Facebook Tips for Working Professionals

by Doug White, Robert Half International

To friend or not to friend, that is the question.

As more people embrace Facebook and other social media websites for business purposes, the already fine line between what's professional and what's personal continues to blur. It can be difficult to determine which work-related contacts to connect with and what content to share. Here is some friendly advice:

Let your boss make the first move. According to a new Robert Half survey, nearly half of executives polled said they are uncomfortable getting Facebook friend requests from people they manage.

Regardless of how much rapport you have in the office, your supervisor simply might not want to connect with employees on personal networking sites. Avoid awkwardness by waiting for your boss to reach out to you first. And if you choose to accept the friend request, make sure you don't post anything you wouldn't want him or her to see!

Protect your privacy -- and your professional image. Familiarize yourself with Facebook's privacy settings. Remember: Unless you use this feature, every word or image you post can be seen by all of your Facebook friends. Do you really want coworkers and clients to view your vacation photos?

Adopt a better-safe-than-sorry approach by creating a separate "work" list and limiting the content you make accessible to those contacts. You can even go a step further and customize your settings to block specific individuals from viewing certain sections of your profile, such as photos of you and your friends.

Exercise good judgment. This common-sense message bears repeating: Don't be your own worst enemy. If you have a bad day, cool off before clicking. Badmouthing your boss, a colleague, or a hiring manager through Facebook is a highly risky move that's come back to haunt many professionals. Similarly, if you're currently employed (and you want to remain so), think twice before writing status updates about your search for a better job. In addition, avoid becoming a fan of potentially controversial people or products, or taking online quizzes (for which there are no privacy controls) that could be deemed unprofessional.

Consistently monitor your online reputation. Managing your so-called "digital footprint" requires more than merely monitoring what you post. Check your Facebook account regularly to keep tabs on the information others are broadcasting about you.

You'll want to act quickly if someone makes an inappropriate comment on your Facebook wall ("Steve, are you still working for that boneheaded boss?") or identifies you in an embarrassing photo. You can easily delete comments posted on your wall and untag yourself from pictures by clicking "Remove Tag" under the image. You also might contact the person to express your displeasure and politely request that he or she keep your professional reputation in mind in the future.

While Facebook enables savvy professionals and job seekers to build key connections, there are also many pitfalls to sidestep. By taking the tips highlighted above, you can be sure that Facebook helps -- not hinders -- your career.

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10 strategies for success

Research shows that there are ten basic strategies that people consider most effective in dealing with the obstacles or challenges that come their way.

1. Set Goals. Make them explicit, something that can be achieved in the near future, challenging and attainable.
2. Write the goals down.
3. Make each goal build on the past. You should be able to see a progression.
4. Offer yourself a small reward. Pat yourself on the back whenever you score yourself a victory on the way toward your goal.
5. Social support. Surround yourself with people who believe in you and support your goals.
6. Orchestrate the environment. Make sure you have all the required equipment and have arranged your schedule so you are able to perform the necessary tasks. This might also include observing others whose achievements inspire you.
7. Start with a non-competitive situation. Challenge yourself first. After you have met your personal goal, you can pit yourself against others, if you desire.
8. Monitor your progress. Periodically check to see if you are moving in the right direction, closer to your goal.
9. Adjust your approach. If, after monitoring your progress, you find that you have veered away from your goal, change your course. Numbers 8 and 9 may have to be repeated several times before you achieve your ultimate goal.
10. Make these steps a habit. Then each time you have a new goal, you will automatically be able to repeat these ten steps.

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How to Get the Salary You Want

By JL

A tight job market might have taken away some jobseekers' leverage in a salary negotiation, but that doesn't mean they should roll over and accept the first offer, says New York-based executive coach Rabia de Lande Long. To get the top compensation possible—without putting a sour taste in your potential employer's mouth—take these steps.

1. Do your research.

It used to be hard to find out what your coworkers and other professionals in your industry get paid. But now, several resources have attempted to opened that black box, says Ms. de Lande Long. Salary.com and Payscale.com give salary ranges to expect based on a job seeker's position, location, and experience. Employees at the actual company you're applying to might have also posted their salaries at GlassDoor.com. 

2. Don't give out the first number.

You'll be pressured to do this through the application process. "What's your salary requirement?" "What salary range are you looking for?" "What do you get paid now?"

Whatever you do, never give out the first number, says Ms. de Lande Long. If your answer is too high, you might not make it to the next stage. Too low, and an employer will either think you're not qualified or desperate. So, if possible, write "NA" on applications.

If you're pressured to say how much you make during the interview process, try giving your "total compensation," which many large employers will break out for you on the company's internal human resources website. If your current employer doesn't do that, just spell out your salary, benefits, bonuses, and anything else your current employer offers, says Decatur, Ga. career coach Walter Akana. If the new company doesn't offer some of similar benefits, the HR manager will know that your new salary would have to be bumped up to reflect that, he says.

If the interviewer still presses for a required salary, try giving a range of $15,000 rather than a specific number, Mr. Akana says.The low amount should be the minimum you'd be happy with and the high amount should be what would make you happy.

3. Don't lie.

"It's so easy to get someone in HR to verify a salary, even if they're not supposed to," says Ms. de Lande Long. Even if you make it to a job offer, the false salary could come out during a background check, which could result in an outright retraction of the offer or at least upset an employee's new boss. "And from that point onward, you might face trouble in negotiations not just with your new employer, but with everyone in your industry who has heard. Word gets around," says Ms. de Lande Long.

4. Don't take the first offer.

Most employers expect candidates to try to negotiate. So they leave room in the first offer for a raise, says Mr. Akana. If possible, try to arrange a face-to-face meeting with the hiring manager rather than someone in human resources. The hiring manager is more likely to be flexible, says Mr. Akana. "

Say that you're flattered to have an offer and really want to join the team, but that there are a couple specific items that you're sure you could resolve if you put your heads together," says Mr. Akana. Despite the pressure on salaries during the downturn, a good rule of thumb is to ask for a 10% higher salary, says Ms. de Lande Long.

If the hiring manager says budget restrictions keep him from going as high as you'd like, it might be that the position is "graded" to be within a certain salary band by HR, says Mr. Akana. It's worth asking if the boss can ask the appropriate person for the job to be re-graded. The worst he can say is no.

5. Once that's locked in, go for other benefits.

Despite what you might have heard, many benefit packages aren't flexible, says Ms. de Lande Long. So, while it's worth asking, it might be difficult to modify the health plan. Your success in getting more vacation days depends on the employer, says Ms. de Lande Long.

Your potential boss might be hesitant to give you more days if it will make other employees think they're being treated unfairly. Instead, focus on things that are easy for the employer to provide, such as a work-from-home arrangement for one day a week, if the employer has made such arrangements in the past, says Mr. Akana.

If you still feel your package is too low, ask if it can be reviewed again in six months. "That way, you can show them that you're worth the money," he says.

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C'mon, Get Happy: Tips for Staying Positive at Work

by Caroline M.L. Potter

It's a lot easier to put on a happy face at the office when things are going well. But in lean times amid hiring freezes and an unpredictable future, it can be difficult to remain optimistic when you're on the job, especially when bad news about the economy is prevalent.

Sonja Lyubomirsky, author of "The How of Happiness: A New Approach to Getting the Life You Want," has pinpointed several strategies to help anyone become happy. She claims, "Everything I say is based on science. The strategies I've chosen are supported by studies that have tested them."

To start seeing your morning cup of coffee as half full, Lyubomirsky recommends that workers:

1. Embrace Gratitude. "Focus on really appreciating what you have at work. Maybe it's a valued colleague or your boss. Or maybe it's merely the fact that you don't have to drive very far to get there," she says, adding, "You can also express gratitude directly to people in the workplace, which can really strengthen your connections with your coworkers."

2. Commit Random Acts of Kindness. Lyubomirsky recommends doing things to help your coworkers without being prompted. "Give a colleague a ride to the airport. Or offer up one of your own sick days to someone who doesn't have any left." She points out that the benefits of committing these acts are good for both parties. "It's a good thing to do -- and it also makes you happier in the process."

3. Be Optimistic. Instead of getting bogged down in the challenges of today, she urges, "Think about the future. Think about your goals. Imagine your dreams coming true." If you don't think about things in an optimistic way, you could fall prey to a self-fulfilling prophecy, in which you've set yourself up for failure.

4. Reach out to Others. Don't isolate yourself from your office mates. Instead, reach out and engage people. Lyubomirsky, who is a professor of psychology at University of California, Riverside, says, "Social support is very important. Being around other people boosts positive emotions. It's almost like a miracle!"

5. Refuse to Ruminate. When engaging with others around the workplace, focus on problem solving -- not stewing. Says the researcher and writer, "Rumination is just going over and over the same thing and dwelling on it. It doesn't go anywhere, and it just makes you feel worse. You think you're going to get insight, but you're really just going from A to B to A to B. Avoid going in a circle and try to problem-solve together to move forward.

There are also other practical and simple shortcuts to happiness, as discovered by a group of researchers in the U.K. and discussed in the BBC documentary "Making Slough Happy," which aired in 2005. They recommend any of these office-friendly tactics to help buoy your spirits:

* "Plant something and nurture it." There are plants that will thrive in even the lowest light, and caring for one can add a bright touch to a dreary workplace.

* "Give yourself a treat every day and take the time to really enjoy it." Whether it's a chocolate after lunch or a cup of your favorite tea, a rewarding ritual can help you feel positive.

* "Have a good laugh at least once a day." Find your funniest coworker -- or head over to Sling.com or YouTube.com -- for a chuckle on your lunch break.

* "Smile at and/or say hello to a stranger at least once each day." Perhaps it's during your commute or in the company cafeteria, but take time to spread some goodwill to someone you don't know.

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10 Ways To Develop Confidence In New Situations

by Maria Marsala

Summary: Very few people are at ease striking up a conversation in a room full of strangers. Here are some simple ways to make network meetings more productive and more fun.

Do you enjoy one-on-one networking, however, the thought of walking into room full of people you don't know horrifies you?



You're not alone. Yes, even a social butterfly, President of the Social Committee in High School and avid networker knows how you feel. Here are some of my tricks. And they have all worked!

* A great way to network at a conference is to volunteer at the registration desk. Why? You get to say hello to everyone who registers in your line and everyone who registers gets to see you behind the registration table. At the event, you'll feel more comfortable talking with people because you've "met" them already. And if those aren't enough benefits, people will "recognize you" from the registration desk, and be more likely to come talk with you.

* Once you join a new group, ask the Chairperson what volunteer opportunities are available. Take on a small or large task, based on what you like to do and/or do something that may quietly help you market your business.

* If you teach a class or speak, go into the room early. Get a feel for it, change it around if need be, and greet everyone who walks in with a big "hello my name is ...". Bring name tags or recycle the tops of old manila folders, have each person put their name on it, and put it on the table in front of them.

* When you are planning to attend a meeting for the first time, call up whomever you can from the organization. Ask them if you can meet them at the meeting. Then you'll "know" someone that you can look for when you arrive.

* Carry a nametag in your glove compartment. Make one for personal use, another for business use. Then people will feel more comfortable walking up to you in meetings.

* Put your notes on the back of duplicates of pictures (photography) you've taken. Then they won't stick out so much from the podium (like white paper or index cards do.)
*

Practice some opening lines and your handshake before you attend the event. Practice using a mirror and ask your family to let you practice on them, too.

* Develop two a 30-second commercials (also called elevator speeches, USP - unique selling propositions). One is for personal use, and the other would be for business use. On a recent telelclass I attended, provided by Jay Levinson of Guerrilla Marketing fame, suggested creating a 7 word commercial, too.

* Remember that everyone in that room is a human being, too. Everyone has their own fears to deal with... and they might even be the same as yours.

* Find other ways to build your confidence, too. Email me the ones that work for you.

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Have Confidence on the Job

Confidence, high self-esteem, and ambition are qualities that will help you in your career path.

Some qualities of a person cannot be learned, but rather are nurtured and grown. Ambition and confidence are two of these qualities. One of the main pillars of ambition is high self esteem. According to career publisher CareerJournal.com, self-acceptance and faith-in-oneself allows confidence and ambition to grow. Lacking this personal characteristic can put a serious damper on your career goals. Here is how to let your personality shine and make way for your professional life.

High self-esteem

Low self-esteem is one of the major stumbling blocks to achieving your goals. CareerJournal.com says no personal characteristic is more important to workplace success than self-esteem. Self-esteem is the foundation for all the other characteristics you want to build. Ways to increase your self-esteem include:

• Stomp negative thoughts - Recognize when you are thinking negative and change attitude. Power of mind over body.
• Deal with disappointment - Instead of crushing yourself over something that went afoul, focus on what you learned and how to do it better next time.
• Goal Focused - A good example is overweight people trying to slim down. Instead of focusing on what is not being accomplished, think about your goal, in this case: what will life be like as a healthy person?

Be realistic about yourself. Don't set outlandish goals that are impossible. Shoot for the moon, but set a realistic path to get there so you will limit disappointment.

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Five Strategies for Leveraging Your Online Social Networks

by E. Chandlee Bryan

In less than five years, Facebook has emerged as a household name and now has more than 70 million active users, according to Facebook statistics. A recent ExecuNet newsletter reports that "60 percent of wealthy Americans with an average income of $287,000/year and net worth of $2.1 million participate in online social networks, compared to just 27 percent a year ago." These individuals belong to an average 2.8 networks.


While online social networks are useful in terms of helping you make connections, developing a great "brand" identity and maintaining a good online reputation is of critical importance. This article will provide five strategies for creating online social networking that will help you build your reputation and leverage your contacts


Five Strategies for Using Online Networking

• Be Selective. It's not who you know, it is "who knows you back." Connect only with friends and colleagues who will speak favorably of you, and who you will recommend to others.
• Be a Good Friend. One of the best ways to create loyalty, brand identity and a good online reputation is to share non-proprietary information that is of potential interest to your contacts. You can greatly increase the value of your network by sharing what you know. A great way to learn of potential topics of interest to your friends is to create Google News Alerts or feeds that will send you automatic alerts with current information.
• Be Polite and Cautious. If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say it all. Remember that adding comments to blogs and uploading pictures can leave a permanent trail and written record. Posting information online is like sending a postcard -- anyone can see it, and it could get in the hand of the wrong person.
• Be Vigilant. Many employers search the Web prior to making interview invitations or employment offers. Be careful how you share personal information. For example, never Twitter (see sidebar, To Twitter or Not to Twitter) about a job offer until you've accepted, or Tweet about a resignation. Negative comments can spread like a nasty pandemic. A general rule of thumb: if your mom would be embarrassed, publish under a pseudonym if you must. Set up a Google News Alert to monitor information about you that is available on the web -- and request removal of negative comments or inaccurate information.
• Be Transparent. Share information about your career, your interests, and what's important to you. Update your info regularly with care. The more your contacts know of your interests, the more they can be of help to you.

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Boss, Apakah Tim Anda Tetap Mempertahankan Produktifitasnya Saat Anda Pergi?

Pernah mendengar peribahasa kucing pergi, tikus menari? Peribahasa ini menggambarkan betapa bahagianya anak buah saat atasan atau pemimpin mereka pergi meninggalkan kantor. Dilanda euphoria sesaat, seringkali tanpa disadari karyawan mengabaikan pekerjaan dan tanggung jawab. Terlebih jika pemimpin pergi cukup lama, perasaan bebas dari kekangan terasa seperti angin segar disela rutinitas kantor yang membosankan.

Ketika Anda alias si boss kembali ke kantor, Anda mendapati beberapa pekerjaan yang terbengkalai, muncul kelalaian menjalankan tanggung jawab sehingga produktifitas menurun. Hal ini pada akhirnya berdampak pada satu kenyataan: target tak terpenuhi. Setelah melakukan evaluasi, Anda tidak melihat adanya masalah yang berarti kecuali ketiadaan Anda sebagai pemimpin yang terbiasa mengawasi mereka.

Idealnya, tim Anda tidak kehilangan ritme kerja dan produktifitas walaupun pemimpinnya tidak mengawasi sepanjang hari. Tentu saja Anda ingin membangun tim yang bisa mempertahankan performa dan kinerjanya tanpa micro management dan campur tangan dalam setiap aspek pekerjaan. Siapapun mengimpikan anggota tim yang menjalankan pekerjaannya karena rasa tanggung jawab, bukan karena ada bos yang mengawasi di belakang mereka sepanjang waktu. Sebelum hal ini terlanjur terjadi atau terulang kembali, ada beberapa tips yang bisa membantu :

1. Persiapkan dari awal.
   Ciptakan lingkungan yang mendorong mereka bekerja secara mandiri tanpa pengawasan Anda sepanjang waktu. Tunjukkan bahwa Anda percaya bahwa mereka akan menyelesaikan tugas dan mencapai target, terlebih lagi jika mereka telah lama ada di tim Anda. Tanamkan sense bahwa mereka bertanggung jawab atas setiap pekerjaan yang diberikan kepada mereka. Biarkan mereka bekerja dengan cara mereka sendiri selama hal tersebut tidak bertentangan dengan nilai yang dianut perusahaan. Jangan membuat perkembangan karakter dan keterampilan mereka mandek karena terbiasa ‘disuapi’ oleh pemimpinnya.


2. Delegasikan.
   Jangan bertugas keluar sebelum menetapkan siapa yang sementara akan memegang tanggung jawab Anda. Pemegang kekuasaan temporary ini bisa wakil, anggota senior tim atau orang lain yang kompentensi dan pribadinya Anda percayai. Anda memang tidak bisa mengharapkan orang tersebut memberikan efek seperti layaknya seorang pemimpin terhadap anggota tim, namun yang perlu diciptakan adalah sense bahwa walaupun pemimpin absent sementara waktu, ada orang yang yang memegang tanggung jawab tersebut.


3. Detailkan.
   Jelaskan kepada pengganti sementara hal rutin yang harus dikerjakan dan laporan yang harus diberikan pada Anda secara berkala. Pastikan bahwa pengganti tersebut memiliki kompetensi dan kemampuan untuk memegang tanggung jawab lebih sementara waktu. Rincikan hal yang bisa diputuskan oleh karyawan tersebut dan hal yang tetap harus melalui persetujuan Anda.


4. Umumkan.
   Terutama jika Anda harus bertugas ke luar cukup lama, sampaikan secara resmi kepada anggota tim, termasuk informasi bahwa Anda telah menunjuk orang yang akan memegang posisi Anda sementara. Informasikan hal yang bisa diselesaikan melalui pengganti Anda atau tetap melalui Anda. Jangan lupa untuk menyampaikan bahwa Anda mengharapkan performa dan target tetap berjalan seperti biasa.


5. Be accessible.
   Tugas di luar kota tidak membuat Anda serta merta kehilangan kontak dengan anggota tim. Terlebih dengan perkembangan tekhnologi, rasanya tidak ada hal yang tidak bisa dikomunikasikan hanya karena halangan jarak. Tetap jalin komunikasi dengan pengganti Anda dan anggota tim untuk menanyakan progress pekerjaan dan hal yang membutuhkan persetujuan Anda.



Remember!
Ciptakan suasana kerja yang akan mendukung berkembangnya rasa tanggung jawab karyawan Anda sejak awal

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Facebook's paternalistic attitudes aren't empowering

By danah boyd,


(CNN) -- Facebook's privacy problems have been in the news ... again.

Although complaints may have started deep in the blogosphere, even Time Magazine has made them its cover story.

In response, Facebook announced a new privacy model to address complaints that it's too darn hard to actually navigate privacy settings on Facebook. (Well, duh.)

It's not yet clear whether Facebook's changes will satiate the Facebook citizenry (let alone the rabid critics), but the conversations about privacy settings tend to emphasize only a fraction of the core concerns.

Facebook rightfully believes that it's important to give users control over their settings, to empower them to make decisions about what's accessible. But Facebook can also be condescending, suggesting that they know what's best for their users because they have so much data about them (which they do).

Unfortunately, Facebook's data tells them a lot about what people do but little about why they do it. They know that people aren't quitting Facebook, but that doesn't mean that users aren't frustrated or concerned (or would be if they understood what was happening).

Don't get me wrong -- the privacy settings are confounding even for the most experienced digerati and I'm very glad that they're addressing this fundamental issue.

But in doing so, I hope that they realize that the main reason for so much public outrage goes beyond privacy settings. The issue is fundamentally about trust and informed consent.

When people share information with Facebook, they become vulnerable to Facebook. They trust Facebook to respect their interests. Facebook has the power to expose people in ways that make their lives really miserable.

Because of that power, it's crucial that they stop telling users what's best for them and start engaging in a more meaningful dialogue.

Changing things and then forcing users to opt out is manipulative. Instead, they should be seeking informed consent -- actively working with users to help make sure that they understand what's at stake in their choices.

It is unacceptable for a company like Facebook to trick people into "consenting" to make their data more visible than they might think that it is.

People should be able to understand Facebook's changes and have choices available that allow them to make appropriate decisions. When Facebook changed its privacy settings in December, far too many people clicked on through without realizing that a few mouse clicks meant that they were exposing their status updates to the world.

Many people may know exactly how not-private their Facebook profile or updates are. But do they? I recommend using ReclaimPrivacy to scan your privacy settings.

Keep in mind that "Everybody" is more than the people searching for you on Facebook -- this includes every company or individual who wants to use your information for any purpose.

In many ways, it's more accessible than simply posting something on a public website and waiting for Google to find it. And keep in mind that "Friends-of-Friends" means more than the people that you'd invite to a birthday party.

I talked with a young woman who vowed that she'd never friend her mother; she didn't realize that if she friended her aunt and her aunt friended her mother than "Friends-of-Friends" included her mother. Do people really know who is included in their "Friends-of-Friends?"

Facebook doesn't just need to fix its privacy settings. It needs to fix its attitude and repair its relationship with its users. Facebook isn't just a space for users to share; it is built on the backs of people and profits off of the data people entrust to them. An abusive relationship is simply unacceptable.

Facebook must go beyond paternalism and start empowering users to help guide the future of the service. It starts with committing to an opt-in approach to changes and developing features that allow users to have complete transparency as to how their data is exposed to, and used by, third parties.

It then requires innovating ways to actively engage participants. Facebook built a platform for mass sharing, but if it wants to change the world, it must also develop mechanisms for informed participation.

With great power comes great responsibility.

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Nintendo 3DS, 'Rage' among Best of E3 nominees

By Larry Frum


(CNN) -- Nintendo's jump into 3-D gaming and "Rage," a game that combines racing with first-person shooting, topped the list of nominees in "The Best of E3 2010."

The list of Game Critics Award nominations, released Tuesday, features five mentions for "Rage" (id Software/Bethesda), a new game franchise, and 15 nominations for game publisher Electronic Arts.

The nominations are drawn from game and hardware presentations made at the Electronic Entertainment Expo, or E3, in Los Angeles, California, in early June. The judges represent 31 different gaming publications.

See complete coverage of the 2010 Electronic Entertainment Expo.

In the "Best of Show" category, one new gaming console garnered a nomination along with four game titles. The Nintendo 3DS, a hand-held console that displays 3-D images without the use of special glasses, beat out new motion-controllers from Microsoft (Kinect) and Sony (Move).

Neither of those controllers, designed to compete against Nintendo's Wii console, were nominated in the top category.

The four games in the top category cross all platforms.

-- "Dance Central" (Harmonix/MTV Games) is a dance video game exclusive to the Kinect/Xbox 360.

-- "Disney's Epic Mickey" (JunctionPoint/Disney Interactive Studios) will be available on the Wii and features the classic Disney icon in a cartoon land gone wrong.

-- "Portal 2" (Valve) drew cheers at E3 when it was announced. It returns players to the labs of Apature Science and the company of the soft-spoken, but homicidal computer, GLaDOS.

-- "Rage" rounds out the group that received "Best of Show" nods.

Both "Portal 2" and "Rage" will be released for the PC, PS3 and Xbox 360. "Portal 2" will also be available for Mac.

Awards will be announced on July 6. A full list of all 2010 nominations can be found here.

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Making Your Home Office a Success

These days there is an ever-increasing trend of people working from their homes. And it is easy to see why; working at home is cheaper and more convenient than commuting to an office.

However, as can be expected with this thriftiness and convenience, working at home comes with a certain risk: that of distractions and temptations to laze around the house having fun or relaxing.

When it comes to working out of a home office, there are many things that can stand in the way of your productivity. This article will outline a few of them and recommend ways to avoid them and get the most out of the time you spend working at home.


Avoid Distraction at all Cost

The most important thing to avoid while working at home is distraction. This can come in many forms, but will always detract from your working abilities. The most common source of distractions, unsurprisingly, is you.

Since so many at-home jobs these days involve computers, it is easier than ever to spend a few minutes here and there surfing the net or listening to music. But a few minutes here and there can add up to more than expected.

It is important to keep your workplace free of entertaining distractions. For many people this means having two different personal computers: one for work and one for play. This will help you stay focused on the task at hand. You will be amazed at how much more work you get done when you spend the entire day working with no messing around!


Home Office Organization Techniques

Another way to ensure that you get the most out of the time you spend working at home is to make sure that your office is optimally organized. Simply having the most expensive desk, chair, and shelving available is not enough; your home office’s furnishings have to mesh with one another.

In other words, you should consider things like how much space they occupy before purchasing them. Doing so will help you come up with an office layout that is maximally efficient. In these days where people are either tight on money or tight on space, or both, something like the Techni Mobili Computer Desk is a popular choice.


What Room of the House to Use

Another factor that will contribute to the efficiency of the time you spend in your home office is its location. You should make sure the area you have set aside to do at-home work is not used for other purposes, if possible. It does not take any more than a person walking by to distract you from your work and require you to spend extra time refocusing your attention.

As far as time is concerned, every little bit adds up, and, as the saying goes, “time is money.” There are other factors associated with your home office’s location that you should also consider. For example, how much sunlight gets to your office during the time you work?

How many electrical outlets are available to you without using a surge protector? Do you have space to perform all the working actions you need to perform? And finally, do you feel comfortable working in the area you have chosen?


The All-Important Office Desk

The office desk you choose to use is one of the major factors determining how comfortable your working area will be. For this reason, it is important to put a large amount of planning into the purchase of your office desk. Available models vary according to available features, quality of materials used, storage space, etc.


It is important to know your needs before beginning to shop for a desk. For example, you should not buy a desk with four drawers intended to store paper files if your work does not involve keeping any kind of paper records. Office desks can be expensive, and picking one that suits rather than exceeds your needs is a great way to save some money.


Sit on It for a While

Women at a deskPicking the right office chair is another great way to save. It can be tempting to buy the most expensive, comfortable chair on the market, justifying it as a “business expense,” but ultimately you should consider how much time you plan on spending sitting in the chair each day.

If your back can handle sitting at a cheap chair for the few hours per day you spend working at home, you can save serious dollars by purchasing an inexpensive chair or using one you already have around the house. All things considered, the most important thing to consider when planning the layout of your home office is practicality; does your design allow you to complete the work you need to complete in a clutter- and stress-free environment?

If not, try to come up with a plan for reducing the elements involved with your home office that are cutting into your efficiency. And remember, your home office is yours; there is nobody to blame for things not getting done but yourself.

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Email Tips For The Job Seeker

by Nathan Newberger

Most people take the power of email for granted. For most people that is okay, but for job searchers, your email form and content is an expression of yourself. Its IMPORTANT that you cover the email basics.

FACT
The days of job searching using postal mail are vanishing. Some experts even say initial telephone correspondence during the job search process is being replaced by e-mail or "electronic mail". Mainly because its easy, inexpensive, and you can reach a large audience with a few keystrokes.

During the job search process you may be using e-mail more than you imagined. Before you know it you will be e-mailing recruiters, employers, previous co-workers, sending resumes back and forth, etc.

The following eight tips will help make sure that your e-mail looks professional and get the attention of the reader. 

8 Tips To Make The Most Of your E-Mail 

#1 - OBTAIN A SEPARATE (job search only) E-MAIL ACCOUNT:
Use this e-mail address on your resumes and for corresponding with recruiters, contacts and prospective employers. Do not give this out to your friends and family or your favorite on-line shopping sites. The purpose of this career only account is to help you stay focused on your job search. By setting up an e-mail account for only career purposes you minimize the potential for distraction. 

#2 CHECK YOUR E-MAIL REGULARLY:
This means at a minimum three times a day (morning, afternoon and evening). It is highly recommended that you log on more often as recruiters often use this medium to inform you of potential leads and possibilities. Ignore this rule and you may find that your golden opportunity has passed you by.

#3 - ALWAYS RESPOND PROMPTLY:
How would you feel if you left someone a phone message and he/she did not respond promptly? Offended because he/she did not take the time to respond back? Worried that maybe the message never made it to him/her? It’s no different with e-mail. The rules of common courtesy still apply. Whenever possible, reply within the same day. Make sure that you respond to all e-mail with-in 24 hours at the latest. Do this even if only to say that you received the original e-mail and will need more time to do what is requested.

#4 - UTILIZE THE SUBJECT LINE:
The subject line is the first thing that a person sees when he/she checks his/her e-mail. Make it worthwhile. Best practice is to summarize the overall purpose/objective of the e-mail in the subject line. “ACME Brick position” will work. However, “Follow-Up: ACME Brick Fin Mgr Position” is better. Keep in mind that the person that you are e-mailing may receive dozens of e-mails each day. When short on time, he/she will scan the subject lines of his/her e-mails and answer the ones that seem most important first. 

#5 - SPELLING AND GRAMMAR RULES STILL APPLY:
Poor spelling and grammar can make you appear at best careless and at worst poorly educated. Neither characterization is appealing when worn by the job seeker. Read over and spell-check each e-mail before you send it. If you don’t have access to spell-check, then utilize the services of a friend or your trusty dictionary. The extra few seconds won’t break your schedule and might make all the difference in your job search. 

#6 - KEEP IT SHORT AND SWEET:
Think back to all the English papers you wrote in high school. Now make sure that your e-mail correspondence does not look anything like that (except as mentioned in the previous point). E-mail is a casual and direct form of business correspondence. As a general rule, try and keep your e-mail under a page. Do not waste time with fancy words or flowery phrases. Make your point using the smallest amount of words reasonably possible. Remember that your target audience is often short on time. If they open up your e-mail and it looks like an essay, they may become frustrated and not bother to read it at all. 

#7 - FORGET BEING CUTE:
Never forget that you are looking for a job. Save the smiley faces, colored fonts, exclamation points, etc. for your friends and family. For the most part, they do not belong in your job-search e-mails. Also, e-mails may be informal business communication, but do not throw all rules of etiquette out the window. Always be courteous in your writing. 

#8 - Your Sign-off:
You should close each e-mail with a proper sign-off. It may be as simple as “Thanks-Jeff Smith”. Often times, it is useful to include contact information as well as any certifications in your sign-off. Many e-mail services (i.e., MS Outlook) have an auto signature function that allows you to set up a customized sign-off that can be inserted at the end of your e-mail. 

CONCLUSION
E-mail is indeed a powerful tool for the job seeker, but keep in mind that the decision to use it or not may depend on your audience. While most employers have welcomed the technology age and happily accept e-communication, there are some who may not be as comfortable. With the latter, it is often a good idea to stick to the phone or postal mail for your correspondence. How to tell the difference? It’s often easiest to just ask. More often than not, they will be an e-mail aficionado.

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Holiday Job Searching Tips

by Nathan Newberger

The holiday season is just around the corner. To many people, that means bells ringing, carolers singing and job openings waning. However, the holiday season offers some rare career opportunities that are not available the rest of the year. The real problem is that many job seekers cannot identify these opportunities.

• 1. Networking at holiday parties
• 2. Sending holiday cards with a purpose
• 3. Working around vacation schedules
• 4. Beating the holiday blues

1. Networking At Holiday Parties
The holidays bring more than a seemingly eternal string of parties. With these social outings come a string of fantastic networking opportunities. You can meet a wide array of people in many diverse fields. Even if you don't feel like attending a party, the opportunity is too great to pass up. To get the most out of the occasion, keep these points in mind:

• •  BE CONSERVATIVE. You are trying to impress potential employers and colleagues. The
      party may not be an interview, but some restraint must be exercised. Avoid revealing or
      questionable clothing and limit your alcohol consumption.
• •  BE CASUAL. Being overly aggressive about getting employment information will turn
      people away. You may be at the party to find a job, but everyone else came to unwind.
      As you meet new people, the topic of employment will eventually come up,
      and you can casually mention your job search.
• •  BE PREPARED. As a job hunter, you should always have business cards with you.
      Anyone you might talk to about work will meet a plethora of people over the course of the
      night. Giving them a business card gives them a reminder of who you are.

2. Sending Holiday Cards With A Purpose
It may seem a bit cheesy, but holiday cards are a fantastic and easy way to get the attention of an employer or recruiter. There is a good chance you will be sending cards to friends and family already, so there is not very much extra work to do.

While the process is not complicated, it involves a little more effort than shoving a card into an envelope, there are a few things to keep in mind:

• •   Avoid holiday specific cards. As a matter of professionally courtesy and respect for
      religious diversity, use generic cards with messages like "Happy Holidays",
      "Season's Greetings" or "Happy New Year".
• •   Use a simple message inside your card, such as "Looking forward to seeing you in the
      New Year", "Happy to see you this holiday season" or "Best Wishes".
• •   Do not send cards to people you have not corresponded with. The real advantage of
      sending a holiday card is that it serves as an unimposing reminder to people
      with whom you have interviewed or discussed work. A stranger will toss the card in the
      trash.

3. Working Around Vacation Schedules
The biggest obstacle that a job hunter will face during the holiday season is timing. People go on vacations, schedules become tight, and open time slots vanish. This does not mean that people have stopped hiring.

To have any success, you will have to fight the hands of time. This means leaving yourself available and flexible.

Consider these points:

• •   The early bird catches the worm. If you contact a recruiter earlier in the holiday season,
      they will have more available time periods in their schedule.
• •   Since the holiday schedule is so chaotic, recruiters have time slots appear and
      disappear all the time. You never know when a recruiter may unexpectedly be
      available so be prepared for a call at anytime.
• •   Hold back on a vacation. If other job seekers are not available during the holidays and
      you are, you stand a much better shot at landing a job.

4. Beating The Holiday Blues
Regardless of financial position, people often get depressed and/or lonely during the holiday season. Being in between jobs cannot help the situation. In such a time, it is very easy to lose site of goals or suffer more serious psychological problems.

Tips on how to search for a job during the holidays are probably not going help you fight off clinical depression, but they can help you to kick those holiday blues out the door.

Try to remember:

• •   Create a holiday schedule. Schedules allow you to allocate time for constructive job
      hunting activities and set aside time for relaxation or holiday celebrations.
      This way you can be productive and enjoy yourself.
• •  'Tis the season to give. During the holiday season, a tremendous number of volunteer
      opportunities appear. Helping others can give you a sense of pride and even
      put a smile on your face. Furthermore, volunteering gives you more experience to put
      on your resume and opportunities to network with other people.
      At the very least, you will be contributing to your community

CONCLUSION
Many people fall into the illusion that career opportunities do not exist during the winter holidays, but this simply is not true. Some recruiters have even admitted that December is their busiest time of the year. This does not mean you are guaranteed to land a job, but it also does not mean that you should take a break from your search. With these tips and a bit of luck, you may just get the one thing you want the most this holiday season.
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Tax Tips For Job Seekers

by Nathan Newberger

That dreaded date is approaching very quickly. April 15th is just around the corner, which means it is time to file those tax returns. When economic conditions are tough, the last thing anyone wants to do is pay taxes. Luckily, you could be better off than you realize.
There are some very favorable rules embedded in the tax code for job seekers. When dealing with taxes, sometimes it pays to be between jobs.
This article briefly discusses some of the possible tax benefits for the unemployed. These are just tips that you may want to look into, please talk to a tax expert before filing your return. Don't pay more than you have to!
The following topics will be covered:

• 1. Basic Tax Deductions
• 2. The Big Bucks
• 3. Playing It Safe

1. Basic Tax Deductions
Many of the costs associated with a job search can be deducted from your income. As long as you are not entering the job market for the first time, searching for work in a different field of employment, or returning to work from a long spell of unemployment, many typical job search costs are tax deductible. Individually these costs can be small, but they can add up very quickly. Eligible expenses may include:

1. Phone calls and faxing fees
2. Costs for typing, printing, and mailing resumes
3. Employment agency fees
4. Ad space in newspapers, trade magazines, or on web sites
5. Traveling costs for job interviews (This does not just include airfare or public transportation. The costs of driving to an interview can be deducted on a mileage basis.)

The list continues on, but you get the picture.
The 2 most important things to remember are:

1. These expenses are only deductible if you itemize them.
2. Only job search expenses exceeding 2% of your adjusted gross income are tax deductible. (please check with a tax expert on the finer details)

2. The Big Bucks $$
The deductions don't begin and end with your minor expenses. As well as the small costs of printing, postage, etc, large expenses associated with the job hunt can also be deducted. The two primary "major expenses" are as follows:

1. EDUCATION - If you went back to school before taking a new job, your educational expenses can be curbed with tax deductions. Based on your adjusted gross income, you could be eligible for deductions of up to $3,000.
2. MOVING - Once you have finally found that new job, some of your moving expenses may be deducted for tax purposes. The only eligible expenses are ones that your current employer did not already cover. Furthermore, moving costs for a new job are only deductible if your new place of work is at least 50 miles from your old home. If these requirements are met, things like packing costs, mileage expenses, parking fees, tolls, and lodging while traveling are all tax deductible.

3. Playing It Safe
Tax deductions can be very tricky and very tempting. The worst idea you could get into your head is to start being a risk taker when it comes to your tax return. You may not always get caught bending the truth, but if you do, the IRS will have very little sympathy. Deductions related to the job search may also raise a bright red flag to the IRS. These types of expenses tend to get examined more thoroughly than others. So as you file your return, keep these things in mind:

1. Don't get creative and try to pile on expenses that are not truly exclusive to your job search. For example, a new suit may be needed for interviews, but its usefulness is not strictly confined to your job search.
2. Save your receipts. In the case that your deductions do draw suspicion, you can save yourself a lot of pain, time, and money if you have proof of all your expenses.
3. CHECK WITH AN EXPERT. We here at Worktree.com are job search experts, not tax accountants. Before you file a return with new types of deductions, it would be smart to get professional advice.

CONCLUSION
Don't be afraid to try and save money, however, please speak to an expert if you have any questions. As long as you play by the rules and only deduct legitimate expenses, you are in the clear. Being out of work is an economic burden on its own. Money can be even tighter when you have to spend large amounts on your job search but these tips may help you recover a portion of this. Use those deductions to your advantage, and do it quick - April 15th is just around the corner!

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Three Top Career Tips During the Holiday Season

Ah, the holidays! A time of joy and fun – and CELEBRATIONS. Almost every office environment no matter how small has something of an end of year celebration. It’s almost obligatory. The New Year is approaching; people are looking toward the future. You get the point. It’s amazing though how many people don’t understand that no matter how close they are with their co-workers, the office is still a professional environment. So here are three tips to keep it merry, but not overly so to ensure you want to return after the festivities have ended:

Do not party like it’s 1999: Office parties and good cheer are par for the course at the end of the year. You might be invited to more than one office extravaganza! Perhaps your co-workers are throwing a few bashes in addition to the office-sponsored event. This is not the time for you and Jack (Daniels) to become bosom buddies. I am not suggesting that you shouldn’t have a good time. BUT, just because you are at a party doesn’t mean you need to throw all caution to the wind and let it all hang out – if you know what I mean. Letting your inner tiger loose during one of these little soirees can leave a mark! Your professional reputation should be upheld at all times. This means no double fisted shots of tequila or a scene from Coyote Ugly, in which you are the star. Keep it clean – you will thank me!

The down low on office gifts: Sure, it’s a time where you might want to give out some gift to your office pals. This can get quite expensive; and where do you draw the line? If you start giving gifts to a few people, then you start thinking of others in the office like they are extended family. Before you know it, you have a LIST, I mean the kind of list that requires it’s own notebook. To save your pocketbook and back from carrying a car-load worth of goodies via public transportation, and then lugging said packages through the streets of New York or some other locale, consider suggesting a Secret Santa for the department or entire office. This will ensure that everyone gets a little something. Nobody will be left out; and you won’t have to break the bank to purchase tokens of appreciation to distribute to your office pals.

Be mindful of the religious and cultural beliefs of others: Not everyone in your office is the same religion as you; some folks don’t celebrate the same holidays as you do; and some don’t celebrate any end-of-year holidays at all. Be sensitive to others’ feelings, cultural, and religious preferences.

The holidays can and should be fun for you and the people you work with. Make sure that you maintain your professional demeanor to avoid being reminded through office chatter and the jibes of co-workers of behavior that you would rather everyone forget. Think of your personal reputation and act accordingly.

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4 Tips To Make Your Resume Scream, “Talk To Me!”

It has been said many times and in many ways, your resume is not to be designed to land you any job. It is not a biography. It is not a sales letter. Consider it more of your personal billboard. It will need to be seen, and a specific message received, probably more than once. The sales process of you convincing a prospective employer they were right in calling you in for more information, and then selling them on all the benefits to be gained by hiring you, will take place in the interview.Here are 4 tips to see your resume survive the elimination process and put the odds in your favor of getting a chance to sit down face-to-face and land that life-changing interview you so richly deserve:

1. Be Specific and Concise

One of the easiest ways to put this is to keep it short, sweet and to the point. When a Human Resources Department is scanning possibly a couple of hundred resumes, you can bet they are not much interested in reading long-winded, detailed, ‘my job required . . . blah, blah, blah.’ Keep it to what you were able to accomplish and how you were an asset in your past positions.

2. List Your Strongest Assets First

This may go against the chronological details of your training, strengths, skills and specific experiences. If you are motivated enough, you should tailor a resume for each employer. (If not, at least make the effort to write a specific cover letter for each position you are interested in.) That is why it is important to decide what resume format will best suit your needs.

3. Find and Make Liberal Use of Effective Keywords

Know that many companies are now using technology to scan resumes. Simply put, resumes will be scanned and then a program may be run searching for certain keywords that apply to a specific position. If none, or few, are found, you may find your precious resume sitting in the ‘No’ box with no further fanfare. You can get an idea of what is being sought by carefully reading the job descriptions. Also include words that imply action.

4. Seriously Consider Investing In Having Your Resume Done Right

When you prepare your resume, always try to keep the perspective of a harried hiring manager in mind. Better yet, why not just invest in a professional resume service?

You have invested thousands of dollars and hours in honing your skills. There is absolutely no reason to leave such an important document in the hands of one that is not attuned to the best methods to make sure you are putting your best ‘first-foot’ forward. (That would be you, or your friend, that puts one together.)

A professional resume will be prepared by those that know from direct experience the most effective format and information to provide. Maybe just as important, they will know what to keep out. It will be well laid out, optimized, and ensure more positive results.

Is your future worth anything less?

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5 Tips for Talking Money With a Potential Employer

Robert Half International

Discussing compensation and benefits with a potential employer when the economy is humming can be nerve--wracking; in a recession, it can be downright scary. But applicants should be ready -- and willing -- to bring up the topic with hiring managers. In fact, more than half (56 percent) of senior executive surveyed by Robert Half International said they are comfortable with applicants asking about salary in the first or second interview.

Following are five tips to help ensure you're well-prepared to negotiate compensation:

1.      Do your homework

Conduct research to determine your market value, or, in other words, what the skills and experience you possess are currently worth. Begin by reviewing salary surveys and publications such as Robert Half's annual Salary Guides, talking to colleagues and recruiters, and checking salary comparison Web sites. Keep in mind that your geographic area plays a significant role in determining pay levels -- it's unlikely that an IT manager in Boise, Idaho, will be paid as much as one in San Jose, Calif., for instance.

2.      Research the company

Is the firm in a position to bargain? Find out before attempting any salary negotiation. If you've been offered a job as a Web designer at a newly formed startup or a company that recently announced layoffs, your bargaining power may be limited. If the firm isn't able to offer the salary you seek, consider negotiating other elements of the compensation package, such as benefits, vacation days or flexible scheduling. Another option is to see if the company is willing to re-evaluate your compensation six months or a year after you start, assuming you've met performance expectations.

3.      Look at more than money

Whenever you are offered a new position, make sure to consider all aspects of the job. Will you gain more responsibility or work on a high-profile project that will be a valuable addition to your résumé? These factors may make up for a smaller compensation package. Consider the benefits package, too. In addition to health insurance and vacation time, some companies provide perks such as tuition reimbursement or on-the-job training. Determine which factors are critical to you -- perhaps that you have access to a retirement savings account -- and on which ones you're willing to compromise.

4.      Show them your value

Be prepared to show how the company's investment in you will pay off. Provide quantitative examples of your contributions to previous employers. Explain how your knowledge of a particular software program could save the business 10 percent in outsourcing fees or that your experience leading a product rollout will allow the company to complete the project more quickly. If you can provide a high ROI, you might be able to negotiate better compensation.

5.      Get it in writing

Once you've agreed on terms, ask the employer to draw up a letter that outlines the specifics to the offer, such as the position's key responsibilities, salary and any special arrangements that resulted from the negotiations. Having everything in writing will prevent misunderstandings down the line.

Flexibility and an open mind are critical to successful salary negotiation. By researching your market value, assessing the company's financial position and demonstrating return on investment, you'll most likely find an offer that's agreeable to both you and your new employer.

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8 Surefire Tips for Stay-at-Home Parents to Jump Back into a Career

by Sharon Reed Abboud

Transitioning back to work can be difficult for long time stay-at-home parents. Often transitioning career-seekers have lost touch with their professional network. They send their resume in response to job ads and usually end up without a job or with a job that is below their professional level. There is a better way.

Job-seekers who have been home for three, five, or even 10 years or more can ease into a professional job if they strategize their job search carefully. By considering the following eight factors with advice from some of America's career experts, most transitioning career-seekers should be able to jump right back into the professional work force.

1. It Really Is "Who You Know"

Remember the old saying: "It is who you know that gets you there." Well, it is as true as ever. Most employers fill jobs by people they know or have met through networking or connections. Stay-at-home parents are sometimes "out of the networking loop" and need to get back in and make or re-establish their connections.

Mary Ann Blackwell, a professional career coach and owner of Blackwell Career Management, Washington, DC, advises transitioning stay-at-home mothers to "build bridges" toward the workplace.

"Probably 80 percent of professional women find their jobs through contacts," Blackwell said. "You need to keep your professionalism activated." Blackwell advises career-seekers to join a professional group or association and go to meetings at least once a month all the time they are raising their children to network and keep abreast of their field. She also encourages career-seekers to join at least one civic organization in their community.

It is never too late to establish or re-ignite a network. Transitioning career-seekers should join or re-join professional organizations in their field and start to network and develop professional contacts by attending their meetings. Active career-seekers may want to volunteer to serve on committees within the organizations. Looking for an instant comeback? Volunteer to speak at a meeting or professional conference. Transitioning career-seekers are advised to subscribe to professional journals and re-acquaint themselves with trends in their industry.

"You need to develop a lifelong plan to be professionally abreast of the times," Blackwell said.

Elizabeth Wilcox, the Boston, MA-based author of The Mom Economy: The Mother's Guide to Getting Family-Friendly Work, agrees. "A lot of women, I find, underestimate not only the strength of their past professional network but also their at-home network," Wilcox said.

Wilcox advises transitioning career-seekers to find out what others do and how they can help you professionally. For example, Wilcox said she established a professional contact by asking another player on her women's soccer league what she did for a living. It turned out that they had similar career interests and eventually completed a project together. She also found the agent for her book through a contact at her local church.

"Don't be afraid to let people know what you are looking to do and don't underestimate anyone in your network," Wilcox said.

Tory Johnson, CEO of Women for Hire and author of Take this Book to Work: How to Ask for (and Get) Money, Fulfillment and Advancement also urges career-seekers to network with such network members as neighborhood friends and PTA contacts.

"These are people who know your work ethic and like you and trust you -- so they are more eager to either help you get hired or hire you themselves," Johnson said.

"Attitude is extremely important," when you are networking, said Blackwell. She advises transitioning career-seekers to project confidence and enthusiasm. "You need to be able to create a verbal resume," she added. "You ought to be able to tell people what you want to do." Transitioning career-seekers are advised to circulate in their groups and let people know that you are going back to work.

Blackwell encourages career-seekers to set up a few informational interviews with people in their network. In an informational interview, you meet to ask questions, share ideas, and expand your network -- not to ask for a job. [Editor's note: Learn all about how to conduct informational interviews in our Informational Interviewing Tutorial].

2. New horizons: Should You Consider a Career Change?

Stay-at-home parents often report that being home and re-entering the workforce allows them the possibility of re-examining their career goals and to sometimes consider a career change. It is an important time to reflect on questions such as "Who am I?", "What are my values?", and "What do I want to do with the rest of my life?"

"I think raising kids in general teaches you a lot about who you are, and it can be a very reflective time for a woman outside of the workplace�"said Career Strategist Ellen Dunagan, president of Traverse Management Solutions, Arlington, VA.

3. Paperwork 101: Marketing Yourself: Resumes, Cover Letters, Web Pages

Transitioning career-seekers will need to create or revise their resume. Job-seekers can research resume and cover-letter formats on Quint Careers. In today's job market, some career-seekers may want to consider creating their own web page.

Rather than focus on the employment gap, career-seekers should highlight volunteer experience and community involvement on their resume. Were you president of the PTA? Include it. Did you write the neighborhood newsletter? Add that, too. It is all valuable experience; just be sure to highlight the professional skills that you used in your volunteer positions.

"Transitioning back into the workplace can be made less difficult if a woman looks at her career trajectory as part of a continuum," said Wilcox.

Wilcox advises transitioning career-seekers to think about how to portray their non-employed status. Self-assessment should focus on how they have been maintaining their skills.

Blackwell said to focus on your "goals, objectives, and innate values" and "how your skills will transfer into a new job." She urges her clients to "downplay the mommy role" and focus on transferable professional skills gained through participation in professional and civic organizations.

Ann Crittenden, author of If You've Raised Kids, You Can Manage Anything, takes a different perspective. According to Crittenden, parenting skills are transferable to the workplace and the lessons of leadership can be learned from children.

"The difference between being a parent and managing adults is not all that different," Crittenden commented. "Motherhood is truly complex and highly skilled."

Crittenden said that management experts and trainers are teaching the very same people skills that are recommended in popular baby books. Key examples of transferable skills include the ability to multitask, emotional intelligence and the ability to negotiate, motivational skills, and the ability to maintain a good perspective in emotionally charged situations.

So should you include these skills on your resume or mention it in your interview? "It depends," said Crittenden. "You need to size up who is interviewing you. You can use a really creative resume if you have an interviewer who seems to �get it'." She said that today's climate is not yet the time to "brag" about your accomplishments as a mother in an interview but "past the time when you have to totally hide it."

In her book, Crittenden urges women to create several resumes � a traditional skills-based resume and a functional resume that focuses on the administrative and management skills gained through parenting.

4. Volunteering� "Making a Difference" While Building Your Resume

Wilcox advises transitioning career-seekers to volunteer for an organization and include these experiences on a resume. Volunteer work can be a way to update your skills and establish professional contacts

"My suggestion for mothers is to think about how to portray their non-employed status. Have they been leveraging or maintaining their skills in a non-profit in any way? Have they taken any courses to keep themselves abreast of technological advancements and industry change?" asked Wilcox. "If not, I suggest they think about how they can start applying those skills in a volunteer status while they look at how they can put themselves better abreast of industry developments."

"By volunteering, you leverage and maintain your skill set in a new capacity," Wilcox explained.

Volunteer opportunities can be invaluable, according to Blackwell, and you can sometimes meet a mentor at the organization who can help you with your career search.

Those with a flair for writing may want to try to publish an article in a professional publication, newspaper, or Website. Career-changers may want to volunteer to research and write an article related to their desired new career for a local newspaper. The resulting article will give them a degree of instant credibility and the opportunity to make contacts with the people interviewed for the article.

Transitioning career-seekers may want to consider volunteer opportunities in nearly every industry and interest category that are available nationwide through USA Freedom Corps. Prospective volunteers can enter their industry category and zip code to access volunteer opportunities. Parents with young children may want to consider a "virtual" volunteering opportunity so that they can stay home and volunteer online while gaining valuable professional experience.

5. Should You Step Backwards?

Yes, no, maybe � this might be the $64,000 question. "Sometimes you have to go backwards," Blackwell said, but it depends. Most parents should not have to go backwards or accept a lower level job if they maintained or started a good network and have done their research. However, some women may willingly seek a lower-level job if it offers a more flexible work schedule or if they are switching career fields.

"I'm a firm believer that women should not even think they have to start over at entry level after being in the workforce," Dunagan stated.

Dunagan emphasized that the transitioning career-seeker needs a well-defined strategy, a clear assessment of what the market looks like, and strong self-marketing skills to re-enter the workforce without going back to entry-level status.

Some transitioning career-seekers may need to obtain additional credentials or experience. It is often advisable to take some relevant courses to update your skills, Blackwell said, but not necessarily another degree. A short course may be available to update your skills in some fields.

A transitioning seeker making a career change to a new profession that requires specific credentials may to need to go back to school or get additional training, Dunagan said.

However, Dunagan cautions women to carefully consider the reasons and the cost involved for additional training or education. A transitioning career-seeker may want to consult with people in her network and see if the additional education is necessary or desirable.

6. Remember Me? Consider Contacting Your Former Employer

Dunagan urges her clients to make their first stop at the former place of work if they liked their job and the company.

"Most companies will find it easier to hire someone back instead of starting from scratch, especially if they performed well," Dunagan said.

Wilcox agrees. "Chances are if you worked well for them five years ago, they will still value you."

7. Work-life Balance is critical with a baby on board

Let's face it. Many parents may not want to work the same long hours that they did before. It is important to decide if you want to work full-time or part-time, or do consulting or contractual work. Transitioning career-seekers may want to look for a position with a flexible schedule and telecommuting options.

A good place to look for these opportunities is with former employers, according to Dunagan. One of Dunagan's former clients found a job in human resources in an IT company after being a stay-at-home parent for five years. She negotiated a flexible schedule, telecommuting set-up and a job description that she was very satisfied with. This woman essentially created her own position by reactivating her connection with her former boss.

"As the result of her relationship, they were able to bring this stay-at-home mom back to the company � and it allowed the returning mother to honor her values � continuing to spend time with her children," Dunagan explained.

8. Give it Time

It may take 3-6 months or longer to re-enter the professional job force, according to Blackwell. Blackwell advises her clients to make a regular schedule for a job search �perhaps one hour a day, nearly every day.

"Gather your resources, get out of the house and meet people, and prepare for a longer haul�excellent preparation is the key to building bridges toward work," Blackwell said.

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