All I want for Chirstmas is EMPLOYMENT

Most people consider the hectic hustle & bustle of the holiday season a terrible time to search for a job. However, with the proper strategy and execution that Holiday Spirit can be used to your advantage. Kate Lorenz of careerbuilder.com writes:

What better time to network than when people are in good spirits and socializing frequently? Go to parties and gatherings, especially those where you're likely to meet new people who could be sources of job leads. Make it a point to listen more than talk. Be positive and upbeat. While you won't want to hand out resumes or press for contacts or referrals, you will want to let people know you are looking and follow up with them after the party. Seek out all the other participants and network like crazy.

This week on At Work, Emory Mulling discusses the Holiday Season job market and stuffs your stockings with plenty of job search tidbits. Friday at 3:00PM on YOUR Georgia Public Broadcasting.

Are Layoffs Coming? Protect Yourself

Layoffs do indeed "Wreck Lives." Companies have been cutting back on employees to save money for quite a while, but the present state of the economy makes that even more of a reality. This week on At Work, Emory Mulling discusses strategies for making yourself "Fire Proof" in today's job market. Tune in at 3:00PM this Friday, only on GPB.

Layoffs affect employers just as much as employees, so the following links provide helpful info on how to avoid laying off employees all together:

Avoiding Layoffs in a Down Economy

A Creative Way to Avoid Layoffs

How's Your Campaign Going?

You may not have to deal with photo shopped pictures of yourself on the internet like Sarah Palin, but your own "brand" is just as important as any politicians. With social networks and blogs abound, an employer simply needs your name to potentially view all of your activity on line. This can be particularly dire for young professionals as they transition from student life to that of a working adult. Embarrassing photos or generally unsavory information will turn off an employer, no matter how well the interview went. The best solution for this problem is to avoid it altogether.

Individuals that are particularly web savvy can take this situation and make it an asset by creating a blog or some other online content the positively reflects them in the eyes of employers. For instance, an aspiring music critic might start a blog about popular music with album reviews and industry news. This approach can also work wonders for entrepreneurs. A photographer blogging about photos they have taken has potential exposure to millions of possible clients on line compared to paying for ad space and reaching only a few thousand pairs of eyes.

This week on At Work, Emory Mulling fields questions about how to go about developing positive PR for yourself in the job market. Tune in to GPB on Friday at 3PM. Leave your questions for Emory here in the comments section and he'll answer them live on air.

Job Searching in a Down Economy

The politicians may be afraid to use the "R-word", but we all know the economy is in bad shape. Unemployment rates are higher than any other time in recent history. However, there are still ways of landing a job in the current economic climate. Some career fields never slump no matter the state of economic affairs. Article Base has a listing of careers that fit this description including; teachers, CPAs, and Healthcare professionals.

Tune in to At Work this week as host Emory Mulling and Cheryl Ayers discuss tips on how to find jobs in a down economy and how you can kickstart your career. Airing this Friday at 3:00PM on GPB Radio.