Colorado Jobing Community Blogs

Workers in Happy Relationships  

We can conjecture that employees who enjoy relational health at home, in their intimate relationships, and among their peers are more productive, more effective team members and make better leaders. They are happier, healthier, more confident, positive, and motivated.  

Studies show that individuals in happy, stable, and successful relationships have greater skills in areas such as communication, flexibility, listening, problem solving, collaboration, personality compatibility, and conflict resolution. The connection between these skills and the workplace are obvious ­and are worth cultivating.

According to a 2006 study, when dual-income couples are happy in marriage, they are more loyal to their employers, thus turnover is lowered. The cost-saving benefits of not having to train new employees leads to greater profitability.  

We found several studies that break down the returns on investment (ROI) in employee wellness programs. While most companies report initial losses because of having to find the "right fit" for their employees, long-term results show savings of $1.40 - $4.90 per every dollar spent, and an ROI of up to $6.85 for every dollar invested in employee relationship wellness programs.  

When your company invests in such relationship wellness programs, like those that Connection Coaching, LLC offers, you will benefit by greater loyalty of your employees, reduced turnover, more effective teamwork, increased sales, productivity, and positive morale of the workforce. Who wouldn't want that? Happy Couples = Effective Employees = Profitable Businesses - a winning formula!

Greg R. Thiel CFLE, MA, & Author

Connection Coaching, LLC

303-798-2456 x3

www.RelationshipCoach.us

A few weeks ago I attended a nice networking event. The group that hosted the luncheon  provided sub sandwiches, chips and drinks. They did a presentation on their product and did not try to do a hard sell – you could sign up if you wanted – no pressure if you did not want to. Part of the networking included 40-second commercials plus passing and exchanging cards with everyone.

Within three days, I received three email newsletters. I had not spoken with any of the people that sent the emails unless you count listening to their 40-second elevator pitches as a two-way conversation. Two of the emails advertised products, services and webinars. The third email was a first: it included a canned video presentation saying “what a pleasure it was to meet you yesterday” – not my name – just “you” which I assume meant all 25 people whose cards this person had collected  plus everyone she’d met at any recent event she'd attended. She included a bio of herself and her photography business. There were no questions about me or my business. I unsubscribed and received a phone message asking if I had accidentally opted out when I didn’t recognize that we had been at the same event. Uh, no, I did it on purpose – but I didn’t tell her that.

Personal networking and social networking are no different. Whether you are looking for a job, selling a product or service, listening, asking questions about others makes them feel important and they in turn may be willing to help you. If you go to a event and are telling everyone you meet what a great marketing manager, project manager, business development professional you are or have the best product and everyone should buy it, chances are you are turning people off.

Same with social media. Whether you are on a social network including Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or are blogging, you want to engage others and give people a reason to follow, "friend" or connect with you. You can do that by posting "expert" helpful information, commenting on other people's posts, "retweeting" or sharing their Twitter posts. Ocassionally you can talk about your job search or product and ask others for help as well. You just don't want to over do it. 

When networking in person, ask how you can help others and listen while looking directly at them, and not at the person you want to speak to next. Don't send your resume to people you’ve met at events and tell them all about your great abilities and successes without having a conversation. Your email will probably be deleted. Nobody cares about you, your product or service. Haven’t you met this jerk at the party before?

According to Wikipedia: “Social media has become extremely popular because it allows people to connect in the online world to form relationships for personal, political and business use.” Relationships? Yes. Compare it to dating and marriage. You don’t get married the first time you meet someone (although my parents did 90 days after they met and were married until they passed), you date, get to know each other, then decide to get married – maybe eventually.

So, the next time you are networking online or in person, remember it’s never about you. It’s about how you can help others, be nice, and be social.  

Wouldn’t all of our lives be easier if we could muster up a bit more candor in our relationships?  We get annoyed when our phone call goes unreturned in a timely manner, when we receive bad customer service, when our boss doesn’t follow through or when mom gives you too much “advice”.  And the list goes on.  Try injecting some candor to defuse unwelcome drama.

In the workplace, open communication is critical if you want to be a good leader, manager, employee or team member.  We have to start by building trust and credibility.   

For managers, ask yourself:

·          Do I make sure my employees know how their jobs are tied to the company’s overall strategy?

·          Do I make a point of keeping them informed on all news and changes affecting the company and their jobs as soon as possible?

·          Do I get back to them immediately when they’re waiting for a decision from me that affects their lives?

·          Do all my actions reflect and support the company’s values and do I keep my promises?

·          Do I speak positively about them to their coworkers?

·          Do I show that I appreciate them and show that I care about their personal and professional development? 

For employees:

·          Do I take on new projects with enthusiasm and make a point of keeping my boss informed about my progress?

·          Do I show my interest in and desire to support the goals of the company?

·          Do I speak positively about employees and clients of the organization?

·          Do my actions show I am committed to my own development and the development of others on my team?

·          Do all my actions reflect and support the company’s values and do I keep my promises?

·          Do I put in the time and effort that the organization expects?

Think about using these lists as a starting point to create agreements within your professional relationships.  Tell people you work with what you expect and ask them what they expect from you!

The National Organization on Disability serving the Army Wounded Warrior "AW2" program is inviting HR Professionals to learn about the amazing young people sacrificing their lives for our freedom. Employment is the fastest bridge back to "Civilian" life, but many of them are returning with disabilities that can create a barrier to employment.

One of the greatest barriers is the mindset of employers who are uneducated about the strengths these heroes bring with them to a job. Discipline, dedication, persistence, teamwork.......Etc.

The program is simple: Come, Look, and Listen.

It is crucial that you partner with the AW2 program to transition these soldiers to employment.

This event is presented in cooperation with the State of Colorado Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, and the Jefferson County Workforce Center

Warriors to Work Symposium

NATIONAL ORGANIZATION ON DISABILITY

 October 22, 2009

8 am to 5 pm

Mount Vernon Country Club

24933 Club House Circle

Golden, Colorado

Free breakfast and lunch included.

Human Resource Personnel, Recruiters, Employers, Employment Agencies or Entrepreneurs’!!!!

Join us for a day in support of our veterans.

Discover the many positive attributes these heroes bring with them to the workforce, and leave with resources created to aid the transition of disabled veterans back to work and life. These veterans have given us their all and now we have the opportunity to say thanks by opening up opportunities for these injured heroes.

Participate in an interactive forum with other leaders, veterans, and service agencies to find ways to break down the barriers faced by our returning veterans.

This day will be spent exploring myths, employers’ fears, and educating employers on the benefits of hiring disabled veterans.

Listen to stories of successful employment outcomes, support that is offered, and other benefits available for hiring a disabled veteran.

This will be an informative, educational, and fun event. Employers will leave this symposium with a vast resource guide filled with local resources to assist them in providing the needs of disabled veterans in the work place, and contacts on where to locate qualified veterans.

Training includes; presentations by experts in their respective fields on ADA , Social Security disability, work placement mentoring, PTSD, and TBI.

“SUPPORT OUR VETERANS” IS NOT A SLOGAN … IT IS A COMMITMENT THAT REQUIRES ACTION.

RSVP to Warriors to Work Symposium

POC: Daniel Blackman

Office of Robert Alvarez

NOD Counselor serving the US . Army Wounded Warrior Program

Phone: (719)471-1996

Fax: (719)633-1005

E-mail: danielblackman@hotmail.com

Warriors to Work Symposium

 

:

Time; 8 am-5 pm

8:00 am- Open forum, breakfast.

8:30 am- (AW2 video).

9:00 am- Richard Suarez: Supervisor Federal Highway Administration.

9:20 am- Colonel Grantham. Warriors in Transition Program

9:40 am- Dave Alred & Lonnie Tobias: Department of Labor.

10:00 am- Veteran speaker- one that has been hired.

10:20 am- Veteran speaker- one that has not been hired.

10:30 am- Dr. Speaking on PTSD.

11:00 am- Dr. Speaking on TBI.

11:30 am-12:30 pm- Lunch, open forum.

12:30 pm- Social Security Administration- Return to Work.

1:00 pm- ACAP

1:20 pm- ADA physical disabilities & accommodations.

1:50 pm- Colorado State Voc. Rehab speaker.

2:00 pm- VA Voc Rehab speaker.

2:10 pm- RealLife Line speaker.

2:20 pm- Benefits of hiring disabled vets.

2:50 pm- Mentoring program.

3:10 pm- Where to find help hiring disabled veterans.

3:30 pm- Adam Redgrave: Green Jobs for Vets.

3:50pm- Donald J. Mares: Executive Director of the Department of Labor and Employment.

4:10 pm- 5:00 pm- Open forum.

Hollis Moore is Founding Owner of Moore From Life, LLC which specializes in education and business development in the areas of entrepreneurship, leadership, financial literacy, and real estate investment. As "Experts in Education" their goal is to lead you to the resources that will empower you for success. www.MooreFromLife.com For more information on FREE educational Forums, visit our Max Impact Forum workshop page www.MaxImpactForums.com

Opportunities somehow always seem to gravitate toward busy people who can hardly keep up with those they already have. Logically, it would seem that opportunities would make an effort to seek out individuals who have an abundance of time available, but instead opportunities appear for those who have goals and dreams and a plan for achieving them. We often think of opportunity as a living, moving thing, something that actively seeks out a willing recipient. In face, the reverse is true.

Opportunities are ideas or concepts that exist only in the minds of those who recognize them. When you have no goals or plans, opportunities mean nothing to you. They become opportunities only when you recognize them as ideas that you can implement to help you move toward your goal.

ARE YOU ON DISBILITY AND LOOKING FOR WORK?

ARE YOU WORRIED ABOUT LOSING YOUR BENEFITS?

ARE YOU AFRAID YOU CANNOT COMPETE IN THIS JOB MARKET?

The number one reason people on disability such as SSDI and SSI. (Social Security Disability Insurance and Social Security Insurance) do not look for work is they are afraid they will lose their benefits when they return to work. After taking anywhere from 6 months to over a year to get on benefits the possibility of losing them, by returning to work, is a definite concern.

I am Steve Gehrke, my company SKG Career Services is an EN or Employment Network for the Social Security Administration’s “Ticket to Work” program. This program is designed to help people on SSDI and SSI gain part time or full time employment. This service is provided at no cost to the candidate or to the employer that hires them. What I have found in my work helping people with disabilities find work, is their situations tend to fall into three categories. Situation one: Their mental or physical condition will get better and some day they want to get off benefits. Number Two: They would like to get off benefits some day but they are not sure if they will ever be well enough and Number three: They know the odds are their condition is going to only get worse but they want to work (and not lose benefits) and be as productive as they can. In any case all of these people WANT TO WORK.

KNOWLEGED IS POWER: The best advice I can give is if you are on disability and want to work is DO IT. If you are on SSDI a trial work period of 9 months is provided whereby you can earn any amount of money and still receive your full benefits. After that if you are making over $ 980.00 (SGA) in a calendar month you will lose your benefits. For the next three years (EPE) if you lose your job for any reason (or if your income falls below SGA currently $ 980.00) you can get back on benefits by making a phone call to the SSA and letting them know the change in your situation. The idea is give you a chance to work your way back into the world of work without the threat of permanently losing your benefits. You will also retain your government medial benefits.

If you are on SSI the formula is different. No trial work period is offered. The formula is too complicated to get into here but basically you lose a portion of your monthly benefit depending on how much money you earn. When your monthly earning reaches approximately $ 1413.00 you lose your benefit completely.

So you can see it is important to understand these formulas so you are not surprised at how working will affect your benefits. I am not a benefits expert, my focus is on doing one on one work with candidates on disability to support them in finding work; but I do understand the basics. After I start working with someone that wants to work I highly recommend the person contact a Social Security Benefits Planner. They float from Workforce Center to Workforce Center . To set up an appointment all one needs to do is call the workforce center nearest you and tell them you want to see a Social Security Benefits Planner.

If you have any questions or want to speak with me about finding a job I can be reached at

SKG Career Services

720-231-8093

Steve Gehrke

www.yourtickettowork.com

Click on EN’s click on Colorado

I'm the first company listed on the web site.

So what is the big deal about Twitter? There are so many headline stories about Twitter. Some say it will be gone tomorrow and don't waste your time. Yet it keeps growing dramatically and companies are using it to "tweet" their jobs. When I recently signed up to blog with Jobing.com, Andrea Hoffman told me they have two people devoted to social media which I know includes Twitter. So just how do you tweet your way to a job? Here are ten tips to Twitter your way to jobs.

1. Just go to www.Twitter.com and choose your screen name of up to 15 characters. If you are "branding" yourself, you can choose your name if it is available. Or choose a title that describes what you do. You can always change your screen name.

2. Upload a professional looking head shot that you use in all your social networking sites. This also shows consistency in your brand and helps people recognize you.

3. Although this should be your lowest priority (but hey it's fun), you can choose a free background at http://www.twitterbackgrounds.com and you'll have a big choice. I chose one that matches the colors of my website. Remember to keep it professional.

4. Put your job pitch in your Twitter bio. You have 160 characters to write your elevator pitch. Make those characters count. Cut out unnecessary words.

5. You have one link so make it a good one. Use it to direct people to your LinkedIn profile or your resume. A good place to create your online resume is www.VisualCV.com. Plus you can download your LinkedIn profile right into Visual CV so you have a great start to your online resume.

5. Tweet about your jobs, your aspirations, your interviews, etc. Keep it all positive - no one wants to read about your negative experiences. It's okay to occasionally tweet a link to your resume.

6. Which comes to the next topic: the @ which is a mention, RT (retweet) which is used to show that you are tweeting content that has been posted by another user and DM is a Direct Message. So if you see an @ before your Twitter screen name like @joguerra (my screen name), someone is mentioning me or sending me a message that everyone can see. DM is a direct message between me and another Twitter user and is actually D joguerra. So a D then space and the screen name. When people RT or retweet your posts, thank them. It's the social media thing to do.

7. Show you are an expert in your field by tweeting interesting comments, article links, blog links in your industry. Use Google alerts at http://www.google.com/alerts to look for interesting articles and "tweet" the link with a comment. Use keywords in your industry to set up and receive alerts via email or add it as a "feed" to your reader. If you don't understand the feed, don't worry. Just have an email sent.

8. Look at hashtags (#) in your industry. Hashtags are a powerful, simple tool for tracking topics, live events or breaking news. Go to http://hashtags.org/ and enter #jobs. You'll see a list come up with all type of jobs. This will give you an idea of how to search. When you click on the results, you will be taken to another page that shows all the jobs relating to the hashtag with links to the actual job.

9. Use Twitter search to find information on jobs. Go to http://search.twitter.com and enter keywords with your industry, zip, city, job titles, etc.

10. And lastly, you can get lost in cyberspace as you find interesting links to articles as well as a lot of unnecessary junk. So limit your time on Twitter. It is very helpful for finding a job, but can also be a big time bandit.

I could go on with pages of information as there is so much more to Twitter. So I'll be posting more tips in the future.

Being unemployed can be an amazing opportunity to start fresh doing something that you really love.  You have the advantage over folks stuck in a job that they don’t enjoy.  Security of a regular paycheck is holding them back, but no employer has that hold over you.  OK, so unemployment is not all roses.  The uncertainty is frustrating and sometimes a little scary.  What can you do to find the courage to turn your situation into your next big break?  Here are a few ideas you might not have tried yet:

Prepare yourself for battle – Maybe your previous full time job gave you an excuse not to find time to get some exercise and maintain healthy eating habits.  In career search mode though, you are going to need every competitive advantage at your disposal.  These days, competition is fierce.  Start developing healthy habits so you can look and feel your best in that next job interview.  Aerobic exercise is also a good way to relieve stress related to unemployment, so get out there!

Master your confidence – A layoff is a blow to our egos and its human nature to get down on ourselves.  Work on your confidence by celebrating the small victories like succeeding at a small task or when someone compliments you.  By taking concrete actions that improve your competence, you will improve your confidence.  Your confidence will be apparent to potential employers and could be just the thing that sets you apart from other candidates.

Get help from others – It’s always beneficial to have someone else review your resume.  Arapahoe/Douglas Works! is an excellent resource (www.adworks.org).  The agency offers free workshops for job seekers.  There is also a personalized resume review service available every Wednesday morning starting at 9:00 a.m.

Seek out your strengths – According to Marcus Buckingham and Donald Clifton, in their book “Now, Discover Your Strengths”, only 20% of employees in large organizations feel that they are using their strengths every day.  That means that 80% of workers are bored and unengaged most of the time.  The authors explain that we need to change our way of thinking from “fixing” our weaknesses to “capitalizing on our strengths and manage around our weaknesses”.  I highly recommend going through the exercises in the book to help you find your particular strengths.  You can then apply this new knowledge about yourself in your job search to increase your likelihood of finding an opportunity that will keep you engaged and happy.  For more information, visit www.marcusbuckingham.com.

Happy career discovery!

It has now been two weeks since the Jobbing Career Fair…..what have you done to follow up with those companies with whom you connected?

Nothing? Don’t worry, it is not too late to follow up.

Chances are, the contacts that you made at the Career Fair have not made any hiring decisions, yet. They have regular job tasks to attend to, they may still be reviewing the resumes submitted, or they may not have the ability to hire just now.  In fact, it may just be the prefect time for you to remind them of who you are and why you would be a valuable addition to their group.

 Here are some tips:

1. Get out a piece of paper or use an Excel spreadsheet to list and track all of your follow up activity. While this may seem laborious, it will be essential to ensure that you are persistent but not pushy with each company. List company name, contact person, contact phone, date contacted, follow up strategy, etc.
2. Review all of the companies that you visited and make notes about any conversations that you had. This will be useful to mention when you contact the company again, because it may jog their memory and make you stand out.
3. Plan a different follow up strategy for each company. Depending on your conversation or contact or the impression that you got with each individual company, you will have a different method for follow up.  You may have been instructed to follow up in a specific manner – don’t stray from this! Phone call, email, hand written note, submission of a portfolio or additional information, etc.
4. Be creative, but stay professional. When I was applying for jobs around the holidays, I sent handwritten Holiday cards. When I was applying for jobs as a copywriter, I sent follow up postcards with a clever poem about why the company should hire me. Differentiate yourself from other candidates.
5. Schedule your follow ups appropriately. This is a tricky one because you may have to be intuitive or you may have been told directly. Again, if you have been instructed to wait for a few weeks, or told that the company will contact you,  follow their lead- - they have told you this for a reason. If you have had no contact since the Job Fair or your initial contact, definitely contact them within the first 2 weeks. Beyond that, unless you are given specific instructions regarding when to follow up next, I would put in another effort in 2-3 more weeks. Beyond that, about 6 weeks from the initial contact. Beyond that, 10 weeks from the initial contact. And beyond that, I hope you have some other irons in the fire. If it is your dream job, and you are waiting for that perfect position to open up when someone retires then certainly continue to contact the company every 6 months, and make sure to be creative and make yourself stand out.
6. What to say- get to the point. Thank them for their time and for the opportunity. Ask what the next step is. Ask if, when, and how you should continue to follow up. Ask for a formal interview if appropriate. Don’t try to sell yourself in the follow up- the goal is to get the next appointment. The approach that you should take is persistent but not pushy. And when following up by phone, make friends with the “Gatekeeper” – this person can be your biggest ally or biggest obstacle.
7. Be confidant in your abilities- you are a worthy person and any company deserves to have an employee like you. You add value and you bring your unique experiences to the team. So, don’t grovel or make yourself seem desperate. Learn how to develop your sense of posture – posture is that fine line between wimp and jerk; walk your own line.
8.  Develop yourself – job searching often involves a lot of waiting. Don’t let this time go to waste! Educate yourself on your particular field, or even better, read books on success principles, personality types and leadership development- these are all soft skills that you can take with you from job to job. Employers will be happy to know that you are on a constant path of self-improvement, because that will naturally translate into improvement within your job itself.

Stay tuned to learn more about those soft skills that can follow you in your career, prepare you for success, be the determining factor between hiring you versus another candidate, and set you up for a promotion over the drones who simply clock in and clock out.

Here’s to your success!

Hollis Moore is Founding Owner of Moore From Life, LLC which specializes in education and business development in the areas of entrepreneurship, leadership, financial literacy, and real estate investment. As "Experts in Education" their goal is to lead you to the resources that will empower you for success. www.MooreFromLife.com

Yesterday, we discussed the importance of confidence in your job search, and how to manage it. Today, we're looking at Creativity and Collaboration.

CREATIVITY: You already know you're competing with unprecedented numbers of applicants for the same job. So continuing to come up with creative ways to get your foot in the door can be a challenge. Which is why the first step is to take care of yourself FIRST. The anxiety and fear around a job search can be draining. When you are fearful and exhausted, nothing new opens up and you don't have the emotional energy to think about trying one more thing that may or may not work. So make sure you're taking time for you. Get enough sleep, talk to friends, exercise, take a day or two each week completely "off" from your job hunt.

Next, consider a different way in to the job. Propose externships with your target companies. They will get help they need, particularly if they're understaffed due to layoffs. And you might not get paid, but you will make new connections, gain new experience for your resume, and have a new source of recommendations. This can be a particularly great strategy if you are using this transition time to change careers altogether. You'll gain new skills and industry experience, as well as invaluable relationships.

A sense of purpose and usefulness is critical to staying energized. Volunteering is a way to put your skills to use, add to your resume, and make connections outside of the industry you're already in. You never know where the next job lead will come from, and creating relationships while giving back to the community will help you feel supported and needed at the same time.

COLLABORATION: Staying in communication with others will not only offer you support, but will help you come up with new ideas. Chances are, you know a lot of people who are out of work, but they each have networks of their own that might help you. Consider joining a local job club, or form one of your own in your community. This will keep you brainstorming and connected with other people, rather than feeling like you have to go it alone.

List your skill sets, then list the skill sets of people in your network. How could they complement each other? Particularly if you're considering starting a new business, could your offer be stronger if you played off someone else's offer? Think about who you are in a position to help, too.

Use social media to request help in getting to a real, live person at your target companies. LinkedIn is a great way to search for the right person and find out if anyone you know can make an introduction. C

onsider partnering with someone else you know who is out of work. Commit to calling or emailing each other daily with your plan for the day and your progress from the day before. Having someone to check in with can keep you on track in your action plan and generate new ideas. Working with a coach can also be a great way to collaborate with a completely objective person, to help you see where you get stuck and create new strategies.

If you manage your Confidence, Creativity and Collaboration, you'll stay energized and engaged during your job search, and may even open up entirely new doors. To your success!

Your appearance begins making a first impression before you even speak. Be sure your interview attire supports your image as a professional who takes the interview process seriously and understands the nature of the industry you are interviewing for. Your attire should be noticed as being appropriate, but it should not take center stage.

 

Many companies have such casual work environments that sometimes job seekers are uncertain if dressing up is appropriate or if it will make them look over dressed. To be safe, even if you know an employer has a casual dress code, wear a suit (unless you are specifically told otherwise by the employer or recruiter). If the interviewer comments that they feel under dressed, you can offer to take your jacket off after you’ve asked if that would make them more comfortable.

 

You don’t need to go broke buying interview clothes. But you should invest in one quality suit that will look appropriate during your first few years on the job. When you consider how many times you’ll wear this suit, mixed with other items, the cost per wear is low. If it helps you land the job, the return on investment is high.

 

For the second interview, if your budget is too tight to purchase an additional suit, change your blouse and accessories. Mixing a coordinating jacket, pants, or skirt will work too. Separates are often easier to find at discount stores and outlets.

 

 

 

Elements of Professional Interview Attire

 

Traditional Business Suit: A two-piece matching suit is always the best and safest choice. The jacket should match the bottom in color and fabric. However, there are appropriate two-toned suits with coordinating colors.

 

Pant Suits: Tailored pants suits are appropriate for women. Pants should be creased and tailored, not tight or flowing.

 

Skirt Lengths: Don’t be fooled by what you see women on popular TV shows wearing. Your skirt should cover your thighs when you are seated. A skirt that ends at the knee or just above when you're standing looks classy and professional. Longer skirts are appropriate too; just make sure they are narrow enough not to look like a prairie skirt, but not so narrow that you can't climb stairs comfortably. High slits are not appropriate.

 

Jacket Elements:

·        Notched collars are the most traditional.

·        Lining absorbs body heat and protects shape.

·        Same color buttons create a simple and elegant look.

·        Minimal details to avoid distractions.

·        Pockets are usually decorative, not functional. Don’t stretch out with keys, etc.

·        Should fit in shoulders and armhole for a smooth front.

 

Conservative Colors  and Fabrics:

·        Dark neutrals such as navy, gray, taupe and black are safe choices. Solids or subtle patterns are fine.

·        Wool, wool blends, or good quality micro fiber are the best fabrics for seasons. Avoid acetate, rayon and synthetic blends as these can look cheap and hold odors.

 

Notched-collar Shirt: Wear a tailored blouse in a color or that coordinates nicely with your suit. The collar draws attention to your face. A fine gauge, good quality knit shell is also appropriate underneath your suit jacket. Don't show cleavage.

 

Shoes: Leather shoes are the most classic but fabric or micro fiber is also appropriate.

·        Closed-toe pumps are the safest. No open-toed or sling backs.

·        Heels should be 1 – 3 inch and covered (no wood heels). No stilettos or flats.

·        Thin sole. No wedge heels or thick platforms.

·        Polish shoes and cover any scuff marks.

 

Watch: Many people stopped wearing watches and use their cell phones and computers to keep track of time. Wearing a watch sends the message you are punctual and efficient so wear a conservative watch.

 

Jewelry and Accessories: Keep jewelry to a minimum and choose conservative, simple styles. No dangling earrings or cute jewelry. If you’re interviewing for a creative industry, you have more flexibility than someone pursuing a conservative industry. Don’t wear anything that makes noise such as bangles.

 

Hosiery: Should be simple (no patterns), sheer (not opaque), and in neutral colors complementing your suit. Avoid high contrast between your suit and hosiery color.

 

Purse or Bag: A structured, leather business-like tote bag or purse is the best choice; micro fiber or fine wovens are also acceptable. If you carry a purse, keep it simple. Unless you have a reason to bring your laptop, don’t carry a briefcase as it may look silly or pretentious. Which ever you choose, just bring one (purse, tote or briefcase, as gathering your items will be awkward).

Leather Portfolio:  Use for taking notes, carrying extra copies of resume, letters of recommendation, samples, and business cards.

 

Details:

·        Clothes should be clean, neatly pressed, and fit properly.

·        Wear what fits and skims over your body (nothing too tight or too baggy).

·        Carefully inspect clothes for tags or tacking stitches, dangling threads, missing buttons, lint or pilling etc.

·        Perfume or cologne should not be used. No odors in clothes. Don't smell like smoke.

 

Grooming:

·        Hair: Should be well maintained. Be sure to keep up with trims and touch ups. If you’ve had the same hair style for more than 10 years, it’s time for a new look. Often, an outdated image sends a message that your skills, thoughts, and ideas are obsolete.

·        Make Up: Keep makeup conservative. A little is better than none for a polished look. 

·        Nails: Nails should be clean and well groomed. Avoid extremely long nails and loud or fashion colors (no blue, black, green, yellow, etc). Be sure you don’t have chips. Clear or light polish is best.

·        Piercings: Remove any earrings beyond one per ear.

On August 1st, members of the Denver Coach Federation hosted our first free workshop for job seekers: "From Coping to Creating: Emerging from Unemployment with a Life You Love." People came from all different backgrounds and interests, and from as far away as Chicago.

 

Two things were clear: there's a lot of frustration out there, and no one is alone in it. So how can you stay energized (and sane) when you're feeling like you're out of ideas? Remember the three C's: Confidence, Creativity and Collaboration. Today, we'll look at Confidence. Look for the blog tomorrow to read about Creativity and Collaboration.

 

CONFIDENCE: We usually think of confidence as something we have or don't have. We don't often think of it as something that needs to be managed. But confidence may be the single most important predictor of success. Ever wonder why it's easier to get a job when you have a job? Confidence. As Rosabeth Moss Kanter notes in her book titled Confidence, "Confidence consists of positive expectations for favorable outcomes. Confidence influences the willingness to invest -- to commit money, time, reputation, emotional energy, or other resources -- or to withhold or hedge investment. This investment, or its absence, shapes the ability to perform. In that sense, confidence lies at the heart of civilization. Everything about an economy, a society, an organization, or a team depends on it." Worth spending some time on, then, yes?

 

To begin, first create a list of things that give you confidence. When do you walk a little taller? When do you feel more at ease? What are you sure you do well? Write down all the things you can think of, and identify the top 10. Choose 3 or 4 of those items every day that you will devote some attention to. This can be as simple as dressing well every day, regardless of where you actually have to go. Or, it could be drafting a list of the achievements your most proud of and posting them somewhere prominently to remind you of the results you've already produced in your life.

 

Second, create a plan for your day. How many hours of job searching will you do? How much time networking? How much time doing something just for you? When our days lack structure, particularly after losing a job, we often feel like we didn't achieve anything worthwhile. Creating a schedule will keep you focused, and give you something to look back on to see what you've accomplished.

 

Third, actively focus on the positive. This is critical. Before bed each night, review the day and make a list of five things you did well. Maybe you made a new connection. Maybe you helped a friend with a connection you have. Maybe you got out and walked the dog on a new route. If you just can't come up with five things, finish the list with things you're grateful for. The point is to give yourself credit and appreciate the day, which is not something we usually do in challenging times. You'll start to see one action building on another, bolstering your confidence. Sometime soon, you'll be able to look back and see that it was the little steps that moved you forward.

 FranNet Colorado highlights the best low-risk franchise segments for prospective business owners 

Denver, CO, July 13, 2009 – While it may seem risky to open a business in the midst of a recession, one particular industry – franchising – is proving that the self-owned business model is still alive and well. And, for those Missoula-area entrepreneurs ready to experience the excitement of business ownership, opportunities exist in segments where the recession is actually fueling franchise growth.

"No industry is completely recession proof, but we are finding that there are several franchise sectors that are prospering due, in part, to the current state of the economy," said Stacy Swift, FranNet consultant covering Colorado, Wyoming and Montana. "When financial change occurs, so do consumers' needs and purchasing habits.  As a result, a distinct group of businesses are now in higher demand."

According to Swift, franchises that focus on providing the necessities – as opposed to the luxuries – at an affordable price point, are best suited to thrive when times get tough.  Furthermore, businesses that offer low-priced alternatives to goods and services typically cost less to start-up, making them an ideal choice for prospective first-time business owners.

"Right now, we are seeing growth in several of the low-cost service franchises, which typically cost $100,000 or less to open," said Swift. "With an investment of this size, little or no financing is typically needed, so Colorado businesspeople can ease into the transition of business ownership with minimal risk."

Swift says that although over 3,000 franchise companies exist, the following business categories could make particularly wise investments:

Senior Care Services:  According to the Administration on Aging, 37.9 million Americans are currently age 65 or older, and the population is expected to double over the next 30 years.  Therefore, Swift says that the need for elderly caregivers and assisted living businesses will not only remain high but will grow and prosper.

Technology Solution Services:  The influx of people using gadgets to navigate through personal and business affairs will come to depend on tech-savvy individuals for necessary repairs. Accordingly, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that an increase of more than 800,000 jobs in the Information Technology (IT) sector is expected over the 2006-2016 projections decade.

Tutoring Services:  According to Swift, educationally-focused franchises are tough to deflate, as people have shown that they will spend on their children – in good times or bad.  In addition to tutoring and supplemental educational opportunities, enrichment classes for art, music and sports are likely to continue to be in high demand.

Home Repair Services:  In lieu of purchasing a newer, bigger home, many people in the Missoula-area community are investing in home repairs and renovations.  Home repair services also have high value to sellers, who may be looking to revamp their properties before placing them on the market.

According to the International Franchise Association, franchised businesses generate a significant amount of economic activity in the country, including generating more jobs between 2001 and 2005 than several of the nation's major economic sectors. With the guidance of a FranNet consultant, such as Swift, would-be entrepreneurs in Colorado can determine which type of franchise is best suited for them.

"There is no doubt that opening a business can present some challenges, but by venturing into a territory that has proven to be resilient, entrepreneurs can increase their chances for economic survival," said Swift.  "We think that once they take the leap, many local business individuals will find that business ownership can be a rewarding experience that offers the rare asset of job security."

For more information about FranNet Colorado, contact Stacy Swift at 303-715-0397 or toll-free at 1-888-925-3887.

About FranNet

FranNet provides free guidance and information to individuals who are interested in purchasing a franchised business. Our role is to educate entrepreneurs on the franchise industry to help clients determine if franchise ownership is for them.  FranNet works with many of the best franchises in the industry and FranNet consultants use a special profiling and consultative process to determine the right franchise opportunity and business model unique to each person. Our services are 100% free through the entire process. FranNet hosts numerous informational seminars and educational programs that are open to the public each month throughout the country and online. To learn more about opportunities with FranNet call 1-800-FRANNET and visit www.frannet.com.

WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?

 

This year’s 2009 SHRM Colorado State Conference theme is “Elevate to Excellence”.  Your organization has the unique opportunity to elevate your exposure and define your excellence to a potential audience of 500 HR top managers, practitioners and consultants. 

Some sponsorships still available are: 

 

Conference Pens and Notepads (inserted in every attendee’s bag)

Keynote Speaker (General Session recognition; introduce keynote)

Conference Series (recognition with series; introduce speakers)

Thursday and/or Friday Breakfasts (recognition at breakfast)

Regardless of your participation level, your organization is “gold” to the Colorado SHRM Conference team.  We value your support and commitment to the continued excellence and development of the human resources practitioner.

Please go to www.coshrm.org today for additional information regarding all the additional items and support that is included in the available packages. You will also see some of our “ideas” to enhance your success.  Register your organization today to be a significant contributor to this outstanding conference.  Ensure that your “excellence” is prominently displayed, for what promises to be our best SHRM Colorado State Conference.  We look forward to seeing you there!

Jobing.com is a platinum sponsor of the 2009 SHRM Colorado State Conference

 

Many companies nowadays are recognizing the value of an educated employee. An educated employee provides the employer with the mind-set, the expertise, and the confidence to be an employee that contributes well to the organization. Having continuing and adult education on your resume shows your employer that you are serious about your growth as an individual and about bettering how you work. There are a variety of ways to obtain education and to find the program or degree that best suits you and the field that you are in, or want to be in.

Unfortunately for a lot of people though, the consistent concern is with cost for tuition. Many schools cost thousands of dollars for you to earn your degree. This can often times be a hesitance for people to pursue more education. For some people, it is not worth the hassle or worry of possibly going into some temporary debt--- even if it could mean that the reward on the other side of your degree is probable. It is up to the individual to decide if going to school is worth it or not. However, in this economy and the large amount of competition that is out in the work force today, obtaining continuing and adult education is becoming more and more necessary.

Many companies are recognizing the writing on the wall and the conundrum that their employees face. On the one hand, companies realize that their employees do want to continue their education to better their careers and contribute more to the organization. But on the other hand, they realize that many people cannot afford such a thing. So what these organizations have done is instill Tuition Reimbursement Programs. Typically (although it depends on the organization), if you are interested in a particular education program and want to take advantage of your company’s Tuition Reimbursement Program all you have to do is pay for the program yourself and then you will get reimbursed by your company.

The key thing is to check with your employer to see if they offer a Tuition Reimbursement Program and what the guidelines and steps are to take advantage of this incredible opportunity. A great way to use your Tuition Reimbursement Program money is to get a Certificate. A Certificate can be a quick and inexpensive way to bolster your resume to make yourself as marketable and attractive to future and current employers. Accounting and Business School of the Rockies offers five Certificate programs in areas such as Professional Bookkeeping, Administrative Assistant, Office Manager, Call Center/ Customer Service, and Microsoft Power User.

A Certificate from Accounting and Business School of the Rockies will provide the opportunity for you to get in, get out, and get on with your life in as little as three months. For more information about Accounting and Business School of the Rockies, feel free to look at our web-site (http://www.ABSRschool.com) and come by on June 30 th from 3pm to 6pm for our monthly Open House. You won’t want to miss a presentation at 5pm on the differences of Microsoft Office 2007 compared to Microsoft Office 2003 either! If you have any questions or would like to RSVP for the event, please contact Daniel Seatvet at Daniel@ABSRschool.com or 303-755-6885. We are located at 5420 S. Quebec Street, suite 100 in Greenwood Village, CO 80111. We are looking forward to seeing you there!