Lamplighter Volume 6 Issue 5 October - November 2014

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Volume 6, Issue 5 October-November,2014

Employee Entrepreneur By Jerrold (Jerry) Clifford

A crook accidentally made a counterfeit $8 bill instead of a $10 bill. Instead of just discarding it he wondered how he could actually profit from it. After much thought he finally figured out something that he thought might work. He took his bill to the bank, gave it to a teller and asked for change. The teller said, “certainly sir” and gave the crook two $4 bills as change. The moral? Things are not always what they appear to be. The normal perception of a job is employment that offers a regular paycheck along with certain benefits – health and life insurance, time-off for illness and vacation, and retirement income (pension). But this is no longer the “norm.” For example, companies do not make money by having employees – they make money by selling products and increase their value by getting investors. To look attractive to investors, the companies work hard to reduce costs and increase sales. Since increasing sales often proves difficult and can be related to

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the state of the economy, companies find reducing costs to be attractive. One way to reduce costs is to reduce employee overhead. That means:  “trading” current employees for cheaper ones; such as “off-shoring,”  reducing work force, or  reducing or eliminating benefits. Bottom line – the term “job security” no longer applies. The cost of benefits is being passed along to employees and many benefits such as pensions are no longer guaranteed. In other words, the attractiveness (and meaning) of being an employee has been reduced significantly. With this change, the most effective ways of finding a position have changed, too. The job environment is no longer what it once was. We’ve seen jobs (and even whole companies) go to other countries, pensions disappear, the cost of benefits now increasingly paid for by employees, or even the elimination of some benefits. To get ahead in this environment, more than ever, employees must continually show their value to a company. They must demonstrate that they are important to a company’s success by providing important services that have value. They have to convince the company that above-mentioned alternatives of “reducing employee overhead” are not as attractive. I’ve met people who tell me that they are not entrepreneurs. They take jobs partly because they do not want the uncertainty or responsibility of working for themselves. They like the security of a regular paycheck, benefits, and the attraction of a “guaranteed” retirement income (aka pension). These people do not understand that they are actually the CEO of a business entity – themselves. They have products (their knowledge and experience). These products have a cost (salary and benefits). They need a marketing plan (ways to convince a company to hire them and keep them employed). In other words, they may appear to be employees BUT in actuality they are a type of entrepreneur. Go to Index


Volume 6, Issue 5 October-November,2014

FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK The fall season is upon us! It brings with it the colorful falling leaves, the smell of the crisp air, the football season, the scary and enjoyable Halloween with its famous trick or treat, and the veritable food festivals of Thanksgiving Day. Soon, we will be celebrating these two much-anticipated holidays. Here are some trivia about them:

The mixture of various immigrant traditions we know as Halloween had become a fixture in the United States by the early 1800s and up to the present. The purpose of Halloween was originally to mark the end of summer and the harvest, and the beginning of winter, and to commemorate the passing of the dead.

Thanksgiving is a holiday surrounded by myths and legends. Although Thanksgiving celebrations dated back to the first European settlements in America, it was not until the 1860s that Abraham Lincoln declared the last Thursday of November to be a national holiday. Thanksgiving has become a time for families and friends to give thanks for the many blessings they enjoy. It’s also about spending time together, catching up and enjoying one another's company.

In this issue, we have put together several topics for your reading enjoyment:  Employee Entrepreneur by Jerry Clifford  Some Words from Rod Colon  Barbara Daisak’s Tech Tips  Update to the Trip of a Lifetime by Eric Nilsson  Information on the 21st Century Career and Community Expo Eric, Barbara, and I would like to wish each and every one of you all the blessings and enjoyment on these festive holidays. May you have a Happy Halloween and a blessed Thanksgiving. Aida A. Rodriguez

Article Employee Entrepreneur From The Editor’S Desk Make Your Uniqueness Work for You Articles from the World Wide Web Barb Daisak's Tech Tips Update to The Trip of a Lifetime Lamplighter Volunteer Contributors Lamplighter Staff Upcoming 21st Century Career and Community Expo

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Volume 6, Issue 5 October-November,2014

Make Your Uniqueness Work for You By Rod ColĂłn

Since the right job flows directly out of all the elements of your personality type, you need to spend some time figuring out what makes you tick. By making a conscious effort to discover the "real you," you learn how to focus your natural strengths and inclinations into a career you can love for a long as you choose to work. This is where "type" is so helpful. It provides a systematic, effective way to evaluate both your strong points and your probable weaknesses or blind spots. Once you have these figured out, you'll know how to make sure you are always operating from a position of strength. Each one of us has a distinct personality, like an innate blueprint that stays with us for life. We are born with a personality type, we go through life with that type, and when we are laid to rest (hopefully at the end of a long and fruitful life), it is with the same type. Now you are probably wondering, "Wait a minute. I might be one way sometimes, but at other times I'm a very different person. Doesn't the situation influence my personality type?" The answer is no, it doesn't. Do we change our behavior in certain situations? Certainly! Most human beings have a tremendous repertoire of behaviors available to them. We couldn't function very successfully if we didn't. Sure, we act differently at work than we do at home, and it makes a difference whether we're with strangers, close friends, at a ball park, or at a funeral. But people don't change their basic personalities with every new door they walk through. All this is not to say that environmental factors are not extremely important; they are. Parents, siblings, teachers, and economic, social, and political circumstance all can play a role in determining what direction our lives take. Some people are forced by circumstances to act in a certain way until they are literally "not themselves". If you are skeptical about the idea that personality type is inborn, take a look at different children

from the same family. These could be your own children, your siblings, or even children from a family you know. Do they have different personalities? Absolutely! And the differences are often apparent from birth. The concept of "personality type" is not new. People have always been aware of the similarities and differences between individuals, and over the centuries many systems and models for understanding or categorizing these differences have been developed. Today, our understanding of human behavior has been expanded to such a degree that we are now able to accurately identify sixteen distinctly different personality types. Finding the right job for each of these distinct personalities may seem like an awesome task. However, all sixteen personality types do function in the world. As the CEO of Me, Inc. this is the business intelligence you must endeavor to secure for you enterprise.

Three Things to Do Before Sending Your Resume Posted by John Krautzel • Aug 3

Writing a professional resume allows job seekers to make a positive impression on recruiters, but many applicants overlook important components. A well-written resume should always contain certain information that gives a recruiter a comprehensive overview of a candidate's profile. By following a simple resume checklist, job hunters ensure they do not make a rookie mistake when sending off a resume to an employer. The following three keys are resume essentials that every employee should learn. The first, and perhaps single most important, key on the resume checklist is to always keep a resume updated with the latest information. Recruiters want to see a well-rounded candidate with hands-on experience in relevant roles. Experts recommend researching potential employers before Page 3 of 8


Volume 6, Issue 5 October-November,2014

sending a resume, as this allows job hunters to tailor the information on their document to fit what the organization seeks in a new hire. Although this process feels tedious, the results speak for themselves.

So if you’re serious about your writing, you must learn to spot these words and phrases before they rob your writing of its power. Find and ruthlessly remove the following flabby words and phrases from your writing:

Read more>>http://www.beyond.com/articles/threethings-to-do-before-sending-your-resume-15378article.html

See the suggested words and phrases at this link: http://boostblogtraffic.com/weak-writing/

10 Secrets of Making Every Presentation Fun, Engaging, and Enjoyable

(Posted in Between the Covers Editing and Proofreading Services LinkedIn group by Douglas Hicton Editor (freelance) at Carpenters' District Council of Ontario)

Why Finding a Job Can Take So Long

by Ivan Dimitrijevic

Not a lot of people are good at public speaking. You could even say that virtually everyone needs to get some practice, and preferably good guidance, before they can learn to stay calm when facing a room full of people. Having all eyes on you is an uncomfortable experience and it takes time to get used to. However, even if you can manage to control your stage fright and stay focused, it doesn’t necessarily mean that your presentation won’t put people to sleep. This is usually the case with long presentations on a very dull subject, with the presenter speaking in a monotone voice and dimming the lights to play a PowerPoint presentation. There's more here>>http://www.lifehack.org/articles/productivity/10secrets-making-every-presentation-fun-engaging-andenjoyable.html (Posted in New Jersey Networking Group LinkedIn group by Paul Hatrak, CPA, CGMA Business Performance Coach and Trainer)

297 Flabby Words and Phrases That Rob Your Writing of All Its Power ....

The Subtle Attention Killers That Hide in Plain Sight No matter how carefully you scrutinize your writing, subtle problems will remain. Certain words and phrases are so commonplace – and so seemingly benign – that they glide unnoticed under your editing radar. But these words and phrases can silently erode your reader’s attention. They don’t stand out. The reader may not even notice them. But they weaken your writing and dilute your ideas. And soon, the delicate thread of attention connecting you and your reader snaps.

Posted by George Jacob

Finding a job often takes much longer than job seekers expect. The rule of thumb is to plan for at least one month of job searching for every $10,000 of salary desired. This means that a job seeker who expects to earn $60,000 needs to prepare for a sixmonth-long job search. Why does finding a job take so long? The first reason why finding a job takes longer than expected has to do with the average company's job search time line. It is extremely rare for a company to post an open position and fill the position immediately. First, resumes must be collected and reviewed. Then, a few rounds of phone interviews and in-person interviews follow. Even when a top candidate is selected, the human resources department still often needs to check references, run background checks and perform other important administrative work before the job is offered. There is more>> http://www.beyond.com/articles/why-finding-a-job-cantake-so-long-15435-article.html

Four Ways to Adjust to Your Interviewer Posted by John Krautzel

Companies and individual hiring managers have varying interviewer styles. When you encounter an unanticipated style during an interview, it sometimes catches you off guard. Learn to adjust your tactics and complete a successful interview with these four tips. See what to watch for here>> http://www.beyond.com/articles/four-ways-to-adjust-toyour-interviewer-15456-article.html Return to Index

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Volume 6, Issue 5 October-November,2014  Company leaders  Hiring managers  Competitors  Industry trends  Recent history of successes and failures  Financials  Job openings Executive Job Search Research

The Intricacies of Networking to Find a Job Ken Sundheim Contributor

Lately, there has been a spike in the number of articles that have been written on networking to find a job. While this is not a new concept, the overarching view of networking does bear some fundamental flaws. Unfortunately, the majority of Americans lack critical thinking skills and don’t consider the source of their information. If you were to take an average income of the authors, business professionals and recruiters who consistently stress this job search tactic, you would be shocked. As the CEO of a recruiting firm for the last decade, I can firmly give you two facts. The first is that networking can be a valuable job search tactic, yet it’s highly difficult and intricate. Only about 1% – 2% of the job seekers whom I come across are savvy enough to pull it off.

You’ll need this information for your own due diligence (is this a healthy company that’s going to be a mutual good fit?), and to identify each companies’ current challenges that you’re uniquely qualified to help them overcome. Among the myriad of places to conduct your research (Hoovers, Glassdoor, job boards, company websites, etc.), don’t overlook the LinkedIn Company pages. Chances are, your target companies will be there. Read more>>http://executivecareerbrand.com/dontoverlook-linkedin-company-pages-for-executive-job-search/

How to Develop Rapport With Influencers via Social Media

Read more>> http://www.forbes.com/sites/kensundheim/2014/08/26/theintricacies-of-networking-to-find-a-job/

Are You Employable? By Guest Blogger Paula Reuben Vieillet, President and Founder, Employment Options, Inc.

If the job search was only about matching skills with job requirements, many people would get hired on the spot! However, hiring is more of a process based on what employers need; the more you know about their specific needs, the more employable you can become. Keep reading: http://usodep.blogs.govdelivery.com/2014/09/08/are-youemployable/

Don’t Overlook LinkedIn Company Pages for Executive Job Search by Meg Guiseppi on September 15, 2014

Once you’ve determined which companies you’re targeting for your job search, you’ll need to research each one for various information:  

Services and/or products Market and customers

by Vibhu Satpaul | August 18, 2014

The influencers in your niche are probably receiving hundreds of friendly requests a day. Hence, the trick behind successful outreach is to stand out among your peers and catch the intended party's attention. The success probability may be bleak, but influencer engagement is not exactly rocket science. And it can drive significant results with the right strategy and social media practices. Set proper goals and maintain KPI An ideal outreach campaign must begin with a clear set of objectives. Without them, it is impossible to measure success and define a consistent key performance indicator (KPI). The purpose of your influencer outreach program might be to get influencers to write for your blog, become brand advocates, or vouch for your content or brand credibility. Start by defining clear targets. Have different KPIs for different social media channels. After all, those channels are different from each other; your approach to each will be different, as will which objective is best suited for each. Read more: http://www.marketingprofs.com/articles/2014/2583 1/how-to-develop-rapport-with-influencers-viasocial-media

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Volume 6, Issue 5 October-November,2014

33 Tweet-Size LinkedIn Tips You Need to Try By Lily Herman, September 15, 2014

In the world of 24/7 content, it’s hard to take the time to read up on the latest trends and news without getting sucked into a vortex of neverending internet clicking. And if you’re just looking to get advice on a certain platform (for example, LinkedIn), it’s easy to get overwhelmed with all the resources and not even know where to start. Being fans of tweet-sized tidbits of career advice, we thought we’d make the process of learning the latest facts about LinkedIn way easier. Check out the infographic below to learn what you can be

doing to make your professional profile the best one ever in just 140 characters or fewer. See the graphic here>> https://www.themuse.com/advice/33-tweetsizelinkedin-tips-you-need-to-try

Have a social media, tip-n-trick, or “know-how” article to read and share? Email me! We will publish it in upcoming issues... bndaisak@verizon.net And many Thanks to Eric > our seeming unlimited supply of great news to use! Your posts are always welcomed! Check our next issue for another great Tech and Social Media Tip!

Update to The Trip of a Lifetime By Eric Nilsson

The long, long trip In the last issue, the parting thought was on the long plane trip from the eastern United States to Honolulu, Hawaii. Apart from the fact that the flight of over 4,400 miles takes nine hours, there are activities provided by the airlines, activities such as games, television, music (with earphones), and movies. As an afterthought, a book comes in handy; you might be able to finish War and Peace or the unexpurgated Les Miserables between takeoff and landing. If you take both, you have one to read on the way back. Since the trip is so long, leg room is important. We didn't go first class, so it was a bit cramped. Thankfully, the folks in front (at the bulkhead) didn't lean back. The attendants were all considerate, something that made the long trip much easier. Since 2001, the acronym TSA (Transportation Security Administration) has filled weary travelers with dread. That wasn't the case this trip, but Sandy and I have fallen victims to overzealous TSA employees. This occurred as much because of ignorance on our part as zeal on their part. What you should do, though, if travelling by sea or air, is use the link above to see what restrictions are current. So, if you do go on the vacation of a lifetime, or anywhere that requires an air trip of more than four hours, see if you can take a flight that has one or two stops between your starting point and the final destination. A plane flight from New York City to Los Angeles takes about four and a half hours, probably the limit for a plane trip without a stop. Of course, a plane trip to Europe is a different matter. Halfway from New York to London is still over the Atlantic Ocean, so unless you are a strong swimmer, bring a good book or watch the movies. If you've seen one volcano, you've seen them all One update which was unexpected. Volcanoes in Hawaii had been fairly dormant for nearly thirty years. As was mentioned in the last issue, people do reside near volcanoes, but that hadn't posed much of a problem until this year. This article explains that, after our vacation, the Kilauea volcano began spewing lava, threatening the homesteads in the area: Mayor Declares Emergency As Lava Flow Threatens Community In Hawaii.

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Volume 6, Issue 5 October-November,2014

Lamplighter Volunteer Contributors Jerry Clifford is a Project and Program Manager experienced with all aspects of software project development. As both employee and consultant he worked with some of the nation’s premier companies including AT&T, Cisco Systems, and Merck. He holds a graduate degree in mathematics, earned certifications in project management and information systems auditing (CISA) and was elected to two terms as President of the EDP Auditors Association, New Jersey Chapter. He is the published author of several technical and non-technical books on topics ranging from computer math to car repair and carpentry.

Rod Colón — ETP Founder Master Networker, Professional Development, Executive Coach, Speaker, Author Weekly Co-Host of Radio Show "YOUR CAREER IS CALLING" Rod Colón Consulting, LLC 732-367-5580 www.rodcolon.com Rod is the author of the book Win the Race for 21st Century Jobs

Carl E. Reid, CSI — Executive Director www.carlereid.com Chief Operations Officer| Running the Business of "ME" Tel: 201-222-5390 Empowering Today's Professionals - www.ETPNetwork.org Carl is Foreword Author in book Win the Race for 21st Century Jobs

Lamplighter Staff Adelaida (Aida) Rodriguez is the Editor-in-Chief and Contributing Writer of the Lamplighter Newsletter. She is a Project Manager Professional (PMP), Business Analyst/ Consultant at the Warranty Recovery Specialist, LLC adelaida.rodriguez1@verizon.net 732-404-0255 Eric Nilsson is the Compositor and Contributing Writer for Lamplighter. Eric enjoys the art and science of newspaper layout. He has been an IT consultant at the Professional Service Group of New Brunswick and previously worked for North Jersey Media Group (Bergen Evening Record) as a Project Manager and Programmer/Analyst. Interests include economics, history, and journalism. Email: ericnilsson@earthlink.net; LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/ericsnilsson Barbara Daisak is the Lamplighter Contributing Writer & Proofreader. In addition, she is a Learning, Training, & Development Specialist and Microsoft Certified Master Instructor. Barb is also an Instructor Adjunct with the County Colleges of New Jersey with specialties in the Technology Training Divisions and Corporate Training Programs. Phone Numbers:732.863.4948 ― 732.616.2397-mobile Email Barbara at: bndaisak@verizon.net

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Volume 6, Issue 5 October-November,2014

We are honored to have New York State Senator, George Latimer as our Keynote Speaker. Follow us on Twitter.com/ETPexpo

Free book "Win The Race For 21st Century Jobs" to first 25 attendees

“Putting Scholarship, Leadership and Citizenship To Work" Register Now for FREE Admission ($25 after October 15, 2014) click here to view Speaker Bios / Workshops

Register Now for FREE Admission www.21stCenturyExpo.com Dr. C.M. Long Family Life Center 71 Lincoln Ave - New Rochelle, NY 10801 Thursday, October 23, 2014 - 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

Register Now for FREE Admission

Click On Each Workshop Below For Details On What You Will Learn         

Power Networking in a Social Media World Branding Your Image for Maximum Results Network Your Way To The Hottest Jobs Of The 21st Century Spiritual Toughness in Challenging Times HEALTH: The Key to your Financial Success How to Successfully Transition from a Military Career to Civilian Job Market Career Alternatives: Is Business Ownership Right For You? Stop Looking For A Job. Start Managing York Career How To Make Your Resume Work For You

Carl Reid adds: In addition to free admission, free workshops and other freebies at the 21st Century Career & Community Expo, I will give away free autographed copies of my new book "101 Ways To Be Fearless At Work" to first 25 people who stop by the Empowering Today's Professionals table. Attendees to my workshop Network Your Way To The Hottest Jobs In The 21st Century at 21st Century Career & Community Expo will get a copy of my 2nd book "10 Powerful Networking Tips Of Influential People". I look forward to seeing you in New Rochelle on October 23, 2014.

Phyllis M. Shelton Public Relations & Global Event Producer iPower Global Solutions "inspiration ... imagination ... innovation" Do you need a sponsor or fund raiser ideas for your event? iPowerGS.com Do want a creative way to say Thank You to Clients, Staff and Family? iPowerIncentive.com Connect with Phyllis:

Twitter |

Speakers -n- Sponsors |

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LinkedIn | Tel: 646-201-6597 Return to index


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