how you can do the job better than anyone else can. The best way is to do this is by providing concrete evidence of how you have excelled at similar tasks in the past through accomplishments." 6. Prepare your success stories "For the interview, prepare several stories of success that showcase how you have accomplished tasks similar to others who possess a degree," says Barbara Safani of Career Solvers. If you are a sales professional, for example, focus on how you exceeded your sales targets and have done as well as or better than your colleagues. If you are an accountant, prove how you have uncovered errors and recouped money for the company -- despite the fact that you didn't formally study accounting. If you are a high school graduate competing against a recent college graduate, talk about the experience you have garnered in part-time or summer jobs or full-time jobs you had while others your age were at college, she says. 7. Create a combination résumé "The most important task is to market your key skills and accomplishments to the employer by creating a résumé that focuses on your contributions to your previous employers and your experience that is most relevant to the position for which you are applying," says Winifred Winston, certified professional résumé writer. "By creating a combination résumé that lists your relevant skills and experience first, you are sure to capture the hiring manager's attention. You initially want the employer to be able to fold your document in half and just by reading the top portion they know you are someone they should contact to schedule an interview. Does that top portion list education? Not necessarily." Rachel Zupek is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com. She researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues. </div> <div>Search more than 100,000 Jobs by <a href="http://jobs.careerbuilder.com/JobSeeker/Jobs/JobResults.aspx?SB%3Asbkw=&SB%3As_freeloc=&SB%3Asbfr=30&sbsbmt=Find+Jobs+%C2%BB&lr=cbrockl&cid=US&excrit=QID%3DA3852768340946%3Bst%3DA%3Buse%3DALL%3BCID%3DUS%3BSID%3D%3F%3BTID%3D0%3BENR%3DNO%3BDTP%3DDRNS%3BYDI%3DYES%3BIND%3DALL%3BPDQ%3DAll%3BPDQ%3DAll%3BPAYL%3D0%3BPAYH%3DGT120%3BPOY%3DNO%3BETD%3DALL%3BRE%3DALL%3BMGT%3DDC%3BSUP%3DDC%3BFRE%3D1%3BCHL%3DAL%3BQS%3DSID_UNKNOWN%3BSS%3DNO%3BTITL%3D0%3BOB%3D-modifiedint%3BJQT%3DRAD%3BJDV%3DFalse&IPath=ILM">CLICKING HERE!</a> </div>