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Make Any Job Less Stressful

Heather Boerner | Yahoo! HotJobs — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 15:10:00 -0700

Stress is inevitable. But the debilitating strain of chronic work stress is not, even if you're in an inherently stressful profession.

In fact, learning to manage your stress is likely to improve your career, according to career coach Julie Jansen, the author of "You Want Me to Work With Who? Eleven Keys to a Stress-Free, Satisfying, and Successful Work Life--No Matter Who You Work With."

"The number one tip I give to people who want to get ahead at work is 'Manage your stress,'" she says. "People who are stressed act out, and behaving badly can mean that when a promotion comes up, you'll be passed over."

Consider these tips for recognizing and managing work stress:

Become mindful

"The most important thing an individual can do is have awareness of both what's causing the stress and how you're responding to it," says Dr. Steven Rolfe, principal of the Boswell Group, a business consultancy in New York City.

Focus on your stress response and pinpoint causes:

• What activities, duties, or people leave you feeling drained?

• What or who causes your neck pain, headaches, or racing heartbeat?

• What tasks or situations do you avoid?

• How do you talk to yourself about your stress? What stories do you tell?

Take control

While you probably can't control layoffs or reorganizations, there are things you can control--and you should focus on those, says Diane Lang, a health and wellness counselor in New York City.
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"I had a client who couldn't leave her job at the moment because she was a single parent," she said. "So we made a list of everything she could control and worked on the list."

Such a list might include focusing on improving your own job performance and setting short- and long-term goals for changing jobs.

Breathe

"Don't hold your breath" is a cliche for a reason. When people are stressed, they literally forget to breathe, says Jeffrey Brantley, director of mindfulness-based stress reduction at Duke University's Center for Integrative Medicine and a coauthor of "Five Good Minutes at Work: 100 Mindfulness Practices to Help You Relieve Stress and Bring Your Best to Work."

Even taking a few minutes to breathe deeply can calm your body's stress-spurred flight-or-fight response.

First things first

"You cannot get control of your stress without getting control of yourself physically," says Karissa Thacker, a Delaware-based management psychologist.

So go back to basics:

• Sleep. Your body may need more rest to deal with the stress.

• Avoid excess. "Stress is a physiological phenomenon that is immediately increased by lots of sugar or alcohol, which stress the system," says Thacker.

• Move your body. You don't have to train for a marathon. Even taking the dog for a walk will help clear your mind.

Change your pattern

Try this: talk to someone at work you haven't visited in a while. Go out to lunch if you usually eat at your desk. Introduce yourself to someone new. Do something to interrupt the usual cycle of stress and anxiety.

"Humans are routinized creatures," Thacker says. "Upset the routine, and you will also unfreeze the thought and emotional patterns that are keeping you constantly worked up."

This article was originally published on Yahoo.HotJobs.com

More From Hot Jobs:

• Unusual Stress-Busting Remedies

• Beware of Workplace "Frenemies"

• Do Your Research Before a Job Interview

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13 Bosses and How to Make Them Love You

AdminSecret — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 15:43:00 -0700

Along with paychecks, deadlines, and overtime, bosses are one of the things you just can’t avoid in the workplace. But how to identify these strange characters and deal with them? Don’t go it alone — it’s a jungle out there. We show you how!

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The Robot

Distinguishing characteristics: An empty work space, no family pictures.

What they do: All business, all the time: That’s The Robot. We’re not saying she’s not human, but we’ve definitely got our doubts on the matter sometimes. The sworn enemy of fun, levity, and emotion, The Robot would rather you just get to work. At all times. While it can be nice to have someone driving you to do your best, it would be nice to feel a little bit of emotional connection from time to time, right?

How to make her love you: It may not sound like a lot of fun, but you’ll probably have to conceal your own feelings and buckle down to The Robot’s schedule. On the up side, she can teach you discipline and efficiency. Try making allies of your coworkers. They’re probably as frustrated as you are! Inside jokes and friendly chit-chat can make the day seem brighter.

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The Softy

Distinguishing characteristics: Second chances.

What they do: They think they’re making things easier on their employees, but in the long run The Softy’s kid-glove approach to management just makes it harder for great workers to succeed and easier for slackers to stick around. Being a boss involves making difficult decisions sometimes, especially when it comes to employees, but The Softy doesn’t seem to realize this.

How to make her love you: The worst thing to do is hurt The Softy’s feelings, so try changing things up by commending them on his toughest calls, however rare. A little positive reinforcement can go a long way when The Softy learns that being the bad cop doesn’t have to be the worst job in the world.

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The Weasel

Distinguishing characteristics: Empty promises

What they do: Promising one thing but delivering another, The Weasel will say anything — and we do mean anything — to get what she wants out of you. A raise? A promotion? Some time off? Sure, you’ll get what you’ve been dreaming about eventually if you take on extra work or a hellish new project. Or so she says, but we wouldn’t recommend holding your breath for The Weasel to actually deliver. Why should she? You’re already doing the extra work for free.

How to make her love you: Completing all the grunt work will get you great distances with The Weasel, but just remember to trust nothing The Weasel says, ever. Or, at very least, get it in writing and double-check with whomever The Weasel answers to in upper management. A paper trail will be your best defense against lies and false promises. Maybe you’ll actually get that promotion!

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The Mystery

Distinguishing characteristics: Closed doors, Out Of Office messages.

What they do: Who knows? The Mystery is an expert at the arts of subterfuge, denial, and … whatever it is he does. Either he’s in the operating room or in a locked-door meeting or plotting world domination all day or … something. Whatever it is, you’re left to your own devices to figure things out, minus any guidance at all. Too bad you’ll still be on the hook if things go wrong. The Mystery will be gone when it comes down to it.

How to make him love you: Wait it out and give him space. If you stay patient (and we mean really patient) you may be able, like a persevering biologist in the jungle observing shy animals, to learn a little bit more about The Mystery’s habits.

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The Viper

Distinguishing characteristics: Backhanded compliments, fake smiles.

What they do: Does The Viper wake up on the wrong side of the bed every single morning? It sure seems like it. From snippy comments about personal matters (“Are you pregnant? Oh, it just seemed like you were gaining weight.”) to undermining your efforts at work (“So you’re just learning the procedures, right?”), The Viper has a real talent for making you feel bad about yourself. No matter how thick your skin is, it’s hard not to let her get to you.

How to make her love you: We’re not actually certain that the Viper is capable of loving an employee, so it’s probably best to just stay a good distance away from her. Keep feelings to yourself, and share as little information about your life as possible, all the while being extremely pleasant. The Viper can’t hurt you if she doesn’t know where you’re sensitive.

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The Buddy

Distinguishing characteristics: Baseball caps, high-fives

What they do: The Buddy wants to be your friend, not your boss. Too bad for him you’ve already got friends and wouldn’t want to hang with him anyway. From “happy” hours that seem more like a punishment to unfunny jokes that you’ve just got to laugh at (or else!) The Buddy really has a way of making fun into a chore. And don’t get us started on his habit of trying to start questionable relationships with subordinates. It’s just painful to watch.

How to make him love you: Laugh at his funnier jokes, but don’t stoop to laughing at every joke – being a suck-up isn’t a great way to maintain your dignity. Say no thanks to all the invitations you can, and keep your own interactions with The Buddy on an extremely professional level – you’ll be helping him in the long run, and he’ll respect you for it. Protect yourself with a thick layer of decorum and common sense because he sure isn’t going to do it for you.

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The Miracle

Distinguishing characteristics: A work space that looks like yours, encouraging emails

What they do: Fun, supportive, capable, and inspiring, The Miracle is truly an employee’s dream come true. She does what she says, always follows up, and usually can push you to do your best in a way that makes the hardest work seem like play. If you’re working for The Miracle you’ll know it, from the smile on your face at the end of the day to your rewarding paycheck at the end of the week. Just try not to brag too much!

How to make her love you: Work your butt off and thank your lucky stars, since The Miracle doesn’t come along very often. Use this great opportunity to really see how far you can go, and at the end of The Miracle’s tenure, make sure you get a letter of reference!

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The Monster

Distinguishing characteristics: Thrown medical equipment, restraining orders

What they do: The question is more “What don’t they do?” The Monster lives to make your own life hell, and he’s good at it. From screaming at you in front of patients to lying about your results to engaging in borderline criminal harassment, The Monster repeatedly demonstrates that he has no pity, human decency, or shame. He’s the worst boss around, hands down, and we’re sorry for anyone who has to deal with him.

How to make him love you: Unfortunately, with this one you just have to run. Get out. There’s no hope for improvement when you work for someone who has no scruples at all.

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The Number Cruncher

Distinguishing characteristics: Incredible Excel skills, a calculator watch

What they do: The Number Cruncher’s best quality is her ability to break things down into measurable statistics — and sometimes, that means the actual employees, too. The Number Cruncher can only read math, and if your performance appears to be declining on paper rest assured you will get a lecture, even if you’ve been working as hard as you can. Ever feel like you are “just a number?” We’re here to confirm that you definitely are.

How to make her love you: Give her something she can understand: Numbers. Track your successes (and your failures) with painstaking detail and fanatical devotion. Even if it’s a chore in the immediate future, your data mining will pay off and you will have something on paper that proves you’ve been working hard, even if your efforts haven’t been working. Who knows, her approach might teach you something!

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The Innovator

Distinguishing characteristics: Brainstorming sessions, expensive toys, subscription to Entrepreneur magazine

What they do: The Innovator’s head is full of big ideas, and he wastes no time dreaming them up and then making sure they actually come true. Great for business, but it usually means you get no life outside of work because you’re the one actually making his dream come to life. The pros? This boss can be incredibly charismatic and inspiring, and truly cares about the work. The cons? Sometimes it seems like the only thing this boss cares about is work. Hope that’s all you care about, too!

How to make him love you: Work hard and show commitment, but keep your sense of self outside of work. Remind the boss that the outside world does exist: Ask The Innovator about his weekend, his children (if he has any, which is a total mystery) about any hobby he has outside work. After you’re done chitchatting, give your all and The Innovator will respect your work and hopefully, your own need for work-life balance.

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The Tuft Hunter

Distinguishing characteristics: The CEO’s wardrobe, car, and haircut.

What they do: In the old days, a tuft hunter was a nobleman’s parasite, one who tried to curry favor with the rich and powerful in order to gain favor or influence. The Tuft Hunter as a boss, however, is always looking for her own next promotion. Does that mean she’ll create an opening for you once she makes it up that ladder — or are you merely a rung on her own to be stepped on? That’s something only The Tuft Hunter knows. You’ll probably find out too late.

How to make her love you: Do everything in your power to make The Tuft Hunter look good, and you’ll be one step closer to a promotion of your very own. Watch her back and tell her every bit of news that you come across from upper management and you’ll earn her respect and maybe even her loyalty — if she has any.

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The Patronizer

Distinguishing characteristics: Terrible computer skills, degree in law

What they do: If you’ve worked for someone who explained how to turn your computer on or how to change the toner on the printer, you’ve experienced The Patronizer. The Patronizer makes sure you know exactly how much time and effort it takes for him just to grace you with his presence every morning. He leaves you to your own devices mostly, but is sure to micromanage the simplest and most mundane tasks whenever he gets the opportunity.

How to make him love you: Keep your eye on the ball, whether it’s getting better at your job or getting a foot out the door. If you feel you are being made to look stupid, you can interrupt The Patronizer mid-sentence during one of his boring lectures by saying, “I already know how to do that, but I am interested what you think about …” If the condescending behavior just doesn’t stop, or if he’s being outright rude, it’s important to tell The Patronizer to knock it off. The Patronizer believes you're beneath him, and when you show him you're not, you'll gain his respect.

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The Nitpicker

Distinguishing characteristics: Fierce attention to detail, red pens, lots of spare time.

What they do: The Nitpicker is a micro-manager who likes to control all of your work, all the time. Did you save the hospital money on equipment? It’s not nearly enough. Work hard on a killer presentation? There’s a punctuation error on the 10th slide. Nothing you do is ever good enough for The Nitpicker, and that can cause your own faith in your abilities to slip. You’ll spend all your time second-guessing yourself instead of innovating.

How to make her love you: Instead of letting the Nitpicker drain you of all motivation, learn to work by your own standards. Try finding someone else at work to be your mentor, because you surely won’t get coaching out of her, unless it’s to point out all your faults. You might also try working one step ahead of The Nitpicker, detailing every single thing you do, so you’ll be ready for the inevitable barrage of questions.

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Are You Better Than Your Boss at Her Job?

Charles Purdy, Monster+Hot Jobs senior editor — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 15:13:00 -0700

In a recent Monster homepage poll, we asked, "Could you do your current (or most recent) boss's job better than he or she does?" Here's what you had to say:

Of 3,032 U.S. respondents, 69.23 percent think they could
outperform their boss (and more than half of those respondents would describe their boss as "incompetent"). And less than 12 percent think of their boss as "brilliant."

It seems there are fewer
incompetent bosses in Canada (35.6 percent) and more brilliant ones (13.5 percent); overall, 66.4 percent of Canadian respondents said they could do a better job.

European bosses fared just slightly better and slightly worse than that: 34.5 percent of respondents said they had an incompetent boss, but 12.6 percent said they had a brilliant boss.

The results from our Asian Monster sites including Malaysia, Singapore, and India were slightly more flattering to bosses: 28.8 percent said they had an incompetent boss, 61.3 percent said they could do a better job, and a relatively whopping 18.4 percent claimed to have a brilliant boss.

It seems that we can safely say that perceptions of boss incompetence are universal. Of course, to be fair to bosses, we should also note that other people's jobs always look easier from the outside -- and half of the responsibility for the boss-employee relationship is the employee's. For tips, read "What to Do If Your Boss Is Incompetent."

What's your boss like, and how do you cope with him or her? Let us know in the Comments section, or find us on Twitter or Facebook and be in touch.

This article was originally published on The Monster Blog.

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4 Ways to Get Killer Letters of Recommendation

Steve Berman | AdminSecret — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 15:49:00 -0700

For many, attempting to get someone to write a letter of recommendation for school or a new job can be an extremely intimidating experience. Especially for those who fear rejection, don't easily accept compliments, or just don't like tooting their own horn.

However, like filling out an application or writing a resume, getting someone to write a letter of recommendation is a process. If you follow a few basic steps, it should actually end up being one of the easier and most effective ways to help you achieve your ultimate goal – getting into school or getting hired.

1. Decide whom you want to write the letter

A lot depends on how many letters of recommendation you need and how much time you have. If you need three letters or more, it's best to throw out a wider net. If you only need one letter, focus on the one person who will do the best job.

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The best types of people to approach have several good qualities, the most important being the ability to communicate effectively. Even if the person is respected in their field and appreciates your work, it won't help you if you know their letter-writing skills would probably be poor.

Besides making sure that the person likes you and is willing to put in the time to help you succeed, the people you choose to ask to write a letter on your behalf would preferably be in a position of power, such as a person who oversaw you for a significant period of time (a year or more is optimal) -- a former manager or professor, for instance. Getting a letter of recommendation from a family friend or colleague isn't useless, but won't carry the same weight as someone who routinely evaluated your performance.

Also, choose someone you know will have a relatively easy time remembering you. When it comes to school, choose professors from classes where you participated in discussions and visited him or her frequently during office hours if at all possible. For work references, choose people who'll remember you as a strong contributor in meetings, who wasn't simply happy to perform busy work. You will want to be remembered for strong ideas and dedication to your craft.

How to get in touch →

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2. Contact the people you've decided would do the best job

This seems obvious, but can be a tough point to hurdle in the process if it's been a long time since you've been in touch. Contact them in person or via telephone if possible, as it's generally tougher for people to say no when actually speaking with you.

If it's a former professor whose information you've lost, contact the school. Often they'll have forwarding information for past professors. If that doesn't work, or you're trying to contact someone you worked with who has since changed jobs, Google them. You'd be surprised how easy it is to find people these days with an Internet connection and a search engine.

3. Make the letter writer's job easier

Getting someone to write a letter of recommendation for you is essentially selling yourself to someone in order to get him or her to sell you to someone else. With any sales job, it's best to make it as easy as possible for your client -- the person writing the letter -- to say yes.

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Just asking someone to write a letter for you is not the way to go. While the person you ask may have written several before, they're undoubtedly busy and don't want to spend hours thinking of what to write. Before contacting to the person, have a list of accomplishments you'd like to highlight. Examples include projects you received a good grade on in school if you're speaking with a professor, or important accomplishments at work you received praised for.

Be polite, and if the person agrees, shower them with appreciation. You want the person writing this letter to be enthusiastic about you and what you represent.

Giving them what they need →

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4. Send the letter writer everything they need

Whether you're asking for a letter on the phone, in person, or via email, let him or her know that you'd be happy to send a list of talking points in a separate email if necessary, such as your creativity, or how much colleagues admired your personality and work ethic. Don't be bashful -- this is the time to really sell YOU.

Finally, if the person has agreed to write you a letter of recommendation, let them know you will be sending them an envelope addressed to where it needs to go with a stamp or two included. (Most institutions want the letter to come straight from the source, so there's no chance of the applicant tampering with what's written.) You're asking someone to do you a huge favor. The least you can do is provide the address and pay for a new envelope and postage.

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Like most things in life, getting someone to write a letter of recommendation is something that is done best after a lot of preparation. While it can be seen as a necessary evil in many cases, it can be useful to do some reflection and figure out exactly what your strengths are. After all, once you realize how great you are, it will be that much easier to convince someone to write a letter saying it for you.

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6 Ways Finding a Dream Job Is Like Finding Your Soul Mate

Steve Berman | AdminSecret — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 15:49:00 -0700

The idea of what makes a dream job changes over time, as does what a person looks for in their soul mate. In the past, one simply wanted steady work to provide food and shelter for his or her family. People also didn't live as long, and as a result didn't have the flexibility to date a wide variety of people to find a soul mate. Usually proximity and economics trumped trivial concerns such as "love" and "things in common" when it came to choosing a mate. But times have changed, and now one’s opinion plays heavily into choosing both that dream job and a life partner.

Here are some reasons why finding one's
dream job can be as difficult as finding a soul mate these days.

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1. An infinite number of choices can be overwhelming.

With social networking, greater ease of travel, and less pressure to get married at a young age, the world of
dating and courtship is more complicated than ever before. Many people think that settling down has more to do with "settling" on a person instead of finding an absolutely perfect partner (if that even exists).

In terms of
finding a job, a similarly wide number of choices face people as they grow out of adolescence and into adulthood. And now that the idea of choosing a job with a company out of school and staying with that company until you retire is completely antiquated, it can get even more confusing. After all, workers between the ages of 18 and 38 change jobs an average of 10 times.

Next Page: A dream job is often about options →

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2. A dream job is often about the options available to a person.

Unrealistic expectations can prevent people from finding happiness with any choices they make. If someone wants a soul mate to have the looks of a model, the education of a Rhodes scholar, and the bank account of Bill Gates, they probably will be disappointed when that doesn't happen.

In terms of finding a dream job, the same problem with standards applies. If your dream job is to be a professional athlete, model, rock star, or astronaut, sheer numbers can make that impossible. For those who can't find something they like doing that they're also good at, a dream career can be as difficult to find as a so-called perfect partner.

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3. Knowing what you want is half the battle.

Think about the qualities you wanted in a mate when you were in high school, and how that might have changed when you went to college. As you grow older, your tastes change and what you want from a mate changes. While finding a soul mate is in part due to luck, and partially based on doing the work to put one's self in the position to find someone special, it's also about figuring out what's important to you — and that changes over time.

Dream jobs are no different. One might think they want to be an investment banker in college, and then after an internship at a large bank the person changes their mind. Maybe now the person would rather be a teacher, or something completely different. As you grow up, learn more, and become exposed to new experiences, the concept of a dream job can change.

Next Page: Nobody is perfect... →

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4. In reality nobody is perfect, and no job is perfect either.

Finding a soul mate doesn't mean finding a person who you experience ultimate bliss with 24/7. It's about loving every part of that person, appreciating even the imperfections. In fact, expecting perfection can be a way to drive a wedge between you and your partner, ruining a relationship with someone who actually possesses all the qualities you hold dear.

Even so-called dream jobs have their bad days. Even the most successful athletes and entertainers have off nights, and if your dream job is to be a veterinarian, there's going to be bad days in that arena as well. Without realistic expectations for your love life and your work life, there isn't a mate or job out there that you'll be happy with. And to expect total bliss every day is foolhardy, as well.

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5. People and jobs change.

For relationships to work over the long haul, there has to be an underlying agreement that you'll change together. You won't always see eye to eye on everything, but if people grow apart, what used to be the perfect relationship can seem quite different somewhere down the road.

For people who are lucky enough to figure out what they want to do and then get a job that they consider a dream job, the work isn't done. With turnover, changes in technology, the economy, and a multitude of other factors, all jobs change. And if you don't have the flexibility to change along with the job, you might end up finding that you want to leave that job.

Next Page: Fear of commitment →

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6. Fear of commitment.

With all these options available in both love and work, many want to keep their options open at all times. Sure, you might like or even love the person you're with, but maybe there's somebody better out there. What if you miss out on the love of your life just because you're comfortable or even settling for the person you're with. However, the person who spends all their time at the fork in the road worried about choosing the wrong path doesn't end up going anywhere. While monogamy isn't for everybody, people afraid to make any sort of commitment end up missing out on a large part of human relationships.

The same is true in terms of work. People get bored, and look for the next best thing. While changing jobs is almost inevitable nowadays, someone who bounces around from job to job sends a signal to employers that they are not a stable employee. In the mission of finding one's dream job, often sticking out the hard times leads to opportunities (read: promotions) you never even thought of. If you don't pick a career and stick it out, it's doubtful you'll end up in a dream job position.

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While finding a soul mate or a dream job can at times seem difficult if not impossible, the key is to focus on the here and now, not some sort of idealized version of what you think your life should be. Enjoy the moment, learn about yourself, embrace imperfections in other people and your work from time to time, and don't let an infinite number of choices overwhelm you. Keep all these things in mind, and you should be happy in love … and at work.

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Is Your Employer Taking Advantage of You?

Larry Buhl | for Yahoo! HotJobs — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 18:16:00 -0700

Since the recession began in December 2007, more than half of all American workers have become unemployed, taken a pay cut, suffered a reduction in hours, or had to take a temporary job because they couldn't find a full-time position, according to the Pew Research Center's Social and Demographic Trends Project.

You probably don't need a study to tell you the job market is still less than robust. In such an environment, you might assume that employers are taking advantage of employees--by withholding raises and promotions, loading on extra work, and even eliminating fringe benefits long after their balance sheets are healthy.

And in some cases, you'd be right.

"Now that corporations have learned they can do with fewer workers, many are using it to their advantage, whether it is essential to their survival or not--and that trend could go on indefinitely," says Douglas McIntyre, editor of 24/7 Wall Street.

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Mike Manoske, a business development manager and recruiter for the staffing and consulting firm Yoh, believes that that up to a third of companies that are raking in gobs of money are not sharing it. He adds that such stingy behavior is usually not due to greed but rather to "nervous senior managers who are worried the economic recovery won't last."

"There are a lot of organizations who say, basically, 'You're lucky to have a job now, so here's more work,' but nobody in management is communicating why they need to take on more work," Manoske says.

If you suspect that your long days, flat paychecks, and stingy perks are helping make someone at your company very rich, experts offer tips on assessing the situation.

Don't believe everything you hear or read. "The rumor mills are on hyper-drive now, and people hear and repeat only half the story, but they rarely validate it," Manoske says. "Most of the time, it's a lack of communication from the top and from managers that causes rumors and resentment to run wild."

Holly G. Green, CEO and managing director of The Human Factor, agrees that it's important to learn the full story. "The company could have gone into deep debt to keep the doors open but has now had one great quarter--a long way from full recovery but starting to do well. There are times when externally facing statements don't really tell the whole story, so you have to be cautious about assuming too much from them."

When in doubt, ask HR. Manoske shares a story of a colleague who was given a raise in January that wouldn't take effect until June. It was a moot point, because the colleague was laid off in May. "What he should have done is reached out to someone in human resources in February and asked, 'Where are we?'"

That's not to say that HR will always share information, or that they even know. But it's still important to ask, Manoske says. "If HR doesn't know the answer, they will almost always ask upper management, and if upper management receives enough queries, they'll be forced to better communicate and explain the company's method of compensating employees."

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Do your own snooping. You need to do some sleuthing yourself, Manoske says. One great source is people who have recently left the company: "Even though someone who quit may have an axe to grind, they still can have some valuable information to share about what's going on in the company." Manoske adds that it's up to you to determine what the truth is once you've consulted enough sources.

Ask, don't demand. If it looks as though your company is squeezing you unnecessarily, approach your supervisor to ask for more money, better hours, a lighter workload, a promotion, or perks. But don't demand. "The way you ask is important," Green emphasizes. "Start the conversation with phrases like 'It seems as if the company has really turned around and is doing well, based on our most recent quarterly results. Can you help me understand how this will affect employees as we continue to do well?'"

John O'Connor, president of Career Pro, advises against letting emotion get the better of you when you're asking for what you think you're due. "Don't speak out in anger because it will never advance your career," he explains.

Look for greener pastures. Some companies are hiring, and new hires don't always have to accept rock-bottom wages and meager perks. If you do some salary research and learn that the compensation structure in your company really is out of whack, you have options. "Companies are asking for a lot right now, but if they don't live up to their promises and it's affecting your health and sanity and performance, be looking for a place that validates you," O'Connor says.

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Make sure you land a place in one of these greener pastures before quitting, advises O'Connor. "You don't want to voluntarily un-employ yourself right now. You should make sure you have another offer waiting."

"In the end, you have to decide if it's worth the trade-off to stay with an employer you feel is taking advantage of you, versus moving on to a new one in tough times," Green says.

This article was originally published on Yahoo.HotJobs.com

More From Hot Jobs:

• How to Answer the Trickiest Job Interview Questions

• 6 Common Resume Questions Answered

• Making a Transition Job Work for You

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8 Do's and Don'ts to Landing a Temporary Job

Megan Malugani, Monster Contributing Writer — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 17:53:00 -0800

If you’re a highly qualified professional who has been unemployed for a while, you may eventually have to find a “Plan B” job to pay your bills until the job market improves and you can return to your preferred type of work.

There’s no shame in that, but landing a temporary survival job can be harder than you think -- there may be dozens of applicants for a retail job at your local mall, for example.

Career experts offer these eight dos and don’ts for finding and getting hired for a survival job.

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1. Do Choose Your Survival Job Wisely

“A survival job should be something you enjoy,” says Lynn Taylor, a workplace expert who is CEO of Santa Monica, California-based Lynn Taylor Consulting and author of Tame Your Terrible Office Tyrant. For example, if you’re a social animal with a passion for music, try getting a gig as a bartender in your favorite karaoke bar. “Your likelihood of landing even a survival job is greater if you demonstrate genuine enthusiasm, so don’t waste anyone’s time with a job you dislike from the start,” she says.

2. Don’t Give Up on Finding the Job You Really Want

Before turning to bartending, look for a survival job in your field -- even if it means taking a major step down. Doing so will provide consistency and focus in your career and put you in the right place should opportunities arise within that company, Taylor says. If you must take a survival job outside your field, aim for evening or weekend hours so you can use your days to search and interview for your desired professional position, she says.

Next Page: Do Tone Down Your Resume →

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3. Do Tone Down Your Resume

“Long, verbose resumes shout ‘overqualified,’” Taylor says. So tighten your resume and/or decrease your scribblings on application forms for survival jobs. While you shouldn’t lie outright about your work experience, “it’s OK to de-emphasize certain qualifications by taking high-level job titles, graduate degrees or other irrelevant work experience off your resume,” says Los Angeles-based career coach David Couper, author of Outsiders on the Inside: How to Create a Winning Career Even When You Don’t Fit In. Adds Garrett Miller, a New Jersey-based workplace productivity coach, trainer and author of Hire on a WHIM: The Four Qualities that Make for Great Employees: “Drop the corporate speak and power phrases, and instead highlight your strengths in relating to people and your work ethic.”

4. Do Stay Upbeat

A positive attitude is everything when searching for a survival job. Let’s say you were laid off from a high-level IT position and are interviewing for a job at a coffee shop. Your interviewers will sense your disdain if you can’t find any upside to making and serving fancy drinks to customers. “You have to look at it as an opportunity to grow and stretch,” Miller says. “It’s almost like a miniversion of ‘Undercover Boss.’ You’ll be gaining perspective, empathy and insight into experiences you had once not even considered.”

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5. Don’t Come Across As a Know-It-All

Be confident during an interview, not cocky. You may be older and more educated than your interviewer, but that doesn’t mean you’d make a better cup of coffee. Bragging about your accomplishments won’t resonate with your interviewer, Miller notes, but what will impress are phrases such as: “I’m very teachable,” “I may not have chosen this career change, but I’m excited to learn new talents and skills from you” and “I will be here every day. You can depend on me”

Next Page: Don’t Lie →

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6. Don’t Lie

It’s great to show commitment to your potential survival job, but don’t go overboard. “It will hurt you if you lie and say this is the job of your dreams,” Taylor says. “It’ll come back to haunt you if you’re just looking for a temporary survival job but you lead your potential employer to believe otherwise.”

7. Do Prepare for the Interview

When conducting your job interview preparation, keep in mind the employer’s perspective, Couper says. Your interviewer will be trying to ascertain three things: Can you do the job? Will you fit in with the team? Will you cause any problems? Answering common interview questions of this nature in a satisfactory manner is your “golden ticket,” Couper says. Taylor says you can show your maturity (without bragging) and counteract the notion you’re overqualified with winning scripts such as these: “I’ve always gotten kudos for my people skills” and “I’m good at keeping the peace.”

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8. Don't Share Your Sob Story

Don't go on a tirade against your former employer, complain about your debt or reveal too much about your personal woes. "If the desperation shows in your face, you won't come across as genuine" in your desire for the job, Taylor says.

This article was originally published on Monster.com.

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Why You Shouldn't Lie on Your Resume

Charles Purdy, Monster+Hot Jobs senior editor — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 15:45:00 -0800

Desperate times often call for desperate measures -- and in a brutal employment market, some job seekers may be tempted to falsify their work or education history in order to make themselves more attractive to potential employers.

HireRight.com, a provider of on-demand employment background screening, recently found that 34 percent of job applicants lie on resumes. And when Yahoo! HotJobs recently asked people whether they'd ever lied in a job interview, 41 percent said yes.

But job seekers who stretch the truth are playing an ever-riskier game, according to Dennis Nason, CEO of the recruiting firm Nason & Nason. "Background checks are much easier now," he says. "It's all pretty open on the Internet." And many companies and recruiters now employ background-check providers who specialize in sniffing out untruths.

The Gray Area Between Fact and Fiction

Almost all career experts advise job seekers to customize their resumes to individual jobs they apply for. So where's the line between self-promotion and falsehood? Some experts say it can be hard to define. Tim McIntyre, president and CEO of The Executive Search Group explains, "The dictionary says that 'embellish' means 'to make beautiful,' which is when a candidate is great at self-promotion. The difference between that and a damaging lie varies by industry and profession."

For instance, financial executives are subject to more-intense scrutiny than many people going into entry-level positions that don't involve money.

But at any point in your career, stretching the truth is risky -- especially on official job applications. Brad Karsh, president and founder of JobBound, doesn't see a gray area at all: "Any uncovered fib is liable to severely damage your reputation in the workplace."

Next Page: Just the Facts →

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Just the Facts

According to Forbes.com, some of the most common resume lies are about education, employment dates, job titles and technical skills. And these are the same resume areas that, if you fudge them, can cause problems -- the Internet has made it much easier to verify a person's claims about education, for instance.

And Nason notes that firms like his are sleuthing far beyond a candidate's given references to corroborate his claims -- for instance, finding and contacting the candidate's former colleagues via LinkedIn.

Career expert Liz Ryan says, "People think that they can make up and embellish details about companies that have been sold or gone out of business. But LinkedIn, Facebook, and our wide-ranging networks will put a quick stop to most efforts to change history in our favor."

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Truth or Consequences

And even if false credentials get you the job, those untruths may come back to haunt you.

"You're subject to immediate dismissal if it turns out you misrepresented something," says Nason.

If your company is acquired, for instance, the acquirer's HR department may perform an audit of its new employees. Or your background may be checked when you apply for a promotion. Former Notre Dame football coach George O'Leary and celebrity chef Robert Irvine are just two of the people who made news when false background information cost them high-profile jobs.

Next Page: Keeping It Real →

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Keeping It Real

Career experts have practical advice on how to truthfully deal with some of the problems that may cause people to lie -- follow it, and you'll be able to sleep more easily at night.

• Gaps of Unemployment: Just because you weren't getting paid for something doesn't mean you weren't being productive and gaining skills. If you volunteered or worked on your own projects, say, you should speak to those things on your resume, in a cover letter or in an interview.

• Misrepresentative Titles: "Job seekers need to lay claim to projects and results that may not have been in their formal job descriptions," says Ryan. "Here's an example. An office manager I know took on HR in her company after the HR coordinator left. The office manager's title was never changed, but she took on responsibility for payroll, benefits and so on. She put all of that on her resume, and changed her title to 'Office Manager (with HR responsibilities).' That's a perfectly good way for her to brand herself, because she hasn't changed the title to something her old employer wouldn't recognize or support."

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• Past Salaries: Ryan also has advice on how to deal with discussing a past salary you feel was too low. She notes that you should arm yourself with information about the salary you should be earning. For more salary-related information, see Monster's Salary Tools.

• Skills: If you're tempted to lie about having a technical skill, for instance, the right thing to do is clear: Gain that skill by enrolling in a class (or committing to learning it on your own). Then you'll be able to truthfully explain to potential employers that you're working on getting up-to-speed in that area.

This article was originally published on Monster.com.

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What Employers Want from Job References

Yahoo! HotJobs staff — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 15:51:00 -0800

A great resume and solid interview skills may place job seekers in the running for a position, but a new survey conducted by OfficeTeam, a leading staffing service, finds that the results of a reference check can really be what makes—or breaks—a job search. Hiring managers interviewed for the survey said they remove about 21 percent of candidates from consideration after speaking to their professional contacts.

Managers also were asked, "When speaking to an applicant's job references, what is the most important information you hope to receive?" Their responses:

• Description of past job duties and experience: 36 percent

• A view into the applicant's strengths and weaknesses: 31 percent

• Confirmation of job title and dates of employment: 11 percent

• Description of workplace accomplishments: 8 percent

• A sense of the applicant's preferred work culture: 7 percent

• Other/don't know: 7 percent

"When hiring managers narrow the field to a few potential candidates, the reference check often becomes the deciding factor," says OfficeTeam executive director Robert Hosking. "To distinguish themselves from the competition, job seekers should assemble a solid list of contacts who can persuasively communicate their qualifications and professional attributes."

OfficeTeam offers five tips for creating a reference list that works in your favor:

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1. Choose wisely. Select people who can discuss your abilities and experience that directly relate to the position, not just those with the most impressive job titles. Offer a mix of contacts who can address different aspects of your background; for example, a former peer may be able to describe your interpersonal skills, while a past direct report can talk about your management style.

2. Check in beforehand. Always call potential references first to get their permission and evaluate their eagerness to talk to hiring managers. Be sure to give all references a copy of your resume, the job description, and the name of the person who will likely call.

3. Be prepared. Provide clear contact information for your references, including their names, titles, daytime phone numbers, and email addresses. Also, offer a brief explanation of the nature of your relationship with each individual. Consider supplying more references than are requested, so you won't miss out on the job offer if the hiring manager can't get in touch with one of your contacts.

4. Think outside the box. It's common for employers to seek out additional references for new hires—either online or through their own networks. Since you never know whom a hiring manager might reach out to, you should not only remain on good terms with your past supervisors and colleagues (if possible), but also be selective about who's in your online network, on sites such as LinkedIn.

5. Give thanks. Express your gratitude to people who agree to serve as references, even if they aren't contacted by employers. Keep them updated on your job-search progress and offer to return the favor by providing a recommendation should they need one.

This article was originally published on Yahoo.HotJobs.com

More From Hot Jobs:

• How to Answer the Trickiest Job Interview Questions

• Get Your Resume Noticed

• Making a Transition Job Work for You

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How to End a Job Interview

Margaret Steen | for Yahoo! HotJobs — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 17:09:00 -0800

In preparing for a job interview, you've probably practiced a firm (but not too firm) handshake, rehearsed answers to tough questions about your background, and polished up your lucky interview shoes. But many job hunters overlook a crucial part of the interview process: the very end.

As you finish an interview, you have one last chance to sell the interviewer on your skills—and get the information you need in order to follow up. Experts offer these tips for successfully closing an interview:

Don't leave empty-handed. To be sure you can follow up later, don't leave the interview without getting the names, titles, and contact information of everyone you met. This includes people you may dismiss as unimportant. "You don't know who has pull," says Laura DeCarlo, president of Career Directors International, a global professional association of resume writers and career coaches.

Know the next steps. You should also ask what the next steps are in the process: Will the most-promising candidates be called back for another interview? Is the company about to make a hiring decision? How soon does the hiring manager expect to move to this next step?

"It's totally appropriate for a candidate to ask this," says Peggy McKee, founder of career-confidential.com.

Lay the groundwork for a follow-up. Once the interviewer explains how the process will unfold, DeCarlo explains, "you say, 'Thank you. Is it OK if I call you if I haven't heard from you?'" Although you don't need the interviewer's permission to follow up, having the interviewer say it's OK will likely make you less apprehensive if doing so becomes necessary.

Close the sale. After you thank the interviewer and briefly summarize why you think you're a good fit for the job, McKee suggests asking straight out, "Based on this interview, do you feel that I could be successful in this position? Will you move me forward in the interview process?"

A positive response doesn't mean you're guaranteed to get the job. But the interviewer will likely remember you as a stronger candidate. "When you answer yes, you cross a line mentally," McKee says.

What if the interviewer expresses reservations? "That's the big fear," McKee says. But even though it may be disappointing, it's better to know. "This is your only really strong opportunity to find out what her objections are, so you can overcome those objections."

For example, if the interviewer says you lack experience in a particular area, you may realize that didn't emphasize your relevant experience enough. You can now clarify, either on the spot or in a follow-up letter.

You may get a noncommittal answer—the interviewer may say simply that there are more candidates to interview, for example. If that happens, use this as an opportunity to ask for more information about how the hiring process will play out.

Remember the details. Your thank-you notes will be more effective if you can mention specifics about your interviews. The best way to do this, DeCarlo says, is to write down everything you remember—good and bad—as soon as you can after the interview.

This article was originally published on Yahoo.HotJobs.com

More From Hot Jobs:

• Why Your Resume Isn't Working

• 6 Common Resume Questions Answered

• How to Deal With an Annoying Boss

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After the Interview: 4 Ways to Follow Up

by Margaret Steen, for Yahoo! HotJobs — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 14:56:00 -0800

You had your interview, and you the way it ended left you hopeful. Now comes what is often the most agonizing part of the job hunt: waiting for the hiring manager to call. But you still have some control over the process. Experts offer the following advice on maximizing your chances for success:
(Have an interview coming up? First read important tips on how to end a job interview.)

Send thank-you notes. Don't stress too much over whether they're emailed

or handwritten. The most important thing is to send them.

"Even if you think you've got it in the bag, there are people who expect that letter," says Laura DeCarlo, president of Career Directors International, a global professional association of resume writers and career coaches.

The kind of note to send depends on the situation. Peggy McKee, founder of career-confidential.com, prefers thank-you emails sent within a day of the interview. "A quick follow-up indicates interest," McKee said.

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But consider the company culture when following up. Sometimes a mailed letter will be more appropriate--for instance, if the company is an old-fashioned, traditional one. But if you're applying for something like a social media marketing position, then email your follow-up note.

Your thank-you letter should be "a typical sales letter," with three parts, DeCarlo says: Thank the interviewer, and then reiterate why you're a good fit. Close by saying you're looking forward to the next step. Even if you send the note by mail, you may prefer to type it so you have room to make your case.

Break through the silence. The interviewer said she'd let you know by Tuesday if you made it to the next round of interviews. It's now Thursday, and you haven't heard anything. What's going on? It's possible you didn't make the cut. But it's equally likely that the interviewer just got busy.

What should you do next? Call or email. If you don't get a reply in a few days, try again. Yes, you might occasionally annoy a frazzled hiring manager. But as long as your messages are polite and brief, most interviewers are more likely to be impressed by your perseverance, communication skills, and interest in the job.

"Candidates need to quit worrying about how they're perceived and be more worried about making people see how they can contribute to the organization," McKee says.

The key is to keep your messages positive. Don't sound accusatory--just remind the interviewer of your conversation, say you enjoyed it, and ask where they are in the process. It may help to prepare a script ahead of time.

Recovery Mode →

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Go into recovery mode. Perhaps you feel that you didn't make the best impression in the interview. The follow-up is your chance to recover.

"Tell them you're going to provide them with additional resources," McKee says. If you can send documentation of your abilities--or even get references to send notes on your behalf--do so.

But if your reason for thinking you blew the interview is something minor, like spilling your coffee, ignore it. "If you draw attention to your embarrassment about little things, it might lead the person to think you're too insecure," DeCarlo explains.

Bounce back from rejection. When you hear from an interviewer but the news is bad, what should you do?

First, "thank the person for letting you know," DeCarlo says. Then ask if the interviewer would be willing to give you any feedback that you could use for future interviews. The answer will likely be no, but it shows that you're interested in improving.

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Then keep networking with the interviewer, perhaps by forwarding occasional, well-chosen articles related to your industry, for example, or by joining a group on LinkedIn.

(For more tips on dealing with job-search rejection, read "After the Recruiter Says No.")

This article was originally published on Yahoo.HotJobs.com

More From Hot Jobs:

5 secrets to scoring a job using social networks

Networking tips for shy people

Find a new job near you

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The Art of Persuasion in Your Job Search

Charles Purdy | Monster+HotJobs senior editor — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 12:29:00 -0800

Persuasion is a subtle art--brute force doesn't often work well. And this is especially true for a job seeker, who is using interviewing skills and a resume to try to persuade hiring managers and recruiters to hand over something that a lot of people are competing for (that great new job).

Here are some persuasion tricks and techniques you can use to sway opinions in your favor:

The power of liking people

Even hiring managers are people--and all people want to be liked. Chris St. Hilaire, the author of "27 Powers of Persuasion: Simple Strategies to Seduce Audiences & Win Allies," says, "I've found that just thinking to myself, 'I like those people,' changes the way I feel about them. I get this smile on my face, and--with some exceptions--all of a sudden everyone tends to like me."

Do a bit of research about the person you're meeting with--has she (or her company) recently achieved something you can comment on appreciatively? You have the power to make her feel good--and that makes you more persuasive.

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Mirror the interviewer

Pay attention to how the interviewer speaks and acts--if he speaks slowly, for instance, match his pace. Even try sitting in a similar position; these subtle posture shifts can make him subconsciously feel more comfortable with you. But move slowly, and be careful about mirroring too exactly--it can be perceived as mockery.

You should also "mirror" with your resume--make sure to use language similar to that used in the job description (and on the employer's website and so on).

Master the handshake

In her book "10 Make-or-Break Career Moments: Navigate, Negotiate, and Communicate for Success," Casey Hawley says that the perfect handshake has four parts, which she describes as "webs, grip, shake, and eye contact": When you shake hands, your hand's web (the soft skin between your thumb and forefinger) should touch the web of the other person's, she says. Your grip must be firm, you should shake two or three times, and you should make direct eye contact.

Practice your handshake with friends until you're confident that yours is just right.

Next: Use Vivid Language >>

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Use vivid language

In terms of your resume, that means weeding out generic resume-speak like "results-oriented professional." Instead, describe the situation in which you achieved those results.

Also, use numbers to quantify your results (numbers are persuasive).

Say yes to a drink--of water

One of the many interesting tips in St. Hilaire's book is to have a glass of water: If you're a visitor and someone asks if you'd like something to drink, request water and thank her. He explains, "People want to do something nice for you, but not too much. This is a surefire way to make them feel good about themselves without inconveniencing them.'"

Create sound bites

A sound bite is a short, compelling phrase that can easily lodge in an interviewer's mind--for example, "I increased site traffic by 20 percent in three weeks" or "I was the company's top salesperson for seven months in 2008." Find ways to weave three or four sound bites into your conversation with an interviewer.

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Practice silence

Many hiring managers use silence to wield power: when you finish answering a question, they wait before speaking--and a nervous job candidate may end up saying something he didn't intend to. Practicing before an interview will help you prepare thorough answers to common questions. Then, when you're done, finish and smile expectantly--or even ask, "Did that answer your question?" (or ask your own relevant follow-up question).

Remember, silence is better than "Hmmmm" or "Like, ummmm." St. Hilaire also advises, "If you need to think about an answer, cast your eyes down, not up. Looking down appears thoughtful; looking up makes it seem as though you're searching."

This article was originally published on Yahoo.HotJobs.com

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• 3 Attention-Getting Tactics for Cover Letters

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• 13 Ways to Sabotage Your Job Search

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10 Career Resolutions for 2011

Dan Miller, Monster Staff Writer — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 10:59:00 -0800

Like the old saying, "Today is the first day of the rest of your life," it's never a bad time to start moving your career in a better direction. Here are 10 New Year's resolutions to help.

Pay Attention in Class

Treat every workday like a school day. Be sure you learn something and use it to make yourself more productive. It doesn't have to relate to your skills set. It may be as simple as understanding how to work with specific peers or emotional intelligence. Take mental notes. Don't sleepwalk through the day.

Look for the Next Rung

You need to excel at your job. This is how you gain credibility. But understanding your next step is key to career happiness. Career pathing is critical to remaining engaged on the job. Schedule discussions with your manager to get clarity on the next challenge. If you don't get it on your team or in your company, it may be time to look elsewhere.

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Understand Company Goals

Make sure you understand how your job contributes to your company's business objectives. Are you in a revenue-generating role? A brand-awareness role? Is your mission to delight the customer? Knowing how your job fits into the big picture will give you inspiration and a sense of accomplishment -- and will help you understand your job's impact.

Be Ethical

Bring integrity to your job. Whether you're running the company or cleaning its bathrooms, be honest in all you do. Don't call in sick just to get a day off -- that's stealing. Put in an honest day's work. Be accountable. If you're working remotely, be sure you are. Do what you say you're going to do. Honesty and reliability mean a lot to your manager.

Stay Fit

OK, this was probably on your last New Year's resolutions list, but that's because it's so important. Try to break a sweat for 20 minutes, three days a week. Go for a walk at lunch. Join a gym. Lift weights. A healthy body makes a healthy mind. Exercising increases blood flow to the brain and gives you ideas. You'll be more productive at work, and best of all, you'll feel better.

Next Page: Stretch Your Role →

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Stretch Your Role

Occasionally think how you can go above and beyond. Are there projects outside your defined role you could help with? Be proactive; ask to join. Come up with your own ideas, and work with your manager to implement them. If you're a hamster, step off the wheel and poke your head out of the cage. Stretch a little. This won't go unnoticed.

Manage Up

Make sure you and your manager are in firm agreement on what you're doing. Be proactive and get on his calendar to ensure you're meeting or exceeding expectations. Don't assume he's paying close attention. There are bad managers. If there's a disconnect between what you're doing and what your manager wants, you're partly to blame. Don't wait until review time.

Manage Across

Even if you work primarily alone, be sure to make time to understand your peers' roles and how they go about their jobs. Show an interest. Don't just choose a few friends and become part of a clique. High school is over. You never know when you may need people -- or be reporting to them.

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Communicate

Don't leave people waiting for answers. If you're in an email environment, return emails promptly. Let people know what you're doing. If you're working on a project, always ask yourself who needs to know about it, then tell them. Talk to people; give them a heads up. And when someone helps you out, be sure to thank him. It's amazing this even needs to be on a list, but bad communicators abound. Don't be one of them.

Make Time for Play

Have fun. Work hard, but smile while you're doing it. No one likes a grump. Approach each day with a positive spirit and stay loose. Enjoy your family and friends as well. Make time for them -- and you. It's called work-life balance. All work and no play makes life a chore.

This article was originally published on Monster.com.

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8 Ways to Spice Up Your Resume

Charles Purdy, Monster+HotJobs senior editor — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 10:59:00 -0800

Career experts are unanimous on the importance of customizing our resumes for each new job we apply for. But for many of us, when it comes to revising our resumes, the first question is "How?"

It's easy to get stuck in rut when you're working with material you know so well. So here are some ways to take a fresh look at revising your resume.

1. Analyze the job post's wording.

An easy way to make sure your resume gets you in the door for an interview is to echo the language in the job post. Look for ways to use the words in the post; a resume reader--human or software--may be screening for them. (If there is no job post, check the company's website--especially the About Us page and any corporate mission statements--for language you might adopt.)

If your resume says "supervise," but the job post says "manage," change it. If your last job title was "Social Media Ninja," and you're applying for a "Social Media Marketing Specialist" position, include the term "Marketing Specialist" in parentheses after your Ninja title (as long as you feel that this term could describe your past role).

Of course, don't stretch the truth!

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2. Weed out fibs.

It's all too easy for little fibs to make their way into a resume. Several years ago, you added an unearned certification to your resume, just to get your foot in the door at a new company. Or you claimed competence in a software program you figured you could learn on-the-fly.

Then, as the years went on, those temporary resume fibs somehow became set in stone. Now's the time to chisel them out. Any lie--even a seemingly inconsequential one--can put your job search and your future job security in jeopardy.

Replace lies with truths--or set about making them true. It could be as simple as putting the word "pursuing" before that imaginary degree on your resume.

3. Get rid of the "objective statement."

Beginning a resume with an objective statement (a phrase that starts with something like "Seeking a challenging position ...") is out. As Lauren Milligan, resume expert at ResuMAYDAY.com, says, "Employers already know that your objective is to get a job, after all." She suggests, instead, creating a personal summary statement that "illustrates how you are better than other candidates for the job." She adds, "Identify a few areas in your profession that you excel at ... and that you really enjoy doing."

Tell the hiring manager who you are and how you can solve her or his company's problems, not what you want.

Next Page: Get rid of redundancies →

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4. Get rid of redundancies.

Don't waste time telling hiring managers what they already know. Many people do this in their descriptions of past jobs. For instance, if your last job was as a copywriter for an online rug retailer, saying something like "wrote marketing copy for a wide variety of rugs" is unnecessary. Instead of taking up space with definitions no one needs, describe specific achievements. Did your work improve sales, get praise from management, or improve SEO rankings? Use job highlights, not job descriptions.

5. Cut unnecessary resume "stories."

Work Coach Cafe's Ronnie Ann advises removing things that are not directly related to the story you're telling about yourself and the job you're applying for. She says, "I have an abundantly varied job history--better than 'job hopper,' huh?--and remember back to resumes where I just wanted to make each job so full-bodied and rich that I was sure the employer would want to meet me. But as interesting as we may be as human beings, employers just want to know if we're right for their company--and specifically the job in question."

For instance, if you're both a professional accountant and a certified dog groomer, you might want to play down your dog-grooming experience when you apply for jobs in finance.

6. Look for ways to use exciting language.

Check your resume's verbs, and use strong verbs to make your resume more vibrant. For instance, "responsible for daily bank deposits" (no verb) could easily be "oversaw daily bank deposits" (strong verb). And as you find each verb, look at its subject--is it you? If not, should it be? For instance, in "duties included writing press releases," the subject is "duties." It'd be much better to say something like "Wrote all company press releases."

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7. Turn your resume upside-down.

I'm serious. Turn your resume upside-down and look at it from a distance. This will help you analyze its appearance separately from its content. Does it look too dense? Is it heavier on the top or bottom? Emily Bennington, a coauthor of "Effective Immediately: How to Fit In, Stand Out, and Move Up at Your First Real Job," says, "Sometimes a resume will catch my eye simply because it's formatted beautifully. I know the most important component is the content on the page, but you should also pay attention to the packaging. Trust me, hiring managers notice!"

8. Write a draft in a different format.

In his book "The Overnight Resume: The Fastest Way to Your Next Job," career expert Donald Asher suggests writing a letter to a family member about your job accomplishments as a way to rethink your resume. (Go ahead, brag a little.) Then he says you can start turning this into a resume draft by removing most personal pronouns ("I" and "we"), taking out articles ("a," "an," and "the"), and cutting transition words like "and" (unless doing so would distort meaning).

Thinking of your resume as a letter or a story (in which you're the hero), or some other medium, is a great way to start making it fresher, more personal, and more effective.

(For more on keywords and how to format resumes for online posting, read "Resumes for the Digital Age." And for a few resume-proofreading tips, check out "The Well-Punctuated Resume" on the Monster.com blog.)

This article was originally published on HotJobs.Yahoo.com.

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Top 19 Essential Career Research Tools

Kim Isaacs, Monster Resume Expert — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 09:59:00 -0800

Many of us fall into a rut when it comes to our careers, settling for the status quo instead of researching career paths that could be both personally and professionally fulfilling. Given the amount of time we spend in the work world, it makes sense to focus more time on career planning so we can be happier at work.

Fortunately, there has never been a better time to conduct career research online. Monster’s suite of career tools can help you plan and manage all aspects of your career, while resources available on government and other sites can help you round out your career and industry knowledge. So whether you are ready for a new career and need preliminary information, want to research a specific employer or are looking for salary data to negotiate a job offer, the tools you need are right at your fingertips. Get started by checking out these sites:

Monster’s Career Exploration Tools

•
Career Snapshots: This tool provides information for 2,500 occupations, including details on job duties, growth projections and related careers as well as links to featured job openings. There’s even a section for people in the industry to give the scoop on what it’s really like to work in the field.

•
Career Mapping: A vital tool for understanding your career options, Career Mapping can help you plan how to reach your desired goal. Enter your job target and map out the most likely steps for getting there; alternatively, you can create your own career path based on your interests. You can save your career path and search available jobs.

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•
Career Benchmarking: Wondering how you stack up against people in similar positions? Answer a few questions about your current or most recent job, and find regional and national data on salaries, benefits, work-life balance, education, training, experience level and commute time.

•
Career Advice: A virtual treasure trove of expert advice, Monster’s Career Advice section contains more than 2,000 articles on topics such as job hunt strategies, resumes and cover letters, interview tips, salary negotiations, workplace issues, and career development.

•
Advice Forums: Need some interactive career guidance? Check out Monster’s Career Advice forums to get tailored job search and career advice from experts and other job seekers.

•
Monster Blog: Follow the Monster Blog for job hunting tips and ideas for career planning and management.

Career Assessment

•
Time for a Career Assessment? If you are ready for a change but could do with some introspection and assessment first, this article provides resources and links to a variety of career assessment tools.

•
Career Testing Can Help Direct the Directionless: Includes links to popular career tests that can help point you in the right career direction.

•
Analyze Your Career with a Personal SWOT: Learn how to size up your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats to assess the state of your career and help make sound decisions.

Next Page: Salary and Benefits Information →

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Salary and Benefits Information

•
Salary Wizard: Want to know what you’re worth? Enter your job title and zip code, and find out the base salary range for your profession and location.

•
Cost-of-Living Wizard: If you’re considering a move, use this tool to compare salaries and living costs between cities.

•
Job Assessor: Size up two offers by rating the factors that are most important to you in a job.

•
Millionaire Maker: When will your bank account reach seven figures? Input your salary and savings information to find out.

Federal Career Tools

•
CareerOneStop: The Department of Labor’s resource for job information. Learn about occupations, job duties, wages, education requirements and employment trends.

•
O*NET: O*NET’s database contains hundreds of occupation-specific descriptions, including work activities, relevant work values, training requirements, industry projections and sources for additional information.

•
Bureau of Labor Statistics: Find statistics about your desired industry, including trends, projections for growth and layoff data.

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Company-Specific Research

•
Monster Job Search: In addition to searching for a specific job, you can use Monster’s job listings to conduct career research. Browse jobs by job title, skills and location to see who’s hiring and what qualifications employers are seeking.

•
Hoover’s: Search Hoover’s extensive database of companies and organizations for key information about potential employers. You can also research industries and learn about top players and industry growth indicators.

•
Securities and Exchange Commission: If you’re targeting public companies, research SEC filings to assess a company’s financial health.

This article was originally published on Monster.com.

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Monster iPhone App: Find Jobs with Your iPhone

Vasu Nagalingam, Senior Product Director, Consumer, Monster Worldwide — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 09:47:00 -0800

Thanks to
Monster's new app for the iPhone and iPod touch, your
job search can be right in the palm of your hands at all times.

Monster designed the app to be the perfect complement to its website experience, giving you access to the Monster account you've already created online--including your resumes, your favorite job searches, your apply history, and so on. It's all completely accessible immediately via the app, from wherever you are. Plus, all your activity within the app (such as searches and job applies) is automatically kept in sync with your online account, and is immediately available via the website.

Here are some ways to get the most out of Monster's iPhone app:

Set up your Monster account and create your resumes: If you don't have a Monster account, go ahead and
set one up; then create your
resumes. You can save as many as five different resumes on your Monster account--and all of them are then accessible when you sign in to your Monster iPhone app. If you have any favorite job searches, go ahead and save them under Saved Searches. They, too, will be available on the Monster iPhone app.

(The iPhone's small screen would make creating a resume there difficult, so Monster recommends that you set up resumes via the website.)

Get the Monster iPhone app:
Download the Monster iPhone app for search for "monster.com" on iTunes.

Sign in to your account to access your data: At the Sign In screen, use the email address and password for your Monster account to sign in to the app. This will allow you to access your resumes and favorite searches on the iPhone. (And if you're signed in, when you do find that cool job via the app, you can apply right away.)

After you sign in, you are taken directly to the My Profile screen, which allows you to access the app's functions.

Search for jobs: There are two ways to search for jobs: a direct job search or a saved (favorite) search.

Tap on Job Search to start searching for jobs. Monster’s latest semantic search engine--Power Search--is available on the app. Enter a job title, skills, and a location to search for jobs. You can also use the iPhone’s GPS feature to search for jobs near you.

If you have favorite searches saved on your account, they will be accessible via the Saved Search option on the My Profile page. And if you perform a search on the app, you can save it as a favorite by tapping on Save on the Search Results screen.

View jobs and apply to or save them: On the Search Results screen, you can tap each row to view employers' job postings. If you want to apply to the job and already have a resume saved on your Monster account, tap on Apply. Otherwise, tap on Save to save the job so you can apply later. (This saved job will also be available on the Monster website when you log into your account.)

Some employers require that you apply via their own websites; typically, these employer sites are not optimized for mobile devices, and the iPhone doesn't let you upload a resume to these sites. So the Monster iPhone app encourages you to save these jobs and complete the job application via the website.

Use the app to manage your job search: The Monster iPhone app contains a few features that enable you to easily check for new jobs while on the go. When you sign in to the app the first time, the app, by default, will remember your account credentials. This allows the app to take you directly to your Profile on subsequent startups, so you can get to your jobs quickly and easily. If you don't want to be “remembered” on the app, you can change this behavior on the Settings screen, and tell the app to require your account credentials at every startup. (This setting is only on the iPhone app and does not impact your experience when you use the website.)

As the economy slowly begins its recovery, employers are beginning to create and fill new positions--and the
Monster iPhone app for job searches is a great way to make sure you don't miss any of these new opportunities.

This article was originally published on The Monster Blog.

Ten Signs You Shouldn't Quit (Just Yet)

Norma Pauline Mushkat Gaffin, Monster Staff Writer — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 17:32:00 -0800

Unsure whether you should keep your job or seek greener pastures? While a shaky economy shouldn't keep you in a job you can't stand, you can watch for these 10 signs that could tell you you're fine right where you are.

1. You're Happy

We're not talking mere complacency here, but genuine happiness. If you're happy, you're going to be more productive, and that will impact the company's (and your own) bottom line.

2. You're Learning

You can race up the corporate ladder with agility, but if you don't learn anything on the way, you won't enjoy a lengthy stay. Anything you learn is another bullet on your resume.

3. The Company Is Hiring

This is not the smart hiring you're used to seeing, after all times are tough. But as attrition occurs, is your company replacing essential personnel? You want to see your employer focusing on the bottom line without putting its continued success in jeopardy.

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4. The Company Listens to Its Workers

Employees are often a company's most valuable asset. If processes don't work or morale is low, the workers are the ones to know. But remember: Decisions are based on the big picture, which may include some facts every employee cannot be privy to.

5. The Company Has a Plan

Does your employer have a mission and clear goals? Is there a plan for reaching those goals? Clarity is important for every worker, and it's even more important for the larger business.

Next Page: The Company Fixes Its Problems →

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6. The Company Fixes Its Problems

Everyone makes mistakes, and true virtue lies in how they're corrected. If your company actively tries to mend itself, then you know it's getting ready for the long haul.

7. The Company Promotes from Within

This goes back to employees being a company's biggest asset. Does your company reward its workers and promote accordingly? That shows the company is willing to invest in you, and your investment in the company could have a payoff.

8. The Company Is Open About Its Financials

If your company shares only its successes, beware. But if your employer shares information around profits and loss, it's inviting you to be a partner and is empowering you with the information you need to help.

9. Your Accomplishments and Contributions Are Noticed and Valued

Do you get credit for the work you do? No one should be taken for granted. If your employer notes your accomplishments, you're more likely to move up or be able to take on more challenging projects.

10. You Look Forward to Monday

Everyone enjoys a day off, but do you look forward to returning to work? Whether it's your job, your colleagues or the office culture, if there's something that stops you from dreading Mondays, you've struck career gold.

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Improve Your Situation

If you realize your current employer and position are not right for you, you need to take some action. Start with these four steps:

1. What's Wrong?

Are you unhappy with your current job, or are you concerned for your company's future? You need to determine the current problem before you can find a solution.

2. Assessments

Introspection can only lead to more clarity where your career is concerned. Look into taking career assessments to discover where your interests and aptitudes meet, and determine what type of workplace culture would be best for you.

3. Update Your Resume

Even if you're completely content in your current position, you should always keep your resume updated. You never know what might happen next, even at a thriving company.

4. Network

Talking to people is one of the best ways to learn about job openings or even a new field you had never considered for yourself. Don't just join professional organizations, but be an active member. You need to put yourself out there and take some risks to find the job that's right for you.

This article was originally published on Monster.com.

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How To Cope With an Unemployed Partner

Christina Macres | AdminSecret — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 09:43:00 -0700

Today’s job market has many couples well aware of the strain unemployment can put on a relationship. Constant stress can cause fights, break up an otherwise healthy relationship, and really put “for better or worse” to the test.

Often, coping with this anxiety and pressure can be just as taxing for the employed partner as it is for the one who is out of work.

But this doesn’t have to be the case. Instead of letting unemployment destroy your relationship, allow it to strengthen your bond as a couple. We show you how to cope:

Dealing with Emotions

It’s not unusual for your unemployed significant other to feel a range of emotions from lack of confidence to identity loss to of financial worry. As the employed half of the relationship, you must remain understanding and compassionate. Joblessness can create a sense of hopelessness, feelings of displacement, and depression due to days and months of continued rejection.

On the other hand, it’s also important that the unemployed member of the relationship be aware that the strain of unemployment doesn’t just affect them, but you as well. You may feel a combination of sympathy and anger towards your jobless partner. But as these emotions might seem overwhelming and at times confusing, you owe it to your partner to be both a motivational cheerleader and a listening ear when needed.

Next Page: Treating Unemployment as Temporary →

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Treating Unemployment as Temporary

Both you and your significant other must exercise an attitude that treats unemployment as temporary. Rejection, while difficult, is inevitable during this time. It’s important to keep in mind that the more jobs applied to, the more employment opportunities are created. Most times, just being an active job hunter (or support to a job hunter) can help combat feeling of dejection and unhappiness.

Feeling Thoughts of Guilt

At this time, it can be easy to slip into feelings of guilt over being employed; you have what your significant other desperately wants. But don’t let this be a cause for self-sabotage. You should feel lucky that you can provide for your significant other monetarily and emotionally during this time.

Managing Feelings of Jealously

The most contaminating emotion for a couple coping with unemployment is resentment. At times the jobless partner may feel jealous because they live so close to someone who has what they want. Your workday could become a daily reminder of what they don’t have. If this is the case in your relationship, you must make communication your main priority. It might be painful to be told that your employment elicits bitterness from your significant other, but talking through these thoughts can help both sides better understand each other’s emotions.

Next Page: Promoting Reminders of Importance →

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Promoting Reminders of Importance

An unemployed person often feels embarrassed about being out of work, even though their joblessness is in no way connected to their personal failure. Remind your significant other that they are a vital part of your life and that you fell in love with a person — not a career.

Oftentimes, it might also help to do this in a less obvious fashion. For example, in addition to telling your mate they're great, ask them to do you a favor and make them feel valuable. Need an errand run? Something fixed around the house? Just ask! Confidence and self-respect are a vital part of life and, unfortunately, times of continued joblessness can damage these character traits. Preserving your significant other’s sense of worth is a fundamental piece of the job procurement puzzle.

Offering Help

This can come in the form of searching for a job, proofreading a resume, brainstorming good characteristics for a cover letter, or even just keeping the lines of communication open by listening to feelings, concerns and general discontent. Work as a couple to search job listings, network, and build a group of contacts.

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Maternity Leave 101: Balancing the “Baby Brain”

Jill Hare | AdminSecret — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 12:21:00 -0700

The best laid plans of going on maternity leave “on time” went out the window at 3 a.m. one morning when I went into labor two weeks early. Call it an early onset of mothers’ intuition, but the night before I went into labor I stayed up working until 10:30 to make sure everything was in order before the next day of work.

Trying to divert my attention to anything but my labor pains at the hospital, I was glad that I had spent the time being extra zealous with preparations to leave my job behind for the next twelve weeks. I had my to-do list packed in my hospital bag of whom to text and who to e-mail from work. After receiving an epidural, I was in a newly blissed-out state, where I managed to get all the emails and texts necessary sent out. And then I could set my sights on motherhood.

As any mother will tell you, doctors and birth aren’t perfect. After more than a half-day of “fun,” my daughter finally arrived. Two days later, I was feeling better and craving to be in touch with the outside world. My husband and family left my hospital room long enough for me to be alone... with my computer. I couldn’t believe how badly I wanted to check my e-mail! Thus, my quest to keep away the “baby brain” began.

Days at home on maternity leave are like the movie "Groundhog Day": Every day you wake up and repeat. You can alter some of the details of the day, but basically every day is the same. Having been an elementary school teacher for almost a decade and a niece to many little ones, I knew what I was getting into. I stare in wonder at a little creature and make silly noises and faces. When she sleeps I have just a few things I like to do: Shower, nap, tidy up the house, and check my e-mail - yes, even my work e-mail.

You might think I’m crazy, but I check my work e-mail at least once a day. It’s nice to read something other than _Goodnight Moon_. Not only does it help me stay up to date with what’s going on at the office, it keeps my messages from stacking up and will hopefully make my return to work less overwhelming. Keeping up with the outside world is important to gain balance with becoming a mother, not to mention it gives me something to talk about with my husband when he gets home from work.

With a full six weeks of maternity leave under my belt, I’m equally amazed that that my child is only six weeks old and that I have only six weeks left to devote my sole attention to her. So while I enjoy every minute of her waking hours, I’m also watching trivia shows – "Cash Cab" and "Jeopardy" are my favorites - to keep the “baby brain” at bay. I kind of liked my brain the way it was.

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How To Find a Job Without Getting Fired

Nealeigh Mitchell | Excelle — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 13:32:00 -0700

So you’ve decided you can’t spend another year working for your under-appreciative boss with little room for growth. It’s a good job, but you’ve been here three years without a promotion. It’s time to go, right?

Gone are the days when employees spend their entire careers climbing the ladder at a single company. In fact,
job hopping can actually help you figure out what you really want to do and get you there faster.

But looking for a job while you’re still employed is no easy task. You’ve got the stress of job hunting in addition to your normal work responsibilities. How can you possibly work interviews into the business day? How can you even call to set them up?

Obviously you can’t slack off at your present job or alert your boss to your plans. But you don’t have the luxury to quit and fire up a full time job search.

So can you do both? Yes, but it takes some skill. Here’s how to successfully search for a job without getting fired:

Making Contact

Don’t search on your current boss’s time. Period. Many companies monitor your online activity and have strict rules against personal use of computers and resources. The last thing you want is for your boss to find your cover letter in the copy machine or overhear you on an interview when you’re late on deadline. Most potential employers will understand that there are times you can’t be reached. Still, play it safe and job search in the evenings or on the weekend.

Next Page: Scheduling Interviews →

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Scheduling Interviews

Interviewing is going to be one of the greatest challenges you’ll face as an employee turned seeker. After all, there is a limit to the number of emergency doctor appointments one can have before the boss catches on.

So how do you sneak out to interviews without making your boss suspicious? Well, it’s not easy. Firstly, avoid scheduling
phone interviews at all costs. Unfortunately, many companies use the phone interview to screen potential hires, so if you absolutely must talk over the phone, give them your cell number and duck out of the office to conduct the interview.

Setting up interviews before work, during lunch or after work is ideal. However, depending on your PTO balance, you should consider arranging interviews in the morning and taking the entire day off, if possible. That way you won’t feel guilty or pressed for time. On that note, do let the HR manager know your current employment situation ahead of time. They’ll understand your rigid time constraints and will try to keep the interview as brief as possible.

Dressing for Interviews

Unless you’re a stockbroker or an attorney, you probably don’t wear a blazer and heels to work everyday. Since
business casual (and I use the term casual loosely) has become the norm, suddenly swapping your cardigan and jeans for a pinstriped skirt suit will surely catch the boss’s eye. Unfortunately, there’s not much else you can do but pull a Superwoman and swap outfits in the car (or a public restroom, if need be!). A bit of wrinkle and wriggle is well worth keeping your current job and dressing appropriately for your interview.

Next Page: References →

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References

Nothing will get you fired faster than a potential employer ringing up your current boss and asking about your work ethic. If you’ve told your interviewer that you’re currently employed, they’ll understand why you want to keep things confidential and won’t contact your current boss until a firm offer is on the table.

However, if they’re bent set on someone immediately speaking on your behalf, offer to provide a list of previous employers who can
provide a reference for you. Under no circumstances should you provide your current boss’s info unless your new job is in the bag. Otherwise you run the risk of getting fired on the spot.

Keep Quiet

Sure,
complaining to your colleagues about how unhappy you are may seem harmless enough, but if you’re seriously looking to leave the company, keep it to yourself. Prematurely bragging about a potential new job before you have an offer is dangerous. If your boss catches on that you’re looking to jump ship, she’ll probably give you a hand and shove you straight toward the unemployment line. Also, even if you’re really close to your manager, you shouldn’t feel obligated to inform her you’re job searching until you’re ready to give your notice.

Keep The One You Have

Even though you’ve mentally and emotionally checked out, you have a responsibility to your current boss to do your job to the best of your ability until your last day. Otherwise, you’ll be the first on the chopping block when staff cuts come around. Yes, it may be hard to perform at top level with one foot out of the door, but you will feel better about leaving your boss — and your boss will give you a better reference — if you know you gave it your all until the end.

Remember, there's no shame in looking for another job. As long as you’ve carefully considered your current position, treat your current boss fairly, and are smart about your search, moving on is the right move and can get you where you deserve to be.

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