How One Man Found A Job Without Applying At All

How One Man Found A Job Without Applying At AllChances are youve never heard of Ernie Miller. Hes just a guy who found a job he really loves. What makes him interesting, though, is the way he found it. He didnt go through the usual channels. He didnt pound the streets carrying resumes, didnt network, didnt search the job boards. He found a job without applying. So, how did he actually end up with meaningful employment?A Unique ApproachErnie decided to try an experimentinstead of looking for work, he was going to let work look for him. So he wrote a blog entry in which he listed all the traits he was looking for in a job, and then he linked to the post via Twitter and also on Hacker News. He heard from over 40 companies, not all of which offered work. In fact, he got quite a few responses accusing him essentially of being pretty full of himself. Some responded praising his original approachbut not offering work.Finally, the experiment paid off. Ernie heard from a Louisville firm, Appr iss, which developed a system called VINE, which is designed to let victims of violent offenders know when the offender is due to be released from prison, or if the offender has escaped custody. After years of working for elektronischer geschftsverkehr startups, Ernie was intrigued by the possibility of working for a company that could actually help save lives, especially since one of his requirements was that he wanted to work for a company that would enable him to make a difference. Ernies new job fits the bill in other ways, as well.The BenefitsHere are Ernies other requirementsAbove-average compensationNot a contract positionRemote-friendlyChallengingOpportunities to learn and also to mentorAppriss not only honigwein all of Ernies requirements, there was a bonus. Ernie lives in Louisville, and he really didnt want to move. His reverse job search had brought in responses from all over the worldincluding Berlin and the Russian Federationbut it didnt bring in a huge volume of respo nses. So, what were the odds that the job offer that would really set his heart to beating a little faster would be in Louisville? Probably slim, but obviously just a little bit better than none.The LessonSometimes, to get where you need to be, you have to think outside the box. Ernies approach yielded mind-boggling results. Never give up. Persevere, and think creativelymiracles do happen. Who knows you may find yur next job without applying too.This article is part of our Hope for Your Job Search Series. My goal is to bring you uplifting inspirational and hope-filled stories, tips and advice to encourage you during your job search.

How to Set Boundaries With a Gossipy Coworker

How to Set Boundaries With a Gossipy Coworker Every workplace is filled with interesting personalities including frustrating ones.If you feel like youre surrounded by difficult people at the office, take heart. Youre not alone. Studies have found that one in eight people leave a job due to problems with coworkers.Gossiping co-workers can be the most problematic of all. Not only do they distract you and drain your energy, but the negativity can have a damaging impact on your professional reputation.As if you needed another reason to keep the chitchat in check, a psychological phenomenon known as spontaneous trait inference means that every time youre involved with gossip, people start to perceive you as a gossip and may begin to question your motives or conclude youre untrustworthy.In a professional setting, theres really no excuse for bad-mouthing anyway be it your client, colleague or CEO so here are three ways to deal with gossip at work.1. Empathize and redirectGossip is a comp ensatory strategy often used to cover low-self esteem or feelings of powerlessness. Its likely your coworker is communicating this way albeit passively aggressively and manipulatively to seek connection. Your colleague may also get to feel superior by putting others down.Theres a simple formula you can use to distance yourself from the dynamic while keeping relationships intact empathize and redirect.First, empathize. Acknowledge your coworkers reaction, addressing the deeper, human need below the surface. The real reason they may be gossiping is that they want to feel heard and validated.Then, use redirection. Maybe you nudge the person towards a solution by saying something like Ugh, it sucks to feel like youre undervalued. You should talk directly with your boss about this. Or encourage them to focus on what is working by saying something like It sounds like the situation is still bothering you. That sucks. For now, lets talk about how things are going with the new project your e working on.This step doesnt magically change passive-aggressive behavior, but it does take you out of the role of enabling it by saying nothing.2. Get assertiveI find that many people, especially those who are kind and compassionate, simply never learn how to set limits with gossips. They play the role of good listener, but unintentionally get roped into drama. If this sounds like you, its important to learn how to set boundaries with passive aggressive people who gossip and to develop mora assertiveness skills so you can excuse yourself when gossip starts to happen.Get honest about how you may be contributing to the unhealthy dynamic in place. For instance, do you idly sit by instead of speaking up when someone trash talks a client? Do you engage in a little too much water cooler gossip?3. Be the changeInstead of harping on negativity in your conversations, focus on positive gossip. Make it a point to say nice things about people behind their back. Recognize other people for thei r good traits. Applaud their efforts. Celebrate their successes. Youll find that the good vibes come back around to you, too.--

For College Grads, Temp Work May Be the Key to a Successful Career

For College Grads, Temp Work May Be the Key to a Successful Career When I graduated college back in 2012, armed with an English degree and a redoubtable sense of self-worth, I knew exactly what I wanted to do. I wanted to be a teacher.And I became one briefly.After two difficultyears in the education system, Ibowed out of the teaching game entirely and became a writer instead.Im glad I finally found the right career, but getting here was a tumultuous process. The transition from lifelong student to burgeoning professional hit me like a hr of bricks. I was more stressed than I had ever been in my life as I scrambled to learn the ropes of my career, and I quickly realized thatmy dream jobwas actually a nightmare. When I decided to leave teaching,I was relieved to an extent but I also felt like a total failure.I could have avoided all of that if I hadnt jumped straight from college into a full-time, traditional employment arrangement. If I had taken so me time to temp first to try out a few different options I would have been able to end up as a writer without crashing and burning in my first career.WhyCollege Grads Should Consider TempingDavid Dourgarian, CEOof staffing software company TempWorks, is a big advocate for the temp path for new grads, in part because its a great way for these young professionals toplek up some new skills that they may not have learned in school.If you look at thetypes of skills graduates are exiting their four-year degree programs with, they are often not equipped yet for the white collar workforce, Dourgarian says. Someone needs to show them the ropes.Many collegestudents graduate with little or no experience in the white collar work world. They may have held jobs in college, but the usual student gigs retail, waiting tables, tutoring, etc. dont exactly prepare one for life in an office setting. The closest most students get to professional life is an internship, but even that isnt quite the sam e as being an employee.Recent gradsneed to learn proper professional conduct, how to handle interoffice conflict, and other soft skills that are critical for career success.Dourgarian believes working a few temp jobs can help students zupflmmel these things up quickly.They need to be in an environment where they are held accountable, and the transient nature of temporary positions forces people to learn these skills quickly if they want to get ahead, Dourgarian explains.Dourgarian also believes that temp work is a great way forrecent grads to try out potential careers before committing to them. They may even stumble upon the dream career they never knew they wanted.It can be a great opportunity to try things that you might not think are appealing, Dourgarian says. You may have graduated with a degree in Russian lit., but you might find out thatyou actually love being an insurance underwriter.The Three Types of Graduates Which Are You?To get even more specific about how temping can be beneficial to recent grads, Dourgarian divides these young professionals into three categories1.Professional-Track GraduatesThese are graduates who want to pursue additional studies, including students who want to become doctors and lawyers. Temping in between college and graduate or professional school can be a great way for these students to get some work experience and bolster their resumes, making them more attractive to the programs theyre applying for.Temp work can also help these students make sure they actually want to enter their chosen fields. For example, a would-be law student might do temporary clerical work for a lawyer and realize they actually dont enjoy the legal profession all that much. Thats a much better path than enrolling in law school and shelling out thousands of dollars just to learn that you hate being a lawyer.2. Liberal Arts GraduatesIt can be difficult figuring out how to translate the skills you learned as ananthropology major into skills that look good on a resume. Temping can teach these graduates how to turn their degree skills into useful workplace skills.3. Graduates Who Need a Little HelpWe dont all emerge from college with pristine GPAs. Some graduates might have difficulty finding full-time employment right out of college iftheir academic experience hasnt been of thesumma cum laude variety. For these graduates, temping offers a great way to build a resumethat really wows employers, regardless of how well they may or may not have done in school.ButI Graduated College. Arent I Worthy of a Real Job?Even though the number of temporary workers in the U.S. has hit an all-time high, many still look down on temporary work. To them, its not real work.Some recent grads may feel the same way. Being told to temp after youve successfully completed college can feel like a slap in the face for some. If you have a degree, youre qualified for areal job, right?Dourgarian thinks this is a misguided belief To say that temporary work isnt a real job is on the same level as saying, Im going to pay you less because youre a woman.In other words If you look down on temporary work, you may have some unconscious, unfounded biases that you need to check.As Dourgarian explains, a lot of temp jobsdo lead to full-time work Many companies have temp positions open because the position might be entry level, and turnover might be high enough that its dangerous for an employer to expose themselves to the types of legal problems that could come along with high-turnover positions.For these employers, it makes more sense to bring a worker on mainboard as a temp to see how they do before hiring them for afull-time role.Other times, temporary work isrelated to the project-based nature of an industry. In fields like IT, where work occurs largely on a project-by-project basis, employers often bring workers on boardfor the duration of the project only.And, finally, its important to note that temporary work does have its advantages over ful l-timeemployment.Your skills can get very stale working at the same company for four years straight, Dourgarian says. So a lot of people actually like being temps. They dont want to stay long. They want to keep learning new skills and growing.

M.B.A. Resume From an IT Career Template

M.B.A. Resume From an IT Career TemplateM.B.A. Resume From an IT Career TemplateRajan had an M.B.A., a Ph.D., published articles in scientific journals and patents pending. It was an accomplished resume, but in the wrong industry.Rajan has an accomplished resume.Rajan, who asked that Ladders change his real name, has worked mora than 30 years in technology he has a doctorate in material science, boasts several articles published in industry and scientific journals, and has developed a number of patent-pending technologies.Two years ago, Rajan added an MBA to his list of credentials and was already considering a career change when the technology startup where he was working in New England lost its financial support and he was laid off.Now a member of FinanceLadder, he is doggedly pursuing work in the financial field.I want now to work with venture capital or investment firms, perhaps in performing due diligence or helping evaluate equity investments for emerging technologies, said Raj an.He had an accomplished resume in the wrong industry.My resume had been focused on my technical experience history in the semiconductor geschftliches miteinander, but it was full of too many bullets and jargon something I knew that would not appeal to these businesses.He reached out to Ken Moore, a certified professional resume writer who works with Ladders, to help him craft a business-oriented resume from his technology career.Moore helped Rajan discover that he had a career in business all along he just needed the resume to declare it.Resume intakeAmong Rajans challenges He wanted to appeal to investment houses while still showcasing his technology skill set, his MBA and business acumen.The original resume Rajan presented to Moore did neither. It was full of IT industry jargon and lost in technical detail, Moore said. It left no clues to the fact that Rajan was managing projects and directed business engagements that were often international.So Moore directed Rajan to complete what he calls the intake process, a details questionnaire and vorstellungsgesprch to dig up buried nuggets of roles, responsibilities and accomplishments that, Moore said, often fail to make it to the resume. In Rajans case, Moore wanted to surface the business benefits of the three to four most recent positions he held and projects he directed.Rajan said he spent four hours completing the questionnaire.I was surprised to learn how much there was to talk about in terms of my value to the business, he said. It was a good exercise. Ken was able to then transform these values into bullet points that were placed in the summary of the new resume. The summary now speaks directly to the kind of job I want rather than a laundry list of past tasks.In other words, the tasks had become accomplishments and results that would be the first thing a hiring manager would see.My aim with (Rajans) resume was to get it really targeted at the kind of jobs that he wanted, Moore said. He had real busines s experience, including interfacing with customers, with responsibility for setting up the production and fabrication facilities for semiconductors in the U.S. and internationally. This is stuff he just needed to bring to the forefront and make it shine.Feet in the past, head in the futureIn crafting a business resume from Rajans technology career, Rajan and Moore wrestled with the cumulative force that faces most job seekers with more than 30 years experience how much of the job seekers early career history is relevant to the his current goal.I knew that I would be competing with people who are, frankly, a bit younger, and who might appear fresher than I given my lengthy work history, Rajan said. Ken got me to focus on the latest crop of jobs and prioritize the business skill sets.We had to eliminate a number of the lighter staff engineering roles from the resume, Moore said. I didnt want to water down his credentials with things that went back to the late 70s. It is a balancing a ct. Rajan was a star technologist with experience that would appeal to many companies, but when you are competing for jobs at capital investment houses with individuals with investment experience and who are fresh out of leading MBA programs, the resume becomes a game changer.Moore focused on Rajans four most recent jobs but included his patent-pending work, his degrees and published works to keep it grounded in the past, but aimed at his future.I always stress to my clients that the resume needs to speak to the future, Moore said. I think Rajans is speaking to it very well now.Networking resumeAn added bonus for Rajan is a tighter, leaner resume.His original resume was three pages long, but Moore trimmed it to two pages, and Rajan went a step further He edited the document to a single page that he calls his networking resume, which he brings with him to informational interviews, industry events and other job-search opportunities.I do not have a new job yet, he said, but I am fairly confident that I am better positioned with this resume for the next opportunity that I want.

6 steps to take now if you want to change your career path next year

6 steps to take now if you want to change your career path next year6 steps to take now if you want to change your career path next yearWhile humans are creatures of habit, they are also inherently curious, and well, most are easily bored. In an age where very few professionals are lifers who remain at the same company for their entire lives, more and more are wondering not only what else is out there, but taking actionable steps to discover their passions. Career expert Steve Grant explains changing a career path is oftentimes an important - or mandatory - step to take to achieve success and fulfillment.While it shouldnt be one that is taken lightly or spontaneously, the pursuit of happiness could be the driving force that propels you to make moves, according to Grant. This doesnt just mean youre after a rose-colored perspective from the time you clock in at 9 and leave at 6, but rather, you also desire a more challenging role and you want to be more motivated by doing something y ou love.Heres the absprache though Changing careers isnt an easy process, and may require some unpaid downtime to make it a reality. If this is your professional goal for the upcoming year, experts recommend the actionable steps you should be making right now to prepare yourself for the journey.Do some soul searching to understand your whyIf youre sitting pretty in a comfortable gig that you can do with your eyes closed and hands tied behind your back - and still earn a salary - there has to be a reason youre preparing yourself to quit. Career coach Christine Agro stresses the importance of understanding your why before you take measures to shake up everything. This requires introspective soul-searching and becoming vulnerable and candid about your current feelings and expectations for the future. In other words are you looking for a quick-fix solution, or are you actually inspired to make a difference in your life - or the lives of others?If your why is a deep calling to do some thing else, you almost have to answer that. If you dont, your health and wellness will suffer if you dont, she explains. If your why is really that you think your problems will be solved if you are doing something else, chances are, those problems are going to follow you wherever you are doing.Make a pro and con listMuch like being emotionally conscious, career and branding expert Wendi Weiner cant stress the value of a pro and con list. It might seem elementary, but it can be a way to organize your thoughts in a collected, intelligent way. Emotions have a way of running away from us when were unhappy with our jobs, but a pro-and-con scribble will bring you back down to earth.You have to create a list and compare the reasons why you want to leave into a new career, versus why you should stay in your current career. Compare the positive and negatives. There will always be both, but what it comes down to is whether the pros outweigh the cons and vice versa, she adds.Talk to people in the path you aspire to joinSo youve been working in finance for a solid ten years, but youve always made friends with those in the marketing department. You love hearing their strategies and tracking their projections, but the more fascinated you become, the stronger your pull is to not only sign off on their budget - but join them. Agro recommends setting up meetings - whether casual coffee and drinks or a knowledge share - to understand what it takes to become a marketer. Or whatever field youre thinking of breaking into. This is your best bet of understanding and preparing for the road ahead.Talk to people who are on the path you want to shift onto. Find out what their trajectory has been like, what you can expect, what advice do they have about things that worked for them and things that didnt work, she explains.Roadmap the logisticsFantastical ideas and vision boards are all healthy parts of developing your confidence and remaining positive within your career, but most peopl e do not have the luxury of quitting their job today and figuring out the rest tomorrow. As career expert Jill Tipograph explains, its important to map out the tangible, logistical steps youll need to follow to shift careers.Is a formal education required? Youll need to understand about prerequisites and application deadlines - not to mention how youll fund continuing your education. She also explains youll want to think about the compensation you can expect with a new role, and how that will impact your current lifestyle. Sometimes the career you want isnt in your zip code, and youll not only be working to change gigs but change location, too.If you are going to have to relocate to make the change, either because of where this type of work is located, or because your budget will no longer bear your current lifestyle, work with someone to come up with a realistic budget for moving and re-establishing yourself, she explains. Its smart to break unterstellung down into monthly goals s o you can track your progress.Save, save, saveOne of the most important strategies you can implement instantly is to save more and more hard-earned cash. Grant says the funds required to shift careers is often overlooked by professionals, which can have devastating consequences if you arent armed with a handsome savings account. Not only does this give you permission to take off time in between industry shifts and still support yourself or a family, but it also means you can be picky about this next stage in your life.This allows you to take your time and interview with multiple companies, to do your due diligence and make the best decision possible, he explains. Having a nest egg will keep you from staying at a career which isnt working for you.Hire a coachAgro says a business/life coach, or a resume expert can speed up the process by providing unique steps to follow for your current situation. You can explain everything youre feeling, all that youre hoping, and together, you can b rainstorm the best possible way to arrive at your new careers.Two heads are always better than one. Set yourself up for success by reaching out to people are poised to support the shift you are looking to make, she continues. And hey, if this isnt quite in your budget? Speak with a trusted mentor or friend who will take the time to give thorough advice.

Vermont Professional Engineers Reject MOE Requirement

Vermont Professional Engineers Reject MOE Requirement Vermont Professional Engineers Reject MOE Requirement Vermont Professional Engineers Reject MOE RequirementEarlier this month, the Vermont Board of Professional Engineering struck down a motion to revise the states statutory requirements to specify a masters degree as the minimum education standard for engineering licensure in Vermont. The decision makes Vermont the third state to forgo adopting the masters degree or equivalent (MOE) as the educational requirement for engineering licensure at the state level, following unsuccessful efforts to introduce the requirement in Nebraska and Montana.During the May 7 meeting, the Vermont Board of Professional Engineering voted by a four-to-one margin to approve the following motion The Vermont Board of Professional Engineering, after receiving testimony and researching the topic, does not support amending Chapter 20 of Title 26 of the Vermont Statutes Annotated to increase the minimum leve l of education required for licensure as a Professional Engineer to a masters degree or equivalent.The vote followed approximately two years of discussion among members of the Vermont Board, as well as concerted public outreach efforts by the hauptplatine to gauge the engineering communitys opinion on the subject. After evaluating feedback provided through presentations at board meetings, public comment sessions, and letters from groups and individuals, the board determined that there was not sufficient reason or evidence to support any proposed legislation to increase the minimum education required for licensure to a masters degree or equivalent.ASME has been a vocal opponent of the MOE requirement since its introduction nearly a decade ago. The ASME Board of Governors issued a position statement opposing the MOE proposal in April 2008. Later that year, ASME established the Licensing That Works (LTW) coalition of engineering societies, which endorsed the position statement. Led by ASME, the coalition represents more than 300,000 engineers from 12 professional engineering societies including the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, ASHRAE, the Institute of Industrial Engineers, and the Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration Inc. I applaud the action of the Vermont Board of Professional Engineering not to endorse the proposed legislation, said ASME President J. Robert Sims. We will continue to be vigilant because ASCE has made increasing the education requirements for the licensure of engineers of all disciplines one of its three strategic initiatives. No evidence has ever been presented that MOE will have a positive impact on the publics health, safety and welfare, which is the basis for licensure.Robert Luna, former ASME senior vice president and chair of the Licensing That Works coalition, concurred. Thanks to the unstinting efforts of LTW affiliates in Vermont in presenting our case to the Vermont Board of Professional Engineering, the initiati ve to get the Vermont Board to adopt Masters or Equivalent as a requirement for registration as a PE has been thwarted, said Luna. This effort by ASCE and NSPE in Vermont to promote MOE likely will be duplicated in other states. We at ASME need to be aware of those efforts and mobilize ASME local resources to achieve the same result as was achieved in Vermont.To learn more about the Licensing That Works coalition, or to learn more about the MOE debate, visit www.licensingthatworks.org.

Termination Letter Due to Poor Performance

Termination Letter Due to Poor PerformanceTermination Letter Due to Poor PerformanceWhen an employee is dismissed for poor performance, the termination letter has to be written with a deft hand. It is a sensitive document that both lets the employee know the circumstances behind their firing and protects the employers interests.Basics Needed for a Termination LetterWhen writing a termination letter due to poor performance, use a formal, authoritative, but neutral voice. Though the very tenor of the letter could be construed as volatile, avoid negative statements or pointing fingers. This is content that should state facts, not lay blame. Inform the employee of the specific circumstances behind the termination and what both parties responsibilities will be from that point forward.The termination letter due to poor performance should note the date that the termination begins. Or began, as it is not unusual for the termination to start before the document is created. Clearly state why t he employee is being terminated in plain, brief language. If there was a lead up to the decision, put this in the body of the letter. Lead ups can be warnings, whether written or verbal.The Responsibility of Both PartiesAn employee may have materials that the company will want returned, such as a key card or a company car, phone, or laptop. At the same time, the company may owe the employee compensation or personal property. Depending on the company, compensation may include back pay and accrued sick, vacation, or personal time. The termination letter due to poor performance will include this information. The details for when and how property is to be returned should be outlined in the letter, as well as how any personal property left in the office by the employee will be returned. The typical procedure here is that the employee will receive the compensation once company property has been returned. There may also be a signed claims release that specifies the employee understands and accepts the terms of the termination.Other Matters to Be ConsideredThe employee may have health insurance, retirement savings and other benefits tied to their employment. The termination letter due to poor performance should provide information about what will happen with each. Documentation that facilitates these matters can be enclosed or sent separately.Should you find yourself on the receiving end of a termination letter, let LiveCareer help in the new job search. From Resume Builder to FAQs on acing the interview, we can streamline the process. Related Articles The Best Resumes for Pharmaceutical Sales CareersThe Best Ways to Stay Awake at Work Without CaffeineThe First Days of Work Tip List