A way out for the overemployed: They do the work, you collect the paycheck

Last week, I told you about the overemployed - the workers who, having survived the tidal wave of layoffs, now find themselves doing both their job and their former coworkers'.

Meanwhile, you are out there day after day, searching for a great job, or failing that, one that will pay your bills.

In that last post, I had recommended the revival of job sharing as a way to help both that overworked survivor and you, the job seeker.

It would only figure, then, that enterpreneurial Americans have already taken that idea and run with it by taking a page from the big bosses' playbook.

The Onion News Network recently reported on the growing phenomenon of American workers outsourcing their jobs to the Third World. Watch the report here...

...then share your thoughts in the comments. I'll start with this one: They should outsource American work to American workers!

By Sandy Smith

Sandy Smith is a veteran freelance writer, editor and public relations professional who lives in Philadelphia. Besides blogging for PhillyJobs.com, he has written for numerous publications and websites, would be happy to do your resume, and is himself actively seeking career opportunities on Beyond.com. Check out his LinkedIn profile and read his other posts on PhillyJobsBlog.com.

How To Overcome Anxiety in Your New Job - 4 Tips That Can Help

So you got a job! Good for you! So, why are you still struggling? Overcome anxiety in your new job with these tips.

All of that hard work you put into your job search has finally paid off. You don't have to sift through job openings looking for your dream job, and instead you're trying to get into the swing of your new job. So, why are you still having trouble sleeping and spending a lot of time worrying about your job?

Sometimes, just getting the job isn't enough to keep the anxiety at bay. Now that you have a job, there is more risk and more to lose. Going through a period of unemployment is really, really tough and it's not unusual to come out of the experience a little shell-shocked and worse for wear. It's normal to worry that your skills are rusty, that you might not fit in at the new company or even have worries about money.

If you're dealing with anxiety and fear in your new job, here are some tips that can help:

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  If you're worried about money – Starting a new job is hard, but it's even harder when you are broke. Accept that the first month or two are going to be really hard. The first few weeks are a struggle because you might have trouble affording things like gas to get you back and forth, childcare, work clothes and even lunch until you get a few paychecks under your belt. Even then, you'll be spending a large portion of each paycheck just getting caught up on bills. It's really tough, but it does get better.
  
  


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  If you had to take a pay cut – When you are out of work and desperate, sometimes you have to take a transitional job just to pay the bills. There is no shame in that, and when you are feeling stressed out, try to keep your focus on the positive side of things. While you are working, you are able to earn a little money and brush up on your skills. When the job of your dreams comes along, you'll be in a position to make a smooth transition.
  
  


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  If you are feeling overwhelmed – Transitioning back to the workplace is really hard. If you are feeling overwhelmed, remember to take care of yourself. For the first month or two it's really important to eat as healthy as you can. Pick breakfast food that will give you energy throughout the day, rather than sugary foods that will give you a mid-morning crash. Also, you might want to be sure to take a multivitamin everyday. Your new workplace is bound to be filled with germs that your body isn't accustomed to and the last thing you want to happen is to be sick during the first month of employment.
  
  


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  If you're worried about your job performance – Being out of work is traumatic, and it's normal to worry that you are going to fail at the new job. Instead of looking at it as a test, think of the new job as a chance to be the best “you” you can. If you don't already have a personal brand, now is the time to create it. Decide what you want to be and try to be that. Re-creating yourself into the sort of employee you want to be can become an adventure, and this new job is a fresh start.

Have you had a hard time adjusting to full-time employment? What helped you work through it? Let me know in the comments.

If you are looking for a job in the Philadelphia area, visit PhillyJobs for the best Philadelphia are job listings.

By Melissa Kennedy- Melissa is a 9 year blog veteran and a freelance writer for PhillyJobsBlog, along with helping others find the job of their dreams, she enjoys computer geekery, raising a teenager, supporting her local library, writing about herself in the third person and working on her next novel.

100 Steps to Relaxation

Sometimes unemployment can be pretty nerve-racking. We can run ourselves silly stressing over everything it is we should be doing so much so that we create more problems than if we would have just stopped to take a short break. Over the years however I have picked up some simple relaxation techniques that can quickly calm me down, center my consciousness and clear the clutter momentarily from my mental space.

It doesn’t take long but even 10 minutes in a state of heavy relaxation cam make all the difference. I’m going to describe a visualization process I use to free myself from the bombardment of my brain. It starts with closing your eyes but read through the process before you do. If it helps, record it in a soft soothing voice with a slow rhythm and play it back when you need to relax. Ready?

Close your eyes and breathe deeply. Clear your mind, thinking only about your breathing, the feeling of the air filling and exiting your lungs. Let the other ideas that invade your thoughts escape with each exhale. Once you have blown your worries away visualize yourself at the top of a long staircase. It can be inside, outside both or neither, there is no right or wrong answer as long as you are comfortable and not intimidated then it works for the exercise.

Now start your decent of 100 steps, counting backwards towards zero in your mind as you imagine each step underfoot. At the bottom of the stairs is a warm and inviting light which you are drawn closer too. Try to picture as many details as precisely as you possibly can. Don’t deliberate on audible or visual details alone but try to envision an all encompassing environment. Is the air wet or dry? How does it smell? What are the stairs made of and how does it feel underfoot?

Any time outside thoughts try to push their way in, force them back out with a deep breath, the continuous count and focusing on the details of descending the stairs. With each number you tick off the countdown and each step you take down the stairs you get closer to the growing glowing light beckoning at the bottom.

When you reach the final 10 steps the light slowly engulfs you until you are swallowed entirely as you step off the last stair. In your imagination focus the light on the top of your head. Don’t only picture how it looks but imagine how it feels, like the warmth of the sun shining through the window on that spot alone. Now shift the light source. Move the spot where the light hits your skin down your neck, torso and into your arms before envisioning it traveling into your legs and out of your toes.

The warmth and peace fills you entirely so take a minute to bask in it before imaging yourself turning around and spotting a door. Take the handle and walk through the exit. Welcome back to reality, hope this helps you relax. It works for me, if I’m short on time I only do 50 stairs. Try it and comment below with questions or results.

Are you looking for a job in the Philadelphia area? Be sure to visit PhillyJobs.



By Heather Fairchild - Heather is a writer and blogger for Beyond.com. She researches and writes about job search tactics, training, and topics.

Tips For Managing Your Expectations This Holiday Season

The holidays can be a wonderful time of joy and family togetherness. But, they can also be one of the most stressful times of the year. From family conflicts, managing childrens' wish lists to handling the disappointments that come when plans go wrong, the holiday season can be a let down and lead to a feeling of emptiness for many people.

But there are some things that you can do to manage your holiday expectations and prevent the post-holiday blues. CBS recently published an article about this very thing, and they had some wonderful insights to share. Here is a summary of some of the ways that you can keep your sanity while enjoying the holiday season:

• Enjoy the moment – It is easy to get overwhelmed and want to do everything all at once. Keep your expectation rooted in reality and try to enjoy the moments of togetherness without feeling like you have to keep everyone entertained or provide an amazing holiday spread. Do what you can with what you have and keep in mind that it is the time you spend with the ones you love, not what you can give them, that matters the most.
  
  
• Create memories – The secret to a happy holiday season is not taking on more than you can handle. Rather than killing yourself tying to create a perfect holiday, why not try starting a family project or getting everyone involved in making holiday ornaments. Do things that create lasting holiday memories without breaking the bank or getting stressed.
  
  
• Set a budget – Set a budget ahead of time and stick to it. Keep in mind that others in your family may not be in the same financial situation as you, and for them, buying many presents might be a hardship. Some groups have even adopted the wonderful practice of drawing names and buying a present for that person. This can allow everyone to participate and have a great time without breaking the bank.
  
  
• Do a good deed – The holidays are about giving, and there is no better way to do that than giving to others. You can start a new holiday tradition by getting your family involved in giving to others. A neat idea is, instead of buying presents for the adults in your family, have each family group or family member do something to help others and talk about it on Christmas morning. It will challenge everyone to come up with something amazing.
  
  
• Ask for help – If you feel like you are always the one in charge, and the one who is left to take care of everything, try delegating. More than likely, your extended family would be more than willing to help, it is just that they aren't sure what they can do or how to help. This year, try making a list of things that need to be done and assigning them to family members. Not only will it lessen your load, but it will give them a chance to feel like they are participating as well.

Keeping sane during the holidays can be hard, but with a little bit of forethought, you can make your holiday brighter. Don't allow yourself to be suckered in by the commercials that tell you that the only way to make your loved ones happy is to purchase bigger and better things for them. If you keep your attention focused on the things that matter this season, yours is sure to be less stressful.

Are you looking for a job in the Philadelphia area? Be sure to visit PhillyJobs.

By Melissa Kennedy- Melissa is a 9 year blog veteran and a freelance writer, along with helping others find the job of their dreams, she enjoys computer geekery, raising a teenager, supporting her local library, writing about herself in the third person and working on her next novel.