Okay, I'm back after months of ignoring my blog. You probably think that because of this I abandoned my goal of writing more this year. The opposite is actually true.
Since my last blog post I ghostwrote four ebooks, forty articles, and over a hundred blogs posts. I'd love to tell you what they were all about but I can't, of course. That's part of the ghostwriting creed.
I'm currently working on ebook number five for this year.
The only point of this blog is to tell my writer friends there is a way to make cold hard cash writing while you're waiting on your great American novel to sell.
I'm going to write a short ebook on this subject over the next few months. Working titles include, "Freelance Writing Really Can Pay the Bills". Or "Make Money with Words." Or "Turn Words into Cash."
Feel free to make suggestions for better titles :)
Also, if any of you are interested in this field let me know the types of questions you'd like to see answered in the ebook. If I use your question you'll receive a free copy of the book. I'll probably sell it as an ebook and on Kindle.
Thanks for your input. Rose
Friday, June 10, 2011
Monday, February 21, 2011
Job Hunting Tips and a Free Resume Writing Ebook
Job hunting is not a fun thing to do. If you're in the process of a job search you know that more than anyone.
In today's post I'm going to give you a few suggestions that will hopefully improve your odds of finding the job you want.
At the end of this post I'll tell you how to get a copy of my resume writing ebook for free. I sell copies of this ebook on my resume writing website (http://www.andersonresumes.com/), but I want to make it available for free to all my friends, friends of friends, relatives, and even the few strangers that stumble upon this blog.
Here are my top tips for a successful job hunt:
If you're using sites like monster.com you're probably going to be job hunting a long time. It's not that these sites never work, but the odds are against you. Don't let these sites be the main focus of your job hunt.
Instead, pick twenty companies in your local area where you would like to work. See if they have a website and if it lists job openings. It's much better to apply directly to a companies page than to a massive site. Consider mailing old-fashioned hard copies of your resume to the companies you'd most like to work.
Find sites that post jobs in your specific field. There are sites for the medical professionals, teachers, accountants, etc. These are better than the generic websites.
It may seem old-fashioned, but in today's world networking is still important. People like to hire people that someone they know...knows. Join groups like the Rotary Club or the Chamber of Commerce and make sure people in your community know you. The person you work with at the Humane Society fund-raiser might work for the company you want to work at.
Networking also includes the church you attend, your neighbors, the ladies your mom plays bridge with, and anyone else you cross paths with on occasion. They might know someone who works at your dream company. Having a name to place in your cover letter can be a huge help. You don't want to sound desperate, but you do want to let people know you're making a career change and you're available to talk to companies about the opportunites they have available.
Set up a LinkedIn profile and try to connect with as many people as you can from your community and from past jobs. (Unless you left past jobs on a sour note, in that case, you might skip people from that company!)
Let the people on your Facebook account know you're in the midst of a job search. They might know someone who knows someone.
Sharpen your focus on a few companies instead of sending massive mailings. Find out which jobs they have open and tailor your resume to those jobs. I don't mean lie or exaggerate. But if you've been in the work force for several years then you've done more than one or two things in your career.
Make sure your resume reflects the most relevant experience in an obvious way. You don't have to list every single thing you've done on every resume. If you do, the relevant accomplishments will get lost.
Let's face it, if a company is in the process of hiring they need someone who can do a specific job and do it well. They want you to show in your resume how well you performed specific tasks and how much you helped your past companies. Did you make the company money? Did you save the company money? Did you bring in more customers? If so, how much money, how many customers? Be as specific as possible. They don't want to know what you were "responsible for" doing. They want to know who well you did your job and what the results were. List accomplishments, not duties or responsibilities.
They don't want to know what you want. They don't care that you want "a job where I can be rewarded for all my hard work", "a company that will continue to promote me to higher positions", "a job that includes some flexibility in my hours". A resume is never the place to list these types of things. Don't focus on what YOU want, focus on what they NEED.
Send a cover letter unless the company specifically tells you not to. Do not make it a generic fill in the blanks cover letter. Show that you've spent some time researching their company and tell them how you can help them. Make a few phone calls so you can address it to a person by name, not "to whom it may concern".
If you're having trouble composing your resume and would like a copy of my resume writing ebook then send an email to:
rosesarticles@gmail.com and put resume ebook in the subject line. I'll send you the book as a .doc attachment. I will NOT save your email address or send you any sales emails.
This is a gift for anyone going through the job hunting process. If you have friends who need the book, please point them to this blog and I'll send them a copy, too.
Rose
In today's post I'm going to give you a few suggestions that will hopefully improve your odds of finding the job you want.
At the end of this post I'll tell you how to get a copy of my resume writing ebook for free. I sell copies of this ebook on my resume writing website (http://www.andersonresumes.com/), but I want to make it available for free to all my friends, friends of friends, relatives, and even the few strangers that stumble upon this blog.
Here are my top tips for a successful job hunt:
If you're using sites like monster.com you're probably going to be job hunting a long time. It's not that these sites never work, but the odds are against you. Don't let these sites be the main focus of your job hunt.
Instead, pick twenty companies in your local area where you would like to work. See if they have a website and if it lists job openings. It's much better to apply directly to a companies page than to a massive site. Consider mailing old-fashioned hard copies of your resume to the companies you'd most like to work.
Find sites that post jobs in your specific field. There are sites for the medical professionals, teachers, accountants, etc. These are better than the generic websites.
It may seem old-fashioned, but in today's world networking is still important. People like to hire people that someone they know...knows. Join groups like the Rotary Club or the Chamber of Commerce and make sure people in your community know you. The person you work with at the Humane Society fund-raiser might work for the company you want to work at.
Networking also includes the church you attend, your neighbors, the ladies your mom plays bridge with, and anyone else you cross paths with on occasion. They might know someone who works at your dream company. Having a name to place in your cover letter can be a huge help. You don't want to sound desperate, but you do want to let people know you're making a career change and you're available to talk to companies about the opportunites they have available.
Set up a LinkedIn profile and try to connect with as many people as you can from your community and from past jobs. (Unless you left past jobs on a sour note, in that case, you might skip people from that company!)
Let the people on your Facebook account know you're in the midst of a job search. They might know someone who knows someone.
Sharpen your focus on a few companies instead of sending massive mailings. Find out which jobs they have open and tailor your resume to those jobs. I don't mean lie or exaggerate. But if you've been in the work force for several years then you've done more than one or two things in your career.
Make sure your resume reflects the most relevant experience in an obvious way. You don't have to list every single thing you've done on every resume. If you do, the relevant accomplishments will get lost.
Let's face it, if a company is in the process of hiring they need someone who can do a specific job and do it well. They want you to show in your resume how well you performed specific tasks and how much you helped your past companies. Did you make the company money? Did you save the company money? Did you bring in more customers? If so, how much money, how many customers? Be as specific as possible. They don't want to know what you were "responsible for" doing. They want to know who well you did your job and what the results were. List accomplishments, not duties or responsibilities.
They don't want to know what you want. They don't care that you want "a job where I can be rewarded for all my hard work", "a company that will continue to promote me to higher positions", "a job that includes some flexibility in my hours". A resume is never the place to list these types of things. Don't focus on what YOU want, focus on what they NEED.
Send a cover letter unless the company specifically tells you not to. Do not make it a generic fill in the blanks cover letter. Show that you've spent some time researching their company and tell them how you can help them. Make a few phone calls so you can address it to a person by name, not "to whom it may concern".
If you're having trouble composing your resume and would like a copy of my resume writing ebook then send an email to:
rosesarticles@gmail.com and put resume ebook in the subject line. I'll send you the book as a .doc attachment. I will NOT save your email address or send you any sales emails.
This is a gift for anyone going through the job hunting process. If you have friends who need the book, please point them to this blog and I'll send them a copy, too.
Rose
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
If You Do What You Love Will the Money Really Follow?
This is an interesting concept to me. I want to believe it’s true. But I find most people tend to go to one extreme or the other when discussing its validity.
On the one hand you have the guy who says, “I love to sit on the couch and drink beer. Is anyone going to pay me for that? Ha ha ha.” Well duh. No they are not. Unless you manage to sign up for some medical study that the government is funding. "How a beer belly affects a couch potato." Sounds like a new reality show.
Let's ignore those people.
On the other hand, there are those that think you can pursue any interest and you'll magically attract all the wealth you need.
Let's ignore them, too.
The people I've met who want to know the answer to this question are creative people. They’re stuck in jobs that are unfulfilling, often low-paying, and boring. They wonder if they take up painting again could they make any money in the art field? What if they finally finished that novel they started years ago?
Let's ignore those people.
On the other hand, there are those that think you can pursue any interest and you'll magically attract all the wealth you need.
Let's ignore them, too.
The people I've met who want to know the answer to this question are creative people. They’re stuck in jobs that are unfulfilling, often low-paying, and boring. They wonder if they take up painting again could they make any money in the art field? What if they finally finished that novel they started years ago?
Does life have to revolve around the nine to five? Is this all there is?
When I was ten or eleven I fell in love with magic. I read tons of magic books and even worked as a magician for several years. When some people think of magicians they think of a few well-known names on television or in Vegas. They would think it’s impossible to make a living doing magic unless you're Criss Angel or David Blaine.
This isn’t true, though. There are many magicians making money, some full-time and others part-time, doing magic shows for local audiences. There’s a large circuit of entertainers who do library and schools shows and make a good income traveling their state. Some birthday party magicians make $1,000 on the weekends. But I warn you, you'd better love kids before you try this one!
A lot of fancy restaurants hire magicians to entertain their customers while they’re waiting to be seated or served.
There are also magicians who write books and make instructional DVD’s that they sell from their websites and at conventions. A few publish magic magazines. Others work at developing new tricks and selling them in web stores.
Until you’ve researched a subject or industry, you have no idea how many people are making a living in that particular field. Thanks to the internet it's possible to market to the whole world, not just your city.
This holds true for those who crochet, or paint landscapes, or train dogs. The list of opportunities are endless.
The secret is this: Is there a market for your hobby or product? If other people share your love of raising bonsai plants, then there's a way to market to them. You can use a blog or an ebook or sell the plants online. However, if you're one of ten people who raise Siberian tree frogs, then there won't be a market for your ebook titled, "Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Siberian Tree Frogs but were Afraid to Ask."
Passion is impossible to fake. If you're truly interested in eating a raw food diet then you'll love talking about it to other people. From that passion you can grow a business or at the least, a profitable hobby.
But sometimes you find that a hobby should remain a not-for-profit venture. You might love painting watercolors of flowers on the weekends. Then discover that you loath painting when you try to do it every day and for money. In that case, it's best to leave your art as your avocation.
What are your thoughts? Is it worth making less money to do what you love? Will pursuing your passion bring you wealth? Or at least happiness? Is it worth the required sacrifice?
And what about not trying at all? How does that make you feel as time passes by? Is there anyone out there with a dream they wish they would have pursued a little harder?
Which brings me to my one and only new year's resolution for this year. Write more. And then see what happens.....
The secret is this: Is there a market for your hobby or product? If other people share your love of raising bonsai plants, then there's a way to market to them. You can use a blog or an ebook or sell the plants online. However, if you're one of ten people who raise Siberian tree frogs, then there won't be a market for your ebook titled, "Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Siberian Tree Frogs but were Afraid to Ask."
Passion is impossible to fake. If you're truly interested in eating a raw food diet then you'll love talking about it to other people. From that passion you can grow a business or at the least, a profitable hobby.
But sometimes you find that a hobby should remain a not-for-profit venture. You might love painting watercolors of flowers on the weekends. Then discover that you loath painting when you try to do it every day and for money. In that case, it's best to leave your art as your avocation.
What are your thoughts? Is it worth making less money to do what you love? Will pursuing your passion bring you wealth? Or at least happiness? Is it worth the required sacrifice?
And what about not trying at all? How does that make you feel as time passes by? Is there anyone out there with a dream they wish they would have pursued a little harder?
Which brings me to my one and only new year's resolution for this year. Write more. And then see what happens.....
Saturday, January 22, 2011
I Admit it...I Love American Idol...
I for one am happy that American Idol is back. And I have to say, I don't really miss Simon all that much. I actually missed Paula more. Maybe that's because I usually understood most of what she said even when everyone else thought she was spaced out.
My only regret is that Ryan is still there. I could do without his attempts at humor. Too bad Nick Cannon already has a job.
I like the fact that the new judges are more focused on judging instead of bickering with each other. This is a pleasant change of pace.
But the truth is, for me, American Idol has never been about the judges. It's all about the contestants.
Seeing totally tone deaf people declare with absolute certainty that they are the next American Idol is always amusing. What makes it shocking is they're always surrounded by family and friends. This makes one wonder, are their friends really that cruel to let someone they know look like a complete fool on national television? Or is tone deafness a genetic thing and their family members honestly think they can sing? Who knows.
But the real appeal of American Idol is we all love a rags to riches story. One day Cinderella is cleaning out the ashes from the fireplace and the next day her wicked stepsisters are watching television and saying, "Geez, we didn't even know she could sing. Why didn't they let ME on that show, I know I sing better than she does!"
Going from complete obscurity to becoming a household name in a few shorts weeks is an exciting journey.
And I'll be along for the ride this year, with or without Simon.
My only regret is that Ryan is still there. I could do without his attempts at humor. Too bad Nick Cannon already has a job.
I like the fact that the new judges are more focused on judging instead of bickering with each other. This is a pleasant change of pace.
But the truth is, for me, American Idol has never been about the judges. It's all about the contestants.
Seeing totally tone deaf people declare with absolute certainty that they are the next American Idol is always amusing. What makes it shocking is they're always surrounded by family and friends. This makes one wonder, are their friends really that cruel to let someone they know look like a complete fool on national television? Or is tone deafness a genetic thing and their family members honestly think they can sing? Who knows.
But the real appeal of American Idol is we all love a rags to riches story. One day Cinderella is cleaning out the ashes from the fireplace and the next day her wicked stepsisters are watching television and saying, "Geez, we didn't even know she could sing. Why didn't they let ME on that show, I know I sing better than she does!"
Going from complete obscurity to becoming a household name in a few shorts weeks is an exciting journey.
And I'll be along for the ride this year, with or without Simon.
Monday, January 17, 2011
How are Those Resolutions Going?
I'm just curious how the New Year's resolutions are going for everyone? Have you kept your promises to yourself? Met any of your goals?
At the beginning of each new year I usually do what a lot of other people do. I make New Year's resolutions that are quite similar to the ones I made the year before. Then, within the first few weeks I forget all about them until another year has flown by and it's time to do it all over again.
Or, knowing that I'm going to do the above anyway, I simple don't make any. What's the point? I know I'm going to break them.
So this year I decided to do something different. Instead of randomly stating my same old resolutions (lose weight, exercise more, get out of debt, save more money, etc. etc.) I decided to take the entire month of January to review and set my goals for the year. Which changes do I want bad enough to follow-through and take action to accomplish?
I'm still refining the list. The truth is, I want to lose weight, I do not want to give up chocolate. I want to exercise more, but I'm very tired at the end of day (probably because I won't lose weight and exercise more). And thus, the endless dilemma.
I want to write more. Maybe finish that children's book I've been working on since...well never mind that. Let's just say, a long time.
This year I don't want to put anything on my list unless I'm willing to seriously make the necessary changes. I want to write down specifically how I'm going to accomplish my goals. Vagueness doesn't work for me. It leaves to much room for waffling.
What are your goals for the year? Any plans or thoughts?
At the beginning of each new year I usually do what a lot of other people do. I make New Year's resolutions that are quite similar to the ones I made the year before. Then, within the first few weeks I forget all about them until another year has flown by and it's time to do it all over again.
Or, knowing that I'm going to do the above anyway, I simple don't make any. What's the point? I know I'm going to break them.
So this year I decided to do something different. Instead of randomly stating my same old resolutions (lose weight, exercise more, get out of debt, save more money, etc. etc.) I decided to take the entire month of January to review and set my goals for the year. Which changes do I want bad enough to follow-through and take action to accomplish?
I'm still refining the list. The truth is, I want to lose weight, I do not want to give up chocolate. I want to exercise more, but I'm very tired at the end of day (probably because I won't lose weight and exercise more). And thus, the endless dilemma.
I want to write more. Maybe finish that children's book I've been working on since...well never mind that. Let's just say, a long time.
This year I don't want to put anything on my list unless I'm willing to seriously make the necessary changes. I want to write down specifically how I'm going to accomplish my goals. Vagueness doesn't work for me. It leaves to much room for waffling.
What are your goals for the year? Any plans or thoughts?
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Wishing for the kid's table....
Years ago, my cousins and I use to dream of the day when we could join the ranks of those deemed worthy enough to eat at the "adult table". We felt it was grossly unfair that our brothers had already attained this status. Though they were older by several years chronologically, we knew their maturity level was no higher than ours.
While others feasted at the fancy table in the dining room, we were left to eat in the kitchen at the normal everyday table. Life seemed so unfair.
But it finally happened. As older siblings married and moved on, a holiday came where we were delegated to the dining room. We had finally arrived. Imagine our surprise to find out how boring things were at the adult table. The people they talked about we didn't even know. Let alone care about the state of their medical condition or who their children had married.
And for some odd reason, they seemed to find our incessant giggling about their silly conversation annoying. Go figure.
They didn't even find it amusing when we tied Grandpa's apron strings to his chair. (Yes, my grandpa always helped my Grandma with the cooking and housework since she always did half the preaching at the churches they pastored. They were way ahead of their time. Thus, the apron.)
At the time, pride would not let us admit we missed the kid's table. The battle to achieve our new status had been fought for too long.
But pride fades through the years, and after losing my dad over the Christmas holiday, I see how rapidly I'm advancing to the top of the generational ladder. And I don't like it one bit. I don't want to be the top rung.
As I look back, the kid's table is looking good about now. No stress, no bills, no responsibilities. Just a lot of giggling and making faces at the big brothers.
Nostalgia is a funny thing. And through the eyes of an adult, Agra, Kansas and Duncan, Oklahoma will always remain the most awesome vacation spots in the world. Oh to be sitting at the kid's table again.
While others feasted at the fancy table in the dining room, we were left to eat in the kitchen at the normal everyday table. Life seemed so unfair.
But it finally happened. As older siblings married and moved on, a holiday came where we were delegated to the dining room. We had finally arrived. Imagine our surprise to find out how boring things were at the adult table. The people they talked about we didn't even know. Let alone care about the state of their medical condition or who their children had married.
And for some odd reason, they seemed to find our incessant giggling about their silly conversation annoying. Go figure.
They didn't even find it amusing when we tied Grandpa's apron strings to his chair. (Yes, my grandpa always helped my Grandma with the cooking and housework since she always did half the preaching at the churches they pastored. They were way ahead of their time. Thus, the apron.)
At the time, pride would not let us admit we missed the kid's table. The battle to achieve our new status had been fought for too long.
But pride fades through the years, and after losing my dad over the Christmas holiday, I see how rapidly I'm advancing to the top of the generational ladder. And I don't like it one bit. I don't want to be the top rung.
As I look back, the kid's table is looking good about now. No stress, no bills, no responsibilities. Just a lot of giggling and making faces at the big brothers.
Nostalgia is a funny thing. And through the eyes of an adult, Agra, Kansas and Duncan, Oklahoma will always remain the most awesome vacation spots in the world. Oh to be sitting at the kid's table again.
Friday, December 17, 2010
The Secret Evil of Facebook...
For those of you who think this post is about hidden computer viruses, let me disappoint you right from the start. I'm not a techie and the evil I'm referring to has nothing to do with hackers. There are certainly security risks with Facebook, but I doubt they are any more or less than anywhere else on the net.
I must say from the beginning that I love Facebook. I've been able to reconnect with people I knew years ago and I've enjoyed catching up with them and seeing what they're up to these days. This would have never happened without Facebook.
Also, I love seeing photo's of family and friends. The odds of someone actually printing out a picture, putting it in an envelope, and mailing it, is very rare these days. So I enjoy getting to see pics I'd never see otherwise.
So if I love Facebook so much why am I whining about "evil"? What are the downsides of FB?
Well....we all know what a huge time waster it can be. Planting crops, cooking up fancy dishes, and killing off gangsters can be time consuming. There are probably a lot of other things that could be done during that time. We could be playing Solitaire instead.But wasting time is not what I'm referring to, either.
Here's the thing you really need to watch out for with Facebook. Did you ever have someone in your life that was toxic? You know the kind of person I mean. Their face probably flashed into your mind when you read the word "toxic". But luckily they moved away, or you moved away, or got another job and their memory faded in your mind.
Then, years later, they pop up wanting to be your friend on FB. And in the excitement of adding to your friend number you accept them without even thinking twice. After a week or two it all starts coming back to you why you aren't friends with this person anymore.
Before I move on let me say this, I do believe that people can change. Some finally grow up. Others have to deal with sickness or loss in their life and suddenly they're far more compassionate, caring people. But that's usually the exception to the rule. Most people don't change.
They might not even be bad people, maybe they're just bad for you. Maybe they remind you of a time in your life that is better for you not to dwell on. Something that you finally moved past.
So what do you do? Delete, delete, delete. They probably won't even notice. And if they do, oh well. Remember, this is only a "social media site". It's not your workplace or your local church. (Where you sometimes have to deal with difficult people).
You don't have to put up with people who make you feel bad about yourself or bring back sad memories that you fought hard to forget. Life is too short to torture yourself with cyber politeness.
P.S. If you're on my Facebook then you know I'm not talking about you :)
I must say from the beginning that I love Facebook. I've been able to reconnect with people I knew years ago and I've enjoyed catching up with them and seeing what they're up to these days. This would have never happened without Facebook.
Also, I love seeing photo's of family and friends. The odds of someone actually printing out a picture, putting it in an envelope, and mailing it, is very rare these days. So I enjoy getting to see pics I'd never see otherwise.
So if I love Facebook so much why am I whining about "evil"? What are the downsides of FB?
Well....we all know what a huge time waster it can be. Planting crops, cooking up fancy dishes, and killing off gangsters can be time consuming. There are probably a lot of other things that could be done during that time. We could be playing Solitaire instead.But wasting time is not what I'm referring to, either.
Here's the thing you really need to watch out for with Facebook. Did you ever have someone in your life that was toxic? You know the kind of person I mean. Their face probably flashed into your mind when you read the word "toxic". But luckily they moved away, or you moved away, or got another job and their memory faded in your mind.
Then, years later, they pop up wanting to be your friend on FB. And in the excitement of adding to your friend number you accept them without even thinking twice. After a week or two it all starts coming back to you why you aren't friends with this person anymore.
Before I move on let me say this, I do believe that people can change. Some finally grow up. Others have to deal with sickness or loss in their life and suddenly they're far more compassionate, caring people. But that's usually the exception to the rule. Most people don't change.
They might not even be bad people, maybe they're just bad for you. Maybe they remind you of a time in your life that is better for you not to dwell on. Something that you finally moved past.
So what do you do? Delete, delete, delete. They probably won't even notice. And if they do, oh well. Remember, this is only a "social media site". It's not your workplace or your local church. (Where you sometimes have to deal with difficult people).
You don't have to put up with people who make you feel bad about yourself or bring back sad memories that you fought hard to forget. Life is too short to torture yourself with cyber politeness.
P.S. If you're on my Facebook then you know I'm not talking about you :)
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