The John Tesh Blog

Do you have what it takes to change industries?

Finding a job, at one time in your life, might have seemed like a never ending smorgasboard, but in today’s business climate, it may look more like a strict diet of options! Consequently, many job seekers are finding themselves looking for work outside of their comfort zones in different cities, levels and industries.

While making a change across industries can be difficult and sometimes daunting, Rachel Zupek, a PrimeCB.com writer, reports that job seekers are forced to look for work elsewhere as more and more sectors lose jobs each month.

“Industries are going away; jobs are going away. I think people are looking at changing industries out of necessity, not choice,” says Deborah Brown-Volkman, president of Surpass Your Dreams, a career-coaching company.

The trick to changing industries successfully is finding what the marketplace is looking for. Once you know what employers want, then you can look at your own skills to see if they’re a match, Brown-Volkman says.

“It’s your job to tell people why you are a match for a position,” she says. “Show them that you not only understand the responsibilities of the position, but how your skills are transferable. In addition, your background has given you insight that will help you perform that role exceptionally well. They may or may not accept your background, but at least you tried.”

Want to know how you can identify your transferable skills and change industries successfully? Here are four easy steps to follow:

Step one: Do some research
Start with an online search for your current or most recent job title and see what comes up. It doesn’t matter where they are located (yet), you just want to see what the job market is looking for, Brown-Volkman says.

Step two: Make a list
Take out a sheet of paper and make a list: On the left side, list the requirements for the jobs you want. On the right side, Brown-Volkman suggests you do the following:

· If you have done the same tasks in a different industry, write down what you did.
If a new job requires project management or sales, for example, and you’ve managed a project or sold something in the past, write it down. The terminology might be different, but how you went about doing these assignments is the same, regardless of the industry, Brown-Volkman says.

· If you’ve done something similar, write down how it was similar or close to what the employer is looking for.
Let’s say a prospective employer wants you to run reports, which you’ve done before, but they want you to use a software program you’re unfamiliar with. Research the type of reports the software produces, Brown-Volkman suggests. The software might be different, but the output of the report is probably similar. Write down how.

· If you’ve never done a task, write down in detail how you’ve overcome not knowing how to do something in the past. This will be how you’ll show you can acquire new skills.
Maybe a potential job includes selling a product you’ve never sold before. Write down how you’ve sold something in the past that you didn’t how to initially, Brown-Volkman suggests. Detail how you got up to speed — it will show your initiative, drive and ability to learn new skills.

Step three: Work isn’t the only thing that counts
Many job seekers are under the impression that because they haven’t worked in a specific area, they don’t have experience. Brown-Volkman notes that experience comes from different places like work, hobbies and volunteer efforts. Make another list of your skills, talents and abilities; compare them to the job descriptions you’ve been looking at. Can something from your life outside of work help you get a job you want?

“Everything you have done up to this point in your life is relevant,” Brown-Volkman says. “I helped a woman who was in corporate communications get a job in the nonprofit art world because her hobby and passion was art.”

Step four: Rewrite your résumé
If you want a job outside of your industry and your résumé is filled with words and initials that only the people in your sector understand, take them off, Brown-Volkman says. Create a new version of your résumé that details what you did, rather than the industry you worked in.

Brown-Volkman gives these examples:

· “16 years experience in marketing financial services” becomes “16 years marketing experience”

· “Worked closely in team approach with department heads in programming, research, marketing, business development and finance,” becomes “worked closely in team approach with department heads”

· “Conducted market/competitive analysis for the financial analysts and prepared business plans for venture capitalists” becomes “conducted market/competitive analysis and prepared business plans”

Get the picture? Make it necessary for a potential interviewer to ask you what industry you worked for, rather than write you off quickly when they see in black and white that you've not worked in their industry or held the same title before.

Mark Buckingham writes for Oprah.com, and says in the midst of feeling uncertain about your current employment situation, there are important factors inside you to never let go; instead, now is the time to rally around your certainties. If you feel that changing your career path is the right thing to do, don't be discouraged. Keep moving. Keep looking for situations that play to your strengths and qualifications. Consider volunteering at nonprofits to build your skills and experience and to renew your sense of accomplishment. Finding people who you can help is often the best way to help yourself. Focus on the strong-moments that are possible in your life right now and celebrate them—not by simply patting yourself on the back or clapping and cheering, but by giving them your full attention. Find ways to build on them. It's not pleasant to find yourself on the outside looking in during a down economy, but times like these also throw our strengths into strong relief. If you feel low, but can still find those moments or activities that keep you going, make you feel a sense of accomplishment and give you energy, you will know that those strong-moments will serve you through your entire life. 

A final word about job searches: Emphasize your strengths on your résumé, in your cover letters and in your interviews. It may sound obvious, but you'd be surprised how many people simply list everything they've ever done. Convey your passion and link your strengths to measurable results- even when it's 'outside' an employer's industry- nothing like concrete data to take into an interview!

John

Email John:  johnsblog@teshmedia.com

Check out the new John Tesh Social Network. You can connect with new friends, post your own blog, visit various forums, upload your favorite John Tesh music and share your photos.  To learn more about how to join, click here.

10 retirement mistakes you don't want to make.

A few days ago, I touched on the challenges of interviewing for those over 50, and some newer perspectives to make that meeting a success. But being in the over 50 group, how about your retirement plans? These are tough times for retirees and for those planning for retirement. Nest eggs have been demolished by the economic meltdown. Job cuts have forced many people into early retirement with insufficient funds to sustain them in their golden years. While there’s not much that can be done about the past, anyone can avoid making mistakes that will make a bad situation worse.

WalletPop brings in retirement expert Dan Solin, author of the new book The Smartest Retirement Book You'll Ever Read, to take a look at the ten biggest money mistakes a retiree can make.

Overconfidence in Your Investing Skill

Investors generally, and men in particular, like to think that they can handle their investment decisions. But guess what? Studies show that the average equity investor who handles his own investments has a much smaller return than the S&P 500, even less than the rate of inflation. If you rely on your own investing skill to fund your retirement, it may be time to worry.

Using a Market-Beating Broker

We've all heard about the so-called financial experts who say they can pick stocks or mutual funds that beat the market. If so, what accounts for their dismal investor performance? The truth is, no one can be certain what tomorrow may bring. A diversified portfolio with appropriate asset allocation is the best bet -- and that goes double for retirees.

Fleeing to Safety

Fleeing to safety is a natural instinct when things look bad. And it’s true that keeping all your investments in Treasury bills, bonds, or even under the mattress may preserve your assets. But there is a hidden cost -- inflation. Retirees have to not only protect themselves from the risks of the market, but protect the value of their assets as well.

Believing All Bonds Are Safe

Stocks are the risky investment choice while bonds are safer, right? Well, no, as many investors have learned the hard way. As with any investment, the higher the offered return, the more risk you assume. Even the tried-and-true municipal bonds can be shaky as the recession pushes towns and communities toward the breaking point.

Being Tempted by ETFs

Both exchange-traded funds and low-cost index funds can make attractive investment options. But guess which option is often less expensive? Which one requires a brokerage account with commissions that reduce your return? Which one automatically reinvests dividends? And which one encourages you to pick certain sectors -- the opposite of diversifying your portfolio?

Ignoring Immediate Annuities

While retirees may want to avoid variable annuities and equity-indexed annuities as poor investments, the same can not be said of immediate annuities. Annuitizing a portfolio can greatly reduce the chances that an investor will run out of money in retirement. Some fixed annuities even include inflation protection.

Retiring Too Early

Remaining in the workforce can dramatically improve a retiree’s chances of eventually affording a comfortable retirement. It increases Social Security payments and the value of 401(k)s. It also delays depletion of retirement funds. So, working for another year or three can make a big difference, especially in these days of recession-depleted nest eggs.

Not Having a Current Will

We've talked about this before, my friend, and it's still as important as it was, even if no one wants to confront his own mortality and the many issues it can bring. But those who don't create a will can cost their heirs a bundle in avoidable estate taxes. And who wants government officials making critical decisions about who inherits their property and their portfolio? Better to designate a spouse, a trusted friend, or professional fiduciary for that.

Remarrying Without a Prenup

Second or even third marriages can bring with them a whole host of questions about who has rights and responsibilities for what. What better way to establish clear financial obligations than with a prenuptial agreement? But retirees shouldn't try to draft a prenup on their own; only experienced legal counsel can ensure that the prenup is enforceable.

Taking Social Security Too Soon

You are eligible to start receiving your Social Security benefits once you've turned 62. So why wait? The money is just waiting there. One reason: wives often outlive their husbands and become dependent on Social Security benefits to live. These benefits would have been higher had the husbands put off receiving benefits until later. Not married? Your best solution could be to take the benefit earlier. Talk to a financial planning professional you can trust to know what's best for you.

It's not easy, and you may have felt nothing near hopeful in this last year or so, and whatever nest egg you had doesn't look so great... Stay positive, make some of the tough changes you may know deep down inside you need to make, and find a trusted advisor to help you understand where you are today- because tomorrow can be much better, and wouldn't you like this nest egg better?

John

Email John:  johnsblog@teshmedia.com

Check out the new John Tesh Social Network. You can connect with new friends, post your own blog, visit various forums, upload your favorite John Tesh music and share your photos.  To learn more about how to join, click here.

If you're over 50 and interviewing, here's what you need to know.

"I was fully qualified and it makes no sense."

"They simply don't know how to hire."

"They told me that I was overqualified."

Randy Block, a seasoned career transition coach and consultant in the Bay area, hears these comments often. You may be feeling more than your share of frustration- who wouldn't? Unfortunately, that frustration could hold you back from getting on your professional feet again. It's a new job hunting world, and you can learn the ropes!

If you're an "older" job hunter, more than likely, you already know that the ultra competitive job search process in today's economy is especially hard on you. Part of the challenge you're facing is a major generation gap between Baby Boomer job hunters and the Gen-Xer hiring managers of today. As Block noted, "30-somethings don't want to hire their parents. Unfortunately, that's how we often come across - as their parents."

You can succeed during interviews with younger hiring managers, but you'll want to think and act differently. Here are five areas to start with from AOL & Careerbuilder's Joe Turner, The Job Search Guy:

1. Show passion for your work

Relationships are based on shared values, Block says. He believes that shared values make up most of what we call chemistry. Chemistry is enhanced when we meet others who have a shared or common interest. This extends to your work, profession or industry. If there is little passion or commitment from you for your work, how can you expect others to get excited during the interview? On the other hand, if you consider yourself driven or committed to what you do for a living, you'll most likely meet up with a hiring manager who has a shared interest in the same area. This in fact, may be a new area for you as you undergo a possible career change. It gives you the opportunity to take your transferable skills and put them to use in some new ways for a different industry. If you're genuinely excited about your possibilities, your excitement can be contagious, especially during your interview.

2. Sell your brand

The best way to prepare for an interview is to start with a focus and brand that actually sells you. Develop a personal brand statement for yourself, a simple sentence that offers three very important selling points about you. First, it should say who you are. Second, it should offer your biggest strength(s) and third, it should offer the biggest benefit that you bring to your next employer.

The purpose of your brand is to go beyond mere duties and job descriptions and get to the "what's in it for them" benefit that will make the employer sit up and take notice.

3. Being "led" versus being managed

Another disparity that needs to be addressed, according to Block, is the fact that Boomers want to be "led" and not managed. In his coaching practice, he found that most 30-something managers look for someone they can manage. In coaching sessions with young managers, he observed that their leadership skills typically lag behind their management skills.

If you're a Boomer, take note and realize that you might not get the visionary leader you hoped for in your next hiring manager. Block has discovered that most young managers need help and guidance. They actually appreciate being mentored, coached or advised. They recognize the need, but look at it as a temporary or project-based opportunity.

This is an opportunity to sell yourself as a consultant whose many years of expertise can be useful in the role of a temporary coach or mentor. This may be a great meld between the "management versus leadership" dichotomy. This also increases your opportunities since companies are hiring more consultants in this economic downturn. As the economy improves, that 1099 contract could well turn into a salaried position- a nice W-2 for your next tax year!

4. Think "tactical" versus "strategic"

According to Block and other employment analysts, many companies today view their short-term survival needs as having paramount importance. They're looking for players who can hit the ground now and help them grunt through the next six to nine months. That will require a change in your marketing approach as phrases like "long-term" and "strategic" won't have the sales impact of a year ago. Rather than emphasize the long haul in your résumé and interview marketing, look instead at selling yourself as an expert who can get in and fix the problems of today quickly and efficiently. Downplay any talk about long-range solutions and instead, focus on clear results-oriented achievements for short-range problems.

Talk money

Money talks and it talks loudly. Money can also trump age, so try to get as close to the money as you can when you describe who you are and what you bring to the table.

Keep in mind that all organizations have only two basic needs: revenue and productivity. This is what keeps any top manager up at night. If your brand can help them, they will seek your advice and counsel. Therefore, come to the interview armed with specific examples of how you can solve their money (or productivity) problem. Your past achievements are examples of how to tackle the similar problems they're faced with today. If you can show yourself to be the problem-solver they need, you'll quickly rise to the "short list" of candidates. Your goal is to become the "go-to" person for their short-term revenue or productivity problems.

The Gen-Xer's need your help. Your working relationship could very well begin as either part- time or a short-term contract but can extend into full-time once you've proven yourself. Focus on ways you can help their short term "survivability" through this recession and get as close as you can to their revenue or productivity concerns. Talk money and how you can help them produce immediate results. A younger manager would have to be very shortsighted not to explore a working relationship with someone more experienced. Capitalize on your wealth of experience to make a positive difference in the lives and careers of the Gen-Xer's.

Then get your own retirement plans back on track, too. We'll tackle that coming up later this week, which is- beginning! Happy Monday!

John

Email John:  johnsblog@teshmedia.com

Check out the new John Tesh Social Network. You can connect with new friends, post your own blog, visit various forums, upload your favorite John Tesh music and share your photos.  To learn more about how to join, click here.

What's the difference between getting further into debt, and living a life of wealth? Not as much as you might think.

Jean Chatzky is one woman who believes, even in the toughest economic times (as all of us are experiencing; some more than others) that anyone can prosper…if they possess key traits and abilities that will set them apart. She calls these traits, and her new book, The Difference, and describes how you can go from the person who lives paycheck to paycheck to the person who lives in comfort.

Do you have The Difference? And, if not—how can you get it? Jean shares the eight things that matter most to help you become financially free.

Happiness and Optimism

Some people believe money leads to happiness. Not true. Once you're living comfortably, more money doesn't buy more happiness. The reverse, however, is true: Happiness leads to money. And success. Likewise, so does optimism. Both empower you to solve problems, create new ideas, take long-range consequences into consideration and come back to try again if you miss the first time.

Resilience

People who have moved from a bad financial situation into comfort or wealth have resilience. They can overcome—on the job, in their personal lives, with their finances. They don't deny the bad things that happen, but they're able to turn their focus to things over which they have control with the belief that they have the ability to effect change. The good news is you don't have to be born with resilience—you can learn it by controlling the things you can control and letting go of the others.

Connectedness 

Ever heard of social capital? It's the asset created when relationships between people change in ways that lead to action, generally for good. It's an important component of The Difference, and the wealthy and financially comfortable not only have more of it than people living paycheck to paycheck, they know how to use it. They cast a wider net, socializing with neighbors, co-workers, people who can help them advance financially or in their careers. To get your share of social capital, you have to make time for people and put yourself forward as a leader.

Passion

This is a key element that moves people from a life of financial struggle to one of financial success. The wealthy, simply put, want it more than the rest of that. Some want it in the form of money, but most are quite passionate about the careers they choose to pursue. And, at a time where doing what you love may not seem possible, it's important to know you can learn to love what you're doing- right here, and right now.

Intuition

Over the years, your brain has scored up scads of patterns, information that tells you that if one thing happens, something else is likely to follow. We feel these signals in our gut—and we call them hunches. They are really our intuition, a sixth sense that is more developed in the wealthy than in anyone else. You can learn to bring yours forward by adopting strategies like giving your intuition a little room to breathe: Jean herself says she has the best moments of "enlightenment" when she's not searching for them.

Make savings your new, "got to" habit

The wealthy people in Chatzky's study certainly have the funds to be crazy spenders, but most aren't. Both wealthy and financially comfortable individuals say that saving more money has been an "absolutely essential" financial goal as an adult.

Invest in stocks

Jean did the research for The Difference when housing prices were cratering and the markets were falling out of the sky. Yet, one lesson emerged again and again: The wealthy understand the need to take risks in the market—in good times and in bad—in order to make their money work as hard as they do.

Gratitude

The Karma Kickback. The people who get rich—and stay rich—are not just grateful. They practice gratitude by giving back to their communities, to organizations they believe in and the people they care about. (Your place of worship may call it 'tithing.') Even if you are thinking of something you view as mundane—like your job—when you think about it as a gift, you focus on what life might be if you didn't have it.

Can you see The Difference in your life today? Tomorrow? As long as you see it, you'll live it.

John

Email John:  johnsblog@teshmedia.com

Check out the new John Tesh Social Network. You can connect with new friends, post your own blog, visit various forums, upload your favorite John Tesh music and share your photos.  To learn more about how to join, click here.

7 steps to take this month in your job search

Maybe it's a little extra income for the holidays you're looking for, or maybe you fell prey to an economic driven layoff from your old job. It might be a case of kids well on their own way, and you feel ready, at last, to re-enter the workforce. No matter where your job  search falls right now, though- here is a new month, full of possibilities, and 7 specific things you can do this month to get yourself back on your feet, from Jean Chatsky, career and money expert for Oprah.com.

Ask anyone with a great job how they got where they are, and you'll probably hear that they got very lucky. But successful job hunters make their own luck with hard work and lots of preparation. You can use the strategies below to make sure you've got the essential ingredients for a fruitful job search—a killer résumé and sharp interviewing skills. Looking to help your kids find a good summer job? We've got some advice for that, too, and now's the time to prepare for the end of the school year.

Create a Killer Résumé
Your résumé is your chance to make a great first impression. That single piece of paper (or, these days, that one e-mail attachment) will determine whether or not you get an interview. Dust off an old copy and add any new experience or skills that you've acquired since you last looked for a job. If you've been out of the workforce, consider adding any volunteer work you've done or classes you've taken that have helped you hone in on an existing skill or learn a new one.

Share a copy of your updated résumé with your friends and family, and get their input on how you can make it sharper and more compelling. Pay special attention to the questions they members ask. If you find you need to explain or amplify a certain item, it may mean it isn't as clearly written as it could be.

Practice Interviewing
You may think that the best interviewees think quickly on their feet and come up with smart, insightful answers (and they do), but for most of us, interviewing is like playing a musical instrument—it takes plenty of practice. Setting up informational interviews with former colleagues, acquaintances and friends of friends in industries you're interested in is a great way to polish your interviewing skills. So is role playing with friends.

Before you head into an interview, tell your family who you'll be interviewing with and what you know about them and the company they works for. Have members take turns asking you questions they think your potential new boss will have on their list. After you answer, ask for feedback on what you could have done better. By the time you get through that exercise, the actual interview will be a piece of cake!

Susan Strayer, a career coach and author of The Right Job, Right Now, suggests job hunters create an inventory of stories that they can rely on during an interview. Think of several successful projects you've completed, times you've taken an important role in your employer's success and praises you've received from bosses or clients, and be ready to briefly retell those experiences at the appropriate moment.

Help Your Child Get a Summer Job
If you have a high school or college-age child who's looking for summer work, he or she will need a sharp résumé and good interviewing skills. To help them find leads for great summer jobs, don't forget your local network of family members, friends and teachers, says Randall Hansen, founder of Quintcareers.com, a website for young job seekers. In addition, have  your child check out websites such as CoolWorks.com, SummerJobs.com and  ResortJobs.com, all of which list lots of temporary positions at resorts and summer camps throughout the country.

Create a Network
Think of your friends as an instant job-hunting network that can provide ideas, advice and contacts you need. Then, branch out to family and former colleagues, says Robin Ryan. Tell everyone you know you're on the hunt and ask them for names of acquaintances that might be able to help you. Go on as many informational interviews as you can possibly manage. True, there may be no openings, but you'll have made an in for when a position is available. The person you're interviewing with may very well know others in their industry that you should also talk to. Plus, you'll brush up your interviewing skills.

Target Your Search
Although it's tempting to answer dozens of want ads and send your résumé to everyone you know, the quality of your applications, not the quantity, is what will get you results, says Robin Ryan. "You can spend 20 or 25 hours a week looking for a job—after that you're wasting your time," she adds.

Determine the industries and businesses you're most interested in (and best qualified for) ahead of time and concentrate on those contacts and openings first. Remember, targeting also means adding a personal touch. Always send a well-tailored cover letter with your résumé—no form letters or mass mailings.

Use the Internet Wisely
Sites like Monster.com and CareerBuilder.com can give you a great sense of what types of openings are available and what kind of salary range you can expect. And, it certainly can't hurt to answer ads that appeal to you. But answering blind ads shouldn't be the bulk of your search, says Susan Strayer. So often you hear nothing back. Posting your résumé on these sites can also be a waste of time. Better to look for openings on the websites of companies and industry associations that you're interested in.

Be Patient

It generally takes three to six months for people to find a job, says Robin Ryan. The wait can be frustrating, but the process gives you a chance to really evaluate what kind of job is right for you. Devote yourself to this process as though it is your full time job; find a way to network (which might mean finding a way to volunteer your way into networking, temporarily); rest, and treat yourself to some daily exercise (since you do have, for the time being- the time to give to it.

And- have a wonderful Monday; welcome to November!

John

Email John:  johnsblog@teshmedia.com

Check out the new John Tesh Social Network. You can connect with new friends, post your own blog, visit various forums, upload your favorite John Tesh music and share your photos.  To learn more about how to join, click here.

Tweet, tweet. Sounds pretty harmless...but maybe not.

It's advice we've been getting much more of in the last decade- be careful what you send in an email. But today's advice has basically foregone email- now we're told to watch our tweets! Even President Obama cautioned students to be careful what they post on Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, and any other social networking site. WalletPop and personal finance experts Ken and Daria Dolan report how social media can be costly to you in ways you may not have realized.

Lawyers Love Facebook

Are you about to be involved in a divorce or taken to court? You may want clean up your Facebook page.

Lawyers and private investigators routinely troll social media sites as part of their research for any case. Such sites are a treasure trove of evidence, especially when they are looking to:

Hunt down alimony. An ex-husband says he can’t afford alimony but tweets about his new job or raise or his brand new car.

Collect evidence for a custody case. A women fighting for full custody of her children claims she doesn’t drink or smoke, yet posts a picture of her smoking at a bar on her Facebook page.

Prove harassment or fraud. Copies of nasty or threatening messages left on an ex-boyfriend’s Facebook page make great evidence.

Your Resume Isn’t the Only Thing Employers Scrutinize. A recent study by Harris Interactive found that 45% of the employers they questioned are using social networks to check out job candidates before hiring them. That’s a pretty significant percentage. But here’s an even more surprising number: 35% of those employers decided not to offer a candidate a job because of what they found on an applicant’s social networking page.

Bad-mouthing your last boss online? Posting questionable pictures? If you are on the job hunt, be sure to review your pages and profiles and make sure there isn’t anything there that can cost you a job.

Burglars Are Fond of Your Constant Updates. Would you stand up in the middle of a crowd of strangers and announce that you’re leaving on vacation for three days and then tell everyone your address? Of course not, but that’s exactly what you are doing if you share such information online.

Burglars are now using Twitter to find victims. One Arizona man tweeted to 2,000 followers that he was heading out of town and came home to find someone had broken in and stolen thousands of dollars worth of video equipment he used for his business.

Even saying you are running to the mall, going out to dinner, etc. is too much information.

Prepare for Bigger Insurance Premiums. A leading insurer in England warns that social media users could face higher insurance premiums because of the added risk they face from burglary.

Legal & General insurance believes that burglars use social media sites to “shop” for victims. Posting photos of your home enables burglars to know whether you have any security features or what you own that’s worth stealing. Plus, your posts reveal other details, such as whether or not you have a dog to fend off intruders or if you constantly let people know when you’re out of town, that can affect the chances of you filing a claim.

Teenagers are especially likely to reveal personal information, leading the insurer to warn parents that they could face higher homeowner’s insurance premiums if their children are online.

Tweets Can Get You Fired. A waiter in Beverly Hills was fired recently for one of his Twitter updates (called Tweets) about an actress, who the waiter claimed skipped out on her bill and didn't leave him a tip. He said her agent later paid her bill. The waiter was fired two weeks later.

That may seem like an extreme case, but people have been fired for blogging about work, blogging while at work, even for calling in sick and then posting on Facebook. One woman was fired for badmouthing the boss on Facebook because she forgot she had “friended” her boss and he could see everything she was saying. Oops.

If you are using any social network, assume your boss is watching everything you say and do!

Social Networkers Are an Identity Thief’s Dream. Social networking is a dream come true for identity thieves -- millions of people sharing endless amounts of personal information right out in the open. According to PC World, 33% of social network users have at least three pieces of information posted that could lead to identity theft.

Think about the types of things people share on social media sites…their birthday, address, kid’s names, pet’s names, mother’s maiden name, previous address, where you went to school. Besides being used to steal your identity, this information can also give thieves the answers to some of the most common security or password questions used on your personal accounts.

Yes, social networking is about sharing, but that doesn’t mean you can blindly violate basic rules that help protect you from ID theft.

Let’s Go Phishing on Twitter. Just last week, Twitter users were the target of a huge phishing scam. Scammers sent direct messages (DMs) or Tweets that included a generic message such as “You’re on this video” or “I think I see you here” in order to get people to click on a link.

The link took those who clicked on it to a fake Twitter page that asked them to log in with their username and password …which the scammer then used to hijack the victim’s account.

Twitter Can Be Infectious. Fake Twitter profiles have been used to spread malicious software (known as malware).

To lure in victims, scammers use fake celebrity profiles or news about celebrities. The posts look legit, but infect your computer with malware that lets the scammer use your computer to send spam, install spyware, steal your identity or launch attacks on other computers.

The IRS Wants to “Friend” You. As state budget get increasingly pinched, internal revenue agents are getting more aggressive in their pursuit of tax revenue. In fact, some states are even using information posted on sites like Facebook and MySpace to track down tax dodgers and dig for unreported income.

In Minnesota, tax agents reportedly levied back taxes on a long-time tax evader after he announced on his MySpace page that he was moving back into the state and would be working as a real estate broker. While the IRS refuses to say whether or not they are using social media to find tax evaders, it’s best to assume that they’re watching everything you post. Makes you want to be a little more careful the next time a stranger asks to “friend” you, doesn’t it?

Let's finish with a few "rules of the social media road":

• Be choosy about your friends.
• Don't tell strangers no one's home.
• Don't tell strangers your name of address.
• Don't accept gifts from strangers- or the links you need to click to accept the gift.
• Put yourself in someone else's shoes- the someone who may have an ulterior motive.
• Lock the door behind you- review and/or activate security settings for your account that most social media have in place.
• You don’t need to quit Twitter or Facebook now that you know about the dark side of social media. Just think...before you tweet.

John

Email John:  johnsblog@teshmedia.com

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Is honesty the best policy- when it comes to making a mistake at work?

Uh-oh. Friday afternoon came, and you realized- too late- an important piece of information that should have been included in a report that your boss is giving today. Wow- what to do? Well, first, take a deep breath. And read on- this is just a terrific, look-you-straight-in-the-eye set of guidelines if you've...screwed up by Eve Tahmincioglu, who writes a weekly career column for MSNBC.com.

If the captain of the Titanic had not gone down with the ship, would he have blamed the iceberg for the disaster?

Probably not, because it would have been considered "dishonorable" for a longtime veteran of the sea like Capt. Edward John Smith to throw off the blame, says Carol Tavris, a social psychologist and co-author of "Mistakes Were Made (But Not by Me): Why We Justify Foolish Beliefs, Bad Decisions, and Hurtful Acts."

But today, she adds, accepting responsibility for our mistakes has become passé in politics, finance and the workplace in general.

Just look at the financial sector's collapse: too few have lined up to take the fall for Wall Street's fall.

Richard Fuld, a veteran of 158-year-old Lehman Bros., was CEO when the company collapsed in spectacular fashion in September 2008. He testified before Congress recently and blamed the implosion on everything from short selling to the government. He maintained that his decisions and actions as the leader of the firm "were both prudent and appropriate."

So what does a high-ranking CEO, or even a  rank-and-file employee gain by admitting a mistake and taking the blame? Depends.

Should you fess up or deny?
On the surface, it seems Fuld has little to lose, since he is walking away with nearly $500 million in compensation earned during his tenure at the company.

That said, there could be a hidden cost to admitting any error.

"What do we think of CEOs hiding from responsibility?" asks Angie Morgan, co-author of "Leading From the Front: No-Excuse Leadership Tactics for Women."

"Their personal integrity has gone away," she said. "Respect is the ultimate reward you can get as a leader."

In general, does it help or hinder a career to admit mistakes and take the blame? Should you fess up -- or deny, deny, deny?

There is no easy answer to these questions, experts say. It all depends on a number of factors:

·  The gravity of the mistake you made.

·  How you approach fixing or resolving the mistake.

·  And most importantly, how understanding your managers are when it comes to screw-ups.

When Morgan was an officer in the Marine Corps deployed in Australia, she made some mistakes.

On one occasion, she sent two Marines under her command into the Outback without radios or any communications tools. When they didn't return that evening, she realized their lives could be on the line.

She immediately told her commanding officer her mistake.

"He then relayed the news via radio to units in the Outback, trying to locate the last unit that came in contact with my Marines. He utilized his communication channels to get a sense of where they were last seen, which allowed him to send out Humvees in those areas to try and locate them," she recalls. "His actions were immediate."

After the Marines were found, she adds, she and her commanding officer "discussed my role in the situation and what I should have done to ensure that the situation never had occurred in the first place."

Morgan learned a valuable lesson.

"When you acknowledge mistakes, you can start looking for solutions," Morgan says.

Lin Grensing-Pophal, an HR management expert, recalls one of her past employees who made a big blunder.

The employee, a copywriter, worked on a major direct-mail initiative for Grensing-Pophal that involved more than 250,000 mailers to promote a bankruptcy book to lawyers.

"I was sitting in my office one day when she came in with a copy of the brochure and announced: 'I've made a very big mistake.' She then proceeded to tell me that instead of listing the book price as $265.00 it was printed as $26.50."

But the employee already had an action plan. "She had looked into a couple of alternatives for correcting the error. We could reprint at a cost of X, or she had found a service that would affix stickers over the price to correct at a cost of X. She offered to have the cost of correcting the error taken out of her salary," she explains, adding that the company did not dock her pay.

Three things that impressed Grensing-Pophal:

·  "She immediately came to me to admit her mistake."

·  "In reality, this mistake was owned by several people. She was the copywriter, but the proofing process we had in place involved the product manager as well as a proofreader. She didn't even bring them into the picture -- she took full responsibility."

·  "She came in with a solution in hand. She didn't just dump the problem on me."

Grensing-Pophal says that ever since, she's tried to use this same approach whenever she, herself, makes a mistake,and sees such times not as opportunities to criticize or place blame, but truly, to learn and improve."

Learning from a mistake
That's something children are supposedly taught from a young age -- how it's important to learn from your mistakes. But too many times, rather than hearing what they should do, children see a very different story when it comes to the adults in their lives screwing up, says "Mistakes" author Tavris. The message that becomes apparent to children is that making mistakes translates to stupidity or incompetence.

That is the wrong approach, she says. "People who are able to admit mistakes don't see those mistakes as a reflection on their own character and ability," she says.

The ability to admit a mistake may also depend on your own conscience, adds Paul Facella, CEO of consulting firm Inside Management.

"I think it depends on your own tolerance. If you can live with yourself and sleep at night knowing you made a mistake, more power to you," he says. "I would be waiting every day with bated breath wondering when the ax was going to fall."

Facella, who is also the author of "Everything I Know About Business I Learned at McDonald's," says he was lucky enough to work in an environment as an executive at the fast-food chain that made employees "comfortable" about admitting mistakes.

"In most situations, if people are honest and explain what they did, and it had no true malicious intent, then most organizations will acquiesce and like that," he says.

It's all about weighing the consequences. "You can't be stupid about this," he advises. "If it was an honest mistake and your appetite for holding something like that back is not strong, I would go with your gut, pick a time and place, and explain it to your managers."

Legal implications
Part of the issue today when it comes to accepting blame, he continues, is the legal implication of doing so, which could mean everything from a loss of bonuses or even jail time.

Tavris believes the fear that you'll be fired or derail your whole career for telling the truth, however, is overblown.

"If you are a good employee, hard-working and care about the quality of your work, and make a rare mistake, then I think admitting it is the best thing to do," she says, so long as you offer corrective measures when you disclose the fumble.

And accepting blame may actually help your career.

"People like working for someone they can trust," Simons says. "And if you have an employee who tells you they screwed up, then you know you can trust them."

There's a payoff on both sides, he says. But, he stresses, "It's naïve to say telling the truth will always serve you well. You have to be able to read if those around you, and the company you work for, are worthy of the truth."

And if there's a young person looking to you for lessons on how to handle mistakes, you'll find that you become worthy of the influence you have, and really, mean what you say. Welcome to a new- honest- week!

John

Email John:  johnsblog@teshmedia.com

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Keep your job search UP, in an economy that's DOWN.

Remember back when you were still in school? Your career? Well, easy enough- there's a job just about anywhere you looked! And if, for whatever reason, you didn't like the job; they didn't like you...whatever (say, that can be a really annoying word)- there's always another one around the corner, right? Hmm...not so much the case in the last couple of years, is it?

If you're searching for a job when the economy is down, understand that you need to boost your job-hunting skills, author Richard Bolles says. "Jobs do open up; jobs do fall vacant—maybe not in your former specialty, maybe not even in your geographical area, but nonetheless there are jobs out there, even during hard times," he says. "It just takes greater job-hunting skills to find them."

Richard, author of What Color Is Your Parachute? 2009: A Practical Manual for Job-Hunters and Career-Changers, shares advice on how to search for a job and have a good interview when economic times are tough.

To develop better job-hunting skills, start by assuming that the task of finding a new job is yours, Richard says. "You are in charge," he says. "Don't wait for the government—or anyone else—to come and save you."

Have the willingness to work hard at your job hunt. "Don't just give it 'a lick and a promise' and then give up," Richard says. "Working hard means putting in time—lots of time. This also means using more than one job-hunting method to find those jobs that are out there."

Take the time to do an inventory on yourself, Richard says. Make a list of what you have to offer to the marketplace. If you think you know yourself so well that you don't need to do this kind of homework on yourself, think again, he says.

Update your knowledge. "Go beyond what you learned about the job hunt back in high school or, worse, out 'on the street,'" Richard says. "The job hunt is one of the most studied human activities there is. You've just got to familiarize yourself with that research. The life you save will be your own."

Research the specific position. If you do this before you go on the interview, you'll be able to talk about why the job interests you, Richard says. Also, ask about what kinds of skills the job demands. Try to talk about how you have those skills and experience. "In the old days, it was sufficient for you just to claim certain skills; now, in what are called 'behavioral interviews,' employers want you to give evidence," Richard says. "You should do this in the form of a story, or stories, which have the framework: problem, action, results."

Gauge how well the interview is going. You can tell if an interview is going well by watching the time sequence of the employer's questions, Richard says. If the interviewer's questions stay rooted in the past, like "Tell me what you've done," then things have not gone well, he says. If the questions end up being mostly rooted in the present, for example, "What are your favorite hobbies," things are going better, Richard says. Only when they end up being firmly rooted in the future, like, "Where do you see yourself five years from now?" can you assume the interview is going very well, he says.

End the interview appropriately. If you decide you're definitely interested in the job and the interview has gone well, Richard says to end the interview by asking, "Based on all that we've talked about, can you offer me this job?" "The worst they can say is 'No' or 'Not yet,'" he says. "But it's amazing how often that closing question of yours turns the interviewer from 'I'll call you next week' to 'Yes, I do want to offer it to you—when could you start?'"

So when can you start...with a refreshed and positive look toward the job you want? Today? Absolutely. Enjoy your weekend-

John

Email John:  johnsblog@teshmedia.com

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Everyone feels the impact of a layoff- especially a wife.

Getting laid off is a highly stressful event, and not just for the person losing their job, but for the entire family. According to an article in Time magazine, wives really feel the  impact. Take Sarah Janosek, a 47-year-old hospice nurse and mother of three in Austin. Her husband, a software engineer, was laid off earlier this year. She says when she first heard the news, it was devastating. Like many wives who work, Janosek brought in about one-third of the family’s income. Now, she was the sole breadwinner. She was able to increase her work hours, and her husband got a little contract work — but she says it’s hardly solved the problem, and she’s still angry about it.

Recent data shows that more than two million American women are married to someone who’s been handed a pink slip during this recession. Compare that to the 1.4 million women who’ve lost a job, and it seems that the majority of women are battling the recession not as a laid-off worker - but as the spouse of one. In the last year, over 71% of layoffs fell to men.  Alan Pickman is a psychologist and author of The Complete Guide to Outplacement Counseling. He says a wife’s response to her husband’s lay-off may be even more intense than his. That’s because often, wives feel powerless — both about the job loss as well as the family’s future. She can’t pick her husband’s next job for him – he has to get it himself.

Wives who work have a bit more control over their finances - but not much. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, not only are married women working fewer hours per week than before the recession began, but their hours are at the lowest point since 1964 - the year these numbers started being tracked. So, women are finding ways to cut the family budget. Air-conditioning is used less, trips to the movies are cut, new clothes are postponed, and family dinners are eaten at home. This all adds up to extra work for wives. For example, more home-cooked meals means more dishes to wash, and keeping worn-out clothes means more mending. So if you’re a man looking for work, just keep in mind that your wife does understand the stress you’re feeling. Probably more than you know.

Keep in mind- hard as it seems sometimes, that what you're both going through is temporary.  A husband getting back to the same kind of work he had may not be in the cards just yet; in fact, it may still be some time before he is back to work at all, but keep in mind that you are a team, which absolutely requires working together FOR one another, and not against.

Believing in one another, and your future prospects, is always an option; despair takes up way too much room in our hearts.  Have a great weekend- 

John

Email John:  johnsblog@teshmedia.com

Check out the new John Tesh Social Network. You can connect with new friends, post your own blog, visit various forums, upload your favorite John Tesh music and share your photos.  To learn more about how to join, click here.

The best interview you've ever had- here's the how-to

Almost any new situation for you- you're about to make a first impression.  And, whether it's a social or professional situations, that first impression counts! If we're talking here about an interview- make it a deal-maker...not breaker. Whether on the phone or in person, NESStaffing gives us some important things to consider for the impression you will make. For in-person interviews, here are some hints:

The Night Before

• Make sure you've done your research on the employer. Read the employer profile and visit the employer's website.
• Prepare a list of questions that were not answered by your research.
• Think about the possible questions the interviewer may ask and consider your responses.
• Put your list of questions, a copy of your resume, and the job description (if available) in a folder to take to the interview. Also bring original licenses, copies of diplomas and pertinent certificates, and names of references and/or copies of reference letters or performance evaluations.

The Day of the Interview

• If possible, wear a suit or, at least, a suit jacket. First impressions are lasting – Err on the side of overdressing.
• Be on time. Punctuality is all-important. If anything, be early.
• Be prepared to complete the employer's own application form when you arrive. (They may require an application form in addition to your resume.)
• First impressions count with everyone you meet, so be courteous and friendly with all the people with whom you interact.
• Go to the interview alone. Arrange babysitting, if you have young children, and if a friend or spouse accompanies you, they should not accompany you to the interview room.
• Don't be a no-show. If you are no longer interested or are unexpectedly unable to attend, be professional and give the employer the courtesy of a telephone call to say so.

The Interview 

• Shake hands, make eye contact, and smile. Sit straight and naturally in the chair.
• Let the interviewer direct the conversation.
• Think of the situation as being before a judge: don't talk too much – stick to answering the questions clearly. Ask your own questions, when they are relevant to the conversation.
• Use concrete examples to demonstrate your skills and experience.
• Be prepared to answer the following questions: Have you ever been convicted of a crime for which you haven't been pardoned? Can you show proof of your eligibility to work in this country? Can you perform the job's essential function? These questions are legal, and an employer has a responsibility to know. In the unlikely event that illegal questions (about your plans to have children, your sexual orientation, your religious beliefs, etc.) are asked, indicate as politely as you can that these questions are not relevant or legal (except in rare cases, such as in applications for overseas jobs; in these cases, if you don't answer, you may not be considered for the job).
• If you had difficulties at a previous job (with the work, the staff, the pay, the hours, etc.) and are asked, explain your position honestly and frankly. Your ability to get along with people will be a key consideration in the hiring decision.
• Unless the interviewer brings it up earlier, leave salary and benefits discussions to the end of the interview. At this time, do not be afraid to ask questions that are of real concern.
• In salary discussions, try not to be too specific regarding your expectations. If they are too high, you will eliminate yourself from consideration. If they are too low, you risk underselling your abilities. Don't make a final decision until you have considered the specifics of the job, the salary, the full range of benefits, and the cost of living. If you have to spend $300 a month in parking fees, the job may be less attractive than a job where parking is free or paid. If you want to do a Master's degree and an employer offers tuition reimbursement, then the perks can add up, particularly if it's on an after-tax basis.

The End of the Interview

• If you are interested in the job, but the employer does not make an offer during or at the end of the interview, inquire about the next steps in the process and when you might hear from them. Make a summary statement about the job and why it would suit your interests and abilities.
• If you are offered a position, thank them and ask for some time to consider the offer. Ask permission to contact them with additional questions. Even if you think you are not interested in the job, it would be best to consider your decision outside of the pressure of an interview – what is it about the job that is making you think it's not right? Is there a trade-off of any kind (e.g., a slightly lower salary but better hours)?
• If you are asked to come back for another interview, write down the name of the person with whom you are going to meet, the time, and the interviewer's telephone number and email address. (You will want all of this information at hand, in case you have to reschedule your appointment).
• Thank the interviewer.

After the Interview – Give Yourself a De-Briefing

• Make notes about what points you made, what points you wish you had made, and what points you wish you hadn't made.
• Ask yourself if you learned all you needed to know about the position.
• Did you talk too much? Too little?
• Did the interview go well? How do you know? Did you feel relaxed, confident? Did you share a laugh with the interviewer? Did you get the impression the interviewer was attentive, interested, enthusiastic, encouraging?
• Think about the interview objectively. Remember: practice makes perfect and interviewing is no exception.

Interested in the job?

Be sure to write a thank you- email at the very least!
Not Interested?

Write to the interviewer and make a summary statement about the positive aspects of the job, then clearly (and tactfully!) point out why it is not what you are looking for. Be explicit about what you are looking for. The interviewer may have such a job in the future.

Always do research in advance and take every interview seriously: show you have knowledge of the employer and the ability to articulate your experience, skills, and goals. Being prepared allows you to ask better questions and demonstrate your interest to the employer...which, could mean what for you?  Let's say it together:  THE JOB!

Good luck-

John

Email John:  johnsblog@teshmedia.com

Check out the new John Tesh Social Network. You can connect with new friends, post your own blog, visit various forums, upload your favorite John Tesh music and share your photos.  To learn more about how to join, click here.