My take on the Anthropology of Work, Long Distance Running and the Great Outdoors
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Thursday, December 22, 2011
What job seekers who want to have success in this job market should resolve to do in 2012…
1. Remind myself every day that my attitude affects my job search.
Despite these tough economic times (and the long period of time I may have been without a job), I vow to start fresh and approach my job search with a positive attitude. Successful job searches are driven by positive emotions. Fear, desperation, depression and anxiety will only prolong my job search. I have to find ways to balance these emotions and approach my job search from a positive place...Therefore, I will…
2. …Strive every day to pursue my passion.
Ask myself, “Am I really following my heart when it comes to my job search?” Passion always wins in this economy and people who let their values determine their direction tend to be more positive and have more success in their job search.
Remember: Passion + Ability + Availability = Meaningful Work
3. Work every day as if my job search is a ‘real’ job.
Remember: I am getting paid to look for work. Why? Because, the quicker I get a job the sooner I am making a pay check. So, the more I work AND the better I work means more money sooner.
Therefore, I will schedule my day as if it is a real job...
I will dress for work and I will set and accomplish real goals.
4. Finally, I will focus every day on NETWORKING.
People hire people they know!
(Figure out how to best use your network to communicate your Brand and you will find productive work that makes you happy...:-)
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
People ask me sometimes what it is like to run a 50 mile race...
Running Lennon’s Race
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Monday, October 24, 2011
10-step method for combating Ageism and turning ‘age’ into an asset:
Section 2: The Reality of Age Discrimination in the Job Market
· Stereotypes about populations make it difficult to see real individual people.
· Finding a job is all about your personal story. You will not find meaningful work if your personal story is stifled by stereotypes and generalizations.
Ageism is possible in each phase of a job search.
Age discrimination can creep into cover letters, resumes, interviews and the hiring process.
· Some basic tricks for avoiding these pitfalls:
Step 5: Establish a job plan.
- The point is not to try and ‘appear young’ or become a ‘slave to technology.’
- The point is to ‘leverage’ tools to your advantage.
- Social networking sites like www.linkedin.com can serve as a hub to continue to build your brand. (notice that this is step 7 and not step number 1)
- The best networkers help others.
- Most jobs are filled because…“people hire people they know!”
- If you are active in your community and industry and open to new ideas, people will take notice.
- What does it mean to set the pace for others to follow?
- How can I add value to everything I do?
- Notice trends, accept change, follow movements that you believe in.
- Remember: The new movement is toward an acceptance of the true value of the ‘Encore Years.’
Myths and Misconceptions about Age and Age Discrimination - a list
Misconceptions about Age:
Myth: ‘The Wage/Age Dilemma’—you save money by paying younger workers less…
Myth: You have to be ‘old’ to suffer from Ageism…
Reality: Age is relative and can be used as a basis for discrimination against both ‘young’ and ‘old.’
Myth: Older people are not respected in our society…
Reality: Recent studies show that the United States is one of the least ageist societies.
Myth: Older workers cost more money through lost time and health care expenses…
Reality: Younger workers tend to still have children at home, which results in more lost time and health care expenses. They also have more accident related injuries that result in longer time out.
Myths about Ageism
Myth: “If you don’t get a job and you are older it must be age discrimination…”
Reality: Job seekers often make mistakes in their job search long before ageism can occur.
Myth: “Older workers are always discriminated against…”
Reality: Age is still an asset. Most companies still appreciate experience.
Most teams still have older workers on them.
Example: Companies like Weyerhaeuser, Boeing and Home Depot actually have programs in place to retain and hire older workers. Like all job seekers, it is best for older workers to focus on ‘company cultures’, NOT ‘job titles.’
You will probably not be happy working for a company that does not share your values.
http://www.aarp.org/work/employee-benefits/best_employers/
Myth: “Age discrimination is always about ‘AGE’…”
Reality: Ageism is often a euphemism for other concerns:
Employers are often ‘afraid’: -You will not be adaptable. You will not be manageable. You will not be good with technology. You are overqualified and you will ‘jump ship.’ Etc.
The trick is to address these specific fears. Targeted cover letters, resumes and interview answers that show you as adaptable, team oriented and good with technology often eliminate age discrimination at its roots.
MORE INFO:
http://anthropologyofwork.blogspot.com/2011/10/10-step-method-for-combating-ageism-and.html
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Seattle as “Arrival City”: Notes Toward a Municipal Immigrant Integration Policy
http://citytank.org/2011/07/06/seattle-as-%E2%80%9Carrival-city%E2%80%9D-notes-toward-a-municipal-%E2%80%9Cimmigrant-integration%E2%80%9D-policy/
Saturday, June 18, 2011
My Review of Mens New Balance 101 Trail Running Shoe
Originally submitted at Road Runner Sports
Men's NEW BALANCE® 101 :: The next best thing to running barefoot. The men's New Balance® 101 is the brand's first leap into the barefoot running arena, and boy is it a doozy. Perfect for the runner who wants a minimalistic shoe with plenty of comfort and stability. Smooth, re...
solid lightweight shoes for minimalists
Sizing: Feels true to size
Width: Feels true to width
Arch Type: Low Arch
Pros: Minimal, Rugged, Good balance, Good Traction, Lightweight, Comfortable, Low Profile, Flexible, Durable
Best Uses: Trail Running, Mixed Terrain, Road Running, All Weather Conditions
Describe Yourself: Avid Athlete
Was this a gift?: No
GREAT SHOES BUT BREAK THEM IN SLOWLY IF YOU ARE NOT A MINIMALIST RUNNER...
I have run over 300 miles in these so far and they have no evidence of wearing out. Just enough protection for your feet on rocky trails but still very low profile...rock plate takes away some of the 'feel' of the trail but minimal profile and cushioning helps to make up for that.
longest run: 15 miles
terrain: mud, trails, street and beach.....all smooth
(legalese)
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Winning Resume Checklist - The Bare Essentials for Successful Resume Writing
Name and contact information are clean and compact in two lines at the top of the page.
There is no ‘OBJECTIVE’ since ALL employers expect TARGETED resumes.
There is a ‘HIGHLIGHTS’ section at the top of the resume. This is usually a series of 6-8 bullets that summarize your soft and hard skills DIRECTLY related to the job at hand.
If you have a good work history that should come next. Make sure you have the location of the jobs along with months and years you worked there.
The work history section can be labeled ‘RELATED EXPERIENCE’ and volunteer and other experiences can be included if they directly relate to the job you are applying for.
-When considering content for each job please consider that:
A. Achievements are the strongest way to prove you can do the job.
B. If you do not have a specific achievement, numbers are the next best thing.
C. If you can not quantify your past skills and experience then use descriptions.
The EDUCATION section comes next and only needs to include specific info about the highest level obtained.
If you do not have extensive work experience, or if you just finished our education, the ‘EDUCATION’ section can actually come before the ‘RELATED EXPERIENCE’ section.
Do NOT include any information about references. Employers expect you to have professional references and they do not need to see ‘references available upon request’ at the bottom.
Tax benefits available for home owners....
Homeowner Tax Deductions - Free Legal Information - Nolo
Thursday, April 28, 2011
A poem I wrote about where I work...
Thoughts float down like maple seed wings
...family, diversity, freedom, hope
gently finding fertile soil (quietly forming COMMUNITY)
Actions spring up and create strong branches
providing a place of shelter, purpose and work
where dreams have space to grow (a NEIGHBORHHOD HOUSE)
.
Monday, April 25, 2011
Applyng to Jobs: The Bare Essentials
1. General resumes do NOT work. You will apply to jobs until you are blue in the face but you will NOT get interviews if you are using the same general resume every time.
2. Target your cover letter and resume DIRECTLY to the specific job you are applying to. Do this every time. Recruiters receive thousands of resumes in this market and if you do not take the time to target your resume to their job they do not take the time to read it.
3. Follow up. Do not be afraid to follow up and make sure they received your application and ask what the timeline is like for the hiring process.
4. Network, network, network....applying to jobs is the least effective way to get jobs. Meet people and tell you story. Impress people and build your network. Get your brand out there and you will find that you will probably get your next job simply because people know who you are.
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5 Simple steps to apply for any job:
1. Focus only on jobs you are qualified for and passionate about.
2. Find a job opening that looks like a good fit.
3. Target your resume directly toward the job.
4. Submit a targeted cover letter and resume.
5. Follow up.