Layoff Secrets You Need to Know

by Maria Hanson, LiveCareer

In an ideal world, layoff decisions are made in a systematic, objective way. Review committees (or, in smaller companies, managers) look at qualities like employee performance, skill set, and tenure, as well as whether or not a position is really necessary.

But layoff decisions are not always so neat and neutral, say experts.

"Layoffs are sort of like making sausage," says Dan Bowling, senior lecturing fellow at Duke Law School, specializing in labor and employment issues. "You don't want to see what went into the process, even if it looks tidy at the end."

With the recession still causing job casualties at companies large and small, knowing what goes into layoff decisions can be useful. Here are five layoff secrets you need to know, as revealed by top employment experts:

Challengers face a challenge. Employees who question the status quo can be good for a company. But do it too often, and you could be on the chopping block. "Those who challenge management generally have big targets on their backs," says Linda Pophal, corporate communications specialist with Strategic Communications.

Grade inflation can be deflating. Even when trying to be objective, companies are often hobbled. "If you've ever wondered why a company kept a perceived laggard and laid off a superstar, it's because the review committee couldn't find a way to justify retaining the stellar, often younger employee," says Paul Falcone, the author of "101 Tough Conversations to Have with Employees." He says this often happens because managers engage in grade inflation during annual performance reviews. Substandard employees end up getting good scores, and this limits management's ability to oust them when layoffs loom.

It helps to have friends in high places. "It's the old country-club mentality, where the senior execs, along with their cronies, sit around a table selecting who gets to stay on the team based partly on friendships and alliances," says executive coach Scott Ventrella, adjunct professor at Fordham University's Graduate School of Business. "It's a popularity contest, and good people often get chopped."

High salaries are high on the list. "During difficult financial times, the first thing that happens is accountants come in and look at the books. The highest salaries in large public companies typically get cut first," says Elizabeth Lions, the author of "Recession Proof Yourself." "They don't look at work performance."

Little things mean a lot. All else being pretty equal, layoff decisions can end up being based on really oddball details. "Everyone's on the razor's edge these days," says Frances Cole Jones, the author of "The Wow Factor." "There are no insignificant actions." She recalls a layoff decision coming down to the employee who was known for leaving dirty dishes in the sink in the common kitchen. And Brad Ellis, of recruiting firm Kaye Bassman International, says he has seen a close decision come down to the food an employee cooked and ate, which some considered "smelly or offensive."

Job Info , Jobs Sources , Career

How to Keep from Dozing Off in Your Next Meeting

by Glassdoor.com

You've been sitting in the conference room for two hours now while a couple of your colleagues discuss "long-term strategy." And while you know you should be absorbing more of what they have to say, you can't stay focused--you feel like you could lay your head down on the conference table and catch a few winks.

So we're here to offer some helpful pointers on how to stay awake and get back in the game:

Prepare: One way to fight that sneaky tired feeling in your meeting is to plan ahead. Hopefully, your colleagues have sent around an agenda that gives you a heads-up of what to expect. Review the agenda and outline what questions you need to ask during the meeting, to help you meet your company and project goals. Sure, it may be dry stuff in meetings sometimes, but there's a reason they invited you to participate. Don't rush in at the last minute without your own game plan; if you plan ahead, you may get more out of the meeting than you expected.

Map out the objectives: Assuming you feel comfortable around the meeting attendees, see if you can ask the meeting organizer to kick off the meeting by outlining the intended goals of your time together. That way, if the meeting veers off course, each team member can feel comfortable jumping in to help refocus the topic of conversation and use everyone's time efficiently.

Reduce your lunch portion size: Don't let all your energy get sucked away by a big lunch. If you eat a large lunch, your energy is focused on breaking that food down, not on helping your brain power through your meeting. It's all about moderation. Save that big meal for dinner--you'll probably enjoy it more anyway.

Manage your caffeine intake: Sure, it may feel great to have three consecutive cups of coffee in the morning and then feel that burst of motivation. But once you crash, it can feel like someone sucked the life out of you. Drinking too much coffee too fast can inhibit how successful you'll be throughout the duration of the work day. Instead, focus on slow and steady--pace your caffeine intake so it's more likely to help you coast along from project to project.

Take notes: If you're in a meeting where it's more about being talked to than talked with, keep a piece of paper and pen or your laptop at the ready so you can jot down meeting highlights; this may help you stay in sync and actively engaged with the presenter's discussion.

Open a window: If you have the benefit of windows that open in your conference room, see if your colleagues wouldn't mind if you opened a window or two to let in some fresh air and hopefully get everyone's juices flowing again.

But try as we might, we all get caught in these meetings at some point in our careers. By taking some of these measures either before or during your meeting, hopefully you won't get caught for having missed a vital piece of information. And who knows, if you're motivated to stay focused, it could just be contagious!

Job Info , Jobs Sources , Career

4 Career Networking Tips That Work

by Amy Fontinelle, Investopedia.com

Many of us look at networking the way we look at going to the dentist. We know we're supposed to do it, but we really don't want to. So we put it off until, one day, something goes wrong and we have no other choice.

The way networking is usually presented makes it seem incredibly unappealing. It defies our natural tendencies: it seems insincere and sycophantic, and for introverts in particular, it seems to require becoming a whole new person--one who is fearless and gregarious, and who never encounters an awkward silence.

But networking isn't really about forcing yourself out the door to attend networking events where you'll present your elevator speech and hand out your business card to as many people as possible. It's about developing genuine relationships with people who will be there for you even when you don't need them. So how do you do that?

1. Become the type of person other people want to meet.
This is the key message of "Guerrilla Networking," by Jay Conrad Levinson and Monroe Mann. This strategy may be particularly appealing to introverts, who can be put off by traditional networking tips that seem to require being outgoing.

"Why work your butt off to meet people when you can put that same energy into becoming an interesting person within your field, and then benefit again by having the same people you want to meet ... come up to you?" the authors ask in their book.

"Meeting people can do nothing for you if you yourself have nothing interesting to offer," they add.

Some of their networking tips take time to achieve--you can't become an expert in your field or attain media exposure overnight--but others you can implement immediately. Offering to help people, smiling, and sending an email are easy for anyone to do.

2. Be more interested in other people than you are in yourself.
Almost everyone is much more interested in themselves than they are in you. And almost everyone, given the chance, will talk about themselves rather than really listening to you. So set yourself apart by following Dale Carnegie's time-tested advice from "How to Win Friends and Influence People": become genuinely interested in other people.

There's something truly interesting about everyone. That being said, what do you do if you can't find that something about the person you're talking to? Move on. The beauty of effective networking is that quality is more important than quantity. You don't have to click with or be friends with everyone.

3. Be more concerned with collecting business cards than with handing them out.
If you think handing out your business card is a great way to make new contacts, you're dead wrong. When you hand someone your card without getting theirs in return, the ball is in their court. You have no way of contacting them again.

In "Guerrilla Marketing," Levinson recommends that when you get someone else's card, you jot down notes about what you talked about on the back and follow up the next day. With your quick follow up, that person will be more likely to remember who you are. Remind them what you talked about and show them that you were actually paying attention to what they had to say, and you'll really make a great impression.

4. Join clubs.
Don't just join clubs for the sake of meeting people for networking--people will see right through your insincerity. Join clubs that do things you are genuinely interested in. You'll already have at least one thing in common with everyone else in the group, and you'll have a much better chance of developing a relationship that could one day lead to a job than you will by attending random networking events. New people are always visiting and joining clubs, and there are plenty of clubs to join, so your network will never get stale. Best of all, you will probably have fun and make friends, so building your network won't feel like drudgery.

The Bottom Line
It's not a bad idea to always have your elevator speech in mind and a business card in your wallet, but those strategies alone aren't going to get you very far. The same goes for staying in touch with people even--or especially--when you don't need something. Yes, you should do this, but you should do it because you really care about those people, not because you hope that your investment in birthday cards and postage will pay off one day when you're unemployed. The real secret to networking is to be sincere and to be the best version of yourself.

Job Info , Jobs Sources , Career

Career Tips: Effective job search strategies

It is difficult to conduct an effective job search. Many people consider reading the classified employment adds as a genuine effort in finding a job. Although these ads can lead you to job leads, they are certainly not the only place to look, and are not the most effective way of finding a job. There are many things to explore when seeking employment. Knowing the resources available, where the job openings are listed, networking skills, volunteer opportunities, and other aspects of job hunting can be valuable as you look for the perfect job for you.

The Michigan Occupational Information System (MOIS) offers some ideas about job search strategies. Initially it is important to know yourself. You might consider taking an inventory that will help you understand your interests skills, abilities , work values, personality traits, and learning styles. Knowing these will help you determine which job best fits you and your specific situation. You might be able to take these inventories through a high school guidance center, community college, university placement centers, area technical training center, private career counselors, or a public employment job service. Many of these will offer these inventories at no cost, especially community colleges that are interested in enrolling individuals in career training programs.

The want ads in the Sunday paper will give you a good indication of what your local market is. Trade magazines, high schools, bulletin boards, job placement internet sites, community centers are other places to look for job postings. You may not feel qualified to work in a hospital or professional setting, but consider this. These places still have needs for clerical help, food service, maintenance, cleaning, and other support staff. If you have an interest in ultimately working as a lawyer, doctor, architect, etc. Consider taking a menial job in the environment where these professionals work. In this way, you will make important contacts, and pave the way for getting into the field of your choice. When on staff at a large company, you may find paraprofessional positions in interesting fields that offer valuable insights and experiences. It is still a normal practice for companies to hire from within, so when you do obtain the needed credentials it may be possible for you to walk into the job title of your choice.

You may also seek volunteer positions in organizations that are not presently hiring. If you prove yourself as reliable, prompt, and hardworking you will have made contacts that can help you procure a position when one is available. Through volunteering you may find that what seemed like the perfect career path is not what you expected at all. You may save yourself a great deal of time and training through your volunteer excursions. Volunteering also looks great on a resume.

The greatest asset in job searching really is the people you know. Networking is the route that most often gets people the job. The old adage that states: It is not what you know, but who you know.” is a truism in most job markets. Because of this, it is important to tell everyone you know that you are looking for a job. It may sound corny, but really this is how people make the right connections. You may not be aware that a little old lady at church has a son with a machine shop, but if you express your need for a welding job, the subject may surface. It is quite possible the perfect job is waiting for you within your circle of friends and influence. It is up to you to let people know what you are looking for. This is not whining; this is asking for what you want and being open to the possibility that your perfect job is just waiting to be found.

The job market right now is quite open in many areas. With the unemployment rate at less than 2% in many states, jobs are waiting for the right people to fill them. It is imprint that you seek the right places, and let people know what you are looking for. Through expanding your methods, and marketing your needs to the people you know, your career path can become smooth and filled with potential.

www.essortment.com

careers, Jobs Indonesia, Indonesia Vacancy

 

Career Tips: Finding A good Job

So you want to find a job or change jobs, but you don't know where to start? Looking for a job can be a very long and discouraging task. Here are a few resources you want to consider in your search for employment.

The first resource, and one that is often overlooked, is your friends, family members and acquaintances. Listen carefully to what people say. You'll be surprised at how often someone you know is talking about someone they know that just got a new job. Is it something you're interested in? Maybe, maybe not. But keep your ears open. Also ask these same people if they know of any openings where they work, or anywhere else for that matter. Sometimes people are embarrassed to let others know they are looking for work. Don't be. Letting other people know you are looking will invite them to search with you. Sometimes it's not what you know, but who you know.

The next resource is a fairly obvious one, the newspaper. In general, Sunday's paper should have the most local listings in your area. You can browse through them fairly quickly and find the ones you are interested in. Then you can follow the directions in contacting the company at your leisure.

Another good idea is to check the local branch of Work Force Services. This is a state run organization that not only has a job board you can look over, but you can also register with them and have them send you information on jobs that meet your criteria.

Of course, as with almost everything now days, the internet is another great way to find a job. There are several companies on the web to help you find a job. Most of these site will let you place a resume on the site for potential employers to see, browse their job boards, and even send you emails about positions they think will interest you. There are several such websites, including monster.com, hotjobs.com, and many more. If you don't like any of those, try punching in "employment" or something similar into a search engine and you'll have plenty of different websites to check out.

You can also look for job specific websites. Whatever it is that you do, or want to do, find websites about that field. Often, there would be employment resources and internet links at these websites as well.

A final idea is to check with the local universities and community colleges. These school usually have job boards where they post jobs for students and alumni. Some schools charge you to register with them to use their resources such as the job boards, but this is rare. And no one ever asks when you apply for these jobs if you were sent by the school, they just want the position filled.

Looking for a new job can be difficult, but it can also be rewarding. If you don't get frustrated and use all of the available resources, you are bound to find what you’re looking for.

careers, Jobs Indonesia, Indonesia Vacancy

 

Workplace Checklist: How Toxic Is Yours?

by Larry Buhl, for Yahoo! HotJobs

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

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

Unfairness

_ You do the work of two or three people and receive little or no appreciation.

_ Coworkers steal your ideas and take credit.

_ Some workers get away with things that others don't.

_ Bosses or team members deflect responsibility or project blame for failures onto others.

Immoral and illegal activities

_ Coworkers ask you to cover or lie for them.

_ You are asked to falsify data, reports, or documents.

_ A coworker uses sexual favors to get ahead at work.

_ Someone is having an affair and asks you to lie for him or her.

Abusive bosses and poisonous coworkers

_ You or others suffer sexual harassment.

_ Coworkers miss deadlines and affect your productivity.

_ A coworker or boss routinely tells lewd, racist, or sexist jokes.

_ Bosses and peers rely on fear and intimidation.

Physical danger

_ You or others are at risk because of unsafe conditions.

_ You or others have ever been threatened or assaulted.

Just plain annoying

_ Coworkers interrupt your work, invade your space, and help themselves to your files.

_ Constant gossip, political games, or spying.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Job Info , Jobs Sources , Career

Outside the 9-to-5 Routine: Top-Paying Off-Hour Jobs

Earn $25 or more per hour in these jobs that leave your days free.

by Lydia Dishman, PayScale.com

Ever fantasized about a job that didn't lock you away in a cubicle during the prime hours of the day? Or maybe you're interested in a part-time evening job because your day is full with other responsibilities (such as kids--or another job).

Whether you want to enjoy summer sunshine or you're looking to moonlight, there are plenty of non-9-to-5 jobs that offer mainstream pay rates.

Room to grow: Speech-language pathologist
A speech-language pathologist's work may involve treating children with stutters, adults who can't make sounds or speak clearly, or even people who want to modify their accents. It's a burgeoning field, one that the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects will grow faster than average for the next decade. With a master's degree and state certification, speech-language pathologists can earn just north of $36 an hour for full-time work, according to online salary database PayScale.com.

Work from home: Tutor
If you're a math wiz or you excel in English, you can put your skills to work part-time by helping elementary, middle, or high school students make the grade. Depending on your background, specialized training, or advanced degree in a particular subject, you could charge students $25 per hour and up for your services, and you may not even need to leave your home. With an online tutoring job, you can schedule as many hours as you want--and the most popular times are between 4:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m., when most kids are not in school.

Night owl: Radiologic technician
If you're not much of a morning person, you may enjoy working nights as a radiologist. Hospitals are staffed 24-7, and patients' needs for diagnostic testing such as MRIs, X-rays, and CAT scans don't keep regular hours either. With proper certification (usually an associate's degree), an MRI tech can earn just over $33 per hour.

Get physical: Personal trainer
Make your own hours, work with people, and stay in shape. Sound like a dream? It doesn't have to be. As a personal trainer, you'd have all that--provided you earn the appropriate certifications to work with clients. Whether yoga, pilates, spinning, or step aerobics is your thing, the BLS says you'll be in demand in the years ahead, and your earning power is at $25 per hour for a part-time gig.

Relax: Massage therapist
Licensed massage therapists work by appointment, which means they call the scheduling shots, whether they see clients at a day spa or at a health care facility. Masseurs and masseuses can specialize in any one of many modalities including sports, neuromuscular, or deep-tissue, and many choose to be self employed--which puts even more flexibility at their fingertips. Working part-time, massage therapists can expect to make over $40 per hour.

Source: All salary data is from PayScale.com, a leading online provider of employee compensation data. The salaries listed are median, hourly salaries for full-time workers with five to eight years of experience and include any bonuses, commissions, or profit sharing.

Job Info , Jobs Sources , Career