Exit interviews are sometimes held at inopportune times, especially from the viewpoint of the employee when he or she is either laid off or fired. Nevertheless, they are a must for progressive companies that want to look inward for reasons for an employee's exit.

While many career professionals hire a professional resume writer, many more attempt to draft their resume themselves. People who write a lot for business usually have more success in putting together a sharp, focused presentation; however, anyone can learn the basic steps to resume presentation.

There are three major differences between a "strong" resume and an "o.k." resume:

FORMAT AND PRESENTATION DETERMINE WHETHER THE RESUME IS READ

As a career coach and professional resume writer, I’m often asked “How important are cover letters to my job search?” My answer is, “It depends on how long you want to search for your next job.” If you are in no hurry to get interviews, then don’t worry about your cover letter.

by Katharine Hansen

If you've built up your resume by temping, how do you portray your temping background during your job search for permanent employment? How do you handle your temping experience on your resume and in interviews?

From a company's point of view, are there any advantages to keeping workers as temps after they become eligible for hire? I know that some agencies make about 30% of the worker's pay, so why would they do that?

They do it because they don't have to pay any benefits. Also, they can get rid of them at the drop of a hat. When you hire someone, it's not that easy. You have to honor there rights. Go through a process, etc.

Full time employees cost a business much more than the pay. Vacation time, sick time, Family Medical Leave, Raises, 401k matching, Health/Dental, etc. etc.

CERRITOS - Unionized clerical office workers moved closer to a waterfront strike Tuesday as labor negotiations with shippers and terminal operators reached a standstill.
More than 900 clerical workers have been working without a contract since July 1, and union leaders indicate they may call for workers to walk off the job at any moment.

"We're ready (this week) to take economic action if we have to," said John Fageaux Jr., president of Local 63's Office Clerical Union. "If things don't get settled this week, (an employee walkout is) likely."

Find the Right Why
If I offered you $5 to chop off your big toe with a steak knife, would you do it? Probably not. Five bucks is hardly reason enough to maim yourself.

But … what if your big toe were stuck in a bear trap and a blizzard was coming, and you had to chop it off so you could escape to safety? Would you do it? Yes, probably.

Your different actions in both cases stem from having different reasons why.

If your job search is floundering, take a moment to ask yourself, “Why am I doing this? Why do I need a job, anyway? Why?”

THE PRESIDENT: Thanks for coming, thanks for the warm welcome, thanks for joining me as I make this important announcement -- an announcement that I believe will make America a more compassionate and more humane and stronger country.

Sunday, May 29, 2005

By Jim McKay, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Among the main reasons companies use outside temporary workers are cost control and the flexibility it gives them to adjust staffing to business needs

But there are a number of challenges that face employers who go that route, said Elaine Taylor, director of contingent work force strategies for iLogos, the research division of Taleo Corp., a large contingent work force provider and consultant in San Francisco.

When The Recruiter Calls

Recruiting, retained or contingency, involves (or should, anyway) directly approaching individuals who, based on their title or position, might well have the experience to handle the job description and position for which the client is seeking someone. The individuals who are approached, of course, are usually currently employed at one of the client's competitors.