Freelance Writer Jobs at Elance - Bidding Strategies

If you have read my article here at EzineArticles "How to Get a Job on Elance -- Step One, Creating a Powerful Profile" or if you already know how to set up a winning profile at Elance, you are now ready to bid on jobs there.

Once you know how to bid on freelance writer jobs at Elance, you are well on your way to a steady income. Yes, it's true that many writing jobs there pay very little, but if you take the time to fine tune your bidding skills you can land decent paying jobs at Elance.

Most jobs at Elance are copywriting jobs. When you search for projects up for bid at Elance in the "Writing & Translation" category, you will notice "Copywriting" is a very small subcategory; however most of the subcategories in the "Writing & Translation" category are filled with projects that involve copywriting in the sense that it is traditionally defined : writing that promotes.

This includes most of the article writing jobs at Elance. While many of these article jobs tend to pay very little, as low as $1 per article, some pay $25 to $50 each.

The best paying work at Elance is in direct sales writing (sales letters for Internet marketers and direct mail campaigns), lead capture pages (also known as squeeze pages), web content and email campaigns. Copywriters completing these type of projects through Elance often make $50 or more hour. (The jobs are generally done for a flat fee, but this is how much the earings work out to.)

Note: If you're not yet trained in this type of writing do take time to learn the craft. There are many websites and books (probably at your local library) that teach sales writing skills.There is a learning curve, but if you enjoy copywriting, the money you can earn is worth the time spent learning this craft.

Many buyers at Elance are Internet marketers selling informational products, and then there are professionals, from dentists to real estate agencies, as well as a wide assortment of other business owners and management.

Before bidding, get an idea of what the competition's bidding. Most bids are closed, but you can get the low, high and average bid amount at the jobs listing page (the page that comes up when you search for a jobs in a specific category, such as "Writing and Translation." In the far right hand column you will see the number of current bidders. Mouse over one of these and you get the high, low and average bids. Also mouse over the buyer's information. Don't waste time bidding on jobs posted by buyers who rarely award them.

Do not be intimidated by the sheer numbers of the bids you see on many of the projects as they approach closing date. Many projects are posted a week or two in advance of closing date. If you are among the very first to bid you have a better chance of getting your bid at the top of the list. This can help immensely because when the list is long, not all buyers read through all the proposals.

The advantage of bidding late in the game is you can bid more competitively after seeing the high, low and average based on most of the bids.

Unless they are both taken, you can purchase one of the top two slots on the bidding list for an extra connect or more depending on the size of the budget. And there is another way to get noticed sooner...

If you have a legitimate question about the project that wasn't answered in the description or materials attached, you can open a private message board to ask your question and also use that opportunity to work in something that helps the buyer remember you or want to check out your proposal right away.

Buyers can award and close bidding early. Thankfully most don't do this. It it can be very frustrating to write a proposal, and just as you're posting it see the bidding close. This rarely happens though, but do be sure to check and see if it's still open before writing your proposal.

In their "Buyer's Guide," Elance encourages buyers to carefully consider proposals and not simply award projects to the lowest bidders, but more than a few buyers, especially new ones or ones that don't care as much about quality seem to award to the lowest bidder. When new at Elance, you may need to bid on the low end until you get some good feedback.

Quick Tips for Winning Bids

* Bid competitively but don't low ball.

* Remember that not all buyers shop only for bargains. Your proposal, profile page and feedback can win jobs even when you bid higher than most.

* Laser target your proposal for the project. You can create a template for part of the information you provide in each proposal, but don't let it sound generic. Your proposal should not only grab attention and be convincing it should also build rapport and show that you understand the needs of the buyer.

* If you're unclear about something in the project description use the PMB to ask questions, remembering to be respectful of the buyer's time.

* Try to bid early enough that your bid will place near the top, or if you want to wait to see how the bidding's going, consider buying one of the two top placements (if still available). If you have a legitimate question, you may also be able to secure the buyer's attention via the private message board (PMB).

Happy Bidding!

Robert Leichter

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Real Writing Jobs That Pay Are Fast Becoming The New Online Money For 'Home-Grown' Writers Today!

Article Writers: Real Writing Jobs That Pay Are Fast Becoming The New Online Money For 'Home-Grown' Aspiring Writers Today!

Real writing jobs or paid article writers are fast changing the face of online money and forming a whole 'home-grown' industry on its own for new writers on the net today.

Internet forums and ezine and blogging cultures are already birthing new forms of online income and wealth for the dedicated article writers willing to work from the desks and basements of their homes or at their local wifi cafes.

Unlike the dark days of the early Internet (only about a decade ago), the number of companies and websites owners offering paid writing opportunities today is only slightly outmatched by the growing army of self-taught writers, wishing to write for a living online.

Part-time writers are making a quick $5 an article to earning $100, $200 or even up to $500 a day, churning out articles and re-writes from home. Some of these 'home-made' writers have reinvented themselves to come out of the unemployment lines and are enjoying a good gig earning some part-time cash or creating full-time real writing jobs that pay well.

Small to medium size businesses and larger corporations like 20th Century Fox, Paramount Entertainment, Ford Motor Company, and including other major search engines such as the big G are hungry for good material and good writers.

These companies are jostling for exposure on the Internet and they know that the more people blog about them, the more exposure they are going to get, and eventually the more money they are going to make.

These companies are simply after honest and genuine feedback and opinions from writers who are willing to write for them or make blog entries about their company.

Many of these real writing jobs are easy online writing projects, such as blogging about a book or about a new movie that you recently saw, commenting on a product you've used, proof reading simple documents, re-writing an article, creating a simple 500-word article or a blog post, to creating content for brochures, flyers, websites, ebooks, and other mediums. It looks the sky is not the limits when it comes to making money from real writing jobs online.

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End of the Year Is Prime for Job Hunting

by Robert McCauley, Robert Half International


According to conventional wisdom, there's no worse time to search for a job than when the year is winding down. But sometimes conventional wisdom isn't entirely accurate.

The truth is that the end of the year may be the best time to find a new job. Here are five reasons:

1. You face less competition. Buying into popular theory, many job seekers halt their quests for employment in November and December, choosing to save their efforts for when the calendar changes. But take a glimpse at the want ads, and you'll see that employers haven't stopped looking for talent. With fewer candidates vying for the same number of positions, you may have an edge over the competition, unlike no other time during the year.

2. More employers are hiring. Many firms, especially retail companies, increase their hiring efforts in winter to meet rising demand for their products and services. Even though seasonal jobs are often temporary, many hiring managers view these positions as extended, on-the-job interviews and offer full-time employment to promising hires.

3. Companies have budget surpluses. Some employers hire new workers at the end of the year because they have not yet used all of the funds they set aside earlier for adding new personnel. If the hiring managers don't increase headcount during the final two months, they may lose that portion of their budgets and be unable to bring aboard new employees at all.

4. It may be easier to secure an interview. Things often slow down at the end of the year due to vacations and the winter holidays. As a result, hiring managers may be less busy than usual and have more time to review your resume or call you in for an employment interview.

5. You'll get a jump on things. Even if some firms wait until the beginning of the year to add headcount, that doesn't mean they've stopped collecting resumes and considering candidates. By submitting your application materials now, you'll be first in line when the hiring process gets in full swing again.

As 2007 comes to a close, remember that employers are always on the lookout for strong professionals, especially in fields such as accounting and finance and information technology, where skilled workers are in short supply. That means there's no wrong time to look for your next job, no matter what conventional wisdom says.

Robert Half International is the world's first and largest specialized staffing firm with a global network of more than 350 offices throughout North America, Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand. For more information about our professional services, please visit www.rhi.com.

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Make the Most of the Holiday Work Party

Naughty and Nice Behaviors to Watch Out For
by Larry Buhl, for Yahoo! HotJobs


For an event that's supposed to be fun, the annual holiday office party can sometimes be a tightrope walk between festive and fear-inducing.

If you worry that you're being observed for your behavior, you're not being paranoid. You are being watched. But business etiquette experts agree that a degree of party-going savvy can get you through the evening with your professional reputation intact, and may even give you a career boost.

What's Naughty

To make the most of the office party, experts strongly discourage:

* Drinking to excess. "We all know alcohol lowers your inhibitions," says Randall Hansen, founder and president of Quintessential careers. "And if you imbibe too much you might find yourself telling off the boss or pulling a co-worker under the mistletoe."

* Pulling anyone under the mistletoe. Flirting, or worse, sneaking off for a tryst, guarantees that you'll be part of the office gossip mill at least until the summer office picnic.

* Fashion experimentation. Keep the low-cut, leopard-skin dress at home. "Remember that the office party is still business, so it not the time to bring your wild side out," according to business etiquette expert Hilka Klinkenberg. In general, if your outfit would be out of place on casual Friday, it probably wouldn't be appropriate at the party.

* Gifting. Unless you bring (appropriate) gifts for everyone, some co-workers are bound to feel left out.

* Bringing guests. If the invitation isn't specific on who's invited -- including spouses, significant others, children, and pets -- either don't bring them, or check it out with the event planner.

What's Nice

If navigating the holiday party minefield is daunting, go anyway, experts say. "It will show you're a part of the team, and if you're absent it will be noticed," Klinkenberg says.

To make the most out of the event, use it to network. For the rules of the holiday schmooze, etiquette experts suggest:

* Mix and mingle. "You want to show you're good with people and confident in social situations, which is especially important if your job involves a lot of human interaction," according to Cynthia Lett, owner of the Lett Group. "This may be the one time when higher-ups in the company see your social skills, and a positive performance may give them enough ammo to recommend you when the promotion comes up."

* Keep it light. "It's OK to talk about your team's accomplishments, but don't bore everyone by bragging about your own," says Andrea R. Nierenberg, networking expert and president of the Nierenberg Group. Likewise, don't monopolize anyone's time with a complex dissertation of corporate strategy. Nierenberg suggests having a list of "small talk" topics in mind, or going to a company's website press page to find lighter, business-relevant conversation starters.

* Have an exit strategy. Knowing when to politely excuse yourself from a conversation and when to leave the party are two critical party-going skills. "You should instinctively know when it's right to move on to the next person, but when in doubt spend no more than seven minutes talking to someone," Nierenberg says. As for the amount of face time to spend, you don't have to stay the whole time, but a quick exit will be noticed. Conversely, don't stay until the bitter end; it may give the impression you're more party animal than professional.

* Be courteous. It's always a good idea to thank your party planner, and, especially if it's at a private residence, the host.

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Here We Come A-Networking

Use the Holidays to Make More Contacts
by Debra Davenport, for Yahoo! HotJobs


Just like you can never receive too many gifts at the holidays, you can never have too many contacts in your network. Being well-connected connotes success and influence -- the kind of cachet every serious professional seeks to achieve.

The holidays are a great time to build your list of influential contacts. Whether you're currently employed or searching for the perfect job, consider every invitation a chance to create new career-building relationships.

Here are several networking strategies that have proven successful:

* The best networking takes place at home. Inviting colleagues, prospects, clients, and contacts to your home establishes a more personal relationship. An invitation to your home also creates opportunities for reciprocal invitations and introductions to others' inner circle of contacts. Host a holiday open house, buffet, or afternoon tea. You don't have to impress by spending a lot of money. It's the invitation that counts.

* Give and you shall receive. Feeling altruistic this holiday season? Get involved with a charity. Volunteering leads to important connections and the development of relationships that are not just based on building business contacts, but on helping others.

* Don't assume. Don't reject invitations to events that seem like duds -- they often turn out to offer valuable networking opportunities. You never know who's going to be there. And, while it's possible you may connect with only one person, that connection could turn into a powerful, long-term relationship.

* Create your own networking opportunities. Start a holiday book club, a caroling troupe or a game night. Host a party to honor someone you admire, give an award or even create a scholarship program. There are countless ways of getting people together to enjoy the spirit of the season. All you need is one idea and an invitation.

* Use the Internet. Write a holiday blog or newsletter and e-mail it to your contacts. Include a "viral" element, such as a photo, video, news article, or original quote to prompt recipients to spread your message.

* Follow up with every person you meet. A handwritten note letting someone know you enjoyed meeting them is priceless today, and worth every minute. Your goal is to solidify your initial impression as a savvy professional -- and to be remembered.

* Use your business cards! Your business card is your best networking tool. Always have plenty on hand and don't be shy about handing them out. Include your card in your holiday mailings and attach them to business gifts. In between jobs? Personal "call me" cards printed with your name, descriptor (e.g., "Sales and Marketing Specialist"), and contact information are the perfect tool for self-promotion. Note: If you're employed but on the job hunt, it's proper protocol to use your personal cards rather than your company business cards.

Most importantly, remember that the holidays are a time of giving. Put the needs of others first while you're working the room. Benevolence is the greatest attribute of any job-seeker, regardless of the season.

Debra Davenport is president of DavenportFolio, a licensed firm with offices in Phoenix and Los Angeles that provides career counseling, Certified Professional Mentoring, professional employment placement and executive search services. She is the creator of the Certified Professional Mentor(R) designation, and you can contact her at debra@davenportfolio.com.

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The New World of Job Interviews

by Doug White, Robert Half International


The employment interview isn't what it used to be. While the vast majority of interviews are the standard face-to-face variety, technological advancements have made it possible for employers and applicants to connect quickly in other ways.

Some hiring managers conduct phone interviews during the early phases of candidate searches; others may request you meet via videoconference if you live far away. And, yes, certain companies even hold virtual job fairs.

Following are tips for success when participating in non-traditional job interviews.

The Phone Interview

Minimize distractions. Conduct the call from a quiet, private setting. You won't impress hiring managers if they hear loud pets, honking horns, or your clicking keyboard in the background. If possible, use a landline (which is often more reliable than cellular phones), and disable the call-waiting function.

Speak up. Because the interviewer can't read your facial reactions or body language, verbalize your thoughts. After the hiring manager completes a thought, say something like, "Yes, that aspect of the job sounds appealing" to keep the discussion moving. Speak with confidence and enthusiasm.

Have supplies handy. Keep your resume and cover letter at arm's length, as well as any company research you've collected. You also might prepare a bulleted list of speaking points or questions. Make sure a pen and pad are nearby for taking notes.

The Videoconference Interview

Mock it up. It's intimidating to be interviewed on camera. Calm jittery nerves by doing a trial run with a friend or family member. Record the mock interview and study areas where you can improve. Did you look at the camera, or did your eyes dart nervously around the room? Did you exhibit good posture or slouch? Rehearsing will help ensure you're polished at showtime.

Beware of busy backgrounds. Most video interviews are conducted at a videoconference site, your recruiter's workplace or an employer's satellite office. Wherever you are, remain the focal point by clearing the table of clutter. If you do the interview from home, choose a professional-looking, well-lit setting. In addition, make sure your computer's webcam and microphone are working properly a day in advance.

Dress to impress. Dress as nicely as you would for an on-site visit. And don't assume you'll only be visible from the shoulders up. More than a few jacket-clad candidates have unexpectedly been seated at see-through glass tables or stood up to reveal fashion faux pas such as jeans or shorts.

The Virtual Interview

Wear appropriate avatar apparel. An avatar is a computer-generated icon you create to represent yourself online. If you attend a virtual job fair on Second Life, a popular online community, for instance, your avatar should look professional. You don't necessarily need to don a virtual suit for an "in-world" corporate recruiting event, but don't show up as a flashy nightclub-goer, space alien, or vampire.

Message with care. When communicating via instant message on Second Life, focus on accuracy, not speed. Hiring managers will likely forgive a typo or two, but making a series of grammatical goofs will cause them to question your writing skills and attention to detail. Take a moment to proofread your message and steer clear of emoticons and cyber slang.

No matter what the meeting format, always send a thank-you note to those with whom you interview. Even when communicating with a hiring manager using high-tech tools, a traditional handwritten letter of appreciation will be well received.

Robert Half International is the world's first and largest specialized staffing firm with a global network of more than 350 offices throughout North America, Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand. For more information about our professional services, please visit rhi.com.

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Overeating on the Job

Watch out for Snack Platters and Food Pushers
by Heather Boerner, for Yahoo! Hot Jobs


Between coworker birthday cakes, shared holiday-party leftovers, staff meetings with Danishes, and pizza-fueled late-night work sessions, it's easy to blow your diet while on the job. But it doesn't have to be.

"People are most successful in healthy eating when they can control their environment, as opposed to being in a negative environment and trying to control themselves," says nutritionist Katherine Tallmadge, author of "Diet Simple."

Take Control

Figure out which food temptations you can control.

If you're the boss, you can tell the person who orders food to bring a platter of fruit instead of cookies to the staff meeting, and ask your staff to stash junk food in drawers.

Not the boss? No problem. Consider these tips:

* Join the office snack committee. "Lobby for fresh fruits and veggies instead of baked goods," says Tallmadge.

* Plan ahead. If your office doesn't have a snack committee, or you don't want to be on it, you can still ask ahead what food will be provided for this week's late-night work session or staff meeting.

"Lots of people have to do this -- diabetics, people with food allergies, vegetarians -- so don't feel self-conscious," counsels Elisabetta Politi, a dietitian and nutrition manager at the Duke University Diet and Fitness Center.

* Share the health. Be an example to coworkers and set out a bowl of fruit on your desk and invite others to enjoy it. It could start a healthy trend, according to Tallmadge.

* Talk to coworkers. You may not have authority, but you can still ask coworkers to stash their candy and junk food in their drawers instead of leaving it out. Most people won't mind, says Politi.

Resist Food Pushers

You may run into resistance from people who not only won't comply with your requests, but will also undermine your diet by actively tempting you with food you don't want.

With these food pushers, your best bet is to not engage.

"When you tell a food pusher you can't have something, that you're on a diet, you're giving a double message -- you're saying, 'I really want it, talk me into it,'" Tallmadge says. "It's always best to simply say, 'No, thank you,' and then compliment lavishly the food she brings that is healthy."

The situation could be more difficult if the food pusher is a friend, and you used to eat junk food together. Politi advises that you two focus on the things you can do together that don't involve food.

"It's not about giving up friendships," she says. "Go for a walk with her and have meals with people who make healthy choices."

Be Flexible

Finally, the biggest challenge to a dieter's will power often comes from an all-or-nothing attitude, Politi warns. So don't fall into it.

"Look at it in perspective: You have 21 meals in every week," she says. "A few slices of birthday cake a month are no big deal. Most people have at least two meals a day they can control. Focus on that."

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Executive Resume Insider Secrets - 7 Resume Tips For Executive Eyes Only

Rules for executive resume writing are different than those followed by candidates targeting an entry- or mid-level position.

Unfortunately, most high-level executives produce resumes that are no better than the rest.

These tips will show you how to make your executive resume stand out from the crowd.

Prove Your Worth

With any resume, it is important to highlight your accomplishments, but it is even more important for an executive resume to demonstrate results. By the time you have climbed the ranks of the corporate ladder, you are expected to have won a lot of battles -- you should literally have dozens of success stories.

So, when you list job descriptions, don't just plop down a bunch of bullet points detailing your job responsibilities. Provide detailed examples of the situations you were in, the solutions you developed, and the success that resulted from the solutions you put in place.

Remember that you are asking hiring managers to give you a larger salary than 95% of the rest of the company -- and almost certainly more than the HR people that are reviewing your resume -- so you must show them you are worth it.

Demonstrate Leadership

An executive resume should ooze leadership. Brag about the teams you built and the successes those teams achieved.

Speak graciously about your subordinates -- a gracious executive is a welcomed asset to any organization.

Flaunt Your Network

If you have built a strong professional network, you should mention it. In fact, if your LinkedIn profile is strong, consider including a link to it on your resume.

If not, build out your LinkedIn profile and then include it near your email address and phone number at the top.

Use More than One Page

Executive resumes should almost never be limited to a single page. Two or three pages are usually best.

Lie About Your Age

Age discrimination is a real thing in the United States. More often than not, it is unintentional, but it occurs regularly.

The prevailing attitude among hiring managers and recruiters is that executives should not be fresh out of college and they should not be too old either (it sounds so bad when you say it out loud, but it is true).

Your executive resume should focus on your experience without an unnecessary emphasis on items that reveal your age.

Consider grouping the early portions of your career chronology into an "early career" section where you summarize what happened long ago without listing dates. Also, eliminate dates from other sections that might reveal your age.

Bury Education

News Flash: By this point in your career, you need to have much more impressive things on your resume than where you went to school.

Yes, you spent a lot of money earning those credentials, but they go at the bottom of your resume now.

Simply list the college you attended, the degree you earned, and your area of study.

There is no need to list your graduation date -- it will show them how old you are (or how young as the case may be).

Get Professional Help

More than ever, you need to have a professional look at your resume. Errors that would have been forgiven earlier in your career will make you look sloppy and amateurish now.

A professional editor will be able to tell you what mistakes have made on your executive resume and how to fix them.

To learn how to strengthen your resume and fix your mistakes, get a free 51-point critique here: Executive Resume.

Jeremiah Allen

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Tips For New College Graduates

A detailed resume is inappropriate for a new college graduate. Rather than unneeded details, incorporate the following tips and you are sure to make a good impression on a potential employer.

For the college student, since they lack experience, the objective section is very important. It shares what you want in a job and what your goals are surrounding that job. Entry level resumes are expected to have this section. Remember you are competing against others of your same experience level so this is where you can stand out.

Make sure the objective section is related to the job you are applying for. Share how you can contribute to the organization and that you understand what the job entails.

Someone who has been out of college awhile will list their experience at the top of the resume. They have a work history. A recent college graduate is not going to have this work history.

Your resume should list academic information first. Make sure you list any honors. This is also where you can put things you did along side your academics like volunteering, extra curricular, and leadership experience. Be detailed in explaining the strong points in your academic repertoire.

A long winded resume is not going to get you as far as a concise and well thought out shorter one. Potential employers do not want to spend a lot of time reading them. They should be one page in length and hit the highlights of your experience, honors and special talents.

The importance of proofreading can not be over emphasized. Check your resume several times then check it again. One mistake can leave a bad impression as to your attention to detail and grammar skills.

If you have mistakes, a prospective employer is likely to toss your resume in the trash. A resume free of mistakes is a sign of professionalism.

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Yes, You Need a Cover Letter

A cover letter should always accompany your resume.

Your goal is to get an interview, and this may be your only chance to get the employer's attention. A cover letter is an introduction and is not a reiteration of your resume. Keep it short, one page should be sufficient to introduce yourself and capture the prospective employer's attention. Communicate your interest in the company. Highlight why you are qualified for the position. Request an interview.

Communicate your interest in the company.

There are often many applicants for a position these days, so companies have a lot of choice. Make sure that you personalize the communication and that your interest shines through. One approach may be to mention where you heard about the position (network contact, press release, article, financial results). If the connection prompted you to further research the company and industry, mention the exciting things that you learned as they relate to your own motivation for employment here. This provides a segue into your own qualifications.

Highlight why you are qualified for the position.

The cover letter allows you to specifically address the qualifications and attributes you have as they pertain to the position you are seeking at a company. Rather than re-writing your resume each time you postulate for a new position or company, use this opportunity to succinctly address the value you offer for the opportunity at hand. Don't simply use the same information as found in your resume, instead detail the most relevant skills and experience that make you not only qualified for the job, but a great asset to the company.

Request an interview.

The point is to capture the reader's attention and secure an interview. Review and make sure you've done this. Now ask for the opportunity to be interviewed.

Style & Personalization

While a business letter format is required, that doesn't mean the tone must come off as lacking personality. Au contraire! Differentiate yourself from the pile of applicants. Show humor, passion, dedication, let your personality be expressed. Companies have a unique culture and your cultural fit within a company will be critical to your success there.

Depending on the position, a table or chart may be worthwhile. For example, contrasting requirements with skill sets on a technical role may be most succinctly demonstrated with a bulleted comparison in a small table. For a sales position, laying out the organization's market segments and your own related experience and achievements in two columns can provide quick identification of how you meet and exceed the requirements sought.

Most communications are electronic these days providing you an opportunity to link to a LinkedIn Profile and Recommendations.

About Redfish Technology, Inc.

Redfish Technology specializes in locating talent in the High Tech and Green Energy sectors. Recruiting since 1996, the company offers nationwide coverage and boasts offices in Silicon Valley, the East Coast, and the Intermountain West. As a full service, outsourced recruiting resource, we will partner with leading High Tech and Clean Tech organizations to source the world's next generation of technical and alternative energy leaders.

Job Seeker Resources 

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Bullies in the Workplace

by Robert DiGiacomo, for Yahoo! HotJobs


If the equivalent of the schoolyard bully is now sharing your cubicle or -- worse -- is your boss, you're not alone.

More than 1 in 3 workers -- or 54 million people -- report being bullied at work, according to a Zogby International poll. Nearly three-quarters of the bullies are in managerial positions, and 55 percent of their victims are workers, Zogby found.

Below are some warning signs to watch out for and hints for coping with an abusive manager or coworker.

Is the Boss a Bully or Just Demanding?

Executive coach Laura Crawshaw, author of "Taming the Abrasive Manager: How to End Unnecessary Roughness in the Workplace," has identified five signs that your boss is a bully.

The signs include overreacting to situations, micromanaging others, acting in a superior and condescending way, humiliating employees in front of colleagues, and taking a threatening stance, as in, "It's my way or the highway."

But Crawshaw doesn't like to use the "B" word. She explains, "The 'bully' term implies they intend to do harm. In fact, this is not what I've found. Essentially, they are blind to the impact of their behavior on others. Generally, they don't see it."

Zero Tolerance

To foster a positive workplace, employers need to first recognize the bullying problem, according to Garry Mathiason, a senior partner in the San Francisco office of Littler Mendelson, a top employment and labor law firm.

Employers should then create policies establishing guidelines for unacceptable behavior and ways to report such conduct, and make sure everyone -- from the CEO to the file clerk -- practices what they're preaching.

"There has to be encouragement of reporting problems, and there have to be alternative channels -- human resources, a senior manager, or the legal department -- if you can't report it directly to your immediate supervisor because he or she is the problem," Mathiason said.

The Mind of the Bully

The bully boss, according to Crawshaw, displays overaggressive behavior out of fear, not confidence.

"When they get anxious about how they're going to be perceived, they attack," Crawshaw says. "It's helpful for people who are subordinates to realize it's not their problem -- it's the boss' problem."

Preparing an Exit Strategy

If faced with an unresolved bullying situation, should you stay or should you go? Although some workplace bullying experts believe it's possible to resolve such situations, most workers under attack by a bully end up changing jobs, according to a poll by Zogby International for the Workplace Bullying Institute.

The 2007 survey found 77% of those who said they were bullied chose to leave their employer or were fired, forced out, or moved to a different position within the same company.

"Our research is clear about how the bullying stops -- the targets lose the jobs they love," said Gary Namie, director of the Workplace Bullying Institute.

Bottom Line vs. Cohesive Team

But companies would be better served, Mathiason believes, by adhering to policies that value the victim over the bully, even if the latter is a strong contributor to the bottom line.

"If you decide in favor of the harmony and teamwork of the group -- and take the short-term deficit of losing what is otherwise a good performer -- you're going to be more successful as an organization, because the team can always outperform the individual," Mathiason says.

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Jobs Are Back, Search for Headhunters, First!

True, the phrase jobs are back is the new buzz across nations and continents. The indication is certainly towards the fateful economic downturn that rattled major economies of the world. As an obvious consequence of the economic downturn the jobs almost vanished but the good news is that all the major economies are showing promising signs of recovery and optimum positive response is the reappearance of thousand of jobs that sank during the recession.

In the present world scenario employment search is a whole new concept is no where near what it used to be. One would not bet against the fact that like many of other aspects it is the interference of the internet that has revolutionized the methodology of searching for jobs.

The methodology for searching jobs-

If you are a job seeker then you will certainly find a true friend in the form of job sites that have thousands of jobs enlisted in their catalogues. You just need to perform a few concrete steps and as fruit of your toil you will certainly find yourself launched successfully for your dream job. This holds equally true for fresher and experienced job seekers. The fresher can search for jobs that suit the best with their educational qualification, aptitude and preferences. If you are fresher then it is almost religion to register yourself with the leading job sites and make yourself visible for the leading corporate requites. The experienced candidates aim for better profiles or salary hikes, constant up gradation of resume proves to be of great aid for this purpose. Finally, your aim should appear distinctly through your resume. At this point one should note that your resume is all that what speak for you, so, it is of prime importance that your resume should make an impression and should stand apart among millions. There are thousands of jobs sites that provide with expert made resume formats. Thus, there are people ready to assist you in your endeavour to search for jobs.

For the Corporate recruiters-

The job sites are made to assist both the ends of the job seekers and that of the corporate recruiters. The corporate recruiters employ different methods in order to find a suitable candidate, among these job consultancies and internet job sites are favoured choices. They are the best place to find a head hunter for any kind of company profiles.

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Mixing Volunteer Work and Your Professional Life

by Sean O'Grady, CareerTV


Seton Hall University's Director of Career Services, Jacqueline Chaffin, answers questions about bringing up your volunteer experience as part of a job application and about mixing volunteer activities with your professional life.

Question: I do a lot of volunteer work but I don't want to look like a goody-two-shoes. What's the best way to bring up my activities during an interview?

JC: First, be proud of your volunteer experiences to date, as employers highly value these types of activities and are looking for in college grads.

Additionally, hiring managers know as new college grads, you may not have had significant internship experience or pre-professional experience.

Also, volunteer experiences are a great indication of one's passion, commitment, and dedication. All attributes that companies are looking for in new hires.

I want to start up a volunteer program at my job but I've only been with the company for three months. Is this OK, and if so, what's the best way to go about it?

First it's great that you want to start up a volunteer program at your company. However, it is advisable that you wait a minimum of six and possibly even nine months to make sure you have established yourself as a responsible and professional individual.

Then I would encourage you to seek the guidance of your immediate supervisor. He or she may direct you to someone in human resources who can provide more information about company policies. Many companies today are offering some release time for volunteer efforts. Maybe a day, possibly two days.

Again, if you get the green light to proceed, proceed cautiously, do your research, and always keep your supervisor apprised. And remember, any time dedicated to your campaign should be considered outside business hours.

Is it appropriate to ask coworkers or supervisors to sponsor you in charitable walks and marathons?

Generally yes, however, it is always advisable to seek the guidance of your supervisor and also consult with the company's policies, both formal and informal. It's best to run the idea by your supervisor.

And if he or she gives you permission, it is acceptable to send a one-time email to the colleagues that you work day in and day out with. It is not appropriate to send a mass email to everyone in the company or knock on the door of someone you don't know.

Also, always remember to thank those who did contribute to your charitable organization and be sure to keep any work on your charitable organization out of working hours.

See the video of this article and get more career help and employer videos at www.careertv.com where you'll find the largest collection of career videos online.

Copyright 2008 CareerTV, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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Moving Out of the Midcareer Morass

How to Mix It Up and Build on Your Experience
by Robert DiGiacomo, for Yahoo! HotJobs


If you have at least 10 years of experience in a particular field, job hunting in the current market presents a special challenge.

You're beyond entry-level in terms of experience -- and salary expectations -- yet you're not quite ready for the executive suite, either.

In this tough job market, you could fall between the cracks of employers seeking low-cost, green trainees, and more proven managers to right their corporate ships.

Here are ways to negotiate this in-between status and take a positive, next career step.

Don't Erase Your Dates

Instead of taking the dates off your resume to seem younger, embrace your experience, by preparing an "accomplishment-based resume," says Rachelle J. Canter, president of RJC Associates.

"Show that the extra years provide critical achievements and seasoning that a younger competitor cannot hope to attain," says Canter, author of "Make the Right Career Move."

Right Resume for the Right Job

At the same time, it's perfectly acceptable to develop different versions of your resume tailored to different positions, according to career coach Rebecca Kiki Weingarten.

"For each job, you don't need to list all of your skills," Weingarten says. "Just include what's relevant to whatever they're looking for. You don't want to overwhelm employers. When you go for an interview, you can mention extra skills and experience."

Honesty Really Is the Best Policy

If you're applying for a position for which you may be overqualified, address the issue head-on in a cover letter, recommends life and career coach Shawn Driscoll.

"Don't leave it to the resume screener to jump to conclusions," Driscoll says. "Maybe you are looking to diversify your career experience, and so you're willing to take a step back or a pay cut. Say so. Then, sell your experience and your results."

The Storytelling Advantage

When you land an interview, come armed with compelling anecdotes of real world problems -- and how you solved them.

"Younger job seekers won't have stories -- they'll just have theories," Driscoll says. "Give real situations, the action you took, and the results you achieved."

Calling Style 911

Your resume may not be the only thing that needs updating. Your favorite power suit may look tired, or your hairstyle or glasses could be trapped in the '90s. Image consultant David A. McKnight of DAMstyle recommends perusing fashion magazines and catalogs to assess current trends, and tossing items from three to five years ago that seem out of date.

At the same time, not every hot trend will flatter you, so ask a fashion-savvy friend for advice, or consult a professional to help you figure out your personal look.

"Just because a particular style is popular, it doesn't mean you should be wearing it," McKnight says.

Reinvent Yourself

Finally, you may not have planned to be looking for a new position, but if your job wasn't really your intended career, it could be a good time to forge a new path.

"Having been in a profession for a period of time, use this time to look at your future in another way," Weingarten says. "Instead of saying, I thought I was going to accomplish, x, y or z, you can ask yourself, 'What do I want to do from here on in?"

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5 Tips for Getting Your Way Without Authority

by Margaret Steen, for Yahoo! HotJobs


In today's team-based work world, success depends not only on the quality of your work but on your ability to get others to work with you. This is not always easy, especially when you need to enlist the cooperation of your boss, a peer, or even a potential customer.

"Everybody has to influence beyond their formal authority," said Steve Levin, an executive coach who teaches a course for leaders called "Powerful Conversations."

Experts offer five tips for persuading even when you don't have authority:

1. Know what's in it for you.

What is the larger purpose for asking your colleague to call a potential customer for you, or your boss to offer his support for your project?

Make sure you can answer, "For the sake of what?" about each request, Levin said. Is the goal to keep a key customer happy? To save the company money?

2. Know why you're asking.

You don't need to spell out an exact exchange each time you ask someone for help. But you do need to understand what the other person's goals are, and frame your request in a way that shows how that person will benefit.

If you ask a colleague to call one of your accounts, your colleague could say, "It's your customer -- why do I care?" And you need an answer, such as, "Retaining this customer will enhance our reputation in the marketplace, and that affects all of us," Levin said.

3. Tailor your request to your audience.

Some people are best persuaded with a lot of data; others respond better if you tie what you want to a big-picture goal.

"Communicate with the person the way they want to be communicated with," said Glenn Parker, a team-building consultant in Princeton, N.J. and author of "Team Players and Teamwork: New Strategies for Developing Successful Collaboration."

4. Ask for a commitment.

Often, meetings with colleagues have "a lot of discussion and not a lot of clarity" about who is to do what, Parker said. If you're asking for help from people who don't work for you, you need to be especially careful that everyone understands who has committed to what.

Casually asking, "Can you pay extra attention to this client?" may get your colleague to say yes, but she may not be committed to doing anything differently, Levin said. A more precise request, such as, "Will you call this client before the end of the day?" is more likely to elicit a "meaningful yes."

And don't worry that a specific request will make it easy for the person to say no. "We actually want them to say no, if no is their answer," Levin said.

5. Be fearless.

Many people "give up before they try" to influence beyond their authority, Levin said. But don't assume that others won't listen. Instead, remember why you're asking: You want to help the company keep a customer, or implement an innovative cost-saving measure.

If you're asking for selfish reasons, you probably won't be successful anyway. But if you're asking "on behalf of something larger" than yourself, Levin said, "that's exactly what every leader wants people to do. That's called taking initiative."

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5 Ideal 'Spare-Time' Online Businesses

by Yanik Silver, for Entrepreneur.com


With all the doom and gloom news about the economy, there's never been a better time to make an extra paycheck online with a minimal amount of time and effort.

If you have an Internet connection, you can get started on the road to having the Internet pay for your mortgage, car payment, kids' college tuition, or even that special vacation you've wanted. Now, don't worry that you have to be a tech whiz to start a business online -- I'm a complete techno-dunce.

A perfect part-time business would have to be very easy to start, require little time and money and no technical expertise, be easy to maintain with just a few hours a week and have a proven track record with a high probability of success.

There's actually one other important criteria -- it has to be perfect for you! Experience has taught me that it's different strokes for different folks, and there is no "one size fits all" perfect business. You're much more likely to be successful if you do something you find fun and interesting.

With that in mind, here are five of the best ways to make extra cash moonlighting on the Internet:

1. Information Marketing

We're in the information age, and the Internet provides you with the ideal medium to exchange know-how for money. Do you know the best fishing holes?? How to play guitar? The secrets to a successful marriage? A recipe for moist and delicious brownies? A trick for saving gas?

Think about your career, your hobbies, and your interests. Virtually anything you know can be turned into extra cash. And don't worry if you think you're not an expert -- as long as you know more than the average person on the topic, that information is valuable.

However, if you don't believe you know anything that others would pay for (highly unlikely), you can take someone else's know-how and make money that way! It could be as easy as interviewing a veterinarian to help you create a dog-training product.

Ninety-two percent of people go online looking for information, and you could be one of the many people cashing in on selling it.

2. eBay

One of the largest online marketplaces makes it a piece of cake to get your own business going. You can open an account and start making money within hours on eBay!

While I dislike that whole "sell your garbage on eBay" thing, there is some validity to it as many people get their start on eBay by selling items from their garage or attic that pre-eBay would have been thrown out. This approach is fine, but where is the business once you run out of those items? If you want to create an eBay business that doesn't require tons of time and effort, you need to leverage products that can be sold over and over again.

This is one of the reasons I'm not a fan of the "eBay seller for hire" kinds of opportunities, where you sell things on eBay for other people. You get access to stuff people want to sell, but because each item is unique you have to work to list each and every one. There's no leverage there!

Take a look at some of the largest eBay PowerSellers and notice how they specialize in very specific products (iPods, cell phones, dog grooming kits, etc.). This allows them to leverage their efforts. A listing is created once, and money is collected over and over again.

Unlike information marketing, this business requires the handling of physical goods, but even that can be automated, so it shouldn't prevent you from considering this idea.

3. Affiliate Marketing

This may possibly be the absolute laziest way to make money because it doesn't require you to have a product, make a sale, or ever have any interaction with customers.

This is essentially a "referral" business, or as one of my book contributors likes to call it, "passionate recommendations." Basically, you can get paid a referral commission just for sending people to sites (or vendors) that are set up to pay affiliate fees once a sale is made. The vendor does all the selling, fulfills the purchase and handles any customer service issues -- and you just collect your check. Not bad!

Some people choose affiliates based on who or what is paying the highest commissions, and that certainly is a viable option. Most people opt to choose products or goods they are passionate about so that the process is much more fun and engaging.

Insurance and credit card companies pay high commissions for referrals that convert to customers ($40 to $150 and up), but the competition is fierce. It may pay well, but is this something you'll enjoy doing for the long haul?

Alternatively, you could take a look at your hobbies and other things you enjoy and see which affiliate programs are a good match. As always, do your research to verify the viability of your market. A good place to look for ideas (and downloadable products just waiting for an affiliate) is ClickBank.com.

4. Blogging

This business is best suited for folks who enjoy communicating about a particular subject. Think of blogs as journals of sorts. Although you can have a personal blog, writing about a particular topic will have a higher chance for financial success.

The range of topics is virtually endless -- photography, sports cars, parenting, dieting, star gazing, the latest gadgets, Hollywood gossip -- you name it, as there are blogs on just about everything you can imagine. Don't worry about competition. Folks who read one blog are apt to read others on a topic they're passionate about, as long as you have something interesting to say.

Once your blog starts getting traffic, you can make money passively with things like AdSense (Google's ad revenue sharing plan) or actively by doing a little bit of affiliate marketing. You can see both types of moneymaking strategies at SparkleCat.com, which is a blog about a person's cat. What makes it interesting is that it's written from the cat's perspective and often refers to her "human." At the top of the page are Google AdSense ads, and sprinkled throughout are suggestions for things like cat furniture and premium cat food, which are tied to an affiliate program. Pretty cool, no?

5. Yahoo! Store

This business is very similar to eBay in the sense that it's a monster-sized marketplace but more similar to a store in the true sense of the word. Think having your own retail outlet but without the hassles of rent, employees, utilities, and all the other expenses of a traditional brick-and-mortar store.

The neat thing is that it can be as hands-on or as hands-off as you want it to be because of companies called drop-shippers, which can do most of the work for you. In fact, you don't even pay for the inventory until you make a sale. How cool is that?

Most people think the hard part of this business is creating your virtual store, but nothing could be further from the truth. Yahoo! Small Business has made the templates and wizards so easy that, dare I say, even a caveman can do it!?

The best way to ensure your success is to do your homework and research what products people most want to buy. You need to find a niche. Once again, start with things you enjoy. Let's say you love fishing. What products do fishing folks want to buy most? (Or get even more specific, like, what are bass fishermen looking to buy?)

Then the task is to find the right source of those products so you can carry them in your Yahoo! Store. In most cases, you'll be able to pull pictures and product descriptions directly from your sources and plug them right into your store.

As you can see, this business requires a little bit more upfront work, but once it's done it can be maintained with very little regular input on your part.

There you have it -- five perfect part-time businesses. Are you ready to start moonlighting on the Internet now?

Yanik Silver is the creator and author of several bestselling online products, but he still can't build his own website. His newest book, "Moonlighting on the Internet," shows just about anyone how they can add an extra paycheck online each month -- without an additional job.

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Don't Panic: The Right Job Is Just Around the Corner

by Caroline Potter, Yahoo! HotJobs


Fuel prices are up. Food prices, too. And don't forget foreclosures. The U.S. is still at war and unemployment has reached 5.5%. It's the real-life equivalent of "Lions and tigers and bears!" But, oh my, does a job seeker really have to think the worst is yet to come -- if it isn't already here?

Nah!

Don't focus too much on the bad news. There's plenty of good news -- and good jobs -- out there.

John Challenger, CEO of Challenger, Gray & Christmas, the nation's first, oldest, and premier outplacement consulting organization, points out, "There's no reason to start panicking. Jobs are opening up all the time." And while the economy is a bit sluggish as of late, Challenger says, "You can't think of the job market as too monolithic. A number of industries out there are doing very well currently. Health care, energy, international business, agriculture, and commodities are thriving."

Health care, sales, and technology are among the categories with the most job listings on Yahoo! HotJobs, and each have enjoyed the biggest category growth from March to April this year.

Whatever the economic climate, you can use these four strategies to maximize your opportunities:

Rely on Research

Outplacement and job-market expert Challenger recommends that job seekers do their due diligence. "What's going in the economy? What's going on in my market? Where are the companies that are hiring? Research all this on Yahoo! Finance and see who's doing well in the market and position your next job search around companies that are in growth mode right now."

However, even if an organization's numbers are down, he reminds professionals, "Don't give up on a company that's doing poorly. Troubled companies need good people to solve their problems."

Think Positive

Janet White, author of "Secrets of the Hidden Job Market: Change Your Thinking to Get the Job of Your Dreams" and founder of jobmarketsecrets.com, thinks workers should stop reading the headlines. "Don't buy it," she says. If you begin your job search with the wrong mindset, it may not go right.

"Avoid falling into the mindset that it's tough out there, there's a lot of competition, and not enough opportunity for you," White says. "Imagine yourself being in the job you want. Hold the vision of having it -- go back to daydreaming about it. Whatever you believe to be true becomes your experience. You can believe that it's hard or you can believe that you can have the job of your dreams."

Don't Blame the Economy Alone

Are you flying blind or do you have a solid job search strategy? Susan D. Strayer, author of "The Right Job Right Now: The Complete Toolkit for Finding Your Perfect Career," says, "One of the things I always see when there is an economic downturn is that job seekers tend to be lazy in their searches and blame it on the economy. People are sending out hundreds of untargeted resumes -- whether it's a bad economy or a good economy. That's not a good strategy."

Strayer, an HR executive and career coach, counsels her clients, "You have to focus on your search strategies. And conversations are the biggest piece of that. You need to find advocates within a company." Start reaching out to your network to find these folks and talk to them. She believes insiders can not only help you tailor your resume and approach, "They can also give you a real state of the union -- letting you know which divisions are and aren't doing well and which vacant positions are on hold."

While she, like Challenger, believes there are certain industries you can't be optimistic about, she reminds job seekers, "You should always be optimistic about your search."

Market Yourself (in Any Market)

The experts at Yahoo! HotJobs remind job seekers, "Although we are seeing unemployment rise and the economy somewhat weaken, there will always be jobs available for those who are determined to find the right fit. But it's important to remember that looking for a job is all about marketing yourself."

The best strategy for positioning yourself as the most attractive candidate starts with a tight resume. Also, there are jobs lurking around every corner, but you won't find them unless you network.

Finally, make full use of the array of tools available on Yahoo! HotJobs to enhance your efforts. Resume and interview tips, online search agents, and job recommendation services are just a few of the features that can help you find work fast.

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Cover Letters Count (More Than You Think)

by Caroline Potter, Yahoo! HotJobs


If you're like most conscientious job seekers, you've put a lot of time and effort into your resume. But have you given your cover letter its proper due? If not, reconsider and revamp this most valuable document.

According to a new survey from OfficeTeam, a leading staffing service specializing in the placement of highly skilled administrative professionals, 86% of executives polled said cover letters are valuable when evaluating job candidates. And if you're not worried about hiring managers, you should be because your peers are using cover letters even when they apply electronically. OfficeTeam reveals that a whopping 8 out of 10 managers said it is common to receive electronic resumes accompanied by cover letters.

If you're not sure what makes a cover letter great, follow these seven suggestions from the experts at OfficeTeam.

1. Personalize it.
Instead of addressing your letter, "To Whom It May Concern," attempt to get the name of the hiring manager. OfficeTeam recommends, "If you don't know the hiring manager's name, call the company and ask."

2. Surf the Web with a purpose.
Put your ability to scour the Net to good use by researching your target company online. OfficeTeam advises that job seekers use what they learn to "demonstrate how [their] knowledge and skill fit the job" and could add value for that employer.

3. Bridge the gap.
If your resume is a bit sketchy in terms of employment gaps, your cover letter is the place to put a potential employer's mind at ease. "Explain how you filled the time," suggests OfficTeam. "Mention professional development courses or volunteer activities." This not only shows that you've kept your skills current but also that you weren't sitting about idly between positions.

4. Keep it concise.
A well-written cover letter is priceless; an over-written cover letter will wind up in the recycling bin. OfficeTeam counsels, "Leave something for the resume." You don't have to tell your entire professional story in a cover letter, particularly when it shouldn't exceed a few paragraphs.

5. Make the first move.
Don't sit passively by after applying for a job. Rather, OfficeTeam advocates that you take a proactive stance and "identify next steps, such as writing, 'I'll follow up with you next week to discuss meeting in person.'"

6. Make no mistake.
Neither the most cautious of eyes nor spell-check program can catch every error. Before you submit your materials, read them repeatedly. OfficeTeam also proposes, "Have a friend or mentor read [them] as an added precaution."

7. Let the applier beware.
If you want to increase the odds that your cover letter will be read, OfficeTeam leaders say, "When applying through online job boards, always choose the option to add your cover letter to your resume. When emailing application materials to a hiring manager, paste your cover letter within the body of your message."

Giving your cover letter the attention it deserves improves your chances of capturing a hiring manager's attention.

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Wise Beyond Your Years: How Young Managers Make It

by Amy MacMillan, Experience, Inc.


Your baby face has never been such a liability.

Twenty-five-year-old Wendy Brez, a public affairs manager, grew so tired of coworkers commenting on her age that she started wearing makeup and considered cutting her hair in an effort to look older. "I didn't expect my age to be an issue, and it is," says Brez, who works at Brooklyn Botanic Garden in Brooklyn, New York. "I really thought people would judge you on your merit."

"More young people are in management positions these days," says Barbara Kate Repa, vice president of content for HROne.com, a human resources portal. Young professionals have "fresh energy and new perspective" that companies find valuable at the management level. Age-related skepticism (and even criticism), however, is a challenge that these new managers must face.

Go Team, Go!

Young managers can make subordinates of all ages feel comfortable by emphasizing teamwork. "Being a manager doesn't mean I make final decisions," says Dennis Esser, 27, coordinator of publications at Northwest Missouri State University. "It means I collaborate with my players to come up with the best solutions and implement them." Esser has been coordinator for three years, manages three people, and oversees the creation of 600 publications, a website, and a $300,000 annual budget.

Esser's only management training (like so many other young managers) comes from carefully observing other managers. He's also aware that a sense of ownership is important for most employees. "I really try to let them take the ball with [projects], then I ask for a review session to give me the opportunity to give input and advice," he explains.

Brez started out at Brooklyn Botanic Garden as a public affairs associate in 1999, working under a manager who cultivated her ambitions. When the manager left, Brez was promoted. "I was thrilled, but I was also nervous, because I didn't have much management experience"

Brez says her youth has been a challenge in her role because it "creates a problem of respect. You know you can do the work, but because you are young, it may take a longer time to prove yourself." Brez has found other methods of building respect, like always showing appreciation to helpful colleagues. "It develops relationships," she says.

Tailored Approach

Esser quickly discovered that he sometimes has to tailor his behavior to a situation. For example, he knows that email is effective with his younger colleagues, but older colleagues want a more personalized approach.

Repa admits it's not easy to deflect criticism like "you look too young" when you are a young manager. "Just concentrate on what you were hired to do," she says. Jenny Phillips, a 23-year-old public relations manager at Greencrest in Columbus, Ohio, does just that.

As she says, "If you have the talent and skills and desire to accomplish your goals, you can, regardless of your age."

Copyright 1996-2008 Experience, Inc. - All Rights Reserved

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Maximize Your Pay in a Downturn

4 Ways to Overcome Wage Inertia
by Aimee Chou, for EarnMyDegree.com


The adage "finders keepers, losers weepers" doesn't apply to your career during a recession. Not all job finders are keepers, and not all job losers are weepers.

Today's market of cancelled contracts, smaller budgets and devaluated portfolios makes it trickier for employers to pay seekers their worth, and to give keepers a raise or immunity from pay cuts. Whatever side you're on, you can win the compensation game during a recession.

For Job Seekers

The good news is you can still nail a job offer -- by networking, targeting recession-proof industries or blogging and volunteering. The bad news: A possible lower starting offer.

The question has gone from "What am I worth?" to "What am I worth during a recession?" and "What is my industry worth during a recession?"

Business majors, who previously enjoyed strong year-by-year starting salary increases, will see a plateau this year. According to BusinessWeek, the average accounting starting salary of $47,429 is not budging -- with rising inflation, that could be interpreted as a decline.

So how can you cope with the current wage inertia?

1. Think long term.

Some economists argue that cyclic recessions are necessary for economic growth. Keep this irony in mind as you use this time to sow your marketability by earning an online degree and finish industry-relevant personal or freelance projects.

Leery of a lower salary? Lower compensation is a small price to pay for long-term promotions, bonuses and stock-based retention awards. Starting salaries in nursing and teaching are in the strong mid-$40,000s, but may plateau soon. In sales or marketing, you may start with a smaller base salary. But after accruing commissions, promotions and loyal clients, top performers can double or triple their starting income.

2. Be a lifelong learner.

During the downturn, many graduates are seeking MBAs or graduate degrees instead of instant-payoff jobs in business and health, according to a University of Washington study. Programs like Kaplan are seeing recent double-digit increases in enrollment. On average the payoff, though it takes longer, can be up to a $37,265 difference between a bachelor's and a doctorate (U.S. Census Bureau).

For Job Keepers

The good news is, you've dodged the dreaded pink slip. The bad news is that lagging share prices, clients late on bill payments and industry-wide downturns (all symptoms of a recession) can add up to a pay cut. So how do you keep the both the salary and the job you deserve?

1. Sweeten the sour news.

Research your worth, by documenting ROI from a project you implemented, or salary comparison from the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics. (Note: Union wage concessions may require a different process).

Negotiation can help you compensate for a lowered compensation: Telecommuting, reduced hours or stock-based retention options. Sometimes a pay cut can actually lead to lower taxes, same take-home pay and larger pensions.

2. Be pink-slip, interview-ready.

In dire situations, you may not be able to avoid massive layoffs. Your paycheck's buying power is already down 1 percent, according to the Economic Policy Institute. It's time to pack lunches, sock away long-term savings funds and avoid loans and credit cards -- while keeping your resume and interview suit fresh for the rebound.

The bottom line for keepers and seekers: You can save your own bottom line if you adapt wisely as the economy appears to bottom out.

For more information on career development and education opportunities, visit EarnMyDegree.com.

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Survey: Recession Fears Put Vacations at Risk

Experts Offer 10 Ways to Take a Necessary Break
by Tom Musbach, Yahoo! HotJobs


The slowdown in the U.S. economy is threatening a necessity for workers: vacations.

According to the annual Yahoo! HotJobs vacation survey, 51% of respondents said they plan to skip taking a vacation this year, opting to save money instead.

Not a Frivolous Matter

"Vacations are usually the first thing to go when people feel job or economic pressure," says Joe Robinson, a trainer in work-life balance and author of "Work to Live." He continues, "We're programmed to believe that free time is worthless, a frill to shove aside, but vacations are as important as watching your cholesterol or getting exercise."

Skipping a vacation can also be bad for your employer.

Milo and Thuy Sindell, founders of Hit the Ground Running and authors of "Job Spa," say, "You are not helpful to the company and your coworkers when you are not operating at full capacity. Vacations help you to get rejuvenated to come back to work at full capacity."

Make It Work With Less

For those tempted to skip vacation this year due to financial worries, experts recommend the following tips:

* Remind yourself: Vacation is not a luxury. "You owe it to yourself, your family, and your company to take care of yourself by stepping out of the office for at least a few days at a time," says Liz Bywater, president of the Bywater Consulting Group, which helps improve organizational performance.

* Put aside some funds each week. "Even $50 a week [or less] can add up and make your trip happen," says Robinson.

* Plan leisure activities near home. "Stay at home and read, garden, hike, jog, bike, or whatever you like to do but never have enough time for during the weekends," say the Sindells. "Or be a tourist in your own city."

* Try home-swapping. You can swap with someone you know in another city, or use an online service, such as homexchange.com or even vrbo.com (Vacation Rentals by Owner). "It can have the look and feel of a vacation at a much more affordable housing cost than paying for hotel or resort lodging," says Michael Haubrich, president of Financial Service Group and an expert in financial planning for career issues.

* Keep the itinerary simple. Travel columnist Donald D. Groff recommends selecting a destination within 200 miles (a three-hour drive) from your home. If you're traveling by plane, fly nonstop whenever possible. "The sooner you get to your destination, the sooner your relaxation begins," Groff says.

Stress-Busting Strategies

The economic downturn is also adding to workers' stress levels. Nearly a third of the respondents (31%) are worried by how the economy is affecting their workplaces, and 34% said they feel pressure to improve their performance for fear of being laid off.

With 55% of respondents admitted to being "burned out" by work, stress and fatigue add another threat to vacations. Experts say you can prevent the threat in the following ways:

* Start small. "Start with an afternoon off to do something you really enjoy, even if it's just a walk at the beach or a visit to a farmer's market," says Beth A. Levin, author of "Making a Richer, More Fulfilling Life a Reality."

* If planning is a burden, don't. "Instead of planning a vacation, just take time off to be at home and figure it out each day as you go," the Sindells suggest.

* Enlist back-up support. Ask a trusted coworker to back you up while you're away and offer to return the favor, Bywater suggests. "It's much easier to relax when you know someone's got you covered."

* Choose according to what you need. You may need a peaceful retreat from stress, or you may benefit from something more active and exciting. "Avoid the kind of vacation that will leave you even more exhausted than before," she adds.

* Give yourself a deadline. "Stop thinking about it and just do it," says Bywater. "Think of it as 'doctor's orders.'"

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The Corporate Crystal Ball: Future Workplace Trends

by Caroline Potter, Yahoo! HotJobs


The experts at Challenger, Gray and Christmas, the nation's first and premier outplacement consulting organization, have looked into the future to forecast what you can expect from the corporate world in the years to come. Curious? Read on to find out how and where you work today may be different than tomorrow.

1. Four-Day Workweeks (and Three-Day Weekends!)

The rising costs of fuel are driving some employers to allow workers to make their four-day workweek fantasy a reality. While not all professions provide all employees the opportunity to perform all their tasks in a fewer days, Challenger, Gray & Christmas reports, "Twenty-three percent of companies are now offering a condensed workweek, typically consisting of four 10-hour days."

Not everyone has to put in a full, 40-hour week to be effective. "With the latest productivity-enhancing tools, some workers are able to get their work done in a four-day, 32-hour week," says John Challenger, CEO of the outplacement firm.

2. Shape Up or Pay Up

Health-care insurance continues to take a big bite of everyone's bottom line. Expect employers to take a more personal interest in your well-being through mandatory corporate wellness programs. Challenger, Gray & Christmas predict, "Office equipment such as Steelcase's WalkStations, which allow workers to walk on treadmills while at their computers, will catch on nationwide." You can also look forward to your employer taking an interest in unhealthy behaviors you may engage in outside the office.

"More companies will follow the lead of one Indiana company, which announced that workers who allow health risks such as tobacco use, obesity or high cholesterol to go unchecked will pay more for their company health insurance beginning in 2009," says Challenger.

3. Why Your Degree May Be Company-Sponsored

College, or even graduate school, doesn't necessarily leave you prepared for the particular practices of a certain company. So that workers can hit the ground running, work more efficiently, and advance more quickly, Challenger, Gray & Christmas believe that large corporations will begin to create their own degree programs.

"Companies will initiate entire programs with precise coursework centered around their company culture and goals, eliminating the need for extensive on-the-job training, and saving both the company and the workers thousands of dollars," Challenger says.

4. Recruitment Goes Global

If you ever dreamed of working in another country, the possibility is drawing ever closer. Challenger explains, "The expansion of the global economy will likely lead to a global talent pool where companies will aggressively pursue the best available workers, regardless of where they reside." The firm's research reveals that corporations in Europe and Asia have already increased their efforts to recruit foreign talent -- yet another reason to keep your passport current!

5. Kiss Your Cube Goodbye

Are you tired of the solitude of your cubicle? If so, John Challenger's got some good news for you. "In order to maximize employee interaction and teamwork, many companies will eliminate the isolating cube and redesign their workspace to feature common areas, conference rooms, and tables, as opposed to individual desks." Look for greater access to wireless so that you can work in different locations with your laptop -- and increased opportunities for telecommuting.

6. HQ's Get 86'd

The image of a hulking headquarters building will fade as fast as old newspapers in the years to come. Challenger, Gray & Christmas are envisioning the death of "Death Star"-like behemoths at which all employees must work. Instead, says Challenger, "In an effort to cut real-estate costs, become more eco-friendly and attract the growing number of works who want increased work-life balance, more and more companies will adopt a 'work wherever you want, whenever you want' policy."

If professionals require a traditional office, they will "work in leased office space close to their homes." Some companies are already embracing this forward-thinking notion, including AT&T, Best Buy, and Sun Microsystems, the latter of which estimates that it saved $400 million in real-estate costs over a six-year period, according to Challenger's research.

7. Athletes Aren't the Only Free Agents

Baseball and basketball players, among others, aren't the only talented people who can be free agents. Expect more white-collar workers to follow their example. "The move to hiring temporary and contract employees, freelancers and consultants is beneficial for both companies and workers," Challenger says.

Companies, he believes, will save money and can add support on an as-needed basis while free agents enjoy flexibility in terms of when they work and types of projects they accept while also increasing their earning potential. And this prediction is already taking root, as Challenger, Gray & Christmas reveal that more than one-third of the U.S. workforce will be comprised of free agents by the year 2012 (according to market research firm EPIC-MRA).

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