by billmason on May 1, 2010
Ever wonder how it is certain buzzwords, catchphrases and trends suddenly dominate the morning national news, blogs and various articles? From nowhere, we’re told that without these new breakthroughs and habits to rule our lives, we’re destined for an unfulfilled existence. Sort of makes you wonder how we existed and found happiness prior to these revelations, right? We’ll take a look at some of these new catchphrases and attempt to discern those that are legitimate from those that are just plain silly.
Work Life Balance – A personal favorite; it’s all about perspective. Except, it’s not new. It’s the same struggle in pretty new packaging that we as a human race have attempted to find in our lives since the beginning of time. Just ask the millions of working American moms and they’ll tell you. In the 80s and 90s, it was all about powerful climbs up the proverbial ladder that included eighty hour work weeks. Now, it’s shifted to the importance of drawing the line and taking a stand against those long hours. Indeed, work life balance is the new career objective in the new millennium. We don’t suggest you include that in your resume, though, anymore than you would have included your goal working sixteen hour days in the 80s or 90s. Still, it’s a great way to keep priorities straight.
Core Competencies – Also known as “skill sets” job seekers might mention while looking for new career opportunities, this catchphrase sounds more professional. An individual’s core competencies might include leadership skills, finding creative solutions and the ability to foster teamwork. Companies now define departmental core competencies with mission statements that might include exceptional customer service or a dedication to provide innovative solutions. A. Harrison Barnes, career coach and founder of EmploymentCrossing.com says a mission statement is crucial in today’s contemporary business model and an ideal way to provide visual reassurances of a company’s commitment to customers.
Metawork – This buzzword is about working so you can work. Confusing, yes? Consider this: You prepare your resume, browse the jobs on EmploymentCrossing.com and take a few notes – these are all metawork: working so you can work. The actual work, of course, is after you’ve landed your new job opportunity. In the not so distant past, we happily used the phrase “laying the foundation” instead of the catchy little word “metawork” came into play.
Time Management Matrix – This gem was recently accredited to Stephen Covey and basically amounts to four quadrants with the goal of determining important, urgent, not very important or not urgent as the basis of effective time management. Formerly known as a to-do list, this is a better approach for many.
Regardless of how we define time management, our strengths and weaknesses and even our ability to prepare, A. Harrison Barnes agrees each is important, especially in our career choices. Fortunately, the metawork’s been done for you on EmploymentCrossing.com; you might just find the ideal new career opportunity that allows you to incorporate your core competencies.
by billmason on May 1, 2010
More people are beginning to understand the job search no longer means sending out a few resumes and waiting for the offers to come in. Times have changed and as a result, those looking for career advice are beginning understand the theory behind the “strength in numbers” approach. Job openings are scarce. It’s just the way things are in a contemporary and redefined economic landscape. A. Harrison Barnes, a leading career coach, says that while there’s a light at the end of the tunnel, we’re still in that proverbial tunnel. In a recent published column, he says a career is “…the path to mental and economic stability, happiness and purpose…” Even during a time when so much remains uncertain, moving forward is key to ensuring your career ultimately becomes what you have envisioned. Just as importantly, however, is defining a team that can help you meet your career goals and work to ensure your resume and your approach is as solid as possible.
One such method is EmploymentCrossing.com. Founded by A. Harrison Barnes, this unique site serves as more than just a job board; it’s where you can gather the latest news in employment trends, search for jobs other sites don’t have access to and gain insight from all the latest economic research – in one streamlined and effective site. While working from the perspective of a group of people whose sole purpose is to help you find the right job, EmploymentCrossing.com takes that perspective a step further. Resume revisions, interview assistance and an approach that puts the job seeker as top priority, versus the employer as other sites focus on, sets this company poles apart from the competition. The latest job openings from every sector in the American workforce are included, career advice and all the help you need to find the right job are only a few of the benefits you’ll enjoy as a member of the EmploymentCrossing team.
Nearly 40% of all active job seekers, at any given time, fail to include important information that can make the difference in whether you’re extended an offer of employment. Too many times, we think it’s not important enough for inclusion, when in fact, it may be just what an employer is looking for. This is the very thing the EmploymentCrossing team is trained to recognize and include. When fifty or more people are applying for one coveted position, inclusion of your placement on your college debate team just might be the deciding factor for an employer.
Even better is the risk free trial new members are offered. Whether it’s government jobs, part time jobs or administrative jobs, if they’re available, they’re found on EmploymentCrossing.com. The one career site that includes no advertising, has received several awards and that touts more interviews and job offers than any other stands ready to become part of your “strength in numbers” approach. Be sure to visit A. Harrison Barnes at his blog at www.aharrisonbarnes.com for more advice, information and statistics on anything related to the employment sector.
by billmason on May 1, 2010
Thomas Donohue, president of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, addressed a group at a chamber forum regarding American businesses. His words packed a punch, to be sure. He’s quoted as saying, among other things, “Congress…must recognize our weak economy simply could not sustain all the new taxes, regulations and mandates now being considered…that would be a sure-fire recipe for a double-dip recession or worse. We could get back into a mess that makes this recession look like chump change.”
Clearly Donohue is fired up; but then again, that’s exactly what many of us have been waiting for: someone to step up to the plate and dress some folks down. Donohue also said 20 million jobs can be created over the next decade by doubling exports over the next sixty months, followed by another redoubling effort. Other suggestions include rebuilding the American infrastructure, investing in nuclear energy, expand credit and find definitive solutions for proposed tax increases found in health, environmental, labor and fiscal policies.
Sounds like a solid plan. A. Harrison Barnes, career coach and founder of EmploymentCrossing.com, agrees and says the key was always in addressing the double digit unemployment numbers. It’s a cycle; working Americans buy things from stores that hire people to run them and generate not only profits, but tax revenue as well. Another solution that would benefit everyone, including small business owners, is to keep tax rates where they are. Proposed tax hikes will force many to close their business which would surely result in bigger deficits and that, of course, leads to bigger economic problems.
Donohue didn’t stop with American businesses. He took quite a vocal stand on education saying, “No economy or society can succeed over the long run if it allows thirty percent of its young people to drop out of high school.” He says it “tears away at the fabric of the American dream”. This is especially true when the vast majority of the jobs found on EmploymentCrossing.com call for, at a minimum, high school diplomas. Those who don’t complete high school have always been at a disadvantage, but a tight job market only highlights those disadvantages. Statistically speaking, many of us don’t return to college until we’re well into our adulthoods, have or are currently raising families and many are already established in a career. Without a high school diploma or equivalency, that possibility is simply not an option.
Donohue is not alone with his sentiments, while A. Harrison Barnes agrees the lion’s share of the solution is to increase employment opportunities, Richard Trumka, current president of the AFL-CIO supports the approval from Congress, expected to come up in April, that makes it easier for employees to form unions. Trumka addressed the National Press Club in early January and said, “I think you’ll see the Employee Free Choice Act pass in the first quarter of 2010.” No doubt big changes are coming, it’s just a matter of whose predictions come full circle; at any rate, regardless of how we define the right solutions, we all have the same end result in mind.
by billmason on May 1, 2010
Remember the shock felt across the country when our email boxes began filling up with breaking news stories of how the unemployment rates hit 7.6%? There was a collective gasp when the news only worsened. 1.8 million jobs had been lost in only ninety days and the numbers had not been so bleak since December 1974. CNN reported how even the industry experts hadn’t anticipated such discouraging numbers; all the while, stories were also breaking of new home prices on the rise and the number of bank failings each week that were exceeding ten, twelve or even fifteen.
Still, despite the bad news, hope was still high America was on the rebound from the recession. A new president was taking office and economists were optimistic. So how did 2009 shape up? Did more of us find well-paying jobs as the year progressed; for that matter, did any of us manage to find any jobs – well-paying or otherwise? Let’s take a walk down memory lane in an attempt to answer these questions.
While the country as a whole remains hopeful, one can’t argue with the hard numbers. By March, unemployment hit double digits and remained hovering between 10 and 11 percent the remaining months of the year. November saw an even 10% in unemployment, which makes many believe things are finally beginning to improve. The goal is for December to finally reveal numbers below 10%. Time will tell. Unfortunately, November also showed a total job loss of more than 293,000 – suggesting that even though the employment outlook may be improving; there is still a long way to go. The statistics can be confusing, especially when looking for straight answers. A. Harrison Barnes, a career coach and lawyer, says it’s important to balance a realistic approach to looking for employment along with remaining more focused on the big picture. Sometimes taking a step back can provide perspective and all too often, we get lost in the details in the midst of a job search.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics suggest the trend that began in 2009 of more service-producing sectors accounting for the workforce while those good-producing positions were expected to decrease apparently has hit its mark. In a report released in early December, 2009, those jobs considered goods-producing have dropped to 12.9% with the remaining 78.8% are found in the service related industries. Indeed, one needs only to stroll through any of the four hundred-plus job fairs held every week throughout the U.S. to recognize those trends.
So what defines a winning strategy in an employment search? Again, A. Harrison Barnes reiterates the importance of remaining focused and ensuring an advantage over others looking for that same perfect job. Consider sites such as EmploymentCrossing.com, which offers jobs not readily found through traditional sources, can be invaluable for the job seeker. While EmploymentCrossing.com does pull from every newspaper’s want-ads, it also incorporates private resources from employers who don’t wish to publicly announce job positions. This is a powerful tool that can ensure a new career, despite the statistics and double digit unemployment rates. The effects of the recession and double digit unemployment numbers can’t continue for much longer, but the right career choice can guarantee your financial future for years to come.
by admin on April 30, 2010
Welcome to WordPress. This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start blogging!
