Posts Tagged ‘Jackie Simmonds’

Staying Motivated: Giving Thanks

November 25th, 2010

By Jackie Simmonds, NEJS Blog Editor

People tell me that they can’t believe what a great attitude I have maintained during the never ending quest for my next position. Of course they don’t see me when I am rolling around in bed, hour after hour, wondering what I can possibly do to actually get the position I want. They don’t see me on the days when it takes all my effort to get dressed, or the day that I can’t even turn on my computer because the thought of looking at one more job description makes me want to scream.

Everyone has dark days but I am fortunate that on most days I am able to keep my attitude in the positive realm. Earlier this year my son and I were talking about optimism. I told him that I thought I would classify myself as a pessimist. With all the scorn and eyeball rolling that only a teenager can muster he said “OMG, you are such an optimist it isn’t even funny”. After we talked about it for a while I had to revise my earlier statement to “realist”.

I do miss working. I do want this endless purgatory to end. But this period of unemployment has offered me some gifts that I am truly thankful for, gifts I would not have experienced if I was still employed full time.

On this day of giving thanks, my own personal list includes:

More time with my children. Just doing simple things like homework and attending school » Read more: Staying Motivated: Giving Thanks

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Posted in Staying motivated

Tags: career transition Jackie Simmonds Jacqueline Simmonds Network For Work networking for work Staying motivated Volunteering

Job Search Tips: What Are Your Job Hunting Statistics Telling You?

October 28th, 2010

By Jackie Simmonds, NEJS Blog Editor

Much advice is given out about tracking your job search to keep you focused and productive. Tracking my job applications is not a project that I have tackled before because, I have to admit, I was afraid to see the results. I sat down in early September and collected the data, the cold hard truth of my job search. And here are my statistics in the 14 months I have been looking for a new position:

Applications: 126 number sent out per week = 2.25

Phone interviews: 15 13% of applications resulted in interview

Live interviews: 7 47% of the phone interviews turned into a live interview

Removed from consideration: 6 40% of phone interviews revealed the job was not for me

Jobs placed on hold/canceled: 5 33% of interviews lost to company withdrawing position

Rejections – over qualified: 4 27% of interviews resulted in being dropped because of level

Job Offers: 1

Job Offer Rejections: 1 » Read more: Job Search Tips: What Are Your Job Hunting Statistics Telling You?

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Posted in Job search tips

Tags: Employment Employment opportunities find a job Jackie Simmonds Jacqueline Simmonds job search job search resources Job search tips job search tools Job Seekers Unemployment

Career Transition: Taking Advantage of Networking Opportunities

October 4th, 2010

By Jackie Simmonds, NEJS Blog Editor

I have been thinking a lot about career transitions lately. Many times a new career will sound much more attractive than your old career, especially if your old career has failed to produce a job during this recession. But how do you know if that career is right for you?

Any person who is thinking about changing careers needs to spend some time researching and talking to people in the “new” career to make sure there is a correct fit. A valuable resource that often gets overlooked are industry sponsored trade shows and networking events. These events give you access to lots of people, all in one place, who are already doing your prospective career. You can talk to many people, make lots of connections, and generally get a good sense of the health of the industry, the happiness of the people involved, and most importantly key contacts to follow up with for more in-depth research.

I found a few events that are happening in October to give you an idea of the opportunities that are available.

This educational and networking event focuses specifically on the New England innkeeper. Running November 15^th through 17^th- this 2-day conference will bring together the key leaders and experts to share their wisdom on the issues that impact you the most. To register click here. » Read more: Career Transition: Taking Advantage of Networking Opportunities