Display Your Career Passion!

Ever wonder what employers look for when they recruit candidates? Well now you can stop wondering because we're going to tell you. We recently conducted a survey in conjunction with Millennial Branding, a Gen Y research and consulting firm, to learn what hiring managers are looking for when they search for candidates, the disconnects between employers, job candidates, and the generations that currently make up the workforce. To check out the infographic presented.  click here

Re-Employed? Pick up the pieces

One of the ugliest features of the Great Recession and its dreary aftermath has been the high rate of long-term unemployment, which the Labor Department defines as being jobless for 27 weeks or longer.  About 1.4 million people altogether were long-termers as of January 2014.

Today, the economy is improving and the jobless rate is falling, but that leaves lots of newly employed Americans picking up the pieces of their financial lives thrown off the rails by the recession.

What if you're 50?  You don't have as much time to make up for lost earnings and forfeited retirement contributions. But there are steps you can take to get your retirement plans, and your finances in general, back on track.

• Celebrate (in moderation).
• Assess the damage and set a new budget.
• Start saving and tackle debt.
• Get a checkup.
• Catch up on retirement.
• Plan on it happening again.

For the details of these steps see the complete article here.

Baby Boomer Job Hunting

People in their 50s and 60s might have a lower overall unemployment rate than their younger counterparts. But when they lose a job, they have a harder time returning to the workforce. Midlife and older job hunters are concerned that their age will hurt their chances of landing work, especially if they’re looking while unemployed.

66 percent of people ages 55 to 64 who are unemployed have been out of work for more than six months, according to an analysis of 2012 census data. That’s more than twice the number of those under 25 who’ve been out of work six months or more.

Ageism is one reason it’s harder for older workers to find a job. Potential employers fear – justly or not – that older workers won’t be able to keep up, won’t know the latest technology or will put in a few years and then retire. To counter these fears and get strategies for success, see the entire article here.

Employment Assistance: Readily Available!

The church offers effective ways for improving employment opportunities between job seekers and church leaders in the Stake. In addition to the employment specialist, there are Priesthood and Relief Society leaders, Welfare Council Committee, home teachers, visiting teachers within each church unit identified as the Circle of Caring and Barriers to the Circle of Caring.

Need Employment Help?

Whenever you or assigned families have an employment concern, there are resources to help. Contact your Priesthood or Relief Society leader for referral to your unit’s Employment Specialist. The church has a comprehensive employment program. Golden Stake Employment Specialists are available for interactive advice most Thursdays at 8 PM using Internet conferencing. Suggest your church leader join you on-line to maximize your benefits. Contact your church leader for an invitation to join this interactive weekly employment meeting. For a view of employment assistance for the Job Seeker, click here.

Leaders and Employment

Local leaders watch over the members and seek to be aware of their challenges. Should any member become un-employed or otherwise unable to meet their family responsibilities, the Priesthood and Relief Society have resources available for assistance. If you find yourself challenged with employment needs, please see your local leaders for assistance. For an overview of employment assistance for church leaders,  click here and click here.

24/7 Self-Paced Employment Training Readily Available!

Do any of these questions come across your mind?

• Are you unemployed and needing to improve your job seeking abilities?  
• As a Church leader,  are you fluent in guiding your challenged members who need employment assistance?
• Are you looking to upgrade your present job?
• Are you underemployed and need to obtain a better job to eliminate having to work so many part-time jobs?

Fear not, help is just a click away.  Please you visit goldenemloyment.blogspot.com and you will be pleased to learn that it is 100% compliant with 24/7 self-paced employment training for:

1. Developing dynamic resumes, 
2. 30-second summaries, 
3. Effective networking,
4. Interviewing techniques and much more.  

Featured weekly in the center posting section, there are nationally published articles that represent a myriad of topics found in today's job market: that  are also archived and readily can be searched on the following topics:  Church leaders, Counsel, Cover Letter, Education, Employment Seekers, Follow-Up Interview, Job Search, Members, Networking, Resume, Social Media, Un/Underemployemnt realities, and Unemployment Statistics.  For more info about this V.I.P. employment blog with many tips, tricks and techniques being incorporated in today's employment market, click here.

Networking: More than personal gain

These days, networking is recognized as a life-management skill, but only a small percentage of professionals and managers are at ease with it.  Many are awkward or obnoxious when attempting to make connections.

This discomfort and clumsiness comes partly from not understanding basic networking mechanics. Others are uncomfortable because they feel that networking means "using" people or being insincere. For a comprehensive view of Networking see the complete article here.

Employed? Manage your career

Best-selling author and motivational speaker Tom Peters strongly suggests that this economy has created a renewed need for individual responsibility. This is news to American workers who are overwhelmed daily by feelings of insecurity, fear and anger, and go to work every day without a sense of trust regarding the stability of their jobs.

While we wish for the best, the worst has been prevalent in the present job market. If you are now presently employed, what is the only alternative you hope doesn't happen?  To keep your job and prepare for the future managing your career is prudent. While this article is several years old, it still presents good points to consider in taking personal responsibility.

For ten tactics to consider in managing your career see the article here.

Things to know before changing careers

Even in today's tight job market, you can make a career change. It's just a little harder and takes more planning.

If you don't like what you're doing or don't feel that there is any room for advancement, changing careers can be rewarding. The most important thing is to do the work before you make a change, so that you'll already be prepared. Here's 5 things you should consider before you change careers:

1. Create a plan
2. Think about your decision
3. Strengthen your social network
4. Brush up on your education
5. Take small steps

If you are considering a career change see more details here

How to stay optimistic

The holiday season is not noted for much hiring. The corporate focus is preparing for the next year in many ways, but not necessarily with interviews. Building a Support System Being in a job search for long period of time can be mentally draining and physically taxing.  Seeking support from friends, family or professional help may also may not generate much response for your search efforts. Regardless, you need to remain optimistic.  Consider the following suggestions:

1. Build a Support System
2. Volunteer – Do Something you Like/Love
3. Be Inspired, Remain Motivated
4. Define Goals – Be Practical
5. Meet Friends – Network
6. Practice Positive Affirmations

For more info about how to achieve this optimism, click here.

Ask Better Interview Questions

So, the resume you slaved over for weeks and the expertly tailored cover letter landed this interview.  You have answered all their questions in confident detail, you feel great. Their next question: ‘Do you have any questions for us?’  It has all gone so well, and you say…‘No’. BAD MOVE!

This was your chance to take control, to direct part of the conversation to your benefit. Your prior research on the company should give you some good discussion points. Ask short but thoughtful questions; let the interviewer participate. If you would like to learn 5 techniques for this part of the interview, click here.

Habits That Will Make You Happier

The stress of looking for a new job or the necessity of getting one has a negative effect on your attitude and relationships with others.  Taking some time to review and modify your mental and emotional state is worth the time.  These are stressful times; acknowledge that fact and recognize its effect on you and those around you.

Minor changes in your daily routine will make a major difference in your life and career. Happiness is the only true measure of personal success. Making other people happy is the highest expression of success, but it's almost impossible to make others happy if you're not happy yourself. So if you are open to 9 suggestions that might counter the job search stress, click here.

Essential Instructions for LDSJOBS.ORG

Find orientation to the brand-new church employment program with good Q&A at:

http://www.kuzmich.com/employment/Help7/ldsjobs.html

Leaders will want to log into http://www.ldsjobs.org to create an account and their Profile so they can show & tell how to create an account and complete a professional Profile.

When each person has completed 90% of their profile, employers can browse the Church web site to find employment candidates and contact them directly. This is a truly interactive web site with potential employees listed from 170+ countries.

The Church is building a relationship with companies to encourage them to post available jobs directly from their companies to this employment web site.

Instructions on how to:

1. Register for an Account: http://www.kuzmich.com/employment/Webinar_Materials/ObtainingLDSaccount.pdf


2. Start, Edit & Finalize Your Profile: http://www.kuzmich.com/employment/Webinar_Materials/CreatingAProfile.pdf


3. Get specific assistance with writing 30 Second Summary: http://www.kuzmich.com/employment/Webinar_Materials/30%20Second%20Summary.html


4. Get specific assistance with writing Power Statements: http://www.kuzmich.com/employment/Webinar_Materials/Power%20Statement.html