JobsPersonal Finance Success

by Ronald O. McCants, M.Div., M.Ed.

Effective Strategies in Finding Your Job

Aristotle

We are what we repeatedly do.Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.

Success in Building Personal Finance

by Ronald O. McCants, M.Div., M.Ed.• TIME: 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.• May 19, 2012 - The Building Blocks to Achieving Personal

Finance Success• June 2, 2012 - Effective Strategies in Finding Your Job• June 16, 2012 - Financial Statements, Tools, and Budgets

to Become Your Best• June 30, 2012 - Managing Your Income Growth• July 14, 2012 - Wise Steps to Obtaining Affordable

Housing• July 28, 2012 - The Big Picture on Credit Cards and

Consumer Loans• August 4, 2012 - How to Win with Vehicle and Other Major

Purchases• PLACE: Evergreen-Conecuh County Public Library

Max Messmer, Chairman of Accountemps

• While the job market for new graduates is stronger this year than it has been for the past few years, there's still intense competition for every single job opening.

• "In today's employment environment, there is less room for error when looking for your first career opportunity."

Paradigm

• To see the everything differently is the power of a paradigm shift.

• Our behavior results from our paradigms of the world.

Making Careless Errors

• Proofread, proofread, proofread. Every document you send to a potential employer must be error-free. Go through your resume, cover letter, emails, thank-you notes and any other communication with a fine-tooth comb to make certain they don't contain typos or grammatical errors.

Due Diligence

• When applying for a position, go beyond the job description to find out about the company as a whole. A little company research can go a long way.

• "Applicants who uncover beyond-the-basics knowledge of the job and the company…are better able to communicate specific ways they can contribute to the organization's success.

Acting Casual

• Once you begin your job search, make certain that you're acting like the professional you aspire to be. "Keep phone voice-mail greetings clear, professional and succinct."

• "Likewise, avoid using off-color or overly cute email addresses or signatures."

Create Your Own Opportunities

• The right mind-set: You can create opportunities if you take charge of your career.

• A spirit of adventure.

Self-knowledge: Know your values, skills, strengths and weaknesses, and what you're passionate about. This is the time to shape something to fit you, rather than shape you to fit your work.

Balance

• Production is getting someone to work now (demanding that your son clean his room).

• Production Capability is making sure something will work in the future (building up an adult-adult relationship with your son so that he is the kind of person who wants to keep his room clean).

• We should keep these in balance.

All Things Are Created Twice

• Plan well.

• Think things through.

• The carpenter's rule is "measure twice, cut once."

Proverbs 2

• 6 For the Lord gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.

• 7 He holds victory in store for the upright,

he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless,

• 8 for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones.

Financial Peace

• Through knowledge and discipline financial peace is possible for us – all of us. (5)

Resources

• The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

• Personal Finance by Bixley and Dugan

• (3) 5 Steps to Professional Presence: How to Project Confidence, Competence, and Credibility at Work.