Thursday, December 17, 2009
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Laid Off? 7 Rules for a Graceful Exit
With more layoffs in the works, here is a timely article about what you should do in the event of a not so pleasant layoff. It is projected that the rising unemployment rate, currently at 10.2% percent, is likely to level off next year. Until then, there is still the potential for more layoffs. We hope that the pointers from the article will help you to negotiate a graceful exit and help you to land your next job.
The most important thing is to keep a level head and negotiate your exit to your advantage. The article includes -- asking for reference letters, outplacement service, extra insurance coverage, moving costs, and asking for your job back in the future, when the economy rebounds.
So good luck -- it's wild out there but it is not over till its over! Stay positive!
The most important thing is to keep a level head and negotiate your exit to your advantage. The article includes -- asking for reference letters, outplacement service, extra insurance coverage, moving costs, and asking for your job back in the future, when the economy rebounds.
So good luck -- it's wild out there but it is not over till its over! Stay positive!
Laid Off? 7 Rules for a Graceful Exit
In the hours and days after you’ve been laid off, your emotional state tends to range from uncomfortable to devastated — but the way you handle yourself can either help you rebound or drive your career deeper into the ground. With economists predicting that the 10.2 percent unemployment rate will continue to climb before it plateaus early next year, it seems even more workers will soon be hearing words like “downsizing,” “staff reductions,” and “cutbacks.”
Regardless of the economic underpinnings, however, a layoff always feels personal. “We like to deny that we are expendable. So when we are told ‘we have to let you go,’ it feels like an assault,” says Katherine Crowley, a New York City-based psychotherapist and co-author of the book Working for You Isn’t Working for Me. She adds that when an employee experiences this slap in the face, he or she should avoid the natural inclination to slap back — either verbally or, it should go without saying, physically. “You never know who you will meet or need a reference from again. Exiting gracefully is one of the most important skills for someone who plans on building their career,” says Crowley.
Here’s how to handle your exit with aplomb.
http://moneywatch.bnet.com/career-advice/article/laid-off-7-rules-for-a-graceful-exit/369443/
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
10 ways to deal with a bad boss
One thing that you were most likely not taught in school is the concept of "emotional competence", i.e. your ability to deal rationally with your emotions in a professional manner so that you can remain cool in the face of extreme provocation. In other words, "never let them see you sweat!".
In order to survive in the workplace, one thing that you need to master is "emotional competence".
The article below discusses the best way to cope with a bad boss so that you can survive and thrive in the workplace.
Is your boss about to drive you crazy? Here are some coping strategies to help you keep your sanity (and maybe your job).
At one point or another, you will have a bad boss. Maybe your boss won’t be like the one in Dilbert, but still he or she might make your work difficult. Here are some tips to help you cope.
Note: This article is also available as a PDF download.
1: Avoid responding in kind
If your boss acts like a jerk, becomes abusive, or is freaking out, your initial impulse might be to do the same thing. Fight that temptation, hard though it might be. Repaying “evil for evil” accomplishes nothing and only makes the situation worse. If you maintain your professionalism, it will make a positive impression on those who are watching or those who hear about it — including possibly your boss’s boss.
Here’s an extreme example, but one based on a true incident. Suppose you’ve just sat down at a restaurant with your boss, and the latter becomes agitated that there are no menus. Rather than get agitated yourself, perhaps because the boss is blaming you for the lack of menus, try to stay calm and simply say, “Boss, the menus are on the way.” Repeat as often as necessary.
2: Document your work
Keep track of your accomplishments and of compliments you get from co-workers or managers of other departments. Record the date of these incidents. When documenting these items, try to record as well the significance of the accomplishment. What problem existed at the time? What would have happened had you not acted? How did your action have a positive effect on the entire organization? Keep this information on a system other than your work computer or company network - that is, keep it in a place where you can still access it even if you leave or are terminated.
3: Use objective measures
When documenting your accomplishments, try to use objective measurements. If you’re on a help desk, for example, “I resolved that ticket promptly” is a meaningless statement. However, “I resolved that ticket in three hours, compared to the departmental average of five hours,” carries more credibility. If you’re in a call center, similarly, a statement that “I answered 80% of my calls within the second ring” is preferable to “I answered my calls promptly.”
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Goldman Sachs teams with Warren Buffett on $500 million effort to help small businesses
Date: Tuesday November 17, 2009, 10:57 pm EST
By: Associated Press
Source: http://finance.yahoo.com/news/
NEW YORK (AP) -- Goldman Sachs Group Inc. is teaming with billionaire investor Warren Buffett to invest $500 million to provide thousands of small business owners across America with college scholarships and boost their access to capital.The move comes as the company has been criticized for setting aside billions for employee paychecks despite the continuing weak economy.
Goldman's philanthropic effort, called "10,000 Small Businesses," includes a $200 million contribution to community colleges, universities and other institutions to give grants to small business owners to further their education.
The New York-based bank also will invest $300 million through a combination of lending and charitable support. Goldman said the money will be funneled through community development financial institutions to boost lending and technical assistance available to small businesses in underserved communities.
In addition, Goldman Sachs executives, in partnership with national and local business organizations, will aid small businesses with advice, technical assistance and professional networking opportunities.
An advisory council co-chaired by Goldman Sachs CEO Lloyd Blankfein will oversee the program. Legendary investor and Goldman's largest shareholder, Warren Buffett, and Harvard Business School Professor Michael Porter will serve as co-chairs as well.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Dealing With a Layoff
Getting laid off is always tough. These days, layoffs are a sad reality for many people. But you can get through it. We’ve put together a list of suggestions to help you deal with a layoff.
If you haven’t been laid off yet, but fear it might be coming:
If you haven’t been laid off yet, but fear it might be coming:
- Make yourself as valuable as you possibly can, whether it’s for your current employer or your next one. Learn as much as you can about your job field and take advantage of any free training available to you at your current job.
- Prepare a budget. Now is a good time to make sure that you are using your money wisely and saving as much as you can.
- Network. Now is also a good time to brush up on your networking skills. Keep in contact with those most likely to help you should you lose your job.
- Brush up on your job hunting skills. Update your resume, take a look at job search websites, visit local job fairs etc. Be prepared to jump right into a hunt for a new job.
If you have already been laid off:
Green shoots: Clean tech is the fastest growing job market
Here are some highlights from Clean Edge's recent report, Clean Tech Job Trends 2009, .....
Why Global Entrepreneurship Week Matters - BusinessWeek
Two of the initiative's proponents make the case for why it pays to encourage entrepreneurship among young people around the globe.
Adam Farrell founded a solar technology business when he was just 15 years old. His entrepreneurial career started in ninth grade while working on a science project designing a solar-powered house.Surprised by the costs of the photovoltaic technology his team needed, Farrell realized there was an untapped market for smaller cells.Farrell has since expanded his business, Silicon Solar, turning it into a major research and development firm and one of the largest suppliers of solar energy technology in the world.
Elon Musk, one of the key founders of PayPal (EBAY), made hundreds of millions of dollars in his early 20s. Not satisfied with mere riches, Musk decided to aim for immortality by going on to start Tesla Motors, the sexy electric car startup, and Space Exploration Technologies, one of the most advanced private sector efforts to date to create a cheap and accessible space launch capability.
Read more: http://www.businessweek.com/smallbiz/content/nov2009/sb20091112_601533.htm
Read more: http://www.businessweek.com/smallbiz/content/nov2009/sb20091112_601533.htm
Friday, November 13, 2009
AOL To Take $200 Million In Restructuring Charges; Expect Large Layoffs
There are almost certainly large layoffs coming at AOL.
In a document filed with the SEC today in connection with the company’s pending spinoff from Time Warner (TWX), AOL said it expects to take $200 million to cover “additional restructuring activities,” with all of the hit coming from from the date of the spin through the first half of 2010.
Unemployment Extension Legislation Update
November 6 Update: President Obama has signed the unemployment extension legislation. Check with your state unemployment office for details on when payments will start being made. The extension provides for 14 weeks of extended benefit coverage for every state and an additional 6 weeks, for a total of 20 weeks, in high unemployment states where unemployment is over 8.5%.
Welcome to the Job Market Survival Guide!
Our goal is to provide all the information that you need to survive the job market, pursue new job opportunities, or start new entrepreneurial projects or small business.
We will also provide information about developments in the job market that affect you and information that will enable you to have a fun, healthy and productive life.
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