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Know Your Options for Family and Medical Leave

February 10, 2011 By Leave a Comment

We all suffer from illness or we need to take care of family members at some time during our working lives. Some of us are fortunate enough to work in an environment where we are provided with clear guidelines about the paid and unpaid leave time to which we are entitled. If you are not in this position, you will need to fall back on national guidelines to tell you your rights. In the United States, the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) of 1993 provides us with these rights. If you worked more than half time for at least 12 months either a public agency or for a business with more than 50 people, and you live within 75 miles of your place of work, then you are probably FMLA-eligible. You may take this kind leave if you are eligible, are too ill to do your job, if you have a new child, or to take care of a sick immediate relative.

Your employer is not required to pay you when you take family or medical leave, but they do have to refrain from eliminating your position and your benefits, and they are not allowed to retaliate against you for taking this time off. It is important to recognize that the FMLA does not apply for short-term illness (hopefully your employer gives sick leave), or for the care of pets or non-relatives. Definitions of who is covered by the Act may vary from state to state, so be sure to familiarize yourself with local laws before you decide to invoke the FMLA. Some states allow its use for organ donors or for reasons related to military personnel deaths or illnesses.

The FMLA is often used by those who do not have entitlements to parental leave. Maternal or paternal leave may be taken for up to 12 weeks under the protection of the Leave Act, but the U.S. does not require that any of this leave be paid.

Filed Under: Employment Tagged With: , ,

Education for Recession

January 31, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Almost everyone has been impacted in some way by the national economic slump that has had a deep hold over the past 2 years. Even with small decreases in unemployment, gains are slow. So, you may ask yourself, what can I do to provide security for my family and even have some chance of a fulfilling career, even in the midst of global economic turmoil? Well, as it turns out, there are two industries –”industries”– that tend to fare well even in times of trouble; healthcare and education. People see economic downturns as the perfect time to go back to school…and very often, they’re right in that assessment.

In times when employers have their pick of employees, they will choose the very best people who are available to them. And, the very best people have gotten more and more qualified as the years passed. Eighty years ago, graduating high school was optional, and if you did further your education that much–with a high school diploma–it was likely you could support a family on the job you got afterwards, at least if you were a man. Fast forward to the present day, and you’ll find that many employers are looking to make sure their entire team is composed of people who have a Bachelors degree–any Bachelors degree. For many jobs, this is the minimum requirement.

A Bachelor’s degree shows employers that you had the discipline to accomplish something, to see it through even though it was long and difficult. The very fact that you have one may be more important than where it came from, whether that was a state school, the Ivy League, or an accredited online programs. Of course, for the very best jobs, even more education is usually required. With an advanced degree, the jobs you’re seeking will become more specific, but also more prestigious–and of often more rewarding.

Filed Under: Employment, Jobs Tagged With: , , , , ,

Tackling the Job Offer

January 29, 2011 By Leave a Comment

One of the most exciting things in life for anyone and even those who do not have a career is getting that phone call for a job hire or orientation.

While it’s just about defunct, companies can back out on their claim to hire you but rarely does that case have legs to move. On the other hand, you have to do everything in your power to keep the job offer on the table. Doing or saying the wrong thing can thwart your chances of landing the job.

Now, if you know deep down you want this job, here’s a few rules to remember to stay focused and sharp and not sound desperate:

If you get the job offer by telephone, try to avoid excessive shouting or celebrating but sound happy but keep it proper, calm and polite as well. Thank the employee who extended the job offer and ask for a day to consider starting. Don’t automatically accept the offer or position as you may be putting a wrinkle in any chance at salary negotiations and at the same time, sound a bit desperate. Try to focus on being cool, calm, polite and as professional as you can be at all times.

In case you get an offer for a job you do not want, here’s a couple things to remember as well to not cause conflict and still keep it professional:

Again, if you get the job offer by telephone, the immediate response is to say thank you for the offer. You want to follow that up with that you would like to take some time to think about it. The biggest thing to remember is to never tell the company immediately that you do not want the position. This may cause embarrassment or regret on your behalf for being too quick. This is also being rude to the company, so give it at least a day to politely decline their offer.

Filed Under: Career, Employment, Job, Jobs, Training Tagged With: , ,

Making a Good First Impression

January 26, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Going to a job interview can be a nerve-wracking experience, but it is important that you keep your cool in order to make a good impression. The time you have to talk to your potential new employer is relatively limited in a job interview so a good first impression is vital. Following these simple steps will help you blow your potential employers away and secure the job you have always wanted!

From the second you walk into the interview, the bosses at the company are making judgments about you – that is why it is important to dress correctly for any job interview. This may change slightly depending on the sector you are in and the job you are applying for, but in most cases, it is a good idea to wear a smart suit or dress. Even if you know the dress code of the place you are going is fairly casual, it is better to be overdressed than under dressed.

Bringing certain items with you can also help you make a good impression. Your employer will usually already have a copy of your resume with them, but bringing in one yourself will show that you are organized and a positive self-starter. You could even get your own personalized business cards made up – another great technique that will show them you are serious about the role and about your future career.

Although it can be easy to get nervous during an interview, be sure to make eye contact with your employers at all times. This will show that you have good communications skills and are able to relate to them on a personal level. Try and be casual and light in your interview – you can even make a joke or two if you feel the mood is right, but make sure you don’t come across as a comedian!

Filed Under: Employment, Job Tagged With: , , ,

Mistakes to avoid in your resume

January 20, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Your resume is the first impression you make on a potential employer when you send in an application. You resume is a brief yet detailed write up about your professional capabilities which will decide whether you are suitable for a job or not. Through several training courses and information available over the internet, most people are well versed with what points are to be kept in mind while drafting a resume. However, people often tend to make very basic mistakes that can make their resume look unprofessional and amateur. This is hardly the impression you want to leave on the minds of reviewers. So here is a list of some basic resume mistakes to avoid to make a good first impression:

1. Typographical and Grammatical Errors: Once you have drafted your entire resume, carefully reread it and keep an eye out for grammatical errors or mistakes you may have made while typing it out. Misspelled words and poor English skills can raise questions about the quality of your education.

2. Not enough details: While it is important to keep your resume concise, failing to mention helpful details could be the difference between your resume being shortlisted and being sent to the paper shredder! Form small sentences but mention accomplishments and details about each of your previous jobs.

3. Failure to customize: Make sure you tailor your resume to match the requirements of each employer you send it off too. The person will need to see how you would be relevant for their company.

4. A good objective: If you are going to mention your objectives, make sure they are well thought out and throw some light on your personality and aspirations but must remain realistic and not too eloquent.

5. Keep it neat: A resume that looks all jumbled up entices the employer to trash it even before they read it! So make sure that your resume is organized into easily read through parts.

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