Saturday, July 31, 2010

Filing For Unemployment - 7 Tips For Making the Process Run Smoothly

Filing for unemployment doesn't have to be a difficult process. In fact, there are several things you can do to make it easier. If you're looking for unemployment help, take advantage of the following tips:

1. Start by figuring out where to file. When you're filing for unemployment, you should start with the state you worked in, even if you've moved since losing your job. If you worked in several states, your local unemployment office can tell you which state to file in.

2. Make sure filing for unemployment is something you're eligible to do. To qualify, you must be out of work through no fault of your own, like being laid off. You cannot receive unemployment checks if you were fired or quit on your own. In some states, you may have had to work for your former company for a certain amount of time.

3. See if you actually have to go to the unemployment office. In many states, filing for unemployment can be done online or over the phone. If you file from home, you may be able to skip a long line!

4. When you're filing for unemployment, you need to have a lot of personal information ready. In most cases, you will need to provide:

- Your address
- Your Social Security number
- Your driver's license number
- Your mother's maiden name (for security purposes)
- Information about your last employer, like the company's name, address, and phone number
- The tax ID for your last employer (which can be found on your W-2)
- How much money you made before getting laid off
- Employment information for the past two years

5. Find out if receiving unemployment checks means that you have to file for your state's job service. These services can be a big help, offering you job search resources for free at your local unemployment office. However, in some states, filing for unemployment also means you have to prove that you're applying for jobs and sending out resumes.

6. Keep current on your unemployment checks. Once you're done filing for unemployment, the benefits process doesn't end there. You will have to register online and file for your unemployment checks every week.

7. Keep everything in perspective. Filing for unemployment can be tedious, and your unemployment checks will not be nearly as high as your former salary. Plus, in most states, you can only receive unemployment checks for 26 weeks. In some cases, your unemployment benefits can be extended, but don't assume that an extension will be automatically approved.

Do you have questions about filing for unemployment? Let FileUnemployment.com be your one-stop unemployment resource! Whether you need unemployment benefits, help with your job search, or are thinking about going back to school, FileUnemployment.com has all the information you need.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nicole_Beckett

What if You Can Change Your Life in an Instant?

"If you change the way you look at your life, the life you look at will change."

Let me give you an example: you take your car, you drive to where you want or need to go. You are in a general good mood. Then, all of a sudden, a driver cuts you off. 90 % of the people will react. An insult or a strong remark, a trembling or shaking of the entire body, a sudden cold sweat, a knot in the stomach, a general sudden stress symptoms system has taken place in a matter of seconds. This is what is called: a reaction.

Two Possible Outcomes

Now let us examine the same situation with a different response: you drive, someone cuts you off; you brake slightly to decrease your speed, and you go on your driving, without being affected by the negligent driver. Your life is not affected. You remain calm, and "stay with yourself," balanced and safe. But, if you are like the other 90% of the people, you will be affected by the negligent driver error, and this may spoiled your next half an hour, hour, or even your entire day.

Why did I say "even your entire day?"

First, the only one who got affected or offended was... you! The other driver may not even noticed you were furious at him or her. Second, when you are getting affected by this negligence, you are sending a negative or low vibration, which may attract more bad drivers, and or more negative events!

That is the reason why I said if you change the way you look at your life, the events in your life, the way others act, etc, the life you are looking at will (surely) change.

A tip: if you run into this type of negligence on the road, try to imagine yourself rushing and doing the same mistake, or try to imagine a friend of yours as the negligent driver, or try to imagine the sweetest person making that mistake.

Another point is that we are, each one of us, responsible for this world. If we want a better world, let us change ourselves first, so all of us will change. Act as an example, send positive energy around you, try to respond instead of reacting, and the world will change for the best. But for the moment, let us be in acceptance of the world as it is, because there is only so much we can do.

Action Steps

1. Accept others as your potential friends, partners, clients, or customers.

2. Try not to get offended so quickly.

3. Let go; do not hold any anger, hostility, or low energy emotions.

4. Be is a state of gratitude.

5. Say, It could have been much worse, or: That is not the end of the world.

6. Smile. A smile gives instant comfort.

7. Forgive; no one is perfect, except God or the Divine or the Universe.

8. Be thankful that you are OK, safe, and healthy.

If you apply these steps, you are going to see great improvement in your life. Yes, you can change your life in an instant, if you change the way you see your life.

Emrick Garam has been in the self-empowerment business for over seven years, and has been voted the number speaker number in the self empowerment on the internet community.For more info on How to create or change your life, To find out more about how Emrick does it, go to his site: http://bestyourlife.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Emrick_Garam

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Creating a Personal Brand Statement

Forget about the war on drugs, many Americans are fighting against the war on jobs. This article details a strategy that will help job seekers land the job.

 Searching for a job can be an exhaustive task. Most people believe that a resume is a summary of professional background and enter in the job search battle only equipped with a brief summary of their offerings.

 The truth is a resume is only as good as you believe it is. The true purpose of a resume is to highlight what you do well and to advertise those skill sets to a potential employer. If you are unsure about what you want to do next in your career, your resume will show that because it will be unfocused and not direct enough.

 Creating a powerful brand statement can help you write a better resume and present the confidence you need to win favor in an interview.  A brand statement is a simple and to the point statement of who and what you are. The brand statement highlights what you do well and makes the listener excited to learn more about you.

 Your resume should revolve around your brand statement. Think of it this way...if you were meeting with a consultant who is responsible for helping your business, what type of experience and profile would that person have?

 The same way you view the consultant is the same way a potential employer will view you. When you meet with a consultant you are expecting to learn about their dedicated expertise and the solutions they have to offer your company. When you meet with a potential employer you are expected to respond and exceed the same expectation.

 Here is an example of a brand statement:

 I am a Senior level financial professional with more than 20 years' experience positioning small to medium sized energy companies to greater levels of financial solvency and overall management.

Content by www.CountrysBestResumes.com 

Monday, July 26, 2010

The “How To” Guide for Discussing Salary during an Interview

So…How Much Are You Offering?
The “How To” Guide for Discussing Salary during an Interview

Talking about salary and compensation with potential employers can be one of the most intimidating tasks a job seeker faces. When and how you approach the topic is pertinent and should be handled with discretion. The timing of this discussion could make or break your chances of continuing in the interview process or could negate your interest in a job opening.

Shawntee White-Yates, Executive Recruiter, who has helped thousands of job seekers for more than a decade, offers the following advice:
1. If a recruiter is involved in your process, discuss all salary requirements in depth from the very beginning.
(Then there will be no need to discuss salary at all during the interview because he/she will handle the negotiating for you when an offer is made)

2. If a recruiter is not involved, this is usually discussed at the very beginning. The first call you receive or conversation you have with a hiring manager should include salary as one of the pre-screening questions.
(If not, you may want to follow-up with a phone call to inquire about the salary range or hourly rate of the job)

If for whatever reason salary is not discussed during the initial screening conversation, she suggests that you ask immediately during your next discussion with the hiring manager or whoever is scheduling you for an interview. Otherwise, it could be a waste of valuable time if the salary is not within your desired range or at least negotiable.
Good Luck on your search!

Tawana Wood, Chief Resume Writer for CountrysBestResumes.com says “job seekers must view interviews as sales calls.” According to Ms. Wood, salary and benefit negotiations are a part closing a deal. “Job seekers are selling their skills and abilities to potential employers who are investing/purchasing their expertise.”

Mrs. Wood recommends job seekers do the following:

1. Research the Market
Research how much professionals are being compensated for in the same or similar functions. Review salary surveys, industry related publications and associations for resources, job advertisements, as well as, consult with those in your network. Job seekers must also keep in mind that their geographic area plays a significant role in determining pay levels, salaries in NY will differ from those in FL.

2. Know About The Company
Like a Sales Professional, know your prospect. Research the company’s financial situation; do they have the resources and market position to support the salary you are seeking? It is critical that you find out this information before attempting any salary negotiation.

3. Are there Perks?
Are there things other than financial rewards that will attract you to a company? Consider what the full compensation package will look like. Does the company offer a good work/life balance? Do you receive healthcare benefits? Do they offer specialized training or tuition re-imbursement? “I accepted my job because it was close to my home and offered telecommunicating options” say Jerrod Stalls, Field Technician in Maryland. “I accepted the position because they offered me four weeks vacation the first year and six weeks for the year following” says Darrien Jones, IT Director in California.

Determine which factors are critical to you. Look at your whole picture…compensation today and retirement for tomorrow.

4. Distill Value
In order to close the deal you must distill value. A successful sales professional overcomes objections by distilling value. Highlight your achievements in a quantitative and qualitative manner. Your resume should focus on what you do well and be used as a guide to help you demonstrate your stuff to a potential employer. Employers are looking for solutions. Show how your experience and expertise will help them save money, make money, change, or do something new. The better you are at showing your worth, the more likely you are to negotiate a better deal.

5. Be prepared to Answer the Question
When the time is right the employer may ask you what your salary requirements are. Based on your thorough research you will be ready to respond. Never just say “I’m Flexible” if asked the question, give them a range mid XX’s to upper XX’s. If an employer doesn’t ask, then ask them. “How much has been budgeted for this position?”

6. Ask for an official offer letter with your compensation included
To officially close the deal, request the employer send you an offer in writing outlining the specifics of the offer including your key responsibilities, start date, salary and special arrangements.

Tawana Wood is a recruiter and Chief Resume Writer for The CountrysBestResumes.com, she has personally written more than 7,000 resumes for today’s top executives worldwide. http://www.CountrysBestResumes.com

Shawntee White Yates is a recruiter with more than 15 years’ experience in Executive Recruitment and Human Resources Management, she has worked for leading companies including Aerotek.