Monday, March 28, 2011

Stay or go - evaluate your job now

Have you lost that “loving” feeling?

You’ve survived the layoffs, cut wages, reorganizations and other company changes. You‘re stressed out, fed up and ready to bolt.

On the other hand, the economy is going nowhere, the analysts aren’t sure if we’re in recovery, recession or something in-between and you’re being told “you have a job, be happy.”

So, should you stay or leave? Before you make that critical career decision, take a deep breath, assess your situation and do a cost benefit analysis.
First, consider the reasons to stay. For example:

1. Relationships matter more than money.
You may think you can find a job that will pay you more, but you will be leaving behind a wealth of relationships. When weighing your options, don’t forget the value of the network, the friends and professional colleagues you have now.

2. You are doing well compared to your peers.
Research shows that many people under estimate their skills and their prospects and over estimate others. Take the time to do a realistic assessment of what you have to offer and its value in today’s marketplace.

3. The grass is not always greener.
People, who are desperate to get out of a job, tend to see potential opportunities only outside their company. They enthusiastically take a new job and then realize they’ve gone from the preverbal frying pan into the fire.
Now, consider the reasons to leave. For example:

1. Your relationship with your boss is damaged beyond repair.
You have tried to mend it but you’re getting stonewalled. Yes, she may be a jerk but she is the boss and in a power struggle, you will probably lose.

2. Your values are at odds with the culture.
For example, your company is hierarchical and you want more influence over your job. It’s very hard for one person to change a culture unless he’s the CEO or has been brought in to change things.

3. Your stress level is way off the charts.
It’s affecting your physical or mental health and your relationships with family and friends. You’re burnt out, burnt up and dread going to work.
So what will it be – stay or leave?

In looking at the reasons to stay and the reasons to leave, which will have the best impact on your personal and career satisfaction? What will provide you with the most benefit today? What about tomorrow?

Developing yourself for better career

In our chaotic lives filled with confusing messages from a plethora of competitors, a personal brand makes you impossible to ignore and prevents you from becoming a commodity like wheat, sugar or coffee beans. Commodities are bought and sold every day on the world market with their prices determined by supply and demand forces. The brand with the best perceived value has the advantage and achieves greater results.

The days are gone when you could just show up, do your work, and expect to get noticed. In our global economy, bright and brilliant people all over the world compete for the same positions. Many are willing to work for commodity like prices. Developing your "Me Inc." will brand yourself and create a distinctive value enabling you stand above your closest competitors. This is true whether you are an entrepreneur, a small or mid-size business owner, or an individual pushing for a promotion to the executive suite.

Personal branding is a natural aspect of how people evaluate one another. You don't need a master's degree in marketing to put it to work. Personal branding lets you control how other people perceive you. You're telling them what you stand for but in a way that's so organic and unobtrusive they think they've developed that perception all by themselves.

Personal branding, creating "Me Inc.," takes your skills, personality and unique characteristics and packages them into a powerful identity that increases your visibility in crowded markets. It starts with the way you walk, talk and dress and includes your education, profession, car, friends, and choice of neighborhoods. Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin has found a unique way to brand her physical appearance. She wears a colorful flower on the left side of her suit, creating a unique branding perception to that is easily recognizable.

Complete branding, however, is not just good grooming, polished shoes, the car you drive or how you present your business card. After these physical, outer branding characteristics, creating "Me Inc." moves to the heart and soul with attitudes & emotions. To more fully develop your brand:


Exhibit enthusiasm and a positive attitude

Demonstrate persistence and the ability to follow through and lock in commitments

Live with integrity and honor your commitments

Which of these branding virtues describes you? Did you realize that others can brand you as...negative or positive...as undependable or dependable?

After branding your physical appearance and your attitudes, move to the final step: your nature and brain. Accomplish this third step by distinguishing yourself by branding your innate talents, knowledge and skills.

Innate talents – What is easy for you? What do you like to do? What behavior when repeated seems to be executed like magic?

Knowledge – What do you know that could be branded?

Skills – What skills have you practiced over and over until the gap between potential and actual is hardly recognizable?

As an example, if you want to be a better sales professional, you need an innate talent for persuasion then in-depth product knowledge and a quiver filled with sales skills and techniques. Perfect your step three by practicing your skills whether selling your ideas inside or outside your organization and focus on your closing techniques. The good news is that which is practiced, improves. In summary:

Innate Talents + Knowledge Learned + Skills Practiced = More Complete Self Brand and Results

Creating "Me Inc." distinguishes and differentiates you and enables you to shine through the crowd of people vie for promotions or competing for the same customer. As you develop your brand and operate from deep inside, you will become a virtual magnet, pulling people to you who want to do business with you or who will be willing to give you more responsibility in your organization. Through this process, you catapult yourself into an elite league of achievers.

"If you work hard at your job, you'll make a living. If you work hard on yourself, you'll make a fortune." ~ Jim Rohn

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Financial situation

What to do to clear your debt

1. Don’t make the mistake of ignoring demand letters or phone calls from unsecured creditors. Contact them as soon as possible ideally by phone first. Even if this is just to say that you want to work out a suitable repayment plan.

2. Discuss every conceivable option to allow you to pay the minimum amount possible based on your income and expenditure.

3. Always, always ask them to temporarily freeze the interest and late repayment charges as they are adding to your loan and because of this it can affect your ability to pay what they are demanding. Negotiate!

4. Ask them not to issue any legal proceedings until every available option is looked into.

5. Be honest about your present circumstances and calculate exactly the amount you can afford to pay after you deduct household costs e.g. mortgage, utility bills, family groceries and children’s costs. You need to work out how much you can afford to repay towards your loans and you should distribute what you can afford evenly amongst them pro-rata to how much you owe.

6. If you have lost your job you may have to appoint a debt-management company to negotiate to allow you breathing space to clear the debt.

7. Keep a record of everything, including phone calls from both sides. Ideally write to the creditor after agreement is reached by phone to document discussions properly.

8.Don't just handle back keys on the property you cant afford any more. When a property is voluntarily surrendered, the borrower loses control over the sale, added to which the costs of sale (solicitors, auctioneers etc) are generally greater than if the borrower were trying to sell it him/herself. It is also likely that the lender will get less for the house. Thus, what you gain in not incurring legal fees, you may lose in other costs

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Top 10 tips of facing redundancy

1) Come down, Stay positive. I have faced with redundancy myself couple years ago. It was very hard period of time for me. I didn’t know what to do, I could not find job, I was not sure weather I should change industry or keep on trying to see weather some job will come up…. Basically I was lost and depressed. However, I was trying to stay positive for most of time. As it helped me to come up with different ideas and approaches to find job. Finally I have found job! Besides employers may feel that you are desperate and may think you want job because you need it but not want it…

2) Turn to the government for help. Today there are lots of different programs that are offered by government to support those who are not employed and have been made redundant. Check what your government is offering and claim all possible benefits. That will help you to stay on the ground for the time being and will help to keep attitude positive.

3) Sort out your financial situation. Some people like me, can have mortgage or debt to pay off when been redundant. This situation in today economic crisis can be really scary. However, come down and don’t worry. Talk to your bank they definitely have experience dealing with things like this. Some of the options they can offer you are: restructure of your loan, give you loan free year, or decrease your down payment… More tips are you can find at label personal finance.

4) Talk to your legal advisor- not everyone may need it, however you want to make sure that all your rights are reserved, especially if you feel that there is something dodgy is going on.

5) Start looking for a job – there are many online websites right now that offer job search service,. Visit professional meetings, go for trainings, talk to Hr in companies you are interested in... Just start doing things you like to do or think you want to do. There are lots of people out there who put their passion into everyday work. Who knows you can be one of them…….

6) Consider starting education. If you cant find job straight away, probably education is your choice. There are many great options of education out there – online, courses, universities, master programs and other. Whether you want to receive it from government or from other sources check on continuing education tips

7) Take your time for yourself. Lots of people out there suggest traveling as much as you can. Enjoy your freedom. Personally I think it does not meter whether you go travel somewhere or simply stay home just take a time off to think about your life what is important and what you like/what to do in future

8) Develop social channels. While employed sometimes it is a choice between going for a beer with fiends or be able to start work in the morning next day. However, when you are redundant you have plenty of time for socializing. Communicate with your friends. Even more make new friends. Use redundancy as opportunity to broader your connection and maybe someone will recommend you for a job

9) Focus on result. Remember looking for a job it is full time job. Sometimes numbers (quantity of cv send) are important. All you need is to be in right place at right time. Don’t get upset if you receive no after no. You don’t know their motives for saying no and it is certainly should not stop you.

10) Take any job. If you are in real trouble you can take any job at the beginning just to keep you sound on the ground. However, don’t stop there, continue to look for something you will really enjoy.

Hope u will find job soon!

Monday, March 7, 2011

Types of unemployment/redundancy condition

What condition are you....

Getting creative?


Trying to calm down?


Hoping for the better?


Not worried, relaxed?


Freedom finally?


Cant get sober?


Crying for help?


You are really straggling, have problem with money and desperate for job?

Sunday, March 6, 2011

Unemployment rate worldwide

Interesting to find out that the 10 countries with lowest unemployment rate in the world according to the statistic 2010 are:

10. Papa New Guinea - 1.90%

9. Cuba - 1.80%

8. Vanuatu - 1.70%

7. Liechtenstein - 1.50%

6. Faroe Islands - 1.40%

5. Guernsey - 0.90%

4. Azerbaijan - 0.80%

3. Qatar - 0.06%

2. Andorra - 0.00%

1. Monaco - 0.00%

Monaco is the ultimate tax haven for the rich and famous, known worldwide as a hangout for the playboys and superstars. This tiny city-state has a population of just 32965 and an area of just under 2 square kilometers! Wealthy foreign investors make up 84% of its population, with the countries main industry therefore considered 'tourism'. The city takes billions of dollars each year in its casinos, and also has a massive pier for luxury cruise liners and private yachts. Monaco levies zero income tax on individuals, thus most of the money in the country is brought in from outside sources.

I wonder how good statistic system in these countries?? :) Does anyone fancy migration?

Further reading on unemployment rate in 200 countries www.cia.gov

Source hubpages.com

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Redundancy what to do next

Bits about everything....

When people are:
· Been made redundant or
· Opted to take voluntary severance where offered

What next?

This might seem harsh in the current climate, but the rationale for this is simple, how we deal with what may be presented to us personally i.e. Redundancy, can determine our sense of well being, which contributes to our overall happiness and success in our lives. A plan is essential. Options are paramount.

Redundancy can either be a new beginning and a positive experience, or the end of what we know and very stressful, depending on how we deal with it.

There are a number of key factors when redundancy is presented, to consider before leaving your organization:

1. What is the difference between Redundancy & Voluntary Severance (VS)? – Redundancy/VS both mean essentially that a job/role is ‘at risk of redundancy’. When presented with VS, it normally means that most likely (if preferred) a person can remain employed by the same Company, but very often and most likely, in a different role but with the same terms and conditions i.e. the option to accept VS should be your choice (voluntary), however the role may not be your preferred one. It also often means that you will be offered more generous severance terms, than that offered under statutory redundancy.

2. Is Redundancy the only option? – in some companies redundancy may feel like the only option, and for some it is, but there are ways to retain jobs i.e. the Employment Subsidy Scheme, salary cuts, - you as an employee should be well informed on all options, particularly if you work for a small company – you may be able to help your company keep you employed!

3. I am being made Redundant - When do I have to leave? - when a person is being made redundant their employer must follow particular fair procedures, for example you must be afforded 2 weeks notice of your redundancy in the first instance as a minimum depending on your length of service, and on the date of your dismissal your redundancy payment.

4. What are my options now? – This is the key question, and what you do next will determine how you feel, and how you are in your life, as a result of being made redundant. In my experience there are a number of options, but it is crucially important that these options are thought through, and decided on ultimately by the person who has been affected by the redundancy i.e. not helpful friends of family. Ultimately this has to be your decision.



The options are as follows:


a. Look for work that have experience at or similar - Its usually better to try and work at what you know, and/or are trained to do

b. Upskill - This might be an opportunity to upskill – if it’s financially viable this could be your opportunity to do/study something you have always wanted to do but didn’t have the time!

c. Rebrand – what is your brand? What do you bring to an employer that sets you apart? There may be an opportunity to seek professional support with this in terms of you/your CV/interviewing skills. If you are lucky enough to get that interview you want to make sure you get the job!

d. Don’t dilute your proposition – don’t go to every employment agency in Ireland. Know your Brand and be represented accordingly

e. Mobility – are you mobile? There is work in other countries. Are you prepared to travel? If so is this your opportunity to take that ‘Gap Year’ you never did when you left school/College? Some employment agencies have offices in other countries and update you on any vacancies that they may have at the moment without having to travel at a cost.

f. Be prepared for a reduction in your overall remuneration package – this is not the same climate as it was even 12mths ago. It is important to know how much of a reduction you can afford. There is no point taking a job only to find you simply cannot afford to live on the salary offered. Conversely you need to be practical, and understand that this is an employer’s market with a lot of talent available, so you will most likely need to take a reduction.

g. Think outside the Box – this may mean taking a part time role Monday and supplementing it with other income or reviewing some of your other outgoings. Consider options other than the standard -Friday,9am-5pm jobs

h. Be Positive – this may seem like an obvious one, but the positive candidate brings energy into an interview and will be remembered. It also helps you to stay focused. You will get a job!

Finally, in many cases Redundancy/VS is an opportunity to be grasped. I have read articles more recently referring to ‘funemployment’ where those made redundant are secretly happy to be unemployed and enjoying the time out for now. Also, an important point to make is that while you may have lost your job, cost of living is reducing also.


However, Redundancy can also be very unsettling, where there are financial and family commitments particularly, it can be a very stressful time. People who are made redundant often refer to a sense of failure and loss of self esteem. Naturally, it is a blow especially if the job lost was the job of your dreams, BUT importantly, there are options, always! They may not in the first instance appear to be your 1st choice, but where there is a loss financially perhaps, in the first instance there may gain in other areas! For example, consider how busy we have all been over the last decade, complaining of no time – well maybe now we will have that time back, to give to what we always said was THE most important thing (family, friends) while we rushed to the next meeting!

Finally, to those of you who haven’t been made redundant, consider all your options, to stay ahead of any announcements or rationalisation plans your Company may be considering, and to those of you who have been made redundant or offered VS, consider this your new beginning and never the end….it is how you approach it, and your (many) options!
source:www.hrri.ie