Job Hunting Tips: Assessing Personal Value
A week out of work is a vacation. You can sleep late in the morning, revel in your newly found free time, shop when the stores are empty, and get around to those chores you have been putting off for too long.
Three weeks out of work and you are still relaxed. There is a new and better position waiting out there and you just need to get around to finding it.
Six weeks out of work and you are getting anxious. Fifty resumes have vanished into a black hole and the telephone refuses to ring.
Twelve weeks out of work and panic starts to set in. You review your recent efforts to find work and seem to be doing all the right things. You start to doubt yourself: Am I too old? Are my skills outdated? Are the industries I know all dying? Are there any decent jobs out there? Is there something wrong with me? Does nobody need me?
Take a deep breath and remind yourself that no matter what optimistic spin the government trumpets, it is tough to find a good job when new job seekers exceed the number of jobs created. A 5 to 6 percent unemployment rate means that every job which arises has potentially eight million applicants! Then sit down and look at yourself from a new perspective.
1. You have the personal qualities employers are seeking, such as persistence, loyalty, energy, independence, enthusiasm, responsibility, punctuality, maturity, empathy, flexibility, sincerity, and tolerance.
2. You have general job skills which work in any industry: negotiating, inventiveness, sensitivity, understanding, creativity, the ability to write clearly, assemble things, or operate machinery and experience in computing, classifying, investigating, evaluating, or synthesizing data.
3. You have specific job skills which have been acquired in all of your previous work experience.
4. You have multiple layers of value as a significant other, a parent, a brother or sister, a child, a friend, a community worker.
List out each area as a reminder that not finding a job does not mean that you are worthless. Reread the list several times a week, keep adding to it as you remember skills, read it before every interview or employer contact.
The world may not seem to need you right now but it is important that you know your own worth and stop buying into that sense of incompetency and despair that prolonged unemployment (caused by economic and political forces, not by you personally) can produce.
Virginia Bola operated a rehabilitation company for 20 years, developing innovative job search techniques for disabled workers, while serving as a respected Vocational Expert in Administrative, Civil and Workers' Compensation Courts. Author of an interactive and emotionally supportive workbook, The Wolf at the Door: An Unemployment Survival Manual, and a monthly ezine, The Worker's Edge, she can be reached at http://www.virginiabola.com
 Google News Updated : Fri, 09 Jan 2009 22:11:53 GMT Rubin resigns from Citigroup following criticism - MarketWatch
MarketWatch - By Alistair Barr, MarketWatch SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- Robert Rubin, former Treasury secretary who has come under fire for his role in the financial crisis, has decided to leave Citigroup Inc., the banking giant announced Friday. Citigroup Statement on Rubin's Departure; Rubin's Letter Citigroup's Rubin steps down Publ.Date : Fri, 09 Jan 2009 21:42:14 GMT Payment to Pirates Ends Tanker Hijacking - Wall Street Journal
Wall Street Journal - By CHIP CUMMINS DUBAI -- The US Navy said Friday it expected a Saudi Arabian oil tanker hijacked in November to be freed and underway in the next 24 hours, potentially ending the most dramatic of several, recent pirate attacks in the waters offshore ... Somali Pirates Release Saudi Tanker Saudi oil tanker said to be released by pirates for ransom Publ.Date : Fri, 09 Jan 2009 21:35:44 GMT RPT-Obama tries to allay concerns over stimulus package - Reuters
Reuters - By Caren Bohan and Jeremy Pelofsky WASHINGTON, Jan 9 (Reuters) - President-elect Barack Obama said on Friday that the latest grim unemployment report added urgency to the need to pass his $800 billion stimulus proposal, even as his efforts ran into ... Video: Obama: New Layoffs Show Need for Urgent Action Borger: Do congressional Dems need intervention? Publ.Date : Fri, 09 Jan 2009 21:08:22 GMT Costa Rica earthquake death toll rises to 15 - CNN International
CNN International - SAN JOSE, Costa Rica (CNN) -- The official count of confirmed deaths grew to 15 Friday afternoon, one day after a 6.1-magnitude earthquake shook north central Costa Rica, a government emergency official said. Tourists evacuated after fatal Costa Rica quake Costa Rica Earthquake Rescuers Try to Help Thousands Publ.Date : Fri, 09 Jan 2009 17:37:39 GMT A guide to the Blagojevich impeachment - MSNBC
MSNBC - By Tom Curry Here is a guide to the process by which Gov. Rod Blagojevich of Illinois might be removed from office Impeachment is the formal accusation of wrongdoing, lobbed by a legislative body against an executive branch official, such as a governor ... CQ Transcripts Wire Blagojevich impeached over alleged Senate-for-sale scandal Publ.Date : Fri, 09 Jan 2009 21:34:17 GMT U.S. Supreme Court to hear two appeals on 'race politics' - Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles Times - Justices will decide whether to strike down laws that provide special protections to minorities in the workplace and in the voting booth. Supreme Court to Rule on Voting Rights Act Supreme Court to hear challenge to voting rights act Publ.Date : Fri, 09 Jan 2009 21:28:02 GMT Officials Still Seek Source of Salmonella Outbreak - Washington Post
Washington Post - By Steven Reinberg FRIDAY, Jan. 9 (HealthDay News) -- The source of a salmonella outbreak that has sickened almost 400 Americans in 42 states remains unknown, US health officials said Friday, adding that more cases are expected. New Salmonella Outbreak: Here's How to Reduce Your Risk North Carolina resident tests positive for Salmonella Publ.Date : Fri, 09 Jan 2009 20:46:09 GMT Increase Traffic |
PARLOT::Ebooks, Scripts,
Websites, and more... The US Army Corp of Engineers and numerous private companies... Read More INTRODUCTIONThis article will prepare you for the difficult task of... Read More Are you thinking about switching careers? If you are, you're... Read More The right certification trainingTrainings vary a lot when it comes... Read More Trucks and truck drivers are a constant presence on US... Read More Doesn't every job search start with Google?Way back in another... Read More The attorneys I coach have one common problem. They don't... Read More If you are thinking about starting your own house cleaning... Read More Closing the InterviewKnowing how to successfully close an interview can... Read More There is no easy way to define exactly what editors,... Read More Millions of Un-Sung Heroes are born every minute! They are... Read More Whether you are networking to find a new job opportunity,... Read More An interesting combination of factors at this time in history... Read More One of the responsibilities of a human resources professional is... Read More Despite how important fair pay is to most of us,... Read More Ever dreamt of giving up the daily grind? Want to... Read More The increasing globalization of business has created a demand for... Read More "Bill, thanks so much for your assistance with this search.... Read More Employers and recruiters receive hundreds of resumes for every position... Read More 1. Be CompleteMake sure that your resume includes EVERYTHING your... Read More What do many employees wish for at work? A bonus... Read More After completing their translation training programmes at higher professional education... Read More 1. Develop excellent work habits ? for example, meet deadlines... Read More There has been a lot of hullabaloo recently about the... Read More How would you know if your resume did or didn't... Read More
Adsense
websites
Working In Iraq: Is It For You?
How to Success On The Job from Job Hunting to Keep Your Job and Get Most of Out of It
Switching Careers - 7 Key Steps
5 Things You Need To Know Before Deciding On A Certification Training
Driver Team Solo Positions: The Nitty Gritty On Truck Driving Jobs
Free Resume Examples: Untold Wealth In 10 Minutes!
How to Insure Job Security
How To Start Your Own House Cleaning Business
How to Close Your Interview and Leave a Lasting Positive Impression
You Never Get A Second Chance To Make A First Impression
Showing Appreciation to Workplace Un-Sung Heroes
Top Ten Networking Strategies To Get A Job, A Promotion, Or Make A Sale
The Perfect Fit: Women & Franchising
I Just Lost My Job: How Am I Going To Tell My Kids?
Salary Negotiation: How To Earn More Money and Respect From Your Employer
Day Trading ? The Ultimate Work-From-Home Job?
Global Economy Creates Need For International Business Pros
Hiring Managers: Preventing ?Fall-Off?s? and Counter Offers
Resumes Arent Important - They are Everything When it Comes to Getting an Interview
Six of the Best for a Winning Resume
What Do Employees Wish for Most (And How To Get It)
How to Become a Successful Freelance Translator
Tips for Building a Successful Career
Occupational Health and Safety - Stress and Workaholism at Work
Auto-Disqualification - When Your Resume Never Reaches the Decision Maker
Affordable and Reliable Web Hosting Starting at $4.49/Month
Turning the Table: Questions for Your Interviewer
(DES MOINES, Iowa ? January 26, 2005) The fateful final... Read More
Should You Make A Career Decision Based Upon A Career Quiz?
Q. I'm about to graduate High School and I don't... Read More
Ten Careers For High School Seniors Who Hate School
Let's face it?not everybody likes going to school and high... Read More
Creating a Feng Shui Power Office: 6 Easy Tips to More Successful Surroundings
More and more people are looking to gain an edge... Read More
Tips on How to Write High Impact Letters of Recommendation
Congratulations. You've been asked to write a letter of recommendation... Read More
20 Powerful Tips For Advancing Your Career
You don't want to stay in your current position forever...... Read More
Students Searching for a Job
Searching for a job has become easier than ever for... Read More
Resume Writing - Things to Consider
You are looking for a job and you are out... Read More
How to Success On The Job from Job Hunting to Keep Your Job and Get Most of Out of It
INTRODUCTIONThis article will prepare you for the difficult task of... Read More
Telecommuting Cover Letters
Question: How do I market myself online?Answer: With a stellar... Read More
When All Is Not Well With Work
When all is not well with work, what do you... Read More
Tales From the Corporate Frontlines: Here Today, Gone Tomorrow
This article relates to the Job Security competency, commonly evaluated... Read More
Where Will Your IT Staff Come From NOW?
The labor recession is over. During the course of the... Read More
Your First Job
"Your first job is an extension of your education"Fresh out... Read More
How to Know if You Are in the Right Career
Ever wonder if you are in the right career? If... Read More
Students Discover Your Niche By Using Career Assessment
In our ever changing world where job competition is rampant... Read More
Freelance Work: The Changing Face of Employment
The world sure is changing, and if you look at... Read More
Consulting: A Different World
I won't say I have a vast array of knowledge... Read More
How Can You Find Freelance Writing Jobs?
Do you think that there is a big sign that... Read More
Get In The Game With a Stellar Resume
During the job hunter's market of the 1990's, employers were... Read More
10 Steps to Escape the Job World and Create the Life You Really Want
1. GET THE POINT ? OF LIFE, THAT IS.... Read More
Resume Writing - Get That Job
Looking for a new job, whether it is with a... Read More
Make Your Career Offshore Proof
There has been a lot of talk recently about American... Read More
Defining Success Your Way!
In my career advising practice, I often find that my... Read More
How to Become a Real Estate Agent
If you're wondering how to become a real estate agent,... Read More
Careers, Jobs & Employment |