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January 30, 2009

Prepare for The Future During A Down Job Market

In his inaugural speech, President Obama extolled Americans and the world, to be of service to others in whatever ways each of us can.

On the Mall at the inauguration in Washington DC where despite heavy security, nobody got angry or temperamental. There was no violence. No arrests. People held hands, helped each other and were inspired by the hope and a sense of community espoused by the President.

It doesn't matter who you are or where you come from. From the youngest child to the oldest senior citizen each of us can be of service to someone else. Being of service to one another, by being kind to one another does not have to be the grandest gesture or megabucks donated in a check.

We have discussed the value of volunteering many times and looked at how you can use that experience to connect to others and form a social network or a community, as well as, gain work experience and develop skills that will help you later on.

You can access those discussions by searching for the word 'volunteer' in the eSight archives.

In addition, here are two volunteer resources worth investigating:

Or you can check out volunteer resources in your own community by calling 211 in your city or town or village. Or by checking out the volunteer activities available at your school, college or university or around your community.

One last positive aspect of being of service to someone else besides yourself is that helping others contributes to your own sense of well being as well as your own happiness.

It is worth repeating that despite the worsening economy you are not alone. The entire globe is experiencing job losses and lay–offs, so you shouldn't feel isolated and desperate or let this effect your sense of self-worth, efficacy or self-respect.

This is the time as Marten Tegnestam, a member of the eSight team, has often said to "invest in yourself." It is a time to review and update your skills and go back to school if you need to.

To help support you in your efforts to advance your education, Lighthouse International is now accepting applications for our 2009 Scholarship and Career Awards. Please share the following information with anyone you know who can benefit from it.

There are three categories and each carries a $5,000 prize:

A total of five Scholarships will be awarded across those three categories. The criteria for eligibility are that applicants:

Proof of citizenship will be required of all winners.

Scholarships are based on academic and personal achievements and candidates are not required to demonstrate financial need.

Previous winners (in any category) of Lighthouse Scholarships, current Lighthouse employees and members of their immediate families are ineligible.

You can learn more about the Lighthouse Scholarship and Career Awards program and download an application at http://www.lighthouse.org/sca

Please note: The 2009 application deadline is Sunday, March 1, 2009 by 11:59 pm.

If you have any questions regarding the Scholarship and Career Awards program, please email us at sca@lighthouse.org

Gain experience by volunteering. Apply for scholarships. Enhance your education. What other ways can you "invest in yourself" and prepare for the future during a down job market?

Posted by Liz Seger at 10:08 AM | Comments (1)

January 22, 2009

eSight Tips: Search and Apply for Internships Now

The old maxim the early bird gets the worm also still holds true in our economy today. If you want an internship or a job this summer the smart thing to do is start your search now. If you wait until your semester finishes in April or May you will find that many of the internships, jobs and even volunteer positions will be taken.

Get started with your research, filling out applications, getting copies of your transcripts, updating your resumes and preparing your references now.

Here are a few resources to help you get started with your research:

Don't forget that your college career office can also help you find a meaningful internship.

If you are a CUNY student you will find a link to your college's career office online.

Also it's been said before, don't hesitate to ask your friends, friends' parents, coaches, teachers, or family about internships and possible job prospects.

What other sources for internships do you recommend?

Posted by Liz Seger at 09:56 AM | Comments (1)

January 14, 2009

Things You Can Do During Difficult Economic Times

"Barack Obama succeeded in one of the most lengthy and public of all hiring processes, in part because he kept his cool and kept his eyes on the prize," says Tom Musbach, author of "Career Do's and Don'ts from 2008."

Good advice. We know that we need to focus and not let adversity or distractions keep us from achieving our goals. As Jim Hasse has often written, "You need to find your niche and be persistent."

This week, let's focus on the things you can do when you are out of work in a slow economy.

For instance, Jake told us last week about his experience finding training. He recommends the Hadley School.

He says, "I took a few courses from them and loved every moment of it. The approach at Hadley is excellent, and I'm going to enroll in more courses there."

Explore what Hadley has to offer.

James Elekes offers the following resources to help you with your job search:

"I'd like to suggest a Website that many who I work with are using to find part-time, telecommuting, temporary assignments and even full-time employment in the present economy.

"It's indeed.com and, it enables the individual to conduct a search by Job Title, Region, Salary, Newspaper, Corporate Website, Corporate Publications, Professional Journals and related publications! You can search by any combination of the aforementioned, post a resume and get timely Career guidance that's a bit more realistic than Career Builder, Career News or Job Search Weekly.

"Another site becoming extremely timely is usajobs.gov. (Yes, I know what the stats are related to employment of PWDs in Federal service). In spite of this, the Wall St. Journal on-Line, Washington Post and Federal Times have all acknowledged that with the incoming Administration's desire to quickly develop infrastructure projects, enhance health care and continue the present Administration's focus on educational alternatives for youth and adults who need training to be competitive for 21st Century jobs, there is a clear need for individuals in Federal/State government entities to provide the functional guidance in order for these services to be available in local communities.

"Finally, in late November (2008), The "Plum Book" was released by the Government Printing Office. For those not familiar, the "Book" provides a listing of all Direct Appointment positions available in each state and the Federal Government to Advisory Boards and Commissions. These positions will be filled during the next four years because those appointed by the present Administration in the past four years (since 2005) will expire routinely and since, it's a new administration, re-appointments are highly unlikely. gpo.gov has additional info on purchasing this Federal Government Publication.

The United States Government Policy and Supporting Positions has been made available in its entirety, as a single PDF file.

In addition, the entire report is also available in TEXT format (1.91 MB).

For those in Ontario, laid off workers can find help in re-training at the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities.

Many other provinces and states probably have similar programs or programs for those over 40 or women or for first jobs. Don't hesitate to check out the opportunities.

Return to your state's Vocational Rehab programs. Things may have changed. You just never know what may turn up. For those in Canada, check with your provincial employment office or ministry of social services and community development programs.

Consuelo Mack's recent program on public television, "What Do I Do Now?" provides practical help when "...the economy unravels, unemployment soars, and the market swings wildly."

The show also has developed a list of resources for those in the New York/New Jersey area.

Morning TV news programs have been giving tax tips you can use during this down time in the economy. For Americans, you can join a professional association in your particular field and the fee may be tax deductible. Talk to someone who has knowledge of your state tax code, such as an accountant or IRS personnel to see if there are refund opportunities.

By sharing resources and advice we will be helping each other and also not be so isolated and alone.

What do you think is the most productive thing you can do to advance your career during this time of high unemployment?

Posted by Liz Seger at 03:22 PM | Comments (3)

January 07, 2009

Spotting the Career and Employment Trends

Trying to spot career and employment trends isn't as easy this year as it has been in past. The global economic situation has played havoc with many careers and employment situations, but it also has created opportunities in areas we might not have thought about before.

It seems that the morning news shows are full of tips on how to find new jobs and improve yourself to increase your chances for being hired. ABC's Good Morning America (GMA) has a contributor who runs the website Women For Hire who for the past few months has been hosting the Great American Job Fair where women and men, armed with their resumes and portfolios go to companies who are actually hiring personnel. The next Great American Job Fairs is scheduled for Wednesday, January 14th in Boston.

You can also sign up for a weekly newsletter offering tips and insights on finding work and improving yourself.

Tori Johnson the owner of Women For Hire on a recent GMA suggested that these careers or jobs could be ones you might want to pursue. Some require learning new skills.

  1. Financial Services. Many banks and businesses are closing down, they may need those with experience in helping close books etc. Some may even need forensic and financial auditing.

  2. Book keeping, tax preparation and accountants. Small businesses which may be closing or may be starting up need bookkeepers, tax preparers and accountants. Finance and business students working for their charter accountants certificates may be able to find opportunities to prove your competency and establish working business relationships.

  3. Debt Collection Agencies and Repossession Agencies. These require no training other than what the employer wants you to know and the legal methods you can use. It's not always easy to have to call people about their debts or to repossess their items but in hard financial times it happens.

    Be ready for the emotional onslaught and name calling but also be empathetic and compassionate. Most people would never dream something like this could happen to them and they're probably emotional, angry and overwrought themselves.

  4. Law enforcement. Whenever there's a downturn in the economy, law enforcement jobs increase. However it doesn't have to be police officers. Often first responders need dispatchers for 911 or other emergency calls which those with disabilities can do with adaptive technology.

  5. Repairs-auto mechanics, computer doctors, plumbers, electricians. Let's face it, things break down. Most of us whether disabled or not haven't a clue how to fix it, so we rely on others to fix things for us. Trades in certain areas will never not be needed especially with our new technology.

    Refrigerators and air conditioning units are essential for most people as is anything electrical. Look into these types of fields as a second career or a new one.

  6. Health. Even though most baby boomers hope to have good health into their old age, it may not always happen. And since boomers have been the largest demographic for a few decades now they're going to need more people to help them stay healthy and lead active lives. So health care careers and dealing with gerontology will be growing for a few decades to come. Personal home support workers, massage therapists, occupational, recreational and physio-therapy being some of the careers which will more than likely grow. Boomers have always been interested in the holistic approach so career counselors, social workers, therapists, psychologists and psychiatrists will more than likely be careers to look into as well.

  7. Clean energy jobs. Green has become the new industry and it will involve all sectors of society and work from organic farming and processing to finding new green healthy energies like the advancement of solar and wind power as T. Boone Pickens and Ted Turner are advocating. This is a sector that is wide open for those in research, engineering, technology, agricultural, you name it.

  8. Medical transcription and other technology. This is another area that common sense tells you will grow. Many health systems around the world are integrating computer records and paper records into electronic systems that will make it easier to access. Medical transcription courses are available on-line and at your local junior or community college. Technologists will be needed for the new ways of doing research and practicing medicine.

Another website that has been in operation for 25 years and has a good reputation for spotting trends is Trend Research Inc.

One of the statements made on the January 2nd coast to coast am radio show was that what is bad for Wall Street will be good for Main Street in the next few years. With large chain stores failing in malls there will be openings for mom and pop businesses to re-establish themselves on main street as long as they offer excellent quality at affordable prices. With the closure of a chain like Starbucks, for example, there will still be a demand for coffee but at more affordable prices. This can be the time for small business entrepreneurship to flourish if you fill a niche.

People are going to want to be green about their habits now and so will be re-using, repairing things. If you having sewing or tailoring experience, open an affordable tailoring business since more conservative business dressing is coming back into style. People always need hems or buttons fixed. The art of cobbling shoes may come back which means repairing soles and heels, making shoes last longer. Handy man/woman repairs are always needed especially in areas where seniors reside and may not be able to do it themselves. Same with lawn and garden care or especially this winter, snow removal.

In Buffalo during the holidays recently they were advertising for people over the age of 16 to come clean out Rich Stadium when the Bills had a game and the field and seats were covered with snow. It paid ten dollars an hour but better ten dollars an hour especially if you had no income coming in at that particular time.

Other areas to look for job trends are with your state or provincial governments. Often there is info about skills updating training or second career training so check out those opportunities. Check out non profit agencies like Goodwill or Jewish Vocational Services. Look for jobs at temporary agencies and ask if they provide skill training or skill updating for free, many do. Look to your local community or junior colleges, many offer associate degrees which are a year or two in length and not as expensive as college or university. Check the open online free courses. You may not get the accreditation but it may spark an interest or passion for an area of study which you've never considered.

Don't be dismissive about doing certain jobs, thinking they are beneath you and your "experience or education". In these times work that pays is good work. You won't always have to stay in that job and you may acquire skills that will put you onto a different career path, increase your social network or just change your life.

Wake up every morning with a purpose, become prepared and willing to work and check the attitude at the door. Don't be wishy-washy but don't have a chip on your shoulder either. Become passionate and enthusiastic, pro-active and positive. Studies show that happiness is contagious and so share your optimism. Look at everything as an opportunity.

Poor economies sometime spawn viable small businesses. What small business products or services do you think are needed in your area?

Posted by Liz Seger at 04:07 PM | Comments (2)