Posts tagged “ask”

August 23rd, 2010
the405club
How would I explain my favorite experience at work would be?
Anonymous

This can be a very interesting question and an easy one in which you can shine by showing your enthusiasm and expertise. Pick an example where you had to call upon all your talents, strengths, skills and reserve. It could be a time when your last company was going through a serious challenge. Or just a time where you can “recite” the who-what-where-when and how you got something accomplished.

I always think of big examples like 911 with the air controllers and 911 operators that day. How did they manage to bring all planes in the skies down safely? What of the accountants who first discovered the Madoff Ponzi schemes and other fraud that brought down the financial giants in NYC? The fireman who brings a child out safely from a burning building that already “flashed over”? Your anecdotes may not be that extreme, of course. Think of when you brought in money or customers, got awarded, if you did, saved the company time in the process to perform something, or just a day at work that was very gratifying. Your recall and story in an interview will flow because it will be on the tip of your tongue and it will, no doubt, be something you are proud of, or will never forget. It could be something so simple as some humble duty you performed that felt good or one in which a boss or customer complimented you. Remember to tell the details. Start out with what it was and go from there—who it involved—you and/or team—what the challenge or duty was—how you had to meet and resolve it—and most importantly—what became of what you did!

Interviewers want to hear initiative, critical thinking, how you problem-solve and outcomes—results! Mostly, they care about saving time and money and making money. So tailor your answer as closely as possible with that in the back of your mind. Tailor it to your field to make yourself unforgettable and a standout.

July 12th, 2010
Ben Johnson

Ask HR: Filling the Gap of Unemployment On My Resume.

In November of 2008, I was laid off from my position as a Project Manager for a real estate developer in L.A. due to the financial crisis. I’m 36, and have been in city planning (complete with an MS)/real estate development my entire career-two industries that have effectively vanished. The process of transitioning out during the recession has been an absolute nightmare and now I’m faced with almost 1.5 years of an unemployment gap. I now feel like this is the most threatening aspect preventing future employment and need to address the best way possible. I’m considering designing a website, offering professional services and giving myself a title simply to have on my resume. Is this outside the bounds of what’s acceptable? I certainly wouldn’t lie about work performed under this heading. I’d like to be able to point to classes taken, etc. but frankly finances simply wouldn’t allow (I have massive grad student debt and refuse to go in deeper-esp w the nightmare stories/statistics that are out there for those who have done so). What should I do?

Thanks, Ben

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April 20th, 2010
the405club
how can I find a local job club?
Anonymous

Without knowing where you are from the best we can do is offer these suggestions…

  1. Try googling for local job clubs with search terms like “[city name] unemployed blog” or “[city name] job club.” From there you may be able to find a local club.
  2. This may even be more efficient.  Go to meetup.com, enter your interest topic (ie. “Unemployed”, “unemployment”, “Career”), then your zip code and Meetup will automagically locate local job clubs for you within their meetup database.  Similar searches can also be done at Ning.com.

Still haven’t found one? Maybe it’s time to start one!

April 8th, 2010
the405club
I'm not sure where else to turn. I am 39 yrs old (soon to be 40). I lived and worked abroad for most of my legal career. I am not unemployed and have been for well over a year. I am not entitled to unemployment. I am sleeping on my sister's sofa. I am incredibly depressed. I realize that this is not a form for psychological advice, but I am wondering if there is anyone else in a similar situation and if perhaps you have realistic solutions that others have followed? Thanks so much in advance, Eva
Anonymous

You are not alone, Eva. Many have found themselves in this position. You are lucky to have your sister. First, consider going to a local church and talking to a minister or priest. Then I would advise you to see a doctor for your health checkup and possible medication, if necessary, and possibly some talk therapy. If you lack benefits, you may be able to obtain Medicaid for health coverage at no cost to you. Join the online network http://www.meetup.com group in your area of interest near where you live.

Also, there is free job search assistance, career direction counsel, skills training, etc. at your local One Stop Career Center. To find the one nearest you go to http://www.servicelocator.org and tap in your current zip code. Also, your local Catholic Church has parish social outreach ministry office which helps people with basic life needs and free community referrals to agencies providing services to individuals and families in crisis and need. Try to see this as a transition period of life. Life has many seasons for us all. Keep your faith strong and go forward one day at a time. As you gather more information and meet more people, you will then begin to find the path in which you want to go. Life is a process and we are all on the journey together! Keep people in your life who support, love and empower you — and let them know you are grateful. One day you can pay it forward…Read the 405 Club daily and other helpful Internet links on health and happiness.

Good luck and God bless you, Eva!

March 17th, 2010
the405club
I've recently discovered that I want a complete 180 and switch careers while unemployed..I am planning on returning this summer to community college to knock some pre req science courses out of the way to move on to a university Dietetics prgm...I want to only go for a part-time job so that I may go to school part-time as well. And while I feel I have resolved this part. Everything else seems imbalanced. When I was doing my undergrad, all I did was school work and obsess over school work--I don't want to go back to that! I need advice on how to balance my time--how to divide the days up for personal reading, self-education to make muyself more marketable, family, hobbies, friends (how many hours I should realistically devote to these essential aspects...Because of my obsessive nature, I will read nutrition books for half a day and then just job search for the rest of the day, and then I have days where I'm just reading blogs, not learning anything, exercise and that's it..I want to volunteer some time, too..I want to be efficient and enjoy life and seriously think that I need help to divide up the hours of the day/week to accomplish this. What is reasonable allotment hours wise?..I'd appreciate the guidance."
Anonymous

Dear Anonymous: 

Congratulations on your decision to change careers. You are wise in being able to make the first decision in response to your job ending. This is the first step in using this time of unemployment in a valuable way. I would suggest that you enlist in some free help on the Internet for time management in order to round out and plan the hours in the day to accomplish what you want. This is absolutely imperatiave and might be your first order of business for yourself to thrive.

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