Happy 2010!

Nope, we meant it. Because what you start doing tomorrow will affect where you are at this time next year. Look, it’s been a hell of a year for all of us. Jobs are tight, the economy’s going south in general and there are a lot of things to worry about. We get it.

But regardless of where you are, or aren’t, giving up is not an option. Yea, New Year’s resolutions are basically BS, but that doesn’t mean you can’t focus on a tempered, determined goal to be in a better place by this time next year than you are now. It’s easy to feel clobbered and stuck, but at least reassess where you are and what you’ve got to offer. We’re likely to see one of the grandest jobs programs to hit this country in 70 years and all that that implies.  Therefore, there are likely to be remarkable opportunities out there that haven’t existed before. And we don’t care how old you are, you’ve got to know Americans don’t quit when things get tough.

Seriously, look around you. Whether it’s all of this technology, the Internet, services or public service, something you’re really good at but never pursued or somehow bettering yourself (and your resume). . . do something!

Wake up whenever you want tomorrow, grab some breakfast (or lunch) and take some time to have yourself a serious think. You’re pretty much the only one who can make where you are at the beginning of 2010 better than where you are now. Don’t zombie through another year of same old. Being stuck has a nasty way of sticking with you…

Thank you to everyone who’s been reading our blog and for the great e-mails and questions. Look for more in 2009. (See? We knew what year it was…)

Happy New Year!

EmploymentCrossing.com

Tags: job programs, new jobs, new start, New Year, New Year's resolution, public service, sticking with it, technology, zombies

Who is Edwin Schaap and Why Should you Care?

YouTube’s enduring legacy won’t be hamsters eating popcorn on pianos, scary Britney Spears imitators or even Failblog’s truly excellent channel. It, like every other medium since Gutenberg, will endure by those who best made it work best for them. Ladies and gentlemen, we give you Edwin Schaap.

Edwin Schaap is famous (if you judge 1,840,025 views of one of his videos to qualify for fame, which we do). He’s also about 10 years old. OK, we’re exaggerating, he’s 19, but we aren’t 19 anymore, so we’re bitter. And why is Edwin Schaap famous? Well, for two reasons: First, his pretty brilliant animation video called “Robby” and, more importantly, that he is a guy who found out what he wants to do with his life very early.

Here is an interesting TV story on him.

Edwin Schaap is from The Netherlands (NOT Hollywood, New York or Silicon Valley) and produced “Robby” in about eight weeks in his evening, non-school hours.

Here is the “Robby” video, as well as Edwin’s YouTube Channel

In addition to his rather remarkable video visitors, he probably holds some sort of record for the most polite and encouraging comments on any given YouTube video. Now THAT’S an accomplishment! More than one have told him to contact Pixar, and he’s reported to have job offers from all over the world.

So….before you cave into some of the Seven Deadly Sins and spout something about how lucky or gifted he is and do nothing else, how about plugging into what it is you REALLY want to do – and do it. It’s likely to make your eight-hour workday more like heaven than hell…

Tags: animation, Edwin Schaap, passion, Pixar, plugging in to what you want to do, pursue your dreams, Robby, YouTube

De-fuzzing the Facts

People who know Herman and Roma Rosenblat say that they are the most “gentle, loving, beautiful people.” Even so, they found a way to persuade the publishing industry, film producers, journalists, online audiences, and even Oprah into thinking that their story of meeting across a barbed wire fence at a Nazi concentration camp and then again on a blind date in the US was true. On Saturday, Herman Rosenblat acknowledged that the story of how he met Roma was, indeed, fabricated. Berkeley Books canceled the publication of Angel at the Fence, the forthcoming memoir planned to be released in February. Why did the Rosenblats lie, when surviving the Holocaust and over 50 years of marriage are considered amazing feats in themselves?

In a nutshell, he fibbed a little in order to better spread his message. “I wanted to bring happiness to people. My motivation was to make good in this world, ” according to Mr. Rosenblat.

Unfortunately, making lots of people feel foolish for buying into your story doesn’t produce said happiness, especially after James Frey’s memoir A Million Little Pieces was also revealed to be largely fictional in 2005. Oprah endorsed that one, too, so I’m sure she’s more than a little ticked about the deception.

So what’s the lesson here, folks? We know that Google et al. has a long memory. When tempted to fake biographical information on resumes and job histories. . .remember that there are lots of skeptics out there who can and will check the facts about you. Being straightforward at the very beginning of your job search ensures you won’t have to do some uncomfortable explaining later on.

No lying, we give you all the facts at EmploymentCrossing, where you can find tons of jobs that match your area of expertise.

R.I.P.

R.I.P.

It’s that time of year when the media so joyfully and ubiquitously remind us of the who’s who who’ve died. These are not your mere mortals, of course, but men and women of letters, largess and legend who justify another sendoff en mass. With the possible exception of Princess Diana, Elvis and D.B. Cooper, we’re unlikely to see them in headlines again.

The real point is that most of them seemed to have earned their notoriety in life, and the only formula we’ve mastered for immortality is keeping them in the public (media) memory for as long as reasonably possible. That’s not such a bad deal, actually, given that there are so many who slip from their mortal coil into oblivion without so much as an obit in a community newspaper.

So, how about you? Will there be applause and accolades at your passing for the life you lived or simply at your passing? Shouldn’t you be preparing for immortality now?

As these morbid bits and lists find their way across your television, computer and consciousness, you may notice a common thread with these dead…The all seemed to really love what they did while they were alive. What drove them to fame and fortune was much more often than not their ability to tap into what made them most happy and their ability to make a living from it. In other words, you won’t see any clock punchers, burger flippers or mediocre, mid-level ______(fill in the blank yourself) who worked jobs they hated or didn’t follow their dreams about what they could accomplish. How about that?

Now, what are you going to do? Hey, post-mortem fame isn’t everyone’s game, but isn’t the lesson larger here? Didn’t they live a hell of a life getting to that headline? What’s stopping you?

Merry Christmas…(Can we say that?)

It is sometimes frustrating, exhausting and downright depressing to always be the observer or helplessly on the receiving end of controversy. It seems like all of this crap is swirling 10 feet about our heads yet somehow, when “settled,” then trickles down to affect our daily lives.

Merry Christmas, indeed. You almost feel guilty saying it. Do did that? Blabbering and bellicose corner “theologians,” politicians, religious and Constitutional scholars, housewives, war vets and a whole holy host of a hornet’s nest chiming in to banish baristas and bartenders from uttering the name of an actual HOLIDAY! Bah humbug.

Yea, yea, church and state, Hanukah, Kwanza, Yule and the Winter Solstice….we get it. But there’s a bit of a bigger lesson here. Are you one of the people looking up at all of this going on and waiting for the outcome, or do you have the jingle balls to jump into controversies like this, have your voice heard and make a difference in the outcome? Merry Christmas is just an example, of course, but realize that there are those who make decisions and those who follow them. Are you a victim who lives your life under the weight of those who aren’t any smarter but just may be louder (or have a better publicist?) We hope not.

Look, it’s the end of the year. How many things can you name that affect you that you don’t believe in and want to do something about? Keeping it legal, ahem, now is the time to do something about it. Don’t just bitch, make something better – for yourself and for the others who suffer similarly. It might be your job, your government or some ooked-up ecosystem you’re stuck in. Stand up. Say something. Fix it. Be one of those voices making things happen that are swirling about over other people’s heads!…But use your powers for good.

It’s December 25. Every calendar we’ve seen says it’s Christmas. That there is even an argument over this point means the swirling voices are winning, and we’re apparently not enough of one ourselves to make them stop. Fix something in your life that needs fixing. Fight for something you believe in. Win.

Merry Christmas.

Tags: Bah humbug, balls, Christmas, Jobs, Merry Christmas, politicians, scholars, theologians, win

Beefing Up Your Job Search Efforts

If you’ve got it, flaunt it!  It seems that Obama has created yet another reason for his popularity to soar. Recent photos of the shirtless President-elect have been popping up all over the Net, and the consensus is that his body is pectacular. Despite the fact that there is an obvious media frenzy surrounding the new President-elect, he still had no problem strutting his stuff at the beach while on vacation in his home state.

It is reported that Obama did not neglect his exercise routine either.  Slacking, even when relaxation seems in order, can mean falling behind the curve. Obama obviously didn’t want to trade his washboard abs in for a spare tire.  We, like Obama, have to remain on top of our game.

In order to get what you want you’ve got to keep working and never let yourself get complacent.  This applies to everything in life, including your career. When it seems like relaxation is in order because you have complete security in your job, it’s often wise to keep an eye on other opportunities.  This advice is especially pertinent in a bad economy such as this one.  So let EmploymentCrossing help you sweat out all of the opportunities out there. Who knows, maybe the perfect job really does exist. So flex your jobseeking muscles and take advantage of our free trial offer now to find out for yourself.

Tags: Add new tag, Beefcake, Employment, exercise, Jobs, obama, shirtless pictures of Obama

Pimp Out Your Job Search

From Fleshmonger to International Hero—Yes, it certainly can be done!  Just 15 years ago Tom Cruise (well really his character Joel in Risky Business) was running a brothel out of his parents’ house, and now, who would have guessed, he has become an international hero.  Even though in Valkyrie he ultimately failed to carry the slain Fuhrer off to Valhalla and negotiate a peace treaty ending World War II, his transformation as a person and the growth of his career objectives is astounding. 

But as with most things in life, upon closer inspection the transformation is actually completely predictable. One can see how Tom rose so steadily in the Third Reich.  He had all the right stuff!  Working as a pimp he had learned effective management skills. He really knew how manage his whores; he gained their loyalty and obedience, making sure no one else moved in on his territory. It was Tom’s excellent management skills that ultimately made him marketable in the military arena. After all, a Colonel needs to be capable of commanding obedience. 

His jump from loyal Colonel to would-be assassin is actually not so astounding either.  We all know pimps are protective by nature. A pimp’s entire livelihood is dependent on protecting his whores from rival pimps and from abusive clients.  It was this compassionate nature that allowed Tom to transition from military officer to international hero seeking an end to World War II.

Tom Cruise is evidence that you are the one who is in control of your life.  It’s never too late for a career change.  You just have to know how to market yourself. Transitioning the skills you already have to different settings will be the easy part.  Like in Tom’s case, sometimes change is a good thing, so why not let EmploymentCrossing help you explore new avenues and new heights. But before you go off saving the world don’t forget our free trial offer.

Tags: career change, Employment, Hero, Hitler, job, Pimp, Risky Business, Tom Cruise, Valkyrie

Barack’ing and Bar’olling in a Tough Job Market

Let the bidding begin! Just weeks after opening its doors to applicants, the Obama transition team has been bombarded with hundreds of thousands of resumes from people looking for jobs in the new administration.  The main problem for all these Obamanizers is the sheer volume of competition they will face.  There are only 8,000 open posts and they are 300,000 and growing.

What’s more is that all reports indicate that they are extremely well-qualified. Popularity aside, Obama’s team is experiencing something many employers are–too many qualified applicants competing for too few jobs.  So the question becomes, how does anyone manage to stand out in the crowd? What is the difference between a successful candidate and an unsuccessful candidate?  Is it how you showcase your strengths on paper or does good old networking really get the job done?

For many, tough economic times coupled with stiff competition have made job hunting a dreaded task.  But like the saying goes, “when the going gets tough, the tough get going.”  You have to keep focused and not get discouraged.  There still are jobs out there and the harder you work to find them, the quicker you will become one of the lucky 8,000 that learned how to stand out in the crowd.

So why not let EmploymentCrossing take you that extra step? Why not show all the employers out there the rockstar you truly are?  And make sure you don’t forget about our exclusive, for rockstars only, free trial  offer.

Tags: Add new tag, Barack Obama, Jobs, new administration, rockstar, tough job market

Vegas Baby! Friday Weatherstripping Edition

On Thursday, school kids in Las Vegas celebrated their first snow day since 1979. On the famous strip, the 3.6 inches of snow coated the flashing marquees and weighted down palm trees. Even though the residents had fun throwing snowballs, the tourists from other parts of the world hoping to escape cold, wintry weather were pretty disappointed.

And understandably so. What they wanted was sunshine and continuous poolside daquiris. What they got was guys impersonating fat Elvis who were actually happy to be wearing the heavy white jumpers actually having to the split pea soup in the 4.99 buffet.

Instead of sheer disappointment, perhaps what these tourists should have done–and what we should all remember–is to look for the novelty and fun in a situation that seems like a total inconvenience.

Ducklings crossing in your path slowing down your commute? Impromptu barbershop quartet performance in the airport? It’s easy to brush things off or roll your eyes when you have a set schedule or a certain idea of how you want things to turn out, especially when we are working or are on a mission. But perhaps taking that call from the goofy-but-sometimes-talks-too-long client might give you a new idea or a new direction in your work.

So roll with the punches and roll the dice! Get lucky and check out EmploymentCrossing for a comprehensive listing of jobs in your area. Don’t forget about the free trial, baby!

Tags: disappointment, flexible, job, Las Vegas, rolling with the punches, snow

Pass it Along!

Is this a regift?

“Hey, why buy something for the office’s white elephant exchange when I have a [Hickory Farms cheese and sausage sampler] that’s never been opened before?  In case you didn’t know it, December 18th has officially been proclaimed as National Regifting Day by Colorado Governor Bill Ritter. Regifting, of course, is when you use a gift that someone gave you to serve as a gift for someone else, as explained here:

Clip of the Seinfeld Regifting Episode

Although it seemed funny in earlier contexts, folks these days have less and less of a problem with regifting. Why? Like recycling paper or other materials, recycling gifts is better for the environment. Plus. .let’s be honest, budgets are tight and sometimes holiday spending can get out of control.

Regifting might also be a suitable framework for sharing career information. Think about it. If someone shares with you some helpful professional advice or some unique perspective/experiences regarding the job search, think about how you can repackage it and give it to someone else. The cool thing about something non-tangible like information is that you can use it for yourself and pass it along. As those of you who have attended networking events probably know, when you freely give helpful information to others, you often receive helpful information in return.

At EmploymentCrossing, we make it our job to pass along jobs and information to you that come from credible sources–plus you won’t see any unwanted fruitcake jobs in there. Here’s our free trial. . sign up and regift it to a friend!