What will you accept? What will you do?

Let's say that for the sake of the current time, you accepted a position.  It certainly wasn't your first choice. It pays half as much as the job you had before you were laid off.  So in desperation, you jump at it.  And they accept. And everything is just ok.  You realize it is not a challenge to work here,  you don't feel anymore productive, in fact the work is probably far beneath your skill level.  But, on the other hand you have a job.  And incidentally, you've been slogging through this job day-after-day.  You realize it every time you force yourself to put on a happy face before you go to work.

Does this sound like you?  I have read reports of persons who are itching to jump out of their current jobs as soon as the markets pick up.  We are living through a long recession right now, and every day, I still get emails from places that are laying off employees.  And employers, are being rather choosy right now, whether they hire in anticipation of expansion.  Our own government has fallen behind on it's hiring of individuals. There are some 250,000 possible temporary positions that need to be filled.  And in a lot of cases temporary seems to be the thing.

Some people wouldn't stake my hopes on permanent employment through a temporary position, but the fact remains there are a significant number of individuals who end up in their long term career that way.  I've met persons who started as interns, later become employed at the location, and have been know to climb the corporate ladder all the way to the board of directors.

So how do you do your best? How do you continue to thrive in an less-than-challenging environment?  My friends, attitude goes a long long way.  It's hard to be grateful when you feel underwhelmed.  I understand that. However I submit to you my friends, that positive thinking is in order here.  This goes back to the core root of what drives you.  If you can't be happy doing a job that you feel is less than your skill set, and do it gladly, how will you handle a job that will be pushing the boundaries of your skill set?  Will you do it gladly or will you become overwhelmed with stress?

Here are a few ideas for handling underwhelming positions:

1. Master everything about the position.

Become the expert that everyone looks to. Are you on a running a production line? Take  the time to deduce the nuances of the position, what everyone does and how it all fits together, become the puzzle solver.   Employed at a position doing something that 'you could do in your sleep'? Don't rest on your laurels.  Refresh everything you know, can you streamline a process, can you code something that can be re-used, can you automate tasks that may save your company money and time?  Look at all angles, and take action

2. Face each day knowing that what you are doing improves the lives of those around you.

Believe it or not,  your co-workers and your boss become dependent on  you. If you slack off, you are only putting more work on others. If you can finish your task, and help ease the load of others, you show leadership potential. You become the expert. While just knowing that you help others may not be enough motivation for you. Making yourself outstanding will.

3. Strive harder.

If you mop a floor, or run a board. Use the Bobcat Scout Credo: "Do Your Best".  It's a rather simple statement, that is taught to bobcats, those youngest of scouts, just out of kindergarten. Do Your Best.  If you aren't doing your best, only you know. Don't cheat yourself of opportunities to rise to the occasion. Don't cheat others from seeing your leadership potential. Don't cheat the team, or the boss. Do Your Best

While the current position you may be in may offer potential for upward mobility, it may also hinder you from upward mobility.  If you find yourself becoming stuck in a quagmire of  sorts.  Make time, communicate with your boss, let them know you'd like more challenges. Keep a score card, sometimes bosses forget. If you've shown your worth, tell them you'd like more, and show them how and where you excelled.  If you decide you are ready to take your skills further and to other places; find your next career here: www.govtcontractorjobs.com

Simple. Employment. Solutions.

Make No Small Plans...get the how!

“Make no small plans; they have no magic to stir your blood to action. Make big plans, aim high in work and hope.” - Daniel Burnham

What are your plan? What are your dreams? What are your expectations?  How are you going to plan your expectations to fulfill your dreams. Set your goals lofty, my friends. And write them down. Check them daily.  Write them, down, don't just type them.  Go, get a piece of paper, scrap, notebook, ledger, journal, edge of a newspaper, a brown paper bag.  Write down your goal.  Then every day, write down your goal.  That's right, every day. As you realize your writings you will find the steps you need to succeed daily.  It -the results; becomes self fulfilling prophecy.  You can do, you can achieve, you can venture forth.

You can land a new job, you can find the perfect position. Create it. Write it down, be specific, make that a part of your goal.  HOW you get there. How is the fuel for the fire which ignites you to do the things that make all things possible. How is actionable.

How are you going to differentiate yourself from other candidates? How are you going to show your knowledge of the company when you go into an interview? How are you going to make certain that you are the candidate they select? How are you going to follow up? How are you going to be specific in the interview questions.  How are you going to answer.

Make big plans, and make them detailed. Aim high, in work and hope.  For hope is not lost on those with the how. Hope is not wishing. Hope is preparing and executing with staccato like emphasis. Make your goals actionable. Find yourself getting to the next rung.

Wondering who's hiring and how your going to execute those plans at the new company? www.govtcontractorjobs.com

What two years would bring....

On January 4th, 2008 The government reported that the nation's jobless rate hit 5 percent in December 2007, a two-year high, fanning recession fears.  Well my friends, that number of jobless is doubled, in two years, it currently stands at 10%.  Fifteen Million, Four Hundred Thousand people without jobs.

Although Wall Street and Big Banks were bailed out there were still a great many number laid off.  Bankers, analysts, IT, administrative, right down to the cleaners.  It's tough to keep your chin up when you have been smacked over the head with a proverbial shovel. To add insult to injury, particularly if you've been laid off, there is at times a stigma associated with that moniker. And I'll be frank, if you've have been laid off, it can be a blow to your self esteem.

Here are some suggestions on getting back up on that horse and riding again;

1. Stop Procrastinating.  It is a waste of your valuable time. You are a worthy person who has a lot of experience, you are responsible and in control. Things happen for those who are at the crossroads of preparation and opportunity.- Some refer to that as luck.

2. Take a half hour to yourself each day. Reflect on positive thoughts. Read uplifting messages. Whether it's Guideposts or Reader's Digest or positive quotations found on the Internet, read something, because when it all boils down, only YOU can motivate yourself.

3. Excercise. You are never too old to start something. Stretch, Yoga, Pilates, Walking. Wondering where to get started? www.sparkpeople.com is a great place that's free. So is www.fitness.gov.

4.Make a plan. This goes into conjunction with #1. I wrote the other day about  making a list of possibilities. My friends, your possibilities are limited only by your imagination.  Set goals, write them down. Take the steps toward those goals and plans.

5. Find out who is hiring right now. Chances are, it's a government contractor who has won a contract to provide valuable services to the government.  Check out some of them hiring today.  No recruiters, no hopefully I'll get to talk to someone, it's the direct red line to those who are hiring. Some are small businesses others are International Conglomerates.  www.govtcontractorjobs.com

Have a fantastic week, because, my friends, it's Monday. Friday is a short 40 hour work week away. Simple. Employment. Solutions.  Find them here: www.govtcontractorjobs.com

Today in History

Today, in the history of our nation, in 1959 Alaska, became the 49th state. So hat's off to you Alaska.  I've been to Alaska, once or twice, but never made it out of the airport. I will forever remember the polar bear that is in the airport though.   I was able to go outside and view Mt. McKinley though.  And it was quite frigid.  There was little humidity in the air, but the bite that nature took when you breathed, whew!

When I was in the service, the Army sold their fleet of hovercraft to the state of Alaska.  One of my colleagues asked me if I would like to move up and do maintenance on the craft.  I thought about it, but I just don't like cold weather too much.  Now mind you, I loved the idea of going up there. Fact is I have friends who live there now, and have had friends who worked on the boats, and made a lot of money. I've had an uncle by marriage that worked on 'the slope' back in the seventies, and made a bit of money.  I've had friends that moved up there specifically so they could become residents and share in the annual oil wealth tax rebate thingamabob the state does each year.

All this leads me to the conclusion of employment. Yes, there are canneries, and fisheries, and retail, and guess what else, that's right government contractors. In fact if you would like, if you request it, personally by emailing me, clint.s.miller@govtcontractorjobs.com  I will email you the entire list of government contractors for the state of Alaska.

Want to know where else they are hiring: www.govtcontractorjobs.com

Career Crumbles.wmv

Feeling like career building has collapsed? We know how to help you overcome this situation. Build rock solid footing with employment as a government contractor. Visit us at www.govtcontractorjobs.com

Simple. Employment. Solutions.

Its 2010 Make a List of Possibilities

It is now Twenty-ten.  What are you doing right now to improve your life? I made a conscientious decision late last year to eat in moderation, exercise at least five days a week, and lose 2 pounds per week. It' working!  I can tell you that I have made one resolution on New Years, over than 10 years ago, and it's the only that has stuck.  I had resolved, to never make another resolution on New Years.  -It's worked.

Speaking of working, have you found yourself in the crunch last year?  Are you one of the of the 15.4 million persons whom is getting a  chance to view their lives from another angle? I don't say that as a slight to those who are unemployed. Every single thing in our lives, I believe, happens for a reason. Not all reasons are good, that I know, however they are not all bad either. Lay-Offs drain you. Mentally, emotionally, financially.  They deprive a working man or woman of that feeling of security endorsed by a paycheck.

If you find yourself with that time on you hands; may I suggest a solution?  Take a full 40 hours, in solitude.  I want you to evaluate yourself. I want you to think about for the first ten hours, how you felt the last full year of employment.  Were you elated, did you enjoy your position? Did you absolutely love what you were doing? In contrast were you dis-satisfied? Take that ten hours and write down the longest pro/con list about the job you were doing the last full year. List it all. From the coffee to the benefits.

Now for the second ten hours, I want you to focus on things that you've always wanted to do:  accountant, cowboy, scientist, astronaut, chef, whatever. Wanted to always run a burger joint? Wanted the stress-less job of being a people greeter at Wal-Mart?  Wanted to hike the Appalachian trail ? Visit all fifty states? Whatever it is is I want you to make of list of things in those then hours that you have ALWAYS wanted to do. Make it as outlandish as you want.

Now for the third ten hour set, I want you to take two hours of that ten to pick your top four favorite items. If a genie appeared and said, "Pick four wishes, and they have to be on that list." ; those are the four I want you to pick.

Focus on four items from the list you made in the second ten hours.  Now for the next eight hours, I want you to spend two hours researching everything you can about those possible options. Do you have the education? Is there a commiserate level of income? Is it a new skill? Do you possess current skills be transferred to these new possibilities?

You have a final ten hours, if you've broken this up like a normal work week, this would be toward the end of your fourth day, your Thursday, at three. This is your opportunity moment.

I want you to focus on those four positions, and weigh the possibilities. I want you to spend 5 hours focusing on the number one item, reading, researching, finding whether you really want to change what you are doing.  Can you put this plan in motion?  It depends.  Can you learn that new 'skill' while working another job? Can you find a part-time position working in the new position.  Do you want to stay in the same field you were?  Can you make any improvements on your knowledge level?

This should give you some idea, of what  to do next.  And it should leave you feeling hopeful, as well.  The next thing I'd suggest if you have time on your hands.  Volunteer.  Find a school, library, soup kitchen, rotary club, or something. Give back to your community.  Volunteer in the line of work which you want to enter. If it is the occupation you left and you have skills, offer those skills to the community. Offer your services in your expertise field, for free to the local museum.  Offer to work for free at the new occupation, so you learn how.

This is the time to engage your mind, and learn.  Want to learn whose hiring now: www.govtcontractorjobs.com

Neglect, Recovery, Jobs Listing, Who is Hiring

I have neglected to update this blog for nearly a year; my intent was to continue to pass along information on who is hiring and where; and I I still have that!  I just realized that, like a horrible resolution, I have continued to chow down on chocolate while endeavoring to lose that 50 lbs!

Ok, enough of the drivel! What we need are solutions. The solution is to get out there, and make a difference. In yourself, in you community, in the way you present yourself, and how you network.

Facebook may be a lot of fun, but I don't think I've read anywhere that a FB friend landed a position.  What to do?   Back to the ground rules.

1.  Have  you updated your resume?
2.  Have you had your resume written/reviewed-rewritten by a professional resume writer?
3.  Do you have anywhere between $100 - $500 you want to spend on resume updating? No! Me either.
4.  Libraries tend to have THE most outdated resume examples.
5.  Looking for a review? For the first 10 People who sign up to follow this blog will win!
 I will have a resume writer review your resume and give a completed example back.

Now onto the job listings:

What do we have today?
3 .Net positions in Huntsville
Tech/Proposal Writer Silver Springs MD
Systems Analyst  Automated Operations
Help Desk - Golden, CO
Software Developer - Durham, NC
Financial Analyst, Washington DC
Project Manager - Telecommute!
Program Management - Washington Navy Yard
Network Engineer- Virginia Beach VA

Ok, that's a few...want to get more, and find out who is doing the hiring where?

www.govtcontractorjobs.com  or www.govtcontractingjobs.com

Bing: government contractor jobs     Google: government contractor jobs