First thing to do when you get a layoff notice

First thing to do when you get a layoff notice I was listening to a friend talk about his layoff this weekend. he had zero days of transition from his last job to his new gig.  He related something like this (in my own words): I got laid off two months ago and I immediately started my job search Theres more to his story, but as far as this post is concerned, that is the most important thing I want to share.  Since I lost my job, 8+ years ago, I have met plenty of people who have gotten a layoff notice, and had a few weeks or a few months to prepare for the next job. Ive also met plenty of people who have some kind of sweet severance, giving them months of normal income before their income goes away. The story I hear the most is Ill start looking for my next job in six months, when I get close to the severance running out. Folks, the time to look for a job is (personally I feel like it is ALL THE TIME, but if you hear you are getting laid off, or think you are going to get laid off, START LOOKING) NOW! My friend got an eight week notice, and by the end of eight weeks he had a job lined up. That is a much better transition than I had! First thing to do when you get a layoff notice I was listening to a friend talk about his layoff this weekend. he had zero days of transition from his last job to his new gig.  He related something like this (in my own words): I got laid off two months ago and I immediately started my job search Theres more to his story, but as far as this post is concerned, that is the most important thing I want to share.  Since I lost my job, 8+ years ago, I have met plenty of people who have gotten a layoff notice, and had a few weeks or a few months to prepare for the next job. Ive also met plenty of people who have some kind of sweet severance, giving them months of normal income before their income goes away. The story I hear the most is Ill start looking for my next job in six months, when I get close to the severance running out. Folks, the time to look for a job is (personally I feel like it is ALL THE TIME, but if you hear you are getting laid off, or think you are going to get laid off, START LOOKING) NOW! My friend got an eight week notice, and by the end of eight weeks he had a job lined up. That is a much better transition than I had!

Motivational Songs for Your Career - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Motivational Songs for Your Career - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Everybody can have tough days because building a career is a long journey which is full of challenges and problems. Therefore, sometimes we need some motivation and listening to inspirational songs is a great way to motivate and energize ourselves.   Below you can find some of them with their motivational lyrics. Unwritten â€" Natasha Bedingfield: “Live your life with arms wide open.  Today is where your book begins.  The rest is still unwritten.” Don’t Worry be Happy â€" Bobby McFerrin: “In every life we have some trouble.  But when you worry, you make it double.” Beautiful Day- U2: “Its a beautiful day. Dont let it get away.” Stronger â€" Kelly Clarkson: “What doesn’t kill makes you stronger, stand a little taller.  Doesn’t mean I’m lonely when I’m alone.  What doesn’t kill makes you fighter.  Footsteps even lighter.” It’s My Life â€" Bon Jovi: “It’s my life.  And it’s now or never.” Eye of the Tiger- Survivor: “Its the eye of the tiger. Its the thrill of the fight. Risin up to the challenge of our rival.” Live Your Life â€" T.I.  (feat. Rihanna): “But you know what, at the end of the road through all the adversity, if you can get where you wanted to be, you remember whatever don’t kill you make you stronger, and all of the adversity was worth it.” You Gotta Be â€" Des Ree: “Listen as your day unfolds.  Challenge what the future holds.” The Story of Your Life â€" Matthew West: “This is the story of your life.  You decide, how the rest is gonna read.  This is your chance between the lines, to redefine what kind of legacy you leave.” Imagine John Lennon: “You may say Im a dreamer, but Im not the only one.” Anyway â€" Martina McBride: “You can chase a dream that seems so out of reach.  And you know it might not ever come your way.  Dream it anyway.” Ain’t No Mountain High Enough â€" Marvin Gaye Tammi Terrell: “Don’t you know that there ain’t no mountain high enough. Ain’t no valley low enough, ain’t no river wide enough. To keep me from getting to you.” Skyscraper â€" Demi Lovato: “Go on and try to tear me down.  I will be rising from the ground.” What a Wonderful World â€" Louis Armstrong: “The colors of the rainbow so pretty in the sky.” Ups Downs Snoop Dogg: “There’ll be ups and downs, smiles and frowns.”

On the Job by Anita Bruzzese Working From Home a Challenge

On the Job by Anita Bruzzese Working From Home a Challenge There are a lot of things I dont know for sure in this life. I dont know if Ill ever get to grocery shop on the moon (my second grade teacher swore to my class that we would some day), I dont know if Ill ever figure out how to boogie board (I nearly drowned last time and made a lifeguard fall out of his chair he was laughing so hard), and I cant say for sure if Ill ever understand how Billy Mays got a job selling anything (why is he always yelling?)But here is one thing I know for sure: As soon as my butt hits the chair in my home office, I will have visitors. And let me be clear on this: I can sneak to the office with all the stealth of a Navy SEAL on a top-secret mission, and somehow a red alert goes out: Attention, attention: Anita Bruzzese is now in her office attempting to get something done. Stop her at all costs. Repeat: Stop her at all costs.So the dog and two cats appear, dumping over the trash, barfing up something they should not have eaten, and scrambling to lie on the co mputer keyboard, my lap or whatever papers I need, all the while drooling and shedding and panting and meowing.But should I finally manage to contain the four-legged animals, the two-legged ones soon take up the challenge.It begins with breathing.They know I can hear them breathing. They dont say anything, because I made it a rule a long time ago that unless someone was on fire or Publishers Clearinghouse was at the door, they are to leave me alone. So they breathe until I cant stand it and I look up.There stands one of the males in my family, who has lost a shoe, a school paper, a computer game, his appendixsomething. Something that only a female (that would be me) can find. Likeright now.Once I get that settled, then the technological interruptions begin. There is the e-mail from someone at a bank branch in Nigeria telling me that there is an identity theft and I need to contact them right away with all my vital information to make sure everything is secure (yeah, right). This is followed by the fundraising phone call from the Fraternal Order of Canadian Geese Police; the neighbor wanting to know if were having trouble with moles; and the movie rental store informing us we have five movies that are six weeks overdue (oh, crap).The reason Im sharing all this (other than to make you feel way better about your own situation), is that I understand how tough it is to work from home without interruptions . So far, most people I know who do it successfully work at 3 a.m. when everyone else is sleeping. Since I like to be one of those people sleeping at 3 a.m., Ive put together a list of suggestions from experts and work-at-home warriors who swear these ideas can work. Ill let you choose which ones might help you, and hope youll add some of your own to share with readers of this blog:1. Run it up the flagpole. Turn on a certain lamp or use some other sign like a sock on the door handle (kind of different from the old college days, huh) to let others know that youre working and you dont want to be interrupted unless its that Publishers Clearinghouse thing, or something else really important.2. Turn off the e-mail. Some people break out in hives if they cant check e-mail fairly often, so tell yourself nothing earth-shattering can happen in 30 minutes, and only check it every half hour. Gradually wean yourself to checking it only once an hour. Promise yourself you will answer no personal e-mails while youre working except after an hours worth of honest labor.3. Organize your space. For some reason, home offices often are an afterthought. Instead, make it a priority. Put together an organized, dedicated space where you can work, out of the line of heavy traffic and noise. I know one man who found the solace he wanted in the basement workshop. His daughters hated the spiders that could be found down there, so they left him alone. The hum of the furnace provided some white-out noise to let him concentrate, and he was able to keep all his files in on ce place without fear theyd get lost in the hustle and bustle of a busy family.4. Screen your calls. As much as you would like to chat with a friend or family member, dont interrupt your work time. Schedule a break and use that time to return calls that are important and return the others when you have time after the work is done. If youve decided to work specific hours, let others know. It doesnt always mean theyll respect them, but it will make it easier for you to ignore the phone or the doorbell.5. Put on blinders. This one is tough. You cannot look around too much when youre working from home or youll notice the dishwasher that needs unloading or a new magazine you want to read. Many things will seem much more important than that pesky old report due for the boss tomorrow, so youve got to stay focused on what you need to get done.6. Schedule breaks. I cant stress enough that even though youre working from home, its still home. That means you need to take breaks and toss the foo tball with the kids, have coffee with your significant other or just put your feet up and read that favorite magazine for a while. Its important that your home is a place to recharge your batteries and maintain a sense of balance.del.icio.us

Dont be That Girl How to Not Annoy Co-workers

Dont be That Girl How to Not Annoy Co-workers This guest post is contributed by Lauren Bailey, who writes for online colleges. She welcomes your comments.   If youre a working girl then youve learned early on that you spend more time with your co-workers than you do with your own familyâ€"especially if you have a typical 9 to 5. This isnt so bad if your co-workers are fun, lovely people. But what if theyre not? Or even worseâ€"what if you are the problem? Thats right, you. What if you are the person that your co-workers scoff at, roll their eyes at, and moan in agony every time you walk in a room? To make sure youre never that girl, follow these tips below. The Complainer You dont ever want to be pegged as the complainer. The complainer (for lack of a better word) complains about everythingâ€" all the time. Shes always complaining, whether its about the boss, the company, her family, other co-workers, her health, the outcome of a project, the help deskâ€"whatever. Shes a pessimist to the core and as if verbalizing her negative opinions isnt enough, she always trying to convince people to agree with her snarky comments and unfortunate outlook on life. There are going to be days when you might not agree with something or dont like the way a situation was handled in the work place, you may even be dealing with issues at home, but its important that you dont drag that into the workplace and try to cast clouds on other peoples sunny days. Thats not to say that you are doing this intentionally and are deliberately trying to turn everyone into a negative Nancy, but complainers are toxic and can drain others. If you feel the need to complain, write it down in a journal, but dont complain to your hearts content to the co-worker near you. Dont be that girl. The Gossiper You also dont want to be known as the gossiper. The gossiper knows everything about everyone and always feels the need to share that info with office staff. The gossiper is responsible for most of the unnecessary tension in the workplace and is naturally viewed as the most untrustworthy. If you come across some juicy info keep it to yourself. Dont broadcast that info to the entire office. Its not your business to tell. Dont be that girl. The Know it all/Do Gooder The know-it-all /do gooder is typically the most annoying out of the bunch. She is highly ambitious (which is a good thing) but always feels as though she has to be the center of attention. This usually entails dominating meetings with her ideas and shooting down those offered by other employees. Her main argument is that she knows whats best for the company but will never listen to what her co-workers actually have to say. She also has a tendency to point out her co-workers mistakes, especially in front of the boss or other co-workers. She also rarely gives credit where its due. Dont be that girl. Let other speak and share their ideas and dont go into defensive mode if someones idea is better than yours. If you want to point out a mistake or offer criticism, do it in private. Dont embarrass them in front of others. Also remember to always acknowledge help that you received from others and compliment them for their work. We welcome your comments on how to  NOT be that girl.   What do you think? Photo by Alaivani

Resume Writing Services For the Needy Job Seekers

Resume Writing Services For the Needy Job SeekersThere are a number of resume writing services that are available in Philadelphia. The job of the professional is to take care of all the legalities involved in writing a job application that would be used by a prospective employer in their search for new employees. This saves both the employer and the employee from the stressful procedure of going through a long process of filling the application forms and checking the qualifications of applicants that come their way.Resume writing services have been around for a long time now, and you will find that the number of services available for professional use has grown to a great extent in the recent years. There are some requirements that every service provider should fulfill before they are allowed to provide their services.Resume writing services must have extensive knowledge of different kinds of resumes. One of the most common is the non-academic resume. Such resumes need to contain onl y academic qualifications, which means the writer cannot go beyond the written curriculum. As such, the writer must be adept at editing resumes containing references to courses that may not be mentioned on the educational qualifications page.The writer of the resume should also be adept at making sure that the resume is compliant with current paper versions of the job application. There are certain common mistakes that can be spotted when using a paper resume. Before trying to write a resume, you should make sure that the paper version of the application has already been prepared by the hiring company.In addition, all school courses that were listed on the academic qualifications page must be included on the application form. Professional resume writing services Philadelphia will therefore check whether there are any of these courses or academic qualifications on the paper application form that the company has prepared.If you can show that there are no such details in the paper appl ication form, you may be allowed to add more data that is not yet covered by the paper version. However, the writer must be certain that the data that he/she is adding is an accurate one, otherwise it will be considered as a technical error.The resume writer must also proofread the application form. Proofreading the application is mandatory in order to ensure that there are no spelling errors. An error in spelling will not be noticed unless the writer can see it clearly.The resume is an important document and must be written to the highest standard. It is therefore important that the resume is written well and that the professional resume writer is provided with all the guidelines required by the hiring company. With the help of professional resume writing services, you can ensure that your resume is impressive and makes a good impression on the hiring person.

How To Write A Compelling Thank You Note

How To Write A Compelling Thank You Note How To Write A Compelling Thank You Note Job Search / Thank You Notes If I had more time I would have written a shorter letter. While this quote has been attributed to many, including Mark Twain and Winston Churchill, research tells us it was said by none. Still, as any writer will tell you, it’s true. It takes a lot longer to write a brief, compelling note than a lengthy, letter. Thats why composing a Thank You note is so tough. Smart candidates email a thank you note within 24-hours. A brief note. One that doesn’t require the reader to scroll. And scroll. And scroll. Ideally, an e-thank you note, and e-cover letter, should run about 99 to 120 words. Which means you need to thank the interviewer and sell yourself quickly. Beyond the requisite thank you, here are a few ideas of what you can include in a thank you note. #1 Reiterate your excitement and enthusiasm about the company and the position. If you researched the company ahead of time and listened during the interview you should have plenty of information to draw on. #2 Mention an idea you have for solving one of the problems discussed during the interview. If you’re at a more senior level, tempt them with the first 1 or 2 steps of your 30- or 90-day plan. #3 Tell them something you forgot to mention. Maybe an example of how you solved a problem they are facing right now or a course you took that will enhance your candidacy. A thank you note is also an opportunity to right any misconceptions. You might want to correct a misstatement or clarify your qualifications. You can also use this to provide additional insights, such as relevant volunteer experience, that might sway the hiring manager in your favor. During the interview ask for the interviewer’s business card so you’ll have the correct contact information. If you forget, you can try to get the information from HR. When you meet with several people, don’t send the same thank you note to each person. An interviewer who’s impressed may forward your email to someone else. Never, ever send a blanket email to everyone. Finally, make sure to ask for the job. Don’t assume that they know how excited you are. Tell them.

How to manage a virtual workforce (or how to herd cats)

How to manage a virtual workforce (or how to herd cats) Business leaders and employers interested in building a virtual workforce are in good company. According to the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology, virtual team management is a skill among the top workplace trends for 2016. And Global Workplace Analytics, a research company devoted to helping organizations understand emerging workplace strategies, finds that half of the U.S. workforce holds a job that could be performed remotely, while up to 90 percent of American workers would prefer to work virtually at least part time. Though these figures showcase an apparent sea change in work ways and locations, the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) realizes that, “executives often have fears about allowing people to work offsite.” So I spoke with Tricia Sciortino, president of leading virtual assistant firm eaHELP, to get some insights on lessons learned from remote employee management. She leads a workforce of 400 virtual assistants and more than 30 corporate team members across client relations, human resources, finance, operations, and marketing functions â€" all of whom work remotely 100 percent of the time. Share with us your personal background as a virtual team member. How has your perspective changed over time? I began working remotely about seven years ago, just as more companies began readily adopting telecommuting and dispersed teams became more common. Since I am a self-professed people-person who thrives on engagement and connection, my first impression was that it would feel lonely. What I’ve learned, however, is that if you are intentional about outreach and communication, feelings of involvement remain high. That keeps isolation at bay. Many studies and much research extol the benefits of remote work, for both employees and employers alike. But some leaders are hesitant to have a virtual workforce. What would you say to allay their concerns? I know that supervisors and managers are concerned about performance, operations, and talent. That’s our job as leaders. The good news is that they can maximize all three through a virtual workforce. Organizations can limit outlay for office space and reduce overhead, investing those dollars back into the business and towards team success. Companies can also tap into a broader talent market when they’re not restricted by physical locations. I’d encourage employers to explore the resources available about virtual work. They can read case studies, consult with companies that have successful remote work programs, and consider piloting such options on a trial basis, as they consider integrating it into their culture. How does one manage a remote employee? Focus on results, not presence. Set clear, measurable goals, so they know how to meet, if not exceed, expectations. At eaHELP, team members’ physical locations do not negatively impact the accessibility, opportunity or community we share. Our management style is an extension of so many of the values that define our organization â€" trust, transparency, communication, industriousness. In assessing employees, we look at quality, responsiveness, accuracy, collaboration, and other factors, just as managers might in a traditional on-site model. I recommend that organizations uphold the same expectations they’d have of an onsite employee and simply translate them into a virtual, human-centered context. How is success measured differently for remote employees? The truth is, success is not measured differently â€" at least not in the ways that matter most. Productivity and performance are king for organizations with a virtual team. Leaders accustomed to the traditional model of on-site, face-time supervision must re-orient their view, realizing that physical presence alone is an inadequate gauge for success. Ultimately, actual performance and results are the benchmarks of success â€" and those tend to look the same for both virtual and office-based operations. What are the top lessons you’ve learned in managing a remote, distributed workforce? First, over-communicating is essential, since out of sight can be out of mind. Appearing accessible and present is very important. Second, be available and responsive. Swift replies and being of assistance proactively does so much to prevent miscommunication. Third, stay visible. Some people might be camera shy, but the webcam and other communications technologies are your friend. Seeing someone on a monitor or screen is the next best thing to being there in person. Attentiveness is heightened. You can see and read expressions and body language. I like to say, we may be high-tech as a virtual team, but I can almost guarantee that translates into higher touch. Leaders and organizations continue to learn lessons about â€" and from â€" remote employees every day. According to the Harvard Business Review, we are in the third wave of virtual work. The first was evidenced by the rise of the remote freelancer; the second by dispersed corporate teams; and the third by remote colleagues, be they states apart or in the same city working from home. Three years ago, in 2013, it was predicted that in a few years there would be 1.3 billion virtual workers. It appears that we may be reaching the precipice of that estimation, as remote work represents a growing reality of employment in the United States and abroad. Join Dana Manciagli’s Job Search Master Class right now and immediately access the most comprehensive job search system currently available!