In this economy, coupons are reported as gaining in popularity. To capture the, once frequent, now occasional diner, restaurants continue to struggle for ways to entice folks to spend their hard earned bucks. Grocery stores and food manufacturers are vying for those bucks as well. Coupons are meant to lure the user in the restaurant or store so they spend more than what they intended.
However, with a disciplined and planned visit, one can use the coupons to defray the cost of a monthly food budget.
Look for two for one deals; "Buy one, get one" (commonly called BOGO) at both restaurants and grocers. these are generally the best deals. Look for coupons where the product is at or near free. Then look for items that you normally buy that would be a good discount. Then, the real discipline is; buy only what you normally buy. Do not buy a product just because you have a coupon. This will only take away the from the saved bucks. An exception, of course, is to purchase the product if it is at or near zero cost. Then, it becomes a "freebie".
Signing up for a frequent shopper card at your grocer generally offers an additional discount on many products and in my opinion, are certainly worth taking a few minutes to obtain. However, frequent diner cards at restaurants are not generally a good idea and unless you develop a habit of dining there anyway, are generally a waste of time and either wallet or purse space. I end up carrying one around for a year, sometimes longer. I generally end up sending them to the circular file when I receive a new wallet as a Christmas gift every other year or so.
An additional note about shopping for your groceries: If two grocery stores are in close proximity, as often they are, it might pay to use certain coupons at one location and others at the second.
For restaurant coupons, go to the website of your favorite dining choices and sign up for their clubs, or newsletter. Great offerings come to your e-mail box and often free or deeply discounted choices. Some offer free birthday dinners. NOTE: You may want to set up a special email address just for coupons and specials.
As reported in a recent copy of the "Website Magazine", the following are some of the most popular Coupon Sites:
Coupons.com
Far and away the most visited coupon web site.
RetailMeNot.com
CouponCabin.com
This one offers an iphone app.
FatWallet.com
An Industry pioneer and includes more than 800 merchants.
DealCatcher.com
Although I haven't personally used these sites, they all seem to offer something for most folks.
Sites that I currently use are:
RedPlum.com
SmartSource.com
Couponmom.com
Select state, & grocery stores, then pull up the deals. You'll love this one. You can print out and use as your shopping list.
AFullCup.com
Sometimes, this one offers coupons from pharmacies.
My hope is for this to help you with your food budget. Happy clipping.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Why Should I Concern Myself With Your Problem?
A mouse looked through the crack in the wall to see the farmer and his wife open a package.
What food might this contain?' the mouse wondered - - - he was devastated to discover it was a mousetrap.
Retreating to the farmyard,the mouse proclaimed the warning :
'There is a mousetrap in the house!
There is a mousetrap in the house!'
The chicken clucked and scratched, raised her head and said,
'Mr. Mouse, I can tell this is a grave concern to you, but it is of no consequence to me. I cannot be bothered by it.'
The mouse turned to the pig and told him,
'There is a mousetrap in the house!
There is a mousetrap in the house!'
The pig sympathized, but said, 'I am so very sorry, Mr. Mouse, but there is nothing I can do about it but pray. Be assured you are in my prayers.'
The mouse turned to the cow and said,
'There is a mousetrap in the house!
There is a mousetrap in the house!'
The cow said, 'Wow, Mr.. Mouse. I'm sorry for you, but it's no skin off my nose.'
So, the mouse returned to the house, head down and dejected, to face the farmer's mousetrap . . . alone.
That very night a sound was heard throughout the house -- like the sound of a mousetrap catching its prey.
The farmer's wife rushed to see what was caught.
In the darkness, she did not see it was a venomous snake whose tail the trap had caught.
The snake bit the farmer's wife.
The farmer rushed her to the hospital, and she returned home with a fever.
Everyone knows you treat a fever with fresh chicken soup, so the farmer took his hatchet to the farmyard for the soup's main ingredient.
But his wife's sickness continued, so friends and neighbors came to sit with her around the clock.
To feed them, the farmer butchered the pig.
The farmer's wife did not get well; she died.
So many people came for her funeral, the farmer had the cow slaughtered to provide enough meat for all of them.
The mouse looked upon it all from his crack in the wall with great sadness.
So, the next time you hear someone is facing a problem and think it doesn't concern you, remember ----when one of us is threatened, we are all at risk.
We are all involved in this journey called life. We must keep an eye out for one another and make an extra effort to encourage one another.
~Author Unknown~
What food might this contain?' the mouse wondered - - - he was devastated to discover it was a mousetrap.
Retreating to the farmyard,the mouse proclaimed the warning :
'There is a mousetrap in the house!
There is a mousetrap in the house!'
The chicken clucked and scratched, raised her head and said,
'Mr. Mouse, I can tell this is a grave concern to you, but it is of no consequence to me. I cannot be bothered by it.'
The mouse turned to the pig and told him,
'There is a mousetrap in the house!
There is a mousetrap in the house!'
The pig sympathized, but said, 'I am so very sorry, Mr. Mouse, but there is nothing I can do about it but pray. Be assured you are in my prayers.'
The mouse turned to the cow and said,
'There is a mousetrap in the house!
There is a mousetrap in the house!'
The cow said, 'Wow, Mr.. Mouse. I'm sorry for you, but it's no skin off my nose.'
So, the mouse returned to the house, head down and dejected, to face the farmer's mousetrap . . . alone.
That very night a sound was heard throughout the house -- like the sound of a mousetrap catching its prey.
The farmer's wife rushed to see what was caught.
In the darkness, she did not see it was a venomous snake whose tail the trap had caught.
The snake bit the farmer's wife.
The farmer rushed her to the hospital, and she returned home with a fever.
Everyone knows you treat a fever with fresh chicken soup, so the farmer took his hatchet to the farmyard for the soup's main ingredient.
But his wife's sickness continued, so friends and neighbors came to sit with her around the clock.
To feed them, the farmer butchered the pig.
The farmer's wife did not get well; she died.
So many people came for her funeral, the farmer had the cow slaughtered to provide enough meat for all of them.
The mouse looked upon it all from his crack in the wall with great sadness.
So, the next time you hear someone is facing a problem and think it doesn't concern you, remember ----when one of us is threatened, we are all at risk.
We are all involved in this journey called life. We must keep an eye out for one another and make an extra effort to encourage one another.
~Author Unknown~
Monday, November 16, 2009
Dicipline and Six Steps to Living Debt Free
Once you return to work after that long career search, you realize that in the process, you have cut back your spending and have done away with things that once thought to be necessary. Things that you now realize that you can actually do without.
The positive cash flow has now returned and you can go back to increasing your spending dollars, right? Well, if you want to work towards living debt free, then increasing your cash spending is not entirely true. Yes, you can buy a few more groceries and yes, you deserve a night or two dining out (moderately).
It's all about discipline. Before you go back to all the things you learned to do without and discovered that you really don't need, Develop your game plan, working toward living debt free. After all, haven't you realized that's it's all about people and relationships, not material things?
The first decision that you need to make is to pay cash for things or do without them. DO NOT go back to putting everything on those plastic credit cards. I'm not telling you not to use them, but if you do, use a card with a zero balance and only charge what you intend to pay off when the bill comes due. Set a spending budget, and if after a period of time, you've built up extra, sock it into savings.
Then, start working down the list that I mentioned, the SIX STEPS to Living Debt Free.
1. $1,000 Savings Get $1,000 into a savings account as soon as you can. This will establish your survival cash flow. If you use money from it, get it back in there right away.
2. PAY OFF ALL DEBT EXCEPT HOUSE MORTGAGE After you have your cash reserve in savings, work off all of those credit cards and other outstanding debts like car loans. Start with the higher interest rates and work your way down, paying off as much as you can afford to pay each month and meeting the minimum payments on the others. Once the credit cards are paid off, DON'T use them again other than what we discussed earlier.
3. SIX MONTHS SALARY IN SAVINGS Now that you have paid off all outstanding credit except your mortgage, you can start socking the bucks away. Set up a separate savings account if you need to, but save up enough money to cover at least six months of your salary. This will help ease the pain, should you find yourself in career search once again.
4. 15% INVESTMENT - RETIREMENT Once you can help yourself during a career search period, you need to set yourself up for retirement. Fifteen percent of your income should help you toward that goal.
5. CHILD'S COLLEGE Your next investment should be in your child's (grandchild's) education.
6. PAY OFF HOUSE MORTGAGE After all of the previous steps are taken, pay off the house. Then, you can start tucking the majority of your earnings into savings, CD's, annuities, inheritances or other investments that will provide a return that will satisfy your needs. Plus, you can give to and help others.
Depending upon the amount of your outstanding debt, I realize that it can seem overwhelming. There are folks that can help you if need be. But, like I said earlier, it's all about discipline. If you don't have the money for it, don't buy it. Again, NEVER buy it with credit unless you intend to pay it off when the bill arrives in the mail.
All that said, I make one exception, provided that it works within your budget. If interest free credit is being offered for something that you've budgeted for, use it. But, make regular payments each month and schedule to pay if off at least two weeks before the final payment is due. That way, the entire credit amount will be paid off well before the terms of the loan and remove yourself from the possibility of owing the entire interest amount for the length of the loan. Again, it's all about discipline.
Good luck with this and I wish you financial peace and debt free living in your near future.
These steps were notes taken from Dave Ramsey. I've actually added his seventh step into my sixth step.
The positive cash flow has now returned and you can go back to increasing your spending dollars, right? Well, if you want to work towards living debt free, then increasing your cash spending is not entirely true. Yes, you can buy a few more groceries and yes, you deserve a night or two dining out (moderately).
It's all about discipline. Before you go back to all the things you learned to do without and discovered that you really don't need, Develop your game plan, working toward living debt free. After all, haven't you realized that's it's all about people and relationships, not material things?
The first decision that you need to make is to pay cash for things or do without them. DO NOT go back to putting everything on those plastic credit cards. I'm not telling you not to use them, but if you do, use a card with a zero balance and only charge what you intend to pay off when the bill comes due. Set a spending budget, and if after a period of time, you've built up extra, sock it into savings.
Then, start working down the list that I mentioned, the SIX STEPS to Living Debt Free.
1. $1,000 Savings Get $1,000 into a savings account as soon as you can. This will establish your survival cash flow. If you use money from it, get it back in there right away.
2. PAY OFF ALL DEBT EXCEPT HOUSE MORTGAGE After you have your cash reserve in savings, work off all of those credit cards and other outstanding debts like car loans. Start with the higher interest rates and work your way down, paying off as much as you can afford to pay each month and meeting the minimum payments on the others. Once the credit cards are paid off, DON'T use them again other than what we discussed earlier.
3. SIX MONTHS SALARY IN SAVINGS Now that you have paid off all outstanding credit except your mortgage, you can start socking the bucks away. Set up a separate savings account if you need to, but save up enough money to cover at least six months of your salary. This will help ease the pain, should you find yourself in career search once again.
4. 15% INVESTMENT - RETIREMENT Once you can help yourself during a career search period, you need to set yourself up for retirement. Fifteen percent of your income should help you toward that goal.
5. CHILD'S COLLEGE Your next investment should be in your child's (grandchild's) education.
6. PAY OFF HOUSE MORTGAGE After all of the previous steps are taken, pay off the house. Then, you can start tucking the majority of your earnings into savings, CD's, annuities, inheritances or other investments that will provide a return that will satisfy your needs. Plus, you can give to and help others.
Depending upon the amount of your outstanding debt, I realize that it can seem overwhelming. There are folks that can help you if need be. But, like I said earlier, it's all about discipline. If you don't have the money for it, don't buy it. Again, NEVER buy it with credit unless you intend to pay it off when the bill arrives in the mail.
All that said, I make one exception, provided that it works within your budget. If interest free credit is being offered for something that you've budgeted for, use it. But, make regular payments each month and schedule to pay if off at least two weeks before the final payment is due. That way, the entire credit amount will be paid off well before the terms of the loan and remove yourself from the possibility of owing the entire interest amount for the length of the loan. Again, it's all about discipline.
Good luck with this and I wish you financial peace and debt free living in your near future.
These steps were notes taken from Dave Ramsey. I've actually added his seventh step into my sixth step.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Sell Yourself Into That New Position With a PowerPoint Presentation
Once you define your market plan, you need to take that professionally formatted resume and turn it into a flashy PowerPoint.
Craft a presentation that makes a "WOW" statement about you, your accomplishments and your goals. It has to be a presentation that, as the individual views it, will gain and keep their interest. But it must be short enough and to the point so interest is not lost, but in depth enough for them to see the value you can bring to the team.
Don't forget to include a few pages, allowing a tweak to a specific company. A little something that ties you directly to them, the industry and the job that you are targeting.
Upon completion, there are several ways to use your presentation. The greatest thing to remember, is that it can be used as an attachment to e-mail. Target the companies that you want to work for, tweak the company info segment in your presentation and send it to the email address of company executives and known hiring managers.
In many cases, you can send it along with your resume when applying for a position, but to be perfectly honest, I doubt that it will be viewed much this way. More often than not, your resume is printed out and anything other than possibly a cover letter, or T-chart, will remain unprinted. But, it can't hurt. It just might gain enough curiosity to be viewed and shown to many key people in the company.
Another use for the PowerPoint is to post it within Your LinkedIn profile utilizing the SlideShare presentations tool. (slide presentations also help your LinkedIn climb to top billing by Google, after you have your rating @ 100%)
I've also heard about an individual that loaded his PowerPoint presentation onto a laptop and used it during his interview. A salesperson is comfortable with doing this, but you should be as well. After all, as you search for your next career move, you have to sell yourself. The sooner that you are at rest with this concept, the sooner you will land that next position with confidence.
You can also post the PowerPoint on your career search website. You can either Google and get a free one (be careful that one like this doesn't add a lot of sexual or dating advertisement, which certainly wouldn't help you land that job). The safer way is to invest a small amount, like ten bucks for a year from someone like "GODADDY.COM" Then get someone as you network, to help you with setting it up. You can usually buy a domain with your name as the domain. Then, this info can be included in your resume header and in your LinkedIn.
One more thing to think about would be a resume video. This also can be e-mailed and included in your career search website.
Invest a little time, even if you need to get a few folks to help you. Maybe suggest a network group workshop to get this project under way.
I hope this helps. It just may be that one thing that stands you out above the other applicants, to land your next career position.
Craft a presentation that makes a "WOW" statement about you, your accomplishments and your goals. It has to be a presentation that, as the individual views it, will gain and keep their interest. But it must be short enough and to the point so interest is not lost, but in depth enough for them to see the value you can bring to the team.
Don't forget to include a few pages, allowing a tweak to a specific company. A little something that ties you directly to them, the industry and the job that you are targeting.
Upon completion, there are several ways to use your presentation. The greatest thing to remember, is that it can be used as an attachment to e-mail. Target the companies that you want to work for, tweak the company info segment in your presentation and send it to the email address of company executives and known hiring managers.
In many cases, you can send it along with your resume when applying for a position, but to be perfectly honest, I doubt that it will be viewed much this way. More often than not, your resume is printed out and anything other than possibly a cover letter, or T-chart, will remain unprinted. But, it can't hurt. It just might gain enough curiosity to be viewed and shown to many key people in the company.
Another use for the PowerPoint is to post it within Your LinkedIn profile utilizing the SlideShare presentations tool. (slide presentations also help your LinkedIn climb to top billing by Google, after you have your rating @ 100%)
I've also heard about an individual that loaded his PowerPoint presentation onto a laptop and used it during his interview. A salesperson is comfortable with doing this, but you should be as well. After all, as you search for your next career move, you have to sell yourself. The sooner that you are at rest with this concept, the sooner you will land that next position with confidence.
You can also post the PowerPoint on your career search website. You can either Google and get a free one (be careful that one like this doesn't add a lot of sexual or dating advertisement, which certainly wouldn't help you land that job). The safer way is to invest a small amount, like ten bucks for a year from someone like "GODADDY.COM" Then get someone as you network, to help you with setting it up. You can usually buy a domain with your name as the domain. Then, this info can be included in your resume header and in your LinkedIn.
One more thing to think about would be a resume video. This also can be e-mailed and included in your career search website.
Invest a little time, even if you need to get a few folks to help you. Maybe suggest a network group workshop to get this project under way.
I hope this helps. It just may be that one thing that stands you out above the other applicants, to land your next career position.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Okay, I Got the Interview That I Wanted, Now What?
Yes, I recently landed a job. That's why I hadn't posted anything for a few weeks. I was out of town, then got called to an interview, had to quickly prepare, interview, got called with a job offer, and within a quick week, was walking through the door of my new employer.
Many things have been posted about the interview and the process. I won't go into deep discussion about telling you to practice, practice, practice.
Nor will I cover common things about what questions that you will be asked or how to sharply dress (by the way, err to the formal side. I was told to show up in business casual, even a golf shirt would do. I wore a jacket and tie).
Other things that are covered in depth are things like, provide bright and professional copies of resumes in special folders along with your business card, putting the resumes and everything else needed for the interview in the car the night before so it's not left behind, making a dry run to find the interview location, studying traffic patterns so you arrive about ten minutes before the interview. Don't arrive sooner and for heavens sake, don't be late. You will be watched from the time you drive onto the company property, until you leave. Be courteous to everyone that you meet. These brief encounters may help to determine your fate.
TURN OFF YOUR CELL PHONE! BETTER YET, LEAVE IT IN THE CAR!
Take your time during the interview, think about the response that you are about to make. Be professional. Be as brief but as thorough in your responses as possible. Make the interviewer interested enough to ask you more. Don't ramble with your response and don't do all the talking.
Do your home work. Know the company. Search the internet for recent news articles about the company where you are interviewing. Study their web site. You don't have to memorize everything there, but know what's there. Also, if you are changing industries, know a s much as you can about the industry.
One thing that I've learned from one interview to the next is that you should always have ten to twelve good questions prepared to show those that are interviewing you, that you have a deep interest in becoming a team member in their company. You should not ask them all at once, one after the next, but rather, work them in at appropriate times during the interview.
During my Career Search process, I've refined my list of questions. I'll share those with you. They may not work for you as I have them listed, nor the order in which I listed them. But this may provide you a little guidance, should you need a little help.
1.) How do I excel at this position?
2.) What are the position major responsibilities?
3.) Beyond the job description, and what you've already told me,what are your expectations?
4.) How would you describe the candidate that is a great fit for the company?
5.) How long has this position existed? Why is it vacant? How long has it been vacant?
6.) What situations, with respect to this position, need immediate attention?
7.) What are the growth areas and/or what is the career progression from this position?
8.) What are the company goals? What is the company vision for the next 5-10 years? What about long term goals?
9.) How has this economy affected this business, the company?
10.) How do you see my candidacy for this position?
11.) What skills, experiences am I lacking to perform this job successfully?
12.) What is the next step in the hiring process?
BONUS QUESTION: Do you have a business card (this way you'll more than likely have their e-mail address so you can send a "Thank You" e-mail)?
Be energetic, this shows an interest in the position.
IMPORTANT NOTE: ASK FOR THE JOB! Don't ask directly, but you can say something like this; It looks as if my skill set and experience are a match for this position. I'm definitely interested in this opportunity. I think that I would be a great fit and look forward to the next step in the hiring process.
Also, hand the interviewer a copy of your business card (and tri-fold, if you have one)while you are asking for the job.
Don't forget to send a "Thank You" e-mail and a handwritten "Thank You" note as soon as you can physically get it done. I can't tell you how many stories that I've heard over the past few months where the folks interviewed, were selected above a tie, because they sent a simple "Thank You".
Well, I'm certain that I forgot something. Practice, practice, practice your interview!
I hope that this blog article helps you land that next job and soon!
Many things have been posted about the interview and the process. I won't go into deep discussion about telling you to practice, practice, practice.
Nor will I cover common things about what questions that you will be asked or how to sharply dress (by the way, err to the formal side. I was told to show up in business casual, even a golf shirt would do. I wore a jacket and tie).
Other things that are covered in depth are things like, provide bright and professional copies of resumes in special folders along with your business card, putting the resumes and everything else needed for the interview in the car the night before so it's not left behind, making a dry run to find the interview location, studying traffic patterns so you arrive about ten minutes before the interview. Don't arrive sooner and for heavens sake, don't be late. You will be watched from the time you drive onto the company property, until you leave. Be courteous to everyone that you meet. These brief encounters may help to determine your fate.
TURN OFF YOUR CELL PHONE! BETTER YET, LEAVE IT IN THE CAR!
Take your time during the interview, think about the response that you are about to make. Be professional. Be as brief but as thorough in your responses as possible. Make the interviewer interested enough to ask you more. Don't ramble with your response and don't do all the talking.
Do your home work. Know the company. Search the internet for recent news articles about the company where you are interviewing. Study their web site. You don't have to memorize everything there, but know what's there. Also, if you are changing industries, know a s much as you can about the industry.
One thing that I've learned from one interview to the next is that you should always have ten to twelve good questions prepared to show those that are interviewing you, that you have a deep interest in becoming a team member in their company. You should not ask them all at once, one after the next, but rather, work them in at appropriate times during the interview.
During my Career Search process, I've refined my list of questions. I'll share those with you. They may not work for you as I have them listed, nor the order in which I listed them. But this may provide you a little guidance, should you need a little help.
1.) How do I excel at this position?
2.) What are the position major responsibilities?
3.) Beyond the job description, and what you've already told me,what are your expectations?
4.) How would you describe the candidate that is a great fit for the company?
5.) How long has this position existed? Why is it vacant? How long has it been vacant?
6.) What situations, with respect to this position, need immediate attention?
7.) What are the growth areas and/or what is the career progression from this position?
8.) What are the company goals? What is the company vision for the next 5-10 years? What about long term goals?
9.) How has this economy affected this business, the company?
10.) How do you see my candidacy for this position?
11.) What skills, experiences am I lacking to perform this job successfully?
12.) What is the next step in the hiring process?
BONUS QUESTION: Do you have a business card (this way you'll more than likely have their e-mail address so you can send a "Thank You" e-mail)?
Be energetic, this shows an interest in the position.
IMPORTANT NOTE: ASK FOR THE JOB! Don't ask directly, but you can say something like this; It looks as if my skill set and experience are a match for this position. I'm definitely interested in this opportunity. I think that I would be a great fit and look forward to the next step in the hiring process.
Also, hand the interviewer a copy of your business card (and tri-fold, if you have one)while you are asking for the job.
Don't forget to send a "Thank You" e-mail and a handwritten "Thank You" note as soon as you can physically get it done. I can't tell you how many stories that I've heard over the past few months where the folks interviewed, were selected above a tie, because they sent a simple "Thank You".
Well, I'm certain that I forgot something. Practice, practice, practice your interview!
I hope that this blog article helps you land that next job and soon!
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
My Faith Is Deep, So Why Is My Job Search Taking So Long?
The pains taking process of job search drags on. You're networking, submitting resumes, improving your writing skills with all those crafty cover letters, attending seminars & webinars, and you're visiting every conceivable body or organization that offers a potentially helpful program. Elevator speeches are rehearsed, changed and put to test. You keep gathering every "out of the box" tool that you can find, in hopes that one of them will give you that very edge that will allow you to stand out from the hundreds that are applying for the same job. Phone interviews and face to face interviews take place,to no avail.
The road is long, the times are difficult, and perhaps ones patience, at times, is put to test. So, why does our Maker, allow our search to drag on so long?
Stop, for a moment, to reflect about what you have done since you first began your search. First out, be thankful for what you do have. Then, give some thought to the following questions;
What have you learned?
Have you taken the opportunity to pursue your passion?
How many new people have you met?
How many of the folks that you've met, have you been able to help?
You'll never know for certain, but how many lives have you touched?
(Always keep in mind that, when interacting with people, sometimes a smile or an uplifting gesture at the right time to someone in need will be remembered for life. Often without you knowing it.)
What is really important in life?
Has your faith strengthened?
I could go on, but I think you understand that you have probably changed for the better through the job search process. I hope that you will take the time to reflect on these questions and others that may come to mind.
As I close, I leave today's blog with this thought;
SOMETIMES THE JOURNEY IS JUST AS IMPORTANT AS THE DESTINATION.
A simple letter of gratitude that we should all write for this experience in life, should go something like this:
Dear GOD, Thank You!
The road is long, the times are difficult, and perhaps ones patience, at times, is put to test. So, why does our Maker, allow our search to drag on so long?
Stop, for a moment, to reflect about what you have done since you first began your search. First out, be thankful for what you do have. Then, give some thought to the following questions;
What have you learned?
Have you taken the opportunity to pursue your passion?
How many new people have you met?
How many of the folks that you've met, have you been able to help?
You'll never know for certain, but how many lives have you touched?
(Always keep in mind that, when interacting with people, sometimes a smile or an uplifting gesture at the right time to someone in need will be remembered for life. Often without you knowing it.)
What is really important in life?
Has your faith strengthened?
I could go on, but I think you understand that you have probably changed for the better through the job search process. I hope that you will take the time to reflect on these questions and others that may come to mind.
As I close, I leave today's blog with this thought;
SOMETIMES THE JOURNEY IS JUST AS IMPORTANT AS THE DESTINATION.
A simple letter of gratitude that we should all write for this experience in life, should go something like this:
Dear GOD, Thank You!
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Increasing Interview Odds From a Digitally Read Resume
Many companies scan resumes with word scan programs. HR types use them to scan for key words that they have used in their job posting descriptions.
I've recently read a few articles about folks that have tried the following method, who claim that the number of call backs have increased significantly. I'm not certain if this approaches an integrity issue, an honor issue, or neither. But then, I'm uncertain about the same questionable issues by the HR folks that use the word scan method of singling out qualified candidates.
After you have written your resume to about one and a half to two and a half pages (I know, most say two pages, max), copy the text used by the company for the job description. Then, paste the text that you've just copied onto the blank area of your resume. Change the copied text to the smallest font, less than three if possible. Next, convert the text to white in color. You will not be able to see the text, but the scanner should pick it up.
For those using the scanner method, your resume should appear near the top of the heap because the program has picked up the programmed key words. Your odds of receiving a call for an interview are increased. Then, it's entirely up to you.
Good luck with your interview!
CAUTION: It is recommended that you only use this method if you have a great match between your resume and the job description. DON'T do this if you know that you don't qualify for the job anyway. You'll certainly look like a complete idiot!
FINALLY; LET YOUR CONSCIENCE BE YOUR GUIDE
I've recently read a few articles about folks that have tried the following method, who claim that the number of call backs have increased significantly. I'm not certain if this approaches an integrity issue, an honor issue, or neither. But then, I'm uncertain about the same questionable issues by the HR folks that use the word scan method of singling out qualified candidates.
After you have written your resume to about one and a half to two and a half pages (I know, most say two pages, max), copy the text used by the company for the job description. Then, paste the text that you've just copied onto the blank area of your resume. Change the copied text to the smallest font, less than three if possible. Next, convert the text to white in color. You will not be able to see the text, but the scanner should pick it up.
For those using the scanner method, your resume should appear near the top of the heap because the program has picked up the programmed key words. Your odds of receiving a call for an interview are increased. Then, it's entirely up to you.
Good luck with your interview!
CAUTION: It is recommended that you only use this method if you have a great match between your resume and the job description. DON'T do this if you know that you don't qualify for the job anyway. You'll certainly look like a complete idiot!
FINALLY; LET YOUR CONSCIENCE BE YOUR GUIDE
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