Help Wanted

It has often been said that your job search will probably last about one month for every $10,000 in income you were earning in your last position. In today's challenging economy, searches are taking even longer, so what can you do to stretch your severance pay and unemployment and avoid depleting your savings and retirement investments while you look for work? Today we'll talk with Dan Liehr, a Certified Financial Planner who has been through several career transitions of his own, about what you can do to manage your money while you manage your job search.

Just as most of our ancestors owned the means of production in the past, today's knowledgeable worker can opt out of working for someone else. Today we continue our discussion of what it takes to be successful as an entrepreneur, and wrap up our review of the 20 things you should consider and plan for if you want to be your own boss.

For most of human history, individuals have owned the means of production and have been independent producers of goods and services. With the exception of government, large-scale employers and corporations are relatively modern developments that became major players in commerce and the economy in the 19th and 20th centuries. Today's knowledgeable worker can opt out of working for someone else-working independently as a consultant or contractor, using the Internet to start a small, highly specialized enterprise with a global reach, or utilizing a franchise business model to buy a business in a box. We'll take a look at all of this as well as what it takes to be successful as an entrepreneur.

Technology, changes in the market and shifts in customer needs and preferences are constantly changing the way companies do business. Changes in lifestyle, location and personal health often motivate changes in the way we personally do business and the way we think about our work. Any or all of these factors can spark an interest in changing careers, so today we look at how to determine if a change is in order, and what you can do to plan for the journey.

Working with search firms, recruiters and employment agencies can enhance your job search efforts, but you need a clear understanding of how these relationships work, and it's important to manage these resources and activities as part of your overall strategy. We will also take a look at the pro's and con's of contract work-as an employee, and as a consultant or independent contractor.

While a Curriculum Vitae-often referred to as CV-contains information that a resume does not, some people use the terms CV and resume interchangeably. Today we'll discuss how they differ and which approach is right for you. We will also take a look at how to prepare both as well as short- and long-form biography and the importance of creating a full profile for LinkedIn.

Employee engagement and on-boarding for new employees are two very important topics that you want to consider and be aware of as you get ready to start your new job. Our guest for this episode is Tania Brammer, an HR professional who is currently serving as the director of People Engagement at HRM Innovations. She has some great tips on what to look for and what to ask for to ensure that you and your boss are on the same page and to make sure you have every opportunity to be successful in your new position.

Join us as we take a fun look at some crazy things that have happened during interviews and some truly unusual answers that should never be repeated. We will also review some tough questions that come up consistently in interview situations, provide some ideas on what they're looking for, and offer some suggestions on how you might respond.

During your search, you need to communicate effectively in person, in writing and over the phone. You also need to communicate effectively about yourself and how you contribute, about your search and where you're headed, and you need to identify and request the information and resources that will help you be successful with your search. In this episode we will examine all of these components of your communication needs and offer some tips on how to manage your communication strategy and efforts.

Today we will finish up the discussion we began last week about coping with job loss and unemployment with some suggestions about what you can do to process your feelings, frame your challenges, and begin moving forward with clarity and poise. We will also deal with a variety of frequently asked questions on a every aspect of your job search including how to secure references, how to handle thank-you letters and follow-up calls, how to determine if recruiters and contract agencies should be part of your search, and managing your time.