JOBSEARCH: Sometimes you’re just stuck in the mud!

Monday, February 16, 2009

poster71877900

Sympathetically, especially with us older “turkeys”, geography lashes us to the deck of the Titanic as the band plays sadly “Nearer My God To Thee”. Commitments are the tiny threads that continually add to bind us to our geographic comfort zone. The Youth just out of school don’t even consider it; the Old “turkey” has no choice but to. Old parents, children, and supportive friends are the “ball and chain” of our thinking.

Sad to say, I understand not being able to flit around the countryside, hither and yon, pursung the gold that’s in “them thar hills”. When you have responsibilities, you have to be responsible.

Hopefully, one can blend all the “requirements” and be open to the opportunities that the Universe giving you. It’s always what you need; not necessarily what you want. If you can recognize it. Sometimes it’s a wake up call to face facts. An old stuck-in-the-jobsearch-mud “turkey” is just that. Stuck in the mud. Being sucked down, hardening, and fixating that poor bird to a spot where one has to take what’s offered. Even if it’s just the greeter at WalMart.

Beware callow youth where you take your first job. It just might be that first thread that ties you down. For sixty or seventy years! Be sure you like that dirt under your feet. You my be there a long long time.

signed: the big fat (old) turkey

Respectfully submitted for your consideration,
the big fat old turkey hisself
stuck in the mud in Nu Jerzee

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JOBSEARCH: Layoffs are the American “Way of Life”

Sunday, February 15, 2009

Layoffs are the new American “Way of Life”.

For “salarymen” like us, it’s “early retirement”.

As a nation, I’m not sure we can afford it. It would seem that we need an ERISA-like law to protect the older workers. 40 plus!

Perhaps, instead of employment at will, it becomes a “default employment contract”. At 40, you have to get 12 months warning that your contract will not be renewed.

Figure retirement age for Social Security is 66. Society has some obligation to ensure you can work to that age.

At 60, it’s a six year contract?

F(40 years of age) = 12 F(60) = 72

x1-x2 = 60 – 40 = 20

y1-y2 = 72 – 12 = 60

3 months extension for every year of age.

45 = 1 year + 15 months. 50 = 42 months. 55 = 57 60 = 62 months

Not exactly sure how that would be formulated. Like pension vesting?

Clearly, only government workers have pensions. So industry got round that restriction. And, got back to being able to “nuke” people without a care in the world.

I’m also reformulating the advice I give turkeys in the 20 to 40 range. They need their own form of “unemployment insurance”. Try to convince them of it.

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UPDATE: No surprise here

http://www.newsvine.com/_news/2009/02/14/2434788-charlotte-in-same-predicament-as-wall-street?email=html

*** begin quote ***

After being laid off from his bank consulting job 11 months ago, Jim Edwards’ daily routine of networking, applying for jobs and going to the gym keeps his spirits up.

“I’ve been out of work and living on my retirement income,” said the 62-year-old, who added it’s been a struggle finding employment because no one is hiring.

*** end quote ***

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JOBSEARCH: Google tools for your search

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

https://docs.google.com/View?docid=dds75d9q_5546hhh2tgd&hgd=1

Tips to Enhance a Job Search Using Google Tools
By Jennifer Petoff, PhD, Google University Programs

*** begin quote ***

Here’s a quick snapshot of some tools that you can use to:

   *   Identify and target companies of interest

   *   Network, enhance your web presence, and showcase your accomplishments to potential employers

   *   Prepare for an interview and ultimately land an ideal position

*** end quote ***

And, a list of the ways you can use Google in jobsearch.

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JOBSEARCH: An interesting “job search” “social networking” site

Saturday, February 7, 2009

http://www.zumeo.com

Interesting approach to start. Should weed out the zombies and other strange people.

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JOBSEARCH: H1Bs benefit at the expense of American workers?

Thursday, February 5, 2009

http://news.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=09%2F01%2F24%2F078245&from=rss

Senator Prods Microsoft On H-1B Visas After Layoff Plans Posted by Soulskill on Saturday January 24, @08:18AM

from the checking-their-priorities dept.

*** begin quote ***

CWmike writes “US Sen. Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) told Microsoft this week that US citizens should get priority over H-1B visa holders as the software vendor moves forward on its plan to cut 5,000 jobs. ‘These work visa programs were never intended to allow a company to retain foreign guest workers rather than similarly qualified American workers, when that company cuts jobs during an economic downturn,’ Grassley wrote in a letter sent Thursday to Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer. The letter asked Microsoft to detail the types of jobs that will be eliminated and how those cuts will affect the company’s H-1B workers.”

Reader theodp adds, “On Friday, Microsoft coincidentally announced it would postpone construction of a planned $500 million data center in Grassley’s home state of Iowa, although work on data centers in Chicago and Dublin will continue.”

*** end quote ***

Sounds like the “barbara streisand” is going to hit the proverbial fan.

I’m no fan of gooferment action. But corporations are creations of the gooferment.

Sounds like INS should yank 5k of H1Bs serving Microsoft. Today!?!

imho

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JOBSEARCH: A book is recommended to me

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

http://www.amazon.com/Do-What-You-Are-Personality/dp/0316167266/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1231976366&sr=1-1

Do What You Are by Paul D. Tieger and Barbara Barron-Tieger.

Already a classic in the genre, Do What You Are has helped hundreds of thousands of people find truly satisfying work. Do What You Are introduces Personality Type – how you process information, make decisions and interact with the world around you – and shows you which of the 16 types describes you best. It lists dozens of occupations that are popular with people of your type. Then, using workbook exercises and real-life examples to highlight the strengths and pitfalls of each personality type, it shows you step-by-step how to use your unique strengths to customise your job search, ensuring the best results in the shortest period of time. And if you plan to stay in your job, Do What You Are provides savvy advice for getting the most out of your current career.

# – # – #

Maybe I should read this one? I’m an ITSJ.

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JOBSEARCH: Fear of layoff is very good; it’s essential

Thursday, January 22, 2009

http://gigaom.com/2009/01/07/bad-things-or-layoffs-happen-to-other-people/

Bad Things (or Layoffs) Happen to Other People
Om Malik | Wednesday, January 7, 2009 | 6:00 AM PT

*** begin quote ***

Despite the dismal economy, widespread layoffs and rising unemployment, a large majority of employees are optimistic about their future, according to a recent survey. 4 out of 5 adults are not concerned about layoffs – it must be happening to “some other people”

*** end quote ***

Yeah, right! If your employed, be afraid. Be very afraid. Awarenessis essential to keep from being fodder.

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JOBSEARCH: “Pastime into a Gold Mine” (Heard that before?)

Monday, January 19, 2009

http://www.scottcommonsense.com/DollarsAndSense/Articles/TurnyourPastimeintoaGoldMine.aspx?articleID=53&catID=5&wt.mc_id=scsc_csc_email

*** begin quote ***

Turn your Pastime into a Gold Mine!

These days, everyone’s looking for a way to maximize his or her earning potential. The answer to boosting your income could be right at your fingertips – especially if those fingertips are accustomed to typing stories, clicking a camera shutter or guiding fabric through a sewing machine.

Every year, creative people supplement their income by turning their hobbies into fledgling businesses. If you have a special talent or the professional-quality equipment that comes with a serious hobby, you could do the same. Here are some ways to capitalize on your resources:

If you’re a good writer, consider:

{Extraneous Deleted}

If Photography is your hobby, look into:

{Extraneous Deleted}

There are lots of opportunities if you are proficient in electronic media:

*** end quote ***

Remember my 7 prong strategy for success?

“(6) a free time hobby that generates income;”

Here’s a page urging the same thing.

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JOBSEARCH: High-End Help for Job Hunters: Does It Pay?

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123118267978154615.html?mod=rss_Careers

High-End Help for Job Hunters: Does It Pay?

   * MANAGING YOUR CAREER
   * JANUARY 5, 2009, 11:35 P.M. ET
   * Joann S. Lublin at joann.lublin@wsj.com
   * Wall Street Journal Online

*** begin quote ***

Reach recently launched a free “Career Bailout” program — in which 13 certified strategists provide services such as a résumé review and online identity evaluation. Yet few victims are using the limited assistance. “We have not spent enough time making the program visible,” Mr. Arruda says.

*** end quote ***

Bottom line: Even though the WSJ was to PC to say it. Doesn’t sound like it pays.

I have three objections: no objective results; pay upfront; and it’s like a black box.

But, I’m going to try the free service.

:-)

Free is the right price for any seeker!

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JOBSEARCH: “Quick networking building” is “jumbo shrimp”

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=1331895  

8 Simple Ways for Building a Network Quickly! by George Hayes

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IMHO, there is no way to build one quickly.

“Networking” is the creation of a web of interested people, that you have bonded with in someway, who will alert you to things you should know. It’s using the law of weak links to create a vast army of job search agents. They know what you want and are standing by to “call it in to you” when they see it.

By definition, you can’t do that quickly.

As readers here know, I “subscribe” to the Lucht school of networking. A formal process of gettikng in front of someone and asking for help.

Effective, but time consuming.

IMHO, networking is “first seek to help, then be helped”.

By definition, you can’t do that quickly.

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