How To Overcoming job Hunting Stress?

The job hunt is not an easy process and being in between jobs just adds more stress to your life. Who needs that? While you may not be able to get rid of all the stress, you can eliminate a lot of it…..

These 6 tips will help you get rid of unnecessary job search stress.

1. GET ORGANIZED
You should NEVER be stressed because you cannot find something. This goes beyond keeping track of resumes and cover letters. Other essentials like diplomas, certification certificates, and forms of identification should always be easily accessible. Most people agree that the creation of an employment portfolio is the best solution. One easy to access container of all your essentials will relieve pressure when searching for information or gathering materials prior to an interview.

2. STICK TO A SCHEDULE
The most successful job seekers admit that finding a job is a full time job. Just being busy creates a stressful atmosphere. Creating and maintaining a schedule lets you visualize what you need to get done and when you need to get it done. Often times we create stress in our minds. A schedule quantifies how busy you actually are not how busy you think you are. Moreover, you can monitor how well you follow your schedule to determine how efficiently you use your time.

3. TAKE A BREAK
All work and no play can make you a dull person, and make you go crazy. Under excessively tense conditions, recreation plays a vital role in maintaining composure. The beauty of the schedule is that it not only lets you see when you need to get work done, but also when you don’t need to get work done. Fill your free time with fun, relaxing activities that take your mind off worries. Finding a job is a full time job, but it should not consume 24 hours of the day 7 days a week.

4. KNOW WHERE YOU STAND
People also create stress by not evaluating where they stand with a prospective employer. They tend to assume that they are not in good standing with a company or interviewer, which only creates more tension and worries. Take time to stop and think about correspondences and other interactions. Pay attention to the tones people use as they write or speak. Reflect on the impressions you make from a phone interviewer. A second round of interviews probably means you made the cut and are in the running for the job. Serious contemplation of these types smaller things will remove uncertainty, thus remove worry.

5. AVOID REPITITIVE STRESS
You can improve efficiency and free up time, but recognizing opportunities to reuse work you have already done. This does NOT mean using generic cover letters and interview questions. However, having templates that can be modified to custom fit companies and situations is worthwhile. The key is to reduce the amount of work you have to do, without sacrificing the authenticity of the impression you leave. An employment portfolio can make this recycling even easier. Just remember that everything you say or write to a possible employer should reflect your personality and your thoughts on working for that particular employer.

6. PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT
As it comes down to the wire, the most stressful part of a job search for many people is the most confrontational part of the process: the interview. An interview is, in some respect, an employer’s way of testing you. Just like you studied for tests in school, you can study for interviews. This is more than just doing background research on a company. Think about possible questions the interviewers might ask you and think about how you would respond. Many people find it helpful to actually go through mock interviews with friends or family. Find a preparation method that works for you. Whatever it may be, use it. If you can eliminate the anxiety of an upcoming interview, you will perform better and feel better.

Some tips for Resignation

Turning in your resignation isn't always easy. Even if you hate your job, hate your boss and can't wait to start that new job; even if you are about to be fired, it can be difficult to resign tactfully……..

First of all, be sure that you really do want to quit. Then, handle your resignation as carefully as you would handle any other business endeavor. It's always wise to not burn bridges. You never know when you will need your past employers for a reference.

Resignation Pros and Cons

Before you make the decision to quit, be absolutely sure that this is the right decision.  An employee once called me the day after she started her new job. She hated it, regretted resigning and wanted to come back.  By the time we heard from her, we had already filled the position and she was out of luck.

If you're not sure about the position you are considering taking, ask if you can spend a day in the office shadowing the staff. It may reinforce your decision to take the position or help you decide you don't want it.

Weigh the Options

Do you have another job offer? If so, weigh the pros and cons of the new position versus your current position. Consider the work environment, flexibility, salary and benefits in addition to the job responsibilities.  How about opportunities to advance? If the new job comes up ahead on all counts and you feel sure that this is the right change to make, don't hesitate.

No new job on the horizon? Before you quit, consider the basics.  It will take about three to six months, sometimes longer, to find a new job. Unless you quit for a good cause, you may not be eligible for unemployment benefits.

Do you have enough savings or other income to manage on?  Even if your employment situation isn't the best, you might want to consider hanging on to the job you have, as well as your paycheck, and starting your job search before you resign. That old saying that "it's easier to find a job, when you have a job" does hold true.

Give Notice

If you have an employment contract that states how much notice you should give, abide by it. Otherwise, it's appropriate to offer two weeks notice.

No Obligation

If your employer asks you to stay longer than two weeks (or the time period in your contract) you have no obligation to stay. Your new employer will be expecting you to start as scheduled, and in a timely manner. What you could do is offer to help your previous employer, if necessary, after hours, via email or on the phone.

How to Quit

The formal way to resign is to write a resignation letter. However, depending on circumstances, you may need toquit over the phone or to quit via email.

Write a Resignation Letter

Regardless of how your resign, write a resignation letter.  A resignation letter can help you maintain a positive relationship with your old employer, while paving the way for you to move on. You never know when you might need that old employer to give you a reference, so it makes sense to take the time to write a polished and professional resignation letter.

What to Say

Don't say much more than you are leaving. Emphasize the positive and talk about how the company has benefited you, but, mention that it's time to move on. Offer to help during the transition and afterwards. Don't be negative. There's no point - you're leaving and you want to leave on good terms.

Use our sample resignation letters for suggestions on what to write.

Ask for a Reference

Before you leave, ask for a letter of recommendation from your manager. As time passes and people move on, it's easy to lose track of previous employers. With a letter in hand, you'll have written documentation of your credentials to give to prospective employers.

Return Company Property

Return any company property you have - including keys, documents, computers, phones, and anything else that doesn't belong to you. The company doesn't want to chase you to get it back, and you don't want to be held responsible if it's not returned in a timely manner.

Review Resignation Do's and Don'ts

Before you turn in your resignation, review these resignation do's and don'ts and resign as gracefully as possible.

Some tips for getting promoted in your current job

If you’re interested in advancing in your career, the best argument for staying with one company for a while is potential promotion opportunities……

 If you have a good relationship with your boss, they probably know your strengths better than you could explain to someone in the course of an interview or in a 2-page resume. The trick is motivating your boss to see you as someone who should move up to the next level.

Use the resources you have

Whether or not you’ve been networking all along, you should definitely start to do it.
The elevator pitch isn’t just for people looking for a job outside their current company – you should also have an elevator pitch developed about where you’re looking to go in your career with your present employer.
Also, use current projects as a way to advertise your strengths to others in the company. By doing a great job on projects and exceeding expectations, you’ll be generating some positive publicity for yourself.

Get prepared

Find out who’s picking the candidate for the promotion and what skills they’re seeking for the job. Next, make sure you have the top four or five skills or the ability to produce them. Start checking out your marketing portfolio, resume, or anything else you can use. Organize your materials and make sure they clearly reflect the skills needed. Use examples to show the things you’ve already done in the company that have helped them succeed (or even exceed) their goals.

Come up with a strategy

Don’t assume your boss knows you want that promotion. Just like you worked hard to get your current job, it takes effort to get a promotion.

 Have a meeting with your boss. Use this time to let them know what your professional goals are and how you’d like to go about achieving them. Be specific about it and ask them if you’re on the right track. Whether you are or you aren’t, you’ll learn where you stand.

 If your boss doesn’t bring up the subject of the promotion in this meeting, you ought to bring it up so it is at least discussed. You should mention you have an interest in it, and if they don’t offer to help you get the promotion, ask them if you could be considered for it.

 Network within the company. Networking doesn’t stop after the interview. Continue to keep your contacts and also make new ones. If the promotion is in another department, use your networking skills to your advantage. A simple “hi, how are you?” or “how was your weekend?” will open up the lines of communication between you and them. In turn, you’ll be able to develop a relationship with them and lo and behold, you’ve made another contact.


Stay positive

When you go out for a promotion, you should always keep in mind that you no matter how qualified you are, you may not get it. The person may already have someone in mind or they may be several people ahead of you in line for the job. Make yourself known, and people will start to think of you as someone who strives to be the best. This way, if you don’t get this one, you’ll definitely be in line for the next one. No effort goes unnoticed, so think of your campaign for a promotion as a campaign for excellence!

How To Attend Job Fairs

Job fairs are excellent places to learn, network and land a job. But the big job fairs can be overly-crowded, competitive, confusing events……  Some have hundreds of employers and thousands of job seekers participating, making it impossible for you to shop all booths. You could easily miss your ideal job opportunity while trying to squeeze through the crowd. It's also hard to leave lasting impressions when hundreds of job seekers were at the booths before you, with hundreds more after. But there are ways to make the most of your time on the job fair floor and beat your competitors. If the Web sites of job fair producers offer the option, search for jobs in advance, to target the most promising, participating employers. Read the employers' profiles if available, to help you answer the classic question, "Why do you want to work for us?" Even if job fair producers don't offer these options, most at least list the participating employers and the general types of jobs they have open, so you may research them on your own. That might be a good idea anyway, and the About Us and career sections of employers' Web sites are typically good places to start. You can find an employer's site by typing the full company name in your browser, where you'd normally type a URL. Alternately, try company-research resources, some of which include business articles, financial reports and such for the companies they track. Natch, in-depth research might not be practical if dozens of companies are offering your job at the fair. But the more you know about each, the better.   Plan to take at least 25 crisp resumes to a job fair, 40 or so if it's a huge event. (The job fair might have copy facilities for free or a small fee, which is nice if you run out. But don't count on it ahead of time.) The scannable format is probably best for job fairs, as it accommodates most of the ways employers file and distribute paper resumes and their electronic counterparts. If your job requires formatting skills, you might also bring some fancier resumes to offer employers a choice. Bring a pen, pencil and notepad too, and organize it all in a nice brief case or portfolio.   Before a job fair, prepare to interview on the spot, summary style in a few minutes or less. In other words, be prepared to quickly sell your skills, talents and experiences. It's better to politely sidestep up-front salary discussions if you can. But have a salary figure in mind, just in case your interview advances to the salary stage. Job fairs tend to be more casual than formal interviews, so you can relax and be more friendly. But also "read the mood" of the employer's representative with whom you're speaking at the moment, and adjust your style accordingly. Even though it's more casual, attire, body language, manners and other interview professionalisms still count. Dress sharp, act professional and display enthusiasm.   Also prepare to fill out a job application on the spot. Unless you're otherwise directed, it's best to turn it in right away. Taking it home first allows your better-prepared competitors to beat you to it.   Arrive a few minutes early at a job fair, to register if required and plan your attack. Pick up a booth map if available, and route your path to the employers you've targeted. If a job list is available, check it, just in case employers added new jobs since you last researched. If you're going to attend seminars, networking events and such, look for the schedules while you're at it.   Visit your targeted employers first with resume in hand, and spend some quality time with each. But, remember that they have many more job seekers waiting, so don't try to hog all their time or be offended if they cut it short. Once you've hit all of your targets, shop other employers' booths and do some networking. If the job fair has casual get-togethers, have some fun while networking too! But, natch, it's a good idea to go easy on the cocktails. Your potential new boss might be watching you.   When wrapping up your conversations with employers' reps, show your interest by asking them what the next steps are. Ask if it's okay to call them or send follow-up letters a few days after the job fair ends. But if they say they'll contact you, don't press your luck too much. The squeaking wheel doesn't always get the oil in this case.   Track to which employers you've submitted your resume at the job fair, so you don't redundantly resubmit it too soon. It's a good idea to jot down other notes too, right after you talk with each rep. This will help you to stay consistent, in case you land a follow-up interview with the same person. (You can bet that interested reps will take notes on you.) Taking notes will also help you to effectively follow up with a call or letter.   Collect business cards or contact info as you go, and do follow up within 24-48 hours with a thank-you letter to each of the representatives with whom you spoke. It's courteous, professional and typically expected, even after casual job fairs. Complying might make you stand out in their minds, to help you land follow-up interviews.   Afterwards, revisit the job fair producers' sites periodically. Many continue to list new and unfilled openings for some time after job fairs. Post your resume if you haven't already done so. Again, if producers don't offer these options, visit the sites of employers that interest you. It wouldn't hurt to visit the latter anyway, as they may have new openings they don't forward to the producers after the job fair. But don't bombard employers with your resume, as it'll appear that you're unorganized and not keeping track. One resume in three to six months is enough. If you want to know what's going with your resume or if you see a new position, send a follow-up letter or letter of inquiry instead. The employer will let you know if you should submit your resume again.

How to successful in Job Search in Challenging Times

What can you do to expedite your job search in a difficult job market? Do you need help or do you have to tips to share?........

Here's advice on how to ensure your job search is effective in challenging times and here's how to include your job search tips on the list.

If you have big company experience, note that many small companies are run in a seat-of-the-pants fashion with inadequate business processes. The knowledge that big company people can bring to the table often is immensely valuable. If you can latch on as a paid consultant, great. If not, and you have a friend who's a small businessperson, cast some bread upon the waters and help him (or her) gratis. Use this experience both for keeping the resume shipshape and for adding to your own knowledge base.

Figure out a way to transfer your skills to a recession-proof industry such as healthcare - if you're not already in the medical field (the only industry currently adding jobs, other than mining). Think of how your current skill set and experience could translate into a career in the medical field. For example, if you're in sales, consider medical sales roles. If you're in accounting, there are many accounting roles available in medical manufacturers, pharmaceutical companies, hospitals, clinics, etc. Not all healthcare careers require advanced medical degrees and certifications, such as non-clinical positions, and some lower-level allied healthcare jobs.

If you've been laid off, or if you still have a job but worry you might be laid off, seek out a headhunter. A headhunter can help you broaden your search and will be able to look for jobs for you...whether you're at work or looking for work.

It may take months to find a job, but to keep from falling into a slough of despair, bolster your resume with work of some kind. Nonprofits will be looking for more volunteers as funds decrease, but their clients' needs increase. Also, here are more nonprofit job hunting tips for troubled times.

I would say, keep your network active. About 75% of jobs are never posted publicly before they're filled, so those successful candidates were well-networked. Make sure you stay in touch with people and help them as you can, because you never know when you'll need their help.

LinkedIn's capacity to be a career safety net, especially in an economy like the one we're currently in, is extremely useful regardless of what industry you're in. Staying connected to people that you have worked with, know and trust can be a huge help. A lot of times the best jobs aren't posted on job boards. They may only be uncovered via close connections or relationships with someone that knows someone who works at the company. LinkedIn enables you to unlock the power of your connections' connections. 

It is also important to have a very clear idea of the type of job one is looking for, and to provide demonstrable ways of adding value and the ability to get things done for a prospective employer. Employers are even more bottom-line oriented in a downturn and need to be shown very clearly the value that a candidate can bring. 

Execunet.com conducted a survey of 100 executive recruiters, noting that 77% used sites such as Spock to learn more about a person and 35% of those had eliminated a candidate based on information uncovered. You should therefore get in the habit of regularly performing a Spock and Google search for your name and e-mail. Any information you see will represent what any good recruiter or hiring manager will look for before or after an interview. In this case it's best to use a people specific search service, which will look deeper and is more likely to display information about you. Always remember to search for yourself by additional keywords such as location or university. 

Be sure you have a business card with your name, the title (description) you want to be remembered for (ie - Global Program Manager, Dell/IBM) your email address and cell phone number. This is a quick reminder, easy to hand out, and you should never leave home without them. 

There is a tendency among professionals to think that State employment services provide no assistance for anybody other than blue collar and unskilled workers when that is definitely not the case. Each State operates employment services offices and other State sponsored services in most metropolitan communities across the Country, and each of these offices provide services for the unemployed, the soon to be unemployed, the underemployed at every skill level, including professionals. Most State employment services also provide specific Veterans' services and opportunities for professionals to meet and network. 

Have a professional write your resume. I've seen many many resumes that are two pages chock full of words and at the end of it, I still have absolutely no idea what the person can do. One of the worst is Analyze data - does that mean someone gave you an excel printout and you reviewed it? Or does it mean you gathered quantitative data, input it into statistical software yourself, produced numerous statistical calculations, evaluated the various outputs and drew final conclusions? 

If You Are New College Grads Then Don’t Forget these Job Hunting Tips

College is an excellent place to prepare for life in the real world and offers a significant amount of resources that college students should learn to take advantage of. Your college puts together plenty of opportunities for you to find that first job……

 But it is up to you to make the most of your college experience, use the resources you have available and make the contacts that will help you find that first job.

One of the misconceptions about job hunting is that the resume is a standard document that includes all of the same information for everyone. If you want a chance at landing a good first job, then you need to understand that a good resume is an open conversation with the hiring manager that is designed to help you land that first job. You want your resume and your qualifications to stand out, and one way that you do that is to get involved while in college.

If you want to follow a career that involves any kind of writing, then join the school newspaper. Students who want to get involved in careers that involve presentations should join the debate team. This would be ideal for students studying to go into sales or law. A student that wants to have a career that involves communicating with others should look into being part of the school radio station.

There are also organizations on campus that you can get involved in that do charity work and get involved in corporate internships as well. Fraternities, sororities and other organizations will allow you to stay involved in the community and make valuable contacts that could be used later in your job hunt.

College is an opportunity for students to start networking with the people that will make a difference in their careers. Professors often have corporate jobs or hold positions of corporate boards that can help you get closer to getting the job you want.

Try for an internship at a company that is in your field to add that to your resume. If you cannot get an official internship, then volunteer to work for free during the summer just to have the experience to have on your resume. When you reach graduation, your resume will look more accomplished than some of the other candidates.

After years of networking, school activities and internships you are finally ready to put your resume together. Because you are looking for the first real job in your career field, you should start your resume off with an objective statement. Let the employer know how you intend to apply what you learned in college towards your career. Add value to yourself to make you a more appealing job candidate.

Your resume should be professional looking and consistent, but it does not need to follow a specific template. Most resumes list job experience by company, title and date. As a new college graduate, you will not have much to talk about in the way of pertinent work experience. This is the section where you outline all of the internships and other work you have done to gain experience. Do not leave anything out that could enhance your status as an employment candidate. Use your college experiences to make your resume stand out.

Your school has a career center that can be an invaluable resource towards finding your first job. Check the school employment center to find out when it will be holding job fairs or when companies will be coming to campus to hold interviews. Get involved in every event that your school career center offers because it will give you valuable experience on speaking to human resources professionals. The job fairs could also be your ticket to your first real job interview.

Before the job fairs and corporate interviews, use your college career center as a place to develop your resume, improve your interview skills and help send out resumes to companies in your field. The college career center can be an invaluable job hunting resource even after graduation.

A college graduate needs to be focused on his future career the moment he starts his freshman year. With the proper planning and vision, the college graduate can have an impressive resume put together and the right contacts available to find the job he is looking for.

Are You Ready For Handle Resignation Or Retirement?

Sometimes, we leave our job by choice. At other times, we are forced to move on because we're laid-off or fired…..

 Here's what you need to know about leaving your job including how to handle a termination or lay-off, how to resign, retirement, how to say goodbye to co-workers, along with sample letters and job loss advice.

How to Handle a Resignation 

It isn't easy to resign. Even if you hate your job, hate your boss and can't wait to start that new job, or you if are about to be fired, it can be difficult to resign tactfully. Here's how to handle your resignation.

How to Handle a Lay-Off

Have you lost your job? Here's how to handle unemployment, check on the benefits you're entitled to, start a job search, and more.

How to Handle a Termination

Getting fired, unfortunately, can happen to the best of us. It can happen even when it's not your fault. Regardless of the circumstances, here is advice on what to do if you've been fired.

Get Ready to Quit Your Job

Before you quit your job, review these tips and suggestions to make sure that you're ready to leave and all your personal information is deleted from your computer and removed from your office, before you turn in your resignation.

Building Relationships as You Leave Your Job

Leaving your job can be a positive transition for everyone involved. You have the power to ensure that leaving your current employer strengthens your relationship and reputation rather than destroying it.

Ready to Retire?

We all reach a stage in our lives when it's time to move on. We may have found a better job or we want to retire from full-time employment to do something else with the rest of the lives.

How to Say Goodbye

You have found a new job and you're ready to give two-weeks notice to your current employer. Here is best way to let your boss know that you're resigning and how to say farewell to your co-workers.

Severance Pay

Severance pay may be given to employees upon termination of employment. Severance pay is usually based on length of employment.

Two Weeks Notice

Giving two weeks notice is the standard practice when resigning from a job, even if your employer doesn't ask for notice, it is a good idea to offer it.

Unemployment

Unemployment eligibility requirements, when to file, how to file, benefits, rates, and answers to questions on unemployment compensation.

When You Leave Your Job: Employee Benefits

Information on the employment related benefits that you may be eligible for when you resign, get fired, or get laid-off from your job.

Successful Ways For Landing A New Job

Although job search engines are free for those who are in search of a job, the employers themselves have to pay money for posting their ads in the form of job listings…..

 Some ads that you might find may not be relevant to you. Simply skip these and move on to the next one. While registering on one of these job sites you may find that you have to view some advertisements for some study courses before moving on to the next step. Also you might be asked whether you would want to be sent more information or not. Accordingly you should put in your choice.

When you register on one of these job websites it is a good idea to create a separate email id for your job search just in case some of these sites start sending you some spam mails. Make a note of the jobs that you apply for. Sometimes they make get hold of your email id somehow and then ask you for your personal details by sending you an email that talks about having received your job application. So when you apply for some of the jobs advertised in job listings make sure you note which ones they are to prevent your personal details going out to the wrong people.

Always keep your resume typed and ready to post online on as many sites that provide job listings. You can do a job search all through the day but if you don't post your resume your chances of landing a job are reduced dramatically. It is advisable to create a PDF file of your resume. This file format is viewable on just about every kind of computer no matter what operating system it supports so you can be sure that the receiver will be able to view it. Do not send a Microsoft Word document as although it is used by most people you cannot be sure that everybody has it installed. Send a PDF file and be safe.

Job search engines are certainly one of the most successful ways of landing a new job after of course through word of mouth. Choosing the right search engine can make a great difference in finding appropriate job listings. While the number of job search sites can be overpowering, there is a lot of free help obtainable online.

Searching for the perfect job requires a lot of effort, time and knowledge. Before you start on your job search, you have to make sure you know what kind of job you are looking for. If you go for job interview after choosing from the job listings and then find that this job was not as per your qualifications, a lot of time is wasted; for you and the employer. You must take into consideration the kind of work you enjoy doing, the kind of work environment that you would rather opt for and spare time to spend with your family. So make sure that you don't get a job too far from your home as travel will eat into your free time.

Don’t neglect yourself during job search

Job searches are stressful. It does not matter how confident, up-beat and self-assured you are at the start, once you begin e-mailing dozens of resumes that get no response, going on great job interviews that go nowhere, and receiving polite rejection letters, eventually it will take a toll on your psyche…..

 Maintaining a positive attitude is one the most important things you can do to make sure you are in a great job at the end of the process but it is easier said than done.

To start with, it is important to remember two things. Number one, finding a job is the most difficult job you will likely ever have. If you can do this, you can do just about anything! Number two, it does not matter if you are Jane Doe or Donald Trump, if you work at your job search diligently every day, experience tells me that it will take you approximately 30 to 90 days to find a great job. It is going to take some time but it will not take forever.

Not supporting yourself emotionally and physically during this time is exactly what you should not be doing! By implementing a few key practices, you can stave off frustration, fear and boredom and keep yourself motivated, excited and the type of candidate most employers are eager to meet. These are not secrets; in fact, the list here applies to life in general. Who would have thought that the habits you develop during a job search could energize the rest of your career?

1. Stay in Shape: Okay, if you are out of shape when your job search starts, then this would be more aptly titled Get in Shape. This does not mean spending hours at a gym, but it does mean getting physical exercise on a daily basis. Movement gets your blood pumping and helps generate endorphins. You will feel better, think better and look better. Step away from the computer at least once a day and hit the gym or the walking trail.

2. Eat Well: This does not mean going to four- or five-star restaurants; this means eating healthy, balanced meals that serve to fuel your body. It is well-known that eating foods high in carbohydrates and sugars put weight on the body and mess with our metabolism and mood. Do not give in to foods that will sabotage your job search intentions!

3. Meditate: By sitting quietly for 10-20 minutes per day, you allow your mind to clear and give yourself the chance to go within. Staying in touch with your spiritual side helps tremendously during a job search. Meditation provides time for ideas and issues to bubble up and gives you the opportunity to address them rather than just stuffing them down...never a good practice but particularly toxic during a job search.

4. Journal: The response to this is usually Ugh, I don't know what to write! That is okay. Give yourself permission to write whatever comes up for you; frustrations, excitement or angry rants. It is particularly helpful to journal after a job interview...it does not have to be anything specific, just stream-of-consciousness stuff. Eventually you will begin to see themes and insights emerging that will help move you closer to your dreams. An important note: if you are using an online journal, adjust the privacy settings so that prospective employers cannot access your deepest darkest thoughts!

5. Live Your Life: It is easy for a job search to completely overwhelm your life. This is especially true if money is getting tight. However, focusing 24/7 on your job search will not serve you or the ones you love well. Maintaining interest in other people, the world, the economy, politics, volunteering your time, whatever captures your awareness, helps keep you well-rounded and interesting (i.e. the type of person hiring managers want to meet.) Withdrawing and only concerning yourself with your job search is a quick way to desperation (i.e. exactly the type of person hiring mangers hope to avoid).

Taking care of yourself during a job search gives you the opportunity to put yourself first - perhaps for the first time in your life. Giving yourself the chance to grow, change and adopt a healthy outlook makes you an attractive and interesting job seeker. Plus, you may learn some habits that will positively impact the rest of your life. Now that is turning a negative into a positive!

Keep your spirits up when you're feeling down during job search

 If you've been in a job search for more than a few weeks you may be experiencing the feelings of defeat, despair, and hopelessness, not to mention the urge to give up. It's been a tough year, and then some, for those who have lost jobs for whatever reason….

Work hard to keep your spirits up when you're feeling down during this process.

1. Don't give up.

You may have heard some of these stories before but they remain inspirational.

Thomas Edison patented 1,093 inventions in his lifetime, but it took him 10,000 attempts to make an electric light bulb work.

Thomas Edison patented 1,093 inventions in his lifetime, but it took him 10,000 attempts to make an electric light bulb work.

Thomas Edison patented 1,093 inventions in his lifetime, but it took him 10,000 attempts to make an electric light bulb work.

Walt Disney's Mickey Mouse series failed to become an instant hit, but he kept trying and in 1928 he added sound and made it an electrifying success.

 The challenge is to pick yourself up after a failure and move forward. That is what will set you apart from "the pack." These great successes-after-failure stories couldn't have happened if these people hadn't continued to pursue their dreams. Anyone can give up -- that's easy!

2. Give yourself permission to fail.

Job opportunities can come your way at the most unusual time and place. Study after study published continues to indicate that "networking" is still the number one way to land a job. Take advantage of every opportunity to be with groups of people. This encompasses everything from your child's soccer game to a Chamber of Commerce event. Don't forget to use the social networking sites available online to reconnect with your colleagues and those with common interests. Sites such as Facebook and LinkedIn. Be sure to be very professional when using these sources.

Stress becomes a problem when it begins to affect your lifestyle and health. Consider talking to someone who is a professional to get some advice about relaxation techniques. Park and Recreation departments in most cities offer relaxation courses of some kind -- yoga, pilates, aerobics, or stress control exercises -- for a nominal fee, that could assist you in getting back on balance.

3. It is not unusual to have ups and downs

Accepting the fact that this is a stressful time you are going through and that a great deal of it is out of your control will help you put things into perspective. It's not unusual to have highs and lows during your job search. Some days you may even feel like you're on an emotional roller coaster. Everything looks hopeful one moment with a job prospect ahead, and then it changes to dark and dismal in the next moment when you receive a rejection.

4. Work on controlling stress

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 really down or upset? You may need to talk to someone who is a professional to get some advice about relaxation techniques. Park and Recreation departments in most cities offer relaxation courses of some kind -- yoga, pilates, aerobics, or stress control exercises -- for a nominal fee, that could assist you in getting back on balance.

5. Continue to get out there

Study after study published continues to indicate that networking is still the number one way to land a job. Take advantage of every opportunity to be with groups of people. This encompasses everything from your child's soccer game to a Chamber of Commerce event. Informal networking can happen at any moment and when you least expect it. An example is of a man waiting for a bus. He struck up a conversation with another man also waiting for the bus and ended up getting a job lead and an eventual offer. No one can predict when an opportunity might come your way.

Don't forget about trying out some social networking online - places like Facebook and LinkedIn to connect with past colleagues and contacts.

6. You must be sure to control stress for the good of you and your family

You want to let the interviewer know that you are the "solution to their problem," and the best person for the job. Preparing ahead of the job interview will give you a definite advantage. What this means is getting focused about what you want the interviewer to know about you. You are presenting a picture of you with words. It is important to identify what makes you unique and what added value you can bring to the position. Reading through the job posting you are applying for and getting a sense of what it will take to do this job will help you look at the process from the interviewer's point of view.

7. Keep in mind - you are not alone

It is essential that you are prepared, focused, and able to tell the interviewer what makes you unique and why you are the best person for the job. Remember, it is an extremely tight job market and that for every job opening there are four or five equally qualified candidates standing in line behind you.

Keeping upbeat is a part of your job right now. When you begin to give into the dark side you will project that to others. You want to stay as upbeat as possible, particularly while interviewing. Bringing confidence and energy to the interview are the two most important ingredients to connecting with the interviewer.

How To avoid your own career self-destruction

All workers share the common fear of getting fired. Today, people are not only scared of being fired; they fear getting laid off from their jobs…..

 Neither is a situation any worker wants to face. What's worse, many factors that play a huge role in making these decisions are out of your control, such as the economy, performance and longevity in the company. To best avoid being faced with a pink slip of any kind, employees should make sure they aren't doing anything to themselves that might affect this decision.

Avoiding self-destructive habits at work seems like common sense, but reasonable thinking is sometimes forgotten when employees try to stand out or learn new habits, styles and techniques in order to stay afloat in their lines of business.

To avoid your own career self-destruction, avoid these 10 habits:

1. Not keeping track of your accomplishments

Let's say the boss is deciding whether to keep you or your co-worker on board. He sits you down and asks, Why should I keep you? If you have nothing to show or tell to prove your case, chances are, you'll be the one getting the boot. Additionally, it's good to keep a running list of awards, promotions and accomplishments to showcase when it comes time for annual performance reviews or when asking for a pay increase. Plus, you never know when you'll end up looking for new work. If you don't keep track of all the good you've done, you might not remember them when it's time to update your resume.

2. Not keeping your skill set current

The business landscape is ever-changing, as exemplified by this tough economy. Right now, you're just trying to keep your job and the best way to do that is to show your employer they are getting the maximum return on their investment: you. Keeping your skill set current, along with expanding it, will show your employer you're worth their money, especially when companies are looking for ways to reduce expenses.

3. Not delivering results

Common sense will tell you that business is about accountability. If you don't contribute to the bottom line, if you cost money instead of make money or if you harbor a sense of entitlement for simply having put forth effort, you are guaranteed to fall by the wayside.

4. Efficient does not equal effective
Those who think that communicating via e-mail, because it's faster than actually talking with people, fail to recognize the importance of personally connecting with others in today's highly automated, technological and competitive environment. One thing that will keep you afloat in this economy is your relationships with people, and those relations can't be grown through e-mails, text messages or BlackBerry chats.

5. Thinking you're irreplaceable
There is no room for divas in the workplace. There are millions of people looking for work right now and, chances are, more than a few of them could do your job. As soon as you convince yourself that you and only you can do the job right, your star will surely start to fall.

6. Knowing all the answers
Knowledge is power. Professing to know it all, however, will stall your career as it shows that you're uninterested in learning about new ideas and approaches. To stay afloat in today's job market, workers need to ask questions, stay current and listen to new ideas.

7. Surrounding yourself with brownnosers
The old adage remains true: You are the company you keep. If you associate with brownnosers, it's most likely because you like having others boost your confidence. This fact will not be lost on those around you. Managers and other professionals will have no problem replacing you with someone who accepts and encourages intelligence and creativity in others.

8. Taking all the credit
Give credit where credit is due. Most managers are smart enough to realize when you inappropriately take full credit for positive outcomes despite the help or input received by others. If you credit other people where they deserve it, you'll be seen as team player, a key element to any successful group. Plus, you'll probably find that you start seeing the same acknowledgement from your co-workers. 

9. Not tooting your own horn
Chances are your boss doesn't have time to keep a running tab on each of his employees, so how else will your boss know how valuable you are to the company unless you tell him? Bragging is one thing, but letting colleagues in your industry know of your success through case studies, promotion bulletins or other such tools is another. It's important to recognize the value of letting others know about your accomplishments as long as you go about it in the right way.

10. Losing perspective
Those who fail to recognize their shortcomings are destined for the unemployment line.

Intuitive business people recognize that, despite their best attempts to do everything right, they may sometimes approach roadblocks and need to seek the advice and perspective of a respected friend, colleague or even a business coach. Acknowledging that you aren't perfect will earn you respect in the office.

How Can You Face Tough Interview Questions?

Wouldn't it be great if, before job interviews, hiring managers gave you the questions they planned to ask? You would know what to expect and could prepare your answers beforehand…….

 The reality, however, is that employers want unrehearsed, candid responses from interviewees, so you're likely to be presented with challenging questions. But that doesn't mean you still can't prepare yourself in advance.

To make the right impression, you need to maintain perspective. Tough questions aren't asked to make applicants miserable. Companies just want to make sure you can thrive under stressful conditions -- which are common in today's busy administrative environments -- and that you don't have any issues that might prevent you from succeeding on the job. Here are some examples of tough questions and ways to answer them appropriately:

This is your opportunity to explain how your skills match the company's requirements. Consider something such as, "Your job posting mentioned that you need an administrative assistant who not only has solid software skills, but who also is able to work well as part of a team. I possess strong technical abilities and received an award at my previous employer for being a team player. I also share your firm's commitment to innovation and like to continue learning new technologies so I can bring creative approaches to my work."

Ask what the salary range is for the position, but be ready in case you aren't given the information you need. Read salary surveys, government data and association reports in advance so you have an idea of what comparable jobs pay right now. That way, you can give a response that's in line with current standards.

How you talk about previous managers can go a long way toward defining you as a job candidate. You can jeopardize your chances if you seem overly angry or critical. You do need to discuss a negative point, but balance it out by highlighting something you learned from the relationship. For instance, you might mention that your supervisor was constantly behind closed doors and difficult to reach, but that you found it valuable to have mentors in the organization who could guide you when you couldn't get advice from your boss. You could even add that the experience strengthened your ability to work independently.

Be honest and brief, concentrating on a minor shortcoming that doesn't have a profound affect on job performance. For example, you might note that your penmanship is difficult to read, so you've learned to type out notes to people instead.

Most importantly, as you interview, take a deep breath and listen carefully. If a question is unclear, don't be afraid to ask for clarification, and if it's very complex, it's okay to pause before giving a thoughtful response. You'll help to give the best possible answers during challenging points in the interview.

Planning a Career after college

After college many enter the career world without any preparation and some years down the line, many of us are still trying to figure out what we want to be…….

We may have good jobs and nice salaries, but we are not really happy in our work. We daydream about the what if in our life and long for the chance to discover and explore the job of our dreams.

It's never too early to start making plans for your career after college success.

Identifying your dream job and the path that will take you there is both a challenge and an opportunity. 

Know your strengths and what you are good at.always base your career on what you excel in rather than what you love and leave what you love to your hobbies.

Let your education be geared towards the career you want to pursue. Work hard on it and choose wisely on the kind of degree or diploma you want to pursue and where it’s offered.

Whenever you meet someone who's involved in the field that you're interested in, no matter how peripherally, make a connection. With email, Facebook, and other technologies, it's easier than ever to stay in contact with large numbers of people. A personal acquaintance can make a huge difference when seeking a job.

In most career fields, knowledge, standards and practices change rapidly. Make an effort to remain current by reading and attending seminars. Subscribe to periodicals in your career field.

Whenever your circumstances change, or you accomplish something noteworthy.

A resume should include your most impressive positions, accomplishments and publications. Periodically weed out the less impressive things, so you're left with a brief, but strong, resume. Keep track of hiring trends in your career field.

Go beyond the scope of your previous jobs and career choices, and contemplate who you are as an individual and what kinds of things you are good at.

Take note of your natural skills and abilities to identify all of the areas in which you excel. Make a list of the hobbies and activities you typically enjoy when you are not busy working, and try to determine what it is about those activities that you find enjoyable.

Do not try to re-invent the wheel. Talk to somebody who knows something. Spend time talking with a career coach or career counselor to help you pinpoint a career that might have everything to offer. Career coaches work to guide clients through transition, and you can typically find them listed in business directories.

Be aware of how you present yourself to others. Your choice of clothing and your social manner will tell other people a lot about who you are. Always look your best when going to work or social functions, and treat everyone with the respect they deserve.

So don’t focus on your career after college to the detriment of your personal health. Make a point of eating well, getting enough exercise, and having fun with friends and family. Your career won't be helped if you fall ill due to poor eating habits, or overwork.

Wonderful Tips For Travel Job Search

Looking for your ideal job? Maybe you’re looking for a part time job or a completely new lifestyle. We would all prefer easy money jobs over hard labor jobs. The job that everyone is after involves less demanding work, good pay and wonderful perks. Travel jobs have those qualities and gives you the opportunity to experience the world and have one of a kind adventures……..

If you are currently unemployed, you must understand that you still have a job. Your job is to find a job! And it is a full-time job until you find one! But with all the motivation and desperation, finding the best travel job can be quite difficult.

Here are seven sure fire tips that you can definitely take advantage of:

1.Cast a wide net

The old but sound advice of narrowing your job search based on your preferences and career goals may be a bit outdated. Don’t get me wrong; on a case to case basis, it could still work. But we are now in a tight economy and it is better to broaden your scope. Be less idealistic.

Don’t get too choosy. After all, you still have other tools in your toolbox, right? Expand your possibilities.

2.Jobs doesn’t mean employment

Be your own boss. Finding travel jobs does not absolutely mean finding an employer to hire you as a unit of their workforce.

If you have special skills, like for example, in photography or in writing, you can always freelance and sell your work. Get hired for freelance work by organizations and create partnerships.

This may lead to being offered a more full time position with a company and if you want it you should take it.

3.Networking and Referrals:

See every encounter with any one and everything that happens as a potential job opportunity. Talk to former classmates, distant relatives, your gym buddies; if everybody around you know about your availability, you are bound to find the travel job you want. Even better, the job will come to you. This is the power of networking.

If prospects become unsuccessful, it won’t hurt to ask for referrals. Sometimes, you are given more than one. Referrals are new prospects. If still a failure, just continue asking for referrals. 

Eventually, you will get to that YES! moment!

4.On line attack

If you have the time — I’m sure you have, you’re unemployed –, search travel jobs on the net. Register to all online job search sites you can find. Spread your resume. Create a professional sounding email and send applications.

5.Update you resume

Always keep your resumes up-to-date. Also, try to customize your resumes suitable to the criteria of the travel job you wish to get.

6.Every failure is a step to success

It sounds like something Confucius might have said. But in your quest to find the travel job you want, it is entirely true.

Always consider that unsuccessful interviews have lessons in them you should be able to pick up. Determine what employers want from their potential workers. There will surely be patterns and you can use the knowledge on your future interviews.

7.Volunteer

Volunteering can open doors. It expands your network and you learn new things. Its a great way to get in on the ground floor of an organization and you’d be surprised what kind of connections you can make.

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The Bright Future Of Fashion Designing Jobs

Fashion designing job is an art of designing clothes and accessories. It is a creative and can be one of the most interesting careers. These days' youngsters are selecting fashion designing as a career because of its bright future. …..

Fashion designing is an imaginative and challenging field; those who are interested to make people look fine and comfortable can select this field. Fashion designer designs clothes in such a way that, it enhances the personality of a person along with confidence.

Fashion designer can start their own business and design for the customers according to the latest fashion season. Some designers work for film industry, television or for drama. Fashion designer may be appointed by the Garment Company for designing clothes, for increasing the sale of the product.

Fashion designing is divided into three divisions Garment designing, Leather designing, Accessory and ornament designing.

Responsibilities of Fashion Designer:

There are many responsibilities of a Fashion designer; some of them are as follows-

• Generate new and creative ideas for design
• Giving visits to the fabric showroom to receive latest fashion news and creating innovative designs
• Keeping update knowledge of new technologies and using it while designing
• Studying qualities and personality of a person and according to that designing the garments or jewellery
• Giving information to others about documentation, instructions for designing and using tools which are used in Fashion designing
• In garment designing, designer performs important activity like selecting correct cloth and designs according to the personality of a person with great finishing
• After making finished garment, arranging shows for the customer
• Always keep high quality of designs as compare to the other competitor
• Fashion designer designs clothes for men, women and for children according to the latest fashion
• Creating artistic designs for cap, handbags as well as shoes

Skills:

• Capacity to generate new, bright ideas about any subject or condition, or imaginative solution to solve a difficulty
• Understanding the use of new techniques for solving problems in present as well as in future
• Good communicating skills
• Fashion designer should have basic knowledge of marketing while running own business
• Skill of creating designs quickly and innovatively
• Listening to others with full of concentration, realize on the points made by others
• Studying on relative expenses and profit of event and deciding the most suitable one
• Ability to take right decision on right time
• He/she should be mentally prepared to work under pressure because in this field variety of people comes in contact to compete with their expectation and deadlines, so you need to be very potential and innovative

Educational Qualification:

Creative aptitude is a key in fashion designing, person having good judgment of selecting color, appearance and sense of balancing along with good imaginary power can work as a fashion designer.

To work as a professional fashion designer you need to complete following qualification
• Graduation from any institute, providing special training for fashion designing
• Vocational schools provides two-year course of fashion designing