Most people think of Labor Day as the last day of summer fun… no more white after today…last day for barbeques and outside events before winter and the holidays.

For me, of course I think of family and get togethers, but since I am in the business of helping people end their job search frustrations, Labor Day makes me think of what I can do different to help people find their next job.  So next Tuesday, I will be doing a free event in conjunction with the Hollywood Junior Chamber of Commerce.

An event to help you with your resume, interviewing, networking, and dressing for success! So, if you are in this situation, come out on Tuesday, September 13, 2011 at the Hollywood Jaycee Hall 2930 Hollywood Blvd, on the SW corner of 95 and Hollywood Blvd at 1pm.  We will be doing all kinds of workshops until about 4pm.  Then at 5:30pm, join the Hollywood Jaycees for their monthly meeting and network! Find out how you can get involved!

Also, we will be doing a PROFESSIONAL CLOTHING EXCHANGE!  Yes, bring in your professional clothes that you would like to trade for something new.  All item left will be donated to Women in Distress and Broward Outreach.

Happy Labor Day!

Yes…this is the perfect time to look for a job!  There are so many parties and get togethers during the holidays, that the meaning of networking really comes to play.

For the most part, people are in festive moods during the holidays and are in a giving spirit.  If you are looking for a new opportunity, seize the moment.  Prepare your 30 second commercial and let it out at the parties.  Be specific and targeted as to what you are looking to do and be open to all situations.  Make sure you also listen!  Everyone loves to talk about themselves, so be aware that human nature is still out there and no one cares more about you, than you.  Show interest in the conversation and offer to help the person you are speaking to even if they are employed and you are not.  Remember it’s about givers gain!

Once you have established that key person that can help you and you had a great conversation…FOLLOW UP!  Don’t leave an opportunity on the table because you did not follow up.

Oh!!!!!!  Make sure you are positive and upbeat!  Nothing brings down a party more than the grinch!  Don’t be a downer…if that is how you feel…try to cheer up, but do not attempt to go to a party, trash your last job or boss and expect people to respond in a positive way.

If you happened to have lost your job by getting fired or laid off…. put if behind you… TAKE ACTION TODAY!

Polish up your resume…get your networking hat on….put on your smile and start networking!

Happy job hunting!

I am a firm believer that everyday I learn something new either through taking a new class, seminar, workshop, attending a conference, meeting, and mostly through listening to other people.  No one knows everything and for those that think they do, disconnect from them…they will bring you down.

How about surrounding yourself with successful people?  Seek out those that you find are successful and can easily get access to.  Pick their brain, ask them questions, network with them.

This weekend, you have the opportunity to connect with many powerful and successful women in our community.  The event will be life changing for many women in attendance.  Come learn and experience what our community professional women have to offer.

The event will take place at Nova Southeastern University.  Please see link for more info.  I will be presenting a class on Saturday at 12 noon! Inspiration University presents: The Total Working Womens Weekend

Come learn and network!

http://www.inspiration-university.com/2010/09/05/register-now-for-the-total-working-womens-weekend/

Ok…I do not want you to trick your way into a job, but getting  your next job would be a treat!  Here are some tips!

Remember, I keep telling you to get out there and network…. yesterday, I was at the South Florida Diversity Job Expo and every single recruiter or employer that was with me on the panel said you must stand out, follow up, and of course network! So listen up!

This weekend is Halloween.  If you have children or not and celebrate Halloween even a little, I want you to get in the spirit of networking! This is a prime way for you to talk to people you do not know…how?  If they are wearing a costume, you can comment on it, if not, ask them what their plans are… you can take the conversation in so many directions.  Even more effective… how about in trick or treating with your kids?  Did you know most people do not even know their neighbors?  You never know who may be living next door or across the street.  You can make small talk and it could lead to an opportunity. Don’t be scared!!!

If you are attending business networking events tonight or parties this weekend…same thing… network!  Have your 30 second pitch ready to go.  Identify specifically what you would like to do and an accomplishment or two, and your key strengths.  Offer the person you are speaking to a treat….Listen to what they are saying. Do they have a need?  See if you can fill that need for them…this is a treat!  Always try to offer your help first!

I know you will be brewing up lots of opportunities and make sure you follow up!  Remember, no tricks just treats!

Enjoy! Happy Halloween!

Violet

Today I spoke to a job seeker and he mentioned there is a job fair tomorrow. I said the South Florida Diversity Job Expo to be held from 9am-3pm at the Sheraton Suites Plantation…he said yes!  I advised him I will be there and speaking on a panel from 9am-10:30am. He said should I go?  I said are you doing anything? He said no…. I advised him to go!  I know sometimes at job fairs the companies are not what you are looking for or you may feel like you are wasting your time, but how about if you went in with the attitude that you may meet someone that can open a door for you including another job seeker!

You must keep a open mind about networking and events.  No, they will not always pan out, but if you give up, then it is your loss.

Stay focused and positive.  Also, make sure you find out what will take place at the job fair.  For example, this job fair will have contests, speed interviewing segments, and an expert panel on recruiting and best practices. So you are also getting educated!

SO, I SAY GO!!!!!

If you go, come say hi!  I will be there from 9-10:30am!

Violet

Yesterday I met with a new client that I met over one year ago when I was a guest panelist for Women in Communication. We connected via facebook and she would get information from me about my teleseminars, events, and more… however, this is not the reason for this blog… this is just a bonus.

The story about ‘Keeping in Touch’ does come from this client.  At the same event I met her, she met another young lady that was looking for a job in Marketing/PR/Communications.  This young lady happened to ask me a question about looking for a job.  In my response to her, one item that I mentioned to her is to get involved in an organization or company and volunteer for them.  After the event, my client that happens to work in television, approached her, spoke with her, in essence, they networked and kept in touch.…Literally, two weeks ago… my client had a casting call for dancers.  She needed some volunteers to help with the casting and she contacted the young lady at the event that she had been in touch with.  The young lady was just working part-time and not in her field.  My client called her, gave her an opportunity to volunteer, and just this week, per my client’s recommendation, she got a job!!!

This all happened because they kept in touch.  The young lady was able to get a job in the industry she went to school for and dreamed of.  So far, everyone is happy.  A successful story! So, Keep In Touch!

Violet

Today someone called me for advice about a job offer they received through networking and because of this, the person that connected them to the potential job said they need a resume! Ah ha! the real reason they called, just kidding!  anyway….Bottom line they would be making less money than at their current job. What should they do?…

So I asked a few important questions to help clarify the situation:

1. How much money are we talking about?

Answer: $5,000 less

2. Will this new job be closer to your home?

Answer: yes, about 30 minutes each way

3. Are y ou happy at your current job?

Answer: no

Just from these three questions…this was my solution…

I also asked how much money she spends in gas, after question 2 and she spends about $40-45 a week.

So in essence… she is unhappy at work, will have an easier commute to work, save money on gas, and start a new opportunity, probably more exciting and challenging….do I even have to go any further?

Just from a mathematical prospective…

Gas savings alone: Average $40 x50 weeks (2 for vacation) =$2,000

1 hour extra per day for yourself? priceless (even if you break it down to $10 an hour, that’s $3,510, so you are making more by having the extra time, and for me, my time is very valuable…

Not to mention you will be moving on from an unhappy place, to one you can develop. So, lesson learned by this person… always look at all your opritons, before making a decision.

Your time and your own personal mental health is more valuable, than some initial $$$’s.

JC, you will be fine… now you can get that yoga class in…take that jog…read that book…Do you have a question? Feel free to post!

Remember, stay positive…companies are hiring!

Tonight, I was at the Junior Achievement networking social and met many people, no surprise there… however, the reason for this email was that two different people that have a mutual friend came up to me to say thank you for getting my friend a job! I did not get him the job… I just made a connection for him and helped him with his resume… I was happy with this news, however, a few minutes later, I looked at my iphone emails and saw this….Violet, I just got a job!  I met this person at a job fair months ago…kept in touch with him, gave him some advice on his resume, he emailed me that he needed some help with meeting people specifically that are hiring paralegals, I put him in touch with a company that recently called me to ask if I knew any paralegals… he was one that I remembered, because he kept in touch…I put him in touch, and that is the email I got today!  I was so happy with all the news!  There are jobs out there…really! However, you need to be prepared. You need to be focused on what you want to do and make sure you are qualified to do the job and be able to prove it. So, make sure you stay in touch, network, be prepared professionally with your resume, presentation, and brush up on your interviewing skills. Good luck!

As a job seeker, you should know by now, that in order to be successful with your job search, you must be proactive.  I have been talking about setting short term goals everyday now for the past, almost 15 days, along with setting aside a power hour.  Now being proactive, also means you must network and find out where the jobs are… talk to people you know and who do don’t know.  Let me tell you a success story.  As you know, I am involved in our community.  I have stressed to you how important it is to get involved.  So, “Rick”, serves on a board with me, called and said he has a friend “Ron”, that needs a job, and if I would be able to speak to him, maybe give him some hope and motivation.  I said no problem. Ron came in we spoke and I got to know a little bit about his background and what he is interested in… two days later, an employer that was referred to me said he is hiring and if I knew someone who he may be able to call… I said yes, I have the perfect guy… he was in my office the other day!  I immediately called Ron, told him to call and on Friday he got the job! This was all based on networking.

Today, I went to the Delray Affair for a few hours with my family and I was in a booth that sold cartoons based on various professions…I went into the booth and asked the man, “I am a Certified Professional Resume Writer, Coach, etc… do you have that profession? “… he said, “NO, but WOW?  You do that for a living, you must be busy!”…I said, “Yes, I am very busy, but I am doing my part to Help…I have been doing this for many years before the current job market!”

A woman nearby heard our conversation and she asked if I had a card, and of course, I did.  Her name was Sue and she lives in Fort Lauderdale.  My office is in Pompano Beach and I live in Fort Lauderdale…I asked her what she does and she mentioned she was working as an administrative assistant for a family owned business that was being bought out by a big company. She was not sure of her fate yet, so she wanted to be prepared.  I told her to email her resume to me and I would review it for her.  It is about 9:30pm now, and I reviewed her resume at about 5:30pm today.  While checking my emails a little while ago, I had a friend post on facebook that they need are looking for someone to fill an admin position.  I emailed the lady and told her to get her resume to them.  You see… it’s about being proactive, listening, and trying to help/make a connection.  Even if you are a job seeker, you can hep another job seeker just by listening.

There are jobs out there, however, yo must be proactive.  Listen, be prepared, get your resume reviewed and if necessary, get professional help.  It is an investment in your future. Ask for help! Set short term goals! Get out a piece of paper and make a TO DO LIST… mark off the things your have accomplished one by one, and you will see the difference in how you feel and what it means to have done something!  Remember, knowledge is power… HA!  NOT! What you do with that knowledge and how you implement it is power!

Now, email me if you have a success story!  Network!!! Come join me for a networking event to benefit Junior Achievement this Wed., April 14 from 5:30-8pm at America’s Backyard in downtown Ft. Lauderdale!  Minimal cost i think $15 per person!  See you then!