Since I am a visual person, this comes in very handy.

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ABC News: Americans Are Hoping for More Layoffs
NewsBusters (blog)
Such was the case made by one Michelle Goodman in a piece cutely titled "All I Want For Christmas is a Layoff." The premise for this bizarre headline was ...
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Stroud Area Regional Police Department's Officer Paul Duffy on Thursday, Dec. 24, 2009. Duffy is among officer due to be laid off next year, but obtained a ...
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2009 Top News Countdown: 6. Mass layoffs of teachers averted (The ... By admin 2009 Top News Countdown: 6. Mass layoffs of teachers averted (The Ocala Star-Banner) Latest Layoff News — http://www.latestlayoffnews.com/

Layoff News » Blog Archive » Space Shuttle contractor announces ... By admin Space Shuttle contractor announces layoffs (Galveston County Daily News). December 25, 2009 – 1:53 pm HOUSTON The contractor that manages the space shuttle program from NASA will layoff 400 employees, including 160 from the area. ... Layoff News — http://layoffs.chimpsimple.net/

Suntron To Lay Off 188 In Newberg — Money News Story — KPTV Portland NEWBERG, Ore. -- An electronics manufacturer plans to shut its Newberg factory at the end of March and lay off all 188 employees.

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Do you know how to prepare for your interview?

"What does prepared for an interview look like?"

"How can I make them I hire me?" "What if I'm not REALLY qualified or able to do this job?" "How do I know what they are going to ask?"

Where do you find the answers to these common concerns and questions?

A Tough Job Market

Everyday you are reminded that you are in a tough job market. You know that you will have to do something to make yourself stand out from the rest of the crowd. You realize that you are competing against the odds.

The question is, "When there are so many other candidates looking at the same job, how can you make yourself stand?

The answer is: "Personal Interview branding"

What is Branding Yourself?

This is what companies do when they want to sell something - they use whatever methods necessary to tell the customers who they are, what they do and how they do it - they "brand" the product.

How can I brand myself? I'm not a product?

This is one of the main secrets of successful preparation. Begin to think of yourself as a product. What this means is you have to discover What Makes You Unique - and to begin thinking of yourself like a product.

Branding is telling the customer (in this case the interviewer) who you are; what you can do and have done in the past (your unique qualities); and why they should buy (hire you). Effective career branding used in the interview is the same as in business.

Call For An Interview

Let's assume that you have an outstanding resume and that you make it to the top of the stack of resumes of people to be called for an interview.

First of all - you are to be congratulated on getting this far.

The problem is that You - and maybe nine or ten other equally qualified people for the position will receive that same call.

Are you the best? You had better be prepared to prove that you are the best by letting the interviewer know what makes you unique and what you can do for them - you you will bring to the position. Because companies have so many candidates to choose from, they are interviewing more people so that they can select the "best."

What makes you a "remember-able" person? When you are lucky enough to be invited to an interview it is essential that you be ready to sell yourself - to let the interviewer know what makes you unique - What added value you can bring to the position?

In other words, why YOU are the best person for the job?

Your goal is to leave behind an impression of you and your "brand."

Preparation

You can determine your uniqueness and determine your personal interview "brand" and where you should focus your attention by doing some basic preparation.

This process is to identify the points you have to offer - the combination that makes you Unique.

This should be a combination of your education, experience and any special training or certifications you may have, as well as your area of expertise, your strengths, and your personal traits.

You create your statement by listing all these qualities and then making them into a concise statement to present to the employer when any of the standard questions come up.

"What makes you unique?" "Tell me about yourself." "What can you bring to this position that the other candidates can or can't?" "What are you strengths?" "Tell me something about you that will make me remember you after you leave the interview."

You can develop the answers to these questions by using "5 points" to use during the interview. If you use your five fingers to keep focused you can jog your memory if you forget what you were going to say due to being nervous.

Point #1

Your education and years of experience. (More experienced persons will talk mainly about experience and not education.

Point #2

Your area of expertise - or what you know a lot about. (For less experienced people you will have to rely on classes or courses you've taken).

Point #3

Your strength - this is usually a trait that you can use in any job. In other words, a general trait. (Communication, Relating to Others, Analytical Problem Solving, Determination, Adaptability).

Point #4

Your work ethic or work style (This is what coworkers would say to describe you).

Point #5

Something interesting about you (A hobby, somewhere that you volunteer to do, a sport or arts interest. If you can think of something that relates to the job you are applying for that would be a plus).

By summarizing what you have to offer in a methodical way you will be less apt to wander or forget what you intended to say.

You can search for online tools to help you create your personal interview brand or you can write out your job winning brand by following the examples above.

Regardless of the method you use - you should be prepared. It will make a difference in the way that you present yourself and in your being able to talk openly - without being modest about what you have to offer. You will be able to tell the interviewer why they should hire YOU - and what makes you unique.

In fact, preparation will help you in ALL your interactions - social, business, and your day-to-day life. The more you know yourself and are will to talk openly about yourself the more comfortable you will be in talking about yourself - to anybody.

Carole Martin is passionate on the subject of interviewing. Her philosophy is that the interview is a two-way process and preparation and practice are keys to a successful interview. As the interview coach for Monster, she reaches out to millions of people with advice & tips on how to succeed in today's job market. Visit her Free Interview Coaching web site to learn about Interview Branding

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• Even as layoffs persist, some good jobs go begging (seattletimes.nwsource.com)

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Despite the disappearance of good paying blue collar jobs in the U.S., there are still some around. As the article states though, these jobs aren't necessarily easy to get as they require either additional training, certification or apprenticeships. Turnover in these jobs is usually quite low as well as their incumbent know how good they've got it.

1. Elevator installer and repairer
2. Electrical and electronics repairer – powerhouse, substation and relay
3. Power plant operator, distributor and dispatcher
4. Gas plant operator
5. Locomotive engineer
6. Electrical power line installer and repairer
7. Structural iron and steel worker
8. Construction and building inspector
9. Ship and boat captain and operator
10. Radio and telecommunications equipment installer

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via MSNBC

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