In this fast paced, hectic world, most young women struggle to keep up with the endless list of demands required of them—college courses, job requirements, and house hold duties. With so much on their plates, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, overwrought, and exhausted.

If only there were more hours in the day, or better yet, a clone who could finish our essays before deadline, pick up the groceries for dinner, or show up for our work shifts.

Until time and space collapses, or science figures out how to duplicate us, there has to be a better way to “get it all done” without losing ourselves in the process.

In fact, there is a better way… We can learn how to use our energy not just our effort, to create the things we want. What does that mean? There’s the physical world we’re all familiar with, and then there’s the non physical world. Most people put all of their attention on the physical world– they focus their time and energy on actions. And while “doing” is an important aspect of getting what we want, it is just as important to pay attention to our energy.

You’ve probably heard the phrase, “don’t work harder, work smarter.” Well using our energy in combination with our effort is the smartest and most efficient way to get where we want to go, in record time.

This is not as strange as it may sound, and the truth is that we all do this from time to time. Most of us have experienced those moments when life felt effortless, smooth, and fluid–solutions to problems came easily, opportunities appeared out of nowhere, or we found ourselves at the right place at the right time. Some call it being “in the zone” or being “in the flow”.

These moments are not happenstance. They can be cultivated by quieting our minds and calming our emotions.  By doing even a few minutes of inner work each day—like meditation– we gain more benefits than any outer effort alone could ever bring us.

Inner peace also provides clarity. We see clearly what paths to follow, which opportunities to take, and which methods to use to get to our goals faster and more efficiently.

So, rather than hitting the ground running each day, a much better approach is to take a moment to get centered. When we approach life from a calm and balanced place, life gets infinitely easier and the things we want get accomplished in less time, with less stress!

“Taming Your Alpha Bitch: How to be Fierce and Feminine (and get everything you want!)” will show you how to achieve the ultimate success, happiness, and fulfillment you’re seeking, without the struggle and stress.

To instantly receive great tips on how to shift from Alpha Bitch to Fierce and Feminine, and receive the download of the book for free just go here: www.alphabitchbook.com

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In the book you address avoidant personality disorder, which seems to be fairly common but is rarely discussed.  How does technology enable our avoidance and what are some tips for those prone to avoidant behaviors?

Amy Lemley:

Avoidance is easier than ever with so much technology to hide behind. Screening calls and caller ID, email, IM, text—workplace anxiety sufferers use all of these to avoid the situations that concern them the most. Tools such as email are obviously extraordinarily useful, but a lot of times, it’s more appropriate to have a quick face to face conversation.

Our advice to people who are prone to this type of avoidant behavior? Pick up the phone! Stop by and check in with your colleague. This is hard advice to take—even for me. But I push through my initial feeling of, “Oh, no! What do they want?” and then give myself some nurturing credit for having actually picked up the phone or followed up in person.

To avoid feeling blindsided, rehearse some phrases that will help keep you from feeling put on the spot. “I’ll have to get back to you on that. How soon do you need the information?” “I’d like to help. Let me check my schedule.” Important: Follow through on these promises! Without follow-up, you’re just perpetuating the avoidance.

Jonathan Berent:

Technology enables avoidance. It lets people detach from their uncomfortable anxiety symptoms. To overcome anxiety, they need to attach to triggers such as phone calls or face-to-face meetings and learn to ride the wave of adrenaline that occurs.

What is the difference between normal anxiety and an unhealthy level of anxiety?

Jonathan Berent:

Anxiety is unhealthy when it causes you to feel emotional pain. And it is unhealthy when causes you to avoid anxiety triggers. At work, that could mean interacting with colleagues or superiors, performing job functions such as handling phone conversations, conference calls, meetings, or presentations.

Stress is a part of life. We all experience it: Something occurs, adrenaline starts to flow, and our body and mind prepare to take action. It’s fight or flight. Anxiety is essentially an overreaction to stress. Symptoms like obsessive worry, a fear of being noticeably nervous, racing heart, shallow breathing, and so on spin out of control. The fear of those sensations becomes so great that people become obsessed with avoiding their stress triggers.

What workplace characteristics are most likely to lead to anxiety?

Jonathan Berent:

Performance pressure is a major anxiety trigger. That can mean pressure on the job such as commissioned sales, tight deadlines, or a demanding boss or participating in the job search process. A job requiring lots of face-to-face interactions can lead to anxiety. And these days, working in a climate in which layoffs seem imminent is a huge stressor.

Many people fear public speaking more than death.  Why are so many of us afraid of public speaking?

Amy Lemley:

Hundreds of millions of people are afraid of public speaking—which we define as not only speaking to a formal audience but also anytime all eyes and ears are on us. We feel we simply have to be perfect, and we know we are not. We are sure we’re noticeably nervous—that everyone hears us stammering, sees us blushing or sweating. “They’ll see who I really am.” “They’ll see I’m a fraud.”

Jonathan Berent:

People put their identity and self-esteem on the line when it comes to public speaking. They are not differentiating between performance and personhood.

One of my favorite parts of the book is when you define success as being in a good mood.  Can you offer some advice for maintaining a positive, balanced mood?

Jonathan Berent:

We define success as being in a good mood. Being in a good mood requires that you know what you want and be in sustained action to attain it. Anxiety is a roadblock—it causes avoidance, which blocks motion. Identify the truth of your desire—getting or keeping a job, receiving a promotion, making money, building relationships.

Learn to balance your mind states by increasing the nurturing, objective, and creative inner voices. When you do that, your critical inner voice will recede to an appropriate level.

If, for example, you’re having trouble learning new software, tell yourself (1) you’ve learned other technology, you can learn this too (2) Learning new software improves your effectiveness and makes you a more valuable employee (2) Learning new software will make some objects of your job easier and might even make them more fun or interesting.

And finally, give up believing you must be perfect. Nobody’s perfect!

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Are any specialties within the law field in high demand?

• Pharma/health law/Medicare fraud/FDA/biotech
• Government contracts
• EE-type patent work
• Procurement in government

What are good career options for former lawyers?

Of course, identifying good career options depends on the skills and experience of the individual.  Below is a list of some jobs that people with law degree often hold:

• Policy positions in federal government or advocacy organizations
• Local and state government policy and management positions
• Researchers in think tanks
• Financial analysts
• Social work
• Non-profit management
• University administration
• Ombudsman
• Teaching (K-12)
• Marketing and communications
• Journalism (traditionally though fewer positions now)

What tips do you have for lawyers (or other professionals) wanting to make a career change?

1–Identify your skills generally, outside the context of law, e.g. prepare and deliver presentations on complex issues to sophisticated audiences/members of the public

2–Translate your experience into language that non-lawyers/prospective employers will understand and find impressive–do the work for them in a cover letter and your resume

3–Don’t dismiss the law if you didn’t like law school as practice is different–try practicing at first, consider it similar to a medical residency

4–Look into renegotiating the terms of your school loans and whether your school has any loan forgiveness programs

5–Think what content area interests you, but in addition to content, think about what role you want to play–what skills you have and that you enjoy using, e.g. research and writing, public speaking, negotiating, facilitating meetings, operations and logistics

6–Talk to people who do the work you think you want to do BUT be sure to prepare for those conversations–goal is to both get information and to make a good impression

7–Remember that networking is the most common way people get jobs–the vast majority of jobs are never posted.  Determine how to do it effectively.

Many college graduates consider law school, believing it will lead to job security and better pay. Do you think this is still true or has the job market for legal professionals changed?

The changes in the economy have made it much riskier to go to law school.  Pursuing a law degree as a default position because one isn’t sure what else to do is problematic. Large law firm hiring is drastically down, and more layoffs of experienced large firm attorneys took place in 2009 than ever before.   Because firms cut positions and deferred and rescinded offers in 2009, there is already a backlog of deferred associates and new graduates.  While the standard wisdom has been that going to law school will “keep your options open,” some employers see a JD as a negative in non-legal positions, and once in practice it can be difficult to determine what those options are and how to pursue them effectively.

Going to law school means taking on a huge amount of debt to get the degree and making a big investment of time and effort in school and to pass the bar.  It seems clear that the pipeline is flooded since there are more qualified attorneys than there are good jobs for them, but law firm applications are UP.  The assumption is that people want to sit out the economy by going to grad school, but it’s important to investigate what the options are after graduation to pay off that debt and get a good return on their investment of time and energy.  The pool of attorneys who need to figure out their professional options will only expand so it’s important to talk to people who do the type of work you think you want to do before deciding to go to law school and while there.

What advice do you have for law school students or graduates that wish to find a job in the legal field?

1–Participate in clinical programs to experience what it’s like to represent a client and explore different areas of practice

2–Don’t just look at jobs in large law firms, consider government, businesses, smaller firms

3–Law is a broad field, which can encompass real estate transactional work to litigating immigration rights to lobbying for energy reform–think what content area interests you

4–As above, in addition to content, think about what role you want to play–what skills you have and that you enjoy using, e.g. research and writing, public speaking, negotiating, facilitating meetings, operations and logistics

5–As above, talk to people who do the work you think you want to do BUT be sure to prepare for those conversations–goal is to both get information and to make a good impression

6–As above, remember that networking is the most common way people get jobs–the vast majority of jobs are never posted.  Determine how to do it effectively.

Kate Neville is a graduate of Harvard Law School and has practiced law in both the public and private sectors.  Her experience also includes management consulting and policy analysis.  After working as an advisor in Georgetown Law’s Office of Career Services, she founded Neville Career Consulting and provides career guidance to attorneys who are considering a professional transition.  Her articles have been featured in The Legal Times, YahooFinance.com, Roll Call, Veritas, and training materials for the ABA Section of Litigation.  Visit NevilleCareerConsulting.com for more information.

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Written by Wendy N. Powell, author of “Management Experience Acquired”

In a perfect world, the workplace is like a family, with seasoned baby boomer and Generation X employees guiding and working alongside less-experienced Generation Y workers.

With the Gen Y employees now solidly in the workplace, new challenges in the traditional quasi-work family are common. The “Gen Y’ers” are typically independent thinkers who feel quite comfortable raising issues with the decisions of their leaders. They are generally tech savvy having cut their teeth on their computer keyboards. They know how to make their way around problems relating to process; after all they made their way to the umpteenth level of their sophisticated video games with unusual grace. Yes, we know this new generation called Gen Y’ers.

I refer to this new generation of savvy workers as “Challengers.” This is not to be confused in the negative vernacular. Quite the opposite, this group of Challengers commonly excel in creative thinking and were raised thinking that it is okay to challenge decisions. They regularly asked “why” and got an answer to the proverbial “why not?” The older generation was generally told “Because I said so.” This is just what today’s business environment needs: creative thinking and challenging ways of doing business.

1. See it from the other side

So you, being a talented Gen Y-er, are hired and immediately dig into your work, looking to see what you can do to improve the status quo and move on to the next challenge. You learn the ropes quickly and look at the other generations, questioning why they are still doing the same old thing. “Are they dinosaurs, lazy or just not motivated? Why aren’t they just like me? I’ll learn what I can and move on to the next job that will keep me upwardly mobile, make more money and so on.” You think to yourself, Yes, I think they are out of touch with reality.

The older generations, mostly Baby Boomers and the Gen X-ers look at your generation with some apprehension. They wonder, “Will they take our jobs? We just want to work a few more years.” They are not as inclined to be moving from job to job, looking for the next opportunity. After all, they claim they have paid their dues and should be respected for what they have accomplished. And the Boomer says, “Don’t they get it?”

2. Communication

Merging the generations in the workplace is not simple, but it can be very successful with careful communication. There has always been a mix of generations in the work family, but the dynamics are now different. Often younger workers are in the power positions managing older workers. This takes some getting used to by the older generations who have normally been in the power seat.

3. Respect

Set the expectation for everyone that respect is an organizational value of the company and help employees to understand what makes each other tick.

4. Find a mentor

Encourage mentoring arrangements; pair up an experienced, senior employee with a new staffer and see what they can learn from each other. Gen Y’ers need to remember that the older generations need to know their experiences are valued; they need appreciation for their accomplishments. The older generations need to understand the younger generations need to be coached instead of managed. Send them an e-mail instead of a meeting request. They want to do their job and move on to the next project.

Realize that in these tough economic times, the employees who can contribute their creativity to the growth of the company are the ones who are most recognized and are likely to be successful in the company and survive staffing reductions. Seniority is a factor but not the only decision making criteria that companies use to decide who stays and who goes.

The Gen Y’ers should recognize and value the experiences of their experienced colleagues and the older generations should tap the energy and creativity of the younger generations. They will all learn some valuable lessons.

Foster the environment of creative thinking for everyone, and involve all levels and generations in the workplace family. Don’t forget, when employees say “Don’t they get it?” it’s all of our jobs to keep peace in the workplace family. We’re all in this together.

WENDY N. POWELL is the author of “Management Experience Acquired: Necessary Skills for Successfully Managing Any Employee” (Synergy Books, May 2010). She spent more than 20 years of her career advising managers at the University of Michigan and is currently on the business faculty at Palm Beach State College and the University of Phoenix. For more information, visit www.managementexperienceacquired.com.

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The great thing about being in college is that any good university career center organizes a job fair once every semester—or at least once a year. These job fairs can be an absolute goldmine—after all, how often do employers gather in one place and reach out to you, instead of the other way around? It is important to take advantage of these job fairs any chance you get. To help you toward that end, I will discuss a game plan that will help you get the most out of your college’s next job fair.

First of all, as soon as you get wind that a job fair is headed your way, go online and find out about it. Register for the fair if necessary, and if the fair lasts more than one day, make plans to attend both days. Some employers can only send a recruiter out for one day. If you only attend one day, you may miss out on an opportunity. Print out any lists of employers that plan on attending. Circle any that catch your eye so you can do a little research on the company ahead of time and make plans to visit their booth. If you go into a job fair ignorant of who will be there, you may end up wasting a lot of valuable time.

Next, update your resume, print off several copies, and prepare a portfolio of work you’ve done in college or in previous jobs that might be relevant to the jobs you are seeking. You may even want to copy your resume and samples of your work to a portable flash drive so you can easily transfer it to a computer. After all, many career representatives bring laptops so students can apply for jobs online.

The day before, prepare a brief statement about yourself that lets career representatives know your skills and strengths in a nutshell. Keep in mind that these recruiters will be speaking with hundreds of students, and you will need to find ways to stand out from the crowd. Most recruiters will be ready and waiting to sell you on how great their company is, but don’t let them do all the talking. Be prepared to ask questions, like “What type of degree is needed for this position?” or “What positions are available?”

Some recruiters are pushy and attempt to draw students in with candy bowls, spinning wheels and other gimmicks, but don’t feel pressured to waste time with those who represent jobs you won’t realistically pursue. You can politely decline to start a conversation with them. If you’re not sure if you’re interested in a job, wait until the recruiter is speaking with another student, then stealthily swipe a brochure, stepping away to consider the job in peace before approaching the recruiter.

Dress professionally and take the job fair seriously. In fact, treat it like an interview—complete with business casual attire, a welcoming smile and a solid handshake. There’s no better way to make an excellent first impression on potential employers.

Finally, follow up on any good leads or connections you make, reminding employers of your interest in the company. Send a thank you note if they took the time to interview you at the fair. Little details go a long way toward landing a great job.

By-line:

This guest post is contributed by Alvina Lopez, who writes on the topics of accredited online colleges.  She welcomes your comments at her email Id: alvina.lopez@gmail.com.

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Some people choose colleges with care; others are not so lucky and end up having to go with the college that chooses to accept them. But no matter which of the two categories you belong to, it’s up to you to make the most of your college education, and you can do this by:

• Knowing what you want to do after you graduate and working towards it: When you know exactly what you want to do after you graduate, it’s easier to achieve it because you tend to focus all your energies on the task. So if you want to become a doctor, you know that you need to work on your grades and keep them high so that a qualified med school will accept you. If you want to enter the job scene after four years, you need to look for internship opportunities in various organizations so that you can see what kind of job setting you’re interested in and apply for positions accordingly. And if you want to go on to grad school because you’re still not ready to leave the academic scene, you need to work on getting into a good school with an equally good program in the discipline of your choice. When you focus on your goal right from the start, it becomes easy to work towards and achieve it.

• Working on your grades from your freshman year: They may not determine who you really are, but your grades do matter one hell of a lot when you’re in college and looking to use your degree to reach the next stage of your life. Whether it’s going on to grad school or looking for a job, your grades are going to come into play in a big way. And the best way to keep your grades high is to work on them right from your first year of college. If you score low grades in your first two years and then look to make them up in the next two so that your GPA improves, it’s going to be an uphill climb. You need to also ensure that you don’t let slip your hold on the good grades you earn each year in the following years, either through complacency or laziness.

• Not doing anything stupid to jeopardize your future: It’s not really fair, but it’s true that while it takes a whole lot of effort to make a success of your college life, it only takes one instance of foolishness to throw it all away. So watch out for drunken binges or other forms of inappropriate behavior that could compromise your entire future and leave you with regrets for the rest of your life.

College is the foundation on which you build the rest of your life; it’s only as strong as the degree you choose, the school you choose to earn it in, and most importantly, the way you go about earning it.

This guest post was contributed by Anna Miller, who writes on the topic of online degrees . She welcomes your comments at her email id: anna.miller009@gmail.com

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For the book, Myler surveyed 1800 corporate leaders about what makes an employee indispensable.  Part one details Myler’s survey results, including the percentage of corporate leaders that rate a given behavior as advantageous.  My favorite part of the book is the Personal P&L Statement for quantifying your value. You don’t need a financial background to prepare your statement – it’s easy for anyone to create and can benefit your career no matter what your experience level or job title.  In addition, a free Profit Proposal Generator (PPG) on Myler’s website turns your ideas from the book into professional-looking proposals.

In part two, “Pulling Money out of Thin Air”, fifteen profit sources are identified. From cost cutting procedures to recovering lost customers, the techniques in this section are easy to act upon no matter your job function. The first profit source, cost cutting, tells how to save money on a variety of expenses. One example was of a janitor who discovered a way to saved his company $30,000 per year in cleaning expenses. You’ll learn how utilities billing works, how to shorten the cash conversion cycle, and much more practical information few employees bother to learn. Although most of this section is about increasing profits and reducing costs for your company, Myler writes about the importance of interpersonal communication. However, he is honest about the fact that good soft skills alone won’t make you indispensible.

The sections in part three include choosing high value solutions, improved performance appraisals, how to increase sales, and advice for those in leadership roles.  There are several examples of resume entries that showcase profit-enhancing solutions, in addition to tips on how to present your accomplishments at a performance review using techniques from the book. The final section in part three is entitled “Everything You Need to Know about Accounting- and It’s Not Much”. Familiarity with financial statements essential for every employee and, according to Myler’s survey, corporate leaders agree.

The impression I got while reading was that, unlike many books in this category, the focus is on practical skills and knowledge as opposed to soft skills and office politics. You’ll discover strategies for making a measurable difference at your company and it applies to all employees, from new graduates to experienced professionals. Not every suggestion will be relevant to you right now, especially if you’re an entry-level employee, but there should be at least one or two techniques that will prove beneficial to you and to your employer. The other techniques can be saved for when you gain more experience or if your job responsibilities change.

To learn more about the book, visit indispensablebymonday.com

Note:    This review was based on my personal opinion and I have been completely honest in my assessment of the book. I was NOT compensated for reviewing this book.  Promotional and sponsored content will always be identified on this website.  See the About page for my full disclosure policy.

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S = Survey your surroundings.

T = Take the time required to understand your new job and department’s strategy, structure, processes, role  and responsibilities, projects, and progress.

U = Understand who you’re working with; review personnel files, speak with each individual.

D = Do NOT make hasty decisions or state your opinions too soon. Take the time needed to understand  people,      processes, and results first.

Y = Yes. Remember you can do what you set your mind to by prioritizing and setting attainable goals.  Focus on the most important priorities first.

After your initial assessment of your workplace and workload, try these helpers:

• Create a 90-day game plan and break it down by month, detailing initiatives, projects and tasks.
• Include a list of the key contacts/resources you should meet, work with and get to know during your first 90 days.
• Meet with your manager to review your plans for starting, learning and working in your new role.
• Ask (and listen to) your manager about what they believe are the most pressing priorities and why.
• Proactively schedule a follow-up appointment in one or two weeks to share your initial learnings with your manager.
• Meet regularly with your manager to inform them of your progress on executing your plan.

Stay positive as you transition into your new position.  Often times, the work load can be overwhelming and everything you’ll be learning might make you feel a bit like you’re trying to drink water from a fire hose. Don’t worry – that feeling will pass once you get through those first 90 days, which are always the most difficult.

~ Lisa Quast

Lisa Quast is CEO and President of Career Woman, Inc. (www.careerwomaninc.com)

Lisa Quast’s passion in life is making a difference in the lives of women by helping them achieve their   dreams.  Lisa is a career coach, author, business consultant, and the founder and president of Career    Woman Inc., a Seattle-based international career development consulting company dedicated to helping women achieve career success. She’s an accomplished speaker and coach, inspiring audiences with her charismatic approach, actionable recommendations, and proven methodology.

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Update: Latest hiring trends for the Class of 2010 (from MSNBC): Dim job outlook brightens for the class of 2010.

Summary:

• 5 % increase in hiring of 2010 graduates over 2009 graduates
• most in-demand majors :  accounting, business administration, computer science, engineering, and math
• Survey shows only 40% of graduates have offers, compared to two-thirds of graduates in 2007

—————————————————————————————————————————————

Original Article:

College graduates faced a tough job market in 2009, but will 2010 graduates face similar challenges?  Although layoffs have slowed down,  unemployment is at a 26 year high and a recent survey conducted by Michigan State University’s Collegiate Employment Research Institute doesn’t offer a lot of hope to college seniors.  The survey shows that hiring for 2010 graduates is predicted to decline by 2% from 2009.

According to MSU’s survey, large and medium-sized companies plan to decrease hiring, while smaller companies plan to hire more graduates.  Statistics and environmental science are the most in-demand degrees, but one-third of employers would consider graduates with any degree.  Regions with the most job growth are the South Central, Northwest, and Southwest.

Despite the negative survey results, many companies are thriving.  A great example of growth in the technology industry is Intelius Screening Solutions, a leading provider of on-demand employment and drug screening solutions to thousands of businesses throughout North America. The company has experienced growth of 578% over the last five years and has added over 100 people to its workforce.

I spoke with Intelius Screening Solutions General Manager, Todd Owens, about hiring trends for 2010 graduates.   Mr. Owens advises recent graduates to focus on growing industries such as healthcare, education, energy, and technology.  He also suggests that graduates be open to relocation, since some areas are experiencing job growth.  In addition, graduates should look at the Inc. 500 list of fastest-growing private companies for ideas on where to apply.

The greatest differentiator for businesses over the coming years will be customer service, says Mr. Owens.  Sales, account management and customer service jobs are great choices for recent graduates with any degree.  Young workers are ideal candidates for such positions because of their energy and enthusiasm.  According to Mr. Owens, new graduates are a great investment for the future  because they have a willingness to learn and to take on a variety of roles.  He says that this is the best time to be entering the workforce because today’s young, eager, and educated graduates will be well-positioned for the next expansion.

So what should graduates do to improve their chances of finding employment?  Surveys and experts indicate that graduates should focus on smaller companies.  They should also be open to moving to regions where hiring is improving.  Employers are looking for flexibility, so job-seekers need to demonstrate the ability to take on a variety of responsibilities.   Read Getting from College to Career: 90 Things to Do Before You Join the Real World
for more advice for life after graduation.

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1. How do recent graduates get started in a career when they have no relevant experience?

If your experience is minimal or non-existent, you face one of life’s greatest employment challenges.  You need to go into your interviews with a positive attitude and demonstrate your flexibility, your social skills and your ability to get the job done even if you have to learn new skills and meet demanding deadlines.

It’s a tough economy right now, so the job market is hypercompetitive; experience is a key differentiator between candidates.  It’s never too late to start building up relevant experience through intern positions, co-oping, volunteering, etc.  If you have no experience, be willing to take an entry-level job in order to build experience, and then work your way up. Or be willing to work for free in a post-graduation internship.

2. How can job candidates best prepare for an interview?

There are some great books out there, and many web sites, that have tons of advice on general interviewing skills. There are books on common interview questions and how to answer them correctly. In your specific field it is likely that there are sample “stumper” questions available on web sites, as well as advice on how to deal with them. If you have “problem areas” in your resume, research how to talk your way around them and accentuate the positive. Then practice. Assume the first several interviews you do will be a little rough around the edges, so do those with companies you don’t really care about. Get used to answering the questions and smooth out your responses. Ask your friends to interview you. If it’s a possibility, go to the career center and ask for a practice interview. Practice. Then when the “big interview” falls in your lap, it will be easy(er).

3. What are the most important soft skills and technical skills for graduates to have?

Your degree should have covered the technical skills, which you should have been able to perfect with internships in your chosen field. Therefore, technical skills should be solid at this point.

“Soft skills” include things like leadership ability, communication (spoken and written), teamwork, relationship-building, work ethic, problem solving, etc. You should have been building these skills over the last four years by taking on leadership roles (which would look good on a resume), working on team-based projects and extracurricular activities (which would look good on a resume), solving real-world problems in competitions (which would look good on a resume), etc. Assuming you have done none of those things, then your next-best option is to read about these soft skills. Get books on things like leadership, communication, negotiation, team building, business ethics, etc. and become a sponge.

4. What industries should graduates focus on while job searching?

Ideally a graduate should focus on industries in his or her area of expertise. But jobs are so scarce at the moment that graduates may want to cast a wider net. Or you may want to consider working for no money if you have no experience (I.E. a post-graduation internship). There are some startups getting venture funding right now. You might look for a venture-backed company like that since it would be hiring. Some industries (e.g. Green energy) are getting a boost from federal stimulus funding. Do some research and see which companies in your area are getting funding and may be hiring. Some areas are affected less in a recession. For example, people still get sick when the economy drops. Look for recession-proof industries.

5. How can new employees make a good impression during their first jobs or internships?

Some general traits that make a good impression with employers: working harder than everyone else, meeting deadlines, exceeding expectations, making friends, helping others, being grateful, figuring out what needs doing and getting it done before being asked, understanding what is important to the bottom line and focusing on that, putting first things first, making customers ecstatic, etc.

6. Many students are going to graduate school to ride out the recession. Is this a good idea?

Graduate school is something to consider regardless of the economy.  The focus should be on making the most of your time and opportunities to fill holes in your resume.  Graduate school is just one proven way to strengthen your professional profile.  Build your soft skills.  Get intern positions.  If you come out of graduate school with a stellar resume and a marketable advanced degree, you are putting yourself in a position to succeed.

7. What options do recent graduates have if they’re having trouble making payments on student loan debt?

Every lender is different, and there are many different types of student loans. So if you are having trouble making payments, you need to communicate with your lender(s) and find out what options may be available. In some cases you can arrange for deferment or forbearance. You may also be able to delay payments with graduate school, military service, AmeriCorps service, etc. Loan consolidation may also help a little. Research all options.

But you might also want to consider sucking it up and getting started with payments. Get two jobs, move in with your parents (or get a couple of roommates to drastically lower rent), ride the bus instead of getting a car, etc. Yes, it’s painful. But the sooner you start paying, the sooner you get done.

8. Any other tips for recent graduates?

You have chosen one of the toughest economies in several decades to graduate. Expect things to be harder than normal in the job search, and do what you can to avoid discouragement. Do not forget that getting rejected is a normal part of job hunting, even in a good economy.

Related Posts:

• Kate Neville Offers Career Advice for Lawyers
• Interviewing the Interviewer
• Work Makes Me Nervous: New Book Tackles Job Anxiety
• Getting the Most out of a College Job Fair
• Helpful Links for Job-Seekers

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Post tags: advice, career planning, financial aid, interview, job search

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If you are one of the many people who are considering going back to school after losing your job, you shouldn’t let a bad economy stand in your way. There are many different ways to come up with the money you need to pay for school.

1. Community Grants and Programs. The first place to start when you need money for school is your local community.  The recent downturn has prompted many local governments and community organizations to establish special programs for unemployed individuals. Some of these programs provide career education; others provide grants to cover education costs.

2. State Aid. State programs or grants may also be available for students who need financial aid. You can learn more about potential programs by contacting your state’s education department or related agencies. If aid is available, you will most likely need to apply for it using state-supplied forms. Whatever you do, be sure to follow all of the instructions and apply as soon as possible. State aid is always limited and is usually available on a first come first serve basis.

3. Federal Grants. The federal government awards billions of dollars in grants to needy students every year. The most commonly used grant is the Federal Pell Grant, which provides need-based grants to low-income students. All grants, including the Pell Grant, can be used to cover tuition costs, books costs, and other fees.

4. Scholarships. Scholarships are also an excellent way to pay for your education. Like grants and state aid, scholarship money is free money. You will not have to pay it back after graduation. Scholarships are usually awarded through commercial organizations, professional associations, and individual benefactors. You can find scholarships through the many scholarship search engines on the web. Good engines to try include Scholarships.com and FastWeb.com.

5. Government Loans. Taking out a loan to pay for your education may not seem like the ideal scenario, but the investment will eventually pay off. Research has shown that a degree can increase salary potential and competitiveness in the job market. If you decide to get a loan, be sure to look at loans that are guaranteed and subsidized by the federal government. Good examples include Stafford Loans or Perkins Loans. These loans usually have low interest rates and deferred payment options.

6. Private Loans. Taking out a private student loan may also be an option worth considering. Most banks have some sort of student loan program that can be used to cover the cost of tuition and other expenses. If you do decide to get a loan from a private bank, be sure to compare interest rates and loan terms before making a final decision. Rates and repayment options can vary from bank to bank.

7. Social Finance Companies. Traditional banks aren’t the only institutions you can turn to when you need money for school. There are companies out there who are dedicated to matching people who need money with people who have money. Commonly known as social finance companies, these organizations act as a mediator between private lenders and needy borrowers. Popular companies include Zopa, which offers low-rate loans from a non-profit member-owned credit union, and Prosper, which can help you get a personal loan from one of the company’s many partners.

8. GreenNote. Designed specifically for students, GreenNote is a unique company that offers an alternative to the traditional student loan. GreenNote doesn’t lend money directly, but it does offer a platform for students to get money from parents, friends, mentors, and strangers. Loans have low interest rates and do not require a credit check, citizenship, or a co-signer.

9. Federal Work Study Programs. Students who need money to fund their postsecondary education can also turn to the Federal Work-Study (FWS) program. The FWS provides funds to students who agree to work part-time either on-campus or off-campus. Jobs are usually community service oriented or related to your job field.

10. School Programs. A lot of colleges and universities have their own financial aid programs for needy students. To learn more about possible programs, you should contact several schools you are interested in and ask to speak to their financial aid department. The department will be able to tell you about their programs and eligibility requirements.

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© Andrea for College, Career, Life, 2009. | Permalink | No comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: advice, college, financial aid, money

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The 5 D’s of Self Defense

Erik organizes the various self-defense tips and strategies into five categories.  This framework helps students be more prepared.

DECIDE –  Planning, education, training, and acceptance of risk are important, yet often overlooked.  Examples of actions taken during the decide phase include deciding to take a self-defense class, deciding to always lock your doors and deciding never to be taken to a second location.

DETER - This phase involves deterring a potential aggressor by adopting appropriate body language, and setting boundaries.  Yelling “back off!” can be enough to deter a someone from following through with plans to attack.

DISRUPT -  Disrupt is the phase you probably think about when you hear self-defense advice.  However, as Erik points out, it is only part of the framework of self-defense.  This phase is intended to create an opportunity to escape.  Hitting, biting, kicking and stomping are examples of disrupting actions.

DISENGAGE – After you disrupt an attack by any means necessary, use the opportunity to escape.

DEBRIEF – The final stage involves minimizing the long-term consequences of an attack by seeking help as soon as possible.  This may involve calling the police, going to a hospital, consulting a lawyer, and/or seeing a counselor.

Physical Assertiveness:

The goal of physical assertiveness is to prevent and stop an attack.  It is intended to minimize the need for more  dangerous or aggressive actions such as hitting or using a weapon.

1.  Physical Positioning

• Maintain a five foot distance between you and a potential aggressor.
• Raising open hands in front of the body, palms forward and arms bent at a 90 degree angle is an effective defense posture.

2.  Communication

• “Stop” “back off” and “no” are all effective commands to be used in addition to physical positioning

3.  Physical follow-through

• If physical positioning and communication aren’t enough to stop an attacker, physical actions may be necessary to reinforce verbal commands.
• Physical follow-through is intended to stun an aggressor and create space to allow for escape.
• Striking an aggressor’s forearm with the heel of your free hand, creating space by shoving/pushing the aggressor’s inner shoulder joint are examples of physical follow-through.

References:

Physical Assertiveness: Proactive strategies for deterring the onset of violence. by Erik Kondo.

The NOT-ME! Strategy of Self-Defense by Erik Kondo.

Making Sense of Self-Defense by Erik Kondo

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• Merging Generations in the Workplace, the New Gen Y

© Andrea for College, Career, Life, 2009. | Permalink | 2 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: advice, life, safety, self-defense

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Relevant Coursework
You’ve worked hard in your classes, so why not put them on your resume? List any classes that relate to the position for which you are applying or that demonstrate technical knowledge.

Projects and Presentations
List the major projects or presentations you have completed.  Briefly describe each project and include the grade received if you did especially well.

Computer Skills
This includes software such as Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Access. If you know HTML or any other programming languages, you can include those as well.  Software used during part-time jobs and internships can also be included, but don’t claim proficiency if you haven’t used the software extensively. “Familiarity with [software]” or “experience with [software]” will work if you aren’t proficient but have experience with a software program.

Languages
You don’t have to be extremely fluent in a language in order to list it, but you should be able to conduct basic conversation with native speakers (be honest about your level of fluency on the resume).

Community Involvement
If you’ve volunteered or done any community service, be sure to include it on your resume. Tutoring volunteer work that you can do on your own and looks impressive on a resume.

Honors and Awards
Honors, awards, and academic scholarships you’ve received should be on your resume. You should also put if you were on any honor rolls (President’s List, Dean’s List, etc).

Resume writing can feel like a daunting task for anyone, but especially so for less experienced job-seekers.  However, resumes don’t have to be comprised of just work experience.  Your skills, projects, coursework, and other activities can prove valuable to potential employers.

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© Andrea for College, Career, Life, 2008. | Permalink | No comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: advice, resume, student

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