The Resource Most Job Hunters Overlook: How Your Family History Can Help You Find a Job by Marcia Tabram Philips

A lot of people are out of work these days and unfortunately many of them have no idea what to do next. Whether you've lost a job or your spouse has, whether you're fresh out of college or have a long work history, finding a job can be emotionally exhausting and frustrating! It's a jungle out there right now and looking for a new job can feel a bit like looking for a needle in a haystack. But in fact, one of the best resources you have is right in front of your nose.

Why Compile Your Family History?

If you're out of work, why would you waste your time putting together a family history?

Going through your personal and family history is an invaluable lesson on who you are, how you got where you are, and where you're going. By compiling the information you can figure out your skills, see your accomplishments together on paper, and spot your common thread history. Not to mention discover possible job contacts.

How to Get Started

Make a listing of all your histories: personal, educational, jobs, volunteer work, hobbies, skills, awards/accomplishments and references (both personal and skill related). Have a page designated for each category, as this is your permanent record of "who you are." Keep jotting things down as you think of them. Once you have completed this task, you never have to do it again except for periodic updating of the latest additions.

1) Personal Info -

Write down your full name, date and location of birth, Social Security number, parents and siblings and the same information about them, including education and employment. Be sure to include everything - addresses, phone numbers, dates and other pertinent information you might need such as membership in organizations and associations.

2) Education -

List all schools with addresses, phone, principals/chancellors/ advisors/mentors, dates, majors, subjects studied, extracurricular activities, awards and grades in chronological order. Be sure to include dates graduated and degrees earned, as well as other classes, workshops or seminars you've attended and may be certified in or received credit.

3) Work Experience -

List all jobs, including job titles, addresses, phone, email, Websites, job descriptions, supervisor, dates, special accomplishments, salary, as well as dates begun and terminated and why you left.

4) Volunteer Experience -

List all activities included in the above information on work experience as it qualifies as a "job" only without pay.

5) Hobbies -

Spell out current and past hobbies, and anything remarkable about them. Got first place at the state fair...

6) Skills -

Jot down every little skill you have including typing speed, programs used, equipment worked with, accomplishments, etc.

7) Awards and Accomplishments -

Write them all down along with dates.

8) References -

Here I recommend two categories, personal -- people who can vouch for your character -- and skill-related -- people who can attest to your talents on the job.

I advocate asking the person to write a reference on official letterhead if possible. Suggesting specific areas where you believe you stand out can make it easier for them. Then, give them a deadline, -- say a week -- or you may never receive it. As you get them back, take all your reference letters and make copies for distributing. Always keep originals.

Make Your Employment Notebook

Take all the above personal and employment history information and the original reference letters, and insert it all into clear protective sheets in a three-ringed notebook for easy reference. What you now have at your fingertips is all the important information about you ready to copy when filling out job applications, writing resumes, applying for a loan etc.

What you'll also have is a snapshot of your life. You now have your history on paper. Look through it and examine who you are. Sit back and look for reoccurring patterns or similarities. Does your true passion emerge? Many times the exercise reveals your path and leads to a true "ah ha" moment.

Plus, if you did it completely and fully, you now have a family tree.

About the Author

Marcia Tabram Philips' book "How to Survive Today's Financial Fears: 101 Ways to Get through Tough Times and Put Out the Fires!" is a problem-solving, step-by-step boot camp to successfully find a job and protect and save your money in these difficult times. Go to http://www.MarciaTabramPhilips.com

This article taken from GOARTICLES

Ke makam papa dan mama - 2010

Bulan Januari 2010 silam, aku dan istri dan anakku mampir ke makam papa dan mama, di pemakaman desa REJOTANGAN. Kami naik sepeda motor dari desa GAMBAR, Penataran. Menuju ke Blitar. Sesampai di rumah adik perempuanku (Rini Hermaniwati), tidak ada orang. Langsung kami meluncur ke area pemakaman itu.

Kami lihat, sudah dibangun 'bongpay' dan nama-nama kami tertulis di sana. Semoga Tuhan menyelamatkan jiwa mereka. Amin.

(Terima kasih TUHAN, tanpa ke dua orang tuaku, aku tidak ada di dunia ini).