-I was honored to have recently been interviewed for an article that ran on The Wall Street Journal’s new finance site, FINS. You can check it out here:

http://www.fins.com/Finance/Articles/SB124715087851818333/Finance-Job-Lag-Explaining-Employment-Gaps-on-Your-Resume-and-in-Interviews

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As a Certified Resume Writer and Job Search Coach – not only do I keep an eye on where the jobs and emerging industries are nationally, but I also pay close attention to what is happening on a local level here in the Hill Country of Texas (Boerne, Kerrville, Fredericksburg, San Antonio, Austin etc..).

For most of 2008 and over half of 2009, Texas led the pack in terms of US job growth and hiring trends. Just recently activity has begun to slow, however the following industries still report positive hiring trends: Healthcare and Government lead the way with 59% and 40% job growth for June 2009.*

Further down the line the following industries are showing very mild growth between 1% and 2%. These industries include: Utilities, Accommodations and Food Services.

Nearly every company in every industry experiences some attrition each year – whether hiring or not, but to maximize your market leverage its best to align yourself with growing industries, if possible.

*Source: Job bait Job Market Report, July 2009 www.jobbait.com

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In searching for your ideal position are you taking what I call the “I’ll know it when I see it route?”

Well, if this is you, chances are you have been surfing around on the internet looking for that perfect position, submitting your resume to multiple jobs and you are still waiting for the phone to ring.

Although getting clear on the kind of jobs you are interested in can be a worthwhile activity, you don’t want to get stuck on the job surfing and job board treadmill.

Here are three steps you can take right now to take back control of your job search:

Step number one: Focus on what you want

Before you begin your job search you must know what your driving motivators are and what your ideal job looks like.

Think of these driving motivators as the top three things you must have in order for you to feel like your next move is one that meets your needs.

Sometimes your driving motivators will run counter to your dream job, and that is okay. Give yourself permission to define these because they will affect your job search and help you discern which way you need to go – both for your short and long term goals.

To identify your dream job start with a list of things you love to do best. Another way to look at it is to ask yourself – what you are doing when you are at your best.

Step Number Two: get your game plan down

You should know what your job search strategy is – namely the two or three strategies you are going to use in your job search.

Individual strategies include embarking on a direct mail campaign, working with recruiters, special networking techniques like informational interviews and social networking just to name a few.

Each job search demands its own special approach, and by fleshing out your game plan you’ll quickly see what you need to do and where you might need help figuring things out

Step Number Three: Make a commitment to begin

Now that you have a plan and you know where you need help you can start moving forward. A big mistake job seekers often make is to wait and wait and wait until they feel “ready” to move forward.

Rarely do we ever feel 100% ready. So break this cycle of procrastination by writing out one primary actively you can focus on each day. Writing it out in advance means not having to lie awake in bed at night worrying over what you are going to do tomorrow.

Make your goals doable and give yourself plenty of rest and relaxation time to recharge your batteries. Don’t forget to congratulate yourself for every effort and activity you take…because each step is a step forward…and one step closer to your goals!

With your driving motivators, ideal job description, pre planned activities and goals spelled out and crystal clear, you now have distinct areas of focus to build on. This is the first and most critical step to taking control of your job search, so you can land the job you really want.

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When: Thursday, July 23 at 1 pm ET
Busy at that time? Sign up anyway and listen to the webinar later.

Right now, there aren’t enough available positions for all the people looking for work. But that doesn’t mean you can’t get hired! Companies still have needs. In fact, they have more than before because they’re running so lean-and-mean.

In this eye-opening session with Jill Konrath, you’ll discover:

Why traditional job hunting strategies are hopelessly ineffective in today’s crazy business climate.
How to articulate your value proposition in an employer-enticing manner.
Strategies to target and research prospective employers – who may not even be looking to hire somebody.
How to connect with these companies with “messages that cannot be ignored.”

What it takes to create a job out of thin air – and why this is an approach you should strongly consider.
… and much more.

Here is where you can register :http://tinyurl.com/getbacktowork-7-23webinar

This is going to be a good one – I will be there! -meb

http://tinyurl.com/getbacktowork-7-23webinar

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Jason Alba will be hosting a free webinar with special guest Mark Hovind, President of Jobbait.com on the topic: Where is the recession headed?

Date/Time: Tuesday, July 21at 11am MST (that is 10am PST, noon CST, 1pm EST)

You can get all the details and sign up here:

http://www.jibberjobber.com/blog/2009/07/02/free-webinar-where-is-the-recession-headed/

in Jason’s Jibber Jobber blog, he writes:

A couple of weeks ago I had a chance to chat with Mark Hovind, of Job Bait, about this recession. Mark is a numbers nut… he is very analytical and loves trends and crunching numbers and stuff like that.

We talked about a particular graph he developed showing the trends of the recession… I had seen this graph before but listening to him talk about various points, like times in history, what the trends mean, his predictions, etc. was fascinating.

…I can second that – Mark crunches numbers in his sleep and has comes up with some facinating information on trends. This one is going to be good – I wouldn’t miss it!
-MEB

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You are invited to join me this Thursday at noon EST as I interview Life coach Aricia LaFrance!

Topic: How Your Mindset Affects Your Job Search

Here’s the link: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/ProParentCoach

This is going to be an exciting interview and if you are currently in a job search – this is vital information for you!

See you there!

-MEB

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Valerie Young (Changingcourse.com) is offering a very special July 4th Offer for anyone thinking about starting their own business!

I love Valerie’s products! She’s the real deal. Here is how to take advantage of her offer:

It’s common to reflect on Independence and Freedom as we prepare for weekend barbeque’s and picnics.

What do these words mean to you? Independence to do work you love? Freedom to gain control over your own life and time?

If you’re looking to escape the 9 – 5 (or 8 to late) world, then I hope you’ll take a look at career change expert Valerie Young’s “declare your own independence and find more freedom in your life” Super Sale!

And I do mean SUPER…

In case you’re not familiar with Valerie, she is THE expert on how to turn interests into income. Since starting ChangingCourse.com in 1995, this former “cubicle dweller” has shown thousands of people just like you how to escape the job world and make money doing work you really love.

But don’t take my word for it…

Valerie’s work has been cited in places like the Wall Street Journal, Inc. magazine, Entrepreneur, Reader’s Digest, Kiplinger’s Money Magazine, USA Weekend, Woman’s Day, The Chicago Tribune, MSN.com, CareerBuilder.com — to name just a few.

In honor of Independence Day, Valerie is offering her Freedom Accelerator Kit for a special $100 off (and that doesn’t include the over $300 of bonuses she’s offering for this weekend only)!

This Kit is filled with all of her very BEST material. This is truly a “best of the best” collection! You get:

~ Finding Your True Calling

~ The 10 Steps to Escaping the Job World and Creating the Life You Really Want Personal Planner

~ Yes You Can: The Inspirational Kick in the Pants You Need to Take Control of Your Life and Go After Your Dreams

~ The Idea Jogger: 201 Totally Cool Resources, Ideas, and Opportunities for Turning Interests into Income

~ Inspiring Entrepreneurs: Advice from Real People Who Are Living Their Dream

~ The 10 Steps to Escaping the Job World and Creating the Life You Really Want – Companion CD to Your Printed Planner

~ How to Feel as Bright and Capable as Everyone Seems to Think You Are – CD

~ How to Turn Your Interests into Income – CD

~ The 10 Biggest Dream Busters and How to Avoid Them – CD

And, she’s even including transcripts of all the CDs. So, if you prefer to read and highlight key passages as you go, you’ll find these nearly 200 pages of powerful, practical knowledge an invaluable resource.

PLUS, she’s even throwing in your first month’s membership in the Changing Course Club for free. That’s a TOTAL SAVINGS of $129… and that doesn’t include all of the great “Grand Finale Fireworks” Bonus Items.

Grab your Freedom Accelerator Kit at the one-time $100 discount price of only $197 today! And, to make it even easier to say yes, you can choose to break that down into three manageable installments of only $69.

Here’s how:

http://ChangingCourse.com/cmd.php?af=896824

The Grand Finale Fireworks…

Not only do you get the Freedom Accelerator Kit for $100 off during this special Independence Day Super Sale, but you get all these bonuses worth over $300…

BONUS #1 – Making Dreams Happen Audio Program with Barbara Sher, Barbara Winter and Valerie Young ($147 value)

BONUS # 2 – Free Outside the Job Box Consultation with a current Outside the Job Box Student – for the first 35 who order (minimum $85 value)

BONUS # 3 – Audio Recording of “How to Turn Your Passions Into Profits” ($29 value)

BONUS # 4 – “How to Dream Big Dreams” eBook ($24.95 value)

BONUS # 5 – Power and Soul: 42 Successful Entrepreneurs Share the Secrets to Creating the Business and Life of Your Dreams
($19.95 value)

BONUS # 6 – Nudge Your Dream Along With 365 Days of Inspiration!

ACT NOW!

Once you order the Freedom Accelerator Kit, you’ll have all the tools you need to declare your own personal independence!
Finally declare freedom for your own life… from crabby bosses, pink-slips, stress, nightmare commutes and traffic….

If you think The Freedom Accelerator Kit is right for you, then celebrate your dream and sign up today and save $100. As Benjamin Franklin once said, “An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest.”

Order at this special link:

http://ChangingCourse.com/cmd.php?af=896824

P.S. This one-time $100 off discount and over $300 in Bonuses is only good until 8:00 pm Eastern on Tuesday, July 7 and only at:

http://ChangingCourse.com/cmd.php?af=8968

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