The importance of keeping up

Social media tools are rapidly changing the way we get our information and interact with others. Getting your voice heard out there takes a high level of savvy with the Web 2.0 tools. Knowing your way around LinkedIn, Facebook, and other interactive sites can give your message and profile the reach and frequency you need to keep visible in cyber space. I will be discussing how to use social media tools in a small business marketing strategy later this month.

Work at home scams are in full swing

I've been doing research for an article on work-at-home opportunities. I didn't have to go far to find them because the WAH spam has been filling my inbox. I did a search on one such "opportunity" that touted being legitimate and trusted according to major news sources. I mostly found reviews and warnings that it was a scam. So I did a search on one of the so-called "legitimacy investigators" and found them to be a scam as well. Unfortunately, the work at home scams are pretty deeply rooted in cyberspace. The sad thing is in this economy, people are clamoring for anything they can do to earn an income and many fall prey to these scams.

There are very few work-at-home programs that are on the level. One way to determine that they might be alright is if they don't require an upfront investment on your part. All I can say is be aware and use common sense to protect yourself from fraudulent activities. Most of the programs have you make a "small" investment for a starter kit and claim that you can make hundreds of dollars everyday. This is just not the case. There are no legitimate get-rich-quick programs and no shortcuts to financial stability. The only people making money from these programs are the ones who lure people in with a promise of rapid wealth.

If you are interested in building a sideline business and working from home, the legitimate programs do not require you to invest in a start-up kit or information to get you started. Most of the information you need for a small business is available online and you just need to do some research.

It takes time, patience, and persistence to start up a good work-at-home business, but that's a far better investment than turning over (and losing) your hard-earned money to an unknown source.

Standing out from the crowd is vital these days

I just heard an alarming statistic... for every job opening there are at least 100 applicants. It's difficult to stand out with this type of competition. You can do it though. Just be sure that you have quantifiable data on your resume and be able to support your claims. Another way to stand out from the rest is to include the "hows" in your resume. (i.e. "demonstrated success in reducing operating costs by redefining inventory tracking and maintenance process.") Spend some time with your resume to make sure it's a genuine reflection of you and the value you can bring to a company.

Everyone Can Use a Little Coaching

I am fortunate enough to work out of my home. I know that's not ideal for everyone, but it works for me because I have a fair amount of control over my interruptions and can be self disciplined when it comes to getting work done. I recently started contributing content for a new parent coaching Web site that launched on April 1. This is a membership-based site that will feature ideas and information from a variety of sources and experts. My contribution is in the area of the work-at-home parent. I will provide ideas and comments about the world of juggling being a stay-at-home parent and working at home as well. I encourage you to join me in using social media to learn and exchange ideas for getting through some of life's more challenging endeavors. Visit us at http://www.dynamicfamilycoachingsolutions.com/

Desparate times calls for staying focused

During the past few weeks, people have come to me for assistance in getting a job. This is commonly followed by the comment "At this point, I'll take anything." I agree that the economy is struggling and the job market is weak, but appearing desperate is not in your best interest. This is the time to stay focused on what you can and want to do. The last thing you want your resume to say is "I'll take anything." Decide the type of job you want then draft your resume for that job. There is still a need for skilled employees who are focused on their core abilities and career goals. You need to look a little deeper, but your job is out there.

Take Care of your Health

For the past couple of weeks, I have been putting in some late nights working. To that end, I successfully managed to get the flu which really set me back on my project workload. Sacrificing sleep doesn't always put you ahead. As Jason Bourne, in the Bourne Identity often said, "sleep is a weapon" use it to your advantage. Another post will soon follow when I am more healthy.

Proof Proof Proof

As I sit here proofreading a newsletter for a local fundraising chapter, I'm reminded of the importance of careful proofreading of all documents. Nothing diminishes the professionalism of a document more than having it full of typos and misspellings. Spellchecker does not catch everything, you need to thoroughly review each document. Better yet, have someone else review your document. I have a proofreader and nothing I write goes out the door before it has been fully proofed. Give your readers the courtesy of having a well-written and cleanly proofed document.