oddtodd.com - No Nothing Productions

oddtodd.com - No Nothing Productions

Feeling down about your job search? Go to oddtodd.com and watch all the cartoons. That's okay. I'll wait...

Finished? Okay, then, what'd you think? Funny, right? Hilarious!

As Jane, whose comments are found at Jenny's blog, puts it:

Laugh heartily. Feel less depressed about being unemployed. Then figure out how to make a living doing what you love...Go for it! Odd Todd is living off his Web site and even has a book deal. He's fulfilling his dream of being a cartoonist, thanks to being laid off!

So, there's hope in the midst of being unemployed! Now, stick around here and see if there's anything else you might find that can help you on your journey (wait a minute... that's a different blog.).

Organize Your Messy Desk

Ian's Messy Desk shows you how.

Access thousands of tech job listings in ZDNet's Career Center.

Sure the door may be closing now, but...

I found my way over to Jenny's blog and found out that she, among many others, has lost her job. I can't help but feel compassion and empathy (are those the same thing?). That is why I started this blog. Let me encourage you to share this blog with anyone whom you think would benefit from it.

And, if anyone from over at Jenny's blog has come by to visit, welcome.

Wired News | Latest E-Sign of a Lousy Job Market

Mercy! A group of laid-off former employees are auctioning their talents on eBay. That sounds a bit radical to me. There are other, more proven, methods of finding a job, I believe, when you take a look around here.

Oh yeah, and if you wanna read that article, here's another link to it.

Get Over Getting Mad

This article from MSN Careers has some ways of constructively dealing with anger and frustration. God knows I need help with this myself. Read on...

And speaking of networking...

... this is a fantastic article about how to become a natural networker!

CareerJournal.com -- The premier executive career site from The Wall Street Journal

Chock full of lots of job hunting advice, including one section that is sure to become one of my favorites: the networking section

paradox1x | For Job Hunters, Stability Is The Thing

Interesting post from Karl. What do you think about it?

5 stupid things to say when firing someone

This is a very good article.

Clearly, there is no easy or right time to fire anyone. But that doesn't mean you must be harsh or unfeeling. Do not rush into a termination meeting just to get it over with. Think it through. Put yourself in the employee's shoes.

The more candid and respectful you can be, the less pain you will cause. And the more respect you might get back.

'Nuff said.

CareerFile - A Dayton Ohio Community Site

See what happens when you Google "Dayton Ohio Community"? Not quite what I had expected, but okay.

WetFeet.com | Careers For Creative Types

"There are plenty of careers out there that will allow you to exercise your creative muscle and earn a steady paycheck in the process." Read more...

Between Jobs? Don't Let It Get You Down

Dude, but it's been so long! Here's a teaser to Carol Kleiman's article, which you'll want to check out:

"Now is the time to consider (whether) you want to stay in the same industry, line of work or job function," Smith said. "This is the time to further your education, to get more involved in professional organizations and stay involved with people. Don't sit at home." Alright then, take me there...

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

The Productivity Pyramid

Four servings of values, six servings of goals, a healthy dose of weekly planning, and a big bite of daily planning. Sounds like a lot to chew when it comes to a nutritious productivity pyramid, right? However, spending time in each of the four pyramid steps will keep your life at a healthy balance. A few tips:

• Identify Values: What do you value? Loyalty, adventure, freedom?
• Set Goals: Write it down, give it a deadline, make it doable, commit.
• Plan Weekly: Review roles, choose areas of focus, schedule the week.
• Plan Daily: Check today's appointments, make a realistic list, prioritize (ABC, 123)

Now, if you'll excuse me. I've got some planning to do myself.

Forbes.com: My Job, Myself, My Problem?

This article by Joanne Gordon has some links to an online survey about job satisfaction.

Here's the gist: Of 1,100 people from 1,004 companies with 500 or more employees, 55% described their work in negative terms--using phrases such as exhausted, confused and unsupported. A full third felt "intensely negative." Say what?

BBC NEWS | Technology | Women spurning tech jobs

Making sure women stay in technology jobs is as important as persuading girls to pursue such careers in the first place.

This was the view of a succession of speakers at the third annual Women in Information Technology conference held in London on Wednesday. Okay, I'm interested...

Office surfers may face wipeout - Tech News - CNET.com

Be careful out there...

WetFeet.com > Interviews: Turn Your Weaknesses into Strengths

Sometimes interviewers will ask you questions that require you to look at your weaker traits. Find out how to come back with answers that will make you shine. Take me there...

Find your local Chamber of Commerce

Whether traveling or relocating, Chambers are powerful resources for community information. Scanning the membership directory of your local chamber of commerce via the Internet or at your local public library is one way to get to small businesses, which tend to lead the curve on hiring following a recession. Additionally, because they are more nimble, small companies are faster to ramp up or down.

So, why not find your local Chamber of Commerce? The U.S. Chamber of Commerce: Chamber Member Directory Search Page has a map of all 50 US states and links to International Chambers of Commerce.

HotJobs - 10 Important Job Trends for 2003

"So with news of such massive layoffs, one would think this is neither the time nor the place to look for a job. However, inside this dark unemployment cloud there are actually some areas in the market that are expanding and hiring." more...

MSN Careers - Call Your References

MSN Careers reminds us that having a great reference list is one thing, but keeping in touch with them throughout your job search is another. Specifically,

So you've got your list of references, and they're all super. They're people you've worked with, who know how well you've performed and are willing to talk to prospective employers. But when was the last time you talked to them?more...

Employment opportunities and resumes, via the Greater Dayton IT Alliance

Greater Dayton IT Alliance - Annual Meeting

According to the meeting notice, this is "the place to see and be seen, network with your peers in the Dayton Technology Community."

The meeting is from 5-7 PM on Tuesday, January 28, 2003 at the Dayton Convention Center.

Please check the meeting notice for more important information.

Effectiveness Tip of the Week via the folks at FranklinCovey:
First, some Quotes:

• "Learn to say no. It will be of far more use to you than to be able to read Latin." -- Charles Haddon Spurgeon
• "A 'no' uttered from the deepest conviction is better than a 'yes' merely uttered to please, or what is worse, to avoid trouble." -- Mahatma Ghandi
• "When your daily activities are in concert with your highest priorities, you have a credible claim to inner peace." -- Hyrum Smith

No Thank You

No. Nicht. Nulle. No matter how it comes out, saying "no" isn't always easy. Project overload, interruptions, and demanding coworkers can make it tough to speak this language. Remember, you have a right to say no... graciously but firmly. If you respond evasively, you'll build false expectations. Saying no takes practice. Here are some phrases that might help:

• "I have so much on my plate now that I don't know when I can get to it. But I do know someone over here who can help you now."
• "Sure, I can help you with your request as long as we both understand that what I agreed to do for you yesterday might be delayed."
• "Thanks for thinking about me, but no thanks."
• "I won't be able to do it until tomorrow, but I could provide you with some resources that might help you do it today."

MSN Careers | Lifetime Career in IT: Is it Possible?

And now, for an interesting article from MSN Careers... Bottom line, IMHO: I agree with what one individual's comments that the key to longevity in an IT career is taking personal responsibility for your own career path. This means keeping yourself retooled as necessary, whether the company pays for it or not.

Encarta eLearning Center | Five Hottest Career Tracks

"A recent report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics identified fields with the most job openings for applicants holding bachelor's or associate's degrees." They are

1. Nursing
2. Management
3. Teaching
4. Information Technology
5. Accounting

Now, go read the article...

Question

Does anyone know where someone can get free training in a programming language like Java or XML?

WetFeet.com | Technology and Internet Channel

Industry and career profiles, portraits of real people in technology & the Internet, IT certification information, advice on resumes and interviewing, and more! Go there>>

MSN Careers | Interviewing

This page includes links to over 30 different articles about interviewing. Read more...

MSN Careers - The Ten Worst Mistakes Career Changers Make

Barbara Reinhold writes: "Changing careers is never easy. Half the world thinks you've lost your mind, headhunters say you'll never work again and your mother-in-law steps up the old 'I told you so' routine. But for many burned-out, bored or multitalented folks who are sitting on skills they're not getting a chance to use, changing fields is the only way to keep from losing their marbles." Regardless of your career change strategy, you'll want to watch out for these potential pitfalls. Read more...

Jobs That Suck

Chris lists some jobs he'd "just as soon forget."

Job Searching Could Pay Off in Bush Plan

President Bush has proposed spending $3.6 billion over two years for states to create "re-employment accounts" of up to $3,000 for about 1.2 million people collecting unemployment compensation who are having difficulty finding jobs. The money could be used to pay the costs of looking for work, such as job training, transportation, child care and moving expenses.

Four Tips for Better Communication

Is Your Boss a Difficult Person?

Effectiveness Tip of the Week via an email from the good folks at FranklinCovey:

Resolve to Real Productivity

On January 1, millions of Americans took part in the annual ritual of setting New Year's resolutions. According to a recent FranklinCovey survey, statistics show that by February 1, most of these resolutions will have failed and the people who set them will have fallen back into the same habits they tried to eliminate just one month earlier. However, statistics also show that setting realistic goals, adopting a plan of action and sticking to that plan can be the deciding factor in the ability to successfully achieve a goal.

According to the study:

• 78% of successfully achieved goals had plans.
• 84% of goals were successfully achieved within the original plan

Wetfeet.com Job Search Advice

Since things aren't much easier in the job market, you'll want to get as much of an edge as possible to land the job you want. Wetfeet.com's Job Search 101 Insider guides cover everything from how to develop approach and cover letters to saying the right -- and avoiding the wrong --things over the phone and in your interviews:

• Job Search 101: Communicating Effectively
• Job Search 101: Networking, Interviewing, and Getting the Offer

Also, check out these articles on Job Hunting Strategies, which offer "fresh insights to cure the job search blues."

Online job sites swamp employers with resumes-study

Reuters reports on a study done by a Vermont-based staffing agency. It basically concludes that "the relative ease of applying online is now job seekers' greatest obstacle, since their resumes may be lost in the crowd."

This is more reason not to rely solely on Internet job posting sites to conduct your job search. Dick Bolles, the author of What Color Is Your Parachute?, has some excellent stuff with respect to Job-Listing web sites, including "The Fairy Godmother Report on Job-Listing Sites".

Details of Unemployment Bill

"President Bush signed legislation Wednesday extending the federal emergency unemployment program for an additional five months at a cost of $7.25 billion. Here are some details and background..."

Bush Signs Jobless Benefit Extension Bill

"WASHINGTON - President Bush (news - web sites) signed hastily passed legislation Wednesday extending unemployment benefits for 2.5 million victims of a weak economy, the first accomplishment of a new, Republican-controlled Congress." Read more...

Jobless help gets support

"Both advocates for the unemployed and conservative think tanks are giving high marks to the Bush administration's novel idea to give certain jobless workers up to $3,000 to help with expenses, saying it offers a valuable financial boost as long-term unemployment rates climb." read more...

Fortune.com - Best Companies to Work For

This list also includes links to find the right company for you, 10 great companies in Europe, oddest jobs, how companies satisfy workers, etc. read more...

MSN Careers - Articles

MSN Careers has some interesting articles worth a read - at least:

• You Can Survive the Behavioral Interview"
• Job Stress Management Tips to Start Today

BusinessWeek online | Hiring Outlook '03

"Companies are upgrading their workforces and bringing on better people. But they're being very selective. They want the A-players..." Part One

"Our most forward-thinking clients realize that we're in a ceasefire in the war for talent. They're building up their bench..." Part Two

Working in IT

Might as well bookmark it. Might want to come back later. Yeah, I might.

Tech skills the ticket to best jobs

"Is technology creating a "class system" among America's workforce — of haves (tech savvy and continually learning new skills), have-nots (unskilled) and people somewhere in between?"

Also, HR pros recognize two related workforce trends showing that technology skills are becoming increasingly more important among all professions, not just the rebounding tech industry:

• "People are changing careers more frequently than in the past, and tech skills are enabling them to do this more successfully.
• Greater numbers of people are becoming independent contractors, as businesses outsource more work, and being at the top of their game technology-wise enhances their chances of having steady work."

The article also lists Tech skills in demand, along with advice on what you can do as a job seeker in this environment. A must read! read more...

Great Free Courses from Barnes & Noble University

Barnes & Noble University features free courses on everything from great literature to business skills. Pick a class and start learning today!

Effectiveness Tip of the Week from the folks at FranklinCovey:

What is Your Plan for 2003?

Come on, we all make New Year's resolutions. But come February, most of us say, "Ah, forget it. Maybe next year!" Ringing in the New Year means ringing in 365 new days that are full of possibilities. Make the most of the next twelve months by effectively setting goals and proactively acting upon them. Tear up those traditional New Year's resolutions and try these tips:

• Re-evaluate your New Year's resolutions: Do yourself a favor and rewrite them. If they aren't related to a principle or a value you believe strongly in, take them off your list.
• Don't lose control: Don't let your goals control your life by making you feel guilty or overwhelmed. Turn them into a framework to explore your own creativity.
• Measure up: Set clear and definite goals with quantifiable standards to measure them against.
• Aim to Achieve: A new planner, a motivational training course, and software to keep it all together... arm yourself with the tools needed to achieve your goals.

365 days to achieve your goals-- how's that for no excuses?

New Year's Resolutions for Your Job Search: I Will Not Let Rejection Slow My Search

MSN Careers | Interview Cheat Sheet

"Relax -- a cheat sheet is not really cheating. It's a checklist to make sure you stay focused before, during and after the interview..." more...

Bush to Unveil Economic-Stimulus Package

The Associated Press reports that President George W. Bush said he will unveil an economic stimulus package next week:

Aides have said in recent days that the president has not yet approved any new economic stimulus plan, and Bush gave few clues about what the package will contain. He made plain, though, that its primary focus will be to create jobs.

"What I'm worried about is job creation, and I'm worried about those who are unemployed," he said.