June 30, 2011

Networking at 50-plus

Like me, you may have been told countless times that networking is the way people find jobs. Monster has several articles on networking. There's even one on "Networking for the Shy." You will find this and other related articles on networking at the end of "Networking at 50-plus."

If you're an unemployed "boomer," you might find some useful tips in this article, especially the author's tips about asking younger people for help. Keith Farrazzi writes: "Don't be embarrassed to ask how the world  works today...In return, you can mentor your mentors by offering your own experience."


Top 10 Companies Hiring This Week June 27-July 4

Jobs, including sales, management, IT, retail, and insurance are available at the following companies:

 1. The Dr. Pepper Group
 2. Siemens
 3. Cracker Barrel
 4. Lowe's
 5, ADT
 6. Allstate
 7. LMI
 8. Bed, Bath, & Beyond
 9. Aflac
10. Ernst & Young

Each company's history and job openings are provided in this article.

June 28, 2011

Catastrophes

What happens when you lose your job? What is your first response? We all have varying responses to such a major change in our lives, including seeing loss of our jobs as a catastrophe. Yesterday's meditation from Forward Day by Day echoed my own experiences of  how I respond when "things fall apart the center cannot hold." *
                                                
"Catastrophes, moments when everything seems to fall apart, when we seem to  have failed miserably, can be transformative, even redeeming. The difference between  whether they are debilitating or rehabilitating is in our response to the grace of God. Jesus turned and looked at Peter. Peter withered with grief. But that was not the end of his response, just the beginning."




*William Butler Yeats, "The Second Coming" (!921)
The title of the meditation, "The Lord turned and looked at Peter," is based on Luke 22:52-62, the story of Peter's betrayal of Jesus.
I thank Jane Paraskevopoulos, Director of Business Operations, Forward Movement Publications, for permission to quote from this meditation, published June 27, 2011.             

Jobs in Retail A/X Armani Exchange and H&M

A/X Armani Exchange is accepting applications for a new store that will open in the fall in Chicago. Apply at www.armaniexchange.com, or at 520 No. Michigan, in Chicago.

H&M, at 840 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago is accepting online applications. Apply at http://www.hm.com.careers/.


Note: This information was sent to me by a job counselor. As I've indicated, I do not search for jobs to list on this blog.


June 23, 2011

CrossRoads - Oprah, Lady Gaga And Your Job Interview

CrossRoads - Oprah, Lady Gaga And Your Job Interview

In her article, "Oprah, Lady Gaga, and Your Job Interview," Carole Martin give 5 tips for encouraging optimism and discouraging negativity. The article begins with the personal philosophies of Oprah and Lady Gaga, two very powerful, yet totally different in their work.

Oprah says:  "Accept yourself for who you are and believe that you can do what you want to do-- live your Best Life."

Lady Gaga:   "Believe in Yourself-- and be yourself."

When I was invited for an interview for my first job after graduate school, my dissertation director gave me this advice: "Be yourself. They already know how your mind works. They want to see if they can live with you." This has been my guiding principle when applying for jobs. To be yourself is about authenticity. One of the most gratifying compliments I received from a student was that I am authentic.

Of the five tips Carole Martin offers, her third tip, "Work on controlling stress" is especially important when one is looking for a job. She writes:

                               Stress becomes a problem when it begins to affect
                               your lifestyle and health. Are you waking up in the
                               middle of the night or skipping meals because you
                               are feeling down or upset? You may need to talk to
                               someone who is a professional to get some advice about
                               relaxation techniques. (emphasis mine)

My suggestions: Search the Internet for information on relaxation techniques. I've found that just leaving my desk and going for a walk helps to reduce my stress. My other stress busters include listening to jazz and classical music, dancing, knitting, and laughing, usually at something funny my spouse has said. Speaking of laughter, I highly commend to you Tracey Ullman, an English comedienne. She had her own TV show a few years ago, some of which I taped. Maybe you can track down a video from the public library, Amazon.com., or other resources. She's worth the search!


CrossRoads - Working for a Staffing Agency

CrossRoads - Working for a Staffing Agency

I found this article quite informative and helpful. MaryAnn Raashm, Milwaukee District Leader for SEEK Careers and Staffing offers several tips about getting a job from a staffing agency. Here are a few excerpts:

"The key to getting a great position through a staffing agency is this: Treat the agency as if they were a "real" employer -- because they are...If they (job seeker) don't listen to instructions, or they dress in a sloppy way, or continually hound us, it reflects poorly on them as a candidate."

One of the most important tips, she says, is to write a hand-written than you note to the employer:

"I can count on one hand the number of personalized thank you notes I've received. Those people really stand out in my mind-- and when you realize we can be in contact with 100 people a day-- that's a big advantage. I don't care if you go out to your car and write the note and bring it in and leave it at the front desk...it makes a difference." (emphasis mine).

I was given the same advice when I applied for an academic position a few years ago. I stressed to the career counselor that writing thank you notes was not the practice in academia. Eventually, I became convinced that this was a good thing. And so I did it.

I like writing and receiving hand-written correspondence and do so when I have the opportunity. Electronic communication just doesn't cut it.

My personal tip: Invest in a box of ecru- colored note cards, preferably Crane, which is sold at Papyrus and other high end card stores. The price is reasonable. An alternative is Paper Source.

June 22, 2011

Don't Give Up

An unemployed friend sent a card to me with the following words:
DON'T GIVE UP

On Love* On Truth* On Yourself
On the Children* On Peace*
On Joy* On Honesty*
On Righteousness* On Your Dreams
On Prayer* On Happiness
On Tomorrow* On Justice
On Health* On Understanding
On Family* On Your Hopes
On Relationships* On Your Ideas
On Life* On God

KEEP THE FAITH

Numbers, Numbers, Numbers

At least once a week I receive a job newsletter that begins something like this: "5 Ways to Eliminate Debt," or "6 Questions to ask in an Interview," and, most frequently of all,  " 7 (pick your number) Ways to Write a Resume that Will get you the Job."

Well, I'm going to get in the numbers game as well. I will be posting and twittering some of these articles in the next few days.

Apart from these posts,as you find information on the Internet be careful to evaluate the credibility of the source and compare sources on the same topic.

June 16, 2011

Ministry for Economic Hardship Resources and Referral Guide

I hope the Resource and Referral Guide, which is somewhat comprehensive, will help all of you who lost your job yesterday. This is the direct link:

http://www.episcopalchicago.org/ministries/documents/ResourcesandReferrals

I am deeply, deeply, sad and I grieve with you. Thank you for your gifts of ministry with which you have served. Most of all, thank you for your friendship. You are in my prayers. I hope to see you around the diocese.

The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make his face to shine upon you,
and be gracious to you;
the Lord lift up his countenance upon you,
and give you peace.
Numbers 6:24-26 (NRSV)