5 Tips for Overcoming the Bite of The Sandwich Generation

Do you find yourself planning for retirement, saving for college and helping aging parents all at the same time? If so, welcome to The Sandwich Generation.

Because I know that it can be a challenging time in life, here are five tips to help ease the burden of multiple financial goals.

1. Keep separate accounts. Your various financial goals will have different time frames and cash flow requirements. Investing money in separate accounts for each objective will help you select suitable investments for each one.

2. Look into financial aid. You may not have to cover all your children’s college expenses yourself. A range of financial aid options are available and some may suit your family. Estimating the aid you’ll receive will help you plan for your share of the costs.

3. Explore options for aging parents. Planning for your parents’ needs can pay off both financially and emotionally. Ideally you can discuss options while they are still healthy and able to work with you toward meeting their care needs.

4. Maintain control of debt. Consider what you really need rather than what you want when making major purchasing decisions requiring long-term financial commitments.

5. Take care of yourself first. You can finance a college education, but you can’t put your retirement on a credit card. Make sure your retirement plan remains a high priority among your financial obligations. If you need some help in that area, consult a financial advisor to explore your retirement planning progress and make sure your plan is on track.

Renée A. Hanson, CFP®, CEP®, CDFA™, CFS, is a private wealth advisor with Hanson, Ayala & Associates, a private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. Her passion is in helping women achieve their dreams and financial goals, regardless of life’s many obstacles. Renée is licensed/registered to do business with U.S. residents only in the states of AZ, CA, CO, GA, IA, IL, MI, MN, MT, NH, NJ, NM, NY, OH, PA, SC, TX, VA, WA, WI. Please visit: www.reneehanson.com to learn more.

Become a member of the Fresh Start Community of women today: www.wehelpwomen.com.

When Does the Interview Actually Begin?

By Amy Michalenko

Have you ever been puzzled when you didn’t receive an interview for a job that you were completely qualified for? What you might not know are your actions leading up to the point when it’s time to schedule an interview might have excluded you before you ever sat down for that one-on-one meeting. When we hear the word “interview,” we think about dressing to impress, practicing answers to questions, sitting in front of a hiring manager striving to say all the right things. However, the minute you make contact with an employer, you are interviewing, and your actions can speak volumes about you long before you make it to an interview.

In a tough economy every little detail counts, and as a job seeker, you have to be on your game throughout the entire process in order to beat out the tough competition for positions. With an increased number of qualified people looking for jobs, employers will use seemingly minor details to determine your fit within their organization.

The following tips can help you be more successful and give you an understanding of how your actions can affect your outcomes:

• Quality over quantity - Applying for hundreds of positions does not increase your chances. Taking the time to apply for around 5-10 positions that you are qualified for, and tailoring your resume and presentation to each will make you much more successful. Sending out hundreds of form cover letters and resumes indicates to an employer that you are not really excited about their position, but rather you’ll take any job that will take you – not so appealing!

• Keep your search organized – There is nothing worse than an employer calling you and you can’t remember the position you applied for or you have to ask for the job description. Again, this indicates to employers that their job was not really that interesting or important to you. It also can speak volumes about your attention to detail and the organizational skills you will apply to your job.

• Your communication must always be professional – Whether it is over the phone, through email or in person, you should always use the highest level of communication. Be sure that things like your email address and voicemail are professional as well. How you communicate throughout the process can indicate how you might communicate with their clients or other team members if they were to hire you.

• Treat every interaction like it is the first time you are making an impression – Don’t let your guard down. Every time you interact with an employer you leave an impression. For example, maybe you are stopping by their offices to drop something off, be sure to dress professionally; you never know who will see you.

• Follow directions – If you can’t follow directions in the interview process, will you break the rules when they hire you? For example, the posting says no phone calls please – don’t call!

• Always do more than the bare minimum – Job searching is a lot of work and will require much of your time to do it effectively. It can be tough sometimes, but you must keep your job searching stamina up. Take every step necessary to go above and beyond in order to make yourself stand out.

• Be available, at the right time – If you have been applying for jobs, be sure that you are available to return employer calls or schedule interviews in a timely manner. Calling them back a week after they called you can indicate that you are not that interested, and in some cases, taking a couple of days to respond can cause you to miss the interview process. Also, think about where you are before picking up a call. If you are somewhere that would not be appropriate to talk to someone professionally, don’t pick up your phone or be sure to remove yourself from distractions.

• Always follow up - Every time you send a resume, have an interaction (career fair, networking event, etc.) or go for an interview, take the time to follow up. A quick call to check the status of your application, an email that thanks them for their time or taking action based on a tip they gave you can demonstrate that you are the kind of person they want working for them – someone who gets the job done without being asked.

Every action that you take can make an impression on a potential employer and, quite frankly, can make or break your chances. So the true answer to the question, “When do you start interviewing?”? The minute you make contact.

Become a member of the Fresh Start Community of women today: www.wehelpwomen.com.

Amy Michalenko is the Career Services Manager at Fresh Start Women’s Foundation. She holds a bachelor’s degree in human resource management and a master’s in instructional leadership and corporate training from Robert Morris University in Pittsburgh, Pa. She has more than 10 years of experience in the areas of human resources, career services, corporate training and development.

Listening: What Are You Doing

It’s something that we do every day.

But most of us don’t do it well.

No, I’m not talking about laundry, cooking or spelling.

Most of us are bad listeners.

Let me give you an example: Have you ever been in a conversation with a co-worker and, though you’re seemingly “quiet” while they speak, you’re thinking ahead to what you want to say next? We’re all guilty of this at times.

Debra Davenport, an image and career counselor and president of Identity IQ, LLC, says this is because we are all ego-driven. We all have mental distractions that we deal with when communicating with others.

How can we overcome…ourselves…when listening?

Pay attention for content and emotion in what others are expressing, says Debra. Then, a big part of being a good listener is being conscious of your body language. Fiddling with your outfit, doodling and glancing over the shoulder of the person speaking to see if someone is walking by are cues that you are casually, not actively, listening.

Being an active listener means taking an active and physical approach with your body language. Mirroring the other person’s body language is a technique that visually reflects back the information that is being communicated. Mirroring is an especially effective tool when interviewing. If the interviewer has staunch posture when speaking and you can emulate this, you are much more likely to build an unspoken positive rapport with the other person.

In addition to mirroring, active listening depends heavily on other non-verbal cues. Things like nodding, smiling, raising eyebrows, leaning in and maintaining eye contact are all behaviors that show the other person you are not only taking in what they have to say, but understanding the overall message.

What not to do when listening?

Two common listening mistakes Debra sees in her clients:

1. Frowning

Many times people frown when they are processing information. Though they may be actively listening, they’re giving the wrong message to the person speaking. Frowning can mean a number of different things—many of which are not positive. It can indicate: “I disagree with what you are saying.” I am angry with you for what you just said.” “I don’t like you.”

Sending the wrong message with your body language can create communication barriers—barriers that can hinder relationships.

2. Eye Contact

Yes, eye contact is an important part of communication and listening, but the correct amount of eye contact can be tricky in some situations. Unwavering eye contact when a person is expressing personal or difficult news can create a distraction of its own. Give the person communicating a break; take some notes or glance at their hand gestures to interrupt prolonged eye contact.

Special thanks to Debra Davenport, president of Identity IQ, LLC, a licensed and certified firm that provides image development, career counseling and wellness consulting. Debra was a recent career expert on the “Dr. Phil” show, and she is the former workplace color spokesperson for Panasonic. Debra holds multiple degrees and certifications and serves on the faculties of several universities. She speaks and writes regularly about the image-career-wellness connection. Connect with Debra on Twitter at @debradavenport, and visit www.identity-iq.com for more information.

Become a member of the Fresh Start Community of women today: www.wehelpwomen.com.

5 Life Transitions that Affect a Woman’s Taxes

Yes, we can hear the yawns across the Internet. Taxes. Everyone’s least favorite topic.

But in celebration of this year’s tax season coming to an end, we thought we’d offer some simple tips to get you ready for next year’s season…and seasons to come.

There are certain life transitions every woman should be aware of when it comes to her taxes. Susan Hirshman, CFA, CPA, CFP®, helps us break down five of the most common ones to consider and tips to help you on your way.

1. Marriage

There are many questions running through your head as you are about to marry your loved one. But whether you will file “married filing jointly” or "married filing separately" on your taxes? Probably not the first thought that comes to mind when skipping away from the altar hand-in-hand with your new spouse.

Expert advice:

“Married filing jointly” is a common answer due to favorable tax rates and benefits, but there are reasons to consider filing separately. Privacy and liability are two such reasons.

Some couples may keep bank accounts and money separate, and filing jointly does not allow for this privacy. Also, filing jointly places responsibility for the whole on both parties, and in certain circumstances, (i.e. one spouse makes significantly less than the other) filing separately may allow for a lower total tax liability.

2. Children

According to a report by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, parents are looking at spending an estimated $206,000 to $476,000 over the life of a child born in 2009.

Does hearing those numbers make you feel like someone should cut you a break? Well, the government does…in taxes.

Expert advice:

The year your child is born, no matter if they are born the last day of the year, they are a dependent. In tax jargon, dependent=deductions in most cases. You may qualify for a variety of credits and other deductions for childcare, education and the like.

3. Buying a Home

People like to give all kinds of advice when it comes to the real estate market: when to buy, where to buy… But when it comes to the other important aspects, like real estate taxes, we typically don’t hear much.

Expert advice:

If you were renting before, most likely you didn’t itemize your taxes. Now, because of mortgage interest expenses and real estate taxes, your deductions may be greater than the standard deduction the IRS allows. Also, keep records as you do major improvements to the home, like remodeling, as they are part of your cost basis.

4. Divorce

Now this is a life transition that we typically don’t plan for, and like many aspects of divorce, it can get tricky.

Expert advice:

There are two key issues here:

• If you have children, who gets to claim them as dependents? The answer is based on time spent in respective residences and the age of the child/children.

• Is your settlement alimony or child support? This should be spelled out in your agreement. The major difference from a tax perspective is that if it’s alimony, then it is a tax deduction for the payor and it's taxable income to the payee.

5. Self-employment

The good news is more and more women are in this position. The bad news? There are tax issues surrounding such business ventures that you must know.

Expert advice:

If you start a business out of your home, there are three basic questions:

• Is it a business or a hobby? If you’re aiming to make a profit, you are the proud owner of a business in the eyes of the IRS.

• Should you incorporate? There are many reasons why you may—the most important being the benefit of limited liability. There are a variety of tax structures so make sure you consult with a tax advisor when you start your business or as it starts to grow.

• Can you (or should you) deduct a portion of your house expenses? Businesses generally get to deduct the full amount of expenses they incur. Home office expenses are a good example of this. But the rules can be complicated and the IRS likes to audit these deductions, so consult with a tax advisor.

Just like there is no one-size-fits-all plan for women, the same goes for your taxes and financial plans. It is always a good idea to consult a professional for your personal situation.

Special thanks to Susan Hirshman, CFA, CPA, CFP®. Susan is president of SHE LTD, a consulting firm focused on enhancing the financial literacy of women globally. She was formally a Managing Director, Wealth Strategist with one of the world’s top financial services organization and a CPA with a global accounting firm. Susan is the author of Does this Make My Assets Look Fat?: A Woman’s Guide to Finding Financial Empowerment and Success (St. Martin’s Press). Connect with Susan at www.facebook.com/MyFatAssets and www.twitter.com/myfatassets. Visit www.myfatassets.com for more information.

Become a member of the Fresh Start Community of women today: www.wehelpwomen.com.

3 Tips For Getting a Raise in 2011

By Laura C. Browne

You may be reluctant to talk about raises this year because of the difficult economic situation. You may just be grateful you have a job. Even so, you should make sure your company knows how valuable you are so you can be first in line to get a raise when your company’s profits begin to increase.

If you’re like most women, asking for a raise is uncomfortable. It’s not easy to discuss money, however, here are some practical tips that can help you get started now:

1) Build a business case with reasons you should get a raise

Before you ask your boss for a raise, you need answer one very important question “What do you do at work that deserves a raise?” Sure you work hard but companies are looking for results that positively affect the bottom line. Let’s ask the question a different way. “What do you do that makes or saves money for the company?” Once you clearly understand that, it will be easier for you to build a business case for your raise.

Think about this in terms of “increased” and “reduced.” Have you increased profits, customer satisfaction or numbers of orders for your company’s products? Have you reduced expenses, customer complaints, product development time, or customer response time?

No matter what part of the company you work in, you can make a difference. For example, if you’re in accounting, you might have worked on a new system that helps customers quickly resolve billing issues so invoices get paid faster.

After you realize how your job affects the bottom line, you should start sending Results Updates to your boss to help him or her understand your value. Results Updates should consist of a few bullet points about your accomplishments and how they help the company. I recommend sending them to your boss every week or two. You can use these to remind your boss when you ask for a raise.

2) Clearly and calmly ask for a raise

You should ask for a raise in a calm and professional way just like you would ask for resources on a project. If raises have been frozen, let your boss know you realize it’s still a difficult economic situation for the company and you’re positioning yourself for an increase when raise dollars are available.

Start the meeting by thanking your boss and maintain a positive attitude throughout the discussion. Be confident in your message but add a smile to keep the meeting friendly. Review information that shows your value and clearly ask for a raise.

Then stop talking. See what your manager has to say. Even if they agree you deserve a raise, they won’t be able to say yes on the spot. No matter what the answer is, be prepared to respond in a non-emotional and positive way. If the answer is no, ask for more information by using open-ended questions such as, “Can you help me to understand what the issue is?” “What would have to change for me to get a raise?”

3) Work with your boss

You should view your boss as an ally. It’s very likely your boss would like to pay you more to keep you motivated and loyal. Unfortunately funds are limited and your boss may need to negotiate with their managers and Human Resources.

How can you help your boss negotiate for you? Ask your boss what they think would be most helpful. Do they want reports, customer comments or a brief list of accomplishments? Let your boss know how much you appreciate their help and willingness to support your raise request with others.

Keep in mind that whether you get a raise or not may simply be a financial decision based on profits. Don’t take it personally.

It’s not easy to have a raise discussion, but you can prepare and practice so you’ll be ready when you talk to your boss. So don’t wait, start now to emphasize your value to the company and begin to open the dialogue about raises so you can get the raise you deserve.

Laura C. Browne has more than 20 years experience as a corporate trainer and manager and is passionate about giving women the guidance and communication skills necessary to overcome and be successful despite workplace and gender-specific challenges. For almost ten years, women from Fortune 1000 companies have turned to Laura for career guidance and training. Laura is the author of Raise Rules for Women: How To Make More Money At Work and Why Can’t You Communicate Like Me? How Smart Women Get Results At Work (both titles available on Amazon Kindle).

Become a member of the Fresh Start Community of women today: www.wehelpwomen.com.

What Every Newly Single Woman Should Know

By Renée A. Hanson

If you've recently become a single parent due to divorce or the death of a spouse, here’s what you should know from a financial standpoint:

1. Your best first action may be inaction.

Emotions—such as shock, anger, sadness, denial or grief—can affect your ability to make decisions that are consistent with your best long-term interests. Give yourself six months to a year to work through your feelings before you begin making major financial decisions.

If you've inherited a large sum of money, such as a life insurance policy death benefit, talk with your financial professional about the best place to deposit those dollars over the short term to give yourself time to process your new situation.

2. You need to take steps to help ensure your short-term financial stability.

Although you may feel overwhelmed by the demands upon your time, it’s important that you take care of the financial basics to maintain a good credit rating:

• Close joint banking accounts and credit cards and, when appropriate, open new ones in your name.

• Stay up to date on your bills. If you aren’t already signed up for electronic payments, now may be a good time to start. By investing a few minutes upfront to get started, you’ll save yourself time and money over time.

• Update your beneficiary designations and contact information on your financial and legal documents.

• Continue to regularly contribute to your savings program. If money is tight, it’s easy to sacrifice your long-term goals, such as building up cash reserves or saving for retirement, for the short-term benefits of your child or children (i.e. a week at summer camp). However, as a single parent, your financial security is fundamental for your family’s financial stability. So, you need to pay yourself first.

3. If you’re financially strapped, look for opportunities to live on less.

This includes reducing or consolidating your number of service subscriptions. For example, the cost of the following services can add up quickly and may be redundant:

• Television recording services

• Movie, magazine and newspaper subscriptions

• Home phones and cell phones with data packages

4. Consult a financial professional.

He or she can help you establish a financial strategy to help meet your needs.

Renée A. Hanson, CFP®, CEP®, CDFA™, CFS, is a private wealth advisor with Hanson, Ayala & Associates, a private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. Her passion is in helping women achieve their dreams and financial goals, regardless of life’s many obstacles. Renée is licensed/registered to do business with U.S. residents only in the states of AZ, CA, CO, GA, IA, IL, MI, MN, MT, NH, NJ, NM, NY, OH, PA, SC, TX, VA, WA, WI. Please visit: www.reneehanson.com to learn more.

Become a member of the Fresh Start Community of women today: www.wehelpwomen.com.

Using Social Media in Your Job Search

By Dolores Seright, CPC

“It’s not what you know; it’s who you know.” You’ve heard it a hundred times, and it is still very true and very important in your job search. Networking using social media can help you in your job search. Imagine multiplying the people in your network 10 times, 100 times or more. The Internet and social media have made this possible, and today’s savvy women are learning to use such tools to their advantage.

Today’s employers expect you to have a presence on social media websites, and increasing numbers of employers are using them to recruit and to advertise for employees. Most employers also check social media websites to learn more about you before extending a job offer.

Which Websites Should I Use?

• Facebook: www.facebook.com has grown from simply being a website where people can build a network of friends and family to share information and pictures. With more than 500 million members, it is now used by companies to promote products and connect on a more personal level with their client base. Facebook can be used to connect people with common interests. It is a great place to make friends to support you in your job search and introduce you to other people who may know about job openings in your field.
• BranchOut: www.branchout.com is a career networking application on Facebook that just launched recently. It allows access to career data for your friends and their friends and gives you opportunity to make important connections within many companies.
• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com is a website for professional networking with more than 90 million members. You can use LinkedIn to publish your professional profile, post your resume, invite people to recommend you and establish a network of professional contacts. LinkedIn is widely used by recruiters to find qualified people and is an excellent way to connect and exchange information about employment opportunities.
• Twitter: www.twitter.com is a website used to share information in 140 characters or less. Many people are not aware that many companies are now using Twitter to post job openings. You can join Twitter and “follow” companies you are interested in to hear about employment opportunities very quickly.
• YouTube: www.youtube.com is a website that can be used to post your video resume or watch recruiting videos about companies you are interested in.
• Glassdoor: www.glassdoor.com is a source for inside information about companies posted by current and former employees. You can join and ask questions about companies and get helpful info about job openings and more from people who know the answers.

How Do I Use Social Media Effectively?

• Have a Strategy For Each Website
• Decide which social media website will be the best platform for you to use.
• Determine your specific goals for each site.
• Develop a plan to connect with the right people to help you in your search.
• Make a commitment to spend a specific amount of time daily using social media.
• Develop a winning resume that highlights your skills and accomplishments.
• Tell all your friends and connections you are job searching if you are unemployed.
• Be sure you have the correct privacy settings for each website if you are currently employed and considering a change in careers or employers.
• Research potential companies and look for connections within your network.
• Ask for introductions to employees of prospective employers in your field.
• Don’t be afraid to ask. Due to the economy, many people are in the same situation.
• Join groups in your field of interest on Facebook and LinkedIn. Write “posts” to showcase your expertise and gain credibility. People will remember you and help you.
• “Like” companies on Facebook you want to work for to stay current on what is happening with the company. You may hear about expansions or opportunities more quickly.
• Communicate with people so they get to know you.

It may seem overwhelming if you are new to social media, so just get started and learn one step at a time. Be consistent and committed in your journey to new skills and a successful job search, and share your success!

Dolores Seright, CPC, is a certified professional coach and her passion is teaching people the skills they need to pursue their passion, become an expert in their field and excel in their business. Her experience as a regional business director for a corporation combined with her experience as a business owner gives her a unique ability to understand the challenges you face and work with you to achieve higher levels of success. Dolores also volunteers as a career coach at Fresh Start in Phoenix and facilitates workshops on job searching in today’s marketplace. Learn more about Dolores at www.passporttoyourdreams.com and connect with her at www.facebook.com/phoenix.coach.

Become a member of the Fresh Start Community of women today: www.wehelpwomen.com.