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Losing a job can devastate your finances. To keep yourself on an even keel, commit yourself to a self-help program of cutting expenses while you're out hunting for a new job. Identify which of your expenses are "wants" and which are "needs." Prioritize, and decide which "wants" to reduce or eliminate. Here's some specific tips. Tip #1: Get Your Unemployment (and Other) Benefits Go to your local unemployment office right away and file for benefits. Apply for food stamps. Find out what food distribution programs there are in your community. If you have children in school, seek out the free or reduced-price programs for breakfast and lunch. Tip #2: Rectify Your Credit Card Balances If you cannot make the minimum monthly payment, transfer any balances to credit cards that charge lower interest rates. Find out the toll-free phone number to call for help from each of your credit card companies, and call and explain your current situation -- write down all the details of the conversation, … [Read more...] about 15 Tips for Cutting Expenses While Job Hunting

Whether you are fresh out of college or a seasoned professional, you should always embrace the opportunity to interview for a job. It doesn’t matter if the timing is bad or if you started a new job yesterday—accepting an invitation to interview is always a wise move.Here are five reasons why you should never turn down an interview:It’s good practice. There’s a reason so many people are scared to fly on airplanes: We have no way to practice and most of us do it infrequently. The more we do something, the better we get at it, and interviewing is no exception. Sure you can hold mock interviews with family and friends, but nothing will prepare you like real-world experience. Since the opportunity to interview doesn’t arise frequently, embrace it when you get the chance.Think about the future. Even if the position you are interviewing for is not a perfect fit, another opening, one that you might be unaware of, could be floating out there. Meeting face to face … [Read more...] about Why You Should Never Turn Down an Interview

I have to preface this post by saying I’m not one of those old(er) folks who shun new technology; I make my living writing, utilizing it every day. But I’ve been slow to embrace Twitter (“Twitter for Job Search? 10 Users to Follow”). I just don’t immediately think of it as a communication tool. Now I might embrace their stock if they go public… But I have to say, this article on WSJ.com caught my attention, “Here Tweeting is a Class Requirement.” I love this concept, “Businesses including Sprint Nextel Corp., Levi Strauss & Co. and Mattel Inc. are sponsoring college classes and graduate-level research to get help with their online marketing from the young and hyperconnected. Sprint, for example, supplies a class at Boston's Emerson College with smartphones and unlimited service in exchange for students working gratis on the company's local Internet push.” So Sprint gets free marketing services and the students get shiny, … [Read more...] about Tweet Your Way to a Possible Job

Social networks tow that narrow line between transparency and stalkerism.  As the business-minded adult player on the field, LinkedIn offers a feature that allows you see who has viewed your profile. Free accounts show you the five most recent viewers and Premium accounts show you everyone who has checked in your profile over the past 90 days. After a 30-day free trial of the LinkedIn Premium package, I’m now convinced I need the feature.  A mere four weeks ago I couldn’t understand why anyone would pay $29.95 a month for a few enhanced features.  But after a test drive, I see great value in receiving three InMails (allowing you to contact anyone within the system) and becoming a member of the Open Link Network, where any user can send you a message.   The most valuable feature for job seekers and freelancers, however, is the aforementioned “Who’s Viewed Your Profile” function.  An expanded list of titles, regions, and companies, makes it ease to deduce who has checked you out. … [Read more...] about LinkedIn Job Hunting: What if a Potential Employer Views Your Profile?

I take a ridiculous amount of pride in being a good professional reference.   After all, who am I to stand in the way of a person looking to improve their work situation or to make a better life for themselves? Here’s how I ensure I am the perfect professional reference.  If I’m your reference, and you don’t get the job, it ain’t on me, buddy! 1) I make sure I pick up the phone when they call.  Getting embroiled in a game of phone tag only hurts the prospect's chances, especially if the company is in a rush to fill the slot.  Most people won’t roll the dice on picking up a call from an unidentified number.  But if your colleague has tipped you off that a call might be coming in, take a chance.  In the long run, it will save you time. 2) I make sure I take the call in a quiet location.   If I am forced to whisper at work or am shouting over other folks in a public setting, the conversation will suffer.  Since we are dealing with another person’s livelihood, it’s critical to set … [Read more...] about 8 Ways to Be the Perfect Professional Reference

There's nothing easy about losing your job. Whatever the reason behind it, there's an emotional reaction that you need to deal with before taking steps to move on. For most folks, this means taking a bit of time just for yourself. Of course, if your financial situation is not the best, you may feel you can't take time off. But it needn't be a long time, and sometimes as little as a couple of days will do the trick. So what do you do during this recovery time? Much will depend on you: your personality, your emotional temperature, your family situation, your support group and more. But here are some general thoughts and ideas you can adapt to suit yourself. First, be nice to yourself. Don't beat yourself up because of what has happened. If a good friend was in this position, wouldn't you give them words of encouragement and reassure them that they are "all right"? Well, you can do the same for yourself. This might be the ideal time to treat yourself to a spa treatment. If that feels too … [Read more...] about The First Things to do When You Lose Your Job

With the economy still lukewarm at home, intrepid types are looking further afield for their paydays. Last year, China's economy grew by almost 10%. It also replaced Japan as the world's second largest economy. The demand for skills and management experience is creating jobs for Americans in the East. Living and working in China is certainly the ultimate way to experience this fast changing country; and of course it looks great on a resume. But more importantly, working in China offers a fresh start; a way out of the professional or personal rut you may be in. If you've got what it takes, the adventure of living and working in China can be yours. Finding the job and sorting out the visa is not as difficult as it once was. International recruitment companies are scouring the globe for the best and the brightest, and visa application services take all the stress out of getting work permits. However, the transition from the West to East is not an easy one. Many expatriates find the … [Read more...] about What to Expect When Moving to China for Work

It's the cliffhanger that's used in countless TV shows and movies: "To be continued..." We already know that the sequel is never as good as the original, but when it comes to searching for a job, that rule doesn’t apply. Part Two has to be better than the original.When you go on a job interview, your goal is obvious: get the job. But it’s also wise to take a step back and think short-term. If we break the interview process into bite-size pieces, your goal is to get a second interview. Unlike a boxing match, you can afford to let it all hang out in Round One. After all, you’re not guaranteed to see another round. But holding back a little something, a tiny little "to be continued..." of your own, can help you land the second interview.Here’s a smart strategy for getting asked back for a second interview: Ascertain from the employer the biggest problem you’d help solve in the position. Then, in your thank you letter, include a brief but well thought-out … [Read more...] about How to Get a Second Interview

Debt is something that if used properly can prove to be very productive for you. It helps you in getting a good life for your family, buying a home, buying a car and even getting a good job. However, if you use debt irresponsibly, then you will have to pay the price for it. If you are someone who is trapped under a lot of debts due to your irresponsible usage of loans, then you must consider opting for a debt management program that can help you come out of the situation. If you still are not aware how debt can affect your life and why is it essential to get rid of it as soon as possible, then you must read on. The impact that rising debt can have on your life is so great that it can envelop and negatively affect your job as well as your family life. When you have excessive debts your family life suffers and with this suffers your career. Many career advice experts advise to keep debts at bay when you want to have a successful professional life. However, it is more important for you … [Read more...] about High Debt Can Short-Change Your Career