Alison Doyle

Starfishes, Santas, and Helping

I first heard the starfish story when I volunteered for a dog rescue group.  The way the story goes, a man was throwing starfish that had been washed up on the beach back into the sea. Someone asked why he was bothering, because there were so many starfish he couldn't possibly make a difference. He responded that it did make a difference - to that one starfish.

Santas and Starfishes

Back then, the economy was good, unemployment was low, and job searching was relatively easy. We all know that's not the case anymore.  The unemployment stories and comments on my unemployment blog posts are heartbreaking.  People who have been gainfully employed for their entire working lives, some with 30 or 40 years, with the same company are running out of unemployment and losing everything - their homes, their cars, the future they worked so hard for...

When I was sharing the starfish story with a friend, I realized the connection with job searching - helping just one person find a job is like the man saving just that one starfish and making a difference in one person's life. It matters - it's matters a lot to that once person who was helped.

I had the same thought last night when I watched Steve Hartman's Secret Santa story on CBS News.  The Secret Santas are wealthy people who want to help a little to make the world a better place and they give people in need a $100 bill (or a few of them).

Can You Help Just One Person?

Helping just one person can make a big difference - in their job search and their lives.  A group of career experts and job and networking sites have contributed to our annual holiday special for job seekers, donating books, memberships, products, services, and their time to help job seekers through this very tough time of the year.

Hundreds, maybe thousands, of JobAngels are using Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook, helping job seekers in need find a new job.  That's a great way to help out if you can.

Job seekers have shared their job search stories and others, along with their career experts, have shared their advice on what to when unemployment runs out. If it helps just one person and gives them some hope - it will have made a difference.

How You Can Help

What can you do to help, even if you're job searching yourself? Write a reference for a contact on LinkedIn, refer a job lead to a friend, retweet a post from someone who is looking for work, visit JobAngels and see if there is someone you can help. Offer to proofread a friend's resume and cover letters. 

If you've read a good job search book lately, pay it forward and lend it to someone else who's job searching. Visit my About.com Job Searching Forum and share your experiences and offer a word of advice.

If you can afford to, donate to charities that help the unemployed. Volunteer your time.  If you know someone who's unemployed give them a gift card for the local grocery store or even offer to pay a bill, if you can.

There's a lot each of us can do to  help someone that doesn't cost much in the way of our time and effort, but can make a big difference to the recipient of your generosity.

 

Do You Have a Great Job Site?

If you're got a job board, job search engine, niche site, or tools that every job seekers needs - here's an opportunity for some great exposure.

The U.S. Department of Labor Tools for America's Job Seekers challenge is project designed to bring job seekers together with the best job sites - job search engines, job boards, and sites with tools for job searching. The challenge will connect workers with online career resources and offer an opportunity for career and job sites to showcase their best products.

How to Submit Your Site
During Phase 1 (Open now) Providers of online job search engines, job boards and career exploration sites can learn more and submit their products at http://www.dol.gov/challenge/.

Chasing Mountains

And so it begins.   For me, there is aways a bit of trepidation.  I'm a ski widow, on and off, until late spring or maybe even early summer.  Sometimes, I get to tag along, sometimes I stay home - there's life, a kid, dogs, work, that get in the way of just being able to pick up and go.

I'm a worrier, so there's also the worrying about traveling and him skiing big mountains and driving up scary roads in a blizzard.  I hung on for dear life driving down the mountain from Val D'Isere last winter, but the scariest drive, believe it or not, was going to Killington at night in a storm that came on quickly. The plows weren't out and even 4WD vehicles were off the road.

For him, there is no trepidation, just the anticipation of another ski season chasing mountains - skiing the mountains he hasn't skied before and going back to old favorites.  Tomorrow he leaves for Whistler and the travels begin. It's work, as well, as play - he's a ski writer, so he's very happily on the go to wherever the next mountain is. 

It's more than that though and I owe Bill Kering, author of The Edge of Never book, and writer and director of The Edge of Never Film, a world of thanks. Because I never really understood what compelled skiers to do this - the passion, the something in their brain that tells them they need to go ski, the dreams, the whatever it is that compells them to do this until I read his book   I first heard the term chasing mountains in Bill's movie and it's an apt description, because it's more than chasing snow. 

For anyone who has a dream, by the way, The Edge of Never is a really good book. Bill's story, as well as the story of the skiers in the book and the film, tells the story of what you can do when you dream.  Here's more on the Edge of Never. 

For more on chasing your dreams, whatever they may be, here's an article that I wrote quite awhile ago, but is still very relevant.

For those who are interested in virtually tagging along this ski season, visit Mike's About.com Sking site or join him on Facebook or Twitter.

Special Holiday Offers for Job Seekers

In what has become an annual holiday tradition, I'm thrilled to announce, again this year, special offers for job seekers who need career, job search and resume assistance during this very difficult holiday season.

Take advantage of these special limited-time offers graciously donated by top job sites and career experts to get your job search started or back on track. 

We have already given away:  LinkedIn Premium Membership - Set of Susan Whitcomb's books - Susan Ireland's book - thanks to all!

If you'd like to contribute...
Career coaches, resume writers, authors, and other job search experts - let me know if you have an offer to add to the list. Thank you!

(Totally) Free Offers

Jessica Miller-Merrell
Jessica Miller-Merrell host of the weekly job search webshow and Blogging4Jobs job search blog is offering a free personal branding consultation and 20% off of all resume writing and personal branding services through 2/28/10.  Just mention the Special Holiday Offer to receive your discount. 

Joe Lavelle
Joe would like to offer an autographed copy of his book Act As If It Were Impossible to Fail and a copy of Keith Ferrazzi’s book Who’s Got Your Back to the person that enters to first comment to this post indicating what kind of help they think they need finding a job.  Hw  will pay for the shipping as well.

Eidolon Career Solutions
Eidolon Career Solutions teaches motivated alternative and eccentric people how to make money and enjoy more freedom with a career that fits their unique lifestyle. Services include, but aren’t limited to career coaching, resume assessment, personal branding, job search strategies, and business coaching.
Special Offer: The first five people to email ebony@eidoloncareersolutions.com with their name  with their name and address will receive a free copy of her one-hour teleseminar cd: Reise, Reise Each Does It In Their Own Way: How To Achieve Your Career Goals Based On Your Unique Style.

Daisy Wright
Daisy Wright, career coach, author, and speaker, is offering a free copy of her book, No Canadian Experience, eh? for to the first 2 job seekers who are new to, or planning to move to Canada, and who  email me their name and address.

Kay Stout, Career Coach
Kay Stout, author of the Another Point of View blog and Blog Talk Radio host, who has  helped hundreds find their way out of job loss, is offering five people free real-life answers to job-searching questions. 
Special Offer:  Email Kay and mention the Special Holiday Offer for Job Seekers. Expires 2/31/09.   

The Career Key
The Career Key, the #1 Internet source for helping people choose careers, is offering a free, scientifically valid career test to the first five job seekers who contact them: The Career Key  or The Self-Employment Key and an eBook of the person's choice from their  eBookstore: http://www.careerkey.org/asp/ebookstore/ebook_home.html.
Special Offer: Email julietjones@careerkey.biz and mention the Special Holiday Offer for Job Seekers. Expires 12/31/09.

Internet Your Way to a New Job - How to Really Find a Job Online 
My book will provide you with everything  you need to know on how to build your career and find a new job.  I'm offering a free copy to the first 5 job seekers who email me their name and address.

LinkedIn for Job Seekers
Free LinkedIn for Job Seekers DVD for the first job seeker to email Jason Alba. Be sure to mention Special Holiday Offer for job seekers in your message. Expires 12/31/09.

Discounted Products and Services

Amazing Resumes & Coaching Services
Amazing Resumes & Coaching Services provides career management services to individuals and businesses that are looking for a competitive edge. Our services include resume writing, career coaching, and outplacement functions.
Special Offer: Email debbie@amazingresumesmd.com and mention the Special Holiday Offer to receive a free, one-hour teleseminar - Finding a Job in a Jobless Economy ($30 value) - together with the purchase of a professional resume.  Expires: 12/31/09

Career Consulting Services
Career Consulting Services helps you identify and reach your meaningful career. Their comprehensive services include assistance with job search, career transition, encore career, and career exploration.
Special Offer: 20% off the first career counseling session.  Please contact careerconsult@mindspring.com and mention the Special Holiday Offer for Job Seekers.  Expires
12/31/09.   

Eidolon Career Solutions
Eidolon Career Solutions teaches motivated alternative and eccentric people how to make money and enjoy more freedom with a career that fits their unique lifestyle. Services include, but aren’t limited to career coaching, resume assessment, personal branding, job search strategies, and business coaching.
Special Offer: 30% off your federal or private sector verbal Resume Assessment.  Please contact ebony@eidoloncareersolutions.com and mention the special holiday gift.  Expires 12/31/09.

Happy About Career, Social Networking, and Twitter Books
Publisher Happy About has a special 25% discount on all career, social networking and Twitter books.  Jump start your job search and find out about using Facebook, Linkedin, and the Internet to job search, learn how to network effectively, and how Twitter can help boost your career and job search.
Special Offer: Use coupon code add12 to save 25% when ordering. Expires 12/31/09.

Internet Your Way to a New Job - How to Really Find a Job Online 
My book will provide you with everything  you need to know on how to build your career and find a new job.  I'm offering a free excerpt and a 25% discount to everyone who purchases a copy of the book or e-Book.
 Special Offer: Order online and use discount code add12

JobSerf.com
JobSerf finds and applies to jobs for you, so if time is of the essence and you need to expedite your job search, JobSerf.com can assist.
Special Offer:  50% more help (40 hours of help for the price of 20 the first week). Mention Internet
Your Way to a New Job in the Comments section of the site to get the discount. Expires 12/31/09.

Job Search Debugged
Free copy of Networking Debugged ($10 value) when you purchased Job Search Debugged from job search expert and author, Rita Ashley.
Special Offer:  Order Online.  Expires 12/31/09.

ResumeEdge.com
ResumeEdge.com, a leading resume writing service’s company, is offering $10 off resume writing services.
Special Offer:   Please use coupon code ad10 to receive $10 off any resume writing service valued at $150 or more. Expires 12/31/2009.

 Resume Pros for Less
Resume Pros for Less specializes in high-quality, professional resumes and cover letters for both private industry and government sectors that get you exceptional results.
Special Offer: Free cover letter with the purchase of any resume writing service or 10% off any resume package.  Contact: resume_pros@yahoo.com.  Expires 12/31/09.

WetFeet.com
Save 25% on all WetFeet Insider Guides.
Special Offer:  Visit shop.wetfeet.com, and use the promo code HOLIDAY. Expires 01/06/10.

Donated Offers That Have Been Given Away

LinkedIn Premium Membership
LinkedIn, the site for professional networking, is giving away one upgrade to a premium membership. (DONATED - THANK YOU)

Susan Whitcomb
Susan has generously donated a set of three of her books - Job Search Magic, Interview Magic, and Resume Magic. (DONATED - THANK YOU)

Susan Ireland
Susan Ireland, resume expert and author of The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Perfect Resume and Ready-Made Resumes Software, is offering a free copy of The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Perfect Resume to the first job seeker who  emails me their name and address. (DONATED - THANK YOU)

More Holiday Job Search Resources: Give Your Job Search a Holiday Boost

 

_{Photo © Carmen Martanez Banas}

Use the Holiday Season to Say Thank You

The holiday season is a perfect time to say thank you to everyone who has helped with your job search this year.  

If someone helped you find a new job or helped you connect with people who made a difference in your career, this is a good time to let them know you appreciate their assistance.  Everyone likes knowing they are appreciated, and it only takes a few minutes to say thank you.

Here's more on writing thank you letters, including sample thank you letters and templates you can use as a starting point to compose your own thank you notes.

Related: Holiday Cards | Thank You Cards

Image Copyright Lisa Woodburn

When You Get Laid-Off

A friend of a friend who is a single mom supporting a family came into work last Friday only to be escorted out of the office and out of the job a couple of hours later. She and several other employees were laid-off with no notice and no severance pay.

One of the worst times to lose your job is around the holidays and to compound it, it's a really tough time to be unemployed.  Unemployment hasn't been this bad in years and jobs are scarce.  

Help for the Unemployed

In order to help those who are out of work, I've set up a section of my About.com Discussion Forum for unemployed workers to get help and advice.

Filing for Unemployment

It's important to file for unemployment as soon as you lose your job.  You'll be able to apply online in many states, but before you file a claim be sure you have all the information you need ready.  Check with your state unemployment office ahead of time, so you're prepared.

• Filing for Unemployment
• Who is Eligible for Unemployment

Unemployment Issues

If you're having trouble claiming unemployment or difficulty navigating the unemployment system to get answers, these frequently asked questions and answers on unemployment claim issues, from career and employment experts, that will help you collect unemployment benefits and handle glitches in the process.

• Unemployment Claims Question / Answers

Extended Unemployment Benefits

Also, there are extended unemployment benefits available in many states for unemployed workers.  Check with your state unemployment office for details.

Employee Benefit Packages

When you're job searching and considering job offers, it's important to check out the employee benefits package to make sure it's a good fit for your personal circumstances.

For example, a colleague of mine presumed that the health insurance at his new job would cover his partner because the job he was leaving did.  However, that wasn't the case.  Some health insurance plans don't cover partners, at all.  Others only cover same-sex partners, not opposite-sex partners. It depends on the plan and the coverage provided by the company.

Benefits are as important as salary when it comes to compensation.  Before you say "yes" to a job offer, review what benefit coverage is provided by the company and decide whether the employee benefit package is one that fully meets your needs. If it doesn't, consider whether the job is worth it anyway and, if so, can you get the benefits you need elsewhere?

Taking the time to evaluate employee benefits in advance, will save you in the long run.

Vote for Peppertree (Please)

Vote for: Peppertree Rescue 

I first heard the starfish story when I began to volunteer for Peppertree Rescue.  The way the story goes a man was throwing starfish that had been washed up on the beach back into the sea. Someone asked why he was bothering, because there were so many starfish he couldn't possibly make a difference. He responded that it did make a difference - to that one starfish.

We shared that story a lot. We couldn't, sadly, save every dog, but we could make a difference to one, and another, and another.  

Ian, my most special rescue dog starfish, who was old, toothless, dumped in the road, and the greatest dog love of my life, made not only a difference in my life, but in the lives of many others who met him in the short time we were graced to have him as part of my family.

Ian's story - You Cannot Measure Love in Years - has become on of the poster stories for rescuing senior dogs.

Saving Dogs

Ian is just one of the many dogs saved by Peppertree.  What goes into saving a dog, just one dog, is mostly the unpaid, unsung heroes that volunteer in dog rescue do day in and day out with a never ending stream of dogs that someone has decided they can't keep, don't want, have to get rid of and typically need that to happen right now.

The balance is, in a nutshell, money.  You can't save dogs without money and Peppertree, like most rescue groups, relies on donations to help cover expenses, typically coming up short.

How You Can Help

All you need to do is vote.  It only takes a second and every vote matters, because the group with the most votes wins $10,000. 

That would make a  really big difference to Peppertree, to the dogs they will be able to help, and to the families who will be able to add a special member to the family - because Peppertree was able to save just one more dog (that starfish story again...).

Please take a minute to vote for Peppertree and help make a difference.

 

How to be a Job Interview Star

Do you have a job interview coming up?  Do you want to make a shining impression on the interviewer?

Here's how to take advantage of the opportunity you have to dazzle a potential employer in person and to be the star of the candidate pool.

Our Job Interview Videos series have advice for all levels of job seekers including on how to prepare for an interview, how to decide what to wear, how to present a professional image, and how to handle a phone interview. 

Take a look and find out how to leave the best impression with these job interview tips.

Related: Job Interview Questions and Answers | Job Interview Attire

Image Copyright James Tutor

Job Scams, Spam, and Junk

I know I'm not the only person who is tired of all the clutter in the career space. Those of us who have been around for a while are, to be blunt, appalled at some of the websites and individuals who are trying to make a buck from job seekers who can ill afford to waste even a few dollars in the worst job market in most of our lifetimes.

Job Scams

My list of job search scams is getting longer by the day and I can hardly keep track of the spam emails that job seekers get just because they posted their resume online.  The sad part is that it's hard to tell what's legitimate and what's not, even if you've been in the job search world for a while. For someone who is just starting out, it's really difficult to tell the difference.

Free Job Search Resources

I spend time every day deleting junk from my discussion forum and reminding job seekers that you do not need to pay to access job listings, to look at sample resumes and cover letters, or to get job search advice.  Everything you need to effectively job search is available free online. 

Job Search Services

What you might want to pay for, if funds allow, is for a professional resume writer, a career counselor, or a DVD or book or two to help with your job search.  That's different - you're paying for a product or service, not for something that's available elsewhere for free.

Related:  Free Job Search Help | Scam Warning Signs