Where to Network?

 Chris Wodke

http://www.summittrainingpublications.com/

Everyone talks about the fact that you have to network to find a job. It is true that most positions are found via networking.  If you haven’t had to search for a job in years, you may be at a loss about where to network.  Here are some ideas:

Networking Events

There are many local events for networking in the Milwaukee area. Do a search on the internet, check the local paper or business publication.

Professional Societies

Most professional groups have monthly meetings. The meeting usually starts with a cocktail hour followed by dinner and a speaker.  These events are great for networking. These events are great places to find out about openings in your field, keep up on industry trends and make contacts.  Do an internet search and find a local chapter in your area. 

Volunteer

Use your skills to benefit a local charity or use the experience to develop new skills.  Tell everyone you meet at your volunteer job that you are looking for work.  You may connect with a future employer with this experience.

Social Events

Groups in your social network, can also help your networking. Think about all of the social groups you belong too:  book club, church, chamber of commerce, Lions Club, Fraternal Organizations, etc. Get out and circulate and tell everyone you are looking. Have your 30 second speech ready that tells people the type of professional you are and the type of work you are looking for.  Accept invitations to social events. You may meet your future employer at one of these events.

Create Your Own Event

Give a party for someone you admire to honor them.  Throw a Tupperware, Pampered Chef or Home Interiors party. Casually let those attending you are on a job search. 

Internet

Write a blog in an area where you have expertise.  This can bring in some income and help to build your brand.  Put up a profile on Linkin to showcase your qualifications.

Have a business card made that you can give out events. This should state your name and your profession with your contact information.  Get a business card from everyone you meet. Note on the back of the card where you met. Follow up with a resume if requested or with a short handwritten note telling them you enjoyed the meeting.

There is no need to hide or feel ashamed if you are out of work.  Your network and the efforts you make can be your best chance to secure a new job.

Copyright 2012 Summit Training Publications

Do you hate to write training programs? Too much work to do and no time to put together your training program? Asked to deliver training or a presentation and have no idea where to start?

Let Summit Training Publications take care of your program design needs with our off the shelf training in a box or one of our presentation modules.

Our off the shelf training solutions provide:

• PowerPoint Presentation
• Instructor Guide & handouts
• Student Guide
• Quiz
• Feedback Form

Subject areas include; Communication Skills, Employee Development, Human Resources, Quality, Product Safety, Safety and Supervisor Training.

Titles: Product Safety and Liability, Aftermarket Product Safety,Hazard Analysis, Product Safety Meetings, Warnings, Instructions and Manuals, Product Liability European Union, Obtaining the CE Mark, Risk Assessment, European Union, Product Safety Management Product Safety Audit, Workplace Violence, Substance Abuse, Sexual Harassment, Manager as Coach, Hiring, Firing, Performance Appraisals, Diversity, Americans With Disabilities, Business Etiquette, Security Abroad, International Business Manners, Customer Service, Customer Communication, Terrific Teams, The Manager as Trainer, Coping With Difficult People, Managing Your Boss- Problem Bosses, Malcolm Baldridge Award, Presentations/Public Speaking, Discrimination, Listening Skills, Negotiation, Conflict Resolution, Alternative Dispute Resolution, Total Quality Management, Motivation, High Achievers, Time Management, ISO 9000 Introduction, ISO 9000 Implementation, Quality Audit, Introduction to the Internet, Stress Management, Telecommuting, Flexible Work Schedules, Creativity and Innovation, Benchmarking, Effective Business Writing, Customer Letters, Motivating Self and Others, Project Management, Managing Multiple Projects, Brainstorming, PERT Diagrams, Train the Trainer, Train the Trainer-Delivery, Train the Trainer-Writing Presentations, Train the Trainer-On the Job Training, Train the Trainer-Using Visual Aids, Project Management, Peer to Peer Feedback, Surviving Unemployment, Interview Preparation

How did the interview go?

 Chris Wodke

http://www.summittrainingpublications.com/

After your interview someone may ask you how your interview went.  You may be wondering yourself.  Here are some hints that will tell you if interview went well.

Call Back

If you are called in for a second interview the company is interested.  Only serious candidates are brought back.

References

If you are asked from references the company is serious. My company only checks references when they are planning to make an offer.  Check with those listed on your reference list to see if they have been called.

Availability

If you are asked when you might be available things are going really well. This shows they are thinking of bringing you on board.  They are thinking of making an offer and want to see how long it will take to get you on board.

Introductions

If you are taken to meet the hiring manager’s boss or his direct reports they are sending a signal.  Usually you are introduced to the rest of the team if you are a serious candidate. The manager will not waste anyone’s time by introducing them to a candidate they have no intention of hiring.

Body Language

Does the interviewer check their watch a lot?  That is a bad sign. Good signs would be eye contact, nodding in agreement with your answers and leaning forward as you talk.

Sales Job

If the hiring manager talks about how great the company is and how well you would fit, the interview is going very well. They already picture you as part of the team and are trying to convince you to come on board.

Questions

If a hiring manager is interested they will spend a lot of time asking you questions. If they aren’t interested or if you aren’t the interview will quickly wrap up. If they are interested in you they will spend a lot of time answering your questions because they want to sell you on the position.

HR

Do you get a positive vibe from HR?  Do they return your calls?  The better their response the more likely the interview will result in an offer.  They know what decision the hiring manager has made. They want you as a potential employee to have a favorable view of the company.

If most of these signs are present, the interview went well.  There is no sure thing with interviews; another better candidate can always come along after your interview.

Copyright 2012 Summit Training Publications

Do you hate to write training programs? Too much work to do and no time to put together your training program? Asked to deliver training or a presentation and have no idea where to start?

Let Summit Training Publications take care of your program design needs with our off the shelf training in a box or one of our presentation modules.

Our off the shelf training solutions provide:

• PowerPoint Presentation
• Instructor Guide & handouts
• Student Guide
• Quiz
• Feedback Form

Subject areas include; Communication Skills, Employee Development, Human Resources, Quality, Product Safety, Safety and Supervisor Training.

Titles: Product Safety and Liability, Aftermarket Product Safety,Hazard Analysis, Product Safety Meetings, Warnings, Instructions and Manuals, Product Liability European Union, Obtaining the CE Mark, Risk Assessment, European Union, Product Safety Management Product Safety Audit, Workplace Violence, Substance Abuse, Sexual Harassment, Manager as Coach, Hiring, Firing, Performance Appraisals, Diversity, Americans With Disabilities, Business Etiquette, Security Abroad, International Business Manners, Customer Service, Customer Communication, Terrific Teams, The Manager as Trainer, Coping With Difficult People, Managing Your Boss- Problem Bosses, Malcolm Baldridge Award, Presentations/Public Speaking, Discrimination, Listening Skills, Negotiation, Conflict Resolution, Alternative Dispute Resolution, Total Quality Management, Motivation, High Achievers, Time Management, ISO 9000 Introduction, ISO 9000 Implementation, Quality Audit, Introduction to the Internet, Stress Management, Telecommuting, Flexible Work Schedules, Creativity and Innovation, Benchmarking, Effective Business Writing, Customer Letters, Motivating Self and Others, Project Management, Managing Multiple Projects, Brainstorming, PERT Diagrams, Train the Trainer, Train the Trainer-Delivery, Train the Trainer-Writing Presentations, Train the Trainer-On the Job Training, Train the Trainer-Using Visual Aids, Project Management, Peer to Peer Feedback, Surviving Unemployment, Interview Preparation

Benefits Denied

Chris Wodke

http://www.summittrainingpublications.com/

One of the dirty secrets of this recession is that 1 in 4 unemployed workers are being denied unemployment benefits by their former employer.  It’s bad enough to be laid off, much less be told you are being denied benefits when you need them the most.

Employer challenges are on the rise. The number filing challenges have doubled in 15 years.  For companies this is an economic decision.  Many business owners are struggling to keep their doors open.  The premiums paid to the state by a business owner are partially based on the number of claims filed. In industries where turnover is high the rate assessed to the business can be high.

If this happens to you check with your local unemployment office  about the rules for appeal.  Make sure you follow all the rules and meet all deadlines.  A majority of these claims are won by employees.  If you are still employed be sure you have good attendance and follow all company rules. If you are discharged for cause the employer may legitimately deny your claim. If you have any questions contact your local office.  If you need legal advice contact an employment lawyer.

Do you hate to write training programs? Too much work to do and no time to put together your training program? Asked to deliver training or a presentation and have no idea where to start?

Let Summit Training Publications take care of your program design needs with our off the shelf training in a box or one of our presentation modules.

Our off the shelf training solutions provide:

• PowerPoint Presentation
• Instructor Guide & handouts
• Student Guide
• Quiz
• Feedback Form

Subject areas include; Communication Skills, Employee Development, Human Resources, Quality, Product Safety, Safety and Supervisor Training.

Titles: Product Safety and Liability, Aftermarket Product Safety,Hazard Analysis, Product Safety Meetings, Warnings, Instructions and Manuals, Product Liability European Union, Obtaining the CE Mark, Risk Assessment, European Union, Product Safety Management Product Safety Audit, Workplace Violence, Substance Abuse, Sexual Harassment, Manager as Coach, Hiring, Firing, Performance Appraisals, Diversity, Americans With Disabilities, Business Etiquette, Security Abroad, International Business Manners, Customer Service, Customer Communication, Terrific Teams, The Manager as Trainer, Coping With Difficult People, Managing Your Boss- Problem Bosses, Malcolm Baldridge Award, Presentations/Public Speaking, Discrimination, Listening Skills, Negotiation, Conflict Resolution, Alternative Dispute Resolution, Total Quality Management, Motivation, High Achievers, Time Management, ISO 9000 Introduction, ISO 9000 Implementation, Quality Audit, Introduction to the Internet, Stress Management, Telecommuting, Flexible Work Schedules, Creativity and Innovation, Benchmarking, Effective Business Writing, Customer Letters, Motivating Self and Others, Project Management, Managing Multiple Projects, Brainstorming, PERT Diagrams, Train the Trainer, Train the Trainer-Delivery, Train the Trainer-Writing Presentations, Train the Trainer-On the Job Training, Train the Trainer-Using Visual Aids, Project Management, Peer to Peer Feedback, Surviving Unemployment, Interview Preparation

Twenty something’s-last hired first fired?

 Chris Wodke

http://www.summittrainingpublications.com/

Young employees are being hit hard by layoffs in many organizations. Employees over the age of 40 are in a protected class. Employers fearing age discrimination suits are choosing to layoff their youngest staff members first.  Employers have adopted a last hired, first fired approach to layoffs. The U. S. Department of Labor bears this out.  The unemployment rate for the 25 to 34 age group was 9.6% in April. The rate for workers older than 55 was 3.3%.  Companies are also reluctant to let workers with the largest amount of company knowledge leave their organizations and do not want to face age discrimination lawsuits. Younger workers are lower risk to layoff.   The managers involved in these decisions may also lean toward letting younger workers go.  Younger workers do not often have the family and financial responsibilities of older workers. This may play a factor in the decisions made regarding layoffs. Baby-boomer workers as a group have more loyalty to a company and have a strong work ethic.  Younger workers demand more flexibility, responsibility and high pay that their baby-boomer co-workers did not expect early in their careers.  Older workers tend to be easier to manage and are less high maintenance.  All these factors play in to lay off decision.

This trend is also seen in the public sector.  Layoffs have come to many school districts. Layoffs are being done by seniority, meaning younger workers are the first to be let go.

Merit is not even considered.  To keep things fair all layoffs are done by seniority.

The layoff by seniority may change now with the reforms adopted by the Walker administration.  It will be up to individual districts to employ the tools given them by the state.  Many districts rushed through contracts before the new rules went into effect.

The districts that waited for the new rules are not even laying off employees. The layoffs have all come in districts where contracts were renewed before the changes.

Do you hate to write training programs? Too much work to do and no time to put together your training program? Asked to deliver training or a presentation and have no idea where to start?

Let Summit Training Publications take care of your program design needs with our off the shelf training in a box or one of our presentation modules.

Our off the shelf training solutions provide:

• PowerPoint Presentation
• Instructor Guide & handouts
• Student Guide
• Quiz
• Feedback Form

Subject areas include; Communication Skills, Employee Development, Human Resources, Quality, Product Safety, Safety and Supervisor Training.

Titles: Product Safety and Liability, Aftermarket Product Safety,Hazard Analysis, Product Safety Meetings, Warnings, Instructions and Manuals, Product Liability European Union, Obtaining the CE Mark, Risk Assessment, European Union, Product Safety Management Product Safety Audit, Workplace Violence, Substance Abuse, Sexual Harassment, Manager as Coach, Hiring, Firing, Performance Appraisals, Diversity, Americans With Disabilities, Business Etiquette, Security Abroad, International Business Manners, Customer Service, Customer Communication, Terrific Teams, The Manager as Trainer, Coping With Difficult People, Managing Your Boss- Problem Bosses, Malcolm Baldridge Award, Presentations/Public Speaking, Discrimination, Listening Skills, Negotiation, Conflict Resolution, Alternative Dispute Resolution, Total Quality Management, Motivation, High Achievers, Time Management, ISO 9000 Introduction, ISO 9000 Implementation, Quality Audit, Introduction to the Internet, Stress Management, Telecommuting, Flexible Work Schedules, Creativity and Innovation, Benchmarking, Effective Business Writing, Customer Letters, Motivating Self and Others, Project Management, Managing Multiple Projects, Brainstorming, PERT Diagrams, Train the Trainer, Train the Trainer-Delivery, Train the Trainer-Writing Presentations, Train the Trainer-On the Job Training, Train the Trainer-Using Visual Aids, Project Management, Peer to Peer Feedback, Surviving Unemployment, Interview Preparation

Resume white lies-Ok or not

 Chris Wodke

http://www.summittrainingpublications.com/

It’s a tough job market. Should you exaggerate your accomplishments just a bit to help you stand out?  Is it ok to claim team accomplishments as your own to help you get the job you want?

A survey of small business owners done recently by sure payroll found that three out of four small business owners have made hiring mistakes.  Many of the survey participants blamed the problem on over eager job seekers lying on their resume or embellishing on job skills. The loss from hiring a bad or unqualified employee was listed at $10,000.  Few  business owners can stand that type of loss.  The full results on the survey can be seen on the sure payroll web site.

Sure Payroll is recommending small business perform the same due diligence as larger firms with hiring candidates.

Lying on a resume is never ever a good idea since all facts can be verified. It is simple to check graduation dates and dates of employment. Past employers will be checked to determine your duties, job classification, dates of employment and salary.  If a lie is uncovered it is a waste of everyone’s time. You will be screened out if any lie is found.

Stretching the truth about you job experience will be found by a good HR screening process and good interviewers. References will also be interviewed to determine the truth of any skills claims you make on a resume.  If you want to get into advertising and you have no experience, don’t lie about it.  If some how you get past the screening process you will be fired if caught after you are hired.  96% of companies now do a background check.  In the past many small business owners did not do through checks, but this is changing since it is so expensive to make a hiring mistake.

Some skill fields in a city like Milwaukee draw from a small pool of talent.  You never know who might be looking at your resume.  I remember looking at resumes and seeing one from a technician who had worked in my department at another company. He greatly exaggerated his level of responsibility.  I threw his resume away because I knew the truth. If he hadn’t lied, I might have considered him.

Honestly access your skills and accurately report your accomplishments. Focus on jobs that fit your skills. If you need education or credentials, go out and get them.  There is a reason companies ask for them.  The diploma or certificate shows you have obtained the knowledge needed to be successful. If you are the right person for the job, there is no reason to lie or stretch the truth.

Copyright 2012 Summit Training Publications

Do you hate to write training programs? Too much work to do and no time to put together your training program? Asked to deliver training or a presentation and have no idea where to start?

Let Summit Training Publications take care of your program design needs with our off the shelf training in a box or one of our presentation modules.

Our off the shelf training solutions provide:

• PowerPoint Presentation
• Instructor Guide & handouts
• Student Guide
• Quiz
• Feedback Form

Subject areas include; Communication Skills, Employee Development, Human Resources, Quality, Product Safety, Safety and Supervisor Training.

Titles: Product Safety and Liability, Aftermarket Product Safety,Hazard Analysis, Product Safety Meetings, Warnings, Instructions and Manuals, Product Liability European Union, Obtaining the CE Mark, Risk Assessment, European Union, Product Safety Management Product Safety Audit, Workplace Violence, Substance Abuse, Sexual Harassment, Manager as Coach, Hiring, Firing, Performance Appraisals, Diversity, Americans With Disabilities, Business Etiquette, Security Abroad, International Business Manners, Customer Service, Customer Communication, Terrific Teams, The Manager as Trainer, Coping With Difficult People, Managing Your Boss- Problem Bosses, Malcolm Baldridge Award, Presentations/Public Speaking, Discrimination, Listening Skills, Negotiation, Conflict Resolution, Alternative Dispute Resolution, Total Quality Management, Motivation, High Achievers, Time Management, ISO 9000 Introduction, ISO 9000 Implementation, Quality Audit, Introduction to the Internet, Stress Management, Telecommuting, Flexible Work Schedules, Creativity and Innovation, Benchmarking, Effective Business Writing, Customer Letters, Motivating Self and Others, Project Management, Managing Multiple Projects, Brainstorming, PERT Diagrams, Train the Trainer, Train the Trainer-Delivery, Train the Trainer-Writing Presentations, Train the Trainer-On the Job Training, Train the Trainer-Using Visual Aids, Project Management, Peer to Peer Feedback, Surviving Unemployment, Interview Preparation

COBRA Insurance

Chris Wodke

http://www.summittrainingpublications.com/

COBRA is short for Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of  1985.  The act provides for insurance for qualified workers, spouses and dependent children.  COBRA provides for a continuation of health insurance when leaving a job or in the event of divorce or death.

If you leave a job or are terminated for reasons other than gross misconduct you are guaranteed by law the right to continue the health coverage of your former employer.

The coverage will last for up to 18 months at your own expense.  The government is not picking up about 60% of the cost of the COBRA for unemployed workers.  If the coverage is still too expensive check out high deductible plans with insurance companies like Aetna, Blue Cross, Pacifiecare, Assurant, Kaiser Permanente and Humana.

Do you hate to write training programs? Too much work to do and no time to put together your training program? Asked to deliver training or a presentation and have no idea where to start?

Let Summit Training Publications take care of your program design needs with our off the shelf training in a box or one of our presentation modules.

Our off the shelf training solutions provide:

• PowerPoint Presentation
• Instructor Guide & handouts
• Student Guide
• Quiz
• Feedback Form

Subject areas include; Communication Skills, Employee Development, Human Resources, Quality, Product Safety, Safety and Supervisor Training.

Titles: Product Safety and Liability, Aftermarket Product Safety,Hazard Analysis, Product Safety Meetings, Warnings, Instructions and Manuals, Product Liability European Union, Obtaining the CE Mark, Risk Assessment, European Union, Product Safety Management Product Safety Audit, Workplace Violence, Substance Abuse, Sexual Harassment, Manager as Coach, Hiring, Firing, Performance Appraisals, Diversity, Americans With Disabilities, Business Etiquette, Security Abroad, International Business Manners, Customer Service, Customer Communication, Terrific Teams, The Manager as Trainer, Coping With Difficult People, Managing Your Boss- Problem Bosses, Malcolm Baldridge Award, Presentations/Public Speaking, Discrimination, Listening Skills, Negotiation, Conflict Resolution, Alternative Dispute Resolution, Total Quality Management, Motivation, High Achievers, Time Management, ISO 9000 Introduction, ISO 9000 Implementation, Quality Audit, Introduction to the Internet, Stress Management, Telecommuting, Flexible Work Schedules, Creativity and Innovation, Benchmarking, Effective Business Writing, Customer Letters, Motivating Self and Others, Project Management, Managing Multiple Projects, Brainstorming, PERT Diagrams, Train the Trainer, Train the Trainer-Delivery, Train the Trainer-Writing Presentations, Train the Trainer-On the Job Training, Train the Trainer-Using Visual Aids, Project Management, Peer to Peer Feedback, Surviving Unemployment, Interview Preparation

Researching companies

Chris Wodke

http://www.summittrainingpublications.com/

It is important to do research on companies. The research will help you decide if you want to seek a job with an organization and help you to prepare for interviews.   You want to find out the following about a company:

• Products
• Sales
• Locations
• Structure
• Awards
• Patents
• Market Ranking
• Profits
• Size of workforce
• Current industry trends
• Benefits
• Company Culture.

Some of the information you can get by networking. A source inside the company is great for getting a lot of this information. They can tell you about current company initiatives or problems the company is working on.  Some other sources include:

• Newspaper
• Ads
• Magazine Articles
• Trade Publications
• Company Web site
• Annual Report
• Chamber of Commerce
• Better Business Bureau
• Internet

There are a number of sites on the internet where you can research a company including:

• Dun and Bradstreet
• Encyclopedia of Business Information System
• Poor’s Register of Corporations, Directors, and Executives
• Standard Directory of Advertisers
• The Standard Periodical Directory
• Standard and Poor’s Industrial Index
• Thomas Resister of American Manufactures
• Who’s Who in America
• Goggle Search

Print out or take notes of the results of your search. Keep the results in a file folder. You can pull out the folder to review the information you gathered about the company. This will help you to prepare for a phone or in person interview.

Copyright 2012 Summit Training Publications

Do you hate to write training programs? Too much work to do and no time to put together your training program? Asked to deliver training or a presentation and have no idea where to start?

Let Summit Training Publications take care of your program design needs with our off the shelf training in a box or one of our presentation modules.

Our off the shelf training solutions provide:

• PowerPoint Presentation
• Instructor Guide & handouts
• Student Guide
• Quiz
• Feedback Form

Subject areas include; Communication Skills, Employee Development, Human Resources, Quality, Product Safety, Safety and Supervisor Training.

Titles: Product Safety and Liability, Aftermarket Product Safety,Hazard Analysis, Product Safety Meetings, Warnings, Instructions and Manuals, Product Liability European Union, Obtaining the CE Mark, Risk Assessment, European Union, Product Safety Management Product Safety Audit, Workplace Violence, Substance Abuse, Sexual Harassment, Manager as Coach, Hiring, Firing, Performance Appraisals, Diversity, Americans With Disabilities, Business Etiquette, Security Abroad, International Business Manners, Customer Service, Customer Communication, Terrific Teams, The Manager as Trainer, Coping With Difficult People, Managing Your Boss- Problem Bosses, Malcolm Baldridge Award, Presentations/Public Speaking, Discrimination, Listening Skills, Negotiation, Conflict Resolution, Alternative Dispute Resolution, Total Quality Management, Motivation, High Achievers, Time Management, ISO 9000 Introduction, ISO 9000 Implementation, Quality Audit, Introduction to the Internet, Stress Management, Telecommuting, Flexible Work Schedules, Creativity and Innovation, Benchmarking, Effective Business Writing, Customer Letters, Motivating Self and Others, Project Management, Managing Multiple Projects, Brainstorming, PERT Diagrams, Train the Trainer, Train the Trainer-Delivery, Train the Trainer-Writing Presentations, Train the Trainer-On the Job Training, Train the Trainer-Using Visual Aids, Project Management, Peer to Peer Feedback, Surviving Unemployment, Interview Preparation