Happy New Year Everyone!
Courtesy of Robert Half International here are 6 workplace strategies we can all keep in mind during as we head into the uncertainty of 2009.
New Priorities
Companies may be re-evaluating their programs and focusing on initiatives that will generate immediate revenue. Be flexible when you’re asked to take on new projects, and work with your manager to identify initiatives that are most important to the company’s bottom line.
Internal Moves
Many companies may be filling open roles internally instead of hiring, so this could be a good time to put feelers out if you’re interested in a different sort of position within your company.
Added Responsibility
Employees may be asked to take on additional tasks as companies become leaner. Be willing to learn new skills; your firm may offer to subsidize training. Also, identify tasks that can be delegated or put on hold as your duties expand.
More Reporting
Managers performing cost/benefit analyses of specific programs may request more detailed reports on the time and expense associated with your projects. Carefully track expenditures and monitor how your time is allocated so you don’t have to scramble to provide this information. Also, proactively provide recommendations that can trim costs or improve a program’s impact.
Pared Down Perks
Firms looking for ways to reduce budgets may cut down on pricey “extras” — for example, this year’s holiday party may be a potluck, versus a lavish spread. Accept that sacrifices are being made. Try to maintain a positive disposition.
Layoffs
It’s not a prospect anyone likes to think about, but it’s wise to be prepared, especially if your employer is struggling. Increase your networking activities and update your resume so you can launch an immediate job search if necessary.
Source: Resume Writer’s Digest, 12/6/08.
Peter Hill, an internationally recognized as an expert in resume and cover letter development, has been helping people get employment interviews since 1999. He is a Certified Professional Resume Writer and contributor to over 10 resume and cover letter “how to” books. He can be reached via e-mail at phi.resumes@gmail.com.
If you’d like to buy food from the comforts of your home in Shanghai, now you can.
http://e-shop.carrefour.com.cn
http://www.mycai.com.cn
Very brief post here. What follows is a WSJ article about a 22-year-old female who used Twitter to land herself a job. This is 21st Century “Need-To-Know” stuff.
http://tinyurl.com/7t8o93
Peter Hill, an internationally recognized as an expert in resume and cover letter development, has been helping people get employment interviews since 1999. He is a Certified Professional Resume Writer and contributor to over 10 resume and cover letter “how to” books. He can be reached via e-mail at phi.resumes@gmail.com.
No doubt about it: Shanghai is the foreigner-friendliest city in China (excluding Hong Kong, but such region is a case apart). It is no secret that Shanghai offers a wide diversity of shopping centres, restaurants, nightclubs, publications, and general services specifically targeted to cater the expat and tourist market. One can easily assume that those services and facilities keep Shanghai as the top choice for foreigners to settle in China, whether for a short or long term.
That being said, it shouldn’t be surprising at all to find out then that there is a large community of foreigners in China. Some of them are already familiar with life in Shanghai, and have their means to hear about events, restaurants, and different services that help foreigners to make their stay in Shanghai smoother. But what happens with newcomers to Shanghai, and who most likely don’t speak enough Chinese to effectively communicate with locals and easily move around the city?
Well, fortunately there is a great help for such cluster of people: it’s a website called Smart Shanghai. There, foreigners can find useful information such as reviews of restaurants, classified and personal ads, advice, announcement of upcoming events, street search, and even a service to print out the Shanghai-famous ‘taxi cards’ (cards with addresses written in Chinese to show to cab drivers).
I highly recommend taking a look at Smart Shanghai. Not only it is free service, but being a non-Chinese speaking foreigner in Shanghai, I have personally found it to be of great help to move around and keep myself updated on events for the foreign community! Check their website at www.smartshanghai.com.
With this post I would simply like to share some information about Manpower’s 2009 Employment Outlook Survey. It includes results for 33 different countries within the Americas, Asia Pacific, and EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and Africa).
According to their press release, “The survey, conducted by Manpower Inc., shows that employers in 25 of 33 countries and territories still expect positive hiring activity in the coming quarter; however, those in 30 say they will slow the pace of hiring from three months ago. Year-over-year hiring forecasts are also weaker in 25 countries and territories; and employers in 21 countries and territories are reporting the weakest hiring plans since the survey was established there by Manpower.
The survey data reveals that the most favorable first-quarter hiring plans globally are reported by employers in Peru, India, Costa Rica, Canada, Romania, Colombia, South Africa, Australia, Poland, the United States and China.
Conversely, employers in Singapore, Spain, Ireland and Italy are reporting the weakest hiring expectations for the quarter ahead.”
If you are interested in the complete report, you can get it now at http://www.manpower.com/press/meos.cfm.
Peter Hill, an internationally recognized as an expert in resume and cover letter development, has been helping people get employment interviews since 1999. He is a Certified Professional Resume Writer and contributor to over 10 resume and cover letter “how to” books. He can be reached via e-mail at phi.resumes@gmail.com.
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This post was written by Peter Hill on December 17, 2008
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