Austin Tech Networking Site

Here is a Austin site for Tech jobs and Networking. They hold happy hours and other networking events as well job postings. http://door64.com/

Wall Street Journal (WSJ) Article - Advice: How to Get Feedback from an Interview

http://blogs.wsj.com/laidoff/2009/05/19/advice-how-to-get-feedback-from-an-interview/?mod=rss_WSJBlog?mod=blogmod

Navigating Economic Challenges - webinar

Willow Creek Association is pleased to announce a special free webinar for Member Church leaders on the topic of "Navigating Economic Challenges" on Wednesday, June 3, 2009. This event will take place from Noon-1:00 p.m. (CST) and will feature Brian McAuliffe, Chief Financial Officer& Director of Operations for Willow Creek Community Church (WCCC).

This interactive event will begin with a brief overview of WCCC's responses to the changing economic environment and lessons learned. The balance of the time will be driven by participant questions and interaction about issues including budgeting, financial planning, cash reserves, staffing, and giving. Questions will be taken live or can be emailed ahead of time to membership@willowcreek.com.

Our featured guest, Brian McAuliffe joined the WCCC team as the Director of Finance and Self-Supporting Ministries in June of 2000. He became the Director of Operations in April of 2002. With over 22 years of management and financial management experience in four major business sectors - Fortune 500, private-for-profit, not-for-profit and government - he currently oversees the financial/accounting, operational and production functions of WCCC as well as its self-supporting ministries. Having earned his MBA from Syracuse University and his BA from the University of Notre Dame, Brian and his wife Janet have two sons and make their home in Elgin, IL.

To maximize participation, prior registration is encouraged - limited spaces are available. To register now and receive connection instructions, please click here

Importance of Exercise

Here is a good article on the importance of exercise when seeking employment.
http://www.joblessjoe.com/blog/joe/2009/05/10/physical-activity

Another Job Hunting Resource

I found the book 48 Days to the Job You Love a helpful resource when I was job hunting.
Dan Miller, the author of the book, has a web site that has many resources. He has a regular streaming radio program and recorded podcasts.
Check it out at: www.48days.com

Volunteer Opportunities When Unemployed

One thing that can minimize the gaps in your employment on your resume is to volunteer while you are unemployed. Volunteerism is on the rise along with unemployment in the US.
Volunteering is also a way to make new contacts outside of your normal circle of contacts. You may pick up new job skills and expand your network.
Here is a link that you can use to find volunteer opportunities in your city.
http://www.1-800-volunteer.org/

Resources from Self Assessment Session

Here are four books recommended by Glen Powell.

• If You Don't Know Where You're Going You'll Probably End Up Somewhere Else, by David P. Campbell
• What Color Is Your Parachute?, by Richard N. Bolles
• Now Discover Your Strengths, by Marcus Buckinham
• Career Anchors: Self Assessment, by Edgar Schein
• Finding a Job You Can Love, by Ralph Mattson and Arthur Miller
• Why You Can't Be Anything You Want to Be, by Arthur Miller
• Do What You Are, by Tiger

Assessments

• MBTI (Myer-Briggs Type Indicator)
• Strong Interest Inventory
  

David also suggested UT Career Counseling Center and any college's career counseling center as a valuable resource for assessment. You may have to go through the Alumni Association at UT if you have. See here: http://www.texasexes.org/career . Other sources: Alumni Centers, Community College Career Centers, Outplacement, funded by companies, Libraries.

Here are some interviewing tips that I found that seemed useful

1. "A firm, non-sweaty handshake, eye contact, and a nice smile make you seem likeable. Likeable people are hired most often." -- David Lewis, an executive with Express Employment Professionals and an expert on career development

2. "Prepare to engage in small talk, which helps to break the ice and puts both parties at ease and also demonstrates your ability to make conversation with potential clients, coworkers, and executives." -- Brandi Britton, Robert Half International

3. "Be prepared with everything you can possibly know about the company and the person who is doing the interview." -- Executive coach Beth Ross

4. "Don't take the head of a table or sit down until you are invited to do so to demonstrate how you'll behave in professional situations." -- Patty DeDominic, cofounder of DeDominic & Associates, a professional coaching and business services firm

5. "Open with penetrating questions that prove beyond a doubt that you've done your homework on the company, the position, the department, the industry, and/or the competition." -- Ford Myers, author of "Get the Job You Want Even When No One's Hiring"

6. "Practice your answers to commonly asked interview questions so that you come across as a well-prepared candidate." -- Certified executive career coach Cheryl Palmer, Calltocareer.com

7. "If asked to talk about yourself, always answer from a professional sense. Telling people about your family and what you do on the weekends is definitely the wrong approach. You want to solely focus on the areas of your work in which you are most effective and productive." -- Careers and resume expert Lauren Milligan, Resumayday.com.

8. "Become an object of interest by the questions you ask! Leave them wanting more with the quality of content you add to the conversation (versus noise)." -- David Nour, consultant and author of "Relationship Economics"

9. "Mirror the body language of the interviewer. If they are leaning forward, you should be doing the same. This builds rapport on a sub-conscious level, giving the feeling of a deeper connection." -- Job market expert Jabez LaBret, ThawingtheJobMarket.com

10. "Your interview strategy must include proof that you have successfully completed job-relevant tasks. A good strategy is to marry a strength and a specific example to prove that you are accomplished at what you do. Quantify accomplishments using numbers, percentages, and dollars whenever possible." -- Barbara Safani, president, CareerSolvers.com

Welcome!

On behalf of the Covenant Presbyterian Career Transitions Team, I want to welcome you to the Covenant Career Transtions Blog.

On this page you will find inspirational postings, useful links, recommended readings and general information regarding career transitions.

Below the postings are recommended links to aid you in your career search.

Blessings,
Robert Rhea