Job Seekers: Resources are out there!

Job seekers and Employees alike are constantly reminded of the importance of brushing up on their skills. It’s recommended that job seekers and employees make themselves more valuable by taking training courses or enrolling in college courses that will make them standout among their fellow candidates and/or co-workers.

All of this is great advice and if you have the money to do it, or if your job offers free training, I strongly advise you to jump on the opportunity. However, if you can’t afford to take college classes, training courses, or are not offered any free programs there are some other options that you might want to take into consideration.

EmployFlorida.com is an online portal to virtual job-matching services and many other workforce resources. On this site, patrons are linked to websites that offer a variety of free online learning and training courses that will expand not only your knowledge but your skills as well.

This site also links you college programs, giving students free online access to course materials that are used in university classrooms. These open programs do not require someone to registration or even charge tuition however, there are also no credits given and there is no interaction with a professor.

*Please click below to be linked to the site.

ONLINE LEARNING RESOURCES

Have you used these resources? How did beneficial did you find them? Any thoughts to share with your fellow jobseekers? Leave me a comment so I can share your feedback with everyone else.

Carly Sabato

A New Bill Extends Unemployment Compensation

Losing your job is a very stressful time. For many, filing for unemployment and cutting costs are the first things on their to-do list. However, people who have filed for unemployment have found unemployment benefits are running out. People are left once again feeling hopeless and concerned with what they are going to do for money.
On April 16, 2010 President Barack Obama signed an $18 billion jobless benefits bill that gives a 60 day extension of federal extended unemployment benefits. So, for those people who have been out of work for months and have been denied additional weeks of unemployment, they can now reapply for long-term benefits that will run until June 2, 2010.

Here are some facts about unemployment:

Unemployment insurance is defined as compensation provided to workers who are unemployed through no fault of their own. Unemployment provides compensation for a specific period or until the worker finds a new job.

So how long is a typical person covered? Regular unemployment provides benefits for up to 26 weeks, based on the weeks you have worked in your claim year. However, during times of high unemployment, other options for those who have exhausted their regular state unemployment benefits are available.

People who find themselves in these types of situations can file for Extended Unemployment Benefits, which will provide compensation for a longer period. In addition, some may be eligible for benefits funded by the federal government, including Emergency Unemployment Compensation or EUC.

Eligibility for extended benefits depend on the where the claimant lives and the date s/he became unemployed. Extended benefit programs provide an additional 13 to 20 weeks of benefits to workers who are already receiving unemployment benefits and are in a state with a high unemployment rate.

Emergency Unemployment Compensation Tiers:

• Tier 1- 20 weeks
• Tier 2- 14 weeks
• Tier 3- 13 additional weeks of benefits in states where the total unemployment rate is 6% or higher
• Tier 4 6 additional weeks of benefits in states where the total unemployment rate is 8.5% or higher.

*Eligibility depends on your tier benefits plus state guidelines.

Visit your State Unemployment Office: For details on who qualifies and when/how benefits will be paid.

http://www.floridajobs.org/Unemployment/

Check out this how to video for help on filing for unemployment Compensation:
http://www.floridajobs.org/unemployment/How_to_File/index.htm

Have you been affected by the new bill that President Obama has passed? Are you unemployed and unable to receive benefits for whatever reason? Leave your comments for others to read and learn from.

Carly Sabato

Two paths to Look at When Looking for a New Career

In today’s economy, finding a job can be like finding a needle in a hay stack. However, there is hope. Some industries are prospering and some almost guarantee you a job. If you are unemployed and thinking of changing careers, going back to school, or about to graduate there are two professions you may want to consider that will leave you with many job offers when you are ready to take that step into the workforce.

The healthcare industry, like we have talked about before, is still a booming industry despite the slow economy. In some cases there are some hospitals and doctors offices that are understaffed and need more people immediately. Healthcare related jobs offer great pay, benefits, and a variety of places to find work. When considering a job in healthcare it is important to look at what will best fit you. Some healthcare jobs, such as a pharmacist might require a bit more schooling than that of a registered nurse but when weighing the benefits and pay that come with such a position, the end completely justifies the means.

If healthcare just doesn’t do it for you, you might check into the computer and IT industry. Now, not all of us have the skills or thought processes required to work with computers but with schooling and training you can become certified and an industry expert. The key to a computer- related profession is understanding how to be flexible. The industry components morph quickly as technology advances, so you have to be dedicated to learning new technology that comes out regularly to stay informed. You should also be willing to travel; on-site technicians for major companies have many advantages. You not only get to travel on the company expense account, but you visit new locations and get paid to do what interests you. Working with computers also offers a lot of entrepreneurial opportunities because so many businesses require assistance from someone with the knowledge and capability to solve their technological needs.

Here is a list of professions in both the healthcare and computer industries. You’ll maybe not be surprised to learn that these are among the fastest growing occupations in today’s job market which are listed on the Department of Labor’s website. Check them out!

Computer software engineers, applications
Computer support specialists
Computer software engineers, systems software
Network and computer systems administrators
Network systems and data communications analysts
Desktop publishers Database administrators
Personal and home care aides
Computer systems analysts
Medical assistants Social and human service assistants
Physician assistants
Medical records and health information technicians
Computer and information systems managers
Home health aides
Physical therapist aides
Occupational therapist aides Physical therapist assistants
Audiologists Fitness trainers and aerobics instructors
Computer and information scientists, research
Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers
Occupational therapist assistants
Veterinary technologists and technicians
Speech-language pathologists
Mental health and substance abuse social workers
Dental assistants
Dental hygienists
Special education teachers, preschool, kindergarten, and elementary school
Pharmacy technicians


What do you think? Are you in one of these types of profession and feel like your job is secure? Or are you someone looking for a career that will offer security and believe that one of these choices is the best way to go? Leave your comments for others to read and learn from.

Carly Sabato

Job Seekers: Be Ready at all Times

COMICS BY: JASON LI @
www.iheartrecession.com/.../ihr_051.jpg

Telephone interviews. We’ve all had them, either as the interviewer or the interviewee. And so, we all know that a phone interview is as important as an actual face-to-face interview. Many times employers use phone interviews as a way to identify and recruit candidates, pre-screen for an actual in office interview, or as a means to lower costs for out-of-town candidates. No matter the reason of the phone interview, it is important that you are just as prepared as if you were doing a formal interview.

When preparing for a phone interview, use the same methods that you would if you were preparing for an actual in person interview. Be aware that as a job seeker with applications out there, it is very likely you will receive a call and need to speak with no notice.

Here are a few basic tips to help you prepare for a phone interview. If you have an in- home office this is the best place to conduct your phone interview as well as a great place to keep all of your job seeking material. See my blog on Job Seekers: Create an Office Area for the Job Search Process.

• Have your resume available at all times. Put it in a place where you more than likely will be taking the call for the interview.

• Have a list of accomplishments ready list to the interviewer rather than stumbling to remember because you are caught off guard.

• Keep a pen and paper in an area where it will be easily accessed and ready to use.

• Clear the room. Make sure that you are in an area that is quiet and free from any distractions.

• Use a landline. If your only choice is a cell phone, make sure you are in an area that receives uninterrupted reception.

• While on the phone DO NOT smoke, chew gum, eat, or drink. However, keep a glass of water nearby in case your throat gets dry or scratchy. Just remember to only use it if you are seriously in need.

• Smile. Studies show that smiling injects charisma and warmth into your voice.

• Speak slowly and enunciate all words.

• Make sure that when addressing the interviewer you use their correct title unless instructed otherwise.

• NEVER interrupt the interviewer!

• Give short and to the point answers.

• Take your time to collect your thoughts.

• DO ALL THAT YOU CAN TO IMPRESS THE INTERVIEWER. REMEMBER, THIS COULD MEAN THAT GETTING THAT FACE-TO-FACE INTERVIEW AND THAT MEANS THAT YOU ARE ONE STEP CLOSER TO LANDING THAT JOB!

Have you ever had an interview over the phone? How did it go? Do you prefer phone interviews over face-to-face interviews or just the opposite? Leave your comments so other readers can take a look.
Carly Sabato

Layoffs: Make the Best of a Bad Situation

It is common to hear, “It can’t happen to me,” and suddenly what couldn’t happen to you becomes a harsh reality. This is true for many people who have found themselves out of a job. The best rule of thumb is to be proactive. Anything is possible, even if you think your job is 100% secure.

Even in times of good economic standing, it is important for people to live within their means, budget appropriately, and save any money they can. Today, that same mindset is even more important as unemployment is on the rise, businesses are going under, and foreclosures have reached an all time high.

Most financial advisers would advise you to save up to six months of living expenses, as an emergency fund or what is today known as a “jobless” fund. However, in today’s circumstances, it is wise to save not only for 6 months but for 12 months or more.

Need help developing a plan of action for “It can’t happen to me?” Here are some helpful tips to live by:

• While you are working, double the amount you put into your emergency fund.

• Downsize where you live. Evaluate your space -- is it more for the comfort and prestige of having it?

• Call your landlord or rental agency and explain your situation. Ask about deferred-payment plans for rent or see if your loan allows it to be restructured.

• When you find out you will be without a job, file for unemployment immediately.

• Look for personal health insurance. Many people who lose their job lose their benefits as well. Health insurance is often something people think that they can live without but costs you more if there is an accident or personal illness.

• Develop a strict budget plan and follow it line by line.

• Prioritize your debt. Pay the big bills like; mortgage/ rent, car payment, utilities before anything else. Of course, it is the goal to pay everything on time but sometimes that is not possible. Learn to know what you can live with and what you can live without.

• Sell things you no longer need. For example: electronics, jewelry, a second car, etc.

• De-invest. Investing is great if you have the money to do it. However, it is not a priority when you are living with no income.

Are you in jeopardy of losing your job, or have you lost your job? Did this blog help you reconsider how to live wisely? Leave your comments for others to learn from

Carly Sabato

Age Discrimination Effects all Ages

Age discrimination is nothing new. However, what may be news to you is it isn’t just your typical over 50 crowd who are being targeted; younger workers can find themselves caught up in age discrimination just as easily.

Labor lawyers say employees in their twenties and thirties find themselves more at risk of a layoff. There are many reasons for this such as companies avoiding age-discrimination lawsuits by adopting a “last one in, first one out” policy when conducting their layoffs. Also, younger workers often have a high- maintenance attitude and a poor work ethic that makes it easy for management to let them go. Also adding to the list, younger people are a lot less of a risk for an employer to lay off because states employees typically protect workers 40 and older from age discrimination. Laid off employees younger than the 40 year old benchmark don’t have much backup when trying to file an age-discrimination lawsuit against a company due to the current laws.

Young, childless workers say they feel that they are being targeted during layoffs. While no particular age group is targeted in a layoff, numbers from the Department of Labor speak for themselves. In April of 2009, the unemployment rate for ages 25 to 34 was at 9.6% compared to 4.9% a year earlier while in that same year the age group of 55 and older had an unemployment rate of only 6.2%, which is compared to 3.3% from the year before.

Now, it is not a proven fact that younger workers should be on guard when it comes to age discrimination, but it is important to know that times are changing and that no age is safe. Here are some ways to protect yourself and keep your job.

• Come in early and leave late

• Check, check, and re-check all your work

• Volunteer to do the work that others do not want to do.

• Get certified—Many companies offer free training and certification programs—Take advantage of this!

• Don’t be demanding!

• Make yourself invaluable to the company, for example:
o Cross train in another department
o Learn as much as possible in all areas of the company
o Be willing to relocate ANYWHERE!

• Find a mentor within the company, preferably someone in upper management
• Volunteer on all projects

• BE THE BEST WORKER YOU CAN BE AND THEN BE BETTER THAN THAT!

What do you think? Are you a victim of age- discrimination? Are you a young worker who has a story to tell? Leave me your comments so I can post for others to read.


Carly Sabato

Job Seekers: Have you Filed Yet?

It is April 13, 2010 have you filed yet? If not and you find yourself scrambling to get everything done than this blog might be informative.

To start, if you are unable to file by the April 15, 2010 due date than file an extension. This will help reduce the stress of getting all the forms done and done correctly as well as avoiding the penalties that occur when you do not file on time. Here is a link to the forms that need to be filed BY OR BEFORE THE DUE DATE APRIL 15, 2010 for an extension: Form 4868, Application for Automatic Extension of Time To File U.S. Income Tax Return

Now let’s talk deductions. If you are a job seeker who is looking for a job within the same line of work that you are currently in than you may qualify for many deductions of your job seeking expenses.

Here is a list of what you can and can’t deduct.

CAN DEDUCT:

• Employment and Outplacement Agency Fees
• Resume’s- Time you spend creating a resume as well as the cost of printing and mailing your resumes to prospective employees.
• Travel and transportation expenses- If you are looking in a new area for a job that is in your current field.
• Phone calls- local and long distance call to prospective employees

CAN’T BE DEDUCTED:

• You are looking for a job in a new occupation
• There is a long break between the ending of your last job and looking for a new one.
• You are looking for a job for a first time.

IRS WEBSITE: For more helpful information on your taxes.

Have you filed yet or are you trying to get everything done by April 15, 2010? Leave your comments for others to read.


Carly Sabato

Job Seekers: More Jobs May be Coming to Florida

Boeing, the world’s largest manufactures of commercial jetliners and military aircraft, could be bringing 1,900 jobs and work for 14 local suppliers to the state of Florida. But wait! There’s more! The Boeing Company could also bring a total of 50,000 jobs to the entire United States as well as bringing business to more than 800 suppliers in 40 states.

Right now, the government is looking to build a replacement for the current 179 KC – 135 and create the NewGen Tanker, as the new tanker aircraft for the U.S Air Force. If the government chooses the $35 Billion contract from the Boeing Company, it will allow Boeing to build the replacement, which is how Florida will get these jobs. Awesome news, right? It’s great news for the state of Florida because not only will it put a dent in the high unemployment rate but it will also bring about $95 million annually in economic impact to the state.

So what exactly is the NewGen Tanker? Well, it is an improvement to the current 767 commercial airplane. It is considered a multi- mission aircraft, with advanced technology, and is capable of fulfilling the Air Force’s needs to transport fuel, cargo, passengers, and patients for the military.

Other companies are also bidding for the contract of building the NewGen Tanker. However, all proposals are due by May 10, 2010 and a decision is expected later in the year. For the sake of Florida and the unemployment rate, let’s hope the Boeing Company is chosen and the Florida people can get back to work!

Curious as to what Florida suppliers will be contributing to the building of this aircraft? Here is a list of the 14 companies:

• Vought Aircraft, Stuart
• Goodrich Lighting Systems, Oldsmar
• Pall Aeropower, New Port Richey
• Parker Fluid Systems, Naples
• Radiant Power Corp., Sarasota
• AAR Manufacturing, Clearwater
• ACR Electronics, Fort Lauderdale
• Alnitak Corp., Sarasota
• ASC Industries, Miami
• CPN Electronics, Fort Lauderdale
• DME Corp., Fort Lauderdale
• Gables Engineering, Coral Gables
• IPECO, Casselberry
• Kaman Aerospace, Jacksonville

PHOTOS OF THE NEWGEN TANKER:
BOEING COMPANY HOME PAGE:

Job Seeker: Don’t be a Victim!

Scams, we have all heard about them and many of us may have been directly affected by some sort of fraudulent activity. However, did you know that you might be scammed when it comes to looking for a job?

With online job searches on the rise, scam cons are able to reach people who would never have been victims of scams before. People are being scammed in various ways, from fraud to stolen goods people are sometimes clueless to what is going on.

Imagine, you apply for a job online. You receive an acceptance letter, get the contract, and send it back via email. You are now a finance manager for a bigwig company! A week later, you receive your first assignment: Money has been transferred into your personal account. Your task is to transfer the money into an overseas account. When you go to “do your job”, you are arrested. Why, well the money is stolen, welcome you have been a part of a popular scam.

Sound unrealistic or maybe you think how could someone not know this is a scam? Well, there are many reasons; one, people in these situations are so excited to finally have a job after a long stance of unemployment that they overlook the awkwardness of the situation. Two, the paperwork and all information of their job assignment seems legal and legitimate. No matter the reasons of how these people become victims of such a popular scam it is crucial to know and understand what to look for so you never become one of these horror stories.

Be aware that the scenario that I gave you is not the only type of scam out there. Here are some other popular ones; reshipping packages- usually this job is titled forwarding packages. Basically, your “employer” sends a package to your home and you are instructed to repackage and reship it to a certain location. DON’T DO IT the contents are stolen! Another, is a work-from-home opportunity. Now, not all of the work-from-home opportunities are scams but those who offer quick cash and a large sum of it probably is a scam. Typically, victims are prompted to pay a registration fee or a training fee this is just a way to get your money. Best rule of thumb for this type of situation, DON’T DO IT!

Here are some common warning signs that you might the job might be a scam:

• You are asked for your social security number

• You are asked for your bank account number

• You are requested to scan some sort of identification (i.e. driver’s license)

• The contact email for the employer is not a primary domain.

• The job ad is unprofessional and has many spelling, grammatical, or information errors

• The employer does not want to meet you face to face or have a conference call with you

Common since right? Well, you would be surprised by how many people know the warning sign and still fall victim to such scams.

Here are some tips to avoid being scammed:

• Never give out your social security number

• Never give out your bank account information

• Never transfer or wire money to a strange account/.employer

• Don’t give a copy of your identification

• Don’t re-ship products that you do not know who they are from or what is in them.

• ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS RESEARCH A COMPANY BEFORE GIVING ANY INFORMATION TO THEM!

What do you think? Have you been a victim of such scams. Leave me a comment so I can post for others to read to learn what not to do.

Carly Sabato

With the economy declining many people have found themselves in a place they never thought they would be, out of a job. Today, people of all ages and economic backgrounds are taking jobs that are below there experience or education level just to make ends meet. Some people who have found themselves unemployed are taking the opportunity to go back to school. However, many people who are without a job have bills that are piling up and money is simply too tight to even think about earning a degree. If this is your thought process I am here to give you information that will help you pursue your dreams.

Scholarships, grants, or financial aid there are opportunities out there that will help ease the burden of what school can cost. Many of you might be thinking I am too old to get a scholarship or grant money or even financial aid, but this is not the case. Their are many resources that will give you money to go back to school and make a better future for yourself and/or your family.

The site, www.acinet.org/ that I discussed on my blog yesterday, is the same site that has information about scholarships. I chose this site among others because it gives you four different categories to narrow your search sub categories in each main category to narrow your search even more.

Check out the direct link and start finding your scholarship today: SCHOLARSHIPS

The best advice that I can give anyone wanting to go back to school is, DON’T GIVE UP! There is money out there you just have to look for it.

Good Luck!

What do you think? Have you recently lost your job and are thinking about or already have gone back to school? Leave your comments below to inspire others.

Carly Sabato

Each day I write my blogs on information to help the fellow job seeker find a job. I give tips on how to act in an interview, how to create a great resume, as well as jobs that are available in the local community. Today, while researching blog ideas I came across a site that gave great information but in a different way.

The site, www.acinet.org is a site with a variety of useful economy based and job type information. What I came upon, is a list of jobs that are declining. Why is this helpful? Well, this will give you insight into the jobs that are going to have continuing layoffs or just become obsolete in the future. Either way, these jobs are not something you want to invest your time in if there is not going to be a long- term commitment, so stay away from them.

* The link will show you the list of Florida declining jobs. If you are interested in seeing an overall of all jobs Nationally you can change you r search in the upper window of the page.

TOP 5O DECLINING FLORIDA JOBS

E- Resumes: What you Should Know

Electronic resumes are common in today’s job seeking world.  But what is an electronic resume or e- resume for short?  Simple, it is any resume

that is sent via e-mail, submitted to Internet job boards, or posted on someone’s personal web or blog page.

However, like the traditional resumes there are things that job seekers need to know when sending or posting their e- resume.  To make it easy to remember, here is a list of tips before you jump into the new age of technology and transfer your paper resume to an electronic resume.

Job Seekers Must have an e-resume:  Did you know that 80% of employers prefer to receive emails from interested candidates via e-mail.  Also, 80% of Fortune 500 companies put there job availabilities on their web page with links to post their resumes to the application.

E-resume Must have keywords:  Just like your traditional resume it needs to have words that stand out and highlight what you have to offer.  For an e-resume, appropriate keywords will allow your resume to pop up when an employer searches like keywords.

Make sure your e-resume shows accomplishments:  Like #2 this applies to a typical resume but it is even more important to show accomplishments in an e-resume because employers are looking at triple the amount of resumes than they have in the past before e-resumes and web became popular.  You have to stand out in the crowd!

Don’t be afraid, an e-resume is not difficult to create:  Creating your e- resume in Word will probably be the best program because it is widely used.  If you do not have this program when you save it save it so it can be opened in other formats.

E-resumes can be sent anywhere: Post it on many job boards, paste it piece by piece into profile job boards or online applications, paste it in a body of an e-mail, convert into any format, send as an attachment, print it and hand it to an employer.  

Tailor or e-resume for each job board you are posting:  Online job boards gives you many opportunities to apply for jobs.  However, make sure that before applying for a job that you are tailoring your e-resume to the job that your are applying for.  A great time saving idea is to make a few e-resume’s that each relate to jobs that you will possibly be applying for.

Great resources that will help your e-resume process:

e-Resumes: Everything You Need to Know About Using Electronic Resumes to Tap into Today's Hot Job Market, by Susan Britton Whitcomb, Pat Kendall, 

Electronic Resumes & Online Networking, by Rebecca Smith

What do you think?  Are you a job seeker with an e- resume or do you need to create one?  Leave your comments and help out your fellow job seeker.

Carly Sabato