Financial Light

Brighter paths for the unemployed

Welcome to Oatmeal for Dinner

		(This is a sticky post, please find current news items below) in Oatmeal for Dinner

Share your journey

		(This is a sticky post, please find current news items below) in Oatmeal for Dinner

Are you unemployed? Share your journey here. How did you find yourself without work? How are you managing your finances, your relationships and your transition during this time? Where are you looking to go from here and how are you planning to get there? What resources have you found out about that may be helpful to others? There are millions of others unemployed. Maybe you can help some of them (and perhaps yourself) by telling your story!

The Rope

		(This is a sticky post, please find current news items below) in Oatmeal for Dinner

 

http://www.ticz.com/homes/users/bob/The-Rope/The-Rope.htm

What should you do if US jobs don't return?

		Thursday, 24 September 09 - 09:03 AM (GMT -05:00) in Oatmeal for Dinner

What if US jobs don't return?

Companies decide to keep their newly trimmed down structures. Consumers decide they won't resume their old spending habits. Credit continues to become more difficult to obtain. Government pulls the plug on bailouts. Foreign countries such as China become stronger and protectionism becomes a greater problem. One or all of these scenarios could play themself out in the future. Maybe US society will never be the same again. 

So what will happen to you if you are unemployed? There is a lot of potential risk- even if you are employed right now.

Here are a few ideas for today to help you cope.

►  Be sure to have a budget and stick to it. Know your income and expense items. Also know that unexpected events will occur. Continually monitor and adjust.

►  Get a grip. The fear associated with unemployment can be overwhelming to some. Seek out someone to help you get through this time.

►  Get creative. Don't just rely on traditional job search techniques.

►  Do a cost/benefit analysis. What can you bring to an organization in dollars and cents? Can you save a company money? Can you generate additional revenue? Can you develop new products or services? As a new employee, could you get "up to speed" faster than someone else? Quantify your potential benefit and don;t be shy in sharing it. The cost to a company is your salary/wages plus any benefits including training/orientation. Compare that to the projected financial benefit. Can you "pay for yourself" and is it worth it for someone to hire you?

►  Consider self-employment.  You may be more attractive to a company as an independent contractor rather than an in-house employee. Look at the pros and cons of self-employment. In particular, investigate the cost of benefits you will need and the tax implications of self-employment. If you decide to pursue self-employment, be sure to have a Business Plan. Not having one is like traveling to a strange place without your GPS navigation device. 

Stop e-Mailing resumes?

		Tuesday, 01 September 09 - 02:37 PM (GMT -05:00) in Oatmeal for Dinner

Often we hear about job seekers getting no response from e-mail applications. No acknowledgment of receipt. No identification of the employer hiding behind the blind posting. Not even a note of rejection.

Should you stop e-mailing resumes? Probably not- but don't rely on the e-mailing of resumes as your main job search strategy either.

The opposite of the word "mail" is conversation. Having your e-mailed resume dropped somewhere into the dark universe of the INTERNET doesn't promote conversation like a simple phone call or in-person inquiry does.

Start mixing up your search techniques. Spending all of your time behind a computer may not be as fruitful as you hope. A successful job search can be long, difficult and time consuming. Take the initiative to contact employers through alternative means. Remember to respect any stated wishes (i.e. no phone calls) but don't hesitate to make yourself more visible when the door is left open. You will likely stand out from the crowd and may be pleasantly surprised with the results too.

Are you a "discouraged worker"?

		Thursday, 20 August 09 - 11:25 AM (GMT -05:00) in Oatmeal for Dinner

The latest employment numbers were released today. In July, there were over 14 million people out of work. That figure exceeds the total population of every U.S. state and territory except California, Texas, New York and Florida.

There is also a category that measures the number of discouraged workers. There were just under 800,000 discouraged workers reported in July. In the past year, this number has nearly doubled. (Discouraged workers are persons not currently
looking for work because they think that there isn't a job available for them anywhere.)

Are you a discouraged worker? If so, DON'T GIVE UP.

There is a post on this site titled The Rope. Please read it and take it to heart. Understand that God is always with you and will lead you in the right direction, Place your full faith and confidence in Him. It is easy for many people to have "faith" when they can see, hear or touch something. They have material evidence to rely on but that is not true faith. Part of having real faith means embracing your situation- learning from it, making the best of it, becoming better because of it and truly believing that at the right time God will direct you to a higher ground that was designed for you. Put aside your discouragement and rest assured with hopeful anticipation starting today! 

Free guides for the unemployed

		Wednesday, 01 April 09 - 06:21 AM (GMT -05:00) in Oatmeal for Dinner

Brighten your vision as you journey through unemployment. Opportunity in Disguise and How to Obtain True Wealth are two free guides for the unemployed that you can download at Financial Light. Just click on the links to get your copies today!

5 things they won't tell you at the interview

		Sunday, 29 March 09 - 06:36 PM (GMT -05:00) in Oatmeal for Dinner

You probably won't hear much discussed about these topics at your interview unless you ask directly.

#1  They won't tell you that the last person in the position was canned for what amounted to a difference in personalities. Yes, the employer asked for someone with initiative; however, when they displayed it they were perceived as a threat and let go. Just great. Is this who you want to work for?

#2  They won't tell you that there is a consultant or favored group of departmental employees who will really be calling the shots. To attract help and make you feel important, they may call you a 'C' level executive but in reality you will be a 'P' level (puppet) one. Is that what you are looking for?

#3  They won't tell you that the workload is astronomical. That's because due to their lack of intimate knowledge about the position, they see the workload as very reasonable. In fact, it is probably a piece of cake since they don't have to do it them self. Their only task is to "supervise" your own hard work and earn bonuses because of it.

#4  They won't tell you that even though you are being offered 4 weeks of paid vacation and 10 paid holidays per year, you probably won't be able to take them. You will be too overloaded with work. If you do take time off, there will likely be no backup provided and you will return to a diabolical mess. Some dilemma huh? Try explaining that to your family and friends.

#5 They won't tell you that you will be looked upon as an orange. You will be tightly squeezed until there is no juice left. As there will be no further use for you, you will be promptly discarded-peel and all. Not to worry, however. In the meantime, you will receive a set of fancy business cards with a power title that you can show off to others. Since many people associate themself closely with their work, they enjoy the acceptance of this temporary status boost. Oh, and you will also get an office that is cold in the winter and hot in the summer due to budgetary constraints. Some deal.     

What didn't they tell you at the interview? Share your story here. 

 

Spice up your resume like PT Barnum would

		Wednesday, 25 March 09 - 10:49 PM (GMT -05:00) in Oatmeal for Dinner

Looking for a way to get your resume to stand out?  When there are tons of applicants for just one job, that's a must.

Try a graphical format using your choice of presentation software. Well done graphs have the advantage of being clear and much easier to read than long narratives. Show your skills in a pie chart, slide show or even a table. Use very short descriptions to get straight to the point. Get creative but keep it simple. Your objective would be to quickly generate enough interest to secure an interview. Adding color could enhance the presentation further. If your resume is mailed, try using an odd-sized envelope. If it is e-mailed, consider attaching a one minute (or less) audio or video clip. Check for freeware if you are in need of the application.  

The successful showman PT Barnum was known to have said: "I don't believe in duping the public, but I believe in first attracting and then pleasing them."  Getting the attention of the busy decision maker is your first obstacle when submitting a resume in response to a job opening. Spice things up a little using an alternative presentation and then win over your potential employer at the interview. Be sure to show up with the whole enchilada (a detailed resume) at that time.  

Best of success.

Who needs a job?

		Wednesday, 25 March 09 - 11:29 AM (GMT -05:00) in Oatmeal for Dinner

Here is a quick tip if you really need a job fast.

Do what most people will not do. Maybe that's handling garbage, working on the weekend, filing papers or any of a multitude of other things. Think about it. If it needs done, somebody has to do it. Maybe that somebody can be you. Offer your services as a volunteer for a day or two to show your stuff. Focus on important needs that must be done but are often disliked. Too monotonous? Too dirty? Too time consuming?Those are the tasks that can often times lead to work and getting your foot in the door. Remember, this should be only temporary if your ambition is recognized. From there, it will be up to you as to how far you can go. Remember too that if this strategy works for one company, it may work with others. Don't limit your horizons!

 

From unemployed to self-employed?

		Saturday, 14 March 09 - 10:00 AM (GMT -05:00) in Oatmeal for Dinner

Going from unemployment to self-employment can be difficult. Nevertheless, it can be done. Is that the path you should be following?

Here are some questions to ask yourself when considering this option. Conservatively and realistically address them.

- Do I have enough capital to get started and sustain myself for the next 24 months? Starting on a shoestring is always best. Be extremely careful about assuming debt before you have even earned your first dollar of revenue.

- If I was employed, would I pursue self-employment anyway? In other words, are you making this decision because you are following your heart or due to your current lack of employment?

- Would customers pay for my product/service? People that you know may rave over your skills or products to indicate a possible market. But when you get down to it, could they and would they pay for it?

- Could I earn a satisfactory income? Your unemployment earnings should far exceed what you could earn as an employee to account for the risk you are assuming and the inevitable variability in earnings you would experience from year to year. 

- Would those close to me support me in my decision? If not, you will have a significant emotional obstacle to overcome.

- Would I be happy with my work? This is probably the most important question to answer. Would your work be enjoyable? Would it help you to achieve your mission in life?

Self-employment isn't for everyone---but it may be for you. The first step is to develop a Business Plan. Without it, you will be like a traveler without a road map and are sure to get lost. You will also increase your risk of failure.

7 Tips to Avoid Employment Scams

		Wednesday, 11 March 09 - 09:58 AM (GMT -05:00) in Oatmeal for Dinner

Today some tips will be shared to help you avoid employment scams.

1) Do not pay upfront for job placement. That includes providing personal financial information such as bank account numbers or credit card information.

2) Ads that look unprofessional should be regarded as suspect. Misspellings and improper use of the English language are examples.

3) Work at home opportunities do exist; however, the legitimacy of many of these types of ads should be called into question. Because working from home appeals to many potential job seekers, these offers can sometimes conceal fraud much easier.

4) Excessive earnings claims are another way to lure job seekers to a fraudulent "opportunity". Tread carefully if the wages to be paid appear to be well above industry norms or what you would reasonably expect under the circumstances.

5) Learn to be vigilant in your job search. Career sites are not bullet proof. Despite their best efforts, a fraudulent ad can appear on a job search site. Carefully scrutinize everything you read before responding.

6) Missing or limited job descriptions can also be a sign that something is wrong. To attract the right candidates, most legitimate employers want the job seeker to know upfront as much about the job as possible. On the other hand, scam artists tend to generalize more.

7) Guarantees that you will be found a job should be disregarded. Go the other way as fast as you can. Only a hiring employer can directly promise you a position.

Unfortunately, not all offers are designed with your best interests at heart. When you are unemployed, you are usually open to any help that you can get. If left unchecked, however, that vulnerability can get you into hot water. Be careful out there.

Unemployment by US County

		Tuesday, 10 March 09 - 08:59 PM (GMT -05:00) in Oatmeal for Dinner

From the New York Times.

 

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2009/03/03/us/20090303_LEONHARDT.html?ref=business

5 ways to stop worrying about unemployment

		Tuesday, 10 March 09 - 06:20 PM (GMT -05:00) in Oatmeal for Dinner

Unemployment can stir up plenty of fear and anxiety. But hey, it's not a life or death situation. Here are 5 ways to help shut off your mind from all the worries.

1) Form a support group. Use the internet or social interactions to find others that are in a similar predicament. Arrange for free space that can be used for get togethers. Talk about the issues each of you are facing: financial, emotional, relationship-wise or other-wise. See what help can be found from members within the group. Your thinking will shift to  helping others, your time will be productive and you will be learning and helping yourself as well.

2) Take a few days off from job searching. No newspaper ads. No internet searches. No phone calls. No resume writing. Nothing. No matter your situation, you must step away from your job search. Unemployment is an intense period of time for many people. Find the one thing that nourishes you the most and enjoy it instead to replenish yourself. You will return with a fresher outlook and more energy than before. Don't burn out before you even start a new job!

3) Declutter your mind. Your thoughts may be negative and turn inward. Your mind may seem as if it is being constantly bombarded by these thoughts. Take time to practice or learn new techniques such as regular exercise, meditation, visualization and/or the use of affirmations. These will help you to keep things in perspective and declutter your mind. Make regular practice of these techniques and don't wait until you feel your worry is starting to get the best of you.

4) Put off the big decisions. Unless they are urgent, big decisions will only weigh you down. They will only add to your worries. This is a time to procrastinate in the areas you can afford to. Making no decision will be better than making a bad decision that could impair you into the future. Accept the gravity of your situation and know that you can defer further pressure until later. That will usually be in your best interests.

5) Pray often. Be at peace and know that you are not alone. Nor will it be by your own power that your employment situation is resolved.

# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #  # # # #

Get more tips when you download the free guide Opportunity in Disguise.

For those interested in forming a support group, please write to me at:   financiallight@gmail.com.

 

Free copies of resume

		Saturday, 07 March 09 - 08:10 PM (GMT -05:00) in Oatmeal for Dinner

"FedEx Office, formerly FedEx Kinko's, said it will offer its printing services for free to help cash-strapped job seekers across the country. The company will host "FedEx Office Free Resume Printing Day" on Tuesday [March 10], offering to print up to 25 copies of each customer's resume for free."

[source: Indystar.com]

5 Ways to Find a Job (when there aren't any)

		Thursday, 05 March 09 - 06:47 PM (GMT -05:00) in Oatmeal for Dinner

Job losses have been across the board. Regardless of state or industry, nearly all sectors are feeling the pain. Almost on a daily basis, we hear of thousands losing their jobs. Thousands of others wait in the wings to be next. So how do you find work when there is none to be found? The best way is to develop a new mind set. That means acknowledging  positions being eliminated may not necessarily be restored. If so, it may not be for an extended period of time.  Think more about what you can give instead of what you need. You will enjoy the fruits of your labor later. Now is the time to create a position for yourself. Here are 5 ways to do just that.

1. Demonstrate a savings that will more than offset your pay check.

2. Demonstrate an ability to generate revenue that will exceed your pay check.

3. Demonstrate skills that can save the business owner time.

4. Be flexible and willing to do what no one else wants to do.

5. Be open to outsourcing yourself and providing your own benefits.

You will need to be acutely aware of how the business operates. Complement your education and experience in your chosen field with plenty of research. Be prepared to communicate as an expert. That will make you an asset- not a liability. And, that will make all the difference in improving your chances of finding meaningful work.

What is really happening to the US economy?

		Tuesday, 03 March 09 - 04:50 PM (GMT -05:00) in Oatmeal for Dinner

"Rome was not built in a day". That's a phrase many of us have heard. But what about Rome did not fall in a day?

There probably were not many people that saw this recent financial meltdown coming. Of those, there were likely fewer still who were true believers and acted to protect their assets. That despite the writing on the wall for all of us.

What is really happening to the US economy? Well here is my take. For starters, the word economy may not be accurate. Economics has garnered much attention largely due to the precipitous falls in the financial markets. Perhaps it is better to use the term society. So, semantics aside, what is going haywire with American society?

This crisis did not suddenly appear. It is merely evidence of a longer term process of deterioration. In general, Americans have gotten fat and lazy-plain and simple. We have spent more than we earn over an extended period of time and this has created a huge amount of personal debt. We don't enjoy what we do have because we are too busy planning what we are going to buy next. Our credit lines are either maxed out or over the limit. In the short-term, the economy (but not society) benefited from this spending spree by consumers. But that's OK because another focus of our society is the short-term- as in instant gratification. Patience, the rare virtue, has become nearly extinct. Built to last has changed to build it fast. A good man may be hard to find but a good leader with strong moral values harder still. Respect for rules seems to be diminishing by the day evidenced by executive exploitation of employees and investors, and the number of drivers traveling at high rates of speed over the limit. Don't expect a good Samaritan to let you into the lane of traffic either. In fact, I read about one study that said many people would not even let an ambulance pass for fear that they would not be able to reenter. We are all in a hurry to get somewhere but nobody seems to know where that is. Many parents are either divorced or out of their kids lives. Drug use and crime is in the news daily. Trust seems to be at an all-time low. Heck, don't be surprised if you are fingerprinted on your next job as a condition of employment either. Some of us can't find a job, many  of us don't like our job and a few of us don't want to roll up our sleeves and work at all.  

We are clearly blessed with the most but seem to care the least. Its the free things in life that we appear to have forgotten about in our society. Lending a hand to a stranger. Taking an interest in our children. Learning more. Making a difference. Grounding ourself in a strong  values system. The food we eat. The roof over our head. Stopping to smell the roses. Living by the golden rule. Actions that pay big dividends.

Our "economy" will reemerge and prosper mightily when society steps up its investment in important things like these. Bailing out a conglomerate, creating new laws or manipulating consumers is not going to help us out of this societal mess.

Pray for our country. Pray for its leaders. Pray for its families. Pray that when you find a job you can make a positive difference, as small or as big as it may be, in your workplace . And pray for those around the world who, in many cases, need it much more than us.

   

Unemployment Funds

		Thursday, 26 February 09 - 09:32 PM (GMT -05:00) in Oatmeal for Dinner

Will unemployment funds run short? In that case, what would you do? Let other readers hear your backup plan to make ends meet in the Finances Forum.

Renewal for the Unemployed

		Thursday, 26 February 09 - 07:27 PM (GMT -05:00) in Oatmeal for Dinner

Lent has arrived and it is time for renewal. For those of you that find yourself without work, this is a good chance to stop and reflect.

When someone asks where you work, what would you like to tell them? If your life was about to end, what would you like to be able to say you did for someone else? Besides economics, what is most important to you? What is your personal mission and how are you going to achieve it?

Yesterday I read an interesting article. In it, worldwide poverty was discussed. 40% of the world's population (about 2.5 billion people) live on less than 2 US dollars per day. 80% (yes, 80% or 5+ billion people) live on less than 10 US dollars per day.

If you are not one of these people, count your blessings. This is clearly a time to be thankful for what we do have. Cleanse your heart and spirit. Make sure that you have got your priorities straight. Raise the bar and reach for those people and things that mean the most. Let go of the material and latch onto faith, hope and love. Ask the Lord for forgiveness and forgive someone else if you have been wronged. Develop a greater sense of patience in an increasingly impatient world. Be grateful for the food on your table, the roof over your head and those close to you. Stop to hear the leaves rustling or a child laugh. Treasure these riches and remember that it could all end in an instant. We are here on this earth for only a short appointed time. Make the most of yours and pave the way for life everlasting.

Keep things in perspective too. "Remember you are dust and to dust you shall return."  May God bless you and make you stronger each day.

 

Create your own security

		Tuesday, 24 February 09 - 04:33 AM (GMT -05:00) in Oatmeal for Dinner

People are a lot like squirrels--- don't you think? All chasing after the same nuts at the same time. The prize nut many folks are now seeking is a traditional "job". But, just like the squirrel, people face a lot of competition for a nut like that. It appears there aren't many of those nuts left either. Could it be that they are nuts in the first place?

Go where they ain't.

Adjust your expectations.

Don't follow the crowd.

Become a nut.

Create your own security.

When you change your approach to focus upon how you can benefit someone else rather than what you can get from them, your fruits will assuredly come later. Your role has changed. You are now the prized nut itself and not the scavenger seeking a nut.

Study yourself and let others close to you do the same. What unique gift do you have to offer?  What problem can you solve? How can you save a business owner time or money? What are you waiting for? Get busy doing it!

There is much greater opportunity found in times of crisis than in times of prosperity. Be a nut and create your own security.

 

... More items are available in my News Archive