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4 Ways to Get Killer Letters of Recommendation

Steve Berman | HRPeople — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 15:50:00 -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.

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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.

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.

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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.

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 | HRPeople — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 15:50:00 -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.

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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.

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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7 Dos and Don'ts of Fighting Fair

Steve Berman | HRPeople — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 15:50:00 -0700

How we fight sometimes says more about us than how we got into a fight in the first place. Living a conflict-free life, especially with a loved one, sounds nice but in reality is impossible. Not only that, but it's unhealthy.

Disagreements from time to time, if dealt with maturely and with the requisite kindness, can actually help to strengthen the bond between partners. And that's not simply due to the makeup sex phenomenon, a theme so commonly mimed in sitcoms and romantic comedies.

Yes, fighting within a couple is normal. However, within each fight lies a potential minefield of insensitive comments and dirty tricks. Fights are only productive if done fairly. Here's a list of seven dos and seven don'ts to keep in mind when entering a tiff to make sure you're fighting fairly. Following these rules could be the difference between making up and sleeping on the couch.

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1. Do: Listen to what your partner is saying

This kind of goes without saying. Literally. If your partner doesn't feel like they're being listened to, how do you expect him or her to listen to you?

1. Don't: Mock what your partner says, or how he/she said it

While listening is a good idea, don't listen just to get ammo for a sarcastic comeback. And if you're one of those people who impersonates what your partner says in a dismissive/derisive tone, you definitely aren't fighting to get anything accomplished, you're just passive aggressive.

Next Page: Do: Be honest with your emotions →

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2. Do: Be honest with your emotions

Sometimes just explaining calmly to the other person why something is bothering you can cut a fight's time in half or more. Saying something like, "You really hurt my feelings when you forgot to call and let me know where you were," is a lot more effective than screaming, "Where were you?!?!"

2. Don't: Cry just because you can

If you're legitimately driven to tears, there's nothing you can do. But if you turn on your eye faucets at a moments notice to manipulate your partner, you're just blackmailing someone emotionally.

3. Do: Treat your partner as a friend

It can be hard if a fight causes you to get angry, but you have to remember that the reason why you're fighting is that you care about each other. If you didn't care, you'd both just go your separate ways. Always treat your partner with respect, don't resort to name-calling or cheap insults as a substitute for making a valid point based on logical reasoning.

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3. Don't: Blab about the fight to your friends

Sometimes it's tempting to bitch about your loved one's actions to a sympathetic ear, one you know will always back you up – regardless of whether you're right or wrong. Don't do it. If you let others in to a fight you have with your partner, your partner won't trust that your private conversations are actually private, and he/she will feel like they're being ganged up on. If you're tempted to run to a friend and complain rather than work out the drama, then perhaps it's time to think about moving on from that relationship.

Next Page: Do: Apologize whenever necessary →

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4. Do: Apologize whenever necessary

Unless the fight is 100% the other person's fault (like if you've just caught them cheating or stealing something from you), it doesn't hurt to apologize, especially if the other person is willing to or has already apologized. It takes two to tango, and it takes two to fight. If one person always feels like they need to apologize, they'll soon start to wonder why they're always in the wrong and feel resentment. Part of compromise is giving up the idea that each fight has a clear winner and loser. People who fight that way often end up losing all around in the end.

4. Don't: Apologize and take it back in the same breath

Nothing upsets another person more than saying something like, "I'm sorry I didn't take your feelings into account, but …" Whatever is said after the word "but" is generally something that completely negates the apology. If you mean you're sorry, say that you're sorry and then end the sentence. Don't apologize just so you can get a reciprocal apology.

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5. Do: End the fight as soon as possible

If you're in the middle of a fight and you see the finish line, it's best just to let the fight end. Focus on positive words and new ideas for how the two of you will avoid fights like this in the future, without rehashing the same fight-worthy topics again and again out of boredom or spite.

5. Don't: Walk out on a fight

Perhaps the most passive-aggressive fight tactic is the leave-the-room-and-slam-the-door maneuver. Even worse is when you leave the house or apartment where you're fighting entirely for a cool off moment. If the other person still wants to talk and there's a chance for things to work out, storming off is an immature move; something people do if they don't want to make things right with the other person.

Next Page: Do: Give the yelling a rest →

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6. Do: Give the yelling a rest

Even if your partner knows he or she is wrong, it's impossible to want to make up with someone who's screaming. It's normal for your voice to raise an octave or two when you're emotional, but try not to alarm your neighbors or your partner with a decibel level similar to a plane taking off.

6. Don't: Go to sleep angry

Once it's deemed okay to turn out the lights and sleep back-to-back (or one on the bed, one on the couch), it becomes easier and easier to end fights without really ending them. Soon there's a multitude of unresolved issues bubbling under the surface of your relationship, liable to erupt at any time.

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7. Do: Stand up for yourself

While much of this advice is about being a calmer, gentler fighter, by no means should you be a pushover. Part of fighting fair is being fair to yourself, and that means honestly conveying when you are upset and why. In the end, nobody wants to be with someone with no backbone.

7. Don't: Fight dirty

When you're with a person for a long time, you learn pretty much everything about them, good and bad. The key is to not hold onto the bad information and use it in the middle of a fight to throw the other person off. If you're fighting, it's not the time to bring up the substance abuse problems of your partner's sibling or parent, or how everything would be better if they weren't still unemployed. Picking at emotional scabs is something that you need to avoid if you want to sustain a loving relationship.

There you have it, seven dos and seven don'ts. We chose the number seven because it's lucky, just like those of us lucky to be in a relationship where both parties fight fairly. Remember, some fighting is inevitable; it's the couples that work through disagreements and get through quarrels unscathed that have the strongest, most long-lasting relationships.

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Should Bashing Your Boss on Facebook Be Legally Protected?

Kathy O'Reilly | Monster's Director of Social Media Relations — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 18:45:00 -0700

Employees have been criticizing their bosses since the beginning of time.

Until the birth of social media, these conversations generally played out in lunchrooms or restrooms, around the water cooler, over a few cocktails at the local pub after working hours, and in the smoker’s circle outside the office building.

Regardless if the criticisms were true or not, the context remained private for the most part, usually involving a few other employees who also had similar disdain and negative feedback regarding the boss. Now, via social channels like Facebook and Twitter, private thoughts shared among a few are becoming very public statements broadcast to the world in real-time.

Should employees be allowed to bash
the boss on Facebook? More importantly, should they be legally protected when they publicly disparage their boss in social media?

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These questions and concerns hit mainstream media last week following a recent case in Connecticut where the National Labor Relations Board ruled that
companies can’t fire employees for complaining about their boss on Facebook.

To set the historical context around the recent ruling, in 2009, American Medical Response (AMR), an ambulance services company, fired one of their emergency medical technicians for posting a criticism of her supervisor on Facebook. Several of the woman’s coworkers agreed with her Facebook post, in which she “referred to their supervisor using AMR’s code for a psychiatric patient.”

Fast forward to October 2010, when the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) in turn
filed a complaint against the company on behalf of Dawnmarie Souza, the fired EMT. The NLRB argued that “the National Labor Relations Act made Souza’s comments protected speech; the act gave her the right to discuss terms of employment with AMR with her coworkers and other people.”

The NLRB also felt AMR erred in not providing Souza with union representation when supervisors met with her to discuss her Facebook post.

Next Page: Three Questions for Employers To Consider →

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What happens when the workplace and social media collide? What precedent does this now set in labor law and what repercussions will this ruling have on future employer/employee relations? And what does this mean for existing
employee policies and their use of social media?

HR blogger
Lance Haun recently authored an
article on The NLRB-Facebook Firing Case, looking at the Four Things Employers Need To Know. Lance brings up some interesting points, in particular, does this ruling only protect union employees and is this a victory for free speech, or something else all together.

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We’d like to open up the conversation further and suggest additional questions for employers following last week’s NLRB ruling.

Social Networking: Three Questions for Employers To Consider

1. Isn’t this behavior just another form of workplace bullying or harassment?

While companies are going to great lengths to protect employees (including the boss) in the workplace, what is the employer’s role in protecting the employee being bashed publicly? If boss bashing is a form of workplace bullying, should such behavior be tolerated, let alone protected by law?

2. Are current social media policies/guidelines now at risk?

Even if employers have clearly defined social media guidelines established within their organizations, this ruling could challenge social media policies currently in place. If employees can now cite AMR vs. Souza in their own defense, existing social media guidelines may now need to be revisited by organizations.

3. What damage control and legal risks potentially lie ahead?

When a company’s dirty laundry is aired in public for the world to see, what negative impact does it have on the brand reputation of the organization, and what processes can they put in place to get back on track? If the information posted in a public online setting is libelous and slanderous, does boss bashing now put the company at risk for a potential lawsuit brought on by one of their own employees?

We suspect this is just the beginning of the discussion, and while we continue to watch how things will play out, we do predict two things in the aftermath of this current ruling:

1. Employers will be re-thinking their in-house social media policies immediately.

2. Anyone thinking about getting into social media law as a career choice will likely have excellent job security in the years to come.

This article was originally published on MonsterThinking.com.

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Do You Have a Work Spouse?

Mark Swartz | Monster Senior Contributing Writer — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 18:05:00 -0800

Regis Philbin and Kelly Ripa. George Bush and Condoleezza Rice. Stacy and Clinton. Liz Lemon and Jack Donaghy.

Whether in real life or reel life, work spouses are out there. You've seen them, right? Or maybe you're in such a relationship: Two people who spend most of their working hours together, behaving like a married couple. But despite subtle overtones of intimacy and affection, this relationship at work is strictly nonphysical and non-romantic.

Having a work spouse is not uncommon. Surveys indicate that an increasing number of employees report being involved in platonic work "marriages," and in many cases, the work wife or work husband is already romantically partnered outside the workplace. Although such relationships may boost productivity and personal motivation, it's essential to maintain a chaste and professional bond. Knowing what works and what doesn't will keep you both on track.

The Benefits of Work Spouses

Unfettered by the usual entanglements of an amorous relationship, these partnered colleagues can work together seamlessly and accomplish more, often faster. In addition, work spouses enjoy these benefits:

• The comfort of such a reliable rapport can be a soothing antidote to stressful workplace interactions.

• A confidant who understands and accommodates your preferred work style.

• The ability to freely suggest and shape ideas without fear of embarrassment or reproach.

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Not Always a Blissful Union

There are potential perils in having a work wife or work husband. Topping the list: The temptation to let the relationship at work go beyond professional bounds and become a hospital romance. That could spell disaster, especially if one of you is already romantically involved with someone else. Never mind the nasty break-ups that could result if things go sour.

Other potential downsides of this intimate work relationship:

• Your closeness might also set tongues wagging in the break room. Some employees may become jealous or feel left out, and this could create workplace tension.

• There may be speculation that you are treating your work spouse preferentially, particularly if you are in a manager-direct report relationship.

• Beware: All those late evenings or weekend shifts can create a rift between you and your actual partner or spouse.

Tend to All Your Relationships at Work

If you have a work wife or work husband, consider these tips for heading off misunderstandings or possible damage to your professional reputation:

• Keep the door open when working with your hospital spouse. This small gesture may dispel unwelcome rumors or assumptions.

• Spend extra time connecting with the other people you work with. Let them feel appreciated and equal.

• Unless absolutely necessary, limit meals, meetings and business travel between just the two of you.

With a bit of sensitivity and tact, having a work spouse may increase your productivity and even make your job more enjoyable. Just remember to keep the gossips and naysayers at bay by behaving professionally and inclusively.

This article was originally published on Monster.com.

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Workplace Checklist: How Toxic is Yours?

Larry Buhl | for HotJobs — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 17:01:00 -0800

Nobody loves going to work all the time--but there's a difference between routine workplace hassles and a working environment that stresses you out to the point of illness, according to Linnda Durre, the author of "Surviving the Toxic Workplace."

Durre suggests that hostile working environments typically have one or more types of dysfunction--how many symptoms does yours have?

Unfairness

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Immoral and illegal activities

Abusive bosses and poisonous coworkers

Physical danger

Just plain annoying

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Any one of these issues indicates a toxic environment and should not be tolerated, according to Durre. And if you've got check marks next to items in more than one category, your workplace may be dangerously poisonous. Unfortunately, employees often believe that these problems are the cost of doing business and must be endured. "Many workers believe they are helpless to change the situation and suffer devastating physical problems from the stress and anger," Durre says.

Detoxifying your workplace

How you respond to any of these problem areas depends on you, on the level of threat the situation poses, and on the supportiveness of the company.

Confront, politely. You should be able to resolve many interpersonal problems--gossipers, time wasters, and game players--without intervention, according to Hilka Klinkenberg, founder and managing director of Etiquette International.

"If someone's always invading your space, for example, you can say you need to work and you'll speak with them later," she says. "If someone is talking loudly, you can say, 'You have a good, strong voice, but it's hard to concentrate when you speak at that volume.' When teammates waste your time, tell them what will help you meet your deadline. But don't vent and don't blame. Present every issue in terms of a solution, not a problem."

Do not confront. Situations where you're in physical danger should be handled as if you're meeting a bear in the woods: back away slowly and don't antagonize. But don't let it go. Report the problem to HR or to your supervisor if there is no HR department. If your supervisor is the threat, seek the next higher level--or in extreme cases, the police.

Go higher. If your boss won't resolve the problem (or is the problem) and if HR doesn't resolve the problem (or is part of the problem), you still have options, according to Durre.

"You can get an attorney or even hire a lawyer to write a letter merely threatening to sue, and you don't have to spend thousands of dollars to do it," she says. If you are part of a union, let them handle it. If you are part of a professional organization, tell them about it and recommend that the offending party's license be revoked." If it's an illegal or unethical situation, you can threaten to bring the situation to the media," Durre adds. "Companies hate bad publicity."

Have back up. When HR becomes involved, you'll need documentation to prove your case. Keep scrupulous records by writing down who said and did what, and when. It's even better if you have other coworkers who witnessed the situation and are willing to go to bat for you.

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Plan your exit. Some companies have a culture of dysfunction. If the toxicity is coming from the top down, and it bothers you a lot, you're better off coming up with an exit strategy, according to Marie McIntyre, author, columnist, and creator of YourOfficeCoach.com.

"You can't change a corporate culture on your own," McIntyre says. "Give yourself a timeline for leaving, and start working on it. Just focusing on a more positive future will help your stress level while you're still in that negative environment."

You shouldn't have to leave just because of a bad boss or insufferable coworkers. But if the situation prompts you to start the company you've always dreamed about, that's not such a bad thing. The bottom line is, you don't have to suffer in silence. "The workplace shouldn't have to be nasty," Durre says. "It should be and can be a win-win for everyone."

This article was originally published on Yahoo.HotJobs.com

More From Hot Jobs:

• Your Boss is Spying On You!

• 6 Common Resume Questions Answered

• Beware of Workplace "Frenemies"

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How to Tell if a Layoff is Coming

Larry Buhl | for HotJobs — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 17:51:00 -0800

Almost all mature companies have shed employees at some point--and in most cases the pink slips don't come as a surprise. "Very often senior management will delay a decision to cut headcount, so unless there is a quick catastrophic event, layoffs have been a long time coming," explains Scott Steinberg, CEO of TechSavvy Global.

How can you know if your job might be on the line? Employment experts point to several signs.

Subtle signs

These are clues that it might not be "just your imagination."

1. Nonessential budgets are reduced or cut. Executives are flying in business class or coach. The gourmet coffee in the break room is now a lesser brand, and the Friday bagels are gone.

2. Products and projects are postponed or canceled. In prosperous times, businesses are awash in initiatives for growth. In leaner times, they hunker down and return to basics by focusing on what is guaranteed to bring in revenue now, rather than looking to the future.

3. Your sphere of influence shrinks. "This is something employees 'feel' but often can't quantify," says Jim Link, managing director of human resources for the staffing and recruiting firm Randstad. "It may be that certain people used to ask for your opinion but now bypass you," he says.

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Serious signs

These are clues that you're probably not imagining things.

1. Budgets are cut way back. Travel is permitted only for people who are actively bringing in the bacon, and they fly coach. Office parties are eliminated. The coffee in the break room is generic. (Bring your own mug.)

2. Senior managers resign. One resignation might not mean a lot, but two or more resignations could mean that executives in the know are seeking lifeboats, according to Mike Manoske, a business development manager and recruiter for the staffing and consulting firm Yoh. "When key people leave abruptly at the same time, it's typically because they don't have a lot of confidence in the company."

3. The flow of communication changes. Things that used to come verbally now come in writing or vice versa. Or worse: you're excluded from meetings where you used to be a key player. These changes could be due to reorganization or a manager who wants to do things differently. "But when no rationale is given for the changes, it's a bad sign," Link says.

Next: Alarm Bells >>

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Alarm bells

These are signs that you should have a solid "Plan B."

1. Budgets are cut to the bone. All travel is curtailed. Bring your own coffee. And offices are downsized and moved to smaller, less expensive digs (experts say this is a major warning sign).

2. Divisions, teams, or offices are consolidated to eliminate redundancies. Entire functions are outsourced or cut.

3. Vendors grumble about not being paid. This is likelier in smaller companies whose cash flow is more precarious. Workers in purchasing and accounting would know about this problem first.

Building your own lifeboat

By the time you see several big warning signs, it's probably too late to save your job, experts say. But there are several actions you can take before the company's problems mean a crisis for you:

1. Get the facts. Rumor mills are very common, but they aren't very helpful in figuring out what's going on, according to Manoske. "Keep the channel open with your immediate supervisor, and across divisions so you have a good flow of accurate information about the company." Manoske also recommends becoming friends with purchasing agents and accountants in the company. "They are ground zero of cash flow, and as long as you don't put them in an awkward position, you can use them to find out what's really going on financially."

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2. Be invaluable and productive. Companies often look for ways of eliminating redundancies, even in flush times. If your job duties overlap with someone else's, your job is more likely to be on the chopping block when things get tight.

3. Show that you're invaluable and productive. You should be always looking for new opportunities to prove yourself, Steinberg says. "Take on projects not in the scope of your job description. Show you are enthusiastic, active, and inspired in helping the business. If you are laid off anyway, those skills will serve you better when looking for a new job or starting your own business."

4. Always be learning. "Nothing is certain in today's economy, and you have to stay up with changes," Steinberg says. "That means continuing education, expanding your skills, and taking the initiative to gain more experience in the company."

This article was originally published on Yahoo.HotJobs.com

More From Hot Jobs:

• Which Jobs Pay New Hires Best

• How to Find Out if You're Underpaid

• Career in Danger? Take the Test

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3 Ways to Handle a Hostile Interviewer

Gladys Stone & Fred Whelan, Monster Contributing Writers — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 16:22:00 -0800

We’ve all been in interviews when it seems like all the interviewer wants to do is trip you up. It’s like everything you say is somehow misinterpreted to mean something completely different. How can you diffuse such an uncomfortable situation?

First, understand that the interviewer’s hostility is probably not about you. Most likely, the interviewer started his day off by arguing with his spouse, woke up sick or just had a disagreement with the boss or a client and, as a result, he’s agitated. Maybe he was never taught proper interview techniques. Or, he may just have a mean streak. In any case, it’s up to you to put the best spin on the interview. Here are three interview techniques you can use to take control:

Address Miscommunications Immediately

After you give what you think is a solid answer to one of the interview questions, you’re met with raised eyebrows and a quizzical look. Is there a problem with your answer? Don’t panic. Instead, ask the interviewer right away, “Can I clarify part of my answer for you?” This gives the interviewer a chance to explain his issue, and it gives you the opportunity to rephrase your answer. It’s important to address any confusion immediately; otherwise the interview can get off track, never to be salvaged.

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Turn the Tables on a Negative Reaction

Let’s say the interviewer asks how you handled a specific challenge at work. After you answer, the interviewer says, “I disagree with your approach. That’s not how we manage problems around here.” Take the edge off this exchange by making it clear you understand every company culture is different. Given what you know about his company, recast your answer, illustrating another way you may handle the situation. This gives you a second chance to respond to the interview question and dispel the interviewer’s antagonism. This also demonstrates your flexibility and quick thinking.

An Interview Is a Conversation, Not an Interrogation

If the person seems bent on grinding you down with endless follow-up interview questions, give your answers and then ask a follow-up question yourself. For instance, ask about how the company ramps up for new product development or where the interviewer thinks the company will be in five years. This tactic not only makes the interviewer talk, but it also provides the necessary give-and-take of the typical interview. Remember: Interviews are not one-sided interrogations, but more a business conversation between you and the potential employer and what you can offer each other.

Whatever transpires in the job interview, never meet hostility with hostility -- you can only lose in that exchange. The best way to approach a hostile interviewer is to have tactics at your fingertips that allow you to turn the situation around and dilute the impact of the aggressive interviewer.

This article was originally published on Monster.com.

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How to Handle Sticky Situations in Your Cover Letter

Kim Isaacs, Monster Resume Expert — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 16:49:00 -0800

Are you wondering how to deal with a sticky work history issue? Whether you were laid off from your last position, took time off to raise children or are looking to change careers, the cover letter is the perfect place to address potential red flags.

One caveat: Keep the explanation brief. Writing a cover letter is an exercise in selling yourself, so the tone should be upbeat and positive. Review these examples to get inspiration for explaining your sticky situation:

Layoff

Last month, ABC Co. made the difficult decision to dissolve its operations, so I am available for immediate employment. I am eager to continue my ______ career and was very excited when I learned about your job opportunity -- it’s a perfect match to my qualifications and career goals.

Long-Term Unemployment

Although I was a top producer for ABC Co., my position was eliminated during a major corporate restructuring. I have been searching for a position in the industry, but the economy has made positions in ______ very difficult to find. In the interim, I have been networking at industry events and keeping my skills fresh, but I am eager to resume my career in the ______ field.

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Medical Leave

(Note: Don’t disclose medical information that could jeopardize your chance of landing a job -- disclosure is your personal choice.)

After taking time off to undergo back surgery, I left ABC Co. (on excellent terms) to focus on my recovery. As I regained my strength, I went to school part-time and received certifications in ______ and ______. Now fully recovered, I have been given an “excellent” bill of health by my doctor, and am highly motivated to return to the full-time workforce.

Next Page: Time Off Caring for an Ill Family Member →

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Time Off Caring for an Ill Family Member

In the last couple of years, I served as primary caregiver to my father, who was diagnosed with a terminal illness. During this difficult period, I kept my work skills updated by independently studying ______ and actively participating in industry news groups. At this time, I am available to return to work, and am confident that I would be an asset to your team.

Time Off Raising Children

After stepping away from the workforce to start a family, I am eager to resume my professional career now that my children are school-aged. I have kept my skills and connections current through active volunteer work, including leadership roles in school and charitable organizations.

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Relocation

I plan to relocate to ______ to be closer to family, and your opening presents an excellent opportunity. I am available immediately for a telephone interview and can arrange to meet in person on short notice.

Career Change

Although successful in my ______ career, I have realized that the aspects of my work that I find the most rewarding are all in ______-related functions. I am currently pursuing a full-time position in this area, and am confident in my ability to excel in this field.

Next Page: Entrepreneur-to-Corporate Position →

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Entrepreneur-to-Corporate Position

After building a successful small business (where I grew revenues from zero to six figures in two years), I recently closed the operation to pursue my passion for the ______ field. Your opening is an excellent opportunity, and I look forward to speaking with you about how I can help expand your operation.

Job-Hopping

Although I have changed jobs more than I would have liked in the past few years, I am searching for a position where I can make a long-term commitment. If you agree that my credentials are an excellent fit to your needs, please feel free to call or email me to arrange a meeting.

Temp Experience

Most recently, I have contracted with ABC Agency and have completed a number of interesting assignments (detailed on the attached resume). While this work is rewarding, the short-term nature of temping does not let me provide the kind of enduring, value-added contributions I find to be most fulfilling as I could as a full-time team member.

Demoted

Budget cuts required me to take a ______ position in order to remain employed, but I am confident in my ability to step back up to a management position and hit the ground running. I would welcome the chance for an interview to discuss your goals and outline ways I can help you achieve them.

This article was originally published on Monster.com

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How to Turn a Stranger into a Network Contact

Charles Purdy | Monster+HotJobs senior editor — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 11:14:00 -0800

Whether you're looking for a job or trying to advance your career, networking is very important (in a recent HotJobs poll, 57 percent of respondents said that networking was a factor in landing their most recent job). And networking shouldn't end when you log off of a social network or head home from a conference. Valuable contacts are on the perimeter of your social circle, they're the parents of your kids' school chums, they're sitting next to you on airplanes--basically, they're all around you every day. So how do you turn these people from relative strangers into valuable network contacts?

Step 1: Identify good contacts.

An effective professional network has a wide variety of types of people, including people from outside your industry. So how do you decide whether someone you meet at a cocktail party is someone you want in your circle? Career expert Liz Ryan says it's more about "feel" than logic: "You've got a certain style and approach, and people who are comfortable with you and with whom you're comfortable will make up your A-list for network cultivation."

Look for people who are active in and passionate about their field (whatever it is), and who seem interested in what you're doing. Also, people who communicate well are likely to be "connectors" who have their own networks that you may be able to tap into.

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Step 2: Manage your contacts.

Productivity expert Stever Robbins, the author of "Get-It-Done Guy's 9 Steps to Work Less and Do More," offers tips for managing the business cards you receive:

First, if you're at a conference or a similar event where you're receiving a lot of business cards, Robbins suggests jotting down quick memory-aid notes on the backs of cards--so when you enter the contact in your digital address book, you can record (in the Notes field) the name of the conference and what you talked about.

Then, immediately after you put a new person into your address book, send a brief "Great to meet you" email--with a note about your conversation and a brief follow-up.

Step 3: Offer value.

Effective networking begins long before you need to get something from your network. First, you must demonstrate that you have something to offer--this builds a foundation of goodwill. Every time you talk to someone in your professional network, you should ask what he or she is working on, so you're aware of the problems your contacts are trying to solve.

In his book "Well Connected: An Unconventional Approach to Building Genuine, Effective Business Relationships," executive coach Gordon S. Curtis offers suggestions on how to offer value to a new contact: consider how you could supply information, new clients, or interesting products--or even other contacts. Curtis explains, "If you make the right introduction, both parties will feel you've done them favors."

Next: Step 4 >>

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Step 4: Stay in touch.

Your efforts to meet, record, and court new contacts are wasted if you let relationships lapse. An effective networker is participatory and involved.

Sound like a lot of work? It doesn't have to be--in fact, your networking efforts shouldn't take a lot of time (don't "spam" your network by mass-sharing things of little value). Read an interesting article or book? Ask yourself who else might benefit from it. Planning to attend an industry conference or networking event? Find out how you can get more involved. Have something to say? Update your blog, and comment (thoughtfully) on the blogs of people in your network.

Step 5: Get back from your network.

If you've been conscientious about maintaining connections with your network, asking for something like an introduction or a favor will seem less like an imposition.

One key to getting results is to make specific requests of specific people. Sending your entire network a tweet saying, "My interior-design firm is accepting new clients!" probably isn't enough--because it's not speaking directly to anyone, and it's not offering a tangible value. A better tactic is a targeted message to the right people--for instance, an email, describing your expertise in decorating boutique-hotel lobbies and asking for an introduction, to a contact in the hotel business.

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Be concise with your requests, don't pester people, and don't take it personally if someone isn't able to help you--the reasons may be beyond his or her control. And finally, don't forget to say "thank you"--if one of your contacts finds a way to help you, look for a way to help him or her, so your relationship will grow even stronger.

This article was originally published on Yahoo.HotJobs.com

More From Hot Jobs:

• 3 Attention-Getting Tactics for Cover Letters

• The Dangers of Padding Your Resume

• Handling a Mid-Career Crisis/a>

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The Art of Persuasion in Your Job Search

Charles Purdy | Monster+HotJobs senior editor — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 12:43:00 -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

More From Hot Jobs:

• 3 Attention-Getting Tactics for Cover Letters

• 6 Common Resume Questions Answered

• 13 Ways to Sabotage Your Job Search

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Rejuvenate Your Resume

Charles Purdy, Monster+Hot Jobs senior editor — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 13:50:00 -0800

In a competitive job market, we have to do everything we can to make our resumes more attractive to hiring managers. This can be difficult for older workers, who fear that even if there's no bias (subconscious or conscious) against job seekers on the mature side of 40, a resume may make them look "overqualified" for the positions they want.

Here are five ways to make your resume more youthful, so you can score the interview--and make an impression with your experience and enthusiasm, instead of your assumed birth date.

1. Remove dates from your education. Hiring managers (as well as resume-reading software) may be looking for certain minimum requirements in the area of education. But they likely won't think about dates unless you mention them. If your life followed a typical pattern, the dates of your college degrees are an age indicator. (But education dates are a double-edged sword--if you got your degree or certification relatively recently, you may seem inexperienced; too long ago, "over the hill.")

2. Focus on recent relevant experience. Of course you're proud of all your accomplishments--but the people looking at your resume are interested only in the skills and achievements that relate directly to the position they're trying to fill. Many job seekers (not only those with long work histories) make the mistake of putting too much on their resumes.

For example, if you're a 45-year-old marketing professional applying for a management position, the fact that you were Congressional page in the early 1980s is interesting--but probably not relevant. (And the fact that you were, say, a data-entry clerk for eight months in the late 1980s is neither of those things.) Look at the earliest jobs on your resume--do they say relevant and unique things that will make you more attractive to this particular employer? If not, cut them.

3. Focus on new technologies. "Teletype," "DOS," Wite-Out correction fluid: your resume should have none of these things on it. Demonstrate that you're not an "old fogey" by removing all references to outmoded technology from your resume. If you're a graphic designer, for instance, you know that the design program Macromedia xRes is no longer being used--so why would you waste valuable resume space on touting your xRes skills?

List only software programs and technologies that are current in your industry.

4. Get online and get connected. Like it or not, many jobs now require a familiarity with social media. And almost all job seekers can benefit from the knowing how to navigate Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and industry-specific online communities. For many hiring managers and recruiters, if you're not online, you don't exist.

5. Give your resume a personal voice. Old-fashioned resumes contain a lot of lifeless writing, vague generalities, and "job-seeker jargon"--words and phrases that have lost all meaning through overuse: "detail-oriented," "team player," "responsible for," and so on.

Instead of saying that you're detail-oriented, give an example of how your attention to detail saved a past employer money. Instead of saying that you're a team player, tell the hiring manager about how your team worked together to increase profits. And never tell a hiring manager you were "responsible for" something--tell her what you achieved. Use numbers to quantify those achievements, and use strong verbs.

Finally, don't be afraid of "I" statements in your resume--enthusiastically telling your story as only you can will give your resume more vitality and help it stand out from the pack.

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

More From Hot Jobs:

5 Ways to Get Past 'You're Overqualified'

The Art of Persuasion in Your Job Search

Creative Ways to Improve Your Resume

Related Reads:

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10 Career Resolutions for 2011

Dan Miller, Monster Staff Writer — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 10:55:00 -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.

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.

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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 10:55:00 -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.

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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."

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.

More From Hot Jobs:

Resumes for the Digital Age

6 Common Resume Questions Answered

13 Ways to Sabotage Your Job Search

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Monster iPhone App: Find Jobs with Your iPhone

Vasu Nagalingam, Senior Product Director, Consumer, Monster Worldwide — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 12:45:00 -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.

7 Celebs' Funny First Jobs

Vicki Santillano | DivineCaroline — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 10:53:00 -0800

Fame, that elusive quality coveted by many and achieved by few, almost always has an expiration date. Today’s “it” actors and actresses have a far greater chance of becoming tomorrow’s has-beens and reality-show contestants than they do of being the next Elizabeth Taylor or Jack Nicholson. That’s why so many young upstarts branch out beyond acting into entrepreneurial roles, becoming clothing and perfume designers and recording albums—often all at the same time.

Rather than focus on one extracurricular, they stretch themselves into utter mediocrity, ensuring a second career that’ll probably end around the same time as the first.

Celebrities like that (cough Lindsay Lohan) should look to performers who’ve found hobbies outside of Hollywood that they actually excel at—hobbies that could easily turn into second careers should their acting-role offers start petering out.

John Travolta: Pilot

Not only can Travolta sing, dance, and act, but he can fly, too! He started taking lessons as a teenager and became a certified pilot who now acts as an ambassador for Qantas, an Australian airline. In fact, he’ll be personally flying all three hundred members of Oprah’s audience to Australia. (Oprah announced the surprise trip [travel dates TBA] during her final season’s premiere show, in September 2010.) But this is hardly the first time Travolta’s used his piloting powers for good: in January 2010, he flew one of his private planes to Haiti to deliver relief supplies (as well as Scientology doctors and ministers) to earthquake victims.

Ricky Gervais: ’80s New Wave Pop Star

We know and love him as David Brent on The Office and as Andy Millman on Extras, but back in the ’80s, he was part of the British synth-pop duo known as Seona Dancing. He and partner Bill Macrae released two singles, “More to Lose” and “Bitter Heart,” before parting ways in 1984. It’s hard to picture now, but Gervais was once a sexy singer who could’ve been the next David Bowie or Depeche Mode, had he and his bandmate struck it big. If he ever tires of comedy, perhaps he can return to his pop-star roots.

Debra Messing: Circus Star

As a graduate acting student at NYU, Messing had to take a circus-themed class in which she learned not only how to juggle, but how to master the rather terrifying trapeze. She’s mentioned her juggling and trapeze abilities at least a couple of times in interviews, which might mean she secretly longs for the life of a rambling circus performer.

Next: Jeff Goldblum: Jazz Pianist >>

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Jeff Goldblum: Jazz Pianist

Goldblum has brought his musical skills to the small and big screens many times, including on the TV shows Law & Order: Criminal Intent and The Larry Sanders Show and in the movie The Switch. He dabbles in music offscreen, too, playing gigs around L.A. with a jazz band called Mildred Spitzer Orchestra. And according to one September 2010 interview with a British TV show called This Morning about his starring role in the play The Prisoner of Second Avenue, Goldblum also plays piano to ease his preshow nerves before going onstage.

Jennifer Tilly: Poker Player

Tilly’s an Oscar-nominated actress who’s appeared in numerous TV shows and movies since the early ’80s, but these days, she’s better known as the one to watch at any big poker tournament. She shocked professionals and amateurs alike at the 2005 World Series of Poker tournament in Las Vegas by winning the Ladies’ No-Limit Texas Hold ’Em event. She won the World Poker Tour Ladies Invitational Tournament in 2005 as well. Now she and her boyfriend, Phil Laak, a fellow poker champion, are one of the most successful couples in the sport. Tilly still acts (she’s a frequent voice on Family Guy), but she also writes a column for Bluff magazine. Her head’s clearly still in the game.

Brad Pitt: Architect

With as many homes as he, Angelina, and their kids have occupied all over the world, is it any wonder Pitt fancies himself an architecture aficionado? He told BusinessWeek back in 2005 that his interest in architecture became a passion when he hired famed architect Frank Gehry, whose work he greatly admired, to design a wine cellar in 2001 and got to work closely with him. Pitt has since lent his voice to the PBS TV series Design e2, commissioned architecture firms to build environmentally sustainable homes in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina’s devastation, and, in 2008, announced his plan to help design an eco-friendly, eight-hundred-room resort in Dubai.

50 Cent: Boxer

Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson told reporters in January 2009 that he and Nicolas Cage were going to start working on a movie called The Dance, in which Jackson plays a boxer sent to prison. But it’s possible he won’t need as much training as the average actor, since he was an amateur boxer as a kid. “When I wasn’t killing time in school, I was sparring in the gym or selling crack on the strip,” he told Blender magazine in 2007. He started boxing as a preteen, even qualifying for the Junior Olympics during the 1980s. He abandoned the sport to sell drugs, but now that he has a far more lucrative (and legal) career, he’s free to indulge in a childhood pastime.

It’s inspiring to know that celebrities, with all their fame and fortune, still have dreams and hobbies to pursue, just like the rest of us. Perhaps we should take a cue from Brad, Jennifer, and company and figure out our next big steps in life. Not only is it good to have options if one career path doesn’t work out, but you also just never know when juggling, flying, or having a good poker face might come in handy.

This article was originally published on DivineCaroline.com.

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How to Follow Up After an Awkward Interview

Gladys Stone & Fred Whelan, Monster Contributing Writers — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 09:49:00 -0800

Have you ever left an interview knowing something went awry? It can happen for a variety of reasons: Your gut tells you that this is not where you want to work, you had an uncomfortable exchange with the interviewer, or you forgot the interviewer's name altogether.

Here are tips for following up after different
awkward interview situations:

You Don’t Like the Hiring Manager

Chemistry with your boss is pretty important if you want to be successful, and if that chemistry isn’t there, you can’t ignore it. In this situation, send a carefully worded email to the person you interviewed with.
Thank him for his time and let him know you were impressed with the company. To avoid any miscommunication, convey that you don’t feel this is the right position for you. However, leave the door open for future opportunities by making it clear that you would like to be considered for other positions within the company. Never burn any bridges.

You Don’t Like the Job or the Company

No matter how qualified you are for the position, there will be times when you just know that you and the company are not a good match. Perhaps after learning more about the position, you decide it isn’t right for you. Or you discover after some research and the
face-to-face interview that the company is not to your liking. When sending an interview thank-you letter, express gratitude for the interviewer's time and gracefully bow out of the competition for the position.

You Forgot the Interviewer’s Name

Somehow, you walked out of the interview neglecting to jot down notes or get a business card from the interviewer. You want to send the interviewer a personal interview thank-you note but don’t remember her name. An easy solution is to check with the recruiter, who can supply that person’s name and contact information. If a recruiter was not involved but you remember the interviewer’s title or department, call the company’s operator and ask for the person's name (and spelling).

The 'Once in a Million' Coincidence

As this implies, it almost never happens, but we know of rare occasions in which the candidate has had some negative interaction with the interviewer prior to the interview. There could have been impolite comments exchanged on the elevator on the way to the interviewer’s office or when you were both waiting in line at Starbucks. What horror it is to see that person sitting behind the desk when you come in for the interview!

The best way to address this is to tackle it head-on. Before the “official” interview questions start, acknowledge the unfortunate incident that took place earlier and apologize if appropriate. Make clear that you don’t want it to negatively influence the interview.

In your thank-you note, acknowledge that there was some unpleasantness between the two of you prior to the interview. Indicate that you’d like to put that aside and move forward with the possibility of working for the company.

Interviewing for a job can lead to all kinds of unexpected situations. The key is not to get flustered. There is always a way to recover from an awkward interview so that you end up in a positive light and leave the door open for future interactions.

This article was originally published on Monster.com.

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2011 Temp Job Outlook

Dona DeZube, Monster Finance Careers Expert — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 15:51:00 -0800

When times get tough, temporary jobs are the first to go. And when times get better,
temporary jobs are the first to reappear. So it’s good to hear that the pace of growth in the temporary staffing agency industry in the fall of 2010 was the fastest recorded since the industry began keeping statistics back in the mid-1940s.

On a year-to-year basis,
19.5 percent more temporary workers were employed in September 2010 compared with the same month last year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Companies create temporary jobs to staff up without making a long-term commitment -- a practice that appeals when the economy is uncertain and healthcare requirements are changing, says Brendan Courtney, president of recruiting and staffing agency The Mergis Group, a division of SFN Group in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

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The trend toward temporary jobs was going strong in the final quarters of 2010, and that bodes well for 2011, says Rachel Russell, marketing director for TEKsystems, a Hanover, Maryland, staffing agency specializing in IT contracting. “Shareholders aren’t smiling on permanent hiring just yet,” she says. “They want to see things go well consistently before you bring on staff.”

A Permanent Shift to Temp Jobs

The number of temporary jobs has been climbing steadily for the past year -- a trend Melanie Holmes, vice president of staffing agency Manpower, expects to continue into 2011.

It’s not just a recovering economy that’s leading to growth in the number of temporary jobs, she says. “The nature of work is changing,” she says. “Because of technology, we’re able to work anywhere, at any time, and not just from home or from Starbucks, but from India. That’s changed the way some employers look for employees. They recognize they’re always going to want to have a contingent workforce and to staff up or down to meet their needs.”

On the other side of the recession, temporary jobs and
contract jobs will become more the norm, Courtney predicts. “A lot of people who would normally only want to work in a permanent, full-time position are going to have to look at contract and temporary positions because that’s going to become a bigger part of how companies hire and staff,” he says.

The move toward temporary jobs is pronounced in
finance and
accounting, says Jodi Chavez, a senior vice president at Ajilon Professional Staffing, a staffing agency division of the Adecco Group in Melville, New York.

“We’ve seen an increase in companies that have never used temporary services before using them now,” Chavez says. “Across the county, we’ve probably seen a 17 percent to 20 percent increase in new customers in
education,
nonprofits,
healthcare,
manufacturing and financial services. And 90 percent of the clients we work with are telling us they plan to increase hiring in the first or second quarter of 2011.”

Next Page: Who’s Got Temp Jobs? →

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Who’s Got Temp Jobs?

Who’s hiring temp workers? Historically, temp hiring follows a certain path after recessions: Light industrial jobs come out first, then
clerical and administrative, followed by professional jobs, Courtney says. “Right now it’s disproportionately light industrial and clerical, and on the professional side,
IT,
engineering and accounting have begun to pick up,” he says.

Holiday retail hiring is booming, rising 25 percent year-over-year even after seasonal adjustments are made, Chavez says.

Healthcare companies are turning to temps to help them comply with international diagnostic coding mandates. “All healthcare companies are looking for the same IT project managers to get the job done,” Russell says.

In IT, the skill sets in most demand in the coming year will be
project managers;
business analysts;
enterprise, networking and Java architects; as well as security, data warehousing and business intelligence, Russell predicts.

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“Technology today is seen as a strategic function, so even though it’s a tough economy, we’re seeing the rate of employment going up in IT,” she says. “IT includes a lot of project-based work, so that bodes well for the temp sector.”

How to Find a Temp Job

If you’re seeking a temporary job or contract work:

• Reskill yourself and continue learning so you stay on the cutting edge of your industry.

• Wrap your head around the fact that the temporary job and contract labor markets are growing faster than the full-time, permanent labor market, so a full-on job search should include looking for a temporary job and project work.

• The stigma attached to having a temporary job is diminishing. Better to be a temp or contract worker than unemployed.

• Seek out project-based assignments that put your skill set to work in a new industry.

• If you use a temporary agency, pick one that specializes in your industry. It’s more likely to find you work with companies that value your industry knowledge.

This article was originally published on Monster.com.

Search for Temp Jobs NOW!

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Ask a Manager: 7 Qs and 7 Answers

Alison Green | Ask A Manager — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 16:48:00 -0800

I'm trying something new -- seven short answers to seven short questions, all in the same post:

Company Won't Hire Former Employees of Competitor

I applied for a job at a staffing agency and was told the particular company who was hiring wouldn't accept applicants who worked previously for their competitor even though I no longer work for them. Is that a form of discrimination or can I do something about that?

It might be a stupid policy, but it's legal. Companies can legally discriminate for any reason they want, as long as it's not linked to your membership in a legally protected class (things like race, religion, sex, nationality, marital status, etc.). Where you worked previously isn't a protected class.

How Can My Wife Make Her Office Stop Calling Her on Her Time Off?

My wife works a very stressful job. She is a salary employee. She rarely allowed to take PTO. When she does her boss and co workers constantly call her. Is there any legal action we can take? We live in NJ and her company in based in NC.

Legal action? Not that I can think of. Other action? Yes. Turn off the phone. Or get a Google Voice number and program calls from their phone numbers to go to voicemail during certain hours.

More constructively, she should talk to her boss about this. Believe it or not, some bosses genuinely don't realize that doing this is a problem, and if you point it out, it will stop. (Not always, but often enough that it's worth trying.) In fact, straightforward conversation about a problem is the answer more often than you'd think.

Recruiters Who Demand to Know My Salary

I often get calls from recruiters asking for my current salary. Even though I ask them back how much do they have in mind for the job, they are still hell bent on first getting a response from me on my salary. Then I tell them a range, like 50-80k, but this sours them. Firstly, why do they want to know how much I am making? Can’t they stick with what they are planning to offer for the job and then both sides do further negotiations? Secondly, does it help being honest about your salary? In any case, I would have in mind an expectation beyond which I cannot stretch, so what is the harm in giving an honest number?

They want to know how much you're making because they're lazy and/or not particularly thoughtful. They think it's a good way to determine how much you're worth, instead of evaluating a larger picture.

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Whether or not you should be forthcoming is a subject of heated debate. Sure, it helps in that you'll find out right away if your range is higher than theirs. But it can hurt if it means they offer you less money than they previously had in mind. Personally, I'm a big fan of the idea of saying that your salary is covered by your confidentiality agreement with your employer, and would love to hear from anyone who has tried this.

Format for Emailing a Cover Letter

Can you please advise on the format to be used in emailing a cover letter? For example, do you list the company name and address or just address it to the person? I appreciate your help. I had been working for a company for 20 years, and resigned last year and just started looking for job. The cover letter has been a struggle for me.

I'm surprised how often this question comes up. There's no one way it must be done. Some people attach both their resume and cover letter as PDFs or Word documents; other people put the cover letter in the body of the email and just attach the resume. Personally, I like the latter, but you can do it either way.

And if your letter's text is in the body of the email, treat it like a regular email -- meaning that you wouldn't list the name and address of the recipient at the top because that's weird to do in an email.

Creative Resume Design: Yay or Nay?

How would you react when receiving a CV that really stands out of the rest because of its appealing design?

Since last year I have realized there's a trend to "design" your CV following the infography model, and I don't mean a CV from the typically creative kind of person (graphic designers, copywriters, artists), but also from persons applying to engineering, industrial production or even executive positions. Definitely they make a recruiter to stop and look at them more than just few seconds. But do you think it facilitates your job to find the candidate's information you are looking for?

It does not facilitate my job -- it makes it harder. The most important thing about your resume design is that I need to be able to read it clearly, without straining, and I want to be able to quickly scan it and get the highlights. Creativity, while a nice trait, doesn’t trump those requirements, so make sure your desire to "stand out" isn’t getting in the way of the whole point of resume design.

(It’s true that in certain fields, creative resumes can be a plus. If you’re determined to go in this direction, consider your challenge to be to demonstrate your creativity without overriding the requirements above.)

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Mentioning You're a Shareholder of the Company You're Applying to

I'm applying to positions at a couple of tech companies that I am either currently or previously a shareholder of. Is this a positive thing to mention in a cover letter? I view it as being interested and invested in the company, but I've certainly been off the mark before. I would love your opinion.

Hmmm, I don't know. I suppose if you owned a significant number of shares, or if you had a compelling explanation for why you bought those shares, it would be taken as being particularly invested (non-literally) in the company, but otherwise I'm not sure it really conveys anything.

Is My Boss Thinking of Promoting Me?

I just started a new job in a great agency in my field but its a position in which I am overqualified for in terms of experience and education. I think my supervisor knows that I am overqualified although we have not yet discussed it. Right away my supervisor has been giving me special projects to develop such as groups for clients and creating a policy book for the program based on what I am learning about the program. These projects are not being assigned to my co-workers. So, my question: is my supervisor looking at me for a possible promotion in the future? I would just like some clarification as to what is going on. Any insight would be appreciated.

Maybe. Or maybe she just figures she has someone working for her who can do more than the job normally requires, so why not utilize that? Or maybe she hasn't even really thought it out yet; she's just assigning work to the person who seems likely to do the best job with it.

You just started so it's a little early to ask about possible promotions, but at your one-year evaluation, I'd say something like, "I'm really loving the work, especially (name the special projects here), and would love to talk about more responsibilities in that area, including the possibility of more formal growth within the organization at some point."

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Where Will Job Growth Be in the Next 20 Years?

Chris McConnell | HRPeople — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 16:17:00 -0700

Unemployment may have dipped to 9.7 percent, but job growth is still lacking. Thankfully, this won't be the case forever. Mint.com, my favorite personal finance website, takes a look at where job growth is expected over the next 20 years.

As expected, the largest job growth is in urban areas. Atlanta, GA is projected to have the most job growth at 2.5 million; Dallas, TX is close behind at 2.4 million new jobs. Washington, DC is ranked seventh with job growth at 1.7 million.

Due to size, more opportunities will be available in these urban areas, but Florida looks to be the place for total job growth in large areas and a high rate of growth in smaller cities. In urban areas, Miami and Orlando are expected to contribute 1.6 million and 1.2 million new jobs respectively. Mint.com lists three Florida cities in their top 10 for fastest growth: Palm Coast (4.51%), Naples (3.89%), and Cape Coral (3.39%).

As you know, the federal government is expected to hire 600,000 new employees by 2012. Many will be in Washington, D.C., but the majority of new federal jobs will be in the rest of the U.S.

Budgeting – Mint.com

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Company Won't Hire Former Employees of Competitor

How Can My Wife Make Her Office Stop Calling Her on Her Time Off?

Recruiters Who Demand to Know My Salary

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