We’re now three weeks into the new year. How is it working out for you so far? ARe your plans for the year taking shape? It’s been a slow start for me. . . We spent about 3 weeks before Christmas redecorating the kitchen, with the result that not much else got done:)

Then it was January and time to do the accounts, my least favourite activity! Having finally got all the paperwork out of the way, I’ve come down with a really bad cold, which has made me feel pretty rough for a week so far and isn’t over yet.

Still . . I have made a start on my plans for the year, with my first piece of software finished and the second in production.

But it does just show that life can be unpredictable, you have to be flexible and rest when you need to.

Dragged myself out of bed to take a friend to the cinema for his birthday on Wednesday. We watched Slumdog Millionaire – brilliant. If you are feeling low with the recession, the weather, the January blues etc, go and see it – it will cheer you up.

Popularity: 88% [?]

Looking for a job? It can be a full-time job in itself, can’t it? I know that more than once I’ve missed the closing date for an application just because I was overwhelmed with keeping on top of everything. To help you manage your job search, I’ve created a piece of software, which I’m giving away free.

Do you have trouble keeping all your information in one place? Today I’m posting a video to give you a look inside the free software which will help you keep track of all your information – contact names, websites, closing dates and anything else you need to get hold of in a hurry.

There is also a user manual in the zip file with the software, whcih you can download at
http://www.coolercareers.com/tracker.html. Hope you find it useful!

Track Your Job Applications

Popularity: 98% [?]

Over the next few days we’ll take a look at a few steps you can take to keep your job, while everyone around you is losing theirs.

Okay, the first way to keep your job is to increase your productivity. It’s easy to become frozen into a state of inaction in a crisis situation, but that isn’t the best way to deal with the current economy. While you could think there is no point in working hard, after all, you’ll probably lose your job anyway – so why bother, it’s much better to have a positive approach.

If you show some initiative and make a point of doing your best, it won’t go unnoticed.

If the boss does have to let some people go, he’ll be reluctant to get rid of his best workers – so become one of them.

And in the worst case scenario, whre the company does go bankrupt and no jobs are saved, you’ll at least get a great reference and that will go a long way to getting you hired again.

Popularity: 90% [?]

As we move into the New Year, it doesn’t look as if the economy is going to improve any time soon. There are signs of more businesses going to the wall adn serious job losses are being predicted everywhere.

So what can you do if you want to hold on to your job? It might feel as if the situation is hopeless, but there are a number of things you can do to help you either keep your present job or if you lose it, put yourself in a stronger position to get a new job.

Today let’s look at continuing education.

For some time now, continuing professional education has been a buzz word or is that a buzz phrase? The reason for this is that we are experiencing change at an unprecedented rate. For previous generations, it would take centuries and then decades for major change to come about. But for us, change is happening at a much faster rate than ever before.

Think about it, mobile phones or cell phones were invented soem time ago and by the 70s were still huge, impractical objects. Mobiles or cell phones as we know them didn’t become commonly used until the early 90s. but look how much they have developed – and how quickly since then.

In the last few years, we’ve been able to take photographs, surf the internet and read email on our hand held phones.

And communications isn’t the only industry which is experiencing such rapid change – but all of us communicate with others in our jobs and so we need to keep up.

If you want to stay in work, or be able to get a new job quickly, one of the best things you can do is keep up to date with what is going on in your own industry and keep on top of the technology used in your job.

Wise employers realize that it’s a bad idea to cut training programs when times are tough and if you are fortunate to have such a boss, find out which training course or funds you are entitled to and take advantage of them.

If you can’t get training at work, make a point of using some of your spare time to keep up to date, even if it’s just learning how to use the latest version of Word.

Employees are expected to engage in continuing education these days and if you want to hold on to your job, keeping your skills up to date will help you do so. And it will also help you get a new job if you lose your present one in the recession.

Popularity: 89% [?]

The free software is now ready for you to download. You can use it to keep a track of all your
job applications to make sure you get them in on time and that your contacts are following up effectively. you can access it at:

Track Your Job Applications

There is a screenshot on that page, to give you a quick look at what it can do and there is a pdf in the zip file which takes you through the use of the software, step by step.

Enjoy using it!

Waller

Popularity: 77% [?]

Have you made any New Year’s Resolutions? Even if you haven’t, you are probably like most people, who at least think about improving their lives in the coming year. Often with a career change or at least a better job.

But with the world in the grip of a huge economic downturn, it’s hard to believe that this is going to be achievable.

However, there is a lot you can do if you want to ensure that your life gets better and not worse during the recession.

One very positive step you can take is to enhance your skills. Traditionally, a lot of people go back to college to ride out a recession, with a view to coming out more qualified at the end and in a stronger position to get a new job when the economic climate is more favourable.

But not everyone can afford to go back to studying full-time. Don’t let this put you off – there are hundreds of opportunities out there which are affordable and in some cases free, depending on your circumstances.

Take a look at your profession or the industry in which you are currently working, or your past jobs if you are out of work. What are the most important skills at the moment? That is, the skills which employers are looking for and will pay for. If you want to get hired or stay hired during the recession, it is an excellent idea is to become highly skilled in the most in-demand areas.

So take a look at what is going on around you, in your own industry or other industries where your skills would be valued. Then get really good at what you do, become an expert in your own area and hone your transferable skills to ope up new opportunities.

Popularity: 70% [?]

I’ve been quiet for a while – but working steadily in the background in preparation for 2009. Now that it has arrived, I hope you all have a very happy and prosperous new year. I will soon have a gift for you – it’s ready but I just need to test it. So come back soon if you’d like some free software to help you organize your search for a new job.

Once the celebrations are over, it will be a tough year for many, as the recession claims many more jobs. For many of us, this is a time to reassess where we are going and perhaps make changes.

Are you worried about the effect the recession might have on your life? I’ve written a report full of ideas to help you recession proof your career. I understand how you might be feeling, as I lost my part time job in the summer. So I’m keeping the price really low. You can check it out here:

How to Recession Proof Your Career Let me know if you have any questions and all good wishes for 2009.

Waller

Popularity: 68% [?]