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January 31st, 2007
Needs and wants are the foundations on which you set realistic and attainable goals. If the goals that you are setting are what you really want or need out of life, you are motivated, and therefore you are more likely to achieve them. However, if the goals you are setting are meeting someone else’s wants or needs, you will probably find it frustrating to try to attain them. It is extremely important that you take the time to explore and identify both your needs and your wants. Once you have identified these, you are now beginning to identify what it means to be successful by YOUR own personal standards!
When you are considering your needs and wants it is important not only to distinguish between the two, it is also imperative to examine how many times the “SHOULDS” in your life will get in your way. Every time you believe that you should do something, you are implying that you neither want nor need this, but somehow you feel required to do it. These “shoulds” will drain your energy and take your focus off of what is truly important. If you live your life being “guilted” by “shoulds,” you are limiting your opportunities as you make your career decisions. The goal is to eliminate as many “shoulds” as possible.
Your needs are the things that you truly need to survive. Your needs are anything which you perceive as necessary for your personal well-being. When your basic needs are met you feel secure. Your needs are usually your highest priority! Your needs are anything which you perceive to be necessary for your personal well-being. These items are all fundamental to the pursuit of happiness.
You wants are the items which you have s strong desire for, but may not be essential for your personal well-being. Your “WANTS” have more to do with enriching your life. Balance and common sense are necessary to make appropriate choices about your wants.
Pure logic or even common sense are not necessarily operative when considering your needs and wants. There are times when the desire for immediate gratification enters the picture causing wants to become a greater priority than needs. It is very important to clearly know what you need and what you can wait for, even though you want it. You must satisfy your basic needs and work calmly towards satisfying your wants.
USE THESE 3 SIMPLE GUIDELINES WHEN CONDUCTING YOUR SEARCH:
1. Formally write down what you NEED to live at “survival” level.
2. Clarify what you WANT and when you want it.
3. Sort out the SHOULDS that you have become “tied to.”
Good Luck in Your Job Search ! Nancy J. Phillips, CPC
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January 15th, 2007
When you are engaged in a job search, whether active or passive, you will probably be involved in a different economic situation. Some of you may be sole breadwinners while others may have spouses who are currently employed. Some of you may be fortunate enough to have excellent severance packages, while others have nothing at all. Regardless of your circumstances, what we do know is that it is impossible to predict when your ideal job offer and ultimate acceptance will come. Therefore, we strongly suggest that you initially conduct a financially planning assessment to review on-going and other anticipated and financial needs. If you do have a family it is important to include your spouse in order for both of you to understand and agree how to best handle money matters until you are once again employed.
Regardless of your situation, you should always consider doing the following:
1. Immediately reduce or eliminate spending on non-essential items!
(This will be difficult in the beginning. However, once you make a conscious effort in this area it becomes easier.)
2. Delay expenditures on essential items until absolutely necessary.
You need to then do your homework! You need to take into account what is your present cash situation. This is considered your “cash inflow.”
This includes: any Severance Package Money, Investment Income – including Checking and Savings Accounts/Interest. It also includes Bonds/Interest Capital Gains, Dividends, Rental or any trust income. Other sources include any Retirement Income – Social Security, Pensions, Unemployment Alimony or Child Support. This includes an estimate of any other cash that comes in on a regular basis. (This is money that you can count on every month.)
Your next step is to get a realistic projection of your expenses. This is considered your “cash outflow.” These are typical expenses that are routinely incurred by most people. Also keep in mind that you will incur some expenses from your job search itself!
The following should be considered: All Outstanding Bills or other Debts, Interest on Debts, Mortgage or Rent, Property Taxes, Groceries, Utilities – gas, water, electric. Other expenses are Phone, Cable, Cell phone, Garbage Maintenance, Clothing, Auto Expenses – gas, oil, etc. any Transportation, any Entertainment, any Tuition, and Dry Cleaning, Personal Items, any Prescriptions, Children Expenses – lessons, school, etc. The other expenses to consider are Life Insurance Premiums, Medical Insurance Premiums and Auto Insurance Premiums.
Once you have put all of your information on paper (or on a spreadsheet.) You will then be able to gain perspective on where you are financially, and how you will “maintain” your living expenses while you are conducting your job search. If you don’t have a plan, your finances can get “out of control.” While you are conducting a job search the last thing you want to be is “out of control of anything!” If you know where you are, and you know what direction you are going, your job search will remain your TOP PRIORITY! If your priority is your job search, your finances will not be an issue!
Nancy J. Phillips, CPC
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January 4th, 2007
Happy New Year! Make 2007 YOUR YEAR! The beginning of each new year is an excellent time to put your job search at the top of your New Year’s Resolution list! Make sure that you state the following: “My New Year’s Resolution is to be gainfully employed with a company that I have targeted.”
It is a fact that many people seek out new opportunities at this time of the year. This is true for a variety of reasons. Individuals that are not currently employed realize that decision makers are back from their holiday time off and ready to fill their open positions. Many individuals that are already employed but unhappy with their current position, often wait until January to start their job search. This is usually because they want to use any accrued vacation time and qualify for a possible year end bonus.
Therefore, your competition has increased a bit from the end of last year, when hiring slows down.However, there are many, many more opportunities available…NOW!
Regardless of the time of the year, the job seeker that is ACTIVE in his/her job search will be the candidate that secures the career they want!
There are many reasons why NOW is a good time to JOB SEARCH:
1. Decision Makers are back from time off during the holidays.
2. Corporations have a new budget, with hiring allowances.
3. Often companies will make changes at the beginning of the year. This often creates movement within the organization and creates new positions.
4. An overall positive attitude of hiring authorities. They are usually more motivated now, to fill their openings.
5. There are many job seekers that took the time during the holidays to improve their cover letters, resumes, conducted research, etc. in order to better position themselves for NOW!
6. Recruiters are excited to start a new year! They are salespeople and they want to start their year with top production. What that means to you is that Recruiters in all disciplines are motivated to successfully place as many candidates as they can, in their first quarter of the year,
7. It is a busy time for all hiring authorities. There is always some turnover within corporations at the end of every year.
As job seekers, you need to take advantage of the reasons listed above!
Conducting a thorough job search takes true commitment to attain your GOAL! If you are not currently employed you should dedicate 40 hours to your search per week. Your full time job is to find a job! If you are already employed but want to make a job change, you need to devote a minimum of 15 hours a week to your search!
Happy New Year & We Wish You A Year Filled With Health, Happiness & Prosperity!
Nancy J. Phillips, CPC
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December 27th, 2006
One of the hidden benefits of the Holiday Season are the endless social events. You never know who can make a contact for you that could lead you to your next career opportunity. Make sure you have business cards printed up with your contact information. When you are asked “what do you do”, you answer “I’m a free agent on the open job market”, which sounds more positive than I’m looking for a job!
Continue to send out resumes every day, continue to call to follow up on your paperwork and schedule interviews for the remainder of the year. Many job seekers put their search on hold this time of your. You don’t want to be one of them.
Also, there is something you need to do before January first. Write down your Top Ten “A” Non-Negotiable Goals for 2007. It is a proven fact that individuals who WRITE DOWN their goals have greatly increased the possibility of attaining them. If you want to have your best year ever, add ten “B” goals to back up your “A” goals and ten “C” goals, if you achieve your first twenty goals.
There is a Law of Attraction that guarantees to bring the things into your life that you truly desire but also EXPECT to happen! Don’t let your job search lose momentum and before long you will be working in the job of your dreams. Also before January 1, write down 200 targeted companies for 2007. The more contacts you make, the better your chances of finding the job that will make you happy!
Wishing you a Happy, Healthy, Blessed, Prosperous New Year! Barb Bruno, CPC CTS
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December 20th, 2006
The holidays are never “FUN” when you’re in the middle of a job search. There are ways however to connect with potential employers during the busy holidays. Attend any and all holiday gatherings and pass out your “Free Agent in the Open Job Market” business cards. Volunteer to help others less fortunate than you. Most extremely successful people are also philanthropic and you never know what connections can be made. It is also good to put yourself in situations where you appreciate what you have - even if you are in a job search.
Send out resumes this week and next - at least five per day. Companies have new hiring budgets after January 1, 2007 - and many new opportunities open up during the first quarter of the year. While your competition may be distracted by the holidays, you need to stay focused!
Remember a job search IS a full-time job!
If you are upset because you can’t BUY gifts for those you love, give everyone a CERTIFICATE showing them what you will do for them. It could represent 4 hours of babysitting for a tired mom, it could be driving an elderly family member to the doctor, it could be 10 hours of reading books to a special child in your life. When my daughters got married, they gave me a book of special memories from their childhood. They remembered the “smells in the kitchen”, playing piano and singing, making cookies…the simple pleasures in life. It’s never about the AMOUNT of the gift, it’s about the THOUGHT behind it.
Have a Blessed, Happy, Healthy Holiday Season.
Barb Bruno, CPC, CTS
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December 4th, 2006
More and more employers are reviewing personal websites and listening to voice mails left on cell and home telephones. If a prospective employer listened to your voice mails, what impress would they have of you?
The higher the position, the more likely an employer is to “google” your name to see what comes up!
If you do have a personal web site, you need to review it from the eyes of your potential employer. After the review would the employer be more or less impressed? Would the web site have any influence on their hiring decision?
Too often, information that seems harmless on your website can ruin your chances of being hired by major corporations! Go to your site right now and review it objectively. Remove any and all “controversial” information and any inappropriate links!
Your next job offer could be affected by your decision! Good luck in your search.
Barb Bruno, CPC, CTS
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November 7th, 2006
Anyone who knows me, is very aware that I’m extremely patriotic.
There is one right we all have as Americans – THE RIGHT TO VOTE, that is one of our greatest “freedoms.”
You are dramatically impacted by what happens in Washington and your vote is critical. If you don’t VOTE, you can’t complain! People in other countries are willing to die to gain this right that too many American’s take for granted. I’m actually flying to Vegas today to speak at a National Conference, but requested an absentee ballot, because I’ve never missed an election. How committed are you?
Have you ever financially backed a candidate who supports your views?
Have you ever volunteered to help a candidate get elected?
Have you ever considered running for public office yourself?
Do you realize Political Events are great places to network?
It is very important that the leaders in Washington, DC get their directives from you!
When you consider what’s at stake….MAKE THE EFFORT AND VOTE TODAY!
Barb Bruno, CPC, CTS
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October 25th, 2006
This is the BEST TIME of year to be in a job search.
During the holidays there is less competition – many job seekers escalate their search after January 1!
On the other hand, many employers need to hire prior to the end of the year. If they don’t utilize their entire hiring budget this year, it will be reduced next year.
When other people are SPENDING MONEY and totally caught up in the Holiday Season – become more FOCUSED than ever on your job search.
Utilize every source possible:
Referrals from friends
Resumes mailed to a prospective “boss” (not HR)
Job Boards
Job Fairs
Networking Events
Search Firms
Newspapers
Leads through your Professional Association
The best holiday gift you could give to yourself is a NEW JOB!
Barb Bruno, CPC, CTS
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October 12th, 2006
There is a current candidate shortage and recruiters are having problems finding top talent. Most employers are looking for someone who is currently working, but they also will look at candidates who are NOT working if you have experience, skills and a stable work history.
If you want to receive “recruiting calls” from top recruiters you need to become visible in your profession. Join organizations, speak at events, join non-profit efforts, become active in the Professional Association of your profession and attend networking events.
You need to inform people you trust that you are contemplating a career move because often someone you know may get a call and they could refer you.
It is also to be proactive. Before you contact a search firm, research the types of positions they place. Most firms specialize in certain professions and you want to only contact firms who specialize in exactly what you do.
Many positions represented by Search Firms are NOT
Advertised! When you are in a job search you need to utilize all resources and Search Firms are one of those resources.
If you are NOT employed, you need to also identify
CONTRACT or TEMP Placement Firms. Many companies like to “TRY BEFORE THEY BUY” and many long term contracts turn into full-time opportunities.
Good luck in your search…Barb Bruno, CPC, CTS
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October 3rd, 2006
Before you accept a new job, you must understand the value of a benefit package. The cost of benefits is dramatically escalating and many employers are increasing deductibles in order to keep costs down.
You must answer these questions prior to accepting an offer.
1. What benefits are offered
2. When do the benefits start
3. Does the company pay any of the costs of these benefits
4. What is your contribution – is it a pre-tax deduction
5. Do they offer family coverage (cost)
6. Dental? Prescription? Vision?
7. Retirement? 40lK? Employer Matching Contribution
8. Deductable amounts?
9. Lifetime limits on certain coverage
10. Limits on physicians you can utilize (HMO)
11. Paid Time Off
Of course salary and benefits are NOT covered in your initial interview, but you need answers to these vitally important questions BEFORE you accept a position. Often times you can call into the company and speak with the Benefits Manager or you can request a copy of their benefit package which will answer all these questions. With rising medical costs, it is often a good
decision to accept less money with a company who offers great benefits.
Barb Bruno, CPC, CTS
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