One Secret to Job Search Success

Imagine the employer as an extremely near-sighted individual. It stands to reason that the 'bigger' YOU are, the more likely you are to be seen by the employer. How can you go about making yourself more readily noticed?


Some of the typical ways of doing so include producing a resume, a cover letter, and tailoring these documents to the employer you'd like to communicate with. One less commonly utilized tool is networking.

We've all heard the expression, 'it's not what you know, it's who you know', and in today's labour market, that couldn't be more true. The near-sighted employer doesn't want to stray too far from his desk. He wants to hire the top employee for the position, but it's a lot of exertion for him to get around. That's where your network comes in. The more people you have who know you, know your skill set and what you're looking for, the more likely you are to become visible by the employer.



Who can be built into your network? Friends, family, friends of friends, people you meet who are in the field of work you'd like to get into, former employers, former teachers and mentors, the list goes on. How can you grease the wheels of your network? Don't just talk to these people when you are looking for work, or want something from them. Keep yourself in their minds by doing things for them, showing them you're thinking of them: send, email or give them an industry-related article that might interest them; pass on job leads you hear of that may suit their needs; and be gracious when they do recommend you for a position, even if it doesn't work out.




Along with other job search tools, your network will gradually help you appear in the sight of the employer; look for ways to work it, so it can work for you.

Assembly Tidbits

We had our 2 day assembly this past weekend in Terrace. Here are some thoughts I especially appreciated.

Psalm 40:12 - discouragement can be quite debilitating. If you are discouraged, think - how long has it been a struggle? A year? Several years? A decade? Is it a "strongly entrenched" thing? 2 Corinthians 10:4,5. Even if discouragement has become strongly entrenched, there is hope for it to be overturned.
~~~

Ephesians 6:17 - the helmet is our Christian hope, which protects our thoughts and decision making.
~~~

Proverbs 15:22 - keep the lines of communication in the family open; talk about things while they are small matters so they don't become big matters.
~~~

1 Corinthians 9:24, 26. Being goal-oriented is a manifestation of our faith. Set specific spiritual goals. This is different from simple wishful thinking. Need a strong desire, then, write it down - set a date to accomplish it, formulate a strategy, brainstorm possible obstacles. Having short-term goals keeps us spiritually focussed, resisting distractions from the world.
~~~

Psalm 26:3 - be a student of God's Word, applying it. Day's text or 1 Bible chapter takes about 10, 15 minutes to read. Do you ever have a 10 minute coffee break? Day's text & coffee, for example - that simple habit can mean the difference between our keeping integrity and not. Put the Bible in a visible place, where seeing it will act as a reminder to develop the habit of reading it daily.
~~~

Proverbs 24:10 - prolonged despondency can sap our energy, leave us spiritually vulnerable.
Apathy from those we meet in the preaching work can sap us of zeal. Can maintain joy by asking, "why are people apathetic?" Perhaps they're disillusioned by Christendom's religions; weighed down with anxieties; frustrated. If we can feel what our neighbours feel, we will see the need to keep trying to reach them with the Bible's positive message.
~~~

2 Corinthians 12:7-10, Hebrews 13:15,16 - Health concerns can discourage us. Can be comforted knowing that Jehovah does not require more of us than we can give. Requires faith that will move us to action within our limits, as is well pleased with that.
~~~

Hebrews 4:12 - reading God's Word gives us power to think differently, to change our course of action and alter our inner selves.

Christian Ways to Reduce Stress

A wise person says, "Never borrow from the future. If you worry about what may happen tomorrow and it doesn't happen, you have worried in vain. Even if it does happen, you have to worry twice."

1. Pray to Jehovah

2. Go to bed on time.

3. Get up on time so you can start the day unrushed.

4. Say No to projects that won't fit into your time schedule, or that will compromise your mental health.

5. Delegate tasks to capable others.

6. Simplify and unclutter your life.

7. Less is more. (Although one is often not enough, two are often too many.) Jehovah says keep your life simple.

8. Allow extra time to do things and to get to places.

9. Pace yourself. Spread out big changes and difficult projects over time; don't lump the hard things all together.

10. Take one day at a time.

11. Separate worries from concerns. If a situation is a concern, find out what Jehovah God would have you do and let go of the anxiety. If you can't do anything about a situation, forget it.

12. Live within your budget; don't use credit cards for ordinary purchases.

13. Have backups: an extra car key in your wallet, an extra house key buried in the garden, extra stamps, etc.

14. K.M.S. (Keep Mouth Shut). This single piece of advice can prevent an enormous amount of trouble.

15. Do something for the Kid in You everyday.

16. Carry a Bible with you to read while waiting in line.

17. Get enough rest.

18. Eat right.

19 Get organized so everything has its place.

20. Listen to a tape (perhaps Watchtower CD) while driving that can help improve your quality of life.

21. Write down thoughts and inspirations.

22. Every day, find time to be alone.

23. Having problems? Talk to Jehovah God on the spot. Try to nip small problems in the bud. Don't wait until it's time to go to bed to try to pray.

24. Make friends with Jehovah's people.

25. Keep a folder of favourite scriptures on hand.

26. Remember that the shortest bridge between despair and hope is often a good "Thank you Jehovah for the Ransom of your Son!"

27. Laugh.

28. Laugh some more!

29. Take your work and ministry seriously, but not yourself at all.

30. Develop a forgiving attitude (most people are doing the best they can). Forgive others so you also can be forgiven.

31. Be kind to unkind people (they probably need it the most).

32. Sit on your ego.

33 Talk less; listen more.

34. Slow down.

35. Remind yourself that you are not the general manager of the universe.

36. Every night before bed, think of one thing you're grateful for that you've never been grateful for before.

ALMIGHTY GOD HAS A WAY OF TURNING THINGS AROUND FOR YOU.

"If Jehovah is for us, who can be against us?" ~(Romans 8:31)

The above was sent to me via email, and I posted it for two reasons:
1st, to share with others; 2nd, to have handy for myself!

Missing

At night I can see her
In the places I look . . .
Her glass of red wine,
The couch, with a book.
When I see her, I smile,
My heart misses a beat.
I've missed her so long;
Her image is sweet.
She catches my glance,
Returning my smile,
Then vanishes, leaving
The empty floor tile.
And I lose her again
Every night, every time
And the wounds become fresh
With every clock chime.
I try to forget,
Carry on, fighting forth
But the memories haunt
Of that night on the porch . . .
The rain driving down
As she kissed me good bye,
Her turning to wave
At the end of the drive.
The inky black night
As it took her away.
Would I ever have guessed,
I'd have begged her to stay.
Hours ticked passed,
And months turned to years;
Never knowing for sure
If she'd ever appear:
The groceries she'd gone for
Loading her arms
She'd took a wrong turn -
No need for alarm.
Or maybe she'd sat
With an old friend she knew,
And lost track of time
Over coffee for two.
Our door stays unlocked
Every night, every day
Lest she ever return.
I can pray . . . I can pray.

(11/11/2007, Amber M. Graham)
Inspired by a photoset by Milwaukee John

Prop It Up - An article by Nick Kelsh

LOL Funny commercials

See them on my Bebo site!

The following poem was inspired by
this photo by one of my contacts on Flickr...


(heart not in my hand by MilwaukeeJohn)


Pendant Forged from Silver

This letter leads to treasure
Since forever I'll have gone
I left a sign
For you to find
My love will carry on.

The tree that we sat under
Just near the bended path
Overlooks
The babbly brook
And knows my love will last.

A pendant forged from silver
Fifty paces to the right
You'll find just near
The bushes where
We stole our kiss that night.

Recall the stars that evening?
Then the grasses wet with dew?
I never thought
I could have got
A second glance from you.

We knew that I'd be leaving
When the night gave way to dawn
Wrapped in my arms
You gave your charms
To remember when I'd gone.

And oh how I'll remember!
Every moment, every sigh
Your tender kiss
Eternal bliss
Only witnessed by the sky.

The pendant forged from silver
Keep it close upon your heart
Remember me
Remember me
Ever after I depart.

~Aug. 28/2007
Amber M. Graham

In fact, this has made me think of an idea for a new scrapbook project: pairing poems with images that inspired them and/or suit them. I'm not sure of how exactly I'll do it - if it'll just be poems I've written, or if it will be a combination of my poems and those of others. But it should be a delightful project!