According to a recent Conference Board survey, job satisfaction of American workers has dropped to a new low of 45% satisfaction rate. The highest job satisfaction peak of 61.1% occurred in 1987, declined to a low of 45.3% in 2009. The research group has studied this issue for more than 22 years. In 2008, 49 percent of those surveyed reported satisfaction with their jobs.
The drop in workers' happiness can be partly blamed on the worst recession since the 1930s, which made it difficult for some people to find challenging and suitable jobs. But worker dissatisfaction has been on the rise for more than two decades.
"It says something troubling about work in America. It is not about the business cycle or one grumpy generation," says Linda Barrington, managing director of human capital at the Conference Board, who helped write the report, which was released Tuesday.
Workers have grown steadily more unhappy for a variety of reasons:
Fewer workers consider their jobs to be interesting
Incomes have not kept up with inflation.
The soaring cost of health insurance has eaten into workers' take-home pay.
If the job satisfaction trend is not reversed, economists say, it could stifle innovation and hurt America's competitiveness and productivity. And it could make unhappy older workers less inclined to take the time to share their knowledge and skills with younger workers.
Source: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34691428/ns/business-careers
Monday, January 25, 2010
Friday, January 8, 2010
Resume Writing: Accomplishments Are Key
Are you in the middle of writing your resume and wondering what information to include and what information to exclude? You must begin to think like the person who will be hiring you. What will she want to see on your resume? What information will be important to her?
The only clear indication of future performance is based on past performance. It is imperative that your resume be focused on quantifiable accomplishments achieved at each employer documented on your resume. While it is important to provide an overview of your job responsibilities to the reader (hiring authority), your resume is significantly strengthened by telling the hiring authority what positive impact you made for your employers and their businesses.
When thinking about accomplishments, think of problems you faced, the actions you took to resolve those problems, and then the positive results that were attained due to the action(s) you took.
– Problem: increase sales 12%
– Action: developed new targeted marketing campaign
– Result: raised sales 18% in just 3 months
The way this would be documented on a resume could be:
– Fueled top-line sales 18% versus goal of 12% in just 3 months by developing new targeted marketing campaign
When you think of accomplishments in these terms, you will not have any problem filling your resume with quantifiable achievements that hiring agents love to see! Your resume will stand out from your competition because of the time you spent identifying and documenting these accomplishments.
Deciding to write your own resume may sound like an easy thing to do, but knowing how to write the resume is very important. If you would like more information about Chapman Services Group, LLC, please visit www.ChapmanServices.com or call 866.687.9700 to speak with a Certified Professional Resume Writer. We look forward to working with you.
The only clear indication of future performance is based on past performance. It is imperative that your resume be focused on quantifiable accomplishments achieved at each employer documented on your resume. While it is important to provide an overview of your job responsibilities to the reader (hiring authority), your resume is significantly strengthened by telling the hiring authority what positive impact you made for your employers and their businesses.
When thinking about accomplishments, think of problems you faced, the actions you took to resolve those problems, and then the positive results that were attained due to the action(s) you took.
– Problem: increase sales 12%
– Action: developed new targeted marketing campaign
– Result: raised sales 18% in just 3 months
The way this would be documented on a resume could be:
– Fueled top-line sales 18% versus goal of 12% in just 3 months by developing new targeted marketing campaign
When you think of accomplishments in these terms, you will not have any problem filling your resume with quantifiable achievements that hiring agents love to see! Your resume will stand out from your competition because of the time you spent identifying and documenting these accomplishments.
Deciding to write your own resume may sound like an easy thing to do, but knowing how to write the resume is very important. If you would like more information about Chapman Services Group, LLC, please visit www.ChapmanServices.com or call 866.687.9700 to speak with a Certified Professional Resume Writer. We look forward to working with you.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Executive Placement Organizations
Have you heard from a company telling you they can tap into the "hidden job market" for you? Did they pique your interest by marketing career services to you that will position you for career opportunities within this hidden job market? Did this company ask you to meet with them with your spouse present? Did this company tell you the services they would provide to you would only cost you $5000+?
I have recently spoken with two individuals who were "taken" by two different executive placement organizations who did everything listed above and more. One person invested $5000 while the second individual invested $8000. Between the two people, they received three job interviews - $4000+ for each interview!
Don't be "taken" by these organizations. The investment to you is too large. While it's true that you get what you pay for, investing too much or too little is a big mistake when it comes to your career in these tough economic times. Search for a resume writing organization that can provide to you most of the very same services that an executive placement organization can. Be sure to verify credentials. Speak with the writer you will be working with to ensure no personality conflicts. Assess resume samples for content and formatting quality. Ask questions of the resume writing company so you are comfortable.
Please keep in mind that not all executive placement organizations are bad. Just like any other company, there will be good and bad to choose from. Your job, as a consumer, is to conduct research before committing thousands of dollars to any one company. In addition, it is this writer's viewpoint that executive recruiters and executive placement organizations are two different career resources.
If the two people mentioned above had come to Chapman Services Group, LLC (www.ChapmanServices.com) for the services provided them, their total investment for both people would have been no more than $3000. By my calculations that's a cost savings of $10,000! Give me a call today for more information about what we can do for you.
~ Lisa Chapman, Certified Professional Resume Writer
www.ChapmanServices.com
www.LisaChapman.net
http://www.linkedin.com/in/lisachapman
866.687.9700
I have recently spoken with two individuals who were "taken" by two different executive placement organizations who did everything listed above and more. One person invested $5000 while the second individual invested $8000. Between the two people, they received three job interviews - $4000+ for each interview!
Don't be "taken" by these organizations. The investment to you is too large. While it's true that you get what you pay for, investing too much or too little is a big mistake when it comes to your career in these tough economic times. Search for a resume writing organization that can provide to you most of the very same services that an executive placement organization can. Be sure to verify credentials. Speak with the writer you will be working with to ensure no personality conflicts. Assess resume samples for content and formatting quality. Ask questions of the resume writing company so you are comfortable.
Please keep in mind that not all executive placement organizations are bad. Just like any other company, there will be good and bad to choose from. Your job, as a consumer, is to conduct research before committing thousands of dollars to any one company. In addition, it is this writer's viewpoint that executive recruiters and executive placement organizations are two different career resources.
If the two people mentioned above had come to Chapman Services Group, LLC (www.ChapmanServices.com) for the services provided them, their total investment for both people would have been no more than $3000. By my calculations that's a cost savings of $10,000! Give me a call today for more information about what we can do for you.
~ Lisa Chapman, Certified Professional Resume Writer
www.ChapmanServices.com
www.LisaChapman.net
http://www.linkedin.com/in/lisachapman
866.687.9700
Monday, August 3, 2009
Job Search Tool
If you're still looking for your next career move, this information will be valuable to you.
As I'm sure you already know, searching for your next career move isn't always the easiest of tasks.
However, if you're looking to give your job search a boost, there is one effective service that you may wish to consider.
ResumeSpider.com offers you a time-saving and effective way for you to connect with multiple, targeted employers, corporate hiring managers and recruiters.
ResumeSpider has built an extensive network of employers and recruiters. Now, you can tap into their network in just minutes.
You target employers and recruiters based on your location, job function and industry/sector. ResumeSpider then sends your resume directly into the inboxes of these employers and recruiters that are looking for you.
The nice thing about the ResumeSpider job search tool is that you will be able to see every single person who reviews your resume and how they rate you. They give you all of the contact information for every employer and recruiter on your list so you can then pick up the phone and call your contacts directly! You can sell yourself and get yourself an interview. This is PROACTIVE job searching. The reason job seekers are frustrated with a typical job search is because they have no control over who is looking at their information. ResumeSpider gives you that control.
Go to http://www.resumespider.com/?dcode=411484 and click on the big red "Sign Up Now!" button then select your categories and click Get Results. You will then get to view your actual list of companies and contacts. Set up a demo account first and review your actual list. Then you can upgrade and gain access to the contact information.
If you'd like to see how ResumeSpider can help you to connect with the right employers and recruiters today, take a look now at:
http://www.resumespider.com/?dcode=411484
Use discount code 411484 to get 10% off your order.
As I'm sure you already know, searching for your next career move isn't always the easiest of tasks.
However, if you're looking to give your job search a boost, there is one effective service that you may wish to consider.
ResumeSpider.com offers you a time-saving and effective way for you to connect with multiple, targeted employers, corporate hiring managers and recruiters.
ResumeSpider has built an extensive network of employers and recruiters. Now, you can tap into their network in just minutes.
You target employers and recruiters based on your location, job function and industry/sector. ResumeSpider then sends your resume directly into the inboxes of these employers and recruiters that are looking for you.
The nice thing about the ResumeSpider job search tool is that you will be able to see every single person who reviews your resume and how they rate you. They give you all of the contact information for every employer and recruiter on your list so you can then pick up the phone and call your contacts directly! You can sell yourself and get yourself an interview. This is PROACTIVE job searching. The reason job seekers are frustrated with a typical job search is because they have no control over who is looking at their information. ResumeSpider gives you that control.
Go to http://www.resumespider.com/?dcode=411484 and click on the big red "Sign Up Now!" button then select your categories and click Get Results. You will then get to view your actual list of companies and contacts. Set up a demo account first and review your actual list. Then you can upgrade and gain access to the contact information.
If you'd like to see how ResumeSpider can help you to connect with the right employers and recruiters today, take a look now at:
http://www.resumespider.com/?dcode=411484
Use discount code 411484 to get 10% off your order.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Available Tech Jobs - Get Your Resume Ready
400,000 tech jobs available
CompTIA, trade association for IT professionals, is currently launching a hiring campaign to fill an estimated 400,000 tech job openings.
The reason: a scarcity of skills, experience, or combination of these that employers want. Tech professionals who are employed may find they need to upgrade their certifications to remain competitive and venture into new territory in order to retool their careers for today's job market.
Tech support positions are found in a wide range of industries, from hospitals, to hotels, to factories. Employers are seeking individuals who can perform hardware and software integration and data security.
One category in big demand is basic computer skills, which open the door at the entry level. Then employees add certifications to move to higher positions.
Tech jobs are appearing in Des Moines, Boise, Louisville, and all over the U.S. In Detroit tech jobs in hospitals are plentiful for jobs that require continual collaboration with other departments. In the medical industry, tech jobs are available for medical providers.
The fastest demand in the U.S. is for help desk and desktop support. A recent survey of Robert Half International shows 51% of employers plan to add IT staff over the coming year.
Unemployment among tech professionals is a low 4.9%, compared to the national rate of 9.6% overall.
Dice.com compiled a list of the top five most in-demand skills:
* Security. Employers want to hire people with the CISSP designation (Certified Information Systems Security Professional), who have 5 years of hands-on experience.
* Virtualization. The practice of running multiple servers on a single piece of hardware.
* Java EE. Sun Microsystems' Java and it's enterprise edition, J2EE are industry standards for developing online applications.
* SAP. Most employers prefer candidates who have direct, on-the-job experience with SAP.
* .NET. Microsoft has a variety of certifications, but Dice.com says the top designation is Microsoft Certified Professional Developer (MCPD), which includes MS Visual Studio and Microsoft .NET framework.
Source: CNN Money, http://money.cnn.com/2009/07/21/technology/tech.jobs.fortune/index.htm
CompTIA, trade association for IT professionals, is currently launching a hiring campaign to fill an estimated 400,000 tech job openings.
The reason: a scarcity of skills, experience, or combination of these that employers want. Tech professionals who are employed may find they need to upgrade their certifications to remain competitive and venture into new territory in order to retool their careers for today's job market.
Tech support positions are found in a wide range of industries, from hospitals, to hotels, to factories. Employers are seeking individuals who can perform hardware and software integration and data security.
One category in big demand is basic computer skills, which open the door at the entry level. Then employees add certifications to move to higher positions.
Tech jobs are appearing in Des Moines, Boise, Louisville, and all over the U.S. In Detroit tech jobs in hospitals are plentiful for jobs that require continual collaboration with other departments. In the medical industry, tech jobs are available for medical providers.
The fastest demand in the U.S. is for help desk and desktop support. A recent survey of Robert Half International shows 51% of employers plan to add IT staff over the coming year.
Unemployment among tech professionals is a low 4.9%, compared to the national rate of 9.6% overall.
Dice.com compiled a list of the top five most in-demand skills:
* Security. Employers want to hire people with the CISSP designation (Certified Information Systems Security Professional), who have 5 years of hands-on experience.
* Virtualization. The practice of running multiple servers on a single piece of hardware.
* Java EE. Sun Microsystems' Java and it's enterprise edition, J2EE are industry standards for developing online applications.
* SAP. Most employers prefer candidates who have direct, on-the-job experience with SAP.
* .NET. Microsoft has a variety of certifications, but Dice.com says the top designation is Microsoft Certified Professional Developer (MCPD), which includes MS Visual Studio and Microsoft .NET framework.
Source: CNN Money, http://money.cnn.com/2009/07/21/technology/tech.jobs.fortune/index.htm
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Invest in Your Future
Having walked in the shoes of so many of you who have been laid off, I understand not wanting to spend one red cent more than you must when the future is unsure. However, the only way to move forward is to have career marketing documents (resume, cover letter, thank you letters, reference dossier, etc.) that position you as the candidate of choice.
If you are unable to develop a resume that will capture the attention of hiring agents with compelling information regarding your value, core competencies, and quantifiable accomplishments, then hire a professional resume writer to assist you. The positive impact made by having a strong resume and other career marketing documents is gaining more interviews. The more interviews you secure, the more quality job offers you will receive.
Again, I understand the hesitation you may have in investing in resume development services, however, should a professionally written resume reduce your job search time just 4 weeks, this could save you $3,000 in lost salary if you make just $40,000 per year - much more than what resume writing services will cost you.
It's very important that you think of your resume as an investment in marketing you to employers. The candidate who markets himself better, will be the candidate who gets interviewed. I know you want to be the candidate who gets interviewed. Please think about investing in your future.
If you are unable to develop a resume that will capture the attention of hiring agents with compelling information regarding your value, core competencies, and quantifiable accomplishments, then hire a professional resume writer to assist you. The positive impact made by having a strong resume and other career marketing documents is gaining more interviews. The more interviews you secure, the more quality job offers you will receive.
Again, I understand the hesitation you may have in investing in resume development services, however, should a professionally written resume reduce your job search time just 4 weeks, this could save you $3,000 in lost salary if you make just $40,000 per year - much more than what resume writing services will cost you.
It's very important that you think of your resume as an investment in marketing you to employers. The candidate who markets himself better, will be the candidate who gets interviewed. I know you want to be the candidate who gets interviewed. Please think about investing in your future.
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