Spending for New Employment

There are lots of people desperately looking for jobs in today’s economy. The really serious job seekers work harder at finding a job, than they have ever had to work when they had employment. They wake up every day, grab the newspaper or get online and start sending out resumes. They choose their desired category of work first, but when they have been unemployed for a long time, they start to apply for positions that they are over-qualified for, under-qualified for, and that they don’t view as a career choice “but at least it’s a paycheck coming in”. They may send as many as thirty resumes in one day! They also seek out job fairs to attend. A job fair is a great way for you to personally hand your resume to lots of different companies in one day and have some face-to-face contact with companies who are actually hiring. But with the high unemployment rates we are dealing with today, call backs are few and far between and this becomes very frustrating and depressing to job seekers. After all, there are hundreds of applicants all applying for the same position and you have to figure out how to set yourself apart from all the others.

Have you ever heard the expression, “Sometimes, in order to make money, you have to spend money.”? This concept fits the unemployment market today, but I’m not sure that job seekers, pardon the pun, are “buying” into it. I know plenty of unemployed people who are spending money going to the movies and out to dinner, but they say that they “can’t afford” spend money on things that can actually increase their chances of landing that dream job, because well, they are unemployed and don’t have the extra money to spend. And that totally makes sense to me. But I’m thinking that maybe there should be less money spent on “fun” and more on career enhancing items. Like what, you ask? Here are a few suggestions:

1. Hire a career coach. You might need someone to help with resume and cover letter writing. Your resume and cover letter need to be AWESOME just to get completely read through. Did you know that if your resume has misspelled words in it or grammatically incorrect phrases, MOST hiring executives toss it in the trash? And don’t think that spell check catches everything; it does not. Your resume will not be read if it is too long and wordy, but if it is too short and succinct, you aren’t well represented. Career coaches also help you with goals assessment, interviewing skills, job search skills, selling your skills, researching a company BEFORE you go to the interview and lots of other things. Check out http://iampossibledreams.net/. This is the website of our on-staff career coach, Vince Ebata.

2. Take classes to gain skills and/or learn new skills.

For example, take a class to learn how to use EXCEL. Maybe you already know how, but could take a more advanced class to become proficient. Many employers require employees to be PROFICIENT in Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Access, Outlook and other software programs. What if you are a baby boomer who has suddenly and unexpectedly found yourself on the wrong end of a lay off after working for the same company for 30 years? Maybe it’s time to learn a new skill and do something different. Have you thought of turning your hobby into a career? There are so many organizations, technical schools, community colleges and Universities that offer certification programs in so many things that most of us consider fun or interesting, and those things can be turned into prospective employment. Some examples are auto mechanics, photography, cooking, graphic design and Rutgers University even has a Professional Golf Turf Management School that has a two-year certification program! The possibilities are endless, but may require some research. Both of my nieces put their Bachelor degree programs on hold for one year to get certifications; one became a pharmacy technician, the other an esthetician. Because of this, they were able to get GREAT PAYING part-time work while finishing up their bachelor degrees. The one who became the pharmacy tech, graduated with high honors with her bachelors in Art History. Know what she does now? She’s a full time pharmacy tech…and that program only took her a year to complete. Think you can’t afford to pay for school? There are all kinds of financial aid available from loans to grants. You just have to do some research or talk to the financial aid office at the school where you want to attend.

3. Invest in Video/Interactive Resume Cards, if you really want your resume to stand out.

What’s that, you ask? It is a small cd/disk that hiring managers place in the cd drive of their computer. It can be designed however you like. It can contain a short video of you telling about yourself and your goals, a printable version of your resume, a link to your email address and/or the email addresses of references, a slide show presentation of your portfolio (if applicable) and many other things. There aren’t many people passing these around, so you are sure to stand out from all the others. *Note, it is not a good idea to randomly send these out in the mail, because people may fear that it contains a computer virus or computer hacking capabilities, and therefore, toss it in the trash. Only give them to people you have personally met. Check out http://www.ibc09.wordpress.com/

4. Attend networking events.

Networking events are a great way to meet business owners face to face. Sometimes these networking events are in the form of leads meetings. At a leads meeting, generally each business owner stands up and gives the entire group a short synopsis of their business and what they do. You will also get a chance to introduce yourself to the group and let them know you are visiting as a person who is seeking employment and tell a little bit about yourself. This is a great place to take your Interactive Resume Card, hold it up, quickly explain what it is, and let them know that you have them to pass around if anyone would like to see it. Most networking groups allow individuals to attend one or two times for a small fee without joining.

Life can throw many cruel and unfair circumstances at people. When that happens, a person is left with two choices: lay down and give up or fight back!! You only need to wake up tomorrow and make one decision. What are you going to do different today that will give you a chance to have the life that you desire?

5 Ways to Botch a Job Offer

After the Job Offer: What Not To Do
*Anthony Balderrama

I saw a viral video the other day on YouTube. It was of a cyclist getting very close to the end of the race and he raises his arms in excitement ... then falls off the bike. As he struggles to get back on his bike, he watches someone else cross the finish line first. How frustrating would that be? This is a real-life example of counting your chickens before they're hatched and putting the cart before the horse. Basically, make sure you've done everything you're supposed to before claiming a victory.

When you're in the final stages of landing that perfect job, keep those arms down and your brain thinking. As excited as you may be to receive a job offer, realize that you still have plenty of work to do before the first day of work. Here are five mistakes you want to avoid once the employer has extended an offer:

Not negotiating salary

Remember that many employers extend low offers with the expectation that applicants will negotiate, so don't feel pressured to accept immediately. Compensation encompasses other perks, such as vacation days, telecommuting options and flexible schedules. If you're told the salary can't be increased, don't forget to mention these other options. Also, ask the hiring manager if you can revisit salary negotiations after six months. You don't want to sign on the dotted line, only to think you didn't ask for all you could.

Showing your split personality

Every employer knows you're on your best behavior when you interview. The impeccable attire, punctuality and excitement about the position -- that all fades to some degree after you've been on the job long enough. If it shows up the day after you've been offered the job, you've just sent a parade of red flags to your new boss. This includes suddenly calling your future boss by a nickname, talking about how trashed you're going to get tonight in celebration of the job or talking about the terrible breakup you're experiencing.
Your boss can rescind an offer for a variety of reasons, so don't act as if you're a professor who's made tenure just yet. Continue to be the driven professional who was at the interviews. Let your casual side show after you've settled into the position.

Badmouthing the company in a public forum

Hopefully you haven't already grown bitter toward your new employer and don't already harbor resentment of the company for some reason. (Why take the job if you do?) But don't say "Yes!" to the job one day and run off to Twitter to express how dumb your boss is the next. Posting on Facebook that "Jessica Jones just conned her new boss into paying her way too much!" is just plain foolish.


Looking like a liar

For a past job, I was offered the position after a lengthy interview process. I thought it was weird that they never bothered to call my references even though I had gone through several rounds of tests and meeting with the team. The day I was offered the position, my references were called to verify my work history.

If you're lying about anything, especially references or salary history, you can still get caught even after you've accepted the position. In fact, many offers are contingent on all of your information checking out. You should never lie during the hiring process, but if your application has false information (whether on purpose or accident), make sure you hand the employer the proper information before you look like a liar.

Playing games

Negotiating salary is one thing; dragging your employer along is another. You have every right to think over an offer and review the terms and conditions, but people have better things to do than wait while you twiddle your thumbs. Many job offers will come with a deadline that requires you to respond within days.

One reason you might be tempted to delay giving an answer is because you have another offer you're waiting on. Choosing one over the other is hard when the situation is so uncertain, but you do need to pick one or you could end up losing both.


*This information was borrowed, but not directly copied from, Anthony Balderrama, who is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com and its job blog, The Work Buzz. He researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues.

ANOTHER FREE SPEICAL EVENT - DON'T MISS OUT!!!

Texas LoneStar Staffing will be hosting another FREE seminar aimed at helping the JOB SEEKERS in their efforts to reach their professional goals and obtain that PERFECT job.

When: Tuesday July 7, 2009

Time: 10:00am – 12:00pm
Speaker: Patty Holladay
Topic: Using Technology for our job search

Time: 1:00pm – 3:00pm
Speaker: Vince Ebata
Topic: Sell Your Accomplishments by Selling Your Transferable Skills

Location: Flower Mound Chamber of Commerce
700 Parker Square, Suite 100
Flower Mound, TX 75028

** Seating limited to 20 per session. Due to limited space, registration required for each session– see details below **

Register by sending an email to Vince Ebata @ info@iampossibledreams.net
Please reference code TLSS02.



NOTE: You MUST register for each session separately, but may do so in the same email to Vince.


Patty Holladay is co-owner of Data Doctors Computer Services located at 1221 Flower Mound Road. Data Doctors in Flower Mound provides comprehensive computer and networking services for your home and small business. They are also the home of the Data Doctors Quality Care program. Staffed with Certified computer technicians specially trained in customer service, you can expect expert care to help you with:

· Improving the performance of a SLOW COMPUTER.
· Virus, spyware and adware removal.
· Component repair or replacement for your desktop or laptop.
· Wireless networking advice and supplies.
· Data recovery.
· A NEW computer that is just right for your needs.

Using Technology for Your Job Search
There are numerous options for online job search, but many of them are difficult to navigate or may not further your goals in obtaining your desired job. Attend this seminar in order to focus your search in the most efficient manner to produce the results you want. This seminar will present some of the most often used job search tools and rate them as to ease of use, features which are most useful, and potential problems in using the websites. You will leave the seminar with website resources and specific action items for your job search success.

Vince Ebata is a career management coach who works with professionals at all levels who are asking “What next?” in their careers. Vince offers both private one-on-one coaching and group coaching programs. He is also available as a speaker, offering seminars and workshops to organizations interested in creating a more passionate and purposeful workforce by assisting employees in creating their career vision.

Sell Your Accomplishments by Selling Your Transferable Skills
A key objective of any job search is to promote your “marketability.” The greater your marketability, the easier it will be to secure your desired job sooner. many job seekers are often unsuccessful because they’re never able to articulate clearly and effectively all that’s marketable about themselves to potential employers. They never build their appeal above-and-beyond the black-and-white factual credentials of their résumés and cover letters to stand out from all the other job seekers. Whatever your level is or wherever you are in your career, there’s probably much more to your story than meets the eye. You know it and it’s your job to let others know why you’re different and why an employer should hire you.

The key takeaways of this seminar will be:
1. How to identify your strongest transferrable skills (from an employer perspective).
2. Determine your “marketability.”
3. Learn a simply, but effective three-step method to sell your work-related accomplishments by selling your transferable skills.

DON'T HESITATE! REGISTER TODAY! THESE SESSIONS WILL FILL QUICKLY!!

Interviewing Tips

I would like to thank all of you who registered and attended our first free job seeker seminar, entitled NETWORK YOUR WAY TO A NEW JOB. Thank you for the feedback you provided through the evaluation forms you filled out for us. You will be an integral part of our improvements in the future and have given us great ideas for future seminars. Subscribe to this blog to keep updated on future seminars.

It just so happens that after writing this blog, I discovered that several seminar attendees requested a future seminar to be on interviewing tips. I did some research to find some really good tips to help with the interview process. Here are some of the things I found. I hope you can put them to good use and they can help you stand out from the crowd.


Tip 1: Plan Ahead - Do a little homework! Research the company and the position if possible, as well as, the people you will meet with at the interview. Look the company up on the Internet. Read about them, learn some of their internal acronyms and use them in the interview. This shows that you truly have taken an interest in the company and what they are all about. Check to see if there is a “Career Opportunities” section of their website. Here you will be able to find all the requirements they want an applicant to have. Then review your work experiences. Be ready to support past career accomplishments with specific information targeted toward the companies needs. Have your facts ready!

If you know the name of the person that you will interview with, look to see if they have a LinkedIn profile and read what their peers have said about them. Then mention in the interview that you did this and you really were impressed with what you read. Doing this small thing will really impress them!

Tip 2: Role Play - Once you have finished studying, begin role playing (rehearsing). You can do this with a family member, a friend, or in the mirror. Here are some questions you may be asked. Read through them and prepare your answers based on your past experiences and what you learned about the company from your research. Try to keep your answers to the information your new employer will want to know. Write down your answers and practice, practice, practice. Remember, you want to keep it relaxed and conversational…not like you memorized your answers. By practicing your responses to some of these questions, hopefully you will not be taken off guard if asked one of them.

Sample Interview Questions:

1. Tell me about yourself. Hint: Try to keep this answer to about 2 minutes.
2. What are your career goals and how would this position fit your career goals?
3. What do you consider to be your strengths?
4. What are your weaknesses?
5. What would your former co-workers say about you?
6. What would your former boss say about your work ethic?
7. Tell me about your most significant professional accomplishment to date.
8. Tell me about a professional failure you have had and how did you handle it?
9. Do you work well under pressure and deadlines?
10. What motivates you?
11. If hired, what do you expect to accomplish in your first year here?
12. Where to you expect to be, in your career, in 5 years? 10 years?
13. What did you like about your last job?
14. What did you not like about your last job?
15. What do you expect from your supervisor?

You may be asked if you have any questions for the interviewer. Always take the opportunity to ask some questions. This shows a deeper interest on your part. Here are some sample questions you may want to ask.

1. What are some of the long term objectives you would like to see accomplished this job?
2. Why is this position open?
3. How often has it been filled in the past five years? What were the main reasons?
4. What would you like done differently by the next person who fills this position?
5. What are some of the more difficult problems that one would be faced in this position and
how should they be handled?
6. What type of support is there for this position in terms of people, finances, etc.?
7. What advancement opportunities are available for the person who is successful in this
position, and within what time frame?
8. What significant changes do you foresee in the near future?
9. How is one evaluated in this position?
10. What accounts for success within the company?

NOTE: These questions are presented only as interviewing guidelines. They are meant to help you prepare for the interview. Some questions may or may not be appropriate for your interviewing situation.

Tip 3: Eye Contact - Maintain eye contact with your interviewer. This shows respect for your interviewer, shows that you are interested and are confident in yourself. Tip 4: Be Positive - In particular, avoid negative comments about past employers, unless specifically asked what you disliked about your last job/company. This will only give the interviewer the impression that you might be a difficult employee to work with.

Tip 4: Be Positive - In particular, avoid negative comments about past employers, unless specifically asked what you disliked about your last job/company. This will only give the interviewer the impression that you might be a difficult employee to work with.

Tip 5: Adapt - Listen and adapt. Be sensitive to the style of the interviewer. Pay attention to those details of dress, office furniture, and general decor which will afford helpful clues to assist you in tailoring your presentation. Watch his body language. Body language can tell you a lot. If the interviewer is leaning slightly forward in his chair, he is being very attentive to what you have to say. If he is leaning slightly back and/or seems distracted by items on his desk, he is not interested in your answers. You will then need to adjust your body language, tone of voice, etc. in an attempt to gain his attention and impress him.

Tip 6: Relate - Try to relate your answers to the interviewer and his or her company, particularly when expressing your career goals and professional accomplishments. Focus on achievements relevant to the position.

Make another good impression! At the end of your interview, request a business card from your interviewer. Then follow up the next day with a handwritten Thank You note addressed directly to this person. Thank them for their time and consideration of your qualifications and let them know that you look forward to hearing from them again.

It is our sincere hope, here at Texas LoneStar Staffing, that these few tips will help you better prepare for any upcoming interview you now have, or may have in the future. Good Luck and remember…Prepare and Practice, Practice, Practice!

Free Seminar

FREE SPECIAL EVENT – DON’T BE LEFT OUT!!!

Texas LoneStar Staffing and PostNet Flower Mound will be hosting a FREE seminar for JOB SEEKERS.

When: Thursday April 23rd, 2009
Time: 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm
Where: Lewisville Community Room
(Municipal Annex Building – next door to Lewisville Library)
1197 W. Main St. click for map
Lewisville TX, 75067
** Registration required – see details below **
=========================================================
Network Your Way to a New Job

The seminar will be presented by local career coach, Vince Ebata, CDC. Vince Ebata is a career management coach who works with professionals at all levels who are asking “What next?” in their careers. Vince offers both private one-on-one coaching and group coaching programs. He is also available as a speaker, offering seminars and workshops to organizations interested in creating a more passionate and purposeful workforce by assisting employees in creating their career vision.

Topic Overview:
This 90-minute seminar will focus on helping current job seekers to learn how to fully utilize networking as a way to their next job. Attendees will learn about the key steps to successful networking in today’s job market and provided with some great network tips. In addition, attendees will learn about and develop their own Unique Selling Proposition (USP) that they can use at networking events to promote themselves to potential employers and others.

Attendee takeaways:
· Key steps to successful networking in today’s job market.
· Great networking tips.
· How to create their Unique Selling Proposition (USP).

The seminar is designed to be highly interactive involving one-on-one and small group exercises to facilitate and enhance learning.

In today’s very tough job market, how do you get the right people to know you and know what you can do for them?

The answer is: do more marketing and networking so that you can meet prospective employers through contacts, research and unadvertised leads.

If the words “marketing,” “selling” and “networking” makes you cringe, feel nervous or uncomfortable, you’re certainly not alone. In today’s job market, your ability to market and sell yourself to prospective employers is vital. If you can’t make yourself relevant, you’ll be overlooked or rejected quickly.

How Can I Market and Sell Myself to Prospective Employers?

1. Sell Results, Not Your Skills
2. Highlight Your Accomplishments by Telling Stories
3. Your Unique Selling Proposition (USP)
4. Networking is about Relationship-Building

NOTE: All attendees will receive a certificate for the following items from Flower Mound PostNet

• 100 Networking Business Cards
  (Name, Objective, Contact Information)
• 25 Resume Copies
• 25 pieces Blank Stationary
• 25 pieces Blank Envelopes

Some restrictions may apply

To register for this event, simply contact Vince via email at info@iampossibledreams.net.

Hurry, Space is limited and you don't want to miss out!!