Friday, May 29, 2020

Update on Free Webinars

Update on Free Webinars Last week I spent an hour with my coaches and another hour with my users on two free webinars. I was amazed at the excitement and participation during the webinars, and wanted to make sure you know when you can join us. This Friday, August 17th at 2pm EST is the second private coach/resume/counselor webinar. I will e-mail the details to people on my coach list, if you should be on that call but arent on my list please send me an e-mail (Jason@JibberJobber.com) so I can let you know about future webinars. Last week we spent about 25 minutes on how-to for you and your clients and then 35 minutes on new ideas it was very exciting! Next Friday, August 24 at 11am EST is the second public user webinar. Ive created a new Page on this blog that will have the latest information on all upcoming webinars, so feel free to refer to it for instructions and dates. I do these webinars once a week, but dont plan on repeating topics much. Jump in on any webinar you can. Right now Im not recording them but will do some recordings in the future (if you want to see short, two minute tutorials you can see a bunch on the video page). Update on Free Webinars Last week I spent an hour with my coaches and another hour with my users on two free webinars. I was amazed at the excitement and participation during the webinars, and wanted to make sure you know when you can join us. This Friday, August 17th at 2pm EST is the second private coach/resume/counselor webinar. I will e-mail the details to people on my coach list, if you should be on that call but arent on my list please send me an e-mail (Jason@JibberJobber.com) so I can let you know about future webinars. Last week we spent about 25 minutes on how-to for you and your clients and then 35 minutes on new ideas it was very exciting! Next Friday, August 24 at 11am EST is the second public user webinar. Ive created a new Page on this blog that will have the latest information on all upcoming webinars, so feel free to refer to it for instructions and dates. I do these webinars once a week, but dont plan on repeating topics much. Jump in on any webinar you can. Right now Im not recording them but will do some recordings in the future (if you want to see short, two minute tutorials you can see a bunch on the video page).

Monday, May 25, 2020

Quick Tips on Choosing Affordable Health Insurance

Quick Tips on Choosing Affordable Health Insurance Todays guest post is by Nina Bernice. Perhaps the most important decision we make as a consumer is which health insurance to buy to protect our bodies and wallets from accidents and emergencies. And as time consuming and frustrating as the process seems sometimes, it is a necessary event to consider. More than half of all bankruptcies that are filed in the United States are caused by medical bills and / or illness. There are still 46.6 million uninsured Americans. However, choosing an affordable health insurer is easier than ever if you know where to look, and how to do it. Below are 6 smart tips in choosing an affordable health insurance. 1. Consider the location. There are places with more affordable insurance than others. Begin your insurance search online, on your states insurance web site. Not only can you peruse state sponsored cheap health insurance plans to see if you are eligible, but many states will also list top private insurers and compare their rates and services. 2. Consider your priorities. The easiest way to find affordable insurance that will protect you in your unique situations is to list what is most important to you and your health. Do you have a particular doctor that you want / need to keep seeing? The most difficult part about finding good insurance is usually the mountains of paper and contracts that must be waded through. However, if you list out your top five priorities, and bring them up to the insurance companies, your search automatically becomes narrowed down only to the companies that can provide those things. 3. Consider a  HSA. A high deductible, low premium health plan is perfect when placed hand in hand with an health savings account. The money deposited into an HSA goes in tax free, which is another benefit. An HSA can also serve as a retirement account after age 65. 4. Consider a broker. Another way to make your job finding cheap insurance much easier is to use an insurance broker. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (naic.org) and the National Association of Insurance Underwriters (nahu.org) keep tabs on reputable brokers. Your broker should have a large list of options and connections with various insurance companies. More options mean more choices for you, and keeps you from dealing with a broker with under the table deals. 5. Consider the freebies. Many insurance companies are offering money back guarantees if you are unhappy with their services and report it to them within a set period of time. Take full advantage of these offers. 6. Consider negotiation. Do not be afraid to negotiate high co pays with a doctor or drug treatments with your insurance company. The squeaky wheel gets the oil, and paying out of pocket is nothing to be quiet about.

Friday, May 22, 2020

Job Search Networking Tips for Job Seekers - Career Sidekick

Job Search Networking Tips for Job Seekers - Career Sidekick Job Search Networking: Tips for Job Seekers Networking / https://www.edenscott.com/blog Networking is the FASTEST way to find a job for most job seekers.Effective job search networking lets you skip the line when applying for jobs and get interviews quickly.And the interviews are often easier, too! When youre introduced to a company through your network, theyll trust you more and youll already start the interview with an advantage. So you wont even need to have the best interview answers to get the job if you were recommended by a mutual connection.In this article, youre going to learn all the benefits of networking for job seekers, and 8 job search networking tips to help you get started.Lets start with the reasons networking can be so powerful for job seekersBenefits of Networking for Job SeekersDid you know a company is far more likely to trust you and hire you if you were recommended by somebody they know? Here are a few other benefits to networking and getting introduced to a company:Access to unlisted/unadvertised jobs (the “hidde n” job market)Access to jobs that were about to be opened but hadn’t been officially posted yet (so you’ll have no competition)Priority over other candidates, and a faster interview process (for example you might skip the initial conversation with HR if somebody recommends you to the hiring manager)More room for mistakes in the interview. If somebody recommended you to a hiring manager and they hop on the phone with you, they are already thinking positive things about you. So even if you dont have perfect answers for their phone interview questions, you still might get invited to the next round.Is networking during your job search intimidating? For most people, definitely. But is it doable? Absolutely. Here’sare the top three job search networking tipsyou need to knowJob Search Networking Tips/Steps:1. Identify who you want to connect withThe first step is to come up with a list of people you can contact and ask for help.Start your list by thinking about who you know. People to consider include friends, family, former bosses, colleagues, neighbors. You can also include what I’d call conversational acquaintances â€" people who you have conversations with here and there, but who you dont consider friends.Here’s the key: When you’re writing or typing up this list, you’re probably going to hear a little voice in your head telling you “that person won’t want to help me.” Or “I haven’t talked to her in two years, I better not include her.”Ignore all of that. Brainstorm and write down everyone you can think of for five minuteswithout worrying.You can revise the list later but its going to be a much better list if you start by including everyone you can think of.Once you’ve done that, you’re ready for the next step…Grow your list using LinkedIn’s search tools to look for people of interest. Look for hiring managers, recruiters, and specific companies worth targeting.Make a list of these potential new contacts to grow your list furth er. Just like we did above, think ofthis process as a brainstorming session, not a final list you need to stick to 100%. Its better to have too many names than not enough.2. Connect with people and start conversationsNow that you have a list of people who can potentially help you, its time to start sending out messages.When you know the person, consider reaching out by email or phone. Make sure you communicate the role you are leaving and the type of role you’re looking for. It’s okay to ask for names, introductions and any words of wisdom. The key is that people can’t help you if they don’t know you’re looking, so you need to put yourself out there.When you don’t know someone (or barley know them), you can reach out via Mail, LinkedIn’s InMailor do a bit of digging to figure out their professional email address.Here’s how:Go to a company website, look at press releases and/or contact information to see how the company’s emails appear (i.e., BradPitt@MovieStar.com OR BPitt@MovieStar.com)Open a search engine and enter @NameofCompany.com to see what pops up. Often times, you will uncover the name of people who work there that can help you extrapolate the email of the person you wish to target.Heres an example of a message you can send to start a conversation with somebody you dont know:Hi ____,I saw your profile on LinkedIn today while doing some research. I see you came over to Sony two years ago, how have you found the work environment so far as a software engineer? Im in the middle of a job search myself and Im weighing a few different options. Ive always found it helpful to hear about the work environment from somebody within a company, rather than reading reviews online. Any info you can share would be a bighelp. Thanks!Youre doing a couple of things here. Youre starting a conversation (obviously), youre asking for a specific response, and youre keeping it pretty casual. You cant ask for a big favor before somebody has even spoken with you . This is how I recommend getting the conversation started.After they respond, ask another question, or comment on something they said. Soon youll be comfortable enough to ask if their group is hiring or if theyre able to help you get a conversation started with one of the managers.3. Reciprocate (and show gratitute)Dont forget this last step. Its an important part of effective job search networking.Once your job search is over, be sure to thank everyone who offered you help, either through email or a hand-written note (if you have their address). That way theyll be willing to help again in the future and your next job search will be even easier!You can also reciprocate by checking in to ask about their wellness, share an article of interest, and offer to return the favor sometime in the future if they’re job searching.4. Be professional and never badmouthWhile you may have been fired, experienced a company closing, or worked for a horrible boss, this is NOT the time to discuss it . Don’t bad-mouth your ex-employer for former boss. Even if it is true, you look like a disgruntled employee and the one with the issue. Instead, mention that while you enjoyed working with ABC Company, it was time to move on and take-on a different challenge. When meeting with people in-person this is especially important, as they can read your body language and see your reaction. The focus should be on the futureâ€"not the past.And this is going to be great practice foryour interviewbecause you should do the exact same thing there. Badmouthing won’t get you hired. Ever.5. Do something you wouldn’t normally doHave you never attended a business after hours event for your local chamber of commerce? Can you serve as a guest or substitute for a local networking group? If you can and the thought of it makes you even slightly uncomfortable, then you should DO IT. When you are trying to stand out from the crowd and make an impact among companies, you need to take every chance that y ou can get. And, before you go to these types of events, remember to have your elevator pitch ready…6. Get your 30-second or 60-second pitch readyWhat is the first thing that most people ask you at a networking event? The answer: “What do you do?” So, if you are unemployed or looking for a new job, how do you answer this? Say something like the following, “I’m someone with X, Y, and Z skills and I’m ready to make an impact with my next position. Because of my experience with A, B, and C, I am excited to see my future career direction and look forward to connecting with others in the industry.”Many of my clients get nervous when they think of giving an ‘elevator pitch.’ I tell them to remember two or three skills and two or three accomplishments or experiences that sets them apart from other job seekers. If they can remember this, then it takes nerves out of the situation and the pitch doesn’t have to be memorized.Here’s a full article onhow to create a great el evator pitchstep by step if you want more help.7. Leave them with somethingIf you are not currently working, then make up a business card that can function as a contact card. It allows you to remain professional while leaving connections with your phone number and email address. Leaving something behind allows you to be memorable and provides them a way to follow-up with you. Speaking of follow-up…8. Dont be afraid to follow up when networking, and in your job search overallRemember to be patient during this process too. Chances are your network will become busy, fail to follow up, forget to respond, etc. Schedule a reminder for yourself to reconnect with each person every three or four weeks. This is your opportunity to catch them up on what’s happening in your job hunt and remind them that you had asked for their help.In fact, this is good job search advice in general: Never be afraid to follow up if a few weeks have passed and youre waiting to hear from someone.It doesnt matt er if its for networking, for sending an interview follow up email to get feedback, or anything else.Think of how much effort goes into approaching somebody to network, or landing an interview. Now think how little time it takes to follow-up to remind them youre waiting to hear from them. Its definitely worth doing!Follow These Job Search Networking Tips to Get Hired FasterTogether with a top-notch, achievement-rich resume and LinkedIn profile written for today’s online readers (skimmers), you will have all the tools you need for a successful job search.Even ifone person in your network has access to a job or company you didn’t know about, it can get you invited to interview, and if you say the right things in your interview, youre one or two steps away from a job offer.These job search networking tips can make the difference between landing a job and having to keep job hunting!But people can’t help you if you don’t talk to them. Go give it a try now, the first step is easy. Start brainstorming a list for five minutes. Who do you know that you can tell about your job search?Two guest authors contributed to this article:In need of some career advice, a refreshed resume or rebranded LinkedIn?Asthe founder and chief writer atVirginia Franco Resumes, I offer customized executive resume and LinkedIn profile writing services for the 21st century job seeker. I would be happy to chat!Dr. Heather Rothbauer-Wanish is a Certified Professional Resume Writer and owner of Feather Communications (http://www.feather-communications.com). She holds an MBA and PhD in Organization and Management, andhas been working with job seekers since 2008 to develop forward-thinking, eye-catching, and dynamic resumes for today’s marketplace. You can download her top 5 resume tips to get more interviews for freeat this page.

Monday, May 18, 2020

Three Types of Stresses While in Transition - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Three Types of Stresses While in Transition - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Physicians and psychiatrists have proved that there is a positive correlation between stress and illness. People in transition experience various and variable levels of stress. And such stress is not a stand-alone issue but is compounded by other stressors. One study identified three types of life stresses: chemical, physical, and attitudinal. All together there are 43 sources of stress that can cause about 80 symptoms. Of course people have in their lives multiple sources that cause manifestations of compound symptoms. With regard to chemical impact on the body, the study found coffee drinking, excessive consumption of sugar and salt, regular consumption of various prescription drugs, nicotine alcoholic beverages, air pollution, and even quality of water to be offenders. Physical stressors might be overweight, lack of exercise, excessive commuting, and sedentary lifestyle. For the sake of this blog, I want to focus on the attitudinal and, more specifically, the emotional stressors and associated symptoms. Examples of stressors associated with being in transition are problems with sleep, inability to relax, heightened levels of frustration, potential for affecting relationship with spouse, adverse effect on mood, and feelings of hopeless and depression. And most people have a combination of such stressors. In terms of symptoms, people in transition might feel depressed or moody, get angry easily, gain or lose significant amounts of weight, go through bouts of insomnia, feel overcome with fatigue, lose ability to concentrate, and experience anxiety, worry, shyness, and isolation. So the question is, how to deal with all of those? Clearly, ignoring the symptoms is not the answer. Hoping they’ll go away is only wishful thinking. Moreover, doing nothing can cause severe and long-lasting medical consequences. Unfortunately, there is no one answer that fits everybody. Women, for example, like spas, massages, and yoga more than men do. Theater, a movie, or dinner with friends or family may appeal to others. Some would even go for acupuncture and find in that a source for reducing stress. I like walking, which I do almost seven days a week. I walk outdoors when weather permits, and indoors on a treadmill otherwise. Occasionally, I also benefit from a Japanese healing art for stress reduction called Jin Shin Jyutsu.

Thursday, May 14, 2020

The Best Places for Digital Nomads to Work Remotely From CareerMetis.com

The Best Places for Digital Nomads to Work Remotely From Most sedentary jobs require you to stay put. Your office is your whole world during your office hours, your lunch break being, if you can afford one, your only moment of freedom.However, now that the wireless internet connection has become a must literally everywhere, more and more people have started opting for a different kind of lifestyle â€" the kind that allows you to fulfill your lifelong dream of seeing the world and still being able to earn a living.evalWhile this kind of arrangement used to be a privilege of travel writers, journalists and explorers, it is now available to everyone who can manage to do their work online.People all around the world are happily leaving their offices in order to work from different cities and countries, from beaches, cafes, parks, libraries and co-working spaces. Digital nomads are breathing in the fresh air and enjoying their newfound freedom.What is a digital nomad and how do you become one? In general, a nomadic lifestyle means that you are free to roam the earth traveling rather than being bound to one particular place. In contrast to a long-term traveler, nomads are on the move for so long that they have to make money along the way. And this is where business meets pleasure.A digital nomad will use a laptop, a smartphone or a tablet to do work regardless of the location. Yet, a digital nomad is not a homogenous category. There are several types of work you can do while being out of the office.One of those is a corporate remote worker. More and more companies today offer the possibility of working remotely. As long as the work is done, the employee is free to choose the office. This provides a steady income as well as the opportunity for travel.A freelancer, on the other hand, does online work for one or more clients. Web design, social media management or content writing are the most common fields that allow this type of work, which is often found on online platforms such as Upwork or Fiverr.Entrepreneursare the ones who have their own company and can do all their business online which makes them ideal candidates for this kind of lifestyle.evalIn order to become one, tuck your map in your suitcase, bring your work with you and embark on an adventure.Best places for digital nomads to work fromIf you feel you fall under this category, by now you may be wondering where your nomadic path should take you. Let’s take a look at the most appealing places to spend your office hours.1) Chiang Mai â€" ThailandevalIf you’re up for something exotic, then Thailandhas much to offer. Chiang Maiis considered the hub of digital nomads since it’s inexpensive, easy to navigate and has an abundance of co-working spaces.It has embraced the new-age nomadic culture while offering a mix of ancient temples and impressive nature which will definitely boost your creativity.2) Pune â€" IndiaevalSpeaking of rapidly evolving cities, the ones in India are becoming ever more popular destinations. With the fourth fastest growing economy, this country is becoming ever more attractive for the working traveler. Life in India is more than affordable, and more than 300 cities will welcome your nomadic lifestyle.India’s strong commercial real estate sectoris doing everything in its power to better suit your needs. In the hub of business opportunities, you’ll be able to grow your network while sharing an office with potential colleagues, business partners or investors.3) Mussoorie, Uttarakhand â€" IndiaWith free WiFi with speeds of 50 Mbps to 100 Mbpssince 2015, you’ll have all the freedom to explore this city to the fullest. Situated at the foot of the Himalayas, it offers breathtaking views, lush green hills and varied wildlife. Besides its natural treasures, it is famous for being an important educational and business center.4) Pondicherry â€" IndiaThis town is a delightful mixture of traditional Indian sensibilities and French architecture. As a former French colony, it has retained the bohemian spirit, the art of French pastry making and the need for charming cafes with a very good internet connection. When you’re not strolling through these fairytale-like streets, you can focus on your work in very affordable co-working spaces.eval5) Bali â€" IndonesiaMove a little bit to the south, and there’s Bali, in all its exotic glory. In 2013, the first co-working space, Hubud, opened its doors both to freelancers and a new era for this, up to that point, mainly holiday island. Now it is one of the most desired locations for destination working which ideally combines your holiday destination with your office.6) Budapest â€" HungaryIn case you’d prefer to work in places brimming with amazing architecture, history and culture, then Europe is the right choice for you. Budapest, for one, tends to hit the top of the charts every summer. Unlike its counterparts in Western Europe, it manages to retain a lower cost of living so you can spend more time and less money on its treasures. When it comes to Europe, you can really take your pick, since most major cities have a great deal to offer. There’s Berlin, with its high-speed internet, extremely good position and friendly English-speaking locals. There’s Belgrade, affordable, with a good internet connection, as well as a bustling nightlife scene and Prague, the city of art to name a few. But if you really want to get down to some serious business in a breathtaking city, Barcelona will welcome you with open arms.7) Barcelona â€" SpainThe whole city seems like one big masterpiece, and you’ll find no shortage of WiFi, co-working spaces or freelance-friendly cafes and parks. On the other hand, the cost of living might be an issue. Since life there tends to be a little pricey, Barcelona has become known for attracting more professional, successful nomads. Nevertheless, you shouldn’t miss it even if you’re just passing by.8) Buenos Aires â€" Argentina Moving on to LatinAmerica, BuenosAiresin Argentinaawaits a ll nomads hungry for outstanding architecture and diversity. Although not the cheapest of cities, you can still survive and thrive on a budget.evalYou’ll be spoiled for choice with hundreds of co-working spaces, a myriad of Starbucks and cafes with excellent internet connection for your virtual work, as well as affordable and reliable transport.9) Medellin â€" ColombiaGoing north, you might want to stop by Medellin, Colombia. Investments in technology and infrastructure have made this place extremely attractive. This city will go easy on your wallet and wear out your dancing shoes.Co-working spaces are tirelessly popping up giving you a suitable place to work, but after you close the shop, you can head for either the mountains or the beaches of this wonderful city.10) Mexico City â€" MexicoA little up the road, there’s MexicoCity. Maybe not the safest place on the planet, but if you are careful enough to stay away from shady places, you should be more than fine. Being the oldest capital city in the Americas and one of two founded by Native Americans, it guarantees limitless culture to explore and be immersed in.11) Cape Town â€" South AfricaOne might think that this particular part of the globe is yet to see its glory when it comes to location independent work. Although that is partly true, there are a few places that stand out. Cape Town, for instance, will captivate you with its stunning outdoors.evalSurfing, climbing, hiking, mountain biking, diving, and all that within a 30-minute drive from the city center. It is only slightly cheaper than Europe, but you’ll get so much more for your money. And with over 20 co-working places, you’re all set.12) Taghazout â€" MoroccoTaghazout, Morocco, a charming fishing village on the Atlantic coast. Although not very popular as a long-term destination, it is especially appealing to Europeans when they want to get away from the harsh winters. A comfortable, secluded place to do your best work.13) Tunis â€" Tunisia How about Tunis? The capital of Tunisiasits along the lake Tunis, just inland from the Mediterranean Sea’s Gulf of Tunis. It offers one of the best co-working spaces, along with rich history and one of the most famous archeology museums which feature impressive Roman mosaics displayed in a 15th-century palace complex.As you can see, if you’re the kind of enterprising individual that isn’t afraid to break out of the mold of the daily grind, there are plenty of opportunities to kickstart your nomadic adventures. Pick your starting point and get ready for a spontaneous digital journey.

Friday, May 8, 2020

Find the Best Professional Resume Writing Services in Harrisburg PA

Find the Best Professional Resume Writing Services in Harrisburg PAFinding the best professional resume writing services in Harrisburg Pennsylvania may not be as difficult as you think. The ability to produce a professional looking resume can make a huge difference in the job market and it can help to secure your future. You may have worked hard to get where you are, but if you have not invested time and money into developing an impressive resume, you are going to find that you will find it harder to secure a good job and be accepted into an organization that would be a better fit for you.There are many ways to develop a resume that is impressive. The first thing you need to do is decide what type of resume you want to write. If you have had a few years experience in the field and you want to use this on your resume, you will find that most companies are going to prefer a more formal format than you would have with a relatively fresh graduate. You should plan ahead by figuring out wh at type of resume you would like to use.When searching for the best professional resume writing services in Harrisburg PA, you will find that there are many different types of professionals that offer their services. The two types of service include full service and part time. Part time is the most popular type of resume writing service in the United States. This type of service is ideal for those who want to complete their resume but do not have the time or the resources to devote to it. When a company uses this service, they will be working with you to create a resume that is organized and concise.Full service resumes are typically more expensive, but they can also take longer to complete. The majority of people who hire professional resume writing services find that the length of time spent on the resume is a major benefit. Many companies do not like to spend valuable time creating a resume for a person who does not even want the job.Before you go out and start looking for the be st professional resume writing services in Harrisburg PA, you will want to find out about their experience. The more experience that the company has, the more likely they are to provide quality services. This will ensure that you hire someone that you can trust to create a professional looking resume. You will want to be able to contact them directly if you have any questions.When you are looking for the best professional resume writing services in Harrisburg PA, you will find that you can have them customize your resume to match your needs. You can choose a format that works best for you. You can have them provide you with sample resumes or you can choose to create one that is specific to your needs.The best professional resume writing services in Harrisburg PA are able to keep up with the changing job market. You will be able to contact them regularly to make sure that you are receiving the new job openings that are posted on your organization. When you continue to receive new pos itions, you will be able to stay abreast of the available positions and work to secure one before others do.Finding the best professional resume writing services in Harrisburg PA is not impossible. You just need to take the time to gather information about the company and compare it to other services that are available to you. This can give you a good idea of which service you are going to choose and will help you find the best possible services that you can find.