Feel Like A Boss Before 7:30 A.M. With These Five Habits

• 2-minute read •
Author Lemony Snicket once wrote that how you spend your morning can often tell what kind of day you’re going to have. Are you ready to escape the endless snooze-shower-commute purgatory? Consider adopting these habits to get a sense of accomplishment, all before your morning coffee.

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How to Successfully Cope with a Job Loss

How prepared are you for an unexpected turn of events? What if the foundation upon which your income was based was suddenly shaken? How would you cope if you lost your Job today?

In these tough economic times, the unemployment rate is high and job scarcity is a common problem. The importance of getting a steady job to guarantee some form of job security cannot be underestimated. Having a regular job is as relieving as drinking a cold glass of water on a hot summer day.

With this in mind, you probably can’t afford to lose your job, because the key word is bills, bills, and more bills! The only way to settle the “bills” issue is to get a job and try to stay hired.

Most people assume, and rightly so, that they can't get laid off or fired. But what if it happens to you?

When you are caught off guard, your coping mechanisms may fail and you may just not know what to do and how to react. But, if you cannot plan for an unexpected job loss, you can definitely equip yourself with tips on how to cope when you have lost your job.

7 Valuable Tips for Surviving a Job Loss Crisis:

1. Don’t panic
When you think about all your bills and the other issues which depend upon your paycheck, it is very easy to panic.

The uncertainty of the future ahead and the possible reality that you may no longer be in control may be very overwhelming. As tempting as it may be, don’t panic because this is the time when you most require a clear mind to focus on the future.

2. Accept your situation.
The sooner you accept your situation the better. Don’t stay in a state of disbelief and denial. Don't allow the bitterness you may be harboring toward your ex-employers to consume your life and precious time. It is not worth. It is just not worth it!

Every case is different but if you intend to sue for wrongful dismissal, consider whether the measure is worth pursuing. Accept your situation as it is and remember that life does not always turn out as we expect. It may be tough but you have to deal with it.

3. De-stress yourself.
Losing a job can be a terribly stressful ordeal. It can cause sleepless nights as you constantly worry about a future over which you may have no control.

The uncertainty ahead may cause an overflow of negative feelings and you may need time to recover from the shock and to clear your head. If necessary, take some time off to think about your next step. Do not make hasty decisions. Talking to a trusted friend or family member about how you feel will always make you feel better.

4. Start a new job search.
The sooner you begin looking for another job the better! As soon as you get the motivation, undertake an aggressive job hunt campaign. Update your resume, do some research on the internet which offers a lot of information about current job listings and allows you to post your resume online, visit employment agencies and let them know about your availability to work and the position that you would be interested in, get the classified section of the newspaper that has job listings, network with people and let them know you are looking for a job. Send out your resume to employers who have job openings that may interest you.

5. Stay positive.
Don’t allow yourself to be engulfed by negative feelings of self-pity, worthlessness, anger, bitterness and etc.

These feelings may rear their ugly heads but keep them in control because they will take away your power and introduce depression in your life. This will accelerate ineffectiveness on your part. Motivate yourself daily by looking on the bright side.

6. Budget your finances.
Now that you don’t have a steady flow of income, consider putting a tighter reign over your finances by making reductions in your expenditures. Keep all the ‘luxuries’ at bay especially if you don’t have any emergency money saved up. This may entail making clear distinctions between what you really need and what you want.

7. Move on.
Hey, it’s not the end of the world. Always remember, “Every exit from somewhere is an entrance somewhere else.” Tom Stoppard.

A bend in the road is not the end of the road unless you fail to make a turn. Do not be afraid to move on and start afresh. This may just be the beginning of something beautiful.

Get In the Game With a Stellar Resume

The job climate is much different today than it was a few years ago. Job hunters have forgotten how to present themselves to a prospective employer. Their job search skills are poor and they are struggling to find employment.

In today’s job market, a resume which highlights accomplishments and skills is essential for career success. It is time to get back to the basics. Employers are no longer settling for the average job candidate. The ball is in their court now and they have the upper hand.

Your resume is your calling card. Therefore, it should stand out from the rest and go the extra mile in presenting you as the most qualified candidate.

An effective resume is…

• Your ticket to an interview
  The resume serves as an introduction of your qualifications. Its sole purpose is to win an interview.
  
• The agenda setter for the interview
  Interviewers will use your resume as a gauge for interview questions.
  
• A reminder
  Once the interview is over, the hiring manager has their notes and your resume as a reminder of your qualifications. While you don’t have control over what the interviewer decides to write in their notes, you do have control over what is written in your resume. For the most part, the resume may be your last word.
  
• A solid first impression
  In most cases, the employer will only have your resume to evaluate your job performance. Your resume should position you as the best candidate for the job.
  

An ineffective resume is…

• A Personal Document
  Your resume should stress what kind of work you are seeking, what you know, what you have demonstrated, and what immediate contribution you can contribute to the hiring organization. Your resume should not include your personal stats, such as height, weight, hair/eye color, etc. It should also not list your birth date, marital status or social security number.
  
• Easy to write
  If you have written your own resume or are attempting to write your own resume, you can attest to the fact that resumes are difficult to write. Recalling past achievements and presenting them in a compelling way can be tough. Also, if you aren’t objective about your own achievements, this can skew how your career information is presented.
  
• A one-size fits all marketing tool
  In resume writing, there aren’t any rules. I am sure you have read articles that your resume should only be one page, or that your resume should be in chronological format or it won’t be read. The truth is that each job seeker has a different set of circumstances and ironclad rules do not exist in resume writing. It is important that you evaluate your situation and come to a conclusion that fits into your reality.
  
• A magic pill
  In order for your resume to be effective, you must know how to use it. Answering want ads or posting your resume on the Internet is not going to get you the results you desire. You have to be an active job searcher and use the resume as a catalyst for your job search – not as your only tool. Your resume must include the type of job you want, what you know, what you have done, and what you offer an employer.