The most effective way to get a job in this economy

Abridged: Today MSNBC

LOS ANGELES, CA -- Lost your job? Join the club. Better yet, join the party. As unemployment numbers hit historic highs, "pink slip" parties are popping up in big cities around the country. Hundreds of axed employees are going to happy hour meet-and-greets, where one can enjoy a drink and discuss career prospects with eager recruiters.

People are finding creative ways to stand out above the pack. In order to get a job in this economy, people have to get out there. And while there are no guarantees of gaining anything more than good conversations and a few contacts, some pink slip attendees have had success in finding new employment. Pink slip parties offer those on the prowl for jobs a chance to share information among themselves.

"If you take your network and compare it to the network of a total group, you get access to more people - if you can help each other, it's a win for everyone," said John Challenger, CEO of outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas. Pink slip parties are just one extension of social networking. Whether online or in person at networking events, many agree that these one-on-one connections have stood the test of time as the most effective way to get a job.

2 Very Important Tips For Starting A Business in Your Home

For more and more people, home is not only where the family is - it's where the business is! I have ben doing business for the past 12 years from home and I love the flexibility and convenience. During the last 20 years, large numbers of people have chosen to market their skills and talents from home. Recent studies estimate that as many as 20 percent of new small business enterprises are operated out of the home, and this trend is growing. Many home-based businesses are even started on a part-time basis and then expand into full-time businesses as the market for the business develops and grows.

Why a home based business?

People are attracted to home based businesses for many different reasons. 

They include: 

1. Experiencing the personal satisfaction of making their own decisions
2. Expressing their own ideas and being their own boss. 

Those starting home-based businesses come from many different groups, such as homemakers, single parents, youth, dislocated workers, hobbyists and people interested in adding to their incomes. The entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well even in this economy...actually especially in this economy. 

1. First have a mission statement or vision for your business.
2. Make a business plan. Every business should have a business plan, including a home-based business.

The best place to get started with that is the Small Business Website. 

http://www.sba.gov/ 

They have detailed instructions on how to get started in your state. With references to laws, policies and procedures.