plus 1, How the holidays can help your job hunt - Chicago Sun-Times

How the holidays can help your job hunt - Chicago Sun-Times

Posted: 25 Nov 2010 01:56 AM PST

Many of the unemployed sit on the sidelines, and employers tend to have more free time at the office

November 25, 2010

BY CLAUDIA BUCK

Contrary to what many job seekers may think, the holidays can be the best time to get employed.

"Many job seekers make the mistake of putting their job search on hold during the holidays on the assumption that 'no one's hiring in December,' " said career consultant Naomi Kinert, owner of Career Focus in El Dorado Hills, Calif.

Given the number of job hunters who get distracted or discouraged at year's end, she noted, "those who stay in the [job hunt] game will have less competition" and potentially better odds of landing a permanent paycheck.

The holidays can be a good time to catch recruiters, hiring managers and others at work. "Oftentimes, work slows down a bit, the office is quiet and someone who normally wouldn't have time may have a few minutes to talk or respond to your calls or e-mails," said Kinert.

Use the time to request an informational interview, get your resume in front of hiring managers, or just seek advice about the company.

Not everyone is comfortable on the business social circuit, but holiday gatherings can put you in front of people who can help.

Some job seekers want to hunker down behind their PCs, which is the reverse of what they should be doing: getting out there and socializing, says Kinert.

"Don't be embarrassed by your situation," said Kinert, who recommends having a 30-second standard greeting that's positive and informative. When asked about your job, for instance, say: "Most recently I was with Intel in Folsom, where I did XYZ, but my whole department was downsized. So now I'm excited about new possibilities, either at VSP or HP or ABC company."

Serving meals at a church shelter, helping build a children's center or handing out canned goods at the food bank can put you right alongside a CEO or hiring manager of a company you're interested in, adds Helen Scully, president of Scully Career Associates in Folsom, Calif.

Even during the holidays, create a structure to your day and follow a schedule, suggests Scully. "Set some tangible targets: 'At 8 a.m., I'm going to start looking, take an hour for lunch, finish up at 3 p.m. I'm going to set up five face-to-face meetings a week.'"

Another tip: Find a "job-search buddy," someone to encourage you and to commiserate with. It doesn't have to be someone in your same field, but someone to help you stick to your goals.

Scripps Howard News Service

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Brandon Jacobs back as Giants starting running back after Ahmad Bradshaw fumbles away job - New York Daily News

Posted: 25 Nov 2010 01:34 AM PST

Sipkin/News

Giants running back Brandon Jacobs (and below) will start Sunday against the Jaguars.

Tom Coughlin finally had enough of Ahmad Bradshaw's fumbles this season, and now the shifty running back has even fumbled away his starting job.

Coughlin benched his butter-fingered running back Wednesday and returned Brandon Jacobs to his old starting role at least for the Giants' game this Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The reason was obvious since Bradshaw has fumbled an NFL-worst six times in 10 games.

"Why it would be a total surprise to anybody is beyond me," Coughlin said.

It certainly didn't seem to surprise the 24-year-old Bradshaw, who also said he wasn't disappointed in the decision. He seemed to know it was coming after he fumbled twice during the Giants' 27-17 loss to the Eagles on Sunday night, although one of those was narrowly overturned by video challenge as it revealed his wrist hit the ground before he lost the ball.

However, Coughlin had seen more than enough, especially since his entire team has become turnover prone. The Giants (6-4) have an NFL-worst 30 turnovers this season and a dismal turnover ratio of minus-8. Since Coughlin can't afford to bench Eli Manning (16 interceptions), benching Bradshaw was the most dramatic thing Coughlin could do.

"Well, the No. 1 consideration is to try to stop beating ourselves," Coughlin explained. "That's one area that we should be able to improve. It's very frustrating not to improve in that area."

Coughlin was unclear on how much of a chance Bradshaw will get to improve in the final six weeks of the regular season. He said he has not decided what would happen to his running back rotation beyond this week. The 28-year-old Jacobs, however, insisted this is a "temporary" move.

"Even if I go in and rush for 200 yards in each of these games, it's temporary," Jacobs said. "(Bradshaw) is an explosive runner and I want to see him in there myself, (more) than anybody else. I want to see him in and see him do well. So it's only going to be temporary. That's what I believe in my heart."

Jacobs was the starter from 2007-09, of course, and after initially being upset about losing his job to Bradshaw this summer, he's settled in and averaged 5.0 yards per carry (78 carries, 387 yards).

That's actually more than Bradshaw (4.7 yards per carry, 867 yards). Plus, Jacobs has only one fumble and has been less turnover-prone in his career. Both running backs have 14 career fumbles, but Jacobs has those in 857 career rushes, while Bradshaw has hit that number in just 438.

Still, Bradshaw won't be completely buried on the depth chart. Coughlin indicated he'll still have a 2-to-1 split of carries between his running backs, so Bradshaw can figure on getting 10 or so on Sunday if everything goes well. Regardless, Coughlin said Bradshaw was "not happy" when he got the news, but Jacobs insisted his teammate would eventually be fine.

"He and I both know what this business is like," Jacobs said. "I know he's going to still be there and he's still going to be a big part of us winning. And if we want to win, we're going to give him the ball. That's basically all I've got to say. If we want to win, hand it to him, and he's going to get it done."

HEAD ACHES
Eagles CB Asante Samuel said the NFL fined him $40,000 for his illegal, helmet-to-helmet hit on Giants WR Derek Hagan Sunday night. Philly G Todd Herremans said he was fined $5,000 for his chop block on DT Chris Canty. . . . Giants claimed ex-Redskins and Panthers WR Devin Thomas off waivers and placed FB Madison Hedgecock (hamstring) on season-ending injured reserve. . . . LT David Diehl (hamstring) and C Shaun O'Hara (foot) have not yet been cleared to practice. . . . DE Justin Tuck missed practice with a "sore" quad, but said he's fine. . . . KR Will Blackmon (chest) and DE Osi Umenyiora (knee) also missed practice. . . . LT Shawn Andrews (back) was limited.