Well so much for being a blogger for the over 50 and unemployed group.....only posted two times.
Hopefully I will pick back up on this and more ahead as I am quickly approaching 2 biggies in my life. 1 my 53rd birthday next week and 2 coming up on a whole year of no work/no income. I will take the birthday over the other any day.
As I sit here writing this looking out my window I have the enjoyment of watching the snow flurries falling it brings much delight to this writer. Note I said flurries and pretty much that will be all we get, still sorta living in the south we don't get snowed in here so we still enjoy the snow. ;-)
They say that each snow flake is different and as I am watching them all float around outside my window, I think about how many I must be seeing, then I think about all the snow and every place it must be snowing or that has snow and that each snowflake is different, so snowflakes are like people. Each one of us are created differently, all the millions of people all over this world and we are all DIFFERENT. Now just like the snowflake many things are similar. That tiny snowflake has needs just like we do. If the temperature isn't just right it will be rain or sleet instead of snow. The snow can be nice or it can be mean. A little dusting is nice and to be snowed in for days can be mean. Just like we can be nice or we can be mean. Anyway my point is they are all different, just as we are all different and we all have our own needs that need to be met.
The writer of this blog has a need for an income as many of you who are reading if indeed any of you are reading this, HEY!!! IS THERE ANYONE OUT THERE?!?!?
There are many valleys and hills of unemployment and I am here to say I have been in the valley WAY TOO LONG. I found myself in a depth of depression I never ever want to reach again. But through God's grace, I did find my way out of it. Thankfully I do have friends who from time to time have more to do than time to do it and they will give me a call and say hey, I need your help with something can you help me out? Sometimes, it is only for the gas money and sometimes it is for a nice chunk of change as well. But mostly for me, being able to do something productive is the best thing ever. Don't get me wrong I really appreciate the funds for the gas and the extra when given but what it does for me mentally and emotionally far outweighs what benefit I have been to them.
I tried doing some volunteering but without having gas money to get there and back it proved to be a difficult thing to do but I do suggest doing it if you are able to. It gives you such a sense of accomplishment and you know you are helping someone out. Also it proves itself to be a valuable networking tool. You never know what door it may open up for you.
I will leave you with this today, from one snowflake to another we are all different and all have different needs, there may be something you are in excess of that someone else needs. What can you do for a snowflake you are close to???
Friday, January 8, 2010
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
The Resume/The Cover Letter
The Cover Letter~
Here is the grabber, you must "break in case of emergency"! You must catch them here! You must sell yourself like you are the most desirable commodity ever, you must leave them wanting more of you. You must, in 2 paragraphs or less!
Well, I don't know about you, but this feat I must admit defeats me before I even get started. How can I sell myself to someone else when I am so down about myself from the defeat of looking so long for a job, for a career, for a place of employment where I know I can make a difference.
You have to know how to play on words. I do not play on words. My words are pure, no secret agenda. They are simple words and they mean what they say. I don't know how to manipulate words to get them to be something that I end up having no idea of what is being said. I am not a stupid person, on the contrary I think myself to be pretty smart.
There are people out there that create cover letters for you, but it comes with a hefty price. I guess it is worth it IF you get the job. But I find that paying that hefty price for something that does not guarantee you a job is very costly. Remember, I am unemployed, unemployed means no income at least for me, this is what it means. No income! So to pay a fee for a cover letter that speaks in the way you do not talk and has no guarantee for me is not an option. So I put myself out there in my own words, sorta kinda. (no I don't use sorta kinda in my cover letter)
The Resume
hmmmm I have been on both sides of the resume and to be honest I am not sure how they NOW do it. At least when I was doing it, I had the honor to have the applicant come in to see me, thus being able to ask questions I may have had. Now...that is not an option, as it simply reads submit resume online and we will contact you....no phone calls! or you see Do not apply in person.
SO YOUR RESUME MUST BE STELLAR!!
Mine IS NOT! While I did initiate change on more than one occasion, mostly I was laid off, not enough work. I did manage to get an unforgiveable 3 page resume down to 1&1/2 pages. Still it should be only one page! I think I mentioned I am 52 and have had more than a job or two unfortunately in the past few years. This should be able to reflect my ability to adapt to change.
I have excellent letters of recommendation, I am afraid they are only worth the cost of the paper they are printed on.
So I pose a question how do you get that stellar resume when yours is less than? Without lying?
I do not physically have a degree but I have the experience above and beyond that of a degree, probably above a BS in Business and no that isn't bull.... just thought I would throw that in for you! Every position out there wants you to have a degree. A degree in something, I have a degree in experience. I understand first hand, first hand about running a business, about how to keep costs down and production moving right along. I know first hand how to keep your staff pulling together in team work when things get rough and adjustments in staffing have to be made. I know how to see what is going wrong and how to improve in those areas that are going wrong, even if I do not carry a diploma from a college, these types of things seem to come natural to me. Why, I don't know!
back on track...
Here again, you have the option to have someone do your resume for a fee. Remember, unemployed, no income!
I have tried without any added success to add phone numbers to supers and reason for leaving to my resume. I have the pertinent information that applies to the position I am applying for in bold and still no change in being contacted. The only thing I have not done is have someone actually call my previous employers to see what is actually being said. With the exception of one, I know it should be all great! And even that one in question if all facts are given should at the minimum be good.
On calling, when permitted~ and even when not~ (sometimes you just have to) Mostly I hear, no we are not hiring, are they expecting your call?~ they are in a meeting, I will have them call you back, with no response~ they will call if your qualifications match the position.
I have one question~ Who is "THEY"? Do "THEY" have a phone? Do "THEY" know how to use their phone?
So to take this one step further and to close with a smile.....
Who do "THEY" think they are? "THEY" would be blessed to have someone like "ME" work for "THEM". heehee, while accounting is the bulk of my experience, it obviously is not my forte....so I guess I should have said ~multiple questions~ oh well.
So I close this post with this, no matter how down we may get we can always look upward! The best flowers are in the valleys.
Happy Searching!
Here is the grabber, you must "break in case of emergency"! You must catch them here! You must sell yourself like you are the most desirable commodity ever, you must leave them wanting more of you. You must, in 2 paragraphs or less!
Well, I don't know about you, but this feat I must admit defeats me before I even get started. How can I sell myself to someone else when I am so down about myself from the defeat of looking so long for a job, for a career, for a place of employment where I know I can make a difference.
You have to know how to play on words. I do not play on words. My words are pure, no secret agenda. They are simple words and they mean what they say. I don't know how to manipulate words to get them to be something that I end up having no idea of what is being said. I am not a stupid person, on the contrary I think myself to be pretty smart.
There are people out there that create cover letters for you, but it comes with a hefty price. I guess it is worth it IF you get the job. But I find that paying that hefty price for something that does not guarantee you a job is very costly. Remember, I am unemployed, unemployed means no income at least for me, this is what it means. No income! So to pay a fee for a cover letter that speaks in the way you do not talk and has no guarantee for me is not an option. So I put myself out there in my own words, sorta kinda. (no I don't use sorta kinda in my cover letter)
The Resume
hmmmm I have been on both sides of the resume and to be honest I am not sure how they NOW do it. At least when I was doing it, I had the honor to have the applicant come in to see me, thus being able to ask questions I may have had. Now...that is not an option, as it simply reads submit resume online and we will contact you....no phone calls! or you see Do not apply in person.
SO YOUR RESUME MUST BE STELLAR!!
Mine IS NOT! While I did initiate change on more than one occasion, mostly I was laid off, not enough work. I did manage to get an unforgiveable 3 page resume down to 1&1/2 pages. Still it should be only one page! I think I mentioned I am 52 and have had more than a job or two unfortunately in the past few years. This should be able to reflect my ability to adapt to change.
I have excellent letters of recommendation, I am afraid they are only worth the cost of the paper they are printed on.
So I pose a question how do you get that stellar resume when yours is less than? Without lying?
I do not physically have a degree but I have the experience above and beyond that of a degree, probably above a BS in Business and no that isn't bull.... just thought I would throw that in for you! Every position out there wants you to have a degree. A degree in something, I have a degree in experience. I understand first hand, first hand about running a business, about how to keep costs down and production moving right along. I know first hand how to keep your staff pulling together in team work when things get rough and adjustments in staffing have to be made. I know how to see what is going wrong and how to improve in those areas that are going wrong, even if I do not carry a diploma from a college, these types of things seem to come natural to me. Why, I don't know!
back on track...
Here again, you have the option to have someone do your resume for a fee. Remember, unemployed, no income!
I have tried without any added success to add phone numbers to supers and reason for leaving to my resume. I have the pertinent information that applies to the position I am applying for in bold and still no change in being contacted. The only thing I have not done is have someone actually call my previous employers to see what is actually being said. With the exception of one, I know it should be all great! And even that one in question if all facts are given should at the minimum be good.
On calling, when permitted~ and even when not~ (sometimes you just have to) Mostly I hear, no we are not hiring, are they expecting your call?~ they are in a meeting, I will have them call you back, with no response~ they will call if your qualifications match the position.
I have one question~ Who is "THEY"? Do "THEY" have a phone? Do "THEY" know how to use their phone?
So to take this one step further and to close with a smile.....
Who do "THEY" think they are? "THEY" would be blessed to have someone like "ME" work for "THEM". heehee, while accounting is the bulk of my experience, it obviously is not my forte....so I guess I should have said ~multiple questions~ oh well.
So I close this post with this, no matter how down we may get we can always look upward! The best flowers are in the valleys.
Happy Searching!
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Greetings Bloggers
Thinking seems to be my greatest past-time lately. Sometimes this can be good, sometimes this can be bad!
I decided to create a Blog and dedicate it to us that fall in the category of being over 50 and unemployed so here goes~
With all that time on your hands the mind can do rough things to you. Your thoughts race trying to figure out why you can't get a job. You have already given up on a choice job and began to apply for "anybody can do this" type of job, and then reality hits you in the face and you find out that you don't even qualify for the "anybody can do this" job. That is when I felt like I had hit bottom. I could not even get a job selling Cell Phones! Give me a break!!!
So I figure that there has to be a funny side to all this and I am the one that is always looking for the bright side of things. Well, apparently the brightness is so bright it blinded me for I can't seem to see it! ;-)
I am hoping this forum will offer a place for interaction with others in this boat! I refuse to sink! So be prepared, this is not for the fainthearted, this is not for those who just want to whine although some mild form is allowed. This is for those of us who know what we have to offer to the work force and are not going to give up even if we have to come up with our own job!
to be cont.....
I decided to create a Blog and dedicate it to us that fall in the category of being over 50 and unemployed so here goes~
With all that time on your hands the mind can do rough things to you. Your thoughts race trying to figure out why you can't get a job. You have already given up on a choice job and began to apply for "anybody can do this" type of job, and then reality hits you in the face and you find out that you don't even qualify for the "anybody can do this" job. That is when I felt like I had hit bottom. I could not even get a job selling Cell Phones! Give me a break!!!
So I figure that there has to be a funny side to all this and I am the one that is always looking for the bright side of things. Well, apparently the brightness is so bright it blinded me for I can't seem to see it! ;-)
I am hoping this forum will offer a place for interaction with others in this boat! I refuse to sink! So be prepared, this is not for the fainthearted, this is not for those who just want to whine although some mild form is allowed. This is for those of us who know what we have to offer to the work force and are not going to give up even if we have to come up with our own job!
to be cont.....
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