Start the Summer with a REBOUND!

Because I'm a book nerd, I get a daily "book club" email through the library. It's pretty cool, they start a book on Monday and run a few pages each day that week. You get through about the first chapter, if you like the book you can check it out or purchase it.

A recent book was Rebound, by Martha I. Finney. I only read the first few excerpts, but it's very timely so I'm sharing it with our readers. If you read it and like it (or don't) please let us know!

FROM THE BOOK JACKET:

Been laid off? Fired? Pushed out? See it coming? This book will help you get back on your feet, develop a plan of action, and find your next great job!
Real Answers From Real Experts:
* What to do first...and what never to do
* How to cope with the havoc, trauma, and anger
* How to protect your professional reputation
* How to keep your options open
* Know your rights
* What to do while you're out of work
* How to safeguard your finances
* What to tell your family
* How to keep it from happening again

How to come back stronger and better than ever!

Job Hunting Frustrations?

It seems to me that a lot of job seekers' frustrations come from not knowing how the game is played. This article/Q&A is a good example. Unfortunately this job seeker has expectations that are not in-line with the way most companies and recruiting processes work, and is getting extremely frustrated when their expectations are not met.

It's important to know what a company's procedure is, as much as you can tell or find out, and to understand generally how the process works today perhaps as compared the last time you looked for a job. It is more automated, more technology driven, more key word intensive and, right or wrong, less personal. At least until you make it into the smaller group that is selected for interviews or phone screens.

Employers determine the process they will use to fill their positions. The more you can find out about their rules, the more successfully you can play their game.

One Guy's Perspective on How to Get Hired

How to Hire-and Get Hired-in a Recession is a good article about job-hunting and the current market. Tough? Yes. Opinionated. Absolutely . But a lot of what he says is true now and in any job market or economic situation. Employers want the best people. Job seekers have to show why they're the best person. Easier said than done.

Highlights for job seekers:

- candidates have to work harder to come out on top, and not be afraid to show it (by the way, this doesn't always mean more hours)

- focus in on what employers may be looking for and be prepared in an interview (check out the questions about halfway through the article)

- you MUST be able to prove your value, right now positions who are not directly selling or perceived as bringing in money are considered the most dispensable so prove your ROI to the employer

- employers are looking for people who are not just hard workers, but who can (positively) impact the business right now

Dispatch Job Hunting Series

The Columbus Dispatch is running Help Wanted, an eight-day series on finding work. Topics include dealing with a lay-off, job hunting, resumes, self-employment, interviews, retraining, researching companies, and retirement jobs. First installment is available online, and it looks like each day's articles will be posted as they run. Today's article had solid guidance and resources, definitely check it out.

Tune Up for the New Year

Excellent article from Oprah magazine, by financial guru Suze Orman, all about getting focused and getting your next position no matter where you're coming from.

Key Points:

Tune up your skills (through your current employer or on your own)

Tune into old networks (you know waaay more people than you probably realize!)

Tune out the negativity (enough said)

Here's to a great 2009!