Effectiveness Tip of the Week via email from the folks at FranklinCovey

Push Pause

You’ve put in 8+ hours at the office; attended a PTA meeting, soccer practice, and/or a doctor’s appointment; and now you’re in the midst of helping with homework, feeding the dog, and clearing out the answering machine. It’s high time for a time-out. A walk? A movie?

Now—before you scoff at the notion and claim it would take a sheer miracle to find extra time for that time-out, realize that it is well worth it. Taking a moment to yourself reduces stress and leaves you refreshed and focused, not irritable and distracted. You’ll feel better and have a fresh outlook to tackle all the tasks that are waiting for you. A few tips:

• Your time-out doesn’t have to be something big. Sit on the porch and enjoy a lemonade, take a small hike, or lounge on the couch with a magazine.
• If evenings are hectic, try waking up 30 minutes earlier to soak in the tub, walk the dog, or savor a warm drink.
• Do not get distracted. If your family is around, tell them they’re in charge of answering the door, the phone, and that, unless it’s an emergency, you’re off duty for a few minutes.

Pushing pause for a personal time-out—rewind and try it again!

Make Looking for a Job Your Full-Time Job: Set Goals

I need to do this. Sometimes I just need a simple goal, especially if I'm feeling down, to shower and get dressed for the day.

Employers cracking down on Net abusers

LONDON -- Sending inappropriate e-mails and using the Internet during working hours is likely to result in dismissal or suspension of offending staff in almost of half the cases, according to a survey carried out on behalf of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), a professional body for the Human Resources industry.

Be careful out there, people.

Downtowning

Greetings from the Dayton Metro Library! I'm going to head over to ActiveDayton.com to look for bars in the Dayton area, and then narrow it down to those here in downtown.

The Plan

I'm going to spend some time walking the streets of downtown Dayton this afternoon, applying for bartending jobs. I'll provide an update later.

Another job search blog

Welcome to the blogosphere... the blog simply titled "job search." The opening post states:

Hmmm, thought I'd take this opportunity to try public blogging. Who knows, someone could find this and decided to hire me!

You're in good company, my friend!

Found on Blogger's list of most recently updated blogs.

How to tap retirement money early -- and minimize penalties

So, say you've been out of work for a long time, and you find that you have more month left over at the end of the money.

Well, I was just browsing around Laid Off Central and found the link to this article from MoneyCentral. I've included it here because our family may be looking at something like this ourselves.

Laid Off Central

From the front page:

When you get laid off, it's often abrupt and sudden. Maybe you'd like to see who else got laid off. Or see if any ex-employees have job leads for you. Or keep in touch by finding lost ex-coworkers names, numbers, and emails who you might not have swapped information with before your CEO gave you the extended vacation.

Registration is free.

What Do Recruiting Professionals Read?

Well, this blog, among other things, apparently. I just noticed it among a list of blogs mentioned in one of two recent articles about blogging:

• Blogs I
• Blogs II

You could also go to the main page.

Among the list of blogs are some familiar ones to me, along with some other ones that are not so familiar.

8 million workers may lose OT pay under new rules

I just read the article, and I am trying to figure out how this would be good for the economy. I can't seem to see it.

Online Forms Call for Strategy on Salary Question

I've experienced it. If you've filled out an online application to a company, you've probably experienced it, too. The application will not budge unless you specify your salary requirements and/or history. Nearly all job hunters have been advised to leave this question as one of the last ones to be answered; i.e., to talk about it once you've been offered the job.

This article, again from The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, offers some strategic help.

O Captain, My Captain!

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel recently carried an article entitled "How to Hunt for a New Job in An Uncertain World." When I began reading it, I felt a little dismayed. I'm glad I continued reading, however. The opening negative sentiments were just to get our attention.

The overall theme of this article can be summed up in this quote from William Ernest Henley:

"I am the master of my fate; I am the captain of my soul.", via QuotesBlog

I also provided some comments about this in a post from 9 September 2002, entitled "Be Proactive."

Another Addition to the Blogroll: NurseTown.com

NurseTown.com purports to be "the best place to find nursing jobs. You will find not only hospital jobs but nursing employment opportunities of all kinds." This portal is available for job seekers and employers.

Thanks to Conrad for the link.

New to the Blogroll: SeniorSuccess.net

Senior Success is a non-profit organization with a focus on helping those over 50 re-career or find a job. Give them a look-see!

Thanks to Bill for the link.

Have the right perspective

"Anyone who sees in his own occupation merely a means of earning money degrades it; but he that sees in it a service to mankind ennobles both his labor and himself." -- A. Lawrence Lowell, also posted at QuotesBlog

More Job Changes I received this email from a friend and brother in Christ who drives a truck for a living. He periodically sends out broadcast updates. The latest is below:

Hi there, brothers/sisters!

I have some changes going on. After some advice from brothers online, I decided to change to another company. The reasons:

• Opportunity. This company will allow me to deliver refridgerated items (can't with Werner). Plus, I will be able to deliver to Canada!
• Income. By doing so, I will make more per mile than now.
• New business. After 30 days with this company, I can lease my own truck, and make far more, as an Independent Contractor (aka Small-Business Owner).
• Downside. Yes, there is one. Because of the expenses while running my own business, I will be driving 48-state for at least a couple years.

So, I will be home for several days starting around the 4th, switching from one job to another. I pray God gives you more job opportunities also!

Todd

Welcome to Dano!

This is the first post of Get That Job! in the new Blogger. Anything look different from the published side?

Learning by drinking

Rasmus gives us a little more insight on what the welfare system in Denmark is like. It's true: alcohol is a truth serum.

New to the blogroll: emblog

I found this fellow in my referrer logs, so I had to check him out. We job hunting information junkies need to stick together. Let me see whether an RSS feed is availiable (hold on a sec). Yes, the URL is http://dijest.com/emblog/rss.xml, so update your news aggregators! (I'm waiting for Amphetadesk to load as we type this.).

Seeking to relocate? Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania may be the place. Phil reports that Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania is experiencing a labor shortage and are needing to rely on immigrants. A specific quote: "Americans who complain about immigration do not know what Pittsburgh knows: We still need immigrants. Always will."

5 Ways the Tax Code Can Help You in a Layoff

From MSN Money, this looks like a good article. Haven't read it. Yet.

Tech Thursday Wrap Up

I went to Buffalo Wild Wings this evening (Thursday - haven't gone to bed yet) for the Tech Thursday event put on by the Greater Dayton IT Alliance. The restaurant had recently installed a wireless networking system (I don't know the tech term for it.), and we all wanted to see what it was like.

I was impressed. There were approximately 20 laptops connected, and the speed was 1 MB per second! I showed one of the guys my fotolog as a test of a page with some pictures. It downloaded in a fraction of a second. Pretty cool stuff.

I also met some other folks who are looking for work. One guy pointed me to LinksToJobs.com: the single job posting source for Cincinnati, Dayton, and Columbus, Ohio! I've added it to the link roll, where it should be aptly put.

Actually, I headed over to the bar and picked up an NTN game player. The guy who sat down next to me was an unemployed CFO - Chief Financial Officer. I suppose there's not a big demand for folks fitting that job description in the Dayton area, huh?

Enjoy What You Do

I received this email from a friend, who drives a truck across the country for a living.

Another week down, and I hope all dads had a wonderful day Sunday. I am in Las Vegas for a few days of rest & relaxation with my brother, sister-in-law, and friends from church! For instance, I saw The Strip, Hoover Dam, and with some singles here, ate sushi! Gamble? Nope. I may make good money, but gambling will lose it.

My trips for the week... Roanoke VA to Des Moines IA and Roseville MN (mail), Roseville MN to Denver CO (plastic drop covers), Fort Collins CO to Las Vegas NV (Budweiser beer).

Anyway, I pray you all find joy in something you do. Why do something just for money, when you can find a job that both pays AND makes you happy? I understand some may have a job simply to make money, and if so, enjoy it!

Wit, Charm and Talent Can Make You Money

So says this article. It appears that some companies are conducting "spirit training" among their employees. For example, Song, the new low-cost startup from Delta Air Lines, hired one aspiring flight attendant only after he "belted out a 15-minute rendition of 'Mustang Sally'."

I can see where this is a pretty good idea for some companies, but I wouldn't expect anything like this to be the case for a bank. Read more of the article to see what Bank of America is doing.

Wings & Wireless - Casual Networking Event via email from the Greater Dayton IT Alliance

This month's Tech Thursday casual networking event will be held at a special location, Buffalo Wild Wings in Sugarcreek, to highlight the new wireless capabilities, so bring your laptops!

Don't have a Wireless Card or a Laptop? Both 802.11a and 802.11b cards and Laptops will be available for use.

More Details:
When: Thursday, June 19, 2003 from 5PM to 7PM
Where:

Buffalo Wild Wings
6210 Wilmington Pike
Centerville, Ohio 45459-7019
map

Job Hunting Success!

Congrats to Victor Lams on his new job!

Bush Vows 'Better Days' for Job-Hunters

From the White House AP wire:

President Bush promised "better days ahead" for young job-hunters on Tuesday and promoted his administration's efforts to train workers for industries that are expanding. read more...

Dan Johnson, Certified Mixologist posted at Journey Inside My Mind

I did it!

Effectiveness Tip of the Week via email from FranklinCovey.com

Me, Inc. A wise investment.

Up and down, up and down. Does your life seem like a volatile stock market these days? Some weeks you are on an upward climb, full of energy and ambition, while other weeks you spiral into a dive waiting for that inevitable crash. Pssst...Want some "insider" advice? Invest in yourself! Consider this analysis:

• Personal Portoflio: Your personal investments are divided into four areas: physical, social/emotional, mental, and spiritual.
• Weekly Investing: Choose a weekly goal for each area and record them in your planning system. Examples: Exercise three times a week (physical). Call a long-lost friend (social/emotional). Write in a journal (mental). Meditate or pray (spiritual). Be sure to schedule an appointment with yourself for each goal.
  Return on Investment: You'll be an IPO (Incredible Personal Offering!) at home, work, or in other relationships. It's a trade you'll be glad you made!

So, Wait -- I Didn't Get the Job?

Reuters reports: "A note to all job seekers: you know that your employment interview did not go well when your prospective boss calls the police in to arrest you." read more...

Something similar happened to a neighbor of mine when I was growing up. This young man and his crew went to a convenience store to case the place, and they filled out employment applications. Some time later they returned to rob it.

The manager simply had to pull their applications in order to supply the police with the information they needed to track down the suspects.

So, let's be smart out there, as we apply for jobs, okay? :D

Get Ready for... Speed Networking!

Learn how to network with 25 people in four minutes. Well, something like that. read more...

Testing: 1, 2, 3, etc.

As more job seekers apply for fewer job openings, recruiters are asking tougher (and trickier) interview questions to find top talent. I've actually seen this practice in blue collar-type jobs for which a lot of competition exists. In one company I did some contracting work for, if you failed the screening process at any point, you were not allowed to come back at a later time to reapply. read more...

The hunt for 'Plan B' careers

Who said work can't be fun? In a tight job market, many job seekers are taking the plunge and trying to cash in on their pastime passions? The Christian Science Monitor reports that many people are turning their hobbies into full-time work. read more...

How would you describe your personality?

This article from MSN Careers explains why interviewers ask this question and how you can prepare to answer it effectively:

Interviewers ask this question for a couple of reasons: to hear where you place the emphasis in your description and to see how quickly and creatively you can think on the spot. Don't give the interviewer the same old answers everybody else gives. Think about new ways to get your message across and sell yourself. read more...

Emode.com: Career Tests

The Second Interview: Correct Past Mistakes

"When you are invited to a second interview, it's a golden chance to correct any mistakes you may have made during your first interview." read more...

Jobs Squeeze for Indian Workers

"U.S. companies such as IBM, Intel, Hewlett-Packard, Oracle and PeopleSoft are already exploring countries with even cheaper sources of technical labor, says a report from research firm IDC. The new destinations include Romania, Russia, Hungary, the Czech Republic, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

"As a result, India, which some have blamed for the loss of American jobs, may soon lose jobs itself." read more...

Tech Thursday Once More

Didn't I just say that?

Okay, folks, I got an email from the Greater Dayton IT Alliance (GDITA) announcing their Tech Thursday event for June:

Tech Thursday - Special Location

Wings & Wireless

This Month Tech Thursday will be held at Buffalo Wild Wings in Sugarcreek to highlight the new wireless capabilities, so bring your laptops!

Thursday June 19, 2003

Buffalo Wild Wings

6210 Wilmington Pike

5:00-7:00PM

There you have it. Also, you may want to check out their Job Postings Site.

Tech Thursday - Casual Networking Event

The Greater Dayton IT Alliance announced last month that they were having this event at a local bar. Unfortunately, I haven't been keeping up with these announcements. But, I'll be looking for a future email to see if a similar event is planned for this month.

Answers to Technical Interview Questions

"William Poundstone recently published a book on techinical interview questions. It covers everything from the specific puzzles and how to answer them to whether or not these questions are any good in the first place."

This link comes via Joel Spolsky, one of the people interviewed for the book.

A New Remedy for the Economic Blues - Hugging

"A middle-aged holy woman from India has come up with a remedy for Japan's economic blues that has escaped even the most astute politician -- give everyone a hug." read more...

"I will not play tug-o-war
I'd rather play hug-o-war."
-- Shel Silverstein

WHIO News Special Report

This week on Miami Valley's Morning News... Finding a job might be tougher than you think. The Dayton Job Market: Is There Help Wanted?
Listen from 5am-9am Eastern Time on 1290 AM WHIO in Dayton, Ohio. You can also listen live from around the world.