Job Security in the Government

Job Security in the Government I used to work for the Federal Government.   When I decided to leave my clerical position and go to private industry as a web developer, I had a number of people come and warn me that I was leaving the most secure thing I could ever have.   (read my thoughts about job security here) How could private industry compete with the steady paycheck and the acceptable benefits that the govt would provide?   If I just stayed a few decades longer perhaps I could work my way up and make enough money to raise a family (at the time I was making about $10.50 an hour). They thought I was nuts to leave such a good thing.   And good it was, for sure, for some people.   I have family and friends who have a great retirement after spending their careers in government service.   My career envy thoughts even made me think about the FBI or Air Force as options. But heres something that I think is just downright sad check out this CNN article titled Pennsylvania withholds July pay. WHAT??? Oh, it gets better in the article it says Pennsylvania is withholding pay for 69,000 state employees. Youve heard about California sending out IOUs?   Thats because they have a $26B shortfall.   So hey, take this IOU and pay your bills.   Actually, some debtors took the IOUs for a short time, but either they have stopped taking IOUs or they have a date on when they wont accept them anymore.   This will ruin personal and business credit. So much for job security.   The second to last line in that article says Many thousands of California workers will lose their jobs. Hows that for security. I feel my career envy dwindling already. Job Security in the Government I used to work for the Federal Government.   When I decided to leave my clerical position and go to private industry as a web developer, I had a number of people come and warn me that I was leaving the most secure thing I could ever have.   (read my thoughts about job security here) How could private industry compete with the steady paycheck and the acceptable benefits that the govt would provide?   If I just stayed a few decades longer perhaps I could work my way up and make enough money to raise a family (at the time I was making about $10.50 an hour). They thought I was nuts to leave such a good thing.   And good it was, for sure, for some people.   I have family and friends who have a great retirement after spending their careers in government service.   My career envy thoughts even made me think about the FBI or Air Force as options. But heres something that I think is just downright sad check out this CNN article titled Pennsylvania withholds July pay. WHAT??? Oh, it gets better in the article it says Pennsylvania is withholding pay for 69,000 state employees. Youve heard about California sending out IOUs?   Thats because they have a $26B shortfall.   So hey, take this IOU and pay your bills.   Actually, some debtors took the IOUs for a short time, but either they have stopped taking IOUs or they have a date on when they wont accept them anymore.   This will ruin personal and business credit. So much for job security.   The second to last line in that article says Many thousands of California workers will lose their jobs. Hows that for security. I feel my career envy dwindling already. Job Security in the Government I used to work for the Federal Government.   When I decided to leave my clerical position and go to private industry as a web developer, I had a number of people come and warn me that I was leaving the most secure thing I could ever have.   (read my thoughts about job security here) How could private industry compete with the steady paycheck and the acceptable benefits that the govt would provide?   If I just stayed a few decades longer perhaps I could work my way up and make enough money to raise a family (at the time I was making about $10.50 an hour). They thought I was nuts to leave such a good thing.   And good it was, for sure, for some people.   I have family and friends who have a great retirement after spending their careers in government service.   My career envy thoughts even made me think about the FBI or Air Force as options. But heres something that I think is just downright sad check out this CNN article titled Pennsylvania withholds July pay. WHAT??? Oh, it gets better in the article it says Pennsylvania is withholding pay for 69,000 state employees. Youve heard about California sending out IOUs?   Thats because they have a $26B shortfall.   So hey, take this IOU and pay your bills.   Actually, some debtors took the IOUs for a short time, but either they have stopped taking IOUs or they have a date on when they wont accept them anymore.   This will ruin personal and business credit. So much for job security.   The second to last line in that article says Many thousands of California workers will lose their jobs. Hows that for security. I feel my career envy dwindling already.

Career Choices for Parents Coming Out of Paternity Leave

Career Choices for Parents Coming Out of Paternity Leave Let’s be honest, having children is a big deal for Mum and Dad. Your life ran along simple, organised lines with a schedule, a career and plenty of sleep. In the space of a few months, this tiny bundle turns your world upside down. You flounder for a time, learning how to feed and change him or her, and learn to survive on minimal sleep. Somewhere in this heady mix is your career. Paternity leave can be the time you need to re-evaluate your carer plan, and make changes. What is Paternity Leave? In the UK, women can take up to 12 months’ maternity leave when they have a baby or adopt. Dads can take two weeks’ paternity leave or there is also the possibility of Shared Paternal Leave or SPL. This is where the first 12 months of having a baby or adopting a child is shared between Mum and Dad. This gives both parents time to bond with their baby before leaping back into work. How you take this time, or if you take it at all, is entirely dependent on you. Most employers support SPL and maternity leave support is mandatory. This doesn’t mean it is not without its problems. Some parents can feel isolated when not at work. Other parents don’t get the chance to disconnect from work because their colleagues assume they are still working, just from home. The Career Options But paternity leave is a chance to take stock of what you have done so far and the direction you would like your future career to take, after all you have a family to consider now. So, what are the options? No Change Once paternity leave is over, you can step right back into your role as you left it weeks or months earlier. Your rights are protected and that means returning to the same post, and not be side-lined to another. You can also accrue your holidays as you would if you had been physically working in the office and you can also take advantage of any pay rise during this time too. For many new parents, returning to the comfort of their previous position is welcome after so many changes in their personal life. Reduce Hours Some parents request changes to their hours, making it easier to accommodate their new family. It may be that both parents decide to reduce their hours, by either opting for part time or job sharing their position. However, it is important to note that an employer is not under any legal obligation to reduce your hours or agree to job share. You may need to negotiate with your employer, pointing out the benefits of the situation to the business, to them and to you. Flexi Working Patterns All employees have a legal right to ask their employer about a flexi-working pattern, not just carers or parents with children. However, now that you have a family, you may find that the 9 to 5 is simply not fitting with the school run, after school care, nursery or childcare arrangements. An employer needs to consider your request for flexi-working hours in a ‘reasonable manner’ and if they refuse, they need to give a solid business reasons as to why they cannot accommodate it. If you feel the decision is unfair, you can ask a tribunal to look at your case. A change of direction Paternity leave can be the chance you need to realign your work compass. This could mean one of two things: A complete change of direction Upskilling so that you can move ahead in your current role A completely new career path is an exciting prospect for many. Invigorated with the arrival of your new bundle of joy, you may have come to realise that a new career direction is needed. Or, in your current role, in order to reach out and get that promotion, you need to upskill. Both of these career changes mean acquiring new skills and knowledge. Being at home means you can take advantage of all kinds of distance and home learning courses from reputable providers such as NCC Home Learning. Learning at your own pace and in your own time, paternity leave can be the chance you need to take stock of your career, and make some changes. It is a chance to evaluate where you see yourself in a few years’ time and how this vision fits with your family life. What career changes would you make? NCC Home Learning is an online provider of a growing range of courses. Upskilling and gaining knowledge is certain areas can be the springboard your carer needs to reach the next step.

How to write an email that generates a useful response

How to write an email that generates a useful response Most people who are on top of their game respond to most emails within 48 hours. However some emails are so terribly written that its actually impossible to send an answer. Other emails are so terribly written that the amount of time it would take to figure out what to answer is simply not worth it. In order to get the response youre looking for, you need to ask a very good question. Here are five ways to do that: 1. Dont send an essay. Your whole email should not exceed five sentences. If you need to give the person a lot of information in order to help you, send them an email asking if you can send more information. But heres a tip: Youre most likely to get a response if you dont need to send more information. A direct question is easiest to answer, and it doesnt take a lot of space. 2. Dont be vague. Heres an interesting question: Is there a god? But its not a question for email, because any answer would be very long and philosophical. For this question, go buy a book. But thats not even the worst type of offender. At least Is there a god is a short, direct question. Emails that call loudest for the delete button are those with vague requests for help followed by a long-winded personal introduction and no real question. Test yourself: Write a concise subject line, and then go back to the email and delete anything not directly related to that. 3. Do heavy lifting in the self-knowledge arena before you ask for help. Most people who are lost have huge questions: Should I start a company? Should I quit my job. If you are really, really lost, dont approach someone who is really, really in demand. You need a specific, high-payoff question for the person you are approaching. Which means you really need ask a lot of questions to get to the good question. For example, the question, Should I quit my job? is usually about Does my job really suck? or Could I get a better job? And then there are specific questions related to that. Once you drill down to the core question, for example, is Phoenix a good place to raise kids or should I get a job somewhere else before I have kids? Then you can ask a child-rearing expert who lives in Phoenix. But no one can answer the broad question, should I quit my job? 4. Ask the right question of the right person. The best type of question is a very specific question in the exact sweet spot of this persons expertise. I know this because I field a lot of terrible career questions. Last week someone I barely know asked me what she should get her boyfriend for a gift. Of course, I have no idea. But a good question for me would be what to get her boyfriend a gift if her boyfriend is her boss and there is company-wide public gift-giving. Thats an office politics question, and its specific, and I write a lot about topics like this. So Id take some time to answer the question. (If youre wondering: buy a gift certificate to a bookstore. Totally impersonal and appropriate. Itll throw everyone off.) 5. Admit when you dont have a good question. Its hard to ask a question that meets all this criteria. Thats because good questions come from good thinking, and its easier to fire off an email than to sit on your sofa and think. But most answers to most tough questions are either in your heart or in Google. So try those avenues first. Then ask an expert. Because by the time youve exhausted your heart and Google, youll probably ask a good question, because youll an expert as well.

Call Center Agent Cover Letter Sample - Algrim.co

Call Center Agent Cover Letter Sample - Algrim.co Call Center Agent Cover Letter Template Download our cover letter template in Word format. Instant download. No email required. Download Template

5 LinkedIn Profile Personal Brand Building Essentials - Executive Career Brandâ„¢

5 Profile Personal Brand Building Essentials

Will Women Outnumber Men in the Workforce - Kathy Caprino

Will Women Outnumber Men in the Workforce Hi Friends: Yesterday, in light of the NY Times article, “As Layoffs Surge, Women May Pass Men in Job Force” (see http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/06/business/06women.html), I was interviewed on Fox Business Network TV, discussing this recession trend of layoffs hitting men harder than women, and women potentially outnumbering men in the workplace. We discussed the following: 1) Will the trend continue 2) If so, what does it mean for women, and how will it affect our lives and work 3) What can families do to keep afloat financially Briefly, my views are that this trend will very likely continue, allowing women to be more heavily represented in the nation’s payroll, for the first time in American history.   But for this trend to be beneficial for both men and women, some key things have to change.   Primarily, we need collectively  to view this as a potential positive outcome a change to be embraced for our growth and expansion (both men and womens),  not resisted as a terrible turn of events. This trend represents great change on many levels for women. For women, access to new opportunities, new experiences of power, authority, and a majority voice in some cases that could help women eventually shape their lives differently, and the lives of other women.  For men, a shift in a power dynamic that may bring great new opportunity for growth. A lasting trend like this will require, however, a transformation in long-standing rigid gender roles. Research has shown that women are still shouldering the majority of domestic responsibility, even when they work, and even when they are the primary breadwinners. From my view, a revision in thinking and behavior needs to occur in both men and women to allow for women to step up the new responsibilities of caring for their households financially. To do so, women have to walk away from their pattern of “overfunctioning” â€" doing more than is necessary, more than is appropriate, and more than is healthy. They also have to gain strength and confidence in being in a position, and having a voice, of power in the family and at work.   Finally, women will greatly benefit from developing a stronger, deeper  capability in earning and managing  money a true money-mindset that will serve them well in all times and eras.   Further, now’s the time for women to understand that women are not “men in skirts” â€" we will be less constrained now to lead, manage, and work in ways that are inauthentic or not appropriate for us. We need to resist the temptation to do things just as our male colleagues or counterparts have done it, if in fact there might be a different and better way. Finally, regarding staying afloat in tough financial times, we all have to balance what needs to be done, with what we want to do. We may need to take work now that we wouldn’t have two years ago…work that helps us meet our financial obligations â€" work that may not compensate us as we wish, or match our skills or abilities perfectly. These are tough times, and these times call for strong measures. We have to find work where we can, and modify our spending and other aspects of our lives to meet these needs. But the key is to remember that this too shall pass â€"  a brighter future is waiting. My hope is that this future will allow women who want to, to take more of the lead than ever before.   Build for your future now figure out what you want the years ahead to  hold, and get on a course of planning for it (of skill-building, taking on new responsibilities and projects, shifting your roles at home to accommodate growth, learning to earn and manage your money capably, and building your network) so that when the time is right, you will be able to do the work you long to, in the way that best fits you,  your priorities and needs. I’d love your thoughts on both the article, and the views stated here. Please share them! Thank you, Kathy

Tips For Writing Federal Resumes

Tips For Writing Federal ResumesWhat tips for writing federal resume? A federal job requires a lot of responsibilities and can be a grueling task to pursue. Finding the best job takes a lot of planning and an excellent resume can make the difference between a potential employer hiring you or not.Do you have any tips for writing federal resume? Each resume must be designed to be very unique. You may want to use a template if this is something that you are used to doing or if you know anyone who has been in a similar situation. This will give you a starting point to build upon.The first thing you need to do is make sure you have every job title listed and that you have all the necessary information correct. This includes job titles, dates, titles, positions held, title and functions. Also include any previous work experience that may be relevant.In the section for education and training, list the names of schools attended as well as the dates and details of the courses you have complet ed. Also, list any degrees that you have earned. You will need to include your education and training if you plan on getting a Federal job. The information should also include what positions you held, how long you worked there and how much overtime you worked each week.Start by listing the most important skills you possess. This should include the ones that will be the most useful in the position. You can include additional job related skills if necessary. Remember to include these types of skills in your resume but make sure you list them correctly.When you begin listing the duties you need to be able to do you will need to list each task you will need to perform. It is important to list all the duties as they will be required and not put in all the required tasks in your resume. Try and list each type of duty listed here as you will need to do more than one type of duty. It is also important to note that when a job requires you to do two or more duties it may be listed twice. You should also list the different skills you need to possess if this is necessary.An effective tip for writing federal resume is to make sure you put a gap between each statement. This is so the employers can see you are a professional with some experience and it shows that you are eager to learn. After you have listed your education and training, it is time to put in your job skills. Make sure that you list them in your resume as they are required.These are some tips for writing federal resume. There are many other things that you will need to include such as any certifications that you have and volunteer work. Take the time to create a great resume and get hired!