Saturday, May 30, 2020

Is The Economy Getting Better Notes From an MBA Econ Class

Is The Economy Getting Better Notes From an MBA Econ Class In a comment on my job search depression post, Blissful shared some very interesting thoughts from her MBA level econ class regarding the economy: What I learned in my Economics class is quite disturbing. The economy is actually not getting better. Any surprises here? When you hear on the news that unemployment rate decreased, well it’s not because people are getting jobs it’s because people become so discouraged that they dropped out of the labor force and stopped looking for work so the #unemployed/labor force = a lower percentage. Ive been saying this a lot glad to hear the econ profs are talking about it frankly!  Newspapers and politicians have to know this but they always seem to paint a rosy, misleading picture. Its practically right out of Atlas Shrugged :s When you think that the stocks market improved and you’re getting more returns on your investment; well that’s not really the case here. Oh crap. I havent read much on this explanation from Blissful below The Federal Reseve purposely devalued the dollar so we appear cheap to the foreigners to invest in us. When there is a high demand for dollars, the price for investing in dollars will go up. That is the law of supply and demand in economics. So now, all of a sudden it looks like your ROI is getting so much better. Yuck.  This is not a good path.  It is not sustainable. The government is trying to make you think that you’re wealthier so that you can go out and start spending again. Im afraid of so we can go out and start spending again, considering so many people spent money they didnt have (aka, loans). That will put more money into the circulation of the economy. True, but if people arent responsible for the money they spend (in other words, they dont have it, or its a loan, etc., than pumping junk money into an economy will only result in more  bankruptcy,  foreclosures, etc.).  If this is what the government is doing its very, very flawed. But what they don’t understand is that we’re NOT going to spend more money if we don’t have JOBS!!!!!!!!! Spoken like a true unemployed person  Jobs is what we need.  Unfortunately, fake jobs is not what we need.  Government spending to create jobs is not what we need because its not sustainable, and its not the role of government.  We need policies in place that help business thrive.  When businesses thrive, they hire, and spend, and feed the economy. Scary times?  Yes, indeed. Is The Economy Getting Better Notes From an MBA Econ Class In a comment on my job search depression post, Blissful shared some very interesting thoughts from her MBA level econ class regarding the economy: What I learned in my Economics class is quite disturbing. The economy is actually not getting better. Any surprises here? When you hear on the news that unemployment rate decreased, well it’s not because people are getting jobs it’s because people become so discouraged that they dropped out of the labor force and stopped looking for work so the #unemployed/labor force = a lower percentage. Ive been saying this a lot glad to hear the econ profs are talking about it frankly!  Newspapers and politicians have to know this but they always seem to paint a rosy, misleading picture. Its practically right out of Atlas Shrugged :s When you think that the stocks market improved and you’re getting more returns on your investment; well that’s not really the case here. Oh crap. I havent read much on this explanation from Blissful below The Federal Reseve purposely devalued the dollar so we appear cheap to the foreigners to invest in us. When there is a high demand for dollars, the price for investing in dollars will go up. That is the law of supply and demand in economics. So now, all of a sudden it looks like your ROI is getting so much better. Yuck.  This is not a good path.  It is not sustainable. The government is trying to make you think that you’re wealthier so that you can go out and start spending again. Im afraid of so we can go out and start spending again, considering so many people spent money they didnt have (aka, loans). That will put more money into the circulation of the economy. True, but if people arent responsible for the money they spend (in other words, they dont have it, or its a loan, etc., than pumping junk money into an economy will only result in more  bankruptcy,  foreclosures, etc.).  If this is what the government is doing its very, very flawed. But what they don’t understand is that we’re NOT going to spend more money if we don’t have JOBS!!!!!!!!! Spoken like a true unemployed person  Jobs is what we need.  Unfortunately, fake jobs is not what we need.  Government spending to create jobs is not what we need because its not sustainable, and its not the role of government.  We need policies in place that help business thrive.  When businesses thrive, they hire, and spend, and feed the economy. Scary times?  Yes, indeed.

Tuesday, May 26, 2020

Closet overflowing High End Consignment Could be the Answer

Closet overflowing High End Consignment Could be the Answer We get it: You have a taste for the finer things in life. There is nothing wrong with that. In fact, we have long encouraged readers to steer clear of buying cheap stuff because it usually ends up costing them more in the long run. Remember a good pair of leather shoes, a high-quality bag or wallet can last a lifetime. If you are a fan of high-end items, you should know that online consignment shopping is a great way to find luxury brands at low-end prices. On the other hand, if you already own a closet full of brand-name clothing and accessories, online consignment sites can work with you to turn your treasures into cash. E-commerce now accounts for more than 11 percent of all retails sales in the U.S. So, whether you are shopping for deals on brands such as Burberry, Gucci, Chanel, Prada and Louis Vuitton â€" or have high-class items like those to sell, there are an abundance online consignment shops to choose from. Image Source eBay might be the first one that comes to mind, but that popular site offers a far-reaching showroom where everything from auto parts to appliances to antiques is for sale. If it’s fashion and accessories you are after â€" or wanting to sell â€" you might want to consider more specialized sites such as ThredUp and Swap.com. However, visitors to those websites should know they may encounter many of the same brand names they find in the average brick-and-mortar mall â€" often for about the same price. Specialized Consignment Shops If it is high-end you are after, there are consignment sites focused exclusively on designer bargains. Finding them may require a little more shoe leather, but most offer genuine deals on designer brands. For instance, with a little home homework, a savvy bargain hunter can find limited-edition Louis Vuitton Bags online, for about 30 percent of what it would cost in Beverly Hills. This can save shoppers around $4,500, as it is common to see a Louis Vuitton bag run at a price of $6,500. If it’s extra income you are after, then online consignment is also worth exploring. Assuming you have the fineries these sites prefer, most reputable dealers will give you an honest appraisal based solely on photos and information you can submit online. It couldn’t be any more convenient. They may offer to sell your merchandise â€" or they might purchase it outright. Either way, you will know up front how much you can expect and exactly what the commission will be. If you like what you hear, you simply sign a contract and ship the merchandise to them. In some cases, the consignment shop may even cover the cost of your postage. In fact, some outlets such as CoutureUSA will even clean up the items and have professional photographers and writers create a mini-marketing campaign around them, making sure prospective buyers see them in the best possible light. The best part of all: the consignment business takes care of everything â€" entertaining offers, haggling, selling and shipping. Whether you are looking for a bargain on a boutique item or you want to turn your high-priced goods such as handbags, jewelry or last season’s fur coat into extra income, online consignment is a great way to save â€" or earn â€" some extra money!

Saturday, May 23, 2020

What are the UKs Most Attractive Employers in 2014

What are the UKs Most Attractive Employers in 2014 Following on from last years results, LinkedIn has  unveiled this years top 20 in-demand employers. With more than 332 million members on LinkedIn worldwide, the data is gathered from its 17 million members in the UK. The BBC climbed two places to make its first appearance in the top five, while Burberry entered the top ten for the first time, and Harrods made its debut in the top 20.  John Lewis is making ground on competitors, jumping from 5th to 2nd. Over  half of the top ten are UK-based companies, the UK home to 13 of the top 20 in total. 2014s Emerging UK trends: High-end and luxury retailers that dominate the InDemand rankings. John Lewis climbed three places to overtake  Apple, while Marks and Spencer (9th, up one place), Burberry (12th, up two places), and Harrods (16th, new entry in the top 20)  all climbed upwards. Construction services firm Carillion (17th, up two places) and natural resources and engineering consultancy AMEC (14th, up six places) both improved on 2013’s debut appearances in the top 20, pointing to growing confidence in the sector The BBC (5th, up two places) moved into the top five for the first time, while ITV (11th, non-mover) saw its progress up the rankings abruptly halted after climbing seven places to close the gap on its broadcasting rival in 2013 Here is the full list of the  20 Most in-demand Employers among UK LinkedIn members: Google (-) John Lewis (+3) Apple (-1) BP (-1) BBC (+2) Shell (-2) Microsoft (-1) Unilever (+1) Marks and Spencer (+1) Burberry (+2) ITV (-) ASOS.com (+1) Amazon (+5) AMEC (+6) BAE Systems (+1) Harrods (NE) Carillion (+2) Rolls-Royce (NE) Goldman Sachs (-2) British Airways (-6) For a full list of all the companies in the LinkedIn inDemand rankings, view this page:  https://www.linkedin.com/indemand/uk/2014.

Tuesday, May 19, 2020

Are Job Titles Important (This Might Surprise You) - Career Sidekick

Are Job Titles Important (This Might Surprise You) - Career Sidekick Are Job Titles Important? (This Might Surprise You) Salary / https://www.edenscott.com/blog Are job titles important? The answer might surprise you.The perception of job titles is that theyre extremely important. Ive seen people get their dream job offer in terms of salary, but they were unhappy because the title wasnt what they wanted.A job title doesnt put food on the table though, does it? Thats why if youre job searching or negotiating for a new role, there are 2 things that are MUCH more important than job title.Ill explain everything in the information below. Well also talk about why job titles are still somewhat important just not nearly as important as most people think.Why Are Job Titles Important?Job titles are important because they allow members of your organization to know the type of work you do and the level of experience you have. They also allow people from other organizations to better understand what your role involves, whether youre talking to a recruiter, a hiring manager, or someone else.However, how important are job ti tles? Theyre not nearly as important as you may think.Why Job Titles Arent as Important as You ThinkThe truth about the importance of job titles is: The power of a job title is greatly overblown.As a recruiter, Ive seen a lot of people get completely caught up with the job title in their job search. They were a Manager, so now they want to be Senior Manager.Or they want to have the word consultant in their title, because thats what they had in their last job.The reality is the work youre doing and the pay youre receiving matters much more.A job title doesnt put food on the table or put money in your bank account.And if a company gives you an odd-sounding job title, you can easily put a more fitting title on your resume and LinkedIn profile.For example, if a company hires you as a Customer Happiness Specialist and you want future employers to know what you do, you could list it like this on your LinkedIn and resume:Customer Happiness Specialist (Customer Service Representative)Now y oure showing what you do AND adding a great keyword (customer service representative) to get found more on LinkedIn, and to get past automated job application systems with your resume.AlsoJob Titles Vary From Company to CompanyJob titles just vary somuch between companies. You might find a Director job paying $80,000, and then a Manager job paying $100,000.Which job should you take? The $100,000 job with the worse title, because title isnt nearly as important as pay.That $100,000 job is likely to be more advanced and more challenging.And if you have any concern about communicating to future employers what level you were at, just mention the pay!Imagine a year down the road, the interviewer asks, Why do you feel youre ready for the Senior Director role you applied for? I see youve been at the Manager level for the past year.Youd respond and say:Great question. Ive found that my current employer has job titles that arent as inflated as the overall market, however, my role here is equi valent to a Director role in most other firms. When I took this role, the starting pay was $100,000, while I saw some Director jobs paying $80,000-$90,000 in this same industry. My responsibilities are also on-par with Directors in other firms. Ive been managing a team of 12, including hiring, firing, and performance reviews.The 2 Things More Important Than Job TitleAt the beginning of this article, I mentioned there are two key factors that are more important to get than job title whether youre negotiating to improve things in your current job, or looking for your next job.Here they are:1. Compensation (primarily base salary)As mentioned earlier, base salary is what pays your mortgage, pays off debt, puts food on your table and builds your bank account. Not job title.And often, base salary is how you can prove to your next employer that you deserve a high salary from them, too. (If you were well-paid in the past, youll have more leverage to negotiate with when they ask, what is you r desired salary?)While other forms of pay like bonuses and stock options are also more important than title, you should focus on negotiating base salary first.2. ResponsibilitiesThe actual work youre doing in your role is also far more important than job title.Its whats going to show on your resume and LinkedIn, what youll discuss with future employers in your interview, and how you canreally command higher pay throughout your career.Getting a job with an inflated title like Director is useless if youre not managing any people and not doing any Director-type work. The next employer will see right through it.Whereas, taking a job with a lower title like Manager, but leading six people, hiring staff, conducting trainings, etc., will show future employers that youareat a high level of experience.Conclusion: The Power and Perception of Job Titles is OverblownThe bottom line is: Job titles vary and are never the first thing you should focus on in a job hunt.You have to ask yourself w ould you ratherseem successful? Or would you rather be successful? (And highly-paid).I assume the second option is more appealing since it actually puts more money in your pocket! And if thats the case, then a job title isnt as powerful as youve been led to believe.Are job titles important? Sure. But theyre not as important as the two factors we discussed earlier in this article salary and job responsibilities.Let your colleagues and coworkers worry about job titles while you focus on the things that really matter: Pay, responsibilities, learning new skills, building your resume with achievements, etc. Thats what will grow your career and income in the long run!Recruiters and future employers will see through an inflated job title in two seconds. Your future career opportunities will be based on your skills and accomplishments.So choose a challenging, high-paying role rather than a role with an impressive job title.

Saturday, May 16, 2020

Resume Writing For Sous Chef Jobs

Resume Writing For Sous Chef JobsThe basics of resume writing are easy to grasp and can be applied to any occupation. They need to be keyword focused and truthful. These basics can be summed up as 'show me'. You will find that a resume is a great way to show your talents, your skills, or your professional experience and this article will detail exactly how to put it all together in the proper format for your sous chef job application.It's time to build that resume up and get the details down. First, the heading of the resume needs to be appropriately geared toward what you are trying to convey. When writing for a sous chef position, you will use keywords in the heading to provide the information needed about your particular skills.You want to emphasize the benefits you are looking for from a position as a sous chef. Your heading should also make reference to your interests and skills. You will want to include some examples of skills or hobbies that you have already mastered. For exam ple, a call center employee might want to include their years of service as well as other skills like customer service or reliability. This type of information will help to highlight the specific skills that you already possess that will be helpful to the position.Next, you will want to list the duties or jobs that you have held. It is important to include these on your resume in a concise fashion so that they are read properly. Having responsibilities will help you stand out in your application and show that you are willing to work hard and be a team player. You will want to be clear on what you have already done before applying for the position. Many times, they do not even think to ask about previous jobs because they are too busy with their current position.Your resume will be the place to let the employers see your best side. Thereare some industries, especially food and beverage, where the chef is expected to be very dynamic and creative. In order to showcase these talents and show them that you have the potential to do more than cook, you should write your resume for an office environment that will allow you to demonstrate your strengths and demonstrate that you can be a valuable addition to the company.While some positions require that you have some degree of restaurant training, you may not necessarily need it to apply for a sous chef position. You may only need the skills of a chef with working knowledge of the food preparation process. If this is the case, you should list the job requirements that you have attained on your resume.Finally, you will want to be sure that you make a good impression when you meet with the hiring manager to discuss your resume. You want to put yourself in a positive light and this is the perfect opportunity to let them know that you will be a valuable addition to the company. Even if you think that the position that you are applying for doesn't require formal culinary training, you can still show how you are motivated to succeed and to learn more about the cooking industry.Just remember that the resume is the last thing the hiring manager will look at. Be ready to be interviewed, but remember that your resume will be the main thing that they will see. You may be surprised at how many employers are interested in hiring someone who has never worked in a kitchen or knows nothing about cooking.

Tuesday, May 12, 2020

Tips for Getting Hired How to Demonstrate Engagement in an Interview - Margaret Buj - Interview Coach

Tips for Getting Hired How to Demonstrate Engagement in an Interview Job interviews are an exciting but stressful event. Landing one typically results from sending out who knows how many resumes and cover letters, and there is usually stiff competition even after you’ve been asked in to chat. The internal dialogue begins the moment the appointment is set: What are they looking for? What are my strengths and weaknesses? Did I say the right thing? Success in interviews comes from ceasing to worry about finding the right answer and instead focusing on being yourself, and on showing enthusiasm in a believable way. However, this shouldn’t take away from the fact that an interview is still a try-out. Both sides are judging for fit, and from an employer’s perspective, this partially means trying to figure out what your level of engagement might be. This is because employers love engaged employees. They tend to be more committed to the company, and because of this, they also tend to be more productive. This is why companies spend so much time and money coming up with and implementing employee engagement strategies. As a result, demonstrating a propensity to engage with the work you do will help boost your chances of receiving an offer after you’ve interviewed. This isn’t an easy thing to do, but if you focus on the following, then you should be able to send this message to employers and get yourself hired. But First…. What is employee engagement? It’s often easier to spot its absence, which is why it’s so difficult for employers to really focus on it. However, we can understand an engaged workforce to be one made up of employees who are: Dedicated to the organisation as a whole, including its overall purpose and goals. Aware of how their individual role fits into the overall organisation Committed to their own personal well-being This essentially provides us with a guide for what to highlight during an interview so as to demonstrate we’re the right hire. Let’s take a closer look. Dedication Employers are all about productivity. They may say that their interested in helping you find work-life balance, or grow your career, but in the end, they’re most concerned with output, as this is what brings in money and helps the company grow. However, employers have realised over time that forcing people to work more hours doesn’t necessarily increase output. In fact, it can often have the opposite effect; people burnout and can no longer produce at the same rate. As a result, employers are looking for people who are willing to go above and beyond on their own, something that only happens when people are committed to and engaged with the company. So, in your interview, you will want to try and highlight experiences where you did this. Perhaps you could discuss a project you worked on in the past where the team worked late into the hours ordering pizza and watching movies so as to finish by the deadline. Or maybe you could talk about your interest in learning more about the industry outside of work. In the end, the specific experience isn’t what matters. Instead, it’s important to show you’re the type of person who will go “all in” for something when you feel connected to it. This will separate you from the crowd, which will increase your chances of getting hired. Part of the Whole Engaged employees understand how their role fits into the overall company. This is because when we can see what our work is going towards, we find more meaning in our jobs and are willing to work harder. Demonstrating this in an interview, though, is a bit tricky. Probably the best thing you can do is come armed with a bunch of questions. As mentioned, an interview is a try-out for both sides. Before going in, you should spend some time reading up on the company and what it does. This will allow you to ask more insightful questions about the role and how it fits into the organisation. This is critical because it shows employers that you’re not only interested in getting a job. You want to be a part of something larger, which will help you stand out as someone who is more likely to become a more engaged, and therefore more productive, employee. Well-Being This last one isn’t one that we normally think about in an interview, but if you’re trying to present yourself as someone who is going to become an engaged employee, then it’s important. Employers like engagement because it pushes people to work harder without making additional sacrifice. If people work more hours, it’s because they want to; they feel some sort of connection to the work and getting it done. But they also aren’t going to do so in a way that causes them to forgo other aspects of their life. For example, if you’re working so hard that your relationships or health suffer, then you’re really not going to be of much use to your employers, for this will eventually catch up to you and hinder your ability to do your job. It’s much better to show you know how to have balance, and this happens by coming to the interview prepared to talk about what you do outside of work. Having hobbies, and other ways of disconnecting from work, are important, and they demonstrate to employers they are hiring someone who will be committed but who will not be at high risk of overworking themselves and burning out. Demonstrate Engagement and Be Engaged It’s hard to stand out in an interview pool. You’ll likely be going up against people with similar background and experience, and this means you need to find other ways to distinguish yourself. Demonstrating your ability to engage with your work by following the tips above will help you achieve this and put you in a better position for landing the job.

Friday, May 8, 2020

How Can a Career Coach Help Your Career

How Can a Career Coach Help Your Career Just as an athletic coach can help bring out your full potential in a sport, a career coach can help you get to a place where you can achieve your career goals. Every individual who seeks help from a coach has different reasons. I’ve listed out some common reasons below: To gain expertise in the areas of career development and career search processes To develop their brand through resumes, cover letters, interviews, etc. To learn new career management skills and techniques To find inspiration and get assistance with achieving a goal To develop a structure for the job search or a sense of accountability to finish tasks To obtain an objective opinion from someone who is neither a family member nor a friend and not directly impacted by the decision To receive assistance in exposing weaknesses in an area that will require learning new skills before taking the next step To understand how skills can translate from a current occupation/industry to other industries To learn how to demonstrate strengths in a certain area A career coach can help with all of those things and, often times, much more. Individuals approach their career management in different ways.   Some individuals can meet their career goals by reading information online or in a book. Others can meet their goals by simply carving out time to conduct research and complete their activities. Others need the one-to-one interaction of a coach to take them from point A to point B. Regardless of which category you fall into, carve out some time this month to review your career goals and the steps you need to take to achieve them. What is your current career goal?   Let us know in the comments section below!