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Trudging Through "Nowhere Road"

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 04:25:52 +0000

The economy is on the road to recovery. While the country and the rest of the world are trying to get back on track economically, some sacrifices have to be made. Unfortunately, part of the sacrifice involves millions of workers worldwide.

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Thousands are laid off everyday and fewer companies are willing to open their doors for new employees. As a result, many people are still out of work. The unemployment rate is even set to reach double digits if the trend of rising unemployment continues.

This fact is very devastating for anyone who tries to establish a continuing career until they reach the retirement age. Getting laid off from work because of the economy is not just a "pause" in one's career but a "reset". This means almost everyone who was terminated during recession should start over if they want to succeed in their chosen career. Insisting to start from where the career left off is not possible because those positions were already filled during recession. This fact is a little bit challenging but it must be accepted so that success in career can be started as soon as possible.

But the period where the economy starts to pick up and demand for manpower being on the rise is still months away. That means work is scarce and finding a good source of income is difficult. Good thing the government is extending unemployment assistance to 79 months from termination. But it is still better to have a job as personal spending can be increased.

Strategy and Technique as Tools in "Nowhere Road"

Two possibilities can be raised when extensive job search do not yield any expected results: the problems with economy and strategy during job search. Knowing the state of the economy, it is very easy to blame everything on the country's current status.

But what if the trouble is in the job search as well? This question is very difficult to answer since it presupposes that something is wrong in your job search technique. It might also be possible that you are barking at the wrong tree since you have tried to land a job in a wrong industry.

Whatever the reason is, realizing that something is wrong with your technique or strategy should help you do something to improve your job search. Doing what you can for the economy will not yield immediate result but if you do something for your success can have the expected or even better yield.

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Realizing that the job search technique or the preferred industry is very pivotal during the job search process. This will lead to a complete revamp on the essentials in looking for a job. Resume, cover letter and online information might be changed or edited to improve the chances of employment. Others are also trying to look for a long term solution. Instead of trying to land a job right now, some opted to go on training based on the skills on demand in order to gain employment in a different industry. This option can take months to complete but an additional skill only means an improved chance of employment in various industries.

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Performance Evaluation

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 04:25:46 +0000

Performance evaluation is a practice by most, if not every company, in order to maintain output or productivity of their employees. Employees are rated based on what they have done or the stats in order to determine if they can still stay or be warned about performance. Even the behavior and dressing of the employees could be rated by their bosses.

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For this reason, it is always important for the employee to expect evaluations and should have ways in dealing with the results. This situation is always gut wrenching can easily affect the employees future performance.

If your time is up for an evaluation, be prepared as there are so many things that can be said and happen during the evaluation.

A Good Sign: You Are Not Surprised

There are evaluations that could surprise or take you aback with what they have to say. For example, you could be working hard but one of their feedbacks is that you are not providing enough for the company and you are being placed on notice. This might be frustrating and a really bad sign.

On the other hand, you have to be honest on what you have done for the past few months. They could say you are not working enough because the reality is that you are not working at all. Before you enter the room where you will receive your performance evaluation, evaluate yourself and know what you have and have not done.

Asking Questions During Evaluation is Important

Never, in any way, accept their final evaluation if you do not understand their judgment. They should have an honest evaluation and reasoning why the have given you a bad evaluation. Dig deeper to know the exact reason since they should provide an honest evaluation and not just because they do not like you. This type of bias should never be allowed in the workplace and should be uncovered as much as possible.

Evaluation Begets Better Performance

There is only one reason why performance reviews are given out: to push their employees to do better. When your employer provided you a bad evaluation, this should not be taken as a personal assault. Even though it could be a personal assault from your boss, it should be taken still as a challenge since you are pushed for more. This can be disheartening but working harder is a lot better than proving your boss' point of bad evaluation.

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Taking Notes

This is a small but very neat trick that you can do during your evaluation. If you want to look good or be very professional during your evaluation, bring a small notebook or paper. This is not to intimidate your boss or the reviewer but it can be used to tell the evaluator that you are carefully taking note of everything. If you do not know the person who gives out the evaluation (or he is just vaguely familiar) ask for the exact name and write it down. This provides an idea that you are taking everything down and accepting it like a true professional.

Career Options for Liberal Arts Graduates

Tue, 24 Aug 2010 18:16:54 +0000

Liberal Arts are courses that are deemed unnecessary by many parents and even for some students. They believe that these courses such as Philosophy, Sociology and Psychology are not good enough to provide a decent career. The graduates of these students are often thought of as someone who might end up in a fast food chain or to become a teacher that is not paid well or not even paid at all.

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If you are a fresh graduate with Liberal Arts as your degree, do not be afraid. The career path of those who graduate with this type of degree is not clear or not good because they do not see the advantage of these courses. You might not even realize the advantage of this degree even if you are student on it.

Versatility on Career

Most do not realize that graduates of liberal arts could practically work in any field they choose. Although their learning in college is not geared on a profitable industry, they can work in these industries with ease. Small and large companies value these form of employees because they are not only hiring someone with a background for the industry but they also have additional knowledge that could be applicable in the future.

With this regard, you may need to have prior experience in an industry you are interested in. This range from volunteer work or an entry level position to the industry you want to excel in. As you grow in experience, your additional knowledge will become more useful.

Communication Skills

If there is one thing most graduates in Liberal Arts are good at, it is in communication. Graduates from these course, can speak or write really well. Through their college years they are encouraged to speak their mind and never be afraid of writing down their thoughts and presenting then with ease.

There are industries that you can work in that emphasize on communication. There are marketing agencies that requires someone who has the confidence to stand in front of managers and impeccably present ideas - you could be that person.

In terms of written words, there are thousands of jobs related to writing and they are not just the small ones. From magazines to websites, you can be part of different industries because you have the ability to write. If you have any hobby, combine that hobby with your writing so that you can excel in a specific industry.

The Law

One of the best industries that Liberal Arts graduates could count on for a career is a career related to the law. Because of the experience in the written words of those who are in liberal arts, their ability to understand the law is just natural. Combine this college learned skill to great logical thinking; a career in law is almost a guarantee.

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You do not even have to be a graduate of politics since you have been extensively exposed to the language that you can understand the statements fast.

Excelling with a Liberal Arts degree is not just based on earning from what you know. Success with this degree is based on how you apply in real world what you learned in college.

Learning from Direct Sales

Tue, 03 Aug 2010 03:46:26 +0000

Direct sales is a very popular business model for those who wanted to increase sales of their products. They sign up sellers from different parts of the country. Their business model is based on exclusivity since they only offer their product through direct selling. The business model of direct selling is very commendable. In fact, you can even learn some things from direct selling that you can apply to your job search.

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Convenience - If you want to improve your chance of employment, show to your potential employer that you provide convenience to the company. Companies are hiring employees simply because they want their business process to be smooth sailing. Always aim to provide your prospective employer that you can ease the business processes.

Flexibility - The biggest challenge any new employee would face is the lack of compromise for your personal interest.

For example, other employees would be able to ask for leave of absence for various reasons. Your case on the other hand, is different. But instead of clamoring for your leave of absence, you have to be flexible enough to adjust to the company's interests. Companies want their new employees to provide the flexibility they need so that their operations can continue even in non-working days. There are even companies who ask their employees to work during the night shift especially if they are operating 24 hours a day.

Endorsements - There are direct selling companies that are aggressive in their advertisements. But these advertisements are not some quirky advertisements. They often focus on endorsements to grab the attention of potential buyers.

This should also be a clue for you if you want to get hired. Improving the chances of employment can be boosted if you have a good endorsement. Look for someone who can provide a good word for you with the company. As much as possible, ask to be referred by someone recognized by the company or by the industry.

Expecting failures - not everything is a success in direct selling. Ask any direct seller you will meet and they can attest that there are those who will not accept their offer. But they have often ignored this fact and move to another potential customer until they can find actual buyers. This should also be a lesson for job seekers.

Instead of moping because of the rejection you experienced, it's a lot easier to move on and find another employer. Besides, moping will only worsen your feeling of insecurity because you can't find the job you want. Another lesson learned from direct selling is the fact that they are slowly improving their skills in gaining customers.

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If you have been rejected for the job, use the experience as additional lesson in gaining employment. It's a tough reality but as long as you move forward and learn along the way, you will eventually gain employment. Take a cue from direct sellers as they are continuously doing the difficult task of selling.