Gimme A Break

One of my ex-staff caught up with me yesterday over the phone. It’s been a while since I heard from him and well, it’s usually when he’s feeling less than happy with his job that he calls me for advice.

He’s getting bored with his job. Understandably he’s been at it for a few years now but his job description hasn’t changed and things are getting a little too mundane for a young man like him.

He’s thinking about taking up a course that will get him a Cisco certification that will hopefully launch his career into high gear. Good idea, I told him.

There’s no question Cisco skills are in high demand and there’ll be plenty of good jobs waiting for him when he gets certified. These are skills that can be applied in a broad range of IT areas. I think if he’s looking for growth in his career path, this is definitely the route he should follow.

I asked him to check out Cisco.com if he has any questions about what courses are available and what’s in store for him after he’s done. In fact, there’s tons more information there about resources and career options that will be very useful to him.

• movin’ on
• Forget New Years Resolutions. Play Games Instead.
• the price of a mom?
• like a scene from a Bond movie
• the stumbling cook

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I’ve been thinking of going back to work fulltime. I don’t know. It seems like a good idea some days but then again, I’ve gotten into a routine that may be hard to break.

But while I’m trying to make up my mind, I’m looking around for a executive recruiting firm that has a good record for helping people and companies make a good match.

I worked with wishy-washy recruiters who send you on wild goose chases and don’t deliver on stuff they’ve promised. So I’m going to take my time and really research the market and look at companies like AE Feldman who have a long and successful history.

• movin’ on
• do your webhosting homework
• what drives the consumer?
• removing the stress of a move
• dealing with the business jitters

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I used to help a friend of mine who runs her own executive recruiting firm. I remember it’s around this time of year that recruiters are busiest.

Most people would’ve collected their bonuses last month and are ready to move on to greener pastures in the new year. Employers too are waiting to snag a few good people or to grab them cheap.

Either way, career options are a-plenty out there but still it’s sometimes better to talk to the experienced recruiters at A.E. Feldman to help you make a good match or if you’re undecided which path to take.

• should he get Cisco-certified?
• fulltime maybe?
• the other side of the hiring fence
• looking for a job?
• of stocks and lucky stars

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An ex-co-worker of mine was lamenting how she dreads having to go back to work after this long stretch of annual leave. I used to feel that way too when I was working fulltime.

The only difference is that I never considered nor made my office my second home. I was clear about striking a balance between family and work. I mean, even if I lived in the office, I’d still never be done with work.

Basically the work would always be there, it was just up to me to know when to walk out of the office and home to my kids. I was by no means an irresponsible employee but I had my priorities. And once I got those down pat, it was easy.

For some people, I know it’s not so easy. Their work is their life and even though they complain about having to go back to the grind soon, I know they wouldn’t have it any other way :lol: .

Different strokes, that’s all.

• is your home office office-like?
• slow but at least I’m blogging again
• Tuesday morning blues
• view from the Beach Club
• sauna au naturale

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Some of the moms that I know have gone back to working either part-time or fulltime. It’s true that after a while, the lack of social interaction and a feeling of loneliness does set in.

A couple of them say they have sought out headhunters to help them find a job rather than scanning the newspaper ads themselves.

A.E. Feldman, for example, is one of those headhunting companies that have thousands of vacancies in their database ranging from middle to top level management positions in many popular industries.

You could give them a try if you’re looking to be gainfully employed again. Or maybe your kids are older now and more independent so you can be free to pursue your career again .

• the other side of the hiring fence
• bully sticks for your dog
• should he get Cisco-certified?
• the answer is no
• oh, to see Shamu again

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Many of those who run a home business send out emails to let their customers know about their promotions. I receive quite a number of these from local malls as well because I’m such a shopaholic.

If you have a mailing list, you might want to check out iContact, a leading email marketing service, which has recently included the iContact community into their product.

The iContact community feature allows your visitors to comment, rank and discuss your newsletter. The top ranked content gets featured on the community home page.

You can find out more by reading their blog. And while you’re at it, why not sign up for a free trial of iContact and see for yourself?

• get your blog’s Real Rank from IzeaRanks
• do the dofollow
• ami-chan blogs
• no average mom
• smelling like roses

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About the contractual job I was offered yesterday, I told the guy that I would think about it and call him back. I really can’t decide if I want to give up my fancy-free lifestyle to tie myself down to a desk again, even if it’s for a few hours a day, know what I mean?

I thought about having to give up my mornings. I thought about having to give up hanging out with my friends. I thought about having to give up my workouts. I thought about having to give up blogging.

Ack! It’s not what I want. So I can’t take the darned contract.

I called the guy up and told him, thanks but no thanks. He sounded disappointed but didn’t want to admit it. I hope he has better luck finding someone who’s as competent and responsible as I am, heh!

• message before calling
• call from the nosies
• a geek squad is what you need
• the making of a fool
• the hi ho, hi ho dilemma

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One of the guys I worked with previously called this morning to offer me my contractual job back. Well, it’s going to be a new contract doing pretty much what I was doing before.

I’m practically hitting the roof with excitement at the thought of dragging myself to work again. It’s been a while since I stopped. I kinda like the fact that I can go dancing and hit the gym any time any day.

So I’m not sure I really want to wake up before first light, grope my way around getting dressed and made up, gulp down a hurried breakfast and trudge off to work with the rest of the world. What do you think?

• the newcomer
• my two left feet
• breakfast with an old friend
• coffee break
• flowers for the man in your life

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Many of us who stay at home with the kids actually work part-time as well. It’s a small income but it helps.

If you’re looking for a job, you can try the Executive Search Firm Blog which has maintained a high level of quality and professionalism in the decades they’ve been in the industry.

Their recruiters are very knowledgeable and experienced in finding the right fit of employment for both the company and the individual.

Whatever level of employment you’re looking for, you can always talk to them about helping you find the perfect job. Like I always say, working part-time is better than sitting at home at least from the financial aspect .

• the other side of the hiring fence
• movin’ on
• two kids and a job
• back to work for some
• I’m all for better high school grades

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I met ex-colleague at the grocery store yesterday that I hardly recognized. She seems to look older and somewhat worn after her, was it, two kids? Taking care of two kids isn’t easy, I guess.

I thought she was still working fulltime but it seems she left to stay home with the kids a few years ago. Now that the kids are at school, she’s working part-time with a small company doing market research.

Raising kids don’t come cheap these days. She says she needs the money since her husband’s business is not doing too well. I hope things work out better soon.

• dealing with the business jitters
• looking for a job?
• strangers for daughters
• work hard but won’t spend
• a fun way to make money on the weekends

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