September 2009
39 posts
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INBOX 405: WHAT DO YOU MISS MOST?
(Ed. Note) The Inbox 405 is our chance to hear from you. It’s your chance to do the writing and we do the reading! Join our previous and current discussions here.
With unemployment comes many decisions, many of which are financial. What are you really missing since you’ve been jobless and therefore lack your normal income you’ve been so accustomed to? Or, maybe it’s not...
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5 STEPS TO REGAIN JACK BAUER-ESQUE CONFIDENCE.
One of the guilty pleasures I have allowed myself during job search, is catching up on my favorite series, 24. I have always been impressed with the inner strength of the main character, Jack Bauer, however one scene in episode one of season 8, drew my attention. Jack Bauer was facing a Senate committee as a result of actions he took in earlier seasons. His career was in ruins and jail time was...
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WHAT'S YOUR WEAKNESS?
What’s your weakness? It’s another maligned, tongue-tying trick question on the interview agenda. Be prepared in case it comes up. Although the question is hackneyed by now, you still have to say something in your favor. Are you prone to lack of attention to detail, lateness and disorganization as an employee? Don’t say those things!
Better to consider something that arguably can be a positive or...
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SUNDAY BLOG BRUNCH: SURVIVE UNEMPLOYMENT.
(Ed.Note) Welcome to our journey into the world of recession blogs! The 405 Club wants to get personal via 10 questions with our favorite fellow bloggers who are documenting the recession and unemployment firsthand.
This week’s blogging brunch companion is Chuck from Survive Unemployment, a great site full of tools to well, yes, survive unemployment!. — Before we chat about the blog, what...
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SATURDAY FUNNY PAGES.
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5 WAYS TO KEEP YOUR STARBUCKS CRAVE.
(Ed. Note) It’s no secret that the unemployed like to or have to save money where they can. As such an important component of our lifestyle it was only right to team up with FrugalNYC, a premier resource for frugal city living, as we present Frugal Fridays! Enjoy.
Welcome back to Frugal Friday!
With jobs still scarce, I’m sure you want to keep your Starbucks habit but don’t want...
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UNEMPLOYMENT: GOOD NEWS AND BAD NEWS.
This week’s Unemployment Insurance Weekly Claims Report is one of those reports that should have more explanation behind the statistics. There’s one bit of bad news sandwiched between to bits of good news. Starting with the good news, initial claims dropped to 530K, which was the low of the Bloomberg consensus range (530K to 555K). Last week’s number was revised up 6,000 to 551K. From the...
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INBOX 405: WHAT'S HOLDING YOU BACK?
(Ed. Note) The Inbox 405 is our chance to hear from you. It’s your chance to do the writing and we do the reading! Join our previous and current discussions here.
Throughout a job search it’s necessary to constantly assess your hunt, your tactics, your efforts and your emotional well-being. I’m hoping this Inbox 405 question will lead you to take a step back and ask yourself,...
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OUT FROM BEHIND BARS: THE EX OFFENDER’S JOB...
The word, “ex offender” has the word, “ex” in it. “Ex” means former, past, over, history. A done deal. Don’t let your former life stand in your way and rob you of your personal power, self esteem and confidence.
OK, so you made some mistakes. Will the outside world judge you and fear you? You bet. But you’re not the same person. You just have to work harder to convince an employer to give...
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TIDAL WAVE OF ODD JOBS LANDS ME ON LAW & ORDER.
Ed. note: Welcome to the latest installment of “Janet Raiffa’s Recessionals,” a column by a laid-off recruiting manager in New York. Prior columns are collected [here]. You can reach Janet Raiffa via LinkedIn, leaving a comment here, or emailing 405club@gmail.com.
It was bound to happen. After months of cultivating odd jobs, letting everyone with internet access know that I am willing to do...
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WHAT DOES SECOND PLACE GET YOU?
Several nights ago I was watching a baseball game. The batter for the home team hit what looked like a home run at the bottom of the 9th inning. Although the home team was behind by 2 runs, the bases were loaded, and a home run would have resulted in a victory for the home team. As the ball sailed towards the stands, the outfielder make a spectacular jump, and caught the ball in the tip of his...
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SUNDAY BLOG BRUNCH: FUNNEL THRU.
(Ed.Note) Welcome to our journey into the world of recession blogs! The 405 Club wants to get personal via 10 questions with our favorite fellow bloggers who are documenting the recession and unemployment firsthand.
This week’s blogging brunch companion is Shai from Funnel Thru, a premier site for entry level jobs..
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Before we chat about the blog, what will you be having for brunch?...
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SATURDAY FUNNY PAGES.
And a 405 Club original you may have seen…
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BROADWAY TICKETS AND SCIENCE FUN.
(Ed. Note) It’s no secret that the unemployed like to or have to save money where they can. As such an important component of our lifestyle it was only right to team up with FrugalNYC, a premier resource for frugal city living, as we present Frugal Fridays! Enjoy.
Today is your final chance to enter the Broadway ticket giveaway on FrugalNYC. Win a pair of Broadway tickets to Phantom of...
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UNEMPLOYMENT GENUINELY STABILIZING.
The Unemployment Insurance Weekly Claims Report has been released. Initial claims dropped to 545K, which was below the Bloomberg consensus range (550K to 590K). Last week’s number was revised up 7,000 to 557K. From the report:
In the week ending Sept. 12, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 545,000, a decrease of 12,000 from the previous week’s revised figure of...
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HOW I FOUND HAPPINESS WRITING FOR THE 405 CLUB.
It’s been a pleasure contributing articles and blog entries for members and readers of The 405 Club and one which I anticipate will continue. It was always my dream to write and have people read my thoughts, learn, react, and be inspired, entertained, and so forth. I love intellectual pursuits and reaching out in a positive way and can’t get enough of them. These articles fulfill a big part ...
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10 WAYS TO KEEP HOPE ALIVE DURING YOUR JOB SEARCH.
1. Determine Your Worst Case Scenario: In nearly all cases this outcome is not as bad as you initially thought. Afterwards put together a well thought out plan to overcome all potential obstacles to accomplish your desired outcome (landing your next opportunity). Finally determine the rewards of your desired outcome and strive for them by executing your plan through both the ups and downs.
2....
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INTERVIEW PARANOIA.
Everyone has recurring nightmares. I still remember a series of nightmares I had when I was a child. It would start off with one of my friends telling me that we were out of soda and it was my turn to go to the store. I would be pushed out of an apartment door to face a long flight of stairs leading to the street. All of a sudden I was surrounded by darkness. Only a few low watt light...
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ASK HR: Cover Letter Content.
(Ed. Note) One of the most important features on The405Club.com, our “Ask HR” feature gives full access to a Fortune 500 Director of Recruiting for all members of The 405 Club. We hope this feature opens up the lines of communication, solving some of the job hunting mysteries and questions we all have. Enjoy.
Dear HR,
Should I include my desired salary in my cover letter? ...
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SUNDAY BLOG BRUNCH: THE RECESS ENDS.
(Ed.Note) Welcome to our journey into the world of recession blogs! The 405 Club wants to get personal via 10 questions with our favorite fellow bloggers who are documenting the recession and unemployment firsthand.
This week’s blogging brunch companion is Austin from The Recess Ends.
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First off, thank you for joining us for Sunday Blog Brunch - what will you be having for...
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NATION'S UNEMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK IMPROVES DRASTICALLY...
(Ed. Note) As we like to do around here, here’s to keeping it light on a Saturday!
WASHINGTON—Despite ongoing economic woes and a jobless rate that has been approaching 10 percent, U.S. unemployment projections drastically improved Monday after the consumption of five beers.
“It’s going up,” leading economist David Singleton said confidently, indicating the predicted...
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SATURDAY FUNNY PAGES.
Want to submit a cartoon? Email the link to 405club@gmail.com.
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Use LinkedIn To Help Others, Too.
(Ed. Note) The other day I read an article on Mashable about using LinkedIn to “do good.” Being unemployed I use LinkedIn almost every day and I admit, I don’t use it to give back quite enough. I hope the article below inspires you as it did me. Enjoy.
Over the last few weeks, we’ve focused on how you can use the web to do good. Whether you’re using your own blog, Twitter or...
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UNEMPLOYMENT DIPS DUE TO SEASONAL ADJUSTMENT.
The Unemployment Insurance Weekly Claims Report has been released. Initial claims dropped to 550K, which was at the low end of the Bloomberg consensus range (550K to 570K). Last week’s number was revised up 6,000 to 576K. From the report:
In the week ending Sept. 5, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 550,000, a decrease of 26,000 from the previous week’s revised figure...
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WHAT ARE THE UNEMPLOYED SAYING ON TWITTER?
Let’s tweet! Our handle is @the405club (super clever).
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I HUNG GEORGE CLOONEY.
Ed. note: Welcome to the latest installment of “Janet Raiffa’s Recessionals,” a column by a laid-off recruiting manager in New York. Prior columns are collected [here]. You can reach Janet Raiffa via LinkedIn, leaving a comment here, or emailing 405club@gmail.com.
Labor Day weekend can be a depressing stretch for those of us who no longer labor. It’s the last long summer weekend to travel and...
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MY BIGGEST NIGHTMARE WAS TO START A JOB SEARCH AT...
(Ed. Note) The following article was submitted by Howard K. Young, a new member of The 405 Club who after 13 years lost his job as a Demand Planner. Thank you for sharing Howard.
My biggest nightmare was to start a job search at my age; however, looking back on the past two months, it would have been a far worse nightmare to stay exactly where I was. Being in job search mode and having a...
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DON’T LET A DISABILITY DIS-ABLE YOUR JOB SEARCH.
If you have a physical or mental disability or know someone who does, pay a visit yourself, or encourage someone else who might be feeling too overwhelmed in these times to even attempt seeking work, to stop in at a One Stop Career Center. These centers are usually situated where one reports to the New York State Labor Department offices.
The New York State Department of Labor and VESID...
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REMINDER: CLAIM YOUR WEEKLY UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS.
It’s Sunday, so don’t forget to claim your weekly unemployment benefits from the NY Department of Labor Site.
Got questions about benefits? Perhaps our tips section can help.
You can also join some of our discussions about benefits in the forum here.
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SATURDAY FUNNY PAGES.
Follow us on twitter: @the405club!
Thanks to Mark Herrmann’s tumblelog for the comics!
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STUDY SHOWS PSYCHOLOGICAL IMPACT OF UNEMPLOYMENT.
A new Rutgers study reveals the impact of unemployment on the individual, including depression, anxiety, and strained relationships
For the nearly 15 million Americans currently unemployed, this year’s Labor Day holiday may be less a celebration of a brief respite from work and more a cruel reminder that, despite glimmers of hope in the U.S. economy, there remains scant opportunity for many...
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UNEMPLOYMENT HOLDING STEADY.
The Unemployment Insurance Weekly Claims Report has been released. Initial claims held steady at 570K, which was in the Bloomberg consensus range (555K to 575K). Last week’s number was revised up 4,000 to 574K, so the report calls it a decrease. From the report:
In the week ending Aug. 29, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 570,000, a decrease of 4,000 from the...
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DIRTY LITTLE SECRETS OF A HUMAN RESOURCE HIRING...
For those of you who haven’t secured so much as an interview in recent months, despite a doggedly diligent job search, please forgive me. For those of you who have and sit there stupefied, wondering why you haven’t been called back in, let me clue you in to a confession from a human resource executive who himself was laid off and is now subject to the same circumstances of fate he once...
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WHERE HAVE ALL MY UNEMPLOYED FORMER COLLEAGUES...
Ed. note: Welcome to the latest installment of “Janet Raiffa’s Recessionals,” a column by a laid-off recruiting manager in New York. Prior columns are collected [here]. You can reach Janet Raiffa via LinkedIn, leaving a comment here, or emailing 405club@gmail.com.
Yesterday I had lunch with F., a former Goldman colleague, who left the bank years ago during the last downturn in 2001. Our entire...
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