Archive for November, 2009

How to Find a Job in a Poor Economy

Friday, November 27th, 2009


It’s no secret that our economy is in very serious trouble. Everyday we hear about companies laying off thousands of workers, and the unemployment rolls are increasing each week.

The job losses are occurring in all American industries: real estate, construction, finance, law, newspapers, magazines, hotels – no sector has been immune to the financial downturn.

These obviously aren’t ordinary times. What worked before when looking for a job probably won’t work today. So what can you do if you find yourself out of work now?



Consider Relocating



You may be reluctant to move to another city, but you might have to in order to get a job. The economic downturn has affected the entire country, but some areas are having more problems than others. Research the economic picture city by city on the web to see if there are opportunities in your field in another location.

It’s time to be realistic and understand that your job prospects might no longer exist where you live. Don’t wait for competitors to get the job you need someplace else. Go after it now.



Get Training in a Growth Field


Find out which business sectors are still growing and hiring, and find out if you can take courses to get certified quickly. For example, health care positions are expanding, and are projected to continue to grow in the future. They may not pay as much as you were earning, but you’ll be getting a paycheck and you might get benefits.



Get Creative


You may have been in one field for your whole career, but your job skills are probably transferable to other fields. Make a list of your skills and then search the Department of Labor’s O*NET Online job database see how these skills might fit into other careers. Remember to include such skills as people, communication and leadership along with the skills you learned in school and on the job.

If you are able, consider volunteering to intern in a company to gain specific job skills. If you can get into a company, you have a better chance of getting a paying job when it’s available.



Network, Network, Network


Tell everyone you know that you’re looking for a job. Don’t be embarrassed, or afraid to let people know you’re out of work. Thousands of people are in the same boat, and you’ll find that people are very happy to try to help you. Be helpful to them too. If you know of an opportunity that’s right for someone, tell him. He’ll appreciate it, and help you in the future.

Be Realistic

You’re going to have to let go of your previous job status. It’s gone. Be open to opportunities you never would have considered before. You need a job. This is no time to care about anything except bringing money into your house and family.

This is definitely a difficult time for job seekers. There’s nothing normal about looking for work today. But you can give yourself a leg up on your competition by forging ahead doing everything you can to find work.

KSA Writers: The Key To Getting A Federal Job

Friday, November 27th, 2009


When applying for most Federal jobs, you will be required to write what is known as a KSA or statement of knowledge, skills, and abilities. Because competition is so high for these jobs, many people employ professionally certified KSA writers to give themselves the best chance of success. Given that the KSA is what Federal recruiters now use to identify the best candidates for a job, this is a wise strategy to use if you are less than confident in your writing skills or knowledge of Federal resume and KSA submission guidelines.

Although the specifics about what is required for the KSA will vary depending on the job for which you are applying, they are always written in first person, and generally feature a series of 3 to 10 questions designed to showcase the details about how your profile fits the requirements of the job opening. Each applicant’s KSA statement is rated using a point system of 1 through 10, with the highest rated statements receiving first priority for interviews. Given this high standard, resumes submitted without a KSA will generally not be considered; and, it is not uncommon for resumes containing a poorly written or formatted KSA to simply get discarded in favor of those with a more professional touch.

When choosing a KSA writer, it is important to ensure they are professionally trained and certified in Federal application and KSA writing protocol. It is an added plus if the writer offers Federal resume compilation as well to ensure a uniform look to your application package. The standard turnaround time for ordering this service is generally 2 or 3 business days, but many companies also offer rush jobs that can be completed in as little as 12 hours. The company should have an easy to use communication format that allows you to give them all your information, ask questions, and provide feedback clearly and efficiently. There is plenty of this type of service available, so if you are considering applying for a Federal job don’t rule out the value of hiring a professional KSA writer to help!

Click here to see more details : http://www.ksa-writing.com/ksa-writers.html

The Best Jobs in a Bad Economy

Wednesday, November 25th, 2009


 

It’s no secret that times are tough and when the economy begins to weaken, jobs become harder to secure and fewer in numbers. So what are the best jobs to have in a bad economy?



Sales – Anyone who makes or saves their company money can be fairly certain their job is secure.

Certified Public Accountant – Two things in life are certain: death and taxes.

Teachers – As the population grows, so does the need for qualified teachers in nearly all parts of the country.

Environmental Specialists – As worldwide concern grows regarding global warming, so do positions within the environmental sector.

Local Truck Driving Jobs – As the backbone of the economy, need for truck drivers will remain constant since they transport nearly every commodity consumed in the United States.

Healthcare Professionals – From nurses to physician’s assistants, the need for skilled healthcare professionals continues to rise. In fact, despite a poor economy, many of these professionals benefit from high salaries and secure job positions.

Physical/Occupational Therapists – With an aging demographic, people are getting older and more frail, resulting in an increased need for therapists.

Energy – Roughly 80% of workers in the oil industry will begin to retire over the next decade, so jobs in the oil, gas, and alternative energy will continue to grow at a steadily.

Security – The need for security (i.e. airports and border patrol) will always be on the rise, especially given the U.S.’s stance against terror.