Don't Get Too Attached To Your Work

Nothing like some jarring photos to shake you off the holiday spirits. These are actually creepy

To bring attention to European Anti-trafficking Day back in October, McCann-Erikson Belgium created a campaign that illustrates just how connected those in the human trafficking trade are to their jobs.

Each of the three ads shows a person "connected" to their profession. Too much so I would say. Looking at these remind me never to get too attached to my job.

Survey Says Work Can Make You Sick

Wow people must really have sordid preconceptions about work and what it's like to work if research shows that work is deemed hazardous to health.

Global recruitment firm Kelly Services conducted an international survey where nearly a fifth of employees say their work makes them ill or unhealthy. The sample consist of 115,000 respondents in 33 countries in Europe, Asia and the Pacific and North America this year.

Results showed that on average,

• 19 percent of respondents globally said their job was adversely affecting their health
• an additional 13 percent saying their work was so stressful it was making it hard for them to sleep at night
• In Japan 60 percent of respondents said they had suffered from work-related health problems
• Canada had the second-highest percentage of employees who said their health was affected, while employees in New Zealand, India and Australia were among those least affected
• A third of employees said they had taken three or more days of sick leave in the past year, but 35 percent said they had been made to feel guilty about the time off
• By contrast, 15 percent admitted to taking sick leave when they were not genuinely sick
• While the majority of workers polled said their health was their employer's responsibility, not everyone is asking for access to a gym, flexible hours or nutrition classes.

"In economies everywhere, people are spending more time at work, sometimes at the expense of personal health and wellbeing," said the Kelly Global Workforce Survey.

"A significant number of people also believe that the state of their health is at risk because of workplace conditions. Not only do employees see their health being affected, but they expect employers to actively address the issue," it said.

You know what I notice about most people in the office is that they take work way to personally. Work is a job. I love my work (sometimes). We take pride in what we do and that's good - I think that's what's called work integrity. It allows us give the best of what we have to our job.

But I don't think it's right to stay in the office for twelve hours a day and working your ass off, taking every bit of failure personally. Allowing work-related stress to permeate the rest of your life will drive you insane. That will indeed make anybody sick, not to mention burnt out.


This is why work has been restricted to only eight hours a day, because the powers that be know that there has to be life beyond work. I've learned there's such a thing as separating yourself from your job. Letting it be JUST a job. That doesn't mean we don't work hard, it just means shit happens and we take it but then we let it pass. So my advice to people who are working sick... get a life! Please!

Prohibited Items When Traveling to America

So many people I know are just leaving the country either on vacation or for migration. So I thought why not check on stuff for these people? If you're going to America, here are some tips on items NOT to bring

1. Cash amounting to more than USD 10,000: This is included in the list of things that you cannot bring when traveling to and from America. Immigration policy in US states that it is illegal to import and export over USD 10,000 in any Asian countries to prevent the possibility of supporting terrorism.
2. Fake signature items: Do not attempt to bring imitation items such as Louis Vuitton bags, Guess watches, etc. as you risk being questioned by the custom officers of America.
3. Pirated DVD’s/CD’s: The call to eradicate piracy is worldwide so pirated video and audio tapes are banned. It doesn’t matter if it is only one or two pirated CD’s with you, you will still be questioned and punished.
4. Pirated Books: As requested by the American Association of Publishers (AAP), custom officials in America are also on the look out for pirated books. Any traveler caught with fake print materials is charged with violation of intellectual property rights and will be automatically deported as punishment.
5. If you are a nurse or nursing student that wishes to take NCLEX or CGFNS in USA, make sure that your reviewers and reference books are not pirated.

OFW Advisory: Secure Clearances for the Christmas Holiday. POEA Office Will Be Open On Peak Days

Care of the OFW guide, Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) planning to go back to the Philippines for a vacation this December are advised by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) to secure their exit clearances early. This can be done by going to the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in their respective host countries before their flight back to the Philippines.


By taking care of exit clearances even before arriving to the Philippines, you don’t need to go the POEA office in Ortigas to get clearances when it is time for you to return to your host county. It will also prevent long lines and crowds at the POEA so the OFWs and the government agency are spared of the holiday hassle.


Accoding to Jennifer Jardin-Manalili, POEA Administrator Jennifer Jardin-Manalili long lines at the Balik-Manggagawa Processing Center has long been a common sight at the POEA office after the holiday season.

OFWs that are going back to Philippine provinces may get exit clearance in POEA offices located in Clark Field in Pampanga and the cities of Baguio, Tuguegarao, San Fernando in La Union, Calamba, Legazpi, Tacloban, Iloilo, Bacolod, Cebu, Cagayan de Oro, Zamboanga, and Davao.

Manalili also said OFWs could use the overseas employment certificate courier system available at their website (http://www.poea.gov.ph).

All POEA offices will remain open during the peak days of December 22, 23, 24, 26, and 29; and January 9, 2009.

Top Four Things To Consider Should You Apply For A Job Abroad

Everybody's leaving the country, either as a nurse in the US or a chef in the Middle East or even just to migrate to Canada or New Zealand. Everybody is setting their minds on opportunities outside the country. Is this the course for me? Should I try getting a job outside of the country? Will it be worth it? How will it affect my family? If you're considering working overseas, bear in mind these questions.

Here are the top four things of the non-personal things that should be at the top of your list if you plan on applying abroad:

1. What type of job would you like to pursue? Of course the popular jobs abroad are medical (nursing, PT), teaching, construction and engineering jobs, as well as design and development positions. You're going to have to decide the career path you'd like to go one because this will most likely dictate what you'll be d
   



2. TOEFL test (or IELTS), people often think both exams are the same but they're not. Sometimes they're determined according to the location you want to go. IELTS is usually considered for Canada and the UK but TOEFL is said to be for the USA. I don't think that's the determining factor.
   
   As a personal note Test of English as a Foreign Language or TOEFL actually is used more often as basis for English proficiency even when people have already taken the IELTS. But just so we define it as well, IELTS stands for the International English Language Testing system. It operates on a nine point band, where a nine indicates that the student has a level of English equivalent to a highly educated native speaker, and it tests all four skills ( reading, writing, listening and speaking) in an academic context.



3. Prepare your VISA, make sure you read on How to get a VISA for the location abroad you will be relocating to. Research the area and know your way around so you don't get lost or worse yet become a victim of fraud.
   



4. Be sure your employment is sure and guaranteed before you leave the country. As best you can, work your employment requirements while still in your hometown. It will be more difficult to complete them when you're miles away. Also be wary of fake job opportunities that swindle people. Do not pay upfront for the job. Avoid sending money to your employer. If they truly want to hire you, they will spend money to get you there.

Letting The Job Find You

Sometimes it just gets tiring trying to look for a job. It feels like you will never find the right one and it's frustrating. To address that though is a strategy that will put your name out there. In my many readings about how to find the right career path. I've come across so many instances that say to the same effect - the right job will find you, if you let it.

So here's how a job applicant becomes a prey and NOT a hunter:

• Publish your work. If companies are looking for talent such as yourself then they will go to these places and maybe find you.
  
• Post your resume, or information about your work/ skills and expertise on job sites like Jobstreet where employers can search databases to find the right applicant.
  
• Network - Join communities. Make friends or acquaintances. This is difficult for me because I'm not the type. I often look aloof. I don't really like to talk to people I don't know too well. And then I get shy around people who look the least bit successful - sort of afraid to embarrass myself so I just shut up
• Improve yourself - learn more about your trade, become the best whether by taking classes or just be being self-taught it doesn't matter. The more you know the better.
• Take advantage of the internet - the internet has made the world so small that if you're at the right place or on the right website at the right time, you just might get an offer from the other side of the continent.
  

These days there are too many applicants lining up to get the job. I know it's difficult to play hard to get when you really need the job, and so go ahead and apply. But when you've got the word of mouth going in your favor then these opportunities will come to you.

John Gokongwei's Speech About More Than Getting A Job

I just read John Gokongwei's speech in one of his talks before Ateneo graduates, and what struck me was that contrary to what everybody seemed to me looking for - a job, or rather a well-paying job, John Gokongwei wanted the Filipino graduate to DO more, to BE more. It's a worthy ambition and maybe some kids (who are unlike me) will be able to attain that dream. Here's an excerpt from his talk:

Entrepreneurship is the answer. We need young people who will find the idea, grab the opportunity, take risk, and set aside comfort to set up businesses that will provide jobs. But why? What are jobs? Jobs are what allow people to feel useful and build their self-esteem. Jobs make people productive members of the community. Jobs make people feel they are worthy citizens. And jobs make a country worthy players in the world market. In that order of things, it is the entrepreneurs who have the power to harness the creativity and talents of others to achieve a common good. This should leave the world a better place than it was.

Let me make it clear: Job creation is a priority for any nation to move forward. For example, it is the young entrepreneurs of Malaysia , Thailand , and Singapore who created the dynamic businesses that have propelled their countries to the top. Young people like yourselves. Meanwhile, in the Philippines , progress is slow. Very little is new. Hardly anything is fresh. With a few exceptions, the biggest companies before the war-like PLDT, Ayala, and San Miguel-are still the biggest companies today. All right, being from the Ateneo, many of you probably have offers from these corporations already.

You may even have offers from JG Summit. I say: Great! Take these offers, work as hard as you can, learn everything these companies can teach-and then leave! If you dream of creating something great, do not let a 9-to-5 job-even a high-paying one-lull you into a complacent, comfortable life. Let that high-paying job propel you toward entrepreneurship instead. When I speak of the hardship ahead, I do not mean to be skeptical but realistic.

To Work Or Not To Work... In A Call Center

That's a question I asked myself a few years back when I was still pretty darned ambitious and all these call centers were popping up. There are even more now mind you! It seems like they're growing by the minute and they're all hiring like crazy!

In Cebu there are Convergys, eTelecare and People Support as the big three I think, but there's also ePerformax and Teletech and probably a bunch more that I'm just not familiar with.

I have met a lot of people who vowed that they would never work in a call center. Some of them call it the "last resort" and many think that it's actually a no-brainer job.

I actually respect people who work in the customer support industry. Believe me it's not easy. I have not tried myself, but I've seen how it's done and I've seen how agents are trained and I've seen how they are managed.

It's pretty rigorous and agents should get more credit for that. I for one, can never hold my patience down when somebody annoyingly stupid is on the other line.

I haven't tried being a call center agent and although there are prejudices about being one, I think it's a pretty good industry to be in nowadays. Even with the economic crisis, it doesn't seem like any of them is slowing down in terms of hiring. So that's a positive indication that the industry is still strong.

I work in marketing, where I'll probably be for the next few years of my life - God willing. But for sure, I won't turn down an opportunity to work in a call center for the right opportunity.

Keep an open mind. Call centers may have high turn-over rates but based on experience, this also accelerates growth and corporate ascendancy in the business if you just stick to it. Like all things, it's a job that somebody's got to do. If you do your job with extra effort and just shine. People will notice you in whatever industry in whatever position. You can succeed.

Top Three Things Your Should Expect To Feel When You're With Your New Job, Your New Office, Your New Boss

I'm in a new office. I have a new job. I have a new boss. I haven't been anywhere new in Lord knows how long. I'm not the kind who can just open up to anybody. I'm quite the introvert really and often people think I'm a snob. I've even been called arrogant and snotty. But that's just the way I am. I'm very transparent towards people who know me, but for people that I've just met, I would be considered rather aloof. I don't really warm up easily.

You could only imagine how I felt when I moved from my old job to my new job. But as I confided in friends and family, I realized most of what I felt were quite normal. So here they are for the benefit of those who might be in the same boat I'm in:

1. Uncomfortable. You'll come from a place where you practically knew everybody and (well in my case) almost everything there was needed to know about your job. Naturally when you've stayed in a place long enough, you inculcate all that you need to know about the job - if you didn't you'd probably quit. So the transition is going to be uncomfortable. Having to start again in a new place with new tasks surrounded by new people. Unless you're more like some of my friends who can just as easily converse with new acquaintances, you'll feel that very awkward feeling of being out of the loop. It'll get better though as you get to know people and just absorb the company's culture.


2. Humbling. As I've mentioned I came from a place where I practically knew everything there was needed to know about my job. And so moving to a new office where I'm required to have the same skill set, the same knowledge base and expertise as my previous position is quite humbling because starting out in a different industry means that I had to go back to square one as novice. Had to accept that practically everyone around me knew just a little bit more than I did and that I had to accept correction from people above and below. Personally, I don't mind being corrected and criticized that I can take. It's the "not knowing" part that really bothers me - maybe because I'm management, I feel like I should know these things and I feel rather irresponsible if I don't


3. Insecure. This is probably just me because I feel I have so much at stake, having a child and all. But insecurity doesn't just mean I don't have security of tenure, it's an overall feeling of not really being sure. Half the time I don't know what I'm supposed to do so I tag along with more experienced members of the team. Where I work now, people don't take it easy on you because you're new and there is no such thing as a learning curve allowance. Here, it's swim or sink. I just try to do the best I can in hopes that my work meets their standards. But the fact that I'm new makes it very difficult to even be aware of these standards. That's where the insecurity comes to play.
   

Well those are my top three. But I have to admit things are getting better. The good thing about a new office is also that you have the opportunity to meet new friends. And that is a blessing by itself. I have been very fortunate to have met a lot of professional and talented people. I feel like I'm the presence of experts all the time. It makes me feel tiny sometimes but more often than not, lucky -- very lucky.

Top 3 Reasons Why People Change Jobs

I recently just changed jobs. I was paid ridiculously high and was quite comfortable where I was but I realized that though I was not unhappy, it felt like something was missing. And so I made the jump. It got me thinking, why do people switch jobs? Here's my top 3

1. People switch jobs for more money! Of course that is the obvious choice. We want more money and we need more money with the inflation and living conditions being what they are. That is a given
2. People switch jobs for better career positioning. Everyone wants to move up in life. If another position is open that offers advancement from the status quo then why not right?
3. People switch jobs because they are dissatisfied. This is my reason because I was definitely paid more by my previous employer - double in fact than what I'm getting now for the same position. My parents just shake their heads at the thought of not being able to enjoy that kind of money anymore. But it's the better choice I think.
   

I was dissatisfied because I felt I could learn more. I was dissatisfied because I felt I could do more if I were directed and mentored in the way that I realized could never be done by my current employer. And that is why I left.

But just so we have a moral to this story: although we think that we should be paid a premium for the amount and quality of work that we do, we should still look out for our own personal satisfaction. I couldn't imagine going to work everyday and being so miserable.

The BPO Industry Set To Grow To Need 1 Billion Employees - So Who Are They Looking For?

With BPO growing at a break-neck pace particularly here in the Philippines, there has been a projection that the industry will provide more than 1 billion jobs in relation to BPO - otherwise known as business process outsourcing.

To correct some misconceptions, which is that BPO only relates to call centers and contact centers, which is a majority but not the entire truth, BPO is in fact composed of many different industries:

• We already know of the call centers and/or customer service centers that are now everywhere. They employ hundreds of people and also, exit a lot of them considering that many workers have to come in during the night and try to sleep during the day. That is a difficult job, but since the clients are on a different time zone then that will have to be a work-related adjustment many of us have to make if we indeed need and/or want the job
• There are also numerous back-offices that include finance or accounting offices that are outsourced, this employs numerous accountants, analysts and finance executives
• Design is also a skill that is often outsourced. More often supplied by freelancers that actual companies - website design and graphic design in general is very common as a service that can even be done within the convenience of home. Designers are quite lucky.
• There is also the medical-related back office which is mostly now medical transcription. These companies are paid a lot of money I hear and that is why I think they are investing in ways to train people before they hire them

There are many kinds of people that the BPO industry is looking for, I may have missed some of them but rest assured that there are a lot of job opportunities for different types of graduates available if only you work hard and not get picky at the job you want to do.

4 Ways To Impress Your Interviewer. Typical Interview Questions All Applicants Should Know!

I have played the role of interviewer so many times while I was a recruitment staff for an international company as well as later on when I became a marketing manager for my next company. However I have also experience the flip side where I was the person being interviewed. Here are some of the things I learned on how to impress your interviewer

1. Be on time. There's nothing worse than arriving late for your interview. You create a bad impression for yourself as well as a bad precedence. If you're late for the interview, how will you fare when you get hired? Most likely the interviewer will assume you will also be frequently late. I for one, am not a fan of tardiness. As much as possible be on time for all your appointments. Don't waste other people's time please.
2. Dress to impress. Whatever the position you're applying for, always dress appropriately. Ask around if you don't know what the dress code is for the company you're applying or the position you desire. It's always best to know in advance. I had an interview once and failed in that area, good thing I was on my toes when answering all the questions. This is still not excuse though, I'm not saying you may get the job if you're dressed well but you have nothing in your head, but being dressed well will make a great first impression and the interviewer will note that.
3. Be prepared. Research the company. It's always good to know the basics. Know what the company is about and what job you're getting into. Interviewers are looking for the perfect fit for each position. The more you know about the position and the company, the more leverage you have versus other applicants.
   
4. Be attentive. Listen well to the questions and make sure you answer them concisely and correctly. At the start you will be asked the typical interview:

• Tell me something about yourself
• Why did you choose to apply for this position?
• Why do you want to work for us?
• How do you see yourself 3 years from now?
• How do you take criticism?
• Would you rather work alone or with a team?
• What is your basic experience relating to the position you are applying for?
• Why should we hire you?

In any or all cases, a few of these questions will pop up during the interview probably worded differently but those are the basics. The rest will probably be more position-related and probably technical in nature. So might as well get ready for those too

Typical Pre-Employment Requirements

When you get hired, or get considered for employment, the company will ask for certain requirements that you'll have to get. Often this is done after you sign a job offer from the employer, but sometimes it can also happen before you even see a contract. Here are the typical pre-employment requirements that you have be be ready for:

1. Cedula or Community Tax Certificate
2. Police clearance
3. Barangay clearance
4. NBI clearance
5. Physical examination- this includes blood works, urine, stool and most likely an x-ray too
   
6. Birth certificate
7. High school and/or college diploma
8. Transcript of records
   
9. Valid IDs
   

Warning Against Job Offers That Happen Over The Internet

The news I heard recently about a South African couple now stuck in the Philippines because they were duped by someone (from the Philippines no doubt) who offered them jobs here in the Philippines. Jobs that unfortunately weren't real.

The details went like this. The couple was promised beach resort management positions here in the Philippines by Franz Baumann and Alan Gonzaga who made contact with them online. The resort was to be located in Panglao island. It would have been such a cool job if only it were for real. The worst thing here is that this South African couple sent over $350 US dollars to process their work permits and other paper works. These guys should stop it, they're just giving Filipinos a bad name, and we've already got a bad rep as it is.

This prompted Labor and Employment Secretary Marianito D. Roque to issue a warning not only to foreigners, but also to Filipinos who tap the Internet for job prospects.

TIPS on how to avoid being scammed by a fictitious employer:

1. When applying for a job, get to know the employer with whom you would like to work with.
2. If they are an online company, research their domain name. Check their status in the industry. It will benefit you to learn about the company not only in the interview stage but as you move forward you will also be able to evaluate if you do indeed want to work in that company.
3. Ask around. Feedback from previous employees and/ or news about a certain employer may not always be accurate as they are on a case to case basis, but these will help you weigh the pros and cons, as well as the company's credibility and authenticity
   
4. DON'T PAY to get hired. The company is supposed to pay you and not the other way around. The purpose of your employment is for you to provide the service (or do your job) while the company compensates you. This is how it should go.
   
5. Beware of employers who ask you to shell out cash for the employment process. If they do not have enough money to hire you then most likely, they will not have enough money to keep you employed (or enough money to run their business), which means either way they may not be a stable company to work for

Why Wipro might be a great place to work in

Wipro just opened in Cebu. A couple of months old I think. I pass by their office because it's across one of the biggest commercial centers in the city. It's just across Ayala center Cebu. At first I thought, no big deal. Just another BPO - that's business process outsourcing place for those that aren't familiar.

Anyway I didn't intentionally read about them, but as I was browsing on FastCompany.com, I chanced on this article that actually praises the Wipro business and recruitment model.

Apparently, Wipro has set up such a huge campus in Bangalore India that it looks like Harvard. It's a great place to learn. What Wipro has done is taken the needs of their company and decided to teach it to the populace. Instead of waiting for schools to spit out the right candidates for jobs after they graduate, they thought - what the heck, let's teach them.

And so Wipro now has a library, classrooms, lab, and lecture-hall trappings of a university. They teach everything from Japanese to advanced engineering that may just be as good as any school in the West. They have mandatory development classes for newbies as well as voluntary graduate-level coursework, which means everyone from staff members to managers get to take advantage of a wonderful learning atmosphere while they work.

I guess for Wipro that would be a necessity considering they have 80,000 employees and growing! It's just amazing! I defintely admire what they've done with growth for their employees. I would definitely stay in a company that offer me that much learning and growth. Not only am I paid to do my job, but I'm paid to improve myself. Too bad I didn't find an opening for the Cebu office on their website. I would love to be part of a culture like that.

Why are young Filipinos going abroad to find work?

Young Filipinos go abroad to find jobs because many think there's more money to make out there. Aside from that you also get the following perks:

• Adventure - you get to live somewhere else FAR away from parents and relatives who just love to tell you what to do with you life. It's the ultimate adventure
  
• Independence - along with the feeling of getting away from it all, there's also the reverberating exuberance of making and spending your own hard-earned money. And it's not just any money - it's foreign currency!
• Compensation - of course the last bet, everybody else is paid higher. Let's make an example of Call center agents since there are so many of them floating around these days.

  • Call center agents get a starting salary of P15,000, but many are being recruited in Singapore to receive at least three times their salaries here.
  • A separate study by IT publication ZDNet Asia says the average annual salary of senior IT professionals in the Philippines is $12,425 year. That is the equivalent of P521,850 at the exchange rate of 42 pesos to the dollar, but it’s still lower than $44,858 in Singapore, $57,303 in Hong Kong, and $76,851 in Australia.
  • Even coffee shop workers earn as much as $2,500 Singaporean out there, which beats a decent hard-working IT professional in the Philippines these days. That's tough, specially with prices rising as they are

Of course, the problem isn't the same for us simple folk who already have families and responsibilities here. It's more difficult to move abroad - for me specifically. I respect those who choose to go elsewhere for opportunity, but mine is here... with my daughter. I just hope I don't end up leaving her for money soon too.

Career Interests Game

Everybody wonders what career fits their personality. This is most obvious for kids who are graduating from college. The immediate question then becomes what will I do after I graduate? In the Philippines a lot of kids end up unemployed. I guess this is now true for most parts of the world.

Many say it's not easy to get a job, and I agree that's true. But I also have a stand that it's really not that difficult either. It only becomes a burden when people are picky.

There are a lot of call center and BPO companies springing up in Cebu City, the options are almost limitless. The local newspaper has half their pages devoted to classified ads on weekends.

I tell you the less picky you are, the easier it is really to get a job.

Below is the career interests game by Dr. John L. Holland, the premise here is that there are 6 groups of individuals all of which have a specific quality that stands out. You may have a characteristic in common with some or all of them but if you were to join a group of radicals separated according to the characteristics below, who would you prefer first?

So the general idea is that after you choose, the choice will give you additional ways of checking out your career-related interests and getting involved in your career planning.

Realistic	Investigative	Artistic	Social	Enterprising	Conventional
People who have athletic or mechanical ability, prefer to work with objects, machines, tools, plants or animals, or to be outdoors.	People who like to observe,learn, investigate, analyze, evaluate or solve problems.	People who have artistic, innovating or intuitional abilities and like to work in unstructured situations using their imagination and creativity.	People who like to work with people to enlighten, inform, help, train, or cure them, or are skilled with words.	People who like to work with people, influencing, persuading, performing, leading or managing for organizational goals or economic gain.	People who like to work with data, have clerical or numerical ability, carry out tasks in detail or follow through on others' instructions.

This RIASEC model of occupations is the copyrighted work of Dr. John L. Holland, and his publisher, Psychological Assessment Resources, Inc. (PAR). For an assessment of your career interests, contact the MU Career Center to complete a Self-Directed Search, or take it online.

Source: http://career.missouri.edu/students/explore/thecareerinterestsgame.php

Brain Drain In The Philippines

I read in a local newspaper article that many companies think the Philippines is going through some pretty major "brain drain."

And why not? Prices are high, salaries are the same. People can't be expected to stay for that. I should know I got an offer from Dubai that was pretty good. For a staff position, the salary I was offered almost matched the rate I'm getting now as management.

Now if a staff member there earns almost the same as a manager here, you'd probably notice what a big discrepancy that would be for the same position. Of course I'm not familiar with their cost of living there - it can't be much better than here I guess with the global economy acting up as it is.

There have been more than 50,000 healthcare workers (nurses, doctors and therapists) who have left the country and I don't disagree with them leaving but those of us left here are rather at a loss now aren't we?

Anyway that's not all, more and more workers are opting to take refuge abroad than be stuck here in the Philippines. I for one, would rather stay. I really like it here but sometimes it just can't be helped when you think about the opportunities out there...

We need better paying jobs. Salaries that can actually pay for rising expenses. Allowances that are non-taxable. For Filipino workers to actually stay in the Philippines, there has to be the same opportunity here than there is abroad. That is how to stop the brain drain

Filipino Job Seekers To UAE - Do Not Travel With UAE Tourist Visas

Urgent update from Abu Dhabi has asked Filipino job seekers to not travel to UAE in search for jobs on a tourist visa as these Filipino job-seekers are more vulnerable to exploitation and likely to accept anything offered to them by the prospective employers to beat their visa expiry dates.

Philippine Ambassador to the UAE Libran N. Cabactulan issued this official statement as the UAE government is going to implement stricter requirements for visit and tourist visas from August 1 this year. The Khaleej Times Online, expounds on this:

He said the UAE government is stipulating the new visit visa guidelines because it is better for both the country of origin and the UAE to have no people on visit visas if the same creates problems for workers, employers and their respective governments.

The Philippine Ambassador said of the ten Filipino job-seekers who come on visit visas, only three or even less find the right job they have ever wanted.

"Those who get jobs are also vulnerable to low salary offers and inhumane working conditions as the employers take advantage of the job-seeker's situation," he said.

He advised all Filipino workers to go to the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) in Manila to find out whatever jobs are available in the UAE and which manpower agencies are recruiting workers to fill in these vacancies before coming to Dubai.

"If our job-seekers insist on finding jobs through the usual procedure, the employers here cannot offer them a salary much lower than what they should receive and won't have the chance to take advantage of them in any way," he added.

The UAE is now second to Saudi Arabia in hiring professional and skilled Filipino workers. Hence, there is a great opportunity for Filipinos to come here as a registered and bona fide worker through the usual employment channel instead of taking risks by coming on visit visas, the ambassador said.

Those who are already here must try their best to convert themselves into resident workers, he said. Once they get employed, they should register themselves with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) at the Philippine Overseas Labour Office in Deira to avail themselves of all benefits and rights due to a Filipino overseas worker.

Have You Tried The New GMA (Greater Modular Access) Jobs Center kiosks?

If you haven't seen the "new" GMA (Greater Modular Access) Jobs Center kiosks, you should. It's a cool touch screen kiosk that's in Robinson's Mall on Fuente. It allows people to job-hunt while in the comfort of the mall -- best of all it's FREE.

You can only access limited sites though. Mostly it's DOLE and their jobs database, which isn't so bad. This isn't the type of thing you'd like to wait in line for though because it takes a long time for people to sign up and actually start sending their resumes from this machine. It's touch screen and there is limited sensorial activity going on.

It is an advancement I think but of course, it does not support a lot of people. It can support about 1 person for an hour then another one. But at least it's an option to paid ways of trying to hunt for a job.

Apart from job-hunting, applicants can also register and post their qualifications as well as do job matching that complements their course

The online employment kiosk is in line with the priority thrust of President Gloria M. Arroyo to provide 1M jobs per year and thus, reduce incidence of poverty.

Though the machine costs about P100T, the DOLE is giving the three LGUs of Cebu free kiosks in recognition and appreciation of their support and cooperation to the programs of DOLE. Definitely over-priced (yet again - remember the lamp posts in Mandaue?), if I do say so myself. But nevertheless it's there so let's put it to good use.

How Much To Become A Nurse? What Will I Make As An Overseas Nurse?

There are a lot of questions about becoming a nurse abroad. First of all though, we'll have to start with asking the preliminary ones about becoming a nurse first. Here in Cebu, there are now so many nursing schools. Everybody thinks it's the next "get-rich, go-abroad" opportunity.

So here's the breakdown of how much it will cost you to 'become' a nurse first (from ABS-CBN News)

A nursing college education costs at least P300,000. But that’s not all. After finishing the four-year course, there are fees and other expenses for a series of qualifying exams.

Take the board exams today. Prior to taking these tests, nursing students spent around P10,000-P15,000 for review centers. Hundreds of pesos were shelled out for reviewer materials. They also paid a P900 exam fee.

Those who want to work in the United States, which is the dream destination for many nursing students, have to spend around P19,000-P25,000 to review for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX), a standardized qualifying test.

But before they can take the NCLEX, they need to pass the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) and English proficiency tests, such as the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), to secure a CGFNS Certification Program Certificate.

Passing the CGFNS test is one of the requirements for an occupational visa in the US. Taking it means shelling out around $450 or around P19,000. In addition, the IELTS costs around P8,000.

Of course, there’s tuition to begin with, which ranges from P50,000 to P80,000 per semester.

That's a total of half a million pesos just to become a registered nurse eligible to work abroad.

But this is pretty good if you can get the job you want abroad. Nurses in the US with a one-year experience have a median salary of $50,000, or around P2 million. In Saudi Arabia, compensation for staff nurses ranges from $23,000 - $33,000, or around P1 million a year.

So after a year of working, you'll more or less make up for the cost of the entire nursing course. That is of course if you're prudent with the money you've earned. Because it also means foreign rate expenses when you work abroad.

Get The New Machine-readable Passport For Better Treatment At Ports

If you're looking to travel, work abroad or migrate, it would be best for you to get one of the new machine-readable passports. Filipinos who hold the new machine-readable passports are no longer segregated at airports or discriminated against globally, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs.

This Inquirer article details that Foreign Secretary Alberto Romulo said this started after the DFA began issuing the new passports and implementing the e-passport project.

Romulo assured the integrity, validity and security of the machine-readable passports being issued to Filipinos here and abroad. More than a million Filipinos have already received the new passports.

"As a result of the DFA's machine-readable passports, our kababayans (compatriots) now have greater travel security, confidence and convenience all over the world," he said, without making any reference to the number of Filipinos who still have the old passports.

He said the new passports were produced in full accord with the Government Procurement Reform Act (R.A. 9184) and other relevant statutes and regulations, and are more secure, globally accepted and compliant with standards of the International Civil Aviation Organization.

It doesn't cost more too - said it will be the same price as the old green ones which were Php 500.

Good News For Wannabe Immigrants "Filipinos In Manitoba Canada - Needing About 30,000 More Foreign Workers By 2010"

Manitoba has some 50,000 Filipino inhabitants who have remarkably blended with the social and economic fabric of the province that has a land area about the size of Texas. A Filipino-Canadian living in Manitoba, Dr. Rey Pagtakhan, had been elected to the Canadian Parliament and had served as Minister of Veteran Affairs according to this Inquirer article

Because of the large number of Filipinos in his province, Premier Doer dined with Chairman Lucio Tan of Philippine Airlines to invite him to extend PAL’s San Francisco run to Winnipeg, Manitoba’s capital.

Canada needs workers. Premier Gary Doer of Manitoba, a recent visitor, explained that because of the discovery of new oil in his Canadian province, and the holding of the 2010 Winter Olympics in British Columbia, Canada has to hire 30,000 foreign workers. And because of their proven industry, adaptability and English fluency, Filipinos are preferred.

via Inquirer
image via Canada photos

Tips For Working Moms From Monster's Career Advice

Tips for working moms from Monster's Career Advice

Teach Cleanup

Do you clean up toys, hang up coats, stow shoes, pick up laundry and make beds? Then stop it right now. These are things even 3-year-olds can do. When you come home, ask politely for everyone to hang up their coats and put away their gloves. Explain to kids that dirty clothes go in the hamper and clean clothes go back in the drawers. Show them how to neaten their beds. Resist the urge to fix or fold after they are done. After all, they're learning and helping, so don't discourage them or make them feel they did an inadequate job.

Delegate Chores

Ask your kids/spouse to help you. At mealtimes, small children can set the table, older ones can serve drinks, and everyone can help bring plates to the table. Teach kids to clear the table, how to get their own cereal and how to load the dishwasher. Have children take out the trash, teach them to use the laundry machines and have them put their own clean clothes away. Grant points or make a sticker chart as rewards to show your kids how much you appreciate their help.

Plan Your Morning

Mornings will go more smoothly if you do some things the night before: Pack lunches (or have kids make their own), lay out clothes, ensure homework is done, pack backpacks and check the calendar for after-school plans. Teach kids to get themselves ready in the morning by putting up a wall chart that lists "brush teeth," "make bed," "get dressed," "eat breakfast" and whatever else they need to do.

Schedule Quiet Time

Have each family member spend five or 10 minutes alone when everyone gets home. This gives you all time to calm down and regroup before getting dinner ready and discussing the day.

Plan a Work Schedule

Don't let work pressures eat into your family time. If you often work late, talk to your boss or coworkers and figure out a way to leave at 5 p.m. on certain days. Cooperate with your spouse to make sure you're prepared if one of you must work late. This way, your family will know certain days are family dinner days or one-parent nights, and they will learn to cherish those times together.

Plan Meals Ahead

Make only one shopping trip per week to buy ingredients. Get a cookbook that contains easy-to-prepare recipes. Double a recipe and freeze half for another meal. When you're making a salad, make double and save half for the next night. Keep lasagnas or other one-dish meals in the freezer for nights when you don't feel like cooking. Designate your most hectic night as order-out night and get pizza or Chinese food. Have the kids make dinner one night a week if they are old enough.

Schedule Quality Family Time

Strive to have a family dinner as frequently as possible. Plan a family movie night once a week. Plan a group outing for the weekend. Take the whole family to a child's sporting event.

Make Time for Yourself

Moms tend to put themselves last on the list, but regenerating your own inner strength and peace will go a long way toward giving you the energy you need to be a mom. So take care of yourself: Go to the gym, visit a museum, meet a friend for coffee, join a book club or work on your hobby. Make a deal with your spouse allowing each of you one night a week to do your own thing.

Be a Couple

Get a babysitter once every two weeks, or whatever is feasible, and go out together. It doesn't have to be fancy. Even a trip to the bookstore will help the two of you remember what it's like to be adults together.

Labor Agreement With Finland In The Works - To Open Job For More Filipino Nurses

We're about to lose more Filipino nurses in the Philippines because Finland is about to open its doors to Filipino nurses. Not that we have any left... Apparently there is a shortage of nurses in Finland as well.

Philippine Ambassador to Sweden Maria Zeneida Collinson said Finnish officials accepted her proposal to send a Philippine labor mission to Finland before the yearend to discuss the possible need for a bilateral labor agreement according to Inquirer

According to the DFA, Finland is widely expected to be one of the first European countries to experience a demographic shock as an estimated 900,000 of its "baby boom" generation reach retirement age within the next 12 years.

"With insufficient birth rates to offset the country's rapidly aging population, the ensuing decline in the working-age population is predicted to lead to rising pensions and deteriorating healthcare services," it said.

Smuggling Jobs Advertised In Guatemala - What Guts!

There is an ad that ran on radio advertisements in Guatemala looking for ex-military personnel or ex-soldiers who would be open to smuggling jobs. That sure is a gutsy move to do that in plain site. I'd be fearful just to apply. That's just scary. What if you get caught doing the job? Well I guess that's why they're looking for ex-soldiers so that they're harder to catch?

The ads were broadcast in the lawless northern jungle region of Peten, home to a tough military training center for Kaibil soldiers, infamous during Guatemala's civil war as a brutal guerilla-fighting, special forces unit according to this Reuters article

"We invite all citizens who have served in the military and graduated as Kaibils to work securing vehicles transporting merchandise to Mexico," the radio spot said, according to a local newspaper. The ad gave a telephone contact number.

Can't Spell? Lolcat Is Hiring - Dey No Care If U Can't Spel

Last Monday, this great site called Lolcat posted their ad "Kittehs Want Moar Workerhumans." on their site I Can Has Cheezburger people can upload pictures of animals and include funny captions on them. Example as follows:


see more crazy cat pics

This must be a real fun job as there have been hundreds of applicants so far - dog and cat lovers no doubt. Anyway the winning applicant will join three other people who moderate ICHC and a few related Pet Holdings sites (think dogs with funny captions). A big part of the job will be selecting from the 7,000 submissions the company receives every day of captioned photos, plus 2,000 uncaptioned ones.

So if you have a great sense of humor and would like the opportunity to stare at your computer screen all day - apply now!

More Job Opportunities To Open In Saudi Arabia -- 300,000 MORE!

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) remains one of the top destinations of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and will likely remain in that spot with the news that for this year alone, the KSA is set to hire more than 300,000 skilled workers from the Philippines.


According to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary, Marianito Roque, the numbers of OFWs in Saudi are expected to reach 1.8 million before the year 2008 ends. Roque said, “By April, we expect the number of OFWs in Saudi to reach 1.5 million and to as high as 1.8 million by the end of the year.”


The construction of four super cities in Saudi Arabia will require hiring more foreign workers in the next five years. The infrastructure project is expected to stimulate further economic growth.

Via OFW Guide

Want To Be A Teacher In America? Here's How!

The United States of America is suffering a shortage in teacher. In the next five years, up to 40 percent of the current teachers are about to have their retirement. Over the next decade they might need some 2 million new elementary and high school teachers, or over 200,000 each year.

Being a teacher is not an easy task, good future of the youth depends on them. Quality education is the primary concern of most Americans. That’s the reason why they are given seminars that would test their ability to teach. The American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence (ABCTE) offers a program called Passport to Teaching that would be of an enormous help for them. The American Board deals with the needs to place highly qualified teachers in every classroom. They help the states, districts and communities meet the requirements for NO Child Left Behind Act of 2001.

Passport to Teaching requires no experience. It is open to all teachers, professionals who want to have a career-switch and fresh graduates of any four-year bachelor's degree. Successful applicants can then teach math, science, English and special education subjects in US elementary or high schools. Here are some ways on how to avail the program:

• Apply for Passport to Teaching by completing the application online at https://mypass.abcte.org.
• Assess your level of subject area and submit the payment for the program fee.
• Request a transcript from your university of college with the forms from the American Board.
• Complete the background check supplied by the American Board.
• Make yourself familiar with the policies and requirements of the American Board with their candidate handbook.
• Have a communication with the experience educator or Learning Plan Advisor through phone or e-mail anytime.
• Identify your strength and weakness by performing the Self-Assessment.
• Create and prepare an Individualized Learning Plan. This can help you in your teaching career.
• Register for the time and the location of your exam.
• Put your Passport to Teaching in use, you can apply into public, private or charter school.

To learn more about this opportunity that awaits you, there are seminars for all professionals who are thinking of working in America. The highlights of the seminar help you determine whether America is right for you, the rising demand for a new breed of teaching professionals, how to obtain a US teaching license for all professionals and how to make your dream came into reality.

Article via OFWguide

How To Get A Recruiting Agency To Notice You

The Internet has been very useful, it can give you any information you need in just one click. And now, it has made the world of recruitment changing, no need to spend hours searching through classified ads. Here's a helpful article on how to get a recruiter to notice you from OFWguide

Since applying through the Internet is so effortless, companies were swamped by applicants and got no time to sort them by skill. So make sure that your resumé can catch recruiters’ attention. Here are some tips that can help you make a winning resumé and get your dream job.

• Keep your resumé updated.

• Put all necessary information. Make sure that you put all the necessary information in your resumé. If you have attended trainings related in the job you are applying you can also include it. If you have advanced education, special skills, and if you are certified, do not forget to put them in your resumé. You can be easily search by the employers if you provide all your skills and qualifications in your resumé.

• Apply only in jobs that best suits you. Apply and choose only on jobs that best suit your qualifications. Recruiters/employers get irate when they see the same name in different job openings. Applying in every vacancy might break your dream to land a job abroad.

• Use Keywords

Using keywords is one method of company in searching qualified applicants. Using keywords in your resumé can help you catch your recruiters/employers’ eyes.

Recruiters use keywords based on applicants’ skills/knowledge on the field they are applying. Examples of keywords they use are “mechanic,” “trailer,” “komatsu,” for heavy machinery operators and “Oracle,” “JAVA,” “C++,” for information technology professionals.

Companies receive thousands of applicants’ resumé daily and instead of viewing it one by one, they just make use a computer tracking system to sort applicants by skill. So it is best to tailor your resumé with keywords that recruiters and employers mostly looked for.

• Check and update your contact information. Be sure that when you display your resumé you provide accurate contact number. It should be updated so that recruiters and employers can easily reach you.

• Supply a picture in your resumé. Choose a formal picture. Adding a photo in your resumé can also impress the recruiters. You must upload a photo with a maximum size of 20KB and must have maximum dimension of 150x150 pixels, or else you will encounter a problem uploading it.

• Follow-up with the recruitment agency.

These are some simple ways on how you can easily catch recruiters’ attention. When you finally land a job, it is still necessary to update your resumé. You have to put your resumé to “hide status” to avoid receiving calls and emails from employers.

Article taken from OFWguide

Would You Like This Job? Wanted Drinker To Join Dad In Pub

"Wanted: Person to accompany elderly gentleman to the pub" -- and the lucky winner will even get paid for sharing a friendly pint of beer.

Mike Hammond put the advertisement in his village post office so his widowed 88-year-old father Jack could have someone to chat to on twice-weekly visits to a southern England pub from a local nursing home.

"It's got to be the best job in the world," Mike Hammond said as he sifted through a list of likely candidates who will be paid 7 pounds an hour plus expenses.

The successful applicant must not be a woman, a teenager or "somebody who is just going to get wrecked. Dad is not a heavy drinker," Mike Hammond told the Times.

His father likes women, he said, but it would be a little bit awkward going out to the pub with a lady he didn't know.

From Reuters via Yahoo News

Use Action Phrases and Power Verbs In Your Resume - Here's A Complete List

Action Phrases and Power Verbs to use in your resume (care of Monster's Career Advice)

Describing your work experience isn't easy. To help you, we've compiled a list of action phrases and power verbs. The purpose of using them is to show employers that you know how to get results. Begin your job descriptions with a power verb or phrase: enlisted the support..., formed a committee..., sold, budgeted, improved, increased, maintained the client relationship.

Action Phrases

CHRONO RESUME
Design, develop and deliver
Conduct needs analysis
Write course design documents
Manage development
Consult with clients
Facilitate problem-solving meetings
Implement solutions
Develop and implement formatting
Developed and delivered
Revamped product training
Assessed employee and client training needs
Analyzed evaluation data
Designed and implemented

EDUCATION EMPHASIS
Followed special task force
Assisted special task force
Proctored and scored
Facilitated discussion

SCANNABLE RESUME
Reduced manufacturing plant's burden
Reduced material costs

BLUE CHIP RESUME
managed an eleven-person team
negotiated over $tk
coordinated strategic five-year plan
created and implemented innovative approach
developed new product


Power Verbs

A-B

accelerated acclimated accompanied accomplished achieved acquired acted activated actuated adapted added addressed adhered adjusted administered admitted adopted advanced advertised advised advocated aided aired affected allocated altered amended amplified analyzed answered anticipated appointed appraised approached approved arbitrated arranged ascertained asked assembled assigned assumed assessed assisted attained attracted audited augmented authored authorized automated awarded avail balanced bargained borrowed bought broadened budgeted built

C

calculated canvassed capitalized captured carried out cast cataloged centralized challenged chaired changed channeled charted checked chose circulated clarified classified cleared closed co-authored cold called collaborated collected combined commissioned committed communicated compared compiled complied completed composed computed conceived conceptualized concluded condensed conducted conferred consolidated constructed consulted contracted contrasted contributed contrived controlled converted convinced coordinated corrected corresponded counseled counted created critiqued cultivated cut

D

debugged decided decentralized decreased deferred defined delegated delivered demonstrated depreciated described designated designed determined developed devised devoted diagrammed directed disclosed discounted discovered dispatched displayed dissembled distinguished distributed diversified divested documented doubled drafted

E

earned eased edited effected elected eliminated employed enabled encouraged endorsed enforced engaged engineered enhanced enlarged enriched entered entertained established estimated evaluated examined exceeded exchanged executed exempted exercised expanded expedited explained exposed extended extracted extrapolated

F-H

facilitated familiarized fashioned fielded figured financed fit focused forecasted formalized formed formulated fortified found founded framed fulfilled functioned furnished gained gathered gauged gave generated governed graded granted greeted grouped guided handled headed hired hosted

I

identified illustrated illuminated implemented improved improvised inaugurated indoctrinated increased incurred induced influenced informed initiated innovated inquired inspected inspired installed instigated instilled instituted instructed insured interfaced interpreted interviewed introduced invented inventoried invested investigated invited involved isolated issued

J-M

joined judged launched lectured led lightened liquidated litigated lobbied localized located maintained managed mapped marketed maximized measured mediated merchandised merged met minimized modeled moderated modernized modified monitored motivated moved multiplied

N-O

named narrated negotiated noticed nurtured observed obtained offered offset opened operated operationalized orchestrated ordered organized oriented originated overhauled oversaw

P

paid participated passed patterned penalized perceived performed permitted persuaded phased out pinpointed pioneered placed planned polled prepared presented preserved presided prevented priced printed prioritized probed processed procured produced profiled programmed projected promoted prompted proposed proved provided publicized published purchased pursued

Q-R

quantified quoted raised ranked rated reacted read received recommended reconciled recorded recovered recruited rectified redesigned reduced referred refined regained regulated rehabilitated reinforced reinstated rejected related remedied remodeled renegotiated reorganized replaced repaired reported represented requested researched resolved responded restored restructured resulted retained retrieved revamped revealed reversed reviewed revised revitalized rewarded routed

S

safeguarded salvaged saved scheduled screened secured segmented selected sent separated served serviced settled shaped shortened showed shrank signed simplified sold solved spearheaded specified speculated spoke spread stabilized staffed staged standardized steered stimulated strategized streamlined strengthened stressed structured studied submitted substantiated substituted suggested summarized superseded supervised supplied supported surpassed surveyed synchronized synthesized systematized

T-W

tabulated tailored targeted taught terminated tested testified tightened took traced traded trained transacted transferred transformed translated transported traveled treated tripled uncovered undertook unified united updated upgraded used utilized validated valued verified viewed visited weighed welcomed widened witnessed won worked wrote

Cover letter Do's and Don't from Monster's Career Advice

Cover letter Do's and Don't from Monster's Career Advice

Get to the Point

State the purpose of your letter in the first paragraph. Small talk is generally a waste of space. "Most of the cover letters we do for clients are three paragraphs or so and fill less than a page," says Shel Horowitz, director of Accurate Writing & More in Hadley, Massachusetts.

Tailor Your Letter to the Reader

Focus on the needs of the specific organization, not on your own requirements as a job seeker, says Lorna Lindsey, director of academic affairs for CompHealth, a healthcare recruiting and staffing firm based in Salt Lake City. Visit your potential employer's Web site or read the company's annual report to learn more about it, and then use your cover letter to demonstrate how your skills and experience can benefit the organization.

Maintain the Right Tone

A cover letter should be "businesslike, friendly and enthusiastic," says Bill Frank, founder of CareerLab in Denver and author of 200 Letters for Job Hunters.

Health professionals have the "opportunity to reveal their passion" through a cover letter, but the document "shouldn't become too syrupy, or it loses its objectivity and professionalism," says Lorne Weeks III, MD, a healthcare consultant for the Physician Career Network, a division of CareerLab.

Make It Memorable

New graduates can make their cover letters stand out by personalizing their stories. If you decided to model your career after a physical therapist who helped a family member, for example, tell that story rather than making the blander claim that you've always wanted to help people. "If your story is unique, it's no longer a cliche," Frank says.

Stay on Track

The best cover letters are direct and concise, says Kathy Campbell, employment and employee relations manager at Holy Spirit Health System in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania. "Don't include a lot of unnecessary personal information," she says.

Highlight Your Biggest Successes

Your cover letter shouldn't just summarize your career or repeat the same information from your resume, according to Wendy Enelow, founder of the Career Masters Institute in Fresno, California. "You want it to highlight the successes and achievements of your career that are most related to the types of positions for which you are applying," she says.

According to Frank, you should mention career-related "triples and home runs" in your cover letter.

Use Power Phrases

Use strong action words to convey your experiences and illustrate your qualifications with phrases like "I have a strong background in" and "I have a talent for," Lindsey says.

Don't be shy about selling yourself, Enelow notes, since that's the purpose of a cover letter.

Show Your Team Spirit

If you have room for a few extra sentences in your cover letter, Lindsey suggests emphasizing your teamwork and communication skills. "In this day and age, teamwork and communication are vitally important in almost every healthcare position, from the lowest to the highest paid," she says.

Spice Up Your Writing

Effective cover letters are a little different from all the others but still straightforward, experts say. For example, the boring, traditional way to begin a cover letter is: "I am writing in response to your advertisement for a nurse and have enclosed my resume for your review." The better opener could be: "Your ad on Monster for a nurse captured my attention and motivated me to learn more about this opportunity." Then describe how your qualifications match the employer's needs.

Follow Up

An unforgivable error some job seekers make is failing to follow up after promising to do so in a cover letter. If you write in your cover letter that you'll call the letter recipient on a certain day or by a specific deadline, do it.

Don't:

• Provide salary information when it is not requested.
• Address a letter recipient by anything other than his name. Avoid "Dear Sirs" at all costs.
• Write a canned, generic letter that looks like it was copied from a book.
• Start the first paragraph and too many other sentences with "I."
• Make spelling errors and typos.
• Handwrite a cover letter.
• Use shoddy paper, or paper that's different from your resume paper.
• Cram too much information into a small space.
• Include irrelevant personal information or job experience.
• Overstate your accomplishments or contradict your resume.

How To Pass An Interview - 10 Tips From Monster Career Advice

Some of us aren't as lucky as the image of this lady embedded here.

Even the smartest and most qualified job seekers need to prepare for job interviews. Why, you ask? Interviewing is a learned skill, and there are no second chances to make a great first impression. So study these 10 strategies to enhance your interview IQ from Monster's Career Advice

Practice Good Nonverbal Communication

It's about demonstrating confidence: standing straight, making eye contact and connecting with a good, firm handshake. That first impression can be a great beginning -- or quick ending -- to your interview.

Dress for the Job or Company

Today's casual dress codes do not give you permission to dress as "they" do when you interview. It is important to look professional and well-groomed. Whether you wear a suit or something less formal depends on the company culture and the position you are seeking. If possible, call to find out about the company dress code before the interview.

Listen

From the very beginning of the interview, your interviewer is giving you information, either directly or indirectly. If you are not hearing it, you are missing a major opportunity. Good communication skills include listening and letting the person know you heard what was said. Observe your interviewer, and match that style and pace.

Don't Talk Too Much

Telling the interviewer more than he needs to know could be a fatal mistake. When you have not prepared ahead of time, you may tend to ramble, sometimes talking yourself right out of the job. Prepare for the interview by reading through the job posting, matching your skills with the position's requirements and relating only that information.

Don't Be Too Familiar

The interview is a professional meeting to talk business. This is not about making a new friend. Your level of familiarity should mimic the interviewer's demeanor. It is important to bring energy and enthusiasm to the interview and to ask questions, but do not overstep your place as a candidate looking for a job.

Use Appropriate Language
It's a given that you should use professional language during the interview. Be aware of any inappropriate slang words or references to age, race, religion, politics or sexual orientation -- these topics could send you out the door very quickly.

Don't Be Cocky

Attitude plays a key role in your interview success. There is a fine balance between confidence, professionalism and modesty. Even if you're putting on a performance to demonstrate your ability, overconfidence is as bad, if not worse, as being too reserved.

Take Care to Answer the Questions

When an interviewer asks for an example of a time when you did something, he is seeking a sample of your past behavior. If you fail to relate a specific example, you not only don't answer the question, but you also miss an opportunity to prove your ability and talk about your skills.

Ask Questions

When asked if they have any questions, most candidates answer, "No." Wrong answer. It is extremely important to ask questions to demonstrate an interest in what goes on in the company. Asking questions also gives you the opportunity to find out if this is the right place for you. The best questions come from listening to what is asked during the interview and asking for additional information.

Don't Appear Desperate

When you interview with the "please, please hire me" approach, you appear desperate and less confident. Maintain the three C's during the interview: cool, calm and confident. You know you can do the job; make sure the interviewer believes you can, too.

(image from hot-screensavers.com)