I found this information on the world privacy forum and thought it was worth posting. I have had more than one client confide that their credit was less than stellar and they were afraid they were getting passed over for interviews/offers because potential employers were checking their credit.

If you suspect the same – you can “freeze” your credit. Here is how: 

6. Credit Freeze (also Security Freeze)

What it does: A credit freeze (sometimes called a security freeze) lets you stop the disclosure of your credit report by a credit bureau.

The result of a credit freeze should be that neither you nor anyone else can open a new credit account in your name. (A freeze will not stop your existing credit cards from working.) A credit freeze can also prevent insurance companies or employers from obtaining your credit data. That’s why if you are actively seeking new employment or insurance, you may want to think carefully about enacting a credit freeze unless you are currently a victim of identity theft.

The credit freeze is widely considered by consumer and privacy advocates as a potent measure to prevent some forms of identity theft. A credit freeze can be especially helpful to individuals who are having persistent problems with identity theft. Credit freeze is not for everyone, and not everyone has the right at this point to set a credit freeze.

The way a credit freeze works is that access to your consumer credit report and your credit score are locked when you put a freeze on the files. A lender or merchant will normally not issue new credit if it cannot access your credit report or score. The benefit of a freeze is that you can stop thieves from getting credit in your name. The downside is that you are also stopped from getting credit unless you “thaw” the freeze. You can unlock your security freeze by using a PIN to unlock access to the credit file. Some states require the “thaw” to take no longer than 15 minutes. Some allow longer times.

The ability to freeze your credit is available nationwide through the credit reporting bureaus. There is some variability in cost and details state-by-state due to variance in state law. (For information about which states have a freeze law, see “More about credit freeze” below.)

How to opt out: 

Here are two ways to find out how to opt out for your state:

• 1. The World Privacy Forum’s Credit Freeze page has a list of states that either have a credit freeze law, or have passed a law. Each state links to the official state information page about how to place a credit freeze, or to another information source for that state. Many of the official state information pages are excellent, and provide tips and sample letters. Even if you are not in a state with a law, as of Nov. 1, 2007, you can still set a security freeze. http://www.worldprivacyforum.org/creditfreeze.html

• 2. Consumer’s Union has an excellent and frequently updated page on all current state freeze laws and requirements, with a link on how to opt out for each state and sample letters. http://www.consumersunion.org/campaigns/learn_more/003484indiv.html

More about credit freeze:

See the FTC Credit Freeze page: http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft/credit-freeze.html

See Consumer’s Union frequently updated page on all current state freeze laws and requirements, with a link on how to opt out for each state and sample letters. http://www.consumersunion.org/campaigns/learn_more/003484indiv.html

See the PIRG state freeze page: http://www.pirg.org/consumer/credit/statelaws.htm Links to the state laws.

See California Office of Privacy Protection. Even if you don’t live in California, this is an excellent page to learn more about how credit freeze works. If you are a California resident, you will find sample letters ready for you to print out. http://www.privacy.ca.gov/sheets/cis10securityfreeze.htm

… and by the way – the BEST way to overcome ANY liabilities you feel you may have in your job search is to learn how to tap the hidden job market. When you learn how to go direct – you sidestep most all of the prescreening and prequalifying that can disqualify you from interviews and offers.

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I just decided to host a call this Saturday morning (yes…tomorrow!)titled:

Secrets to a Wildly Successful Job Search for High Five-, Six-(and even Seven-) Figure Professionals

I know you have heard it all (to death): you must use social networking, recruiters, paid job boards etc. in your job search.

But I want to give you (at no cost) some amazing tips and resources to help you get much faster and far better results in your job search.

What I teach my clients is something they end up using over and over again in their careers . . . making their job searches less stressful, less time consuming, and more fruitful.

I don’t know WHY more career professionals aren’t teaching this to their clients.  Hint: It’s all about the hidden job market.

No fancy sign-up pages—just the call-in info here below:

Saturday, September 18, 2010
10AM Central Time
(that’s 11AM Eastern (NY) time, 8AM Pacific and 9AM Mountain)

BRIDGE LINE: 1-218-936-7999

PASS CODE: 292-4192#

My bridge line only holds about 200 callers so call in early to get a spot! If you can’t get on – dont worry becuase I will post an audio recording of the call here on blog. But I hope to “see” you live!

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Were you on my free call this morning? I can’t believe how much info I was able to deliver in just an hour!

If you want to listen to the audio recording of the call titled:

Job Search Secrets For 5-and-6 Figure Professionals:
Your Toughest Job Search Questions Answered, Part II

Just click on this link:

http://careerartisan.audioacrobat.com/download/0b552813-5469-4237-7c76-280c163e4541.mp3

Here is what I covered:

How to use social networking to snag your next job opportunity.

How to meet the “key” individuals when networking.

How to network if you are a high level executive or an introverted person.

How do you craft a resume that actually gets read.

A special offer that can save you time and money in your job search.

Plus I made two more very special (time-sensitive) offers!

offer number one:

25% off my job search success system for the next 5 days – either package!

Check out the Job Search Success System here: job-searchsystem.com

(just use coupon code: SPRING)

offer number two:

Everyone that invests in a resume package with me thru the month of JUNE will be gifted the Job Search Success System (the full version with coaching) absolutely fr’ee.

Feel free to spread the word!

Inspiring your success,

Mary Elizabeth

PS Questions? Call us! 830-331-9398.

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I recently hosted a special free call titled:

Job Search Secrets For 5-and-6 Figure Professionals:
How To Overcome The 4-Biggest Hurdles Facing Job Seekers Today

Just click on this link to access this one hour info-packed call for job seekers:

http://careerartisan.audioacrobat.com/download/74d7d9a0-57c9-1643-e1a0-4d11f75990c6.mp3

Here is what I covered:

How to complete for key positions if you are over 50

How to rev up a job search if you have been unemployed for over 12-months

How to set up and manage an effective and stress free job search if you are currently working full time

How to tap the hidden job market

Plus I made two very special (time-sensitive) offers!

offer number one:

25% off my job search success system for the next 5 days – either package!

Check out the Job Search Success System here: job-searchsystem.com

offer number two:

Everyone that invests in a resume package with me thru the month of MAY will be gifted the Job Search Success System.

Feel free to spread the word!

Inspiring your success,

Mary Elizabeth

PS Questions? Call us! 830-331-9398.

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It’s simple..anyone can do it…and it’s brilliant.

Go direct to tap the hidden job market and increase your odds. I say it all the time. Why? Becuase it works!

See what one creative director dreamed up to get the immediate attention of 5 companies he was interested in working for.

He got 4 interviews – and two offers. With companies he wanted to work for. That had no advertised open positions. In a bad economy. In a struggling industry.

And he probably got a salary increase too.

Yup. Thats what I am talking about.

check it out here

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It happens tomorrow – Saturday morning!

I am hosting a very special free teleseminar titled:

Job Search Secrets For 5-and-6 Figure Professionals:
How To Overcome The 4-Biggest Hurdles Facing Job Seekers Today

All you have to do is show up! Here is the call-in information:

Date: Saturday, May 15th

Time: 10am CDT (11am Eastern/8am Pacific/9am Mountain)

Call in number: 1-218-936-7999

Access Code: 607346#

*If you don’t have a flat rate plan, long distance charges will apply.

On this call I will be sharing with you:

How to complete for key positions if you are over 50

How to rev up a job search if you have been unemployed for over 12-months

How to set up and manage an effective and stress free job search if you are currently working full time

How to tap the hidden job market

I will be making two very special announcements on this call that I can’t wait to share with you.

See you on the call and feel free to spread the word!

Inspiring your success,

Mary Elizabeth

PS Questions? Call us! 830-331-9398.
PPS This call will be recorded but I hope you try to join me for the LIVE call!

Mary Elizabeth Bradford ~ The Career Artisan
Internationally Certified Advanced Resume Writer
Internationally Certified Master Career Director
Master Career Professional Lifetime Achievement Award

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In part one of this post, we looked at the facts and fallacies of the hidden job market including why you should consider tapping into it, why you should consider sending your resume to a company that has not advertised positions matching your skills and the level of experience you should be at in order to benefit from the hidden market.

Now I bet you are wondering precisely how to tap into the unadvertised market. There are three strategies to quickly get you started focusing on and finding great jobs that will never see a major job board.

Tip #1: Create a plan

If you are going to launch a proactive job search (i.e. knowing precisely what you are looking for, then reaching out to get it) vs. a reactive job search (i.e. passively scanning posted jobs, waiting to find the one that fits you) then it’s crucial you know the following things:

Your target markets

(e.g. Construction, commercial healthcare development, pharmaceutical, medical device, etc…)

Your titles & positions

(e.g. sales executive, VP of sales and marketing, business development director)

Your geographic parameters

(e.g. can’t leave Minneapolis, all of US, California only)

Your timeline

(e.g. need a job NOW, in the next 30 days, would like to make a change in the next 6 months)

Tip #2: Choose three main job search strategies for tapping into your market

Now that you have your plan, you should be crystal clear on what you want! Here are just a few unadvertised techniques you can utilize:

Growing/changing or moving companies: These are companies that are expanding, merging, acquiring other companies, are rolling out new products or services or are moving. These companies that are actively changing and/or growing offer you, the job seeker, an opportunity to offer your skills and strengths in order to help them.

Executive recruiters: Identify executive recruiters that are familiar with your industry and/or level of position. They often have contracts to fill positions of which the majority will never be advertised. Recruiters probably won’t be helpful to you if:

You are radically changing industries, a recruiter may not be the best source for you as they will be looking for “a match.”

Recruiters may be helpful if:

You plan on staying in your current industry, you have had less than 3 jobs in 10 years and you look fantastic on paper.

Direct company contact: The secret here is in the numbers. Contacting a company directly (fully knowing they probably have multiple open positions that are not advertised) is a great way to take leadership and control over your job search. Are you interested in looking at the higher education market in your state or the top organic food manufacturers in the US? Or maybe the fastest growing healthcare oriented businesses in your city? All of these “lists” are accessible to you and allow you to easily tap right into your market of focus!

Tip #3: Manage your job search like a professional project

Once you have your plan and have determined the best place to gather your resources and your general strategy, you must make a simple plan to move forward. Depending on your timeframe, pick the hours and the days each week that you plan to invest in your next career move. Block out those times and stick to them! Honor your commitment to your job search just like you would honor your commitment to your present employer to show up on time each day.
During your job search activity, keep things really simple and focus on the actions you are taking, not the results!

This way you can celebrate your initial “successes,” which in the beginning are the completion of each of your daily and weekly goals. The results will unfold elegantly and abundantly and you will enjoy feeling that satisfaction of success whether you are investing in marketing yourself or basking in the warm glow of landing your third or fourth interview!

Be careful not to devalue the importance of this tip. This strategy is one of the main points to averting thoughts of despair and feelings of overwhelm.

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Are you a certified resume writer who would like to provide your clients with gold star job search coaching that helps them successfully tap into the hidden job market?

Last week, I was honored to be interviewed by Laura DeCarlo, President of Career Directors International, on my brand new Job Search Success System and affiliate program for resume writers. The interview is about 15 minutes long and you can listen now here

I am so excited to announce the official launch of my brand-new affiliate program! If you are a resume writer what this can mean for you is:

You can provide your clients with a system that leads them through how to set up and manage a turnkey job search that focuses on the hidden job market and truly gets them great results.

You can be free from career and job search coaching you may not wish to do.

You can very easily create a significant additional passive stream of revenue for your business.

I have been helping all levels of job seekers tap into the hidden job market and secure more interviews and get bigger offers in both good and bad markets for 15 years.

If you would like to talk with me personally please feel free to call me at 830.331.9398 or email me at maryelizabeth@maryelizabethbradford.com.

***Listen to the interview here: http://www.audioacrobat.com/play/W3Q4BD64.

***Check out the Job Search Success System website here: http://job-searchsystem.com/.

***Register to be an affiliate here: https://www.mcssl.com/SYS/?m=130706&c=s.

*Please note, to protect the integrity of my affiliate partnerships and success of my clients I am ONLY accepting affiliate registrations from certified professional resume writers.

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I recently returned to Total Picture Radio to be interviewed by Peter Clayton on this topic. You can listen to the entire 30-minute interview here:

http://www.totalpicture.com/shows/career-transition/job-loss-can-a-career-coach-help.html

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