How To Word Cloud and Key Word Analysis of Job Descriptions and Resumes (on JibberJobber)

How To Word Cloud and Key Word Analysis of Job Descriptions and Resumes (on JibberJobber) Many years ago I heard about the brilliant idea of pasting your resume, or a job description, into a word cloud generator to get an analysis of what words and phrases were commonly used.  We now have a tool to help you do this type of analysis in JibberJobber.  What we have now is Phase I of a bigger project, with some really cool and useful enhancements in the planning stage. This type of reporting and analysis can help you create better resumes, and prepare for interviews better.  If I had an interview I was preparing for, I would do this analysis on ten jobs with the same titles and then compare, side-by-side, what the analysis shows me.  Smarter resumes, smarter cover letters, smarter interviews, smarter networking dialogs it all comes from understanding better what companies are looking for. Below is how our word cloud stuff works (this is all on the Jobs Detail Page I would create a Job record of just my resume, and do the same analysis of my resume as I would of a job description): First, put a Job into JibberJobber.  You can see this is for a Senior Systems Analyst / release Manager: Then, scroll down on the Detail Page (the page after you save the job, not the Add/Edit page), and youll see these three tabs (right above the Log Entries area): The first tab is for Notes, which is what we have in the other Detail Pages, and what weve had in JibberJobber since 2006.  The second tab is where you paste the Job Description, which is a simple Copy/Paste from LinkedIn, Indeed, Monster, Dice, etc.  The third tab is where you will see the Word Cloud, and other analysis (see below). Heres what a Job Description looks like, pasted into the second tab (NOTE that double-clicking on the tab will allow you to add/edit the Notes, and add (paste) a Job Description): Now that we have a job description in, we can click on the third tab, and see the Word Cloud (first tab), and the Analysis.  Heres what the Word Cloud looks like notice I can change the output to different types of word clouds, and I can show x% of the top words/phrases: So thats it that is what most word cloud systems let you do (afaik).  The next thing we do is show you a simple statistical analysis, under the Analysis tab: NOTE the last line in this image (there more more below this one) is TWO words we allow you to create multi-word phrases (see more below), as well as blacklist words or phrases, in the last two tabs. So, click on the Phrases tab and you can see that we can force phrases if computer systems are two words right next to each other, we force them to be a phrase, instead of making computer one word and systems another word pretty cool way to clean up the results: We can also blacklist words, like and or the or something else we dont need to see in the analysis.  This also helps clean up the analysis: SO thats its for Phase I.  There are some REALLY COOL features that I want to introduce in Phase II stay tuned!  If you have any requests to enhance this analysis and reporting, let me know: Jason at JibberJobber dot com thanks! Note: I dont blog about that because my competitors like to read my blog posts to see what were up to, and see what they can squeeze into their system How To Word Cloud and Key Word Analysis of Job Descriptions and Resumes (on JibberJobber) Many years ago I heard about the brilliant idea of pasting your resume, or a job description, into a word cloud generator to get an analysis of what words and phrases were commonly used.  We now have a tool to help you do this type of analysis in JibberJobber.  What we have now is Phase I of a bigger project, with some really cool and useful enhancements in the planning stage. This type of reporting and analysis can help you create better resumes, and prepare for interviews better.  If I had an interview I was preparing for, I would do this analysis on ten jobs with the same titles and then compare, side-by-side, what the analysis shows me.  Smarter resumes, smarter cover letters, smarter interviews, smarter networking dialogs it all comes from understanding better what companies are looking for. Below is how our word cloud stuff works (this is all on the Jobs Detail Page I would create a Job record of just my resume, and do the same analysis of my resume as I would of a job description): First, put a Job into JibberJobber.  You can see this is for a Senior Systems Analyst / release Manager: Then, scroll down on the Detail Page (the page after you save the job, not the Add/Edit page), and youll see these three tabs (right above the Log Entries area): The first tab is for Notes, which is what we have in the other Detail Pages, and what weve had in JibberJobber since 2006.  The second tab is where you paste the Job Description, which is a simple Copy/Paste from LinkedIn, Indeed, Monster, Dice, etc.  The third tab is where you will see the Word Cloud, and other analysis (see below). Heres what a Job Description looks like, pasted into the second tab (NOTE that double-clicking on the tab will allow you to add/edit the Notes, and add (paste) a Job Description): Now that we have a job description in, we can click on the third tab, and see the Word Cloud (first tab), and the Analysis.  Heres what the Word Cloud looks like notice I can change the output to different types of word clouds, and I can show x% of the top words/phrases: So thats it that is what most word cloud systems let you do (afaik).  The next thing we do is show you a simple statistical analysis, under the Analysis tab: NOTE the last line in this image (there more more below this one) is TWO words we allow you to create multi-word phrases (see more below), as well as blacklist words or phrases, in the last two tabs. So, click on the Phrases tab and you can see that we can force phrases if computer systems are two words right next to each other, we force them to be a phrase, instead of making computer one word and systems another word pretty cool way to clean up the results: We can also blacklist words, like and or the or something else we dont need to see in the analysis.  This also helps clean up the analysis: SO thats its for Phase I.  There are some REALLY COOL features that I want to introduce in Phase II stay tuned!  If you have any requests to enhance this analysis and reporting, let me know: Jason at JibberJobber dot com thanks! Note: I dont blog about that because my competitors like to read my blog posts to see what were up to, and see what they can squeeze into their system How To Word Cloud and Key Word Analysis of Job Descriptions and Resumes (on JibberJobber) Many years ago I heard about the brilliant idea of pasting your resume, or a job description, into a word cloud generator to get an analysis of what words and phrases were commonly used.  We now have a tool to help you do this type of analysis in JibberJobber.  What we have now is Phase I of a bigger project, with some really cool and useful enhancements in the planning stage. This type of reporting and analysis can help you create better resumes, and prepare for interviews better.  If I had an interview I was preparing for, I would do this analysis on ten jobs with the same titles and then compare, side-by-side, what the analysis shows me.  Smarter resumes, smarter cover letters, smarter interviews, smarter networking dialogs it all comes from understanding better what companies are looking for. Below is how our word cloud stuff works (this is all on the Jobs Detail Page I would create a Job record of just my resume, and do the same analysis of my resume as I would of a job description): First, put a Job into JibberJobber.  You can see this is for a Senior Systems Analyst / release Manager: Then, scroll down on the Detail Page (the page after you save the job, not the Add/Edit page), and youll see these three tabs (right above the Log Entries area): The first tab is for Notes, which is what we have in the other Detail Pages, and what weve had in JibberJobber since 2006.  The second tab is where you paste the Job Description, which is a simple Copy/Paste from LinkedIn, Indeed, Monster, Dice, etc.  The third tab is where you will see the Word Cloud, and other analysis (see below). Heres what a Job Description looks like, pasted into the second tab (NOTE that double-clicking on the tab will allow you to add/edit the Notes, and add (paste) a Job Description): Now that we have a job description in, we can click on the third tab, and see the Word Cloud (first tab), and the Analysis.  Heres what the Word Cloud looks like notice I can change the output to different types of word clouds, and I can show x% of the top words/phrases: So thats it that is what most word cloud systems let you do (afaik).  The next thing we do is show you a simple statistical analysis, under the Analysis tab: NOTE the last line in this image (there more more below this one) is TWO words we allow you to create multi-word phrases (see more below), as well as blacklist words or phrases, in the last two tabs. So, click on the Phrases tab and you can see that we can force phrases if computer systems are two words right next to each other, we force them to be a phrase, instead of making computer one word and systems another word pretty cool way to clean up the results: We can also blacklist words, like and or the or something else we dont need to see in the analysis.  This also helps clean up the analysis: SO thats its for Phase I.  There are some REALLY COOL features that I want to introduce in Phase II stay tuned!  If you have any requests to enhance this analysis and reporting, let me know: Jason at JibberJobber dot com thanks! Note: I dont blog about that because my competitors like to read my blog posts to see what were up to, and see what they can squeeze into their system

Ready To Work For Yourself 3 Things You Must Do BEFORE You Quit Your Day Job!

Ready To Work For Yourself 3 Things You Must Do BEFORE You Quit Your Day Job! For the first time, many baby boomers (aka your parents) and their twenty something kids are finding themselves in the same boat. There’s was a time when going to college and getting a degree pretty much meant you’d have a career and make great money. Oh my ! Have things changed! The good news is, the entrepreneurial spirit is still alive and well. If you’ve been thinking about leaving your job to start your own mini empire. Don’t hand in your resignation just yet. Here are 3 things you must do before you kick your job to the curb. #1   Honey Make Sure The Money Adds Up! One of the biggest mistakes new entrepreneurs make, is not preparing themselves financially before walking away from their jobs. In their haste to get their new business venture going they fail to plan for the lean times. Trust me, there will be lean times. The moment you decide you’re going to work for yourself is when you need have a plan in place. Start squirreling away money asap. Place it in a separate bank account and vow not to touch it. You can save money from your current salary, any clients you have on the side and from living a little more frugally. Once you’re savings or money earned from side jobs  equals your current monthly salary you should be good. You’re going to need to save at least 6 months of living expenses. #2   Work On Your Own Business Part-time Depending on the nature of the business you want to start. It would be smart to get started on a part-time basis while still working for your current employer. It will give you a clear picture of what to expect once you’re out on your own.   But one caveat, never ever steal a current client of the company you currently work for. Look for clients not associated with your current employer if you’ll be marketing for the same kind of clients. Running your business part-time will make you more confident about striking out on your own when you’re finally ready to do so full-time. Plus you’ll have the opportunity to learn from your mistakes on a smaller scale. You can work on areas you know you’ll need to improve upon before you leave your job. If you’re lacking in any area business wise, use this time to take some business courses. Your local Small Business Association has tons of free material and classes you can take advantage of. If you don’t have an SBA office near you. Check out their website at sba.gov. You can take courses free online. #3   Plan When To Leave It’s a good idea to leave your current job on good terms. Even if you’re not too crazy about where you work. Now is not the time to burn bridges. Many entrepreneurs were hired by their old company to provide services. Employers tend to be more comfortable working with someone theyre familiar with. If your employer could be a potential customer, make sure the transition and your departure goes as smoothly as possible. Your first major client may also be a result of referrals from your old boss. There are other things to keep in mind when planning to go out on your own. Like don’t tell your coworkers you’re planning to leave. I don’t care how many times you tell someone not to say anything, they do it anyway. Keep it to yourself until you’re ready to make a formal announcement. Prepare yourself   well before you hand in your resignation, learn about running a business, talk to other self-employed entrepreneurs and make sure you have a viable business plan. You don’t have to be perfect, just well prepared. Good luck!

The True Secrets of Job Hunting

The True Secrets of Job Hunting When job hunting how do you get yourself noticed? How do you negotiate the interview and pay? Here are the true secrets of the job hunt! 1) Get  yourself noticed: Become  more visible: It’s a big world out there! One of the best ways to get noticed these days is to make your self as visible as possible to potential employers. The first thing you can do is to ensure your online application, resume, and CV includes keywords that are related to your particular field. Without the correct keywords your information is far less visible to any one searching online. Social media: If you’re not leveraging the plethora of social media tools at your disposal, you’re missing out on a huge opportunity to get noticed and make connections that could result in an offer. Your first move should be to get on LinkedIn and start expanding your network by joining groups and working through your existing contacts. It’s a good idea to either set your Facebook to private or at the very least ensure nothing potentially discouraging to potential employers is visible. Companies and recruiters use every tool available to get a firm grasp of who you are as a person. Gaining  influence:  Harnessing the power of Twitter and other online mediums to become an industry influencer can be a great asset. Influencers are not just popular, but are seen as connected, passionate and knowledgeable individuals who have the ability to affect change. This is a powerful asset to potential employers. Employers want to know they are hiring someone who can have a positive impact not only for the company but also those around them. 2) Navigating the interview: Play your part by asking questions:  Asking the right questions can serve a few different purposes. A well thought out question can show knowledge and insight about a particular position or industry. Another advantage is that it shows the interviewer your level of long-term commitment. Asking questions about the day-to-day processes and operations shows that you are really trying to envision your career with this company for the long haul. This also opens the door to have the interviewer sell you on the company and make your feel more comfortable about the decision to work there. Include things that are uniquely you:  Whoever is hired will have to work closely with everyone else in the office and the last person they want to hire is a robot. Don’t be afraid to include your hobbies and interests during your interview. Though, bear in mind that you don’t want to go overboard by talking about your dozens of pet cats. 3) Negotiating pay and benefits: Don’t be  afraid to talk about pay:  While pay should never be your top concern it is obviously an important talking point for both parties. Tread carefully on this subject. It’s acceptable to know and voice the minimum you can live with, but coming across too bold or entitled can ruin the view they have of you. Being polite and tactful can go a long way. Politely ask what the average range of salary is for this open position. At this point they already know your salary history, so chances are the offer they have in mind is within your reasonable expectations. At the end of the day you have to be thinking long-term. A little less money with greater future opportunity is always a better choice. Discussing  benefits is not a bad thing:  Asking about benefits offered is never a bad move. If you are still in the running they will be more than happy to sell you on company benefits and to make sure it’s a good fit for you. Let them know about your children or family needs and ensure you are getting everything you desired. Again, tact is highly recommended, as benefits are usually not a highly flexible part of the job offer. 4) Don’t be  too quick to sign on the dotted line: Juggling multiple offers can be tricky:  If you have multiple job offers that are making the choice hard for you, let them know. Again, be open and honest when dealing with these situations and employers will respect you. If the job you prefer to work gives you a lower bid than the less preferred, let them know. You might be surprised at the reaction you get. It’s usually best to provide them with proof but that’s not always necessary. Often times if they are as excited about you joining the team as you are, they can raise their offer or even match another offer to get you on board. Wait! I  need more time:  Usually all the offers do not just fall into your lap at the same time. The job you were almost certain to get will shoot back a quick offer while the one you really want is taking its time and mulling over the potential candidates. In this situation it is completely acceptable to ask the first company for some time to think about it or ask what the expiration of that offer is. These are big choices for both sides and a little time to think in order to ensure the right decision is made would be in the best interest of both parties. Remember  what is important:  You want to work at a job that appreciates all you are and what you bring to the table. There is no point in pretending to be someone or something your not. Take a look at what in your personal life is important to you and make sure this new job protects those things and doesn’t cut them out. Finding a job that fits both parties perfectly takes open communication and clearly defined expectations on both sides. Author:  Josh Hansen is a writer who  writes on a wide range of employment and career topics on behalf of Workfish (workfish.co.uk).

Free Female Resume Template - Purple Pop

Free Female Resume Template - Purple Pop Free Female Resume Template Purple Pop When it comes to your resume, finding a perfect balance can be challenging. As a professional woman, you want your resume to stand out. It should make hiring managers take notice. On the other hand, a resume that’s flowery or cutesy isn’t the answer if you want to be taken seriously. This is why we’ve created the ‘Purple Pop’ resume template. It features a classic, professional layout, with just a pop of purple hue to draw more attention to key areas. It’s the perfect combination of professionalism and style. Take a moment to note the special section at the bottom of the template. We added this so that you can include relevant skills and other resume keywords. Not only will this impress hiring managers, it will help ensure that you wont forget to insert those pertinent words specific to job on offer.We are happy to provide you with this template at absolutely no cost to you. All we ask in return is that you help spread the word by sharing this post on Facebook or Twitt er! File size: 76 KB Format: .doc Downloaded 1,223 times License: Free, personal use only. Please read the license terms for resources. Download previous article Want to Win your Next Job Interview? Use Mirroring next article What should I do following my job interview? you might also likeThe Freelancers Resume Creative Resume Template for Independent Workers

Consider a Career in the Healthcare Industry

Consider a Career in the Healthcare Industry Photo Credit â€" Pexels.comFinding the right career for you is not always going to be an easy task. There are plenty of questions for you to consider.What do you like to do?Are you someone that prefers helping others?Do you want competitive pay, or are you more interested in following a passion over income?No matter what your answers are to these questions, it is a good idea that you take time to think about what you hope to get out of your career path. Once you have an idea of what you want from life, you will find that career options begin making more sense.For example, a desire to help others and earn a living income can lead you to work in the healthcare industry. There are a number of programs out there to help you to land the right advanced degree for your needs.evalTo learn more about their online MBA in health care management, it can be a useful idea to take a look at all of the benefits that come along from working in the healthcare industry. Consider a few of these points a nd see if this is the best career path for you.Keep Hospitals RunningevalHealthcare professions are not always about tending to the urgent medical needs of a patient. In fact, a lot of weight falls on the shoulders of hospital administration. The women and men who work in these positions have to put in long hours so that they can help to maintain order in a hospital.Pursuing an advanced degree in hospital management can help you to become the perfect intermediary between policymakers and the medical professionals who carry out these policies. You will easily be able to make a difference when you work in this area.Going back to school for an MBA can be a time-consuming process. If you want to see the best possible results from your endeavors, then you have to make sure to consider your schedule. Working long hours can make it difficult to find time to be in a classroom.Luckily, there are plenty of interesting online options worth considering. Some institutions of higher learning offe r online programs to the men and women who want their advanced degrees but cannot afford to take time away from work.More Hands-OnIf administration isn’t your thing, but you are interested in helping others, then you might want to find a career path that allows you for a more hands-on approach. Working as a respiratory therapist can be the right choice in this regard.You will be able to learn a great deal about working in high-pressure situations and dealing with complex breathing issues when you return to school for a program like this. Learn more about the field in this article about respiratory therapyevalThere are several reasons for you to think about going back to school for an advanced degree in health care management. If you want to make an impact on the lives of others, and you think that you could do wonders in a hospital environment, then an MBA might be right for you.Take time to look over your options and choose a program that will help you to learn everything that yo u need to know at a pace that works for your lifestyle.

Technology In The Manufacturing Industry Is The Most Exciting

Technology In The Manufacturing Industry Is The Most Exciting Since technology first made its way into the vocabulary of business consultants, entire industries have been trying to adapt in order to accommodate the benefits and, as it turns out, no one is safe from the disruptions; not even the once blue-collar world of manufacturing. In fact, the manufacturing industry has fast become one of the most exciting areas of new technologies, innovations, and ideas. But it’s not just the changes we have seen in recent years that are worth getting excited about, it’s the future of this market because what we’ve seen so far is just the beginning of something special. Just a decade ago, and maybe even less than that, the kind of technological change we have seen would have seemed impossible. Something resigned to sci-fi films and madcap speculation. Yet here we are, enjoying the kind of technological implementations that have boosted the manufacturing business on all fronts, from speed to precision, customization to productivity. It is a brave new world for this once blue-collar industry, where success demands a solid investment in tech. So, without further ado, here are the revolutionary technologies that are changing the game and paving the way for a brighter future. 1) The Internet Of Things When you think back to the very beginning of manufacturing, you think back to the Industrial Revolution; people working in factories that were able to mass-produce products like never before. But even then there was a common goal in the form of interconnectivity. The Internet Of Things has taken this idea to a whole new level and begun to deliver results that no one could have ever dreamed of. Machines working alongside other machines, sensors providing up-to-the-second feedback, and people being able to work closer together than ever before. IoT has boosted connectivity a million-fold and with it comes better communication, better response times, better efficiency and better profit margins. It could be a system that keeps the fluid levels in a machine at the optimum level using sensors, or it might be improving your automated systems by having each of your devices interconnected. Whatever your business niche, the introduction of IoT promises to enhance and improve your operations an d make your entire company future-proof. 2) 3D Printing We are just at the very beginning of the 3D printing story. Sure, the first chapter may have already been written in the form of product design, but now that the industrial 3D printer has reached the world of manufacturing, the sky really is the limit. It’s opened up Pandora’s Box and allowed for almost any idea to be designed and produced using a plethora of materials metals, plastics and, as you will have no doubt heard, even human tissue. This means the way we are able to construct, create and build things is about to change. Everything is about to change. But the best thing is the benefits 3D printing brings with it. Idea-to-production time is drastically reduced, lead times will become impossibly efficient, the amount of flexibility granted to manufacturers will skyrocket, the amount of waste will be massively reduced, replacing parts will be so much easier to achieve, prototypes will become less hassle and the overall cost of doing things will be made much easier to swallo w. And like we said at the beginning, this is still a brand new concept, which means this technology is yet to explore even a fraction of what is possible. It will get better, more precise, faster, cheaper and more efficient, which is why you need to jump on the bandwagon now and find a way to bring it into your operations. 3) Cloud Technology The cloud has already touched a million industries and become a staple part of the way they run on a day-to-day basis. For so many, the cloud has become as essential as a website, which makes it a wonder why the manufacturing game was so late to the party (and not fashionably late either). One can only presume it had something to do with the need for connectivity or added security. Nonetheless, these hiccups have fallen by the wayside and with the manufacturing industry has welcomed the cloud with open arms. Those that are reaping the most rewards from this technology are manufacturing companies with more than just one plant, allowing better connectivity across your entire business. Not only does this make sharing, storing and accessing data a lot more seamless, it allows plants to reduce both the time, money and production spent on operating. Not only that but the cloud can help improve the quality and consistency of your processes, which is a great solution for those with multiple plants to manage. 4) Augmented Reality Even with AR technology becoming a huge success for Instagram, Snapchat, Pokemon Go and so many other social media platforms, the failure of Google Glass proves the world isn’t entirely ready for AR just yet. That said, the very concept of it is exciting the manufacturing industry, especially the idea of AR glasses. The potential is just endless. Yes, it is still a very new technology, but the benefits are already there to see and they all revolve around real-time data. Real-time notifications, real-time instructions, real-time monitoring, real-time delegation and real-time data. The other big benefits they offer are safety warnings, a means of implementing effective training on the job and less time spent on mechanical support. It is going to be so exciting to see how this fresh technology develops over the next few years. 5) Nanotechnology We will be the first to say this technology is still a few years or so away from being integrated into mainstream businesses, but the progress being made warrants it a place on this prestigious list (and not just because the possibilities shown in Big Hero 6 make it so disarming). For those who don’t know what nanotechnology is, the dictionary definition is: “the branch of technology that deals with dimensions and tolerances of less than 100 nanometers, especially the manipulation of individual atoms and molecules.” What’s more, this manipulation of matter can happen on an atomic, molecular, or supramolecular level. The very concept is mind-boggling, but the possibilities are breathtaking. For some manufacturing companies, nanotechnology will mean they can enhance materials to help them last longer or give them some new properties, such as clothes that adapt to the weather and make you feel warmer or cooler, or clothes that don’t get stained, while the computing industry wi ll allow for much faster processing power and infinitely better storage capabilities. Right now, this technology is limited to industries like biotech and engineering, but it is fast heading toward manufacturers. The thing to be aware of in the meantime is: nanotechnology will have the power to change absolutely everything you know about manufacturing, which is why you need to stay ahead of the curve. Think about it for a moment. If you can build a product from the molecular level up, your control over the whole process will change. That’s amazing. 6) Robotics The world of robotics has crept up on us in a lot of ways, but that’s mainly because we think of robots as being finished entities like in I, Robot or any number of Will Smith films. But that’s not what next-level robots look like. Instead, it’s factories replacing hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of human workers with a dozen robotic arms. It’s Amazon opening up a shop beneath its HQ where there are absolutely no workers whatsoever. This isn’t meant to terrify you, even though there has to be a philosophical question raised about how we integrate this technology into our day-to-day lives. Instead, you need to think of it in terms of the possibilities, in which productivity will be the main beneficiary. The main issue, however, is innovation. That’s where robotics falls short and probably always will. As such, we shouldn’t look at robotics as a way of replacing human workforces, but rather as a way for them to compliment workers. The phrase is “cobotics” and it’ s about working with not replacing. Either way, we’re just at the beginning of this force because no one can deny this technology will have a growing role in the future. Period. 7) Smart-Technology No one can see into the future, but if there is one thing we can absolutely guarantee it’s that factories will become smart. They will burst out of the limitations currently placed on them by going beyond basic automation and start utilizing technologies integrated along every single part of the process. We’re talking about factories that can utilize a myriad of techs from artificial intelligence to augmented reality, to the IoT which will make them fully-connected, incredibly flexible and almost impossibly-efficient. Don’t believe this is possible just look at the Adidas Speedfactory. This place has been designed to cut the time from design to production to less than a week, meaning it is able to deliver the same quality shoes but a lot faster and a lot cheaper. It will also allow customers to customize their own without any hassle whatsoever. Yup. The future is well and truly here.

Stay Positive and Upbeat When Job Hunting -

Stay Positive and Upbeat When Job Hunting - Maybe you read yesterdays post and have been wondering how youre going to get yourself out of the doldrums so you can approach your job hunt with a positive attitude that will appeal to employers. (Just having a positive attitude should also help make you feel better, but thats another blog!) Im no Polianna I understand how difficult a long and drawn out job hunt can be. It can be demoralizing to be out of work, especially around the holidays. I hope the following tips can help you get over a hump and get your search going in the right direction: You are not alone! Heard the news? Read a newspaper lately?   Take comfort in the fact that you are in great company if you are looking for a job. Focus on the silver lining. Try to separate your thinking from the inevitable worry and stress a job loss creates to focus on your plans. Think beyond tomorrow what do you REALLY want to do next? Is there a silver lining that will allow you to re-think your career direction or job location? Is this an opportunity to take the time to re-train for another field that has always interested you? Maybe you never really liked your job much anyway, and if you stopped to think about it, this job loss is actually a good thing for your career and maybe for your health as well! Its not all about you. While there are things that you control and should consider evaluating, such as your resume and written job search materials, your appearance and demeanor and actual job hunting skills, dont take the fact that you cant find a job personally. Even if you take care of all the things in your control and focus your search efforts properly, it may still take longer than youd like to land a new position. Assuming youve done your part, its not your fault. Plan your search. And plan time off of your search! You cant stay chained to your computer 24/7. Ive written about how important it is to take time off of your search. If you were a workaholic before, this may be difficult for you, but try! Take time off for fun. Rent a movie. Pop some popcorn and relax. Plan hours to search and hours to be off. Take control it feels good! Volunteer. This is a great way to help other people who are less fortunate. The advantages? First and foremost you will be helping an individual or group. Using your skills to benefit others is very rewarding. Noticing that, even if you lost your job, you are still very fortunate relative to many others can be a reminder to stand up straighter and smile. You may inadvertently find new career avenues as a result of volunteer work. If you volunteer in an area that always interested you, but you never learned much about, it might be an opportunity to find a new direction. Volunteering can offer great networking potential. Youll meet new people, expand your circle and demonstrate you skills and competence in a new venue. This is great for your job hunt! Stay tuned for the rest of the series, including other tips for how to use your time well and how to find support when it isnt coming from the typical sources. If youre looking for a job, I can help you. Take a look at our services to learn what we can offer. photo by william hutton jr.