Monday, October 19, 2009

How to use the Law of Attraction to Attract More Customers and Grow Your Business

Written by: Karen Saunders
With the explosive popularity of the book and movie The Secret, many people are being exposed to something called The Law of Attraction. You may be asking yourself, “What exactly is The Law of Attraction, and how it can it help me in my business?”

A definition of the Law of Attraction
First, here’s the definition provided by Abraham through Esther Hicks: “The Law of Attraction says: That which is like unto itself is drawn.” In other words, like attracts like. This is not a new concept, nor a secret. For example, Matthew 9:29 says, “It is done unto you as you believe.” Scientists working in Quantum Physics have discovered that everything in our Universe sends out vibrations of a certain frequency. They have found that we are essentially vibrational beings in a vibrational environment. The Law of Attraction says that all vibrations are drawn to other vibrations of the same frequency.

Physicists have learned that our thoughts are vibrations too. As thinking beings, we are emitting certain vibrations all the time. At any given moment we may be emitting thoughts of happiness, sadness, frustration, joy, etc. Every thought has its own frequency. So whether we like it or not, we are always emitting some type of vibration all the time, attracting the same frequency back to us.

What you focus on expands
If you are thinking about the lack of money, a scarcity of clients or frustration with your work, you will attract more of the same. Conversely, if you are thinking about abundance or success in your business, you will also attract more of the same. Doesn’t it make sense to spend more time focusing on things you want to attract—such as new clients, more opportunities or more money—rather than focusing on and complaining about those you don’t want?

Change your focus; change your business; change your life
In our society, sometimes we are conditioned to focus on lack, scarcity, things we don’t want and problems we want to fix. Many adults have spent their lifetimes complaining about their current situation and building negative belief systems. To some, it may sound odd or foreign to turn this around and focus on what you DO want. One of the techniques I use is to keep a “Dream Board” in my office. I actually have two. One is a large color print with a collage of stock library photos of things I want to attract into my life. The other is a digital photo frame with more photos and slides with “I am” statements. For example, one of my I am statements is this: “I am attracting the right people into my business.” You can also write these statements down on 3 x 5 index cards and carry them with you. Take them out and read them to yourself several times a day.
An important part of this process is to FEEL the essence of your I am statement while visualizing what you want. Find a way to dig into your emotions and feel how you would if you already have what you wanted. For example, if you are in the network marketing business and you wanted a big organization with thousands of distributors, how would it feel to be leading, coaching and training your team? How would you feel when one of your leaders is promoted, or when a new distributor sponsors his or her first distributor?

Another idea is to send a dream card to yourself. Find a photo of something you really want —for example, your dream home—write your I am statements inside the card along with a vivid, passionate description of how you will feel when you are enjoying your dream home.

Your emotions are your guides
Your emotions are your guides for letting you know whether you’re vibrating in harmony with who you really are and what you want. When you feel bad, overwhelmed or frustrated, your emotions are telling you that you need to change your focus. There are a number of ways to do this. I recommend stating to yourself what you really do want. Then focus on that. Make a determined effort to catch yourself and deliberately change your thinking. This may be a challenge sometimes, so you may have to bring up a good feeling memory first. For example, I’ll remember something funny that my puppy did, and that memory will shift my emotion slightly and then it’s easier to make the deliberate change in my focus.

Express your appreciation
One way to start feeling good so you can focus on what you want is to make a list of everything you appreciate in your business right now. Start somewhere, no matter how small. For example, think of one customer you appreciate, one job or project that gave you satisfaction, or one client who gave you a nice referral or testimonial. Then send a heartfelt card of appreciation.

When you follow these recommendations you’ll be using the Law of Attraction to your advantage. Your business success will be a reflection of your new positive and deliberate creation. Be consistent and practice every day because this is an on-going lifelong process.
Want to hear more?

Call me toll-free at 888-796-7300 to request a FREE 60-minute MP3 internet audio recording of my interview with Dr. Liana Carbon on her "Living Wisdom Radio Broadcast" program. You will learn how to use relationship marketing and the Law of Attraction to build business and personal relationships.

Monday, October 5, 2009

Searching for Jobs for Seniors

written by: Jim Imorde

Now that you know what career you want to pursue and have your resume updated along with a generic cover letter, you are ready for the next step - searching for jobs for retirees. There are many search sites available to you for this effort. Most of them are not specific to seniors but I still found most of them to be very helpful.

Each of the sites provides you with items to choose from, including keywords, location, and categories of industries. Of course, the better you define your area, the more focused you can be on choosing the job that might be right for you. Once you find a specific job that you may be interested in, you usually have the ability to click on it and get full details on it. If interested at that time, you can then click on the Apply button.

When you get to the application screen, most of the search sites have the same basic format. They will usually allow you to post your existing resume utilizing your browser. Once you do this, you will need to look over the text since many times the wrapping isn't exactly what you want in the field they provide. What I did to handle this problem was to create a template. The first time I posted my resume, I fixed it to fit the field they provided, then I copied and pasted the end result to a separate file that I labeled as my posting resume file and then used that version for all future postings. Most of the time this worked like a charm.

The cover letter section of the application does vary from application to application. I believe that the cover letter is a very important part of what you submit to the recruiter for a couple of reasons. First of all, it is usually the first thing the recruiter sees and it should contain the reasons why this job is a perfect fit for both you and the company. You should tweak your generic cover letter to fit the specific job you are addressing at the time. Now, from time to time, I also found that the cover letter is not always asked for so if you have a point you need to make, you may have to find another way of doing that.
Now we get to the search engines themselves. Here are a few of the sites that are available to you that are specific to jobs for retirees.
  • Workforce50.com - This site is specific for jobs for seniors. It provides a good deal of useful information for seniors. You can also search by specific states for jobs in your area where the recruiter is targeting seniors for jobs. One note here is that this listing by state is rather short right now due to the financial climate, but hopefully this will improve shortly.
  • Beyond.com - This site targets specific community niches
  • Retirementjobs.com - - Here's another site supported by age friendly employers
  • Dinosaur-exchange.com - This is an international site that also assists in finding jobs for seniors
Here are a few of the other sites that are not specifically related to jobs for seniors but contain the bulk of what is available out there in the job market.
I have one final point to make now. As you submit for various jobs, make sure you save or print the application, as well as, the cover letter if something specific was stated for this job, so that when the recruiter calls, you will have the information at hand. Lastly, it ensures you do not duplicate a submittal for the same job and also it is good to have as documentation if you are receiving unemployment compensation.

In the next article, we can discuss what happens when you get that callback from the recruiter.

Article Source: Jobs for Seniors
More Articles: How to Find Ideal Senior Job | Benefits of Working from Home | Home Career

Jobs for Seniors: The Initial Telephone Interview

Now that you have a fantastic resume and an even better cover letter prepared,(pat yourself on the back for this achievement), and have submitted them to potential jobs for seniors employers through your job search engines, it will not be long before you get your initial phone interview. Personally, I think this is the fun time of the job searching process. You will receive a call usually from the company recruiter or someone acting in that capacity whose role is to perform an initial screening of candidates. The purpose of this screening is to find the best candidates out of all the interviews that appear to best fit the job description and company profiles and who are very interested in landing the job. If all goes well here, he/she will then probably schedule a face-to-face meeting with you next with the employer/recruiter. We touched on the job interview process in a previous article but let's go a little deeper in your preparation for this. Listed below are some general guidelines as to what to expect in the interview, as well as, how to handle the phone interview for retirees job.


Generally Be Prepared

The great thing about the initial interview being on the phone is that it gives you a chance to lay out all the pertinent documents in front of you such as your resume, company description, your tailored cover letter, the job description, and perhaps some notes on things you will want to mention in the interview. Obviously, to be prepared, you should do some research on the company so that you will not be ignorant of what the company does. For example you would not want to slip and say at some point you could be a great asset to their production of widgets when they are a health organization. I know this sounds ridiculous but when you might have multiple interviews for retiree jobs going on, it is easy to be confused. I know, I've been there before myself but I'll save you the details on my screw up.

Have a Great Demeanor

Basically, what I mean here is that you need to come across as a good communicator.
  1. You need to be self-confident but don't appear overconfident. Hopefully, your great preparation will help you with this.
  2. You need to be concise with your points so as to not ramble on with your answers to questions. This is a very important point and we need to discuss this one a little further. Most likely the recruiter is going to ask you upfront to tell him/her about yourself. This does not mean open the flood gates and tell your life story. They don't care if you won a spelling bee contest in the 6th grade! You will need to walk a fine line here to give them enough but not too much information. Here's an amusing but effective video from DiceTV that I think gets the point across well. How to Answer 'Tell Me About Yourself'
  3. You need to have a positive attitude and not allow fear or ego to get the best of you, sometimes a major problem with seniors looking for jobs.
  4. Be honest and if asked if you have a specific attribute or skill and the answer is no, tell them so. Perhaps, there is another skill you do have that will work instead

Be Ready for Many Questions
  1. Be ready to respond to the many questions that may be asked of you especially one that will surely be mentioned about what motivates you. We discussed this earlier in one of my previous articles: 'What happens when you get that call from a recruiter'
  2. Ask your own relevant questions that you hopefully have prepared in advance.
Article Source: Jobs for Seniors

Part Time Jobs for Retirees

“Retirement jobs” – no, this is not an oxymoron. Many baby boomers and seniors are seeking out further employment after retirement. In particular, many are looking for part time jobs for retirees. Some seniors need extra income or medical insurance, others are looking for personal satisfaction in doing something they enjoy, and some are simply bored and want something to do after retiring. Times are changing, and many people are working well beyond the traditional age of retirement. Employers are now recognizing the hard work ethic and experience these seniors can bring to their company.

Part time jobs for retirees after retirement can do more than provide extra income to put towards that red sports car you have always wanted. These jobs for seniors provide personal satisfaction and enjoyment, friends and an opportunity to bond with others, and fulfill one’s need to contribute to the world. Here are some ideas for part-time jobs for seniors:

  • Retail is great for part-time employment for seniors because it offers a flexible schedule, interaction with customers, and of course, extra income. Retail jobs may include cashier, greeter, stock room associate or even retail management positions. You may want to consider working for major retailers, or instead you might prefer a business where you can specialize in your area of expertise, such as a florist, sporting goods store or car dealership. Here are some of the best retail employers who are hiring jobs for seniors:
  • Consulting is another part-time job for seniors that is stimulating and makes use of their wealth of knowledge and experience. Many mature professionals start their own business as independent consultants, finding clients through their past business relationships. Independent consulting or working for a small existing firm both allow for flexible hours and time off.
  • Non-profit jobs for seniors are an excellent way to get involved in a fulfilling career that helps others. Many non-profit jobs are paid, and most organizations will be flexible and accommodating for an enthusiastic, senior worker. These non-profit part-time jobs for seniors will help you make a contribution to the world.
  • Freelance work offers part-time employment for seniors in many fields, such as writing. Freelance writing as a part-time job for seniors allows you to work from home and at your own leisure. Check out Sologig for more information on freelance work to find jobs for seniors, or read the article “Seven Easy Steps to a Freelance Life”.
  • Tour jobs may include giving tours at museums, historical monuments or local sight-seeing attractions in the community. These part-time jobs for seniors provide opportunities to learn, share knowledge with others and meet new people.
  • Staying Where You Are is another option for retiring seniors. If you love your current job, tell your employer that you are around the age of retirement and ask if there is a way to reduce your hours and workload (and salary).
  • For more ideas on part-time jobs for seniors, check out the article “Deferring Retirement? Best Part-Time Gigs for Baby Boomers” or “Today’s Best Part-Time Jobs”.

If part-time jobs for seniors aren’t enough for you, you may be more interested in a career change after retiring from your current position. PrimeCB is a great resource for the mature professional looking for a career change. The AARP puts out a yearly list of the best employers for workers over 50, based on recruiting practices, opportunities for training, education and career development, workplace accommodations, alternative work options (such as flexible job scheduling, job sharing and phased retirement), employee health and pension benefits and retiree benefits. Highlights from the AARP’s list of the “Best Employers for Workers Over 50″ include the following companies:

What if I am too old? You are never too old, unless you act like it. Think of yourself as an asset to the company, and showcase your experience and enthusiasm. If you do this, employers will be competing to get you in their door. If you are still worried that employers will not hire you because of your age, take some classes and do a lot of reading to stay up to date in your industry and the world in general. Mature job seekers may decide to only include more recent and relevant job experience in their resumes or avoid putting dates in the education section.

What you have that employers want:

  • Experience – with years of professional experience, you have so much to offer; this experience is invaluable and is something that can only be gained with time, thus setting you apart from younger job seekers and recent college graduates
  • Wisdom – in addition to professional experience, you are learned in the ways of the world; from decision-making to people skills, your wisdom is a huge asset to companies
  • Commitment – senior employees are more likely to feel a sense of commitment and loyalty to the company; because of this, employers know that you are less likely to jump from one job to another in hopes of advancing you career – instead, you want to make the most out of the job you have

Factors you may want to consider when looking for part-time jobs for seniors:

  • Less stress
  • Flexible Hours
  • Enjoyment
  • Making a contribution to society
  • An opportunity to get out of the house and meet new people

Whether you need extra income, want a part-time job that allows you to spend time with your family and travel, want to make a difference in the world, or are not quite ready to retire, there are many opportunities available to you in finding jobs for retirees. The best piece of advice to seniors looking for jobs is to do something you love. If you love your job, then it won’t even feel like work.

Virtual Employment Could be the Answer for Retirees Seeking Jobs

You never expected to be looking up jobs for retirees. But your retirement dreams have turned into a nightmare. Your retirement investment funds have been hit hard with the collapse of the economy. Now there's a sickening feeling every morning when you wake up. "Will I be able to keep up with the cost of living?" You're not expecting to buy a villa in the south of France. Just to live comfortably without financial stress.

It's not like you can go back to work "out there." Think of the competition. Each day, we hear of more companies laying people off or going under themselves. There is an unprecedented unemployment disaster among us. And every one of these laid-off workers will be looking for work. So what can you do?

Have you considered a job where you could work from home? I'm not talking about scams ready to take advantage of you, either. I'm talking about a real work at home job. Nothing different than other employment except you work from the comfort of your own home.

This is beneficial to retirees jobs. You may have a disability where choosing your own hours to work is exactly what you need. You may be only able to devote a couple of hours a day to the job. But you can look for a job that fits with your lifestyle. No spending money on commuting and a special wardrobe, either.

If you have a good computer system with high-speed internet access, you have what you need to look for a work at home position in the "homeshoring" or telecommuting industry.

Chances are that you have the transferable skills to appeal to an employer. Whatever your career was before retirement, you should be able to find and apply for a job with your credentials. So where do you apply? Many of them are not advertised in your local paper. You could be working for someone who lives thousands of miles away from you!

Do research on the internet. Go to a search engine and type in "homeshoring or telecommuting jobs". You'll learn about this employment trend and have a better idea if it is something that would work with your lifestyle. Write down your skills and what you enjoy doing. Then set out to find the employers who are ready to hire you for a telecommuting job to see you through your retirement years.

Thursday, October 1, 2009

How to Find A Part Time Job

There are tons of ways to find out about part-time jobs that are available in your area. Here are just a few:

Word-of-mouth
Make connections with other seniors who have part-time jobs. Talk to them about their jobs and find out what types of businesses are hiring retirees. You can also make connections with other adults who could possibly let you know about job opportunities in their companies. If you’re lucky, they can put in a good word for you and get your foot in the door!

Check the newspapers
Look in the classified ads of your local newspaper. There you will find listings of local job openings in just about every field. You can also find phone numbers of businesses you can call for information on available jobs for retirees.

Visit local businesses
Stop in and talk to managers at local businesses. Tell them that you’re looking for a job and ask them what types of opportunities they have available in the near future.

Search the Internet
Many companies post job openings on the Internet. Use job search sites, such as www.monster.com, to locate part-time jobs in your area. Just type in a keyword for the kind of job you are looking for, such as, “cashier,” “waiter,” or “sales associate,” and listings for available jobs based on the criteria you select will be displayed.

Flip through the Yellow Pages
Looking through the Yellow Pages can give you a perfect idea of the types of businesses there are in your area. If something looks interesting, all you have to do is call the number and ask if they are hiring. They will be able to tell you what you should do to go about getting a job with their company.

Start your own business
Be creative and start a business of your own. That doesn’t mean going out and buying your own car factory. It just means finding a service that your community needs and using your talents and “smarts” to make it happen. This could be mowing lawns in the summer or even your own personal greeting card business. There is no better way to show your initiative and leadership skills than to create a business yourself!

How to Find the Ideal Job for Seniors

Years ago, folks in their senior years weren't likely to remain in the work force; they seemed content to be winding down. Today's seniors are a vibrant, active group, have much to offer, and want to perform to their full potential. Many seniors, retired from their lifelong careers, seek opportunities to share their experience and unique gifts while earning a little spending money. If you are a senior looking for jobs for retirees, here are few tips for finding a great job:

Network. Spread the word to friends, family members, and other acquaintances that you are looking for a job. Many will be able to offer suggestions and someone may know of the perfect opportunity!

Head back to work. Check in with previous employers to see if they have anything available that may interest you. Unlike the pressures of your preceding full-time position, you may be able to do a scaled-down version of your old job into a part time job for retirees. You have considerable knowledge and experience to offer, making you an ideal choice for a consultant or as a mentor for young employees trying to make their mark.

Do what you love. Try to seek a job that allows you to indulge your interests or hobbies. Here are just a few ideas: If you are a voracious reader, apply at your local library or bookstore. Love kids? Try a daycare center or elementary school. Many places seek kindhearted classroom aides. Movie buffs may enjoy a job at a theater. You'll get to see all the new releases for free! If your garden is the envy of the neighborhood, consider applying at a flower shop or garden center. Love to shop 'til you drop? Most retailers offer generous discounts to their employees--maybe you can apply at your favorite store. Golf courses frequently hire experienced golfers to do a variety of tasks from groundskeeping to offering lessons which is a great part time job.

Freelance. Depending on your personal strengths, you may be able to offer tutoring or lessons to children and adults on a freelance basis. Some possible choices might include art or music lessons, bookkeeping and tax preparation, academic assistance, bicycle repair, or foreign language tutoring.

Get organized. Check with local seniors advocacy or social groups for ideas and suggestions. If you are not aware of any in your area, place a quick call to your town's city hall for a referral.
Read the paper. The classified ads in your local newspaper will offer a variety of current openings in your area. Scan them on a regular basis to get up to date information on possible opportunities.

The Internet really simplifies the process of looking for a job. Go to your favorite search engine and type in "part time job" along with the title of the position you are seeking as well as your hometown. Within the first handful of results, you will likely find a few possibilities.
Volunteer. If you are seeking a job more for the opportunity to offer a valuable service rather than for the purpose of earning money, you may want to consider volunteering. Many worthwhile organizations are in constant need of caring individuals to lend a hand. Choose a cause that holds special meaning for you and do your part to improve the world. And you never know, the volunteer position might also lead into a job opportunity.