Archive for November, 2006

How To Become Employed With 9.8% Unemployment

November 27, 2006 - 10:19 pm No Comments

9.8% unemployment is the national average. For many states, it is even higher than 9.8%. I live in California and the number has hit double digits. This is true for many other states as well. Regardless of the rate, anyone actively in a job search knows these are difficult times. There is hope, and I believe opportunity, for many of those looking.

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We have a very active job search coaching practice. The problem with many candidates we work with is, they come to us too late. They are usually out of work for an average of 4-6 months. They then expect us to be able to help them find work quickly. Sorry, we are good, but can’t work miracles, and nobody (not even us) can get you employed.

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ONLY YOU CAN DO THAT.

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But we can help you learn from your mistakes. The biggest problem we find with candidates is that they really don’t have a targeted, very focused approach to their search. Their fear of possibly missing an opportunity is so powerful that they often don’t see the forest for the trees. Our biggest challenge is to help get the candidates focused like a laser beam on a target and then drive to that target. In many cases this is a monumental task.

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As the employment numbers get worse, successful candidates must become more and more focused. Companies today aren’t looking for a jack of all trades. They want the king or queen. If you aren’t targeted and highly focused, then it is difficult to land a position.

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You have to have a bull’s-eye on the target so you have something to aim at. What is your bull’s-eye?

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Here are some suggestions to help you get focused.

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  • Take a step back and think if you were a specialist at something what would it be?

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  • Write out a complete and very thorough job description. Most of the candidates we talk with can’t do this.

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  • Make sure your Linkedin and other public profiles are focused on you as a specialist. Most profiles are generic, vague and cover every possible job function within the person’s discipline.

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  • Identify a specific target list of companies, people, recruiters and service providers that can lead you to your target.

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  • Identify those connectors that can put you in touch with those in number 4.

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  • Identify three or four networking groups that align with your industry, functional expertise, career level, and become very active in those groups. Serve on or chair a committee, get on the board, take a leadership position and become well know in those groups.

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  • Consider serving on non-profit boards. These boards will not only make you feel good, but they often have great contacts and you can demonstrate your leadership skills.

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  • Build a network of 100 people that know you and your background so well that they can refer you with confidence. I use the 5 call rule. If a recruiter from 2,000 miles away is conducting a search in your geographical area  you will be referred within 5 calls.

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  • Don’t ignore your unemployed peers. They are out looking for positions 8 hours a day. The employed aren’t spending any time doing this. Who do you think is more likely to come across a position that is right for you first?

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  • Have the right networking tools to do the job. This includes a bio and networking business cards. Not a resume and business type business cards.

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  • Finally, network with a purpose. Don’t try to meet everyone on the planet. You will only get burned out networking with little to show for it. Meet only those that can advance you toward your target. Be polite and  help others when necessary but pre-screen people before spending time with them.

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  • Use Linkedin to find people and the connectors you need. This is why it is so critical to build your contacts beyond 500.

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    I don’t mean to imply that doing these things will guarantee you find a position right away. I do believe if you don’t do them you will be in-transition a lot longer than if you do. Having a general, shot gun approach will definitely extend your job search.

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    Be sure and join our Linkedin Job Search Networking group. This is important. CLICK HERE to join.

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    Posted in Resume |

    Life Insurance Questions & Answers

    November 27, 2006 - 10:37 am No Comments

    Did the crocodile hunter have life insurance?
    No, but he had MONEY in the bank which is better than life insurance. His job type would be classified as K, the highest risk job and therefore would not be insurable.

    Difference between health and life insurance?
    Health insurance covers medical stuff – like doctor visits, medicines, ER visits, etc. Life insurance is a policy paid to a person you choose (spouse, child, parent, friend) when you die to cover expenses such as funeral costs, debts, etc.

    Difference between natural life insurance and genaral insurance?
    The important difference between Life and General Insurance is contained by what each covers. Life Insurance replaces the human duration value of a character. That is, it replaces what a person would own earned, or contributed to a firm or kinfolk, had they lived. General Insurance replaces the efficacy…

    Disability insurance percentage of income covered?
    my long term disability income insurance policy is set at 60% of my salary covering through age 65 I also have a short term policy that covers me until that 180 days is up and the long term kicks in, does this sound sufficient or should I get an life insurance policy…

    Distributions from owner of int. (non-ADR)?
    I’ve just studious that my father had carried a natural life insurance policy and in 2002, Principal duration Ins. sent out a check for Distributions from owner of int. (non-adr).I was told that since I’m the programmed benificary (and only survivor) that it is mine. What is this pay-out? He started the…

    Do generous corporations practice age nouns near admiration to retiree condition and existence insurance benefits?
    At age 56 I was forced into retirement by diagnosis of cancer. When I reach age 60 the supplemental life insurance premiums I hold paid for years increased by 70%. If that’s not age nouns, what is it? You were lucky you…

    Do I have the right to cancle a life insurance policy within 3 days after signing it?
    Yes, you can cancel your life insurance policy at any time. However, depending on your state laws and the terms of the life insurance policy, you may only get your money back during the first 10 to 30 days. Otherwise,…

    Do I hold to live contained by the US to carry natural life insurance? I’m a retired expat living contained by Ghana.?
    My husband and I are semi-retired and living in Ghana. He have retiree life insurance for himself through his previous employer, but the policy for me is amazingly small. Given that we live out of…

    Do I need life insurance? (I am 24 single with nest egg)?
    I am starting a new job which offers life insurance. For $30 a month I can get a decent policy. However, I have no one to name as beneficiary – my family has plenty of money and there is enough in my bank account to cover…

    Do I really hold to disclose everything for a duration insurance quote??
    My wife has a family history of cancer which is cause my life insurance quote to change from lb15 a month to lb50. Do I really stipulation to disclose this info to the companies, or should I not tell them as they would need okay anyway…

    Do life span insurance benefits elapse duty free to an estate?
    If you own a life insurance policy, or signature either yourself or your estate as beneficiary, the policy release benefit will increase the size of your estate. If you think that you will enjoy a federal-estate-taxable estate (that is, large enough) an insurance policy on your…

    Do natural life insurance companies check your medical chronicles after you die?
    Let’s say that you take life insurance and claim to be a non-smoker. Then let’s speak that you start smoking or resume smoking. Assuming that your medical records show that you smoked, will most time insurance companies check your records, see that you smoked, and after…

    Do you believe within have existence insurance? If so, do you hold duration insurance?
    I have a friend who sell insurance so I wanted to ask you guys… 1.) Do you own life insurance? 2.) If not, why hold you NOT purchased life insurance? 3.) If you HAVE purchased vivacity insurance, what motivated you to purchase life…

    Posted in Resume |