Tuesday, November 10, 2009

#6 Understand Your Goals and Priorities

Most people who have drafted a resume know and understand the role of stating an "Objective" on a resume. An objective is the end result of what you'd like to see happen. Most people have the ability to state an objective.

On the other hand, many people grow confused as to the difference between objectives and goals.

Athletes will often establish the objective of winning their event. In training, they will set a steady pace of progressive goals. Goals that build one upon the other until a person arrives at his or her objective.

Understand your goals. Don't make the mistake of assuming that one job is the wrong job as it won't bring you to the place of your objective. the question to ask yourself is, "Will this job help me achieve a goal while enroute to my objective?"

Priorities pertain to the order of importance placed upon your goals.

When stating an objective in your job search, it's equally important that you can identify and understand your goals and priorities.




For more on this subject matter, we recommend you read Arthur B. Rosenberg's book, "101 Ways To Stand Out At Work."

Thursday, October 15, 2009

#5 Maintain Your Integrity and Discretion

We live in a day and age where information travels fast, and to reaches far beyond our belief. There will always be people who make every attempt to scuttle your reputation, and word of this style of gossip or damage can reach out to far distances. The best way to offset this style of damage is to live a life whereby you become known as a person of your word, a person of personal integrity.

Every employer watches for those employees who can be trusted--those who will not simply go along with the crowd.

Interviewers when doing research will immediately throw the breaks on when considering a potential employee who was known in the past as a person with no, or little personal integrity.

Learn to watch out for unethical behaviour that could effect your work life not just today, but ten years from now. We have all heard the stories of a person who lost out on a job due to an old picture that an old friend posted as a joke on a social networking site. An investment in your personal integrity is an investment in your future.

If you know it's wrong to do, don't do it! If you think it might be wrong to do, stall until you know either way.

Trust is always earned. Shy away from those who simply demand it, for they are not worthy of it. Be worthy of the trust people place in you by being the genuine article.

Some years ago I found myself in a position with a Minister who chose to lie his way out of a situation at my own expense. The backlash was brutal and his ministerial friends lined up and deliberately repeated his actions in a gesture to say, "Hey it happens, it's no big deal!"

Be wary in life of those who try to convince you that what's wrong and unhealthy to do, is okay to overlook and of no harm to an individual or the general populace.

Be a person who stands out from the crowd as a person of integrity. Say less than you know, and be very careful who you tell it to. Again, some years ago in a church setting which was besieged by gossip, in an attempt to let people see how repulsive they looked as a result of their gossiping ways, I mirrored their actions for a short season. When I finally took a stand against it, even the Minister said, "So...it's a little gossip. Everyone does it." Let me ask you a question...would you rely on a Minister who gossips about the confidential details of people in his or her church, and ask them to come in and counsel your employees or hurting family members?

Be a person of personal integrity, a person who lives by the personal code which states, "Others may, I cannot!"

A persona of integrity is a valuable asset to any employer.


James C. Tanner

Monday, October 12, 2009

#4 Use Power And Control Properly

(Part Five in a series of Seven articles for Breaking Jobs News)

Whether you're trying to hold onto a job or find yourself sitting in front of an employment interviewer, learn to manage when and when not to use control and power.

Prospective employers are looking for people who are trainable; people who are flexible; people who can blend into and become part of the system. If during an interview a prospective employee inadvertantly displays behaviours or attitudes which could indicate a control freak or control freak personality style, then the likelihood of success is greatly diminished. Control freaks and power freaks tend to be very unchangeable.

The proper use of power and control would be to emPOWER yourself to be something greater and to walk through an interview keenly aware of the forces around you which you cannot control.

If you tend to be a powerful personality style, take some time to allow your self-control to kick in and sub-due excessive dominating or over-powering characteristics.

Self-control is the practise of applying to yourself, the same ideals, principles, practises, and techniques that you would impose on others.

Submitted by,

James C. Tanner
Breaking Jobs News

Friday, October 2, 2009

#3 -- Communicate Effectively

Communication is the foundation for all agreements and most disagreements. How we communicate will work for us, or against us.

When working for an employer, you can cement your role in the workplace as an effective communicator by learning one skill--STAY TO THE POINT!

People who lack the skill of staying to the point often loose the interest of those who are left scratching their heads, trying to figure out what the person is talking about. The wild meanderings of a person who can't stay on point is often viewed as a time waste, and detriment to the over all forward momentum of a business.

When seeking a job, take time to work on your communication skills. Learn to listen and then provide a concise, to the point response within a 2 minute time line. Learn, over a 6 to 7 minute time line, to present yourself by providing a clear opening, supporting points and conclusion. Keep your communications targeted on your occupational goal.

If a prospective employee does not clearly communicate to an interviewer, an interviewer will not take the applicant as seriously.

One other key point to consider in an inteview. A person who does not keep their goal in sight could easily find themself falling off their career path.

Effective communication comes as a result of knowing your "who, what, where, when, how, and most important--your WHY!"



James C. Tanner of www.jamesctanner.com and Breaking Jobs News is a highly published writer, entrepreneur, and speaker.

Friday, September 18, 2009

#2 Practise Self-Promotion

Finding employment, a job, or a career in today's economy is for many proving to be a very uphill battle. Jobs simply are not as prevalent as they were two years ago. Many are struggling in maintaining an effective job search.

Over the last couple of days I have been participating in a discussion initiated by a party who wanted to launch their career as a public speaker. The question was asked by this party, "How do I start getting speaking engagements?" Many professional speakers began to weigh in on the subject matter offering a variety of advice.

Are you ready for the truth?

Can you handle the truth?

It doesn't matter if your goal is to become a public speaker, dress-maker, employee of the year, or simply an employee--everyone must do something to get the word out that they are seeking an opportunity in a particular direction. What we call this task is...SELF-PROMOTION!

You are your greatest asset--your greatest product. From the moment we wake up we walk through every minute of our day selling something. We choose matching shoes to look presentable (a sales pitch). We shower and put on purfume or aftershave to be more enticing (a sales pitch). We try to drive the nicest vehicle possible (a sales pitch). We mix and mingle with people putting on our friendliest face (a sales pitch). From the moment we wake up, everything we do in a day is done to convince someone to believe some particular truth about ourself--to buy a sales pitch that we are a good person, worthy of their attention.

How do you effectively promote yourself? You promote yourself by first knowing your product and all the information pertaining to that product.

Think about this question for a brief moment--how do we sell? We sell by first listening to the other person, and while listening identify what this person wants or expects. By knowing our product well, (a process of preparation) we can then focus our communications on how we as an individual are best suited to meet the wants and expectations of this prospective employer or purchaser.

In a court room battle, a lawyer starts by making an opening arguement or statement, then lays out the evidence to support that statement, closing with a summation of the facts. This is all done to convince a person or parties to agree with the position of the Lawyer. This is a form of sales for in sales we are merely attempting to convince another party to buy or accept your product, concept, or arguement.

When looking for a job, it's imperative that you take time to do a very detailed and indepth personality analysis. Know your strengths and weaknesses. Know your work history and the associated dates. Know your goals and aspirations. Know your personality style and the attributes that can bring to an empoyer. KNOW YOUR PRODUCT AND BE ABLE TO ARGUE YOUR CASE WITHOUT THE USE OF NOTES. Be able to provide a convincing arguement as to why you can best meet the wants and expectations of a prospective employer.


In our next segment we'll look at a third way you can improve your ability to find work. Join us for #3 Communicate Effectively .


James C. Tanner of www.jamesctanner.com and Breaking Jobs News is a highly published writer, entrepreneur, and public speaker.

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

7 Things YOU Can Do Now To Improve Your ability To Find Work

(In his book, "101 Ways To Stand Out At Work" (AdamsMedia Published 2009) Arthur D. Rosenburg brings to the forefront several key factors to keeping an existing job. This book is a must read for any person looking for work, or wishing to cement their position with a current employer. For the purpose of this article, I am borrowing seven random chapter titles from Rosenburg's book.)

7 things you can do right now to improve your chances are finding work.

While some might list a meandering list of characteristics a person might develop over time, there are 7 real key factors a person must consider.

1. Control your image.

We live in a day of social networking, where one can find an alarming amount of information about themself online. Employers who are serious about hiring DO look online for information which would disqualify a potential employee. Controlling your image online is a very important detail. If your friends have posted pictures of you which are less than flattering, tell them you are looking for work and ask them to replace the picture or blur you out of the picture, and remove your name from any tags associated with the picture.

Publicly, while no one can control the brainless rattle of gossips, it's important to do your best to control your image publicly. Don't stop living your desired lifestyle to accomplish this.

How you dress, present resumes are all vital parts of the image you present. Control your image.

The next blog post will address point # 2 -- Practise Self-Promotion .

Submitted by,

James C. Tanner

James C. Tanner of www.jamesctanner.com and Breaking Jobs News is a published writer, entrepreneur, and public speaker. He has written and taught business skills development courses for clients such as but not limited to the Government of Canada.

Sunday, September 13, 2009

How The New Economy Impacts Your Ability To Find Work, A Job, Employment, Or Career...And 7 Things You Need To Do About It Now!

Welcome to the new blog page for Breaking Jobs News . This blog and affiliated web site is designed to help people JUST LIKE YOU find the kind of income source they desire.

In this economy, finding work is much more difficult than it was three years ago. The competition for any kind of job, or source of employment is tough. A short while ago, employers were crying for employees, now you might be competing with as many as 500 for a single position. Consider, as an example, what has happened in Canada.

Right now in Canada more women are working than men. There has been such a dynamic shift in the workplace, that roles in the home have been forced to change with the woman becoming the main bread winner. In Canada, this last occurred during World War 2.

In the next few days, articles will begin to appear here to help inform you on some of the latest tips to help you improve your search for work. Job listings are continually being added to the site Breaking Jobs News, so check it out on a frequent basis.

This site is provided to you courtesy of James C. Tanner , a highly published writer, entrepreneur, and speaker. James C. Tanner has written courses and taught people on how to start up their own small businesses, provided skills development training, business consulting, and motivational speaking. His passion is to see North America rebound economically.