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Job hunting after 50: Brand building and marketing
My efforts to find a new career later in life led me to the career that I have now -- one that I not only enjoy, but that makes a difference in the world. In the previous article of this series, I recounted some of the steps that worked for me in performing a personal inventory so that I would have a better idea of the direction I needed to go for the next stage of my career. In this article, I have already made some key decisions concerning direction after doing some self-evaluation. Now, it's time to build my personal brand that I will use to launch myself in the direction that I have chosen.ÂÂ
Who am I? Brand building and marketing In the previous article, I recommended doing a personal inventory so that you can be more secure in the direction that you should go....
Top 6 things not to do in your job search
Although the economy has shown some recent signs of recovery, the current unemployment rate stands at 7.5 percent.
Since there are plenty of obstacles standing in your way to a new job, it's imperative to hone your approach. See if you're making any of these job-hunting mistakes and fix them before it's too late:
It's hard to deny that one of the main reasons for getting a job is to get the paycheck that comes with it. However, job seekers often leave the salary details to the end of their search, usually finding out what they'll earn after a job offer has been made.
Figure out your budget Taking inventory of your own or your household's bills and expenses will give you a good idea of how much money is going out of your budget every month, an important first step in determining how much money you want coming in.
First, list out regular bills, such as your monthly utilities, membership fees or subscriptions. Also rank how important each of these bills are. Some, like credit ....
Bad hires are costing companies around the world
Have you ever accepted a job that you knew wasn't right for you or that you planned to quit as soon as you could? Not only is this bad news for your career, it's also a negative for the employer.
Companies can suffer just as much as you when the job fit isn't right, but they're the ones picking up the tab. "Making a wrong decision regarding a hire can have several adverse consequences across an organization," says Matt Ferguson, CEO of CareerBuilder. "When you add up missed sales opportunities, strained client and employee relations, potential legal issues and resources to hire and train candidates, the cost can be considerable. Employers are taking longer to extend offers post-recession as they assess whether a candidate really is the best fit for the job and their company cultu....
Job hunting after 50: Taking a personal inventory
Are you a professional over 50 who is trapped in a job that doesn't meet your financial needs or is out of sync with your personality, character or mind? It's not that you are unappreciated or taken for granted. You still have dreams, and your current employment situation is just no longer fulfilling. You are a clever person with substantial skills, and nothing has stopped you from exploring new paths in the past. So don't let anything stop you from refocusing yourself now.
I am an example of someone who, five years ago, found himself wanting to change careers. I entered the workforce as a teacher and spent the next nine years learning and growing in this profession. But after my wife and I began our family, I decided that I needed to be in a profession that allowed me t....
Several hundred people gathered at historic Mother Bethel AME Church on Lombard Street on Sunday night to decry plans put forward by District staff and consultants to close dozens of schools, expand charters, and reorganize the School District into “achievement networks” primarily run by private entities.
A succession of preachers roused the gathering and put public officials on notice that their voices would be heard before any such radical restructuring would be allowed to take place.
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Meeting at Mother Bethel AME draws hundreds Sunday night
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Gerald Wright of Parents United for Public Education addresses the meeting at Mother Bethel during an audience speakout. City Councilman Mark Squilla (lower right) listens.
Commentary: You're not speaking to me, Mr. Knudsen
Dear Mr. Knudsen:
I am the mother of three children in District and charter schools in this city. I have been actively involved in stopping good schools from decline and helping low-performing, violent schools turn around. I believe in the essential role that a high-quality public school system plays and have fought for that vision. My 7th grade son will soon have outlasted four superintendencies, including yours. And I’m here to tell you that you’re not speaking to me.
You’re not speaking to me with this brand of disaster capitalism that tries to shock a besieged public with unproven, untested, and drastic action couched as “solutions.” You’re not speaking to me when you invoke language like “achievement networks,” “portfolio management,” and "rightsizing" our schools – and say not a word about lower class sizes or increasing the presence of loving support personnel or enriching our curriculum.
Radical District reorganization, 64 school closings planned
District staff and consultants are recommending a sweeping overhaul of how public schools in Philadelphia operate, planning to close 64 schools over the next five years and divvy up those that remain among “achievement networks” led by teams of educators or nonprofit institutions.
This evening, the public will get its first chance to weigh in on the District's new budget forecast and plan to radically transform public education in the city. The School Reform Commission is conducting a hearing at 5:30 p.m. at District headquarters to hear public testimony.
A presentation on next year's budget, which currently has a $218 million gap, is expected.
PA Senate passes bill limiting superintendent payout packagesThe Inquirer
The state Senate unanimously approved the bill, which was sparked by former superintendent Arlene Ackerman's nearly $1 million buy-out. The bill now goes to the state House.
Charter school leaders vow to fightPhiladelphia Tribune
The District wants to require charter schools to agree to enrollment caps as a condition of renewing their charters.
The Knudsen Plan – The End of the Promise of Public Education
“Grow up and deal with it.” Mayor Michael Nutter’s response to critics of the School Transformation Plan.
The fate of public education in Philadelphia just got darker if this plan is adopted. Bare-bones school budgets will continue for the foreseeable future. Forty schools will close in the next year while charters will continue rapid growth. More than 2,500 blue-collar, union jobs will be outsourced to the lowest bidder. The School District central administration will be further downsized with supervision of schools farmed out to private contractors. Our school system has been turned over to high-priced consultants and turnaround specialists as if it was a bankrupt airline.
Philly schools gear up for huge ventureThe Inquirer
The new transformation plan has raised numerous questions, but the District says the plan is focused on decentralization not privatization.
A crowd of students, teachers, community activists, parents, and members of Youth United for Change rallied Wednesday afternoon to support YUC's new “Safe to Count on Me” campaign. Supporters gathered at Norris Square Park's basketball court and sported white, orange, and black campaign T-shirts to kick off the rally with an energetic chant: “It’s safe to count on me. Is it safe to count on you?”
SRC renews Sankofa and Multi-Cultural with last-minute conditions
by Oscar Wang
The School Reform Commission kicked off its new rolling charter renewal process this morning by unanimously granting Sankofa Freedom Academy and Multi-Cultural Academy new five-year charters.
During the special Friday session, the commission had both schools agree to last-minute conditions before voting on renewal – conditions that could set new precedents for the 20 other Philadelphia charters still waiting for decisions.
Job seekers know the power of networking in their search for employment. But it's not just who you know; it's also who your contacts know. An effective way to make the most of your connections is by asking for referrals.
What can a referral do for you? You may have one of several goals in mind when asking a contact to refer you: Perhaps you're hoping to set up an informational interview. Or maybe you've applied for an open position and hope to cement yo....
Bishop Eustace's offense did its job on Saturday, and Devin Smeltzer made it impossible for the opponent's lineup to do the same.
State football finals: No sure thing
State-championship football is on the 1-yard line.
But the dream team backed by NJSIAA director Jack DuBois, who oversees the sport for the state organization, as well as dozens of highly successful and highly influential coaches in South Jersey and North Jersey, is no lock to score.
Paulsboro grad adjusting to NFL life
Gerald Hodges' football career has been about adapting, persevering, and producing. And now it will be about adjusting - to the NFL.
I am the mother of three children in District and charter schools in this city. I have been actively involved in stopping good schools from decline and helping low-performing, violent schools turn around. I believe in the essential role that a high-quality public school system plays and have fought for that vision. My 7th grade son will soon have outlasted four superintendencies, including yours. And I’m here to tell you that you’re not speaking to me.
There are certain 
