2010 09 Psg Networker

Volume 2, Issue 3 September 2010

Dear PSG Members and Friends,
I was looking for inspiration for this note and it came to me the other day while … cleaning our attic and
basement.
We often don’t realize how many possessions we have and how much we are attached to things that we
can easily live without. I know from my personal experience how hard it is to part
with stuff, especially if you are emotionally attached to things.
When I was leaving Russia permanently I could take only one suitcase; my teenage
daughter also had to decide what to take in her suitcase. Imagine how hard it was to
go through all the things that surrounded us at home, where I had lived for close to
40 years, and decide what to bring into a new life: 50 pounds, that’s all.
I cherish everything I brought with me even now. When I’m looking for something in
that box, I go through things and papers that I had saved and they bring back
memories. If I decide that I have something worth saving, I add it to my collection.
All my “memories” still fit in one box that I will take with me if we ever have to move
again. The rest are just possessions: I can replace them. I already did it once and survived.
We already have all we need. We surround ourselves with even more stuff and then panic and get
depressed when we have to sell the house, downsize or for any
reason have to make a sacrifice and leave stuff behind.
If you have to sell your house, you can always buy another one
when times are better. The furniture can be replaced, clothes
TABLE OF CONTENTS
can be bought; the few things that we should care about are
our health, family, friends, photos—the few things that are Inside This Issue, Media
priceless. Communications Committee ..........p2
Landing Story - Brad Schweon .......p3
We can’t change the economy, but we can survive the ups and
HR Pros Speak on PSG Panel ..........p4
downs of it if we can set priorities and understand what is really
important in this life. Books for Job Seekers ...................p6
Money and Health .........................p7
You will be surprised how little we really need and how much
Improving your Credit Score ..........p9
we have become enslaved by our possessions.
PAR of the Month ..........................p9
Get rid of anything that isn’t useful, beautiful or joyful.
Frugal Online Tips of the Month
Simplify!
.................................................p10
June Landings, PSG Committee Chairs
.................................................p13

PSG Dover Networker, September 2010 Page 1

INSIDE THIS ISSUE
September already! We wish everyone a safe
and happy Labor Day weekend.
This month we profile the landing of this
publication’s founder, as Idelle Kursman
tells how Brad Schweon used his
networking skills to get his new position.
Caroline Bucquet recaps an informative
panel during which four HR professionals
gave their insights into why you might not
be getting the results you want. Mark Bob Loder, Co-Chair Bruce Goldman
Yonskie relates his experience when he Caroline Bucquet, Peter Herbst
read a popular job transition book. New Co-Chair Mary Jean Jones
contributor Sunny Shahinian provides a Andrew Brandt Idelle Kursman
variety of tips to stretch your grocery budget Michael Davy
while also eating well. Also new to us, Linda Mark Yonskie
Ingala explains how to check and correct Suzanne Elward
your credit score. Suzanne Elward serves
up a new PAR of the month, while Andy
The Media Communications Committee (MCC) encourages
Brandt, once again, opens our eyes to the
article submissions to the Dover PSG Networker newsletter.
wealth of internet resources available. [Ed.
However, the committee reserves the right to accept, or not,
note - hey, Andy, your article just saved me
articles offered for publication to the newsletter. All articles
$17 a month!-BL] Bruce Goldman has
will undergo the standard review and editing process in order
applied his editing skills to this issue, and
to best ﬁt the readership of this publication.
Bob Loder and Peter Herbst have put this
issue together and gotten it out the door and The committee further reserves editorial rights to alter,
into your inbox. shape or delete text as deemed suitable and appropriate for
article size and clarity. The committee is dedicated to
-Bob and Caroline
producing a high quality journal each month that meets your
expectations.
We encourage you to share this newsletter with interested
parties, but only in its entirety, and not in a manner that
would be in violation of any copyright.

"
*%$$%
'%)& The MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE
%"&
!"#$ meets following the Morris County Career
(%( Networking (MCCN) session at 70 Maple Ave.,
'%% Morristown on the 2nd and 4th Monday of each
month at 11:00 a.m. Please join us!

The PSG Dover Networker is looking for writers! Whether you want to
become a regular member of our team, or just contribute a story now and
then, we want to hear from you!
Drop us a note at PSGMorrisNewsletter@yahoo.com, and introduce
yourself! Or, talk to any member of the Media Communications Committee.


LANDING SUCCESS Professional Association. During this recent period
between jobs, Brad created and managed the PSG
Networker and co-led the Steering Committee at
Networking is Key for Brad Schweon PSG.
By Idelle Kursman “I would go on interviews and would be asked,
‘what have I been doing since being
On August fourth, I had the pleasure of
unemployed?’ I spoke enthusiastically about my
interviewing Brad Schweon regarding his landing
management skills and goals accomplished via
story for the PSG Networker. Brad was an active
volunteering,” he said. I practiced my PARs and
member in and was the founder and original chair
CARs, which I discussed from my previous paid
of this newsletter.
positions.
I joined the Media Communications Committee in
He kept emphasizing that “networking is all about
February, just when Brad had gotten the good
building and maintaining relationships, rather than
news that he had been hired, so while we did not
being a sponge and picking up someone else’s
work together in this group, I did get the
rolodex.” He also emphasized that you must “pay
opportunity to interview him
it forward”—that is, help everyone you can and
for his landing story. In our
you never know who will help you when you need
interview, Brad told me
a contact.
about people that helped
him in his job search as well Brad advises those seeking employment to make
as specific strategies he use of a job coach. One of his, Alex, Freund, told
undertook to land the him, “It’s not who you know, it’s who knows you.”
position of global network Brad spoke frequently with job coaches and would
planning manager at Drew often take their advice. He recommends
Marine. frequently practicing mock interviews as well as
your elevator speech. Join professional groups and
Brad previously worked as
get to know the members. Whine & Dine was one
the supply chain director at
group he frequented because it is made up of HR
Compac Corporation. When
Brad Schweon professionals familiar with hiring trends. Another
the company was sold to a
group was a private networking team created by
competitor, all of the
active networkers that meets bi-weekly. They
employees were discharged. five years earlier,
practice mock interviews and job search
before his stint at Compac, Brad also had been a
strategies, among other things.
PSG member. Fortunately, he kept up his former
networking contacts, so when he returned to PSG “You have to be on top of the
in 2009, he renewed his previous acquaintances game with mock interviews,”
and spread the word that he was in the market he adds. “You have to know
again. “I looked upon my second term at PSG as a how to interview cold. It
reunion of sorts. I believe networking helped me should be natural, automatic.
strengthen my alliances when I came back.” Over It takes a lot of practice and
the past six years, Brad helped 15 people land hard work.”
jobs, either through a direct introduction or
He observed that the job
networking contact. He also made a point of
search is different today than
helping everyone he could within his own network
just a few years ago. So
by providing friendship and counsel as well as
when Brad was unemployed
introductions. People often invited him to
most recently, he had to
networking events, which he found extremely
adjust his strategy. Instead Idelle Kursman
helpful.
of just targeting a list of
“Instead of one set of eyes (my own) looking for a companies, he relied heavily
position for me, I had 20-30 sets of eyes,” he on job postings and would only apply to positions
noted. where he had a 95 percent match. Then he would
spend hours writing a targeted cover letter and
Being active in volunteering helped him keep his
rewriting his resume. He reached into his old
skills sharp and led to more networking
alumni network to find contacts inside companies,
opportunities. Back in 2004, he was both vice
so when he sent out his resume, 95 percent of the
president then president of the Chem-Pharma®


time the company’s hiring manager would read it. letter, not researching the company you’re
This in turn enabled Brad to speak with actual interviewing with, answering your phone during
human beings on the phone. The only time he got an interview, lying on your resume and showing
an instant rejection was when a computer read his up late.
resume!
But there could be other factors stumping us that
I asked how Brad got his job with Drew Marine. we might not be aware of. To shed some light on
He attended a networking lunch with Curtis the subject, we asked our four HR representatives
Clarke, a former colleague and PSG member who to participate in a panel, sharing tips from their
was familiar with the company’s status. Drew side of the desk.
Marine had recently been spun off from Ashland
Panelists included:
Chemical and many employees chose to stay with
the original company. Then at another occasion • Stephen Matthaey, manager of compensation
someone else he knew from Whine & Dine told and HRIS at International Specialty Products
Brad that a job posting for this company matched
• Michele Underhill, human resource director/
his skills and experience.
corporate compliance officer at Abilities of NW
Ironically, a recruiter from Drew contacted him Jersey, Inc.
and spent a great deal of time on the phone with
• Rich Kaplan, global HR business partner,
him. A 15-minute phone screen with the hiring
Novartis
manager, turned into 45 minutes. And the face-to-
face interview, scheduled for 1 hour, ended up • Hilary Paulison, human resources generalist at
being two hours. In two weeks he met with all of St. Jude Medical
the senior vice presidents, then spoke to the
The first hurdle to applying for any job in today’s
president, and began his job at the end of
market is completing the online application.
February.
Everyone knows that you cannot be considered
In addition to Career Coach, Alex Freund, Brad unless you go through this de rigueur process.
also thanks John Hadley, Linda Trignano, Stephen And when you do, be accurate and thorough. This
Matthaey, and Andy Daino for their time and shows genuine interest in
advice. Lastly, he credits the many professionals the company. Also, be
he established relationships with from networking sure not to apply for a
events. “They kept me sane and focused during position that you know is
my time in transition. Now they keep me sane and not a fit.
focus during my time employed.”
“This is especially important
I would like to conclude this article by using a if you are applying to
quote that Brad often repeats courtesy of Marty multiple jobs somewhere;
Latman “The job is temporary but networking is do not apply helter-skelter,”
permanent.” cautioned Paulision.
However, the panel agreed
that referrals from a
HR PERSPECTIVES credible employee do get
attention. At the same time, Caroline Bucquet
one should not be too
“I know the Economy is in a Slump, aggressive. For example,
but Why am I not Getting Hired?” don’t show up at the office unannounced and try
Four HR specialists share their secrets to meet with your contact,” Paulison continued.
“You have no idea what their schedule is like and
By Caroline Bucquet if they have time for you.”

Dover’s Professional Services Group (PSG) Step two is the phone screen, and the panelists
welcomed four human resources specialists to unanimously said that one must be able to
provide an inside track as to why job seekers may cogently answer the question, “Why are you
not be getting hired. The primary reason, as we interested in this company and this job?”
all know, is the ridiculously dire economy that we According to Underhill, saying that you are
are mired in. Other reasons may include “looking for work” is a weak answer. Interviewees
numerous typos on your resume and/or cover need to be more pointed in their responses.


Kaplan said, “We want people who are truly philosophy is that if someone is rude early on,
interested in the open position and the services chances are their behavior will grow worse with
that we provide.” time and familiarity.
Matthaey said that “being in job search is akin to Kaplan notes that during a live interview, it’s
kung fu” on both sides. “I want to know how you important to differentiate yourself. Start by being
are going to hold up in tough situations, so I may yourself; not who you think the interviewer wants,
ask you some hard questions and I expect strong and try to leave the nerves behind. Remember,
answers,” he said. He also emphasized the power the interview is about what you can do for a
of a good story, but to make sure they are tight company, but it is also about being a fit. It has to
and flow well during your presentation. At the work for you too! Kaplan continues, “Know who
same time, you don’t want to be staged. some of the players are where you are
Furthermore, you need to be able to get your interviewing and have your stories straight. Don’t
point across quickly. give me different dates verbally than what are
listed on your resume.” Like Paulison, Kaplan also
Also, if an HR manager calls you at an
places heavy emphasis on body language, a
inopportune time and wants to screen you on the
healthy level of confidence (not arrogance) and
spot, you are better off requesting a more
appearance.
convenient time for both of you. It is better to
postpone job conversation than to attempt Underhill echoed her support for applicants that

PANELISTS

Rich Kaplan Stephen Matthaey Hilary Paulison Michele Underhill

dialogue when you are dodging traffic or sitting on present themselves well and dress conventionally.
the beach, surrounded by competing iPod music “It’s important to dress on the conservative side
and gusts of wind. The key is being flexible about when meeting in-person, saving bolder
when you are able to reconnect. accessories, clothes and cologne for post-hire,”
she said. Underhill also cautioned against wearing
On the other hand, some HR departments do not
risqué or revealing clothing because it defeats the
conduct phone screens, and Paulison’s is one of
purpose [getting hired in a business environment]
them. She favors a live interview where she can
for which you are there. “You do not want to
read her interviewee’s face and see their reactions
become too familiar right off the bat,” noted
real-time. “I like to see how people respond to the
Underhill. “Don’t expose more body parts than
receptionist, for example. Do they make eye
you need and try not to ask inappropriate
contact? Are they respectful and congenial? Does
questions such as, ‘Where do you buy your ties?
the interviewee gripe about being lost when trying
Or, what dye do you use on your hair?’”
to find our company, or do they have a sense of
humor about it - and still show up on time? If Underhill also said she watches for people to be
someone is abrasive and presumptuous, they will current. “Lack of an email address tells me you
not get the consideration that the well-mannered, haven’t come out of the seventies,” she stated.
friendly person will,” stated Paulison. The


“We also don’t need to know the year you BOOK REVIEW
graduated from high school or college.”
As for referrals, Matthaey says that he will engage What Color is Your Parachute Now?
in conversation with the interviewee about who he
would like to contact regarding previous job By Mark Yonskie
performance. While HR departments are not It is not a surprise that Richard N. Bolles opens
allowed to comment on a person’s performance, the 2010 version of What Color is Your Parachute
some hiring managers may ask something like with arguably one of the most familiar literary
“what was the weather like the day you laid so quotes ever, “It was the best of times, it was the
and so off?” This is an attempt to see what kind worst of times...” If you’re in transition like me
of reaction the laid off person displayed upon and you attend many networking programs like
receiving the news. If the person remained me, you hear the transition gurus say that this is
professional, “the weather was sunny,” should be a time to take inventory, think about what you
the response. If the laid off person exploded, really like and want to do and be open minded to
perhaps the weather was “stormy.” But this the possibilities in front of
process, like all others should be based on you. Bolles’ book will help
transparency and ethics on both sides. you do that.
Kaplan reminded the audience that what The front and back covers
interviewers want to see is enthusiasm for your claim that this is the “world’s
work and the role that they have open. As most popular job-hunting
Matthaey said, “Uncover your passion and pursue guide” and has sold more than
it with vigor, but first be clear about what you are 10 million copies (I borrowed
passionate about.” mine from the library) in 20
Ending on a high note, Paulison said, “When it languages since it was
comes to negotiations, see if there is any wiggle originally published in 1970.
room on salary. We usually have a range and may It’s been updated annually
make the offer at the lower end. However, keep in ever since. Mark Yonskie
mind that salaries are based on the position, not I can’t read self-help books
how many masters or doctorate degrees you easily, so I started skimming
have.” Yet several factors could thwart the actual in hopes that something interesting would catch
hire such as a questionable background check. my eye. Green type throughout helped stop my
(Note: your name may be confused with thumb here and there and so did illustrations,
someone else who has the same name, so be cartoons, lists, borders and grids. It’s easy to land
careful.) Other factors include not passing drug on something helpful and nothing is terribly long
screening and falsifying education or other so if you’re easily distracted like I am – it’s an
information. The panel agreed on this, with effortless read.
Matthaey concluding that geography also is a
factor in salary. If, for example, you have two It did not take long to learn something new. The
open positions for a manager of accounting — one bold headline on the top of Page 5 asked “What
in New Jersey and one in Georgia, the one in are the most helpful job sites on the Web?“ Of
Georgia should clearly be on a lower pay scale. the seven “most comprehensive and helpful” I had
only heard of www.indeed.com . I’ll be checking
Lastly, potential employees need to show long- out two of the others because they don’t sound
term potential. You may not want to climb the like job boards at all, www.rileyguide.com and
corporate ladder, but expressing interest in www.quintcareers.org. Maybe I’ll be ahead of the
learning new aspects of the business on a game for a change.
continual basis indicates eagerness to be part of
the team. Never put your search on hold while There’s also a real eye-opener on Page 8. An
waiting to hear back from an interviewer; keep inverted pyramid compares six familiar attributes
your pipeline active. Do not be myopic in your of a job hunt from the point of view of the job
search. Use networking, the online approach and seeker and the employer filling a vacancy. The
good recruiters. employer looks first inside his organization to fill a
role. The last thing he/she wants to do is solicit
Good luck! resumes. The job seeker, on the other hand,
diligently submits resumes to job postings and via


marketing campaigns. They’re working in MONEY AND HEALTH
opposition to each other. This is a good
illustration of why a contract or temp role is a
good thing – you’re off the street on the inside Money Saving at the Grocery Store
and might be first in line for a permanent gig. By Tsolig Sunny Shahinian
Helping turn this time into the best of times are Being unemployed is difficult on finances and
two lists in particular. Page 20 features three stress levels for the out-of-work individual and for
columns of character traits. Adept at having fun is their families. For most of those unemployed
one and being vigorous is another. The associated conserving money becomes a big priority. There's
exercise is to pick a few of these traits and then no magic for generating cash when a steady
describe times in your career when you paycheck disappears, but there are strategies for
successfully demonstrated them. Fast forward to spending less. The key to survival is to focus on
Page 41 for 246 skills written as verbs. In purchasing necessary items and paying bills while
between achieving and working you will find cutting out frivolous expenditures. A good place to
diagnosing, intuiting and symbolizing. I don’t start, and one where we have control, is the
think I can work those into my resume but the grocery store.
exercise helps you identify the things you do well
and like to do, do well but don’t like to do and so You can save by following these pointers:
forth. I look at them as two lists of great key Plan your meals for an entire week
words to work into my resume, cover letter and
CAR/PAR stories. Make one trip to the grocery store instead of
sporadically shopping throughout the week; you
If you agonize during interview prep time like also save gas here.
friends of mine do, you should read Page 79 now.
The book says that there are five questions you Lesson: Planning ahead saves time and money.
must be able to answer: Make a list and stick to it
Why are you here? Take the time to do a quick inventory of your
What can you do for us? kitchen to determine the
What kind of person are you? foods that you need. Buy
What distinguishes you from other people only what you require and
applying for this job? can afford. Before grocery
Can I afford you? shopping, write a list of the
These questions might not even be asked directly items you need. Then,
but you need to be aware of them and work well when shopping, only buy
thought out answers into your pitch as you those items on the list.
converse with your interviewer. Avoid putting other things
in your cart just because
Throughout the book there are helpful tips and they catch your eye.
hints we can all use and share. For instance,
Bolles reminds us that job seeking isn’t unlike an Lesson: Be a smart
endurance contest and he recommends getting shopper and use a shopping
enough sleep, exercise and healthy eating. list.
References are made to websites and other Utilize Coupons and Frequent Shopper
sources for help of all kinds, like Programs
www.healthinsuranceinfo.net, just in case recent
COBRA headlines are getting you down. Read the newspapers and circulars to find the best
deals. Clip coupons for items on your list. Sign up
A parachute can come in handy so these just for frequent shopper programs, take advantage of
might be the best of times after all. double coupon days, and any other money saving
The official website for What Color is Your information.
Parachute 2010 is www.jobhuntersbible.com Lesson: You can save hundreds of dollars a year
by taking advantage of product incentives.


Don’t shop on an empty stomach price information is usually on a sticker located on
the shelf below the item. The package price only
Eat before you head out to the store. Do not
tells you the cost of the entire item.
grocery shop when you are hungry. People tend to
buy more, and a larger amount of things they Buying Items in Bulk
don’t need when they are hungry.
Not always the best option. The consumer needs
Lesson: Always shop on a full stomach. to compare unit prices of different sized packaging
and weigh factors, such as: will the food item be
Prepare to dress more warmly when
used in large quantity before discarded?
shopping
Purchase in cash
Supermarkets tend to be cold to preserve the
food. Cold temperatures actually make you Don’t buy more than you can afford. Pay in cash
hungry so you may eat convenience food and be rather than by credit card. If you only bring the
inclined to buy more. money you intend to spend, you are more apt to
stick to your budget.
Check the entire shelf
Lesson: Paying in cash saves you money in the
Supermarkets often place the higher priced items
long run.
at eye-level on the middle two shelves. This is
also true for children’s items (at kid level): Learn to be a Label Reader
cereals, cookies, candy and the like.
Reading the product label is the best way to find
Lesson: Look at the top and bottom shelves for out what is actually in the prepared food that you
potentially better bargains. are buying. Ingredients are listed in order by the
quantity used when making the product. The
Also, often the healthier (and sometimes less
ingredients used in the highest quantities are
expensive) items are more difficult to find.
listed first.
Packaged, prepared foods are more costly and
generate more Live on the Edge
profits. This is true
Health-conscious shoppers know that the
with both boxed
perimeter of the store is where the good, healthful
and frozen meals.
items are. Fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy
Lesson: Opt for products, fresh meats and fresh baked goods are
the healthier, generally placed along the outside edge of the
fresher, non- supermarket, while the processed foods are found
prepared foods; in the inner aisles. Shopping on the edge is not
get back to only healthier – it’s cheaper as well.
preparing/cooking
Lesson: Stock up on fresh food first, and then
your meals.
venture to the middle of the store.
Avoid
Discard brand Loyalties. Give Generic a try
Convenience
items Be willing to experiment. Go with what’s on sale
for the lowest unit price. Generic and store brand
Convenience
products are cheaper than their name-brand
items, prepared
counter parts. If they cost less and taste or
foods, hot items,
perform the same, who cares?
pre-made
sandwiches are Cutting out needless buying at the grocery store is
costly. a lot easier than you might think. If you saved all
of the money spent on convenience foods, impulse
Lesson: You are
buying, multiple trips and prepackaged items, you
better off buying
would probably amass a small fortune.
your own ingredients and making your own
sandwiches or cooking from scratch.
Tsolig Sunny Shahinian, dietitian
Comparison Shopping sunny.shahinian@yahoo.com
www.linkedin.com/in/sunnytsoligshahinian
To determine the true value of a product read the
unit price, not just the package price. The unit


CREDIT SCORE PROBLEMS
By Linda Ingala !"# of the Month*
In this poor economy, many count on credit cards to !roblem Constantly missed turn-around targets
get by. The balances seem to keep going up in spite and National Association of Insurance Commissioners
of our best efforts. Then another card is needed and (NAIC) compliance regulations because the life
we switch balances to a better interest rate, and on insurance conversion process (from group insurance
to individual policy) was manual and took 14–50 days
and on. After a while, it’s a crazy downward spiral. to complete.
Credit scores suffer! What we were used to counting "ction Undertook a 9-month automation project
on, is just not there. Before we know it, interest with my Business Service Delivery partners to build
rates and balances go up. This affects our lives in the needed automation resources; understanding each
single key stroke of the process, creating many job
countless ways, starting with the basics. If we need ows, mirroring each piece of the process to re ect the
larger items, we find we can no longer refinance our same online, creating UAT testing scenarios, testing
homes, get home equity credit lines, buy any them extensively for 4 weeks, and re-training the
essentials like cars, appliances and insurance. 12 department agents in the Conversions unit.

For those who have seen their credit ratings drop, #esult Signi cant decrease in errors, which
increased the departments’ e ciency to meet and
help is available. Credit repair companies can help comply with NAIC regulations by reducing the
you raise your credit scores by an average of 120 to conversion time to 5–7 business days.
200-plus points. People who have availed
themselves of this option have said that not only
Preferred Resume Bullet Example
their credit scores but their lives have been (flip and state the $ esult first)
changed. While no one can guarantee these results,
Reduced policy conversion time from 14–50 days to
the use of a credit repair service has helped in 85 to 5–7 days to comply with NAIC regulations by leading
95 percent of the cases. a team through a 9-month process to improve
customer service through automating client records
The credit repair company obtains your credit from manual to online process.
bureau reports from Experian, TransUnion and
* Provided courtesy of PSG member Geri LaForte,
Equifax. Often there are many errors on these Customer Service Operations Manager.
reports, but usually they are not questioned. It’s up
to the consumer to take responsibility, but most of
us don’t know how—it’s just too complicated. These
reports are analyzed by credit analysts for any
negative information such as late payments,
judgments, bankruptcies, college loans, liens, REMINDER – PSG Networking Picnic
medical bill disputes and much more.
September 8 at Hedden Park
As each incorrect item is deleted, your credit score
rises. A difference is seen after 45 days and your Payment ($6) due by Sept. 3
score continues to go up as long as the reports are in Elena’s office.
sent to the credit bureaus and the negative items
are disputed. This can continue for a year until you
finally achieve peace of mind and a great credit
score.
There is a cost to using a credit repair company, but
this can be made up in a few months once you start
saving on interest, etc. The service lasts one year no
matter how many disputes are made. Soon you
qualify for lower financing on everything and life
begins to change for the better.

Linda Ingala is a regional manager at TRW Credit
Ventures LLC. She can be reached at
www.lingala@TRWCredit.net or 973-670-7228.


ONLINE TOOLS There is. Windows users can now download the
free Nitro PDF Reader beta
www.nitroreader.com/ which allows you to read,
The Frugal Job Hunter's Guide to Free edit, and create PDF files. Using the Print menu
(and Cheap) Handy Office Tools of your applications (or the Nitro app), you can
create a PDF from almost any program. You can
By Andrew Brandt
even fill out forms, add post-its, edit and include
Following up on last month's free and cheap your signature. Nitro also
software resources, here are some of my favorite offers commercial
money-saving resources for frugal job hunters. versions for $49 and $99
(check online for sale
Faxing Online prices too).
In an age of websites, online résumés, Twitter and Mac and Linux users (as
ubiquitous email, once in a while you still find a well as Windows people)
government agency or employer that insists that can also use Nitro's
you fax a form ("sorry, no email submissions online applications:
allowed"). Instead of buying a fax machine, toner
and a dedicated phone line, try: PDF to Word http://
www.pdftoword.com/
Fax Zero http://faxzero.com/ allows you to send Upload a PDF to the site
a maximum of two 3-page documents for free per and it will translate it
day, or pay $1.99 for up to 15 pages. Go to the (including graphics and Andrew Brandt
site, upload a .doc, .docx, or .pdf file (or type in formatting) to Word
text); type in the cover and the receiver's fax info, format. PDF to Excel http://
and Fax Zero sends the fax. www.pdftoexcelonline.com/ takes PDF
eFax http://www.efax.com/ For $14 to $20 per spreadsheets and charts and translates them to
month, you can send and receive faxes without a Excel.
fax machine (with your personal fax number). You PrimoPDF http://www.primopdf.com/online.aspx
can use eFax's downloadable software or send a The online version allows you to create PDFs
fax via email (attach the file to an email message without downloading software. (There's also a
and put the cover in the body of the email). EFax downloadable version.) PDFHammer http://
can send Word 2003 files, OpenOffice files, PDF www.nitropdf.com/free/hammer/index.htm helps
and HTML, and can handle most graphics formats. you to open and edit PDFs online without using
Likewise, faxes sent to your number are emailed the application that originally created the file.
to you.
PDF Download http://www.pdfdownload.org/ is
Unityfax http://www.unityfax.com/ This option a collection of internet browser add-ons for
doesn't offer free faxes, but very cheap pay-as- Microsoft Explorer, Mozilla Firefox (and Flock),
you-go or subscription services for fax in/out via Google Chrome and Safari. See a web page you
email or the web (or your web phone). Basic want to save and read or copy to somebody else,
service begins at $4.99/month for unlimited click on the bookmarklet and you'll be able to
incoming faxes and 5 cents per outgoing page. A create a PDF of that web page and downloads it to
dollar more per month includes 50 outgoing your computer. It's slow, but it works on any
pages. There's a $10 setup fee. Unityfax also offer computer. (The downloaded Nitro PDF Reader
toll-free fax numbers and business services. does the same thing much more quickly).
Make, Edit, Read, Sign PDF Forms Other PDF Deals:
A step up from faxes are the online PDF files Avanquest (a French software company) is
(formerly only from Adobe's Acrobat) for which currently offering a free version of its Expert PDF
everybody has a free reader. But who can afford Pro 5. You must register on the site first, then get
$449 for Acrobat Professional to create, open, fill a code via email to download the software. http://
out and sign a job application? Windows users can register.avanquest.com/ABSOFT/produits/
download a 30-day free trial from http:// Promotion/enregistrement_presse/
www.adobe.com/products/acrobatpro/, but there register_cov_gd.cfm?idcgd=437.
has to be another way, no?


PDF995 http://www.pdf995.com/ is free software projects and contexts, and choose your Next
(with advertising) which adds a printer driver to Action for each project.
your computer to create PDFs. The site also offers
Ready-made Checklists
PDF editing and security software packages. It
costs under $10 per package to get rid of the ads. Need to make a To Do list for a project but don't
know where to start? SimplyChecklists.com,
Cost of Living Calcs
http://www.simplychecklists.com/, has lists for
If you're negotiating for a new job in a new city everything from a baby shower, a wedding
(or a new country), use these Cost of Living rehearsal, emergency/storm preparation, job
Calculators to see how much more or less interviews, business planning and many, many
expensive it'll be to live there. more things.
CNN Money.com Cost of Living tool http:// Mind Your Money
cgi.money.cnn.com/tools/costofliving/
Need to manage your money better while
costofliving.html
unemployed? Try Mint (www.mint.com). It daily
Numbeo (international updates transactions from your bank and credit
sites) http:// card accounts, loans, property and investments,
www.numbeo.com/ then creates charts, budgets, even finds cheaper
common/ credit cards. Secure and free.
Sperling's Best Places Learn about your fonts
Cost of Living Tool http://
What ARE all those fonts installed on my
www.bestplaces.net/COL/
computer? My Font Book allows you to learn
Mindmapping / Outlining about your installed fonts at http://
Tools www.myfontbook.com/index.php. Works with PC,
Mac and Linux browsers.
Need help brainstorming or organizing?
Mindmapping is the new, free-form outlining tool. Relaxing Sounds
There are many online sites you can use (for free
Job Hunting got you stressed out? Need some
or a fee), but a great place to start experimenting
relaxing sounds? Go to http://
is with the free, open source Freemind,
www.soundsleeping.com/, and you can construct
downloadable from http://
your own relaxing background sounds.
freemind.sourceforge.net/wiki/index.php/
Main_Page. Also look at bubbl.us (http:// Find Free Wi-Fi
www.bubbl.us/), Mind42 (http://mind42.com/), or
Have a notebook computer and need Wi-Fi
PersonalBrain (http://www.thebrain.com). (There
access? Your home internet provider went on the
are also commercial options for business and
blink just as you were sending that job app? First,
enterprises.)
try your local library. Want to add caffeine or
For more traditional outlining, without the food? Panera's, CiCi's, IHOP, Whole Food Markets,
memory overhead of Word or OpenOffice, also see many fast food franchises, Barnes and Noble and
the free TreePad Lite (for PCs and Linux) or the Borders bookstores all offer free Wi-Fi, as do other
open source Mac version, Jreepad, both at http:// businesses. (Starbucks is free in many locations
www.treepad.com/. and local coffee shops often offer free access to
compete.)
To Do Lists
There are websites to help you find free access,
Sure, paper still works fine for putting together a
such as www.wififreespot.com/,
To Do list, but ever try to get a notepad to remind
www.openwifispots.com/Default.aspx, free-
you of a deadline or appointment? Remember
hotspot.com/ and www.wefi.com/. (Google the
the Milk, http://www.rememberthemilk.com/,
term "wi fi" with the name of the town you're in,
will do that, record your priorities, divide the list
also.)
into categories, and more.
E-cards
Are you a fan of David Allen's Getting Things
Done? Nozbe, http://www.nozbe.com/gtd/index, Sending a thank you note, birthday card, or a
lets you enter tasks and notes, group them into thinking-of-you message to your networking


partners? Save the gas and money of going to the Hunter's Guide Compendium. You can also get
mall and try: an updated copy of The Job Seeker's Guide to
Online Networking and Using LinkedIn the
Care2 http://www.care2.com/ A nonprofit
same way.
support site for activists, donations, and 25,000+
free ecards
Blue Mountain http://www.bluemountain.com/
Ecards and downloads, 7-days free membership
123 Greetings http://www.123greetings.com/
Animated and musical ecards
Hallmark http://www.hallmark.com/ Ecards and
print cards; unlimited ecards for $9.99/year
American Greetings http://
www.americangreetings.com/ Ecards, some free,
free trial before subscribing
E-Cards http://www.e-cards.com/
Egreetings.com http://www.egreetings.com/
cardfunk beta http://www.cardfunk.com/ Upload PSG - Driving Employment Through
photos to add friends'/family’s faces to customized
cartoon cards, with sound and animation; free; Member and Organizational
includes tool to send cards via Facebook. Strength
Pencake http://www.pencake.com/ Draw your
own cards online with simple tools, or chose from OUR VISION:
other’s creations. It works better if you have
actual drawing talent. PSG will dedicate membership resources to
become the leading provider of services to
Yahoo! Kids ecards http://kids.yahoo.com/
help fulfill our mission. Through active
ecards Free ecards for kids; some TV show/movie
participation, members will obtain valuable
tie-ins
new knowledge, expand personal and life
E-Flowers experiences and leave each meeting
They're Beautiful emails free e-flowers to a revitalized for the tasks of securing gainful
friend, http://www.theyrebeautiful.com/. employment and enhancing our economy.
These efforts will create the organization
Easy Internet Radio
of choice for linking job seekers to
Do you like classical music? (Who doesn't?) employers and alumni.
Windows users can download a free sidebar app to
listen to over 225 classical internet music stations
from around the world, http://gallery.live.com/ OUR MISSION:
liveItemDetail.aspx?li=e7631c14-26e3-4a6d- PSG is a self-help volunteer organization
bae4-bdc6952aeaaf&bt=1&pl=1. Look for other
for professional level job seekers.
(smaller) sidebar applications for the BBC (British
Members pursue three goals:
news and music), CBC (Canada) and ABC
(Australia) as well as public radio and commercial
stations. All free. • To find employment as quickly as
possible
What are your favorite online sites, tricks or tools?
Email andybrandt531@yahoo.com and we might
• To help other PSG members find
feature them in a future article.
employment
Get Andrew Brandt's free PDF collection of Frugal
Job Hunter Guides by emailing • To help the group as a whole
andybrandt531@yahoo.com, introducing yourself,
and requesting a copy of The Frugal Job


July 2010 Landings Committee Chairs
CONGRATULATIONS PSG Steering Committee:
Thomas Brankner (brankner@aol.com)
1. Rakesh Rana - QC Manager (Comus Dale Favia (dfavia@optonline.net)
International) Tom Martin (ltcmartin@aol.com)
2. Edward Kanczewski - IT QA Consultant
(Pfizer) Computer:
3. R. Mercedes Walker - Adjunct Professor Peter Katzenbach (pkatzen1@yahoo.com)
(Rutgers University) Ali Flint (aliflint@comcast.net)
4. Susan Mattox - Beauty Advisor (Macy’s Instructors:
At Short Hills) Frank Magdits (frank.magdits@yahoo.com)
5. David Bowes - (Prudential) Dale Favia (dfavia@optonline.net)
6. Mark Newton - Branch Manager (Valley
Business Process
National Bank, Chatham)
Michael Alterman (mikealte@ieee.org)
7. Judy Ambrosio - conf.
8. Paul Skroki - conf. Documentation:
9. Stephen Marks - Programmer/Analyst Thomas Brankner (brankner@aol.com)
(Approgence Technologies/JD Edwards)
Career Events:
10. Denis Lemieux - Admin. Assistant (Local
Mark Muschko (mwmuschko@toast.net )
108, RWDSU, UFCW)
11. Joanne Calafiore - Pastoral Associate Alumni Events:
(Immaculate Heart of Mary Church) Ira Sieber (iesieber@aol.com)
12. Theodore Giandana - conf. Mark Muschko (mwmuschko@toast.net)
13. William Klein - SharePoint Developer Andy Brandt (andybrandt531@yahoo.com)
(Robert Half) New Business:
14. Lorna Simon - Director, Development & Vincent Iannaccone (vianacone@aol.com)
Training (AECOM)
15. Rachel Barish - Access DB Analyst Membership:
(Unilever) Dan Harrison
(d.harrison454@hotmail.com)
16. William Hyer - Accounting and Finance
Bob Delpizzo (rmks_2000@yahoo.com)
Consultant (Global Resource
Professionals) Opportunity Center:
17. Deborah Pennec - Accounts Payable Lauren Anello (lauren1976@aol.com)
Rep. (BASF) Rob Lotstein (prr1rob@aol.com)
18. James Cooney - Senior Medicare Analyst Kristen Bishop (krbishop1@optonline.net)
(EmblemHealth55)
Media Communications:
19. Angelo Poccia - Director Insurance
Bob Loder (bob.loder@gmail.com)
Broker Services (conf.)
Caroline Bucquet (caroline@bucquet.us)
20. Carol D’Archangelo - HR Business
Partner (TD Bank) Marketing:
21. Peter Ciulla - Technical Support Mary Pellecchia (marypell@optonline.net)
(Automated Wireless) Caroline Bucquet (cbucquet@hotmail.com)
22. Frederick Koval - Inside Sales (RIA PROFESSIONAL SERVICES GROUP
International) 107 Bassett Highway, Dover, NJ 07801
23. Stephen Reiss - conf. Phone: 973.361.1034 Fax: 973.361.8727
24. Carolyn Cohn - Editorial Manager Email: psgdover@dol.state.nj.us
(KnowledgePoint360) PSG Website: www.doverpsg.com
25. Edward Mullin - Sr. Financial Analyst
(GAB Robins North America) Sponsored by the NJ Department of Labor
26. Carlos Lafuente - Sr. Performance and Workforce Development
Engineer (Telcordia Technologies) © 2010 Professional Services Group,
27. Christina D-Areas - Admin. Assistant Dover, NJ
(Picatinny)


2010 09 Psg Networker

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