August 2009

Admin

In the best of times responding to a job listing can feel like sending your resume out to sea in a bottle. But at least you received a call or an email acknowledgement. Now, with the volume of applicants higher than ever, you're more likely to hear nothing.

If there is a resounding silence from your queries, keep looking and networking. But you can also do some sleuthing to give you a better chance of standing out next time. Recruiters and career experts agree that, if you didn't get an interview or phone call -- or even a thank-you email -- it may be due to at least one of six reasons.

1. They're just not that into you.

You're good, but someone else more closely met the qualifications. In a tight job market employers can usually get exactly the type of candidate they want. A polite "thanks, but no thanks" letter or email would be nice. But don't expect it these days.

2. They may be into you, as soon as they get to you.

Companies receive so many submissions these days that they don't even have time to send out letters or confirmation emails. "I know a major software company that's taking more than three weeks just to send out acknowledgement notes, and some companies are spending months sifting through resumes for just one opening," workplace etiquette expert Sue Fox tells Yahoo! Hot Jobs.

3. They would have been into you if you had followed directions.

"Many job listings use the word 'must,' not 'it would be nice to,'" according to Dave Opton, CEO and founder of ExecuNet. "If it says you must have experience in X, then tailor your resume to show that," Opton says.

If you're answering a job listing, be sure you respond in exactly the way the company wants. And be aware that if you're not applying for a specific job but rather sending out dozens or hundreds of form letters, your resume is likely to end up in companies' spam folders.

4. They might be into you if you apply for a more appropriate job.

Independent recruiter Cheryl Ferguson tells Yahoo! HotJobs that many job seekers are overqualified, under-qualified, or otherwise just wrong. "If we need to fill a specific job, and you're not right for it, don't assume that we're going to find the right fit for you. A lot of times people send me resumes, and I want to ask, 'Did you even read the job description?'"

5. Your presentation could use some work.

"A lot of mistakes I see are a lack of cover letter, and an objective statement on the resume that is all wrong for the job opening," says Lindsay Olson, partner and recruiter at Paradigm Staffing. "Even worse are obviously mass emails where the candidates had no clue what they were applying for."

6. There isn't any job.

Sometimes, due to last minute budget cuts, a position is eliminated before it's even filled. Other times, according to Olson, companies reel in resumes even when they know there isn't any opening. "Some companies want a big applicant pool because they think they may be hiring in the future," Olson said.

How can you learn what happened?

If you feel like your resume is out at sea, and you'd at least like confirmation that you're out of the running, there are things you can do.

1. Contact the company.

Yes, the ad had a NO CALLS warning, and there wasn't a name anyway. But if you're pretty sure you're right for the job, and you've heard nothing after a week, you can still call someone to find out if you're at least in the running. Try to find the hiring manager (HR is too busy, and they almost never want to hear from you).

"If you do follow up by phone, don't leave a voice mail," Opton says. "Early in the morning or after five you're more likely to reach a real person."

2. But don't be a pest.

"If you've had an interview and sent your thank-you letter, wait a week to call," Fox says. One or two emails are OK, but three will probably look desperate, she adds. "And never, ever, show up at the company without an interview and demand to be seen. It will backfire."

3. Re-read the job posting.

Did the resume you sent really fit the job requirements? Or were you hoping they would find another job just for you? "I love it when a candidate has done the homework and already knows the company and the position," Ferguson says. "It makes it easier for both of us."

4. Take a look at your resume.

Get a second opinion, and a third. Does it present you in the right light? Is it professionally formatted? Does it feature accomplishments, rather than merely job titles and dates?

5. Step up the networking.

"It's always best to network your way into a position," Opton says. "You'll get a lot more individual attention than someone responding to a job listing."

Admin

20 Lazy Ways to Save Money

While the media can't decide if the recession is nearing its end or not, we do know that there hasn't been a tremendous surge in wages, job creation or the stock market. Consequently, most of us are staying pretty conservative on our spending. Here are a few relatively simple ways to keep an eye on your pennies while you're waiting for that brighter economic future to arrive.

1. Schedule automatic payments. Have (at least) your fixed monthly bills paid automatically to avoid missing a payment and having to fork over extra money for late fees and/or interest. You can set up auto pay features through your bank's online bill paying service or by arranging it directly with the company or service provider.

2. Eat your groceries. Did you know that Americans regularly throw away nearly 15% of the food they buy at the grocery store each year? That can add up to hundreds or, depending on your supermarket budget, thousands of dollars each year. Save money by actually eating what you buy. Not sure how? Bypass the bookstore and borrow a cookbook from the library!

3. Bundle services. If you're paying different vendors for similar services you may be overpaying. Call your communications providers to see what price you'll be quoted if you switch and bundle your internet, phone and cable TV services.

4. Pay off credit card. If you're not paying off your credit card balance each month you're paying interest and, for most Americans, it's a pretty steep rate. Pay it off and you could save a tidy sum by eliminating your interest charges.

5. Mark your calendar. Whenever you rent something - library books, videos, etc. – mark it on your calendar and save money by avoiding those quickly mounting late fees. Many stores and libraries also now offer email reminders to help the constantly harried so sign up for the extra help!

6. File your taxes on time. Or if you need to file an extension at least pay what you owe on the due date. You'll avoid annoying notices from the IRS and, more importantly, save on penalties, fees and interest.

7. Roll it over. If you're switching jobs and you can't leave your 401(k) invested with your current company, roll your 401(k) into either your new employer's 401(k) or an IRA within the 60-day window instead of withdrawing the money. By doing so you'll keep the money invested - and earning interest - and avoid those nasty taxes as well as the additional 10% penalty.

8. Switch credit cards. If you're carrying a balance on a high interest rate credit card check out other card issuers to see if you could transfer your balance to one with a lower interest rate and fewer fees. Use sites like Creditcard.com or Bankrate.com to compare card rates, and pay careful attention to how long those terms last so you don't wind up paying a higher rate and erasing any potential savings.

9. Use your privileges. Are you an AAA member? Do you belong to the AARP? What about your local credit union? Check organizations you have memberships with to see if they offer buying privileges or discounts.

10. Rent instead of buy. You might be excited to expand your driveway but don't let your enthusiasm overtake good sense. Hold off on buying that jackhammer and think before you spend on big-ticket items or items that you'll use once or infrequently (like movies and books).

11. Buy instead of rent. Don't pay the exorbitantly high prices charged by rent-a-center type stores for items you'll use regularly and keep long-term like computers, furniture and appliances.

12. Ask. That's right, just ask. You can't be paying any more than you currently are, so why not ask if you can get the interest rate lowered on your credit cards or loans? Also, ask for a discount on services like your wireless phone, trash removal or pet care instead of switching to another vendor, and of course ask "is that the best you can do" on any big ticket purchases like cars, appliances and furniture.

In a tight economy it might be worth the seller's while to cut the price instead of losing the sale, and you'll both benefit in the end!

13. Just say no. To the extended warranty that is. They hardly ever make financial sense. Weigh the repair or replacement cost (and if you would even need or want to repair or replace it down the road) against the cost of the warranty and graciously pass when offered.

14. Have the awkward conversation. Americans average more than $750 yearly on holiday gifts and that's probably much more than most would like to spend. If your gift-giving is costing you more than you can realistically afford there's a good chance it’s more than your relatives can afford (or would like to spend) as well. Take the plunge and broach the subject. Offer a more reasonable alternative (say, limit giving to children or put a dollar amount on gifts per person). More than likely your relatives will be grateful SOMEONE finally raised the subject and you’ll save money in the process.

15. Eat at home. If the idea of cooking for yourself seems like too much work at least opt for take-out instead of dining out - you'll save on the tip, the alcohol and most likely the cost for appetizers or dessert.

16. Balance your checkbook. It might take a few minutes but it's something you should be doing anyway and it can pay off huge dividends by helping you avoid bouncing a check and incurring steep overdraft fees (not to mention a little embarrassment)!

17. Stick with your bank. When withdrawing cash drive or walk the extra minute it takes to use your bank's ATM and avoid the fee that could come with another bank's machine. Better yet - switch to a bank that doesn't charge fees!

18. Use your TV. If you're paying for cable why not use all of it - and save some money in the process? Cancel the video membership and watch movies through cable movie packages you're already paying for or check out your free "on demand" shows. Drop the gym membership and work out at home to channels like FitTV, and bag the magazine subscriptions and watch the same shows (like Martha Stewart) on TV instead.

19. Quit those bad habits. Smoking, overeating and drinking are costly habits to maintain. Okay - this is the "lazy" way to save, not necessarily the easy way. But you can save boatloads of money in two ways by saying sayonara to your favorite vices: (1) You'll save money by cutting out on the regular spending it's costing you, and (2) you'll probably save on insurance premiums and long-term health costs. It's the ultimate win-win.

20. Forget the pet. Sure it sounds heartless but did you realize that welcoming home a little Fido can cost you an average of more than $1,500 a year - or $15,000 over 10 years? Feline fluffies are pricey too - just under $1,000 a year or approximately $9,000 for 10 years of care. Looking at the long-term picture, that's a new car or the down payment on a home! Keep walking right past that pet store and keep the money in your pocket instead.

The recession won't last forever, but in the meantime take advantage of these lazy ways to stay on track financially, and develop some pretty good money management habits for the future!

Admin

Click here for Online Cooking Recipes Videos

This week's easy and delicious recipe picks from Shine...

MONDAY
Old-Fashioned Spaghetti and Meatballs

To stretch the ground beef, we use high-fiber bulgur and whole-wheat breadcrumbs in the meatballs, which are baked rather than fried.