Gap In Employment: "Feeling Abused By Management"

Posted by Comment Of The Day Contributor George Abney 

From Article on  "Gap In Employment".How Do You Address It On A Resume?

No.. I was not in a coma for five years.
No.. I was not in prison for two years.
No.. I was not on a job in Columbia.
No.. I was not working a ball and chain under a deputy's gun.

Yes.. I started a landscaping business that failed miserably.
Yes.. I needed time to recover from the damage by physical labor.
Yes.. The painting business just didn't work out. Too may of my workers
turned out to be illegals, or ex-convicts who specialized on milking the timeclock.
Yes...I was a student again at age 45/55/65...
Yes...I discovered my retirement pension fund was looted by management
and I had to return to job hunting where no one over age 45 was selected for
interview.

Yes..I discovered the Americans Disability Act means nothing during HR interviews
when my most frequent answer was "HUH? Would you please repeat that question?"
Yes.. I do have severe dental problems. WHO can afford a dentist anymore?
Yes..I really DO object to the feel of an interviewer's naked foot dragging along the
inside of my leg during an interview.
Yes..I really DO object to the intrusion of a spontaneous neck massage during a job interview.
Yes..I dare to think the job is nothing but the job. I resent being screened as another male hustler by resort management keen to make a guest's stay as 'pleasant' as possible.

Yes. I have had ALL of these experiences...and then some that are unprintable. I resigned immediately when I discovered such abuse was endorsed and encouraged by management.



Have you had similar experiences? Your reaction.

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Salary Negotiation Using The Kiss Method: Comment Of The Day

Is this advice you should follow?
Anonymous has left some simple advice on Todays Article:Need Help Negotiating Your Salary During A Job Interview?


When negotiating a salary:
"You can also say that you have three numbers in mind:

1) My "ask" - or what you want ideally from the position... depending on added responsibilities, travel, etc.

2) My "live with" - or what you're willing to settle for given what you know about the job.

3) My "no go" - any number below this amount means you would not consider the job. "


Share your comments below.

Start Now:4 tips to Interviewing Job Confidence.

Mailing Your Resume is Effective:Comment of the Day

42 and Looking said... in reference to Interns over 40 article:  10 Ways To Make Your Cover Letter Stand out


FYI to those who think mailing (sic:resumes) isn't worth it: I just mailed 217 covers/resumes to recruiting offices in the Midwest. 

"I've received more calls, e-mails and one on one service in the last 10 days than I did in the whole first 5 months of my search."

Think about it...you don't just drop into the electronic void, they have to contact you and request the electronic copy. Have to say mailing worked great for me.

  Is this old school thinking or just smart job marketing? What to you think?


Easily Create Impact Full Cover Letters. Start Here.

Career Changing At 56 Years Old:Comment Of The Day

 Derrick has left a new comment on your post "Career Change at 40, 50+": 

Great story! I'm a great example of a 50+ year old who has had to make various career changes. I have been a U.S. Marine who was trained in public affairs. When I was discharged I worked as a police officer for 15 years until small town politics forced me to seek another profession. I then worked as a radio announcer for many years until I was in my mid-40's. I then became a truck driver and realized that the job did not stimulate me enough. I went to Iraq as a private contractor for about three years and when I came back I faced a tough economy with few jobs. I studied and got a few computer certifications during nine months of unemployment and now I work for a national cable company as a tier 3 technical support agent at 56 years old! My peers are much younger but I came well prepared and my age has been a benefit rather than a hindrance. This will most likely be the last job I will have as I plan to use their pension to provide a decent retirement in about 10 years God willing, but nobody can't tell me that it can't be done! Thanks for your article! 


Tell Us Your Story Below?

Would You Like To Find A Job Quicker Using LinkedIn?

Comment of the Day: Recruiters Should Be Experts At Asking Direct Questions

Our interviewing process is much more inclusive and does not ask any of those quesitons. We have found that those question insult the intellegence of the of the candidate. Our question are geared more toward discovery of the candidate's true mindset. Who are they? What are their career goals? Where they see their career moving. We are looking to match the best person for the position. Trick quesitons are not usually the best way to get there. The best way to know what you are dealing with is to take the time to get to know the person thorough straight forward questons. The builds a relationship from the first contact. Companies have bought into the whole idea of quanty which leave little room for quality unless you happen to stumble across it.

Recruiters should be experts at asking direct questions and expect direct answers.

Imagine going on a blind date and the person expects you to ask the usual questions they have heard so many times before. Think you are going to really find out who you are dealing with? I doubt it seriously.

Now let's assume you took an hour just talking on the phone then met for lunch several times and then went out on a date. How much would that imporve your chances of dating a person that you truly felt comfortable with.

Just like in the dating world we all to often make the same mistake in the corporte world. We want to lure someone in with trickery and all to often when the honeymoon periond is over we are disapointed.

Not only will you improve your recruting results you will actually improve time to hire and ROI."
Posted by Jeff Dahlberg  

Should States Reduce The Maximum # Of Weeks For Unemployment Insurance?

Share  Most of you never thought that you would be collecting unemployment benefits for over one and a half years. How long should the federal government pay unemployment benefits? Do you think it should be reduced? Should a re-training program be required? Will that motivate lazy job seekers to find a new job?

Since unemployment hovers around 10% what should the role of government be. If real unemployment (U6) really is over 20% in many states does the government have a role in keeping its citizens from falling off the soci-economic cliff. Some say pay now or pay later. It really is simple. No work and no money a likely to lead to a decline in a persons physical health , mental health and economic contribution to society.

Thousands of our readers have expressed their desire and willingness to work. It is not just about having the perfect resume. Perfecting your interview skills. But having enough jobs that fit the skills of the available job seekers.

If you were trained to be skilled retail direct mail marketing expert. Over the last 10 years you watched as your industry has shrunk, your skill requirements changed and younger skilled workers entered the work force.

Some would say "loser" why didn't you retrain, change industries and  get a new job.  Some job seekers did. We applaud them. But others missed the cue's or perhaps found it difficult to change behavior or OMG just loved their job. Do you remember when people LOVED their work.

So I again ask you what role should government have? What voice resonates with you: "Let the Free market prevail". "Protector of the norm". "Facilitator of change".

Tell us your suggestions and comments below?

Would you like to Create  Brilliantly Crafted Cover Letters?

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Comment of the Day:"I'm at a Networking Event--Now What???"

Spot-on Tips and here are a few more:

1) Don’t take networking too seriously. It can and should be fun. Connect with the intention of helping others rather than simply expecting to find the elusive perfect job or client. Relax, smile, take the pressure off yourself and focus on what you can bring to the party or offer in the form of contacts, knowledge or resources.

2) Improve your outlook and your fortune will change. If you have a negative outlook on networking, you’re probably sabotaging your chances at connecting with the “right” people. Put all the negative or disappointing encounters behind you and focus on “what’s possible.” As Vince Lombardi said, “It’s not whether you get knocked down; it’s whether you get back up.”

3) Take a proactive approach and get off the couch or out from behind your screen and get out there! Remember, “Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.” You eventually have to meet people to know if you’ll really connect with them, and the more people you meet, the more likely you are to find the “right” people for you. (It’s almost like dating, isn’t it?)

4) Keep the alcohol consumption to a minimum if you’re at an event where it’s being served. Being relaxed is good, but having your buzz on and then acting inappropriately is not a good way to be memorable at any event. A phrase that comes to mind here is “The more I drink, the cuter you get.” Yikes! Do I really need to say more here?

5) Be the person to include others into the conversation when they join the circle. What a great way to create a good impression and set an example for others. As Dale Carnegie said, “You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you.”

6) Be polite and considerate. Good manners never go out of style. Leave your ego in the restroom after you’ve checked your appearance (make sure there are no traces of your lunch in your teeth) and also leave the office politics at the office. A networking event is a time to be non-competitive and social in a professional yet friendly way.

7) Be sincere, open and follow through on your commitments. Authenticity leaves a lasting impression, and even if you don’t find a way to assist each other immediately, you never know when someone might introduce you to a key new contact down the road.

I cover a lot of this in my book (on Amazon, titled, “I’m at a Networking Event–Now What???,” but wanted to share some of this content here and before I attend a few networking events myself this week. Can’t hurt and might help! (from an original post – http://belladomain.wordpress.com/2010/01/25/7-savvy-networking-tips-for-2010)


--
Sandy Jones-Kaminski, Author, Social Networking Strategist
Find my book on Amazon, "I'm at a Networking Event--Now What???" http://amzn.com/1600051669

Career Comment of the Day: Can you teach an Old Dog a new trick?

As an older worker do you think it is wise to spend most of your time using social media to find a new job? Or should you just dust off that Rolodex and perhaps apply on the hundreds of job boards?

Can you teach an old dog a new trick?

Todays comment is from the article " 7 SECRETS to Get a Job Using Social Media - do you know them? "

http://internsover40.blogspot.com/2009/10/7-secrets-to-get-job-using-social-media_24.html

Guest Comment:Shannon Gallo:Manager of Career Services at CUNY School of Professional Studies

"My thought is that "older" workers have a bit of an advantage because they likely have a larger network of professionals through more years in the workforce (colleagues- both current & past, friends, family, clients, business partners, etc.) to connect with online as well as in person. I think that older workers would be successful by leveraging their "Rolodex" contacts to then create stronger online relationships and a bigger "following" if you will. It makes sense for them to utilize traditional networks as well as social media technologies"

Whats your take on this? Comment below.

Job Seeker Comment Of the Week:"Why Can't We Get A Bailout"

I think this anonymous comment sort of summarizes what 100's of you have been saying, experiencing and thinking. Speak up! Add your new comments below or at the orginal article:


Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "The New Poor: Millions of Unemployed Face Years Wi...":

As someone who has been unemployed since August 2008 following corporate downsizing, I have picked up some freelance work, but nowhere near enough to make a living. I have an undergrad degree, worked at the same company for 14 years and am very experienced in my field. I have been on a ton of interviews, but I am competing against many others for the same job. I attend more networking events than I can count, and am constantly adding new contacts to my Linked In account. 70-80% of jobs are found by networking. Another maddening thing is that a company will post a job, but not act on it for several weeks for even months. I am just getting interviews now for jobs I applied for back in November, December and January. For one job, I was brought back for a second interview. When I followed up with the hiring manager, she said I was still in the mix, but that they hit a budget snag!!! This is a world-wide company with over

110k employees!! Talk about frustrating! I have even gone to the extreme of applying to my local grocery store for a position at one of their new stores opening in June. That job pays $9.50/hour, a FAR cry from what I was making. But my unemployment ends in three weeks, and I will need something to help make ends meet. My husband gets disability and we have three kids. Luckily we live beneath our means so we have some savings, but we have dreams and goals, and not having gainful employment is draining our account.
In the midst of all of this frustration is the gov't bailouts of the banks~~~~why can't we get a bailout?!?!?! We are the key to the economy, and we are getting the short end of the stick! I heard that the gov't is passing legislation for another extension, and frankly, they need to. Contact your representative and make sure they know your situation. If enough people complain, perhaps we will get the next bailout!

Comment of the Week:Having Purpose While Job Searching

It is difficult for many people to be productive during a time of unemployment while searching for a new job or career. We admire this job seeker who did not miss a beat "I spend about 50% of my time looking for work and 50% of my time volunteering, primarily with the Boy Scouts and Knights of Columbus. For a recent phone interview, I wanted to be prepared for the question “what have you been doing for the last 5 months” so I wrote a summary of my volunteer work, education, and home improvement projects during this time. Below is the list of accomplishments that are volunteer and education related.

Related Tools:
1)How to Answer Any Question An Interviewer Could Possibly Throw At You! (TP)
2)Start learning how to Ace your next Job Interview (TP)



Prepared and gave a speech on Project Management to a chapter of the Institute of Management Consultants.
Helped two Boy Scouts obtain their Eagle Scout rank by teaching them project management.
Developed 7 swim lanes flowcharts that documented the processes of programs that the Knights of Columbus State Respect Life committee does annually. I worked with each project chairman to develop these and I presented them at a committee meeting where we made live changes and approved them. They also approved three job description documents.
Wrote a survey to a 140 member organization that I belong too, got it approved, and developed a plan to get close to 99% survey participation. Created a database and have been entering data for it.
Recruited a replacement chairman to a state-wide organization that I belong to, trained him on his duties, and transitioned another member’s duties to another chairman.
Took two long backpacking trips with the Boy Scouts, teaching them the Back Packing Merit Badge and earning the 50 mile award.
Putting my new NRA Instructor certifications to work by teaching shooting skills at a Boy Scout camp and the Great Lakes Jamboree this summer.
Taught 3 of 4 classes in Personal Finance to 20 boy scouts.
Prepared for and ran a quarterly financial investment education club meeting which I am the president of.
Started a CISCO networking class at NWTC as part of the Cisco Academy and am holding a 96% going into the final.

The question never came, but I was ready for it in more detail than I could have possibly had time for. I would have paraphrased the list. It would be a better answer than a fluff answer." -Mark A Kohls, Green Bay Wisconsin

Comment Author: Mark Kohls
Post Commented On: "8 Interview Questions & Answers for Older Workers ...