Guide To Help Black Men Survive A Turbulent Job Market

1Guide To Help Black Men Survive A Turbulent Job Market From when the recession began in December 2007 to June of this year, more than 6 Million people have lost their job. Black Men have been one of the groups hardest hit. According to the Department of Labor the jobless rate for Black Men is 15.3% compared to 8.8% for White Men and 9.7% for the entire population. "This is the worse market we have ever seen," says Tawana Wood, Chief Resume Writer and Owner of CountrysBestResumes.com, a national resume writing company with head quarters in New York. Our clients are not just the recent college graduate hopefuls, more than 85% of the clients we are seeing are seasoned professionals. Many who have never needed a resume before the market took such a deep dive. Ms. Wood states from what she has seen, black men appear to be in the most challenged position. States with higher concentrations of blacks have reported the highest unemployment rates, says Wood. Michigan has a 13.9% rate, South Carolina 11.6%, California 11.2%, North Carolina 11.1%, Georgia 9.5%. Ms. Wood offers free resume workshops to nonprofit organizations with missions focused on serving black men. "Since I am a black woman, I am particularly concerned about the unemployment rates for black men" says Wood. Ms. Wood offers the following tips to help black men better market themselves:1. You Must Bring It!Highlight your strengths and achievements. Try as much as possible to quantify your achievements. If you are a Bus Driver, list how many miles you have driven to date and list the fact that you have a solid record of safety with no accidents (if that is the case).2. Research Your Industry and Job TitleDo as much research as possible before crafting your resume. Make sure your resume is focused. You want to make the decision easy and in your favor. 3. Check Your ReferencesBe sure to find out what people are saying about you. A bad reference can cost you your job. 4. Check Your CreditIt has become common practice for companies to check your credit before hiring you. Know what your credit report says. 5. Check Your Social Network SiteMany employers will check your myspace, twitter, or facebook account. Make sure there are no embarrassing photos of comments out there. 6. Hire A Professional To Help YouProfessional resume writer is a new term for many but they have been around for a long time. Many Top professionals do not write their own resumes. Rather, they work with a professional writer who helps them identify their brand message and craft a compelling resume document. 7. Network, Network, NetworkMore than 80% of job openings are never advertised, but filled through word-of-mouth networking - the "hidden job market "word-of-mouth networking - the "hidden job market." The likelihood of a job opening not being advertised at all increases with the level of the job. Due to growing costs associated with employee recruitment, an employer may opt to ask a colleague or current employee for a referral. Advertised openings are usually the last resort efforts to finding talent. Join networking associations, attend networking breakfasts and luncheons. Volunteer your time. Many nonprofit organizations are supported by Fortune 400 & 500 companies. This may be your way in. For More Information, go to http://www.CountrysBestResumes.com

Grads Without Jobs - Here's 10 Ideas to Help You

1Grads Without Jobs - Here's 10 Ideas to Help You ACTUAL โ��CASE HISTORYโ��: Many of our friends, clients and colleagues have recently shared with us stories of recent college and grad school graduates unable to find jobs. Some grads who had job offers in hand have now had those job offers deferred, or even rescinded. Itโ��s not surprising, given the state of our economy. But it remains disturbing to see so many educated, eager and hopeful folks facing difficulty getting started in life.What should a recent grad do? Are there many steps that an unemployed graduate can take to help him or herself? Are there any helpful hints anyone can offer them?For many years we have counseled and represented employees seeking new employment. Over that time we have developed a seven-step method we teach our clients, and others at our seminars, to help them negotiate and โ��navigateโ�� employment matters. We call that method the Quality Vs. Power Methodย� (or QVPย� for short.) While the overall seven-step QVP Methodย� was not intended to be used by first-time job seekers, itโ��s first step holds the key, we believe, to what grads without jobs should do.What is that first step? It is to assess, and build, your โ��Unique Human Capitalโ�� (or โ��UHCโ�� for short.) A personโ��s Unique Human Capital is that set of attributes that make that person valuable to an employer, and uniquely so. Your UHC might be: (a) your ability to speak Mandarin Chinese; (b) your intimate knowledge of what drives the wholesale market for sugar; (c) the fact that the CEO of the companyโ��s biggest client was your best buddy from summer camp; (d) your natural ability as a saleswoman; (e) your fame as an organic chemist. Itโ��s something (or somethings) about you that make you stand out as a source of โ��valueโ�� to your interviewer.We always counsel job seekers to consider what their โ��Unique Human Capitalโ�� is, and to develop, broaden and enhance it, in whatever way possible. We suggest they put together a list of their special knowledge, abilities, experiences, relations, fame, connections, resources and other attributes that make them special, unique, different and, most importantly, valuable, which means desirable and โ��hirableโ�� to prospective employers. And that they continually reassess, develop, broaden and enhance their UHC. For those who have time on their hands โ�� such as grads without jobs โ�� now is a perfect time to do just that.LESSON TO LEARN: Developing your Unique Human Capital, or UHC, is what is more likely than anything else in your life right now to get you a job. Itโ��s UHC that will get your toe in the door, your resume read, your name remembered. Once youโ��re noticed, then itโ��s UHC that will get you contacted, and then the interview, the job, and the higher compensation.Now is the time to enhance and create UHC, to add to your resume, to make your resume โ��special,โ�� to make your resume โ��floatโ�� to the top of the pile, and to be that much more attractive to prospective employers, all while you are still without a job.As an employer for many years, I review the resume of each candidate for employment, and say to myself, โ��What about this resume makes this candidate potentially valuable to me?โ�� There are many things, but the most common are: experience, expertise and practical knowledge, all of which can be conveyed in a resume. Perhaps more than anyone, a grad without a job should spend at least some of his or her time gaining experience, expertise, understanding, familiarity with language, practical knowledge and โ�� yes โ�� even some of the โ��tricksโ�� of the trade. This is what will get him or her a first job.So, you ask, how does a recent graduate get experience, expertise and practical knowledge โ�� and build an enhanced resume, without a job? In lots of ways; read on:WHAT YOU CAN DO: Recent Grad Without a Job? Here are ten of the many ways you can help yourself get that job you so desperately want:1. Watch โ��the Prosโ��: Want to be a trial lawyer? Go watch a few trials. Want to be fashion designer? Attend a few fashion shows. Want to be a television producer? Get tickets to watch the taping of a few television shows. Want to be a publisher? Attend a book signing. Go get โ��your hands dirty.โ�� Want to be an economist? See if you can find any panel discussions, or legislative hearings to attend. You can learn an awful lot by simply observing, especially observing the โ��pros.โ�� Your role models are just that: to be โ��modeledโ�� From them you can learn, at the very least, how to โ��talk the talk.โ�� Attendance at such functions means familiarity with how things work in โ��the real world.โ�� That is valuable to employers, and will make your resume โ��different.โ��2. Meet โ��the Prosโ��: Sure, this sounds bold and brash, but there is nothing wrong with expressing to a person that you admire that person and aspire to be what they have become. When you attend a trial, donโ��t be frightened to do just that with a trial attorney during an extended break, if the circumstances seem right. Alternatively, you may write to her, and express your admiration, and ask if she might have ten minutes to talk with you. Thereโ��s no law against writing to a CEO and asking him to give you ten minutes of his time to answer a few questions you have; he might just remember that he was once young and unemployed, himself. Putting โ��Met one-on-one with leaders in the industryโ�� on your resume is a sure โ��mouth-dropperโ�� to a resume-reader, and a sure conversation-starter in an interview.3. Seek an Internship: Many, many years ago, the way people trained as craftsmen was to serve as an apprentice. To this day, we see the vestiges of that system among our electricians and plumbers, as examples. Todayโ��s equivalent is the internship, which is growing by leaps and bounds in popularity. Many, many businesses offer internship opportunities which usually pay nothing or a minor stipend, but are worth their weight in gold for the exposure and experience they offer. Even if a company or organization does not have a formal policy regarding internships, donโ��t be afraid to request an informal internship in which you are, in effect, โ��the assistantโ��s assistant.โ�� It is still possible to rise from the mailroom to the board room.4. Volunteer to Gain Experience: Many charitable organizations assist those less fortunate in the same ways that businesses serve their customers and clients. Just as law firms give legal services to law clients, legal aide clinics give free legal advice and assistance to the poor and homeless. Likewise, just as luxury fashion houses assist their well-heeled customers look good, so do certain charities help the chronically unemployed find the right clothing to attend interviews. Many organizations help the homeless find new homes, just as real estate agents help the more affluent find apartments. You get the drift: You can โ��cut your teethโ�� on someone elseโ��s watch and give your resulting experience to a new employer. Experiences that are readily available to you today spell โ��experiencedโ�� to a prospective employer who may view your resume tomorrow.5. Join and Participate at Trade Associations: It can only help you โ�� and your resume โ�� to join, attend and participate in the American Nurses Organization, the Economistโ��s Club of Los Angeles, the American Title Insurance Association, the Illinois Society of Security Analysts, or the trade association you hope to one day lead. You can network, โ��learn the language,โ�� gather interesting points and meet interesting people, and even possibly serve on a committee, all of which may be seen as valuable to a prospective employer. These indicate, too, that you are genuinely interested, if not impassioned, by your chosen field.6. Attend Hearings, Conferences and Committee Meetings: Two young grads I know traveled to Washington, D.C. to observe Congressional Committee Hearings about conflicts of interest in executive compensation. Both sought jobs in related fields: one in Executive Recruitment; the other in Human Resources Consulting. In their resumes and in their cover letters, both highlighted what they had learned, who they had met, and what they thought the future would bring regarding regulatory oversight of executive bonuses. Both wrote summaries of the proposed regulations being discussed in Congress, and attached them to their resumes. Both got jobs. Coincidence? I think not.7. Seek a Mentor: Though surely โ��outside the box,โ�� I have heard of young grads without jobs asking senior executives or retired professionals, if they might be so kind as to offer โ��counselโ�� to someone just starting out. I think itโ��s a great idea, no matter how minimal the chances might be. If youโ��re out of school, and not yet employed, what better thing could you do? If you have the boldness and chutzpah to do just that, you might make the most important introduction of your life.8. Join a Job Search Group: One of the up-and-coming ways to search for employment is by joining a job search group. These groups meet on a regular basis, often with an experienced group leader, and share tips, advice and support. One of the true leaders in this field is the national organization The Five Oโ��Clock Club. It is also a way to network, gain insight on resume-writing and job search, and gain practical job-hunting skills that will serve you for a lifetime.9. Read and Write: Yes, I know: youโ��ve been reading and writing now for years. What I mean by โ��read and writeโ�� is to subscribe to blogs, journals, magazines and newsletters in your chosen field, and consider writing an insightful article, and submitting it for publication. Having an article or note published, especially in a respected journal or newsletter, is a definite โ��goodโ�� on your resume, and something to attach to your resume, as well. Publishing has always been a way to get ahead, and to stand out from the crowd, and always will be.10. Take a โ��Courseโ��: Sure, youโ��ve just taken 100 courses; who wants to take another one now? Though more education may be the farthest thing from your mind, a specialized course, giving you a specialized skill, that would make you different than โ��the rest,โ�� may be a key thing to do. Being the only person in the organization who can program, manipulate or even understand the software that is used throughout the industry might make you the โ��starโ�� employee of the firm, once youโ��ve been hired. What course should you take? Ask around, be creative, assess your potential employersโ�� needs. Thatโ��s where value starts.These โ��Ten Ideas for Grads Without Jobsโ�� work. They will enhance your resume, increase your chances of landing a job, and make you more likely to keep that job, too. What better way to use the time you have right now? Each of these ideas serves to enhance your value to an employer, enhance the visibility of your resume, and enhance your โ��voiceโ�� at an interview. And theyโ��re sure to keep you busy and โ��looking upward,โ�� as well.Our Quality Vs. Powerย� (QVPย�) Method of Workplace Negotiating emphasizes smart negotiating โ�� and navigating โ�� for yourself at work. Negotiation of work and career issues requires that you think โ��out of the box,โ�� and avoid discouragement, especially at the beginning of your career. These ten ideas are yours, to start the process. Now itโ��s up to you.Always be proactive. Always be creative. Always be persistent. Always be vigilant. And always do what you can to achieve for yourself, your family, and your career. Take all available steps to increase and secure employment โ��rewardsโ�� and eliminate or reduce employment โ��risks.โ�� Thatโ��s what our Quality Vs. Powerย� Method is all about.

Giving importance to resume writing

1Giving importance to resume writing Resume Writing Service is something every individual has to do at the very least once in their life. Getting opportunity to work for an ideal position could only be grabbed through this tool. An employer demands to know about your personality, professionalism and experience in black and white first. So instead of getting to meet you in real, you are required to write an account of your life and impress a potential employer to meet you face to face. For achieving that goal you are supposed to pour all your enthusiasm in to the said task. Brace your self for getting the useful information on professional resume writing.This whole activity is being done for impressing a potential employer to consider you for a job. This sounds crisp and clear but writing one out isn't that easy as it seems. Writing resumes is considered to be an art, a modern magical art. This art if mastered can give a person power to give others and him self, the opportunities of acquiring ideal jobs. One must work hard and try to learn the basic tricks of getting this job as right and perfect for not risking an opportunity of getting a good job. Read resume writing tips on internet or from any other source, be sure that you know about it pretty much that's suffice to start working on this specific task.A well-crafted resume can be a foundation of your bright and sparkling career so be sure that you take it seriously. Heeding importance of these documents you must write it with interest. Surmise about all the good things that could come to you through this document. An ideal job, the work that you love doing and reputation for every one respect you, all could be started from perfect writing of this document. You must regard its writing with care and attention to get meritorious results. While circling the job advertisements, read the requirements of the employer carefully and keep them in your memory or note them all for good.Do not skip forward to another job from one that's title seem complicated. You might never know may be the job nature could suit you. So it is important that you survey all the promising looking jobs carefully and read the job descriptions too. Upon finding multiple convincing job openings, you should start with sending the employer something. If you will write down your profession specification according to the job advertisement, you have more chances to being read then others. For grabbing attention of the employer as soon as he sees your documents, make sure that you have targeted them all according to the job.It is necessary for you to try to do every single measure that is supposed to bring you in the line of vision of a potential employer. It will drown all your efforts on this particular venture if your resume would not even get to read by employer completely. Whatever you write think about its perfection and professionalism.

Get In The Game With a Stellar Resume

1Get In The Game With a Stellar Resume During the job hunter's market of the 1990's, employers were settling for less than qualified candidates because the candidate pool was so small. Job hunters were able to name their price and employers were meeting their demands.The job climate is much different today than it was a few years ago. Job hunters have forgotten how to present themselves to a prospective employer. Their job search skills are poor and they are struggling to find employment.In today's job market, a resume which highlights accomplishments and skills is essential for career success. It is time to get back to the basics. Employers are no longer settling for the average job candidate. The ball is in their court now and they have the upper hand.Your resume is your calling card. Therefore, it should stand out from the rest and go the extra mile in presenting you as the most qualified candidate.An effective resume is... Your ticket to an interview The resume serves as an introduction of your qualifications. Its sole purpose is to win an interview. The agenda setter for the interview Interviewers will use your resume as a gauge for interview questions. A reminder Once the interview is over, the hiring manager has their notes and your resume as a reminder of your qualifications. While you don't have control over what the interviewer decides to write in their notes, you do have control over what is written in your resume. For the most part, the resume may be your last word. A solid first impression In most cases, the employer will only have your resume to evaluate your job performance. Your resume should position you as the best candidate for the job. An ineffective resume is... A Personal Document Your resume should stress what kind of work you are seeking, what you know, what you have demonstrated, and what immediate contribution you can contribute to the hiring organization. Your resume should not include your personal stats, such as height, weight, hair/eye color, etc. It should also not list your birth date, marital status or social security number. Easy to write If you have written your own resume or are attempting to write your own resume, you can attest to the fact that resumes are difficult to write. Recalling past achievements and presenting them in a compelling way can be tough. Also, if you aren't objective about your own achievements, this can skew how your career information is presented. A one-size fits all marketing tool In resume writing, there aren't any rules. I am sure you have read articles that your resume should only be one page, or that your resume should be in chronological format or it won't be read. The truth is that each job seeker has a different set of circumstances and ironclad rules do not exist in resume writing. It is important that you evaluate your situation and come to a conclusion that fits into your reality. A magic pill In order for your resume to be effective, you must know how to use it. Answering want ads or posting your resume on the Internet is not going to get you the results you desire. You have to be an active job searcher and use the resume as a catalyst for your job search - not as your only tool. Your resume must include the type of job you want, what you know, what you have done, and what you offer an employer.

Generalists Vs Specialists

1Generalists Vs Specialists The other day, a client of mine brought up this topic concerning the value of a specialist compared to that of a generalist.As a business lawyer, he challenged the notion that in our society, specialists are much more appreciated - and paid! - than generalists."Take, for example, a General Practitioner," he said. "Clearly, a specialist has to put in more years of study compared to a GP. But the GP is the first person you'll see when you've got a medical problem that's not life threatening - or you'd be in the ER. This first layer of diagnosing and shifting GPs do is vitally important, yet undervalued."My client reasoned that if a GP misdiagnoses you and sends you to the wrong specialist, or to none at all when he or she should've, the results can be catastrophic.He gave another example closer to home for him; business law. As a "first response" business lawyer, he gets all the questions and cases thrown at him. He is a generalist who knows a little about a lot. He enjoys communicating and collaborating with lots of different parties and functioning as a "bridge" between all of them."Guess what," he said. "If I misjudge a case or an issue and misdirect the folks that came to me with it, the financial and/or legal consequences could be dire."My client went on to say that he thinks most employers undervalue their generalist employees. "Often," he said, "just like with the GPs, these generalists play an important role in shifting and connecting. Same in HR. Examples abound. So why are these positions almost always less compensated and valued than those of 'true specialists?'"It's easy to argue this case from both ends with obvious points...The amount of study that goes into specialization and the higher level of responsibility explain the bigger salaries. "But wait...this is where the generalist is often misunderstood," my client said. "Because, as we just saw, the consequences of misjudgment by a generalist can be severe. So why this discrepancy?"I firmly believe we'll be seeing more and more organizations that do value the "jack-of-all-trades" aka generalist aka cross-disciplinary and cross-cultural employee that brings an understanding to the table of more than the little square in front of him.This trend has already started with globalization and technology.What do you think? Are you a generalist yourself? If so; do you feel you get the credit for your role that you deserve?

From Hybrid Careers to Other Real-Life Career Options for Renaissance Personalities

1From Hybrid Careers to Other Real-Life Career Options for Renaissance Personalities A hybrid career is indeed a great way to satisfy a multi-passionate personality's craving for variety and new experiences. But there are other ways of shaping your life and your career if you're wired like a Renaissance man or woman.If you're someone who gets bored fast, then project-based work could be a god sent.However, if you're able to stay interested in a topic or field for quite some time - say several years - you could pursue work in this field, stay in it for as long as you like, and whenever you hit your X-year itch, switch!How to just switch without going back to school for another 4 years, you wonder?By volunteering in the field while still employed in your other job, or by taking on part-time jobs or projects in this field to start out with. You can get a feel for a new field by shadowing someone.And, you want to be strategic about your choices. See if you can use and hone skills in your current job that you know will be of value in your next endeavor - provided you already know what that will be. You probably know more than you give yourself credit for.Another option for Renaissance Personalities is to pursue your many interests and passions in your free time and pick a day job that provides stable income and suits your needs. For example; one with no to very little stress and overtime so you'll have enough time and energy to enjoy your off-time activities.Also, be strategic about the industry you pick for your day job. If traveling is one of your passions, might as well try to get a job with an airline or travel company. The husband of a friend of mine works in IT for a travel agency and the family enjoys 20% off their family vacations! Not bad.Another option could be a teaching job where you enjoy crazy time off! This will give you time to travel, create your art, set up your personal projects, build a house, or do whatever it is you need time for.So try to match the perks your day job offers you with your other interests, whenever possible.Yet another way to create a Renaissance life is to hunt for an umbrella career; satisfying multiple passions in one job. These are harder to get by, but worthwhile. An example would be a foreign correspondent if you love to write, travel, and are into politics. Or a food critic if you love to write, love food, and can't stand the idea of sitting in a cubicle all day.The one thing all of these jobs - other than the day jobs - have in common is that it requires creativity on your part. You have to carve out your own path and dare to ask for unconventional arrangements.Start by making a list of all the things - activities, hobbies, work, fields - you're interested in and want to experience.Next, narrow your list down to the things you want to do professionally. If you're not sure...just add them. You're not committing for life here!Then make a list of your values and narrow it down to the top three. What's most important to you in life? Stability? Money? Freedom? Adventure? Family? Team work? Harmony? Exploration? Pioneering? The list goes on. Find out what really matters to you.Now take your top three values and see how they match up with your list of interests. Find the ones that overlap. After all, if your values are at odds with your daily activities, you won't be happy for long.Make a new list with only the activities/interests that overlap with your values and prioritize them - if this is easy for you. Is there something you are just dying to do first? Put it at the top. If you don't have clear preferences, this is ok, as long as you don't get stuck in overanalyzing things. Instead of just picking one, pick two or three. One or two you can start doing for money, and another you'll do in your free time.You're almost there!Take a close look at everything you've done in your life; professionally and for fun. Write down all the skills and knowledge you may have taken for granted. Warning: for most Renaissance Personalities, this may take some time!Try to see where you have skills and abilities that you could transfer into a new field or job.And, most importantly; get out there! Talk to people about what you want, what you're looking for, and ask them what they do and how they got there. Never try doing it on your own.There you have it - a crash course in career planning, Renaissance style. Of course there's a lot more to it, depending on your particular type of Renaissance Personality. But hopefully this got you started - and that's half the battle...truly!If you want to read real-life stories of Renaissance Personalities who have done this - and other posts on this topic, please browse my blog.