Thursday, May 28, 2020

What Good Is A Log Entry in JibberJobber

What Good Is A Log Entry in JibberJobber Remember in the olden days, watching TV and you would see the test of the emergency broadcast system?  You might remember the TV to show this: I had that in mind as I saw this email come from one of my users, who was testing the Email2Log.  See, I invite people to test the Email2Log by sending me an email, using Email2Log to see if (a) a new Contact record was created (with my info), and (b) the Log Entry was created properly. And its is FUN for me to get emails from users Anyway, heres the message from a new user, Lorne: This a test. If this was a real log Im not sure what I would do with it. Thanks Lorne, for the laugh  As a friend of mine said last night, one of my problems is that Ive been in the forest for so long that I will not see JibberJobber, and its complexities, the way a new user would. So let me share some thoughts on what you do with a Log Entry. To put it into perspective, a Log Entry is like a note that you have jotted down that you dont want to lose. Perhaps youll refer to it later. And that, my friends, is the most simple way to describe a Log Entry. What is the source of these notes?  It could be a thought I had about you. It could be a conversation that weve had. It could be information, details, facts, words said, intentions, or actions. This week I logged the payment of some bills, as well as conversations, into JibberJobber. In my pre-JibberJobber life, I would have notes jotted down all over the place some in my email inbox, some in my car, some in a notebook, some on my desk, some on or in my night stand, etc.  Now, with JibberJobber, I capture notes and ideas and conversations that I might want to refer to later in JibberJobber. Back to Lornes question: what do you do with a Log Entry? Usually, I do nothing.  Sounds weird, huh?  Why even jot it down if I do nothing with it? I find myself with an active mind, with lots of things buzzing around. The less I have jotted down, the more I try to juggle in my mind.  That is no fun.  That causes sleep problems, and I find myself forgetting to do things because my mind is juggling too many things.  Im no psychologist but thats my self-diagnosis.  When I jot it down I give myself permission to forget about it, and mentally move on. I can focus on tasks at hand, and not worry about trying to remember a bunch of different things. More important than that, though, is that Ill sometimes want to refer to something I noted down later. A day later, a week or month later, and in the case of a reconnection with someone last week, 5 years later. Last week I reconnected with a colleague.  This was a voice from the past, and honestly, I couldnt remember what conversations weve had over the last five years.  Fortunately, I had logged those conversations (they were all through email, and I used Email2Log to easily capture them all). Instead of lingering on who are you? Have we met? it was easy to look this person up and look at the Log Entries and see how our relationship has evolved over time. I continually hear from recruiters who talk to job seekers who dont remember who they are, or that they had applied for the job the recruiter is calling about.  The recruiters tell me that when a job seeker doesnt remember, and cant find notes to jog their memory, they think the job seeker is not interested. This is the wrong message to send to someone who thinks that you might be the right person. Over the years I have disciplined myself to add more details to Log Entries.  We had lunch is an almost useless Log Entry (but, its better than nothing).  We had lunch at Red Lobster, I paid, we talked about X, Y, and Z, and I need to follow-up with Jill on Monday about A, B, and C is a much better Log Entry.  Why?  Because two years later, reading we had lunch isnt helpful but reading what you talked about might help you pick up the conversation, and relationship, at the right place. So there you go.  Over time youll get a feeling for what, and how much, to log.  Email2Log makes this really easy. Ive always found that adding more is better than adding less, but just start where you are, and create your own system that works for you. What Good Is A Log Entry in JibberJobber Remember in the olden days, watching TV and you would see the test of the emergency broadcast system?  You might remember the TV to show this: I had that in mind as I saw this email come from one of my users, who was testing the Email2Log.  See, I invite people to test the Email2Log by sending me an email, using Email2Log to see if (a) a new Contact record was created (with my info), and (b) the Log Entry was created properly. And its is FUN for me to get emails from users Anyway, heres the message from a new user, Lorne: This a test. If this was a real log Im not sure what I would do with it. Thanks Lorne, for the laugh  As a friend of mine said last night, one of my problems is that Ive been in the forest for so long that I will not see JibberJobber, and its complexities, the way a new user would. So let me share some thoughts on what you do with a Log Entry. To put it into perspective, a Log Entry is like a note that you have jotted down that you dont want to lose. Perhaps youll refer to it later. And that, my friends, is the most simple way to describe a Log Entry. What is the source of these notes?  It could be a thought I had about you. It could be a conversation that weve had. It could be information, details, facts, words said, intentions, or actions. This week I logged the payment of some bills, as well as conversations, into JibberJobber. In my pre-JibberJobber life, I would have notes jotted down all over the place some in my email inbox, some in my car, some in a notebook, some on my desk, some on or in my night stand, etc.  Now, with JibberJobber, I capture notes and ideas and conversations that I might want to refer to later in JibberJobber. Back to Lornes question: what do you do with a Log Entry? Usually, I do nothing.  Sounds weird, huh?  Why even jot it down if I do nothing with it? I find myself with an active mind, with lots of things buzzing around. The less I have jotted down, the more I try to juggle in my mind.  That is no fun.  That causes sleep problems, and I find myself forgetting to do things because my mind is juggling too many things.  Im no psychologist but thats my self-diagnosis.  When I jot it down I give myself permission to forget about it, and mentally move on. I can focus on tasks at hand, and not worry about trying to remember a bunch of different things. More important than that, though, is that Ill sometimes want to refer to something I noted down later. A day later, a week or month later, and in the case of a reconnection with someone last week, 5 years later. Last week I reconnected with a colleague.  This was a voice from the past, and honestly, I couldnt remember what conversations weve had over the last five years.  Fortunately, I had logged those conversations (they were all through email, and I used Email2Log to easily capture them all). Instead of lingering on who are you? Have we met? it was easy to look this person up and look at the Log Entries and see how our relationship has evolved over time. I continually hear from recruiters who talk to job seekers who dont remember who they are, or that they had applied for the job the recruiter is calling about.  The recruiters tell me that when a job seeker doesnt remember, and cant find notes to jog their memory, they think the job seeker is not interested. This is the wrong message to send to someone who thinks that you might be the right person. Over the years I have disciplined myself to add more details to Log Entries.  We had lunch is an almost useless Log Entry (but, its better than nothing).  We had lunch at Red Lobster, I paid, we talked about X, Y, and Z, and I need to follow-up with Jill on Monday about A, B, and C is a much better Log Entry.  Why?  Because two years later, reading we had lunch isnt helpful but reading what you talked about might help you pick up the conversation, and relationship, at the right place. So there you go.  Over time youll get a feeling for what, and how much, to log.  Email2Log makes this really easy. Ive always found that adding more is better than adding less, but just start where you are, and create your own system that works for you. What Good Is A Log Entry in JibberJobber Remember in the olden days, watching TV and you would see the test of the emergency broadcast system?  You might remember the TV to show this: I had that in mind as I saw this email come from one of my users, who was testing the Email2Log.  See, I invite people to test the Email2Log by sending me an email, using Email2Log to see if (a) a new Contact record was created (with my info), and (b) the Log Entry was created properly. And its is FUN for me to get emails from users Anyway, heres the message from a new user, Lorne: This a test. If this was a real log Im not sure what I would do with it. Thanks Lorne, for the laugh  As a friend of mine said last night, one of my problems is that Ive been in the forest for so long that I will not see JibberJobber, and its complexities, the way a new user would. So let me share some thoughts on what you do with a Log Entry. To put it into perspective, a Log Entry is like a note that you have jotted down that you dont want to lose. Perhaps youll refer to it later. And that, my friends, is the most simple way to describe a Log Entry. What is the source of these notes?  It could be a thought I had about you. It could be a conversation that weve had. It could be information, details, facts, words said, intentions, or actions. This week I logged the payment of some bills, as well as conversations, into JibberJobber. In my pre-JibberJobber life, I would have notes jotted down all over the place some in my email inbox, some in my car, some in a notebook, some on my desk, some on or in my night stand, etc.  Now, with JibberJobber, I capture notes and ideas and conversations that I might want to refer to later in JibberJobber. Back to Lornes question: what do you do with a Log Entry? Usually, I do nothing.  Sounds weird, huh?  Why even jot it down if I do nothing with it? I find myself with an active mind, with lots of things buzzing around. The less I have jotted down, the more I try to juggle in my mind.  That is no fun.  That causes sleep problems, and I find myself forgetting to do things because my mind is juggling too many things.  Im no psychologist but thats my self-diagnosis.  When I jot it down I give myself permission to forget about it, and mentally move on. I can focus on tasks at hand, and not worry about trying to remember a bunch of different things. More important than that, though, is that Ill sometimes want to refer to something I noted down later. A day later, a week or month later, and in the case of a reconnection with someone last week, 5 years later. Last week I reconnected with a colleague.  This was a voice from the past, and honestly, I couldnt remember what conversations weve had over the last five years.  Fortunately, I had logged those conversations (they were all through email, and I used Email2Log to easily capture them all). Instead of lingering on who are you? Have we met? it was easy to look this person up and look at the Log Entries and see how our relationship has evolved over time. I continually hear from recruiters who talk to job seekers who dont remember who they are, or that they had applied for the job the recruiter is calling about.  The recruiters tell me that when a job seeker doesnt remember, and cant find notes to jog their memory, they think the job seeker is not interested. This is the wrong message to send to someone who thinks that you might be the right person. Over the years I have disciplined myself to add more details to Log Entries.  We had lunch is an almost useless Log Entry (but, its better than nothing).  We had lunch at Red Lobster, I paid, we talked about X, Y, and Z, and I need to follow-up with Jill on Monday about A, B, and C is a much better Log Entry.  Why?  Because two years later, reading we had lunch isnt helpful but reading what you talked about might help you pick up the conversation, and relationship, at the right place. So there you go.  Over time youll get a feeling for what, and how much, to log.  Email2Log makes this really easy. Ive always found that adding more is better than adding less, but just start where you are, and create your own system that works for you.

Monday, May 25, 2020

What do I wear and what should I do at a careers fair University of Manchester Careers Blog

What do I wear and what should I do at a careers fair University of Manchester Careers Blog There are a number of types of events out there all badged  as careers fairs so lets break it down. Information events there may be some employers attending but its not a job fair. Job fairs in your school may be a mix of job fair and information event. Usually a smaller event for a specific career area. Graduate job fairs usually in big conference centres or large venues with upwards of 50 employers attending all with vacancies for graduate schemes or  internships. Information events Usually quite informal, you are there to ask questions to find out about a career area or sector.   They are often held on campus so the expectation is that you may be going to lectures around the event. Dress: casual smart casual.   Not your hoodie with last nights kebab down the front but not necessarily a suit. To do: ask questions to help you make informed decisions. e.g.   What are the entry routes into this job?   What skills are employers looking for?   How can  I get work experience? Job fairs in your school If there are employers attending and you are interested in making an application to them then you will want to look presentable.   Not necessarily a full suit, but smartly dressed. You may need to take a CV. Employers generally have formal application procedures online, however with a small event they may be taking applications there and then too. Ask about:   What makes a great application?   What experience would make you stand out? Can you get formal / informal experience with them? What new directions are the company moving in?   Try to get some insights that will make your application stand out. Graduate job fairs Usually pretty formal with large corporate employers. They will have spent a lot of money presenting themselves professionally to you so they will expect you to look professional too. Suits are pretty common.   Some people will dress casually but you may feel a little underdressed. Take CVs tailored for the roles you are applying for. There will be formal application procedures but if you make a good impression a recruiter may ask for your CV. This will help them remember you later. On occasion they may be used for recruitment directly. There is an expectation that you will have researched the employers before attending the fair so you need to ask insightful questions about the company or organisation. Make a list of the recruiters you absolutely must see and target them first. Ask about: What experience would make you stand out?   What would they say has had a big impact on business recently?   What do they think the next big thing will be? What was their experience of the graduate scheme, what were the best bits?   What do they think makes their company really stand out in the market? Job fairs coming up check the list of exhibitors and see what they are recruiting for to start your research. The Engineering, Science and Technology Fair 2014 Business, Finance and Management Fair 2014 More advice on what to wear Overall if you want to make a good impression dress smartly. Undergraduate Undergraduate-highlighted Careers fair CV networking

Thursday, May 21, 2020

Career Geek Gets a New Owner To Move Forwards

Career Geek Gets a New Owner To Move Forwards Its officially about a year ago when Career Geek Blog went professional! Yes, before that it was there as a personal blog. It began as a personal blog sharing my tips and tricks on the graduate job process and doing a bit of analysis on statistics of job numbers and other graduate careers issues. Asya joined Career Geek as an Editor last December. She has been around the blog since its inception in its current shape and under her leadership weve reached some pretty impressive viewing numbers, considering this blog is run on a voluntary couple-of-hours-a-day basis. Anyway, as start-ups realise, there comes a time when they have to come out of the beta phase and face the real world test. Entrepreneurs know, a good idea does not necessarily make a great idea to investors. And founders across the world know, they are really in it to do something new, but its the people with business knowledge and acumen that really turn an idea commercial. Career Geek is at that stage. I founded Career Geek Blog, but its time to move it forward now. I like writing and creating new avenues, which is what I want to carry on doing, whilst Career Geek moves forward under the management of Asya Bodeva. I am handing over Career Geek Blog to her. We are a small team of 4 working on the blog and all will remain the same. I will concentrate even more on making careers a bit more cool to write about and provide my opinions on a lot more topics in careers. Additionally, I have been struggling with time for a while now and I was looking for an external party to take Career Geek Blog to the next level that I know it has the capacity to reach. That plan didnt work out, as an external person/organisation would not be familiar with the way we work and what we want to achieve. Finally, I was glad when Asya agreed to take the ownership of Career Geek Blog. We discussed some ideas and her strategies to improve Career Geek Blogs standing in the online space. Career Geek Blog would be nowhere without our readers and those who helped us run on daily basis in the past, and those who are helping us now! I cant wait to see Asya take this project further and manage it just as she has managed us this last year. Good luck to Asya and I welcome the new leadership to take the blog forward. 0

Sunday, May 17, 2020

Hurricanes, Destruction and Rebuilding The Only Constant is Change! - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Hurricanes, Destruction and Rebuilding The Only Constant is Change! - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career My thoughts and prayers go out to the victims of Hurricane Sandy. This catastrophic event sent shock waves across the country; she threatened the stability of our lives and underscored how little control we really have at certain times in our lives. With billions of dollars in property loss and the death toll having climbed to over 1 people, it seems there is little positive we say about the situation. A few reasonable responses could be to send charity to organizations offering relief, offer housing to those without power or who have lost their home and give emotional support to those we know who are still suffering from the storm’s aftermath. Surprisingly, economists see a silver lining to the destruction; they say we can improve our cities and their infrastructure to protect against tomorrow’s potential threats and devastation. Other experts consider the storm a huge wake-up call if you will for our governing bodies to create safer subways (inflatable plugs were proposed as one method that might have minimized the NYC Subway flooding). In response to the long power outages, several experts said that Americas power infrastructure could be more resilient even when tested by a once-in-a-century storm.  The message from Sandy is that it has to be stronger, said James Hoecker, a lawyer who led the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission under President Bill Clinton. Experts suggested various adjustments, such as underground cables, Smart-Grid technology and tree trimming to make future outages end sooner. Creative destruction works for economies too. And boy, are we seeing destruction in the economy today. All of these potential solutions cost money and would require more manpower thereby stimulating economic activity. If we review how innovation in our society occurs it’s interesting (although disturbing) to note that it typically comes after destruction in the wake of despair when people are stretched to their breaking point. When the pressure is that intense you have only two choices; either put your head in the sand and hope the status quo will continue (fat chance) or start your creative engines; reexamine the old ways and do something adults hate doing: embrace change. Economies, businesses and cities are not the only entities that can benefit from creative destruction; individuals can reinvent themselves and their personal brand by applying these same principles. As Tyler Cowen, a professor of economics at George Mason University wrote; Culture is, and has always been, a process of creative  destruction. We might wish for the creativity without the destruction, but in this world we don’t have that choice. Visionary empire builders like Carnegie and Rockefeller created fantastic conglomerates that made huge fortunes for investors. We also saw how these businesses were ultimately subject to what economic historian Jo Schumpeter terms creative destruction. This is the idea that competitors who find innovative new ideas will ultimately destroy those that dominated an industry in the past. What To Do When Your Brand Isn’t Working? You can apply the principles of creative destruction to your personal brand and reinvent yourself completely when the status quo isn’t working for you.   First of all, don’t wait till there’s a crisis; you can modify your plan when things are going well to stay ahead of your competition.   Stay alert to new opportunities, be flexible and when you make mistakes…use it as an opportunity to shift gears. Be open to learn and grow from your mistakes. Avoid complacency and take risks! Develop your network through involvement in professional, social, philanthropic and alumni associations.   Update your LinkedIn profile and connect to colleagues who are top experts in your field. Offer valuable content such as articles for a blog to build your reputation as an expert and help build that person’s brand. Consider the Two Most Important Things Companies Do in Reinventing Themselves That  Can Apply to Your Personal Brand. 1.  Remain Flexible:  Companies and individuals will need to be malleable and ready to move in order to survive. That may mean physical mobility â€" like the ability to move production to wherever it’s most cost-effective. It could be wages, taxes, or a whole host of factors at play. You may need to retrain, refresh your skills, and move to a new location in order to achieve your most ambitious career goals. 2:   Embrace Change: The smaller the business, the quicker it is off the mark, and the more likely it is to be innovative. If you find that you have chosen the wrong path (either because it doesn’t suit your abilities or there is no demand for the expertise in this area) don’t hang on because you fear change or consider a change in your direction a defeat! Ask career counselors at Universities youre applying to (or the one you currently attend) how the school’s curriculums are keeping up with industry demands.   Like a small company, you too can adjust your goals and your game plan if you discover that the courses youre taking and your major isn’t preparing you for a marketable position after college. See the OCC handbook for more information on hot careers for the next decade http://www.bls.gov/ooh/. Rober Kriegel in his book If It Aint’t Broke…Break It!   Asserts that the rules for change in the world are like surfing. Passion rules. The best surfers (like the most resilient companies) don’t spend a lot of time on the beach, talking about surfing. They love the water and no matter how rough or calm it is, they are out there looking for a wave. They are totally committed, body, mind, and spirit.   Good surfers, like top performers everywhere, are constantly pushing their limits.   They expect to fall but the focus is to get back in the water and ride the waves.   Develop new more adaptive skills, hone your techniques and remain adaptable to the changing surf. Combining skill and preparation with boldness and daring, surfers model behavior needed to thrive in today’s turbulent economy; they are continually trying new moves and going for the bigger waves and longer rides.   Knowing that no two waves are ever the same, they try to ride each one a little differently. Staying ahead of a wave demands taking risks and constantly challenging yourself and those around you. Finally, good surfers expect to wipe out and they embrace the risks of the sport. Similarly, good students and job candidates accept that changing their major and/or their career direction is not a failure but sometimes a necessary step to achieving their ultimate career goals;  reshaping your personal brand for success sometimes requires a setback, fall or even a complete makeover to rebuild yourself for optimal success! Author: Beth is Founder and President of Get Hired, LLC.   She advises students on how to bridge the gap from school to career.  Beth is the co-author of  From Diploma to Dream Job: Five Overlooked Steps to a Successful Career  (available on Amazon  http://www.amazon.com/dp/14687082) Her coaching assists students to successfully match their needs, interests, passions, skills, and personal goals with the needs of a sustainable industry in a sustainable location.  Beth is also a resource for print and online media and offers workshops for University Career Service Departments, Executive Recruiters, Outplacement Services, College Guidance Counselors and College Alumni Associations. See website for more details about Beth’s services  www.fromdiploma2dreamjob.com  You can follow Beth on twitter @BethKuhel

Thursday, May 14, 2020

Can a Bad Diet Really Affect Your Productivity

Can a Bad Diet Really Affect Your Productivity Photo Credit- Pexels.comWe’ve all heard the phrase, “you are what you eat.” Some of us come to find there is an indisputable degree of truth to this saying. Unfortunately, we often come to find it out the hard way. Not only does a diet of poor nutritional value take a toll on our physical condition and appearance, but it can also play a role in how well we function when we need it the most.After performing the same data-entry office job for years, my work duties eventually became second nature to me. As I began to get caught up in the mundane routines of everyday life, my need to perform well at my job seemed to decrease. Moreover, I realized during this particular stage of my life that my physical shape was declining.Even though I was well-aware of the reason for my lack of energy and motivation, I was too set in my dietary routines to consider them at first. It dawned on me that even though my ability to deliver satisfactory paperwork was still consistent, my attention span, energy levels, motivation, and stress levels were not where I wanted them to be.Healthy Food Equals a Healthy MindevalevalWith the short 45-minute lunch break that I routinely took during my workdays, it was convenient to walk around the block for a burger. On days when I decided not to do this, I would usually skip lunch altogether. In retrospect, neither of these made me feel better.My initial changes in my diet were solely for the sake of losing weight. Packing containers of fruits and nuts for my lunches at work seemed to be the most practical solution. I noticed changes in my ability to complete paperwork more quickly and focus on assignments individually. Aside from an apparent spike in my workplace productivity, I felt significantly happier and more energetic as well.While this might sound like a very simple diet, these two essential food groups are full of nutrients that improve cognitive functions. Calcium, magnesium, and B vitamins all support healthy mental function and b lood flow to the brain. Nuts of any variety are packed with protein and healthy fats Personally, I feel more gratification from getting my daily dose of vitamins and minerals through the foods that I eat. The body absorbs and utilizes nutrients more efficiently this way, plus you get to experience the joy of eating. While multivitamins are not a replacement for a nutritious diet, they do provide a slight buffer for vitamin deficiencies that may occur.Relying on multivitamins alone to boost your mental function won’t work. These will not provide you with the calories that you need to stay productive and energetic at work, nor will your body take its time utilizing the nutrients.It might seem uncanny to think about at first, but switching to a healthy diet will yield some undeniable results regarding work performance. If you eat well, your brain and body will function well also.Who knows? Choosing a spinach salad over a cheeseburger or berries over cookie may be the key to earning t hat promotion!

Sunday, May 10, 2020

Summary Sunday Defining and Achieving Success

Summary Sunday Defining and Achieving Success When it comes to your career success, will you know it when you see it? And do you know what it takes to achieve it? Sometimes, while on the path to what you think is success, things change. In fact, how we define success at work is changing. And what it takes to be successful is changing too! This collection of posts looks at career success. It also includes success tips for writing cover letters and thank you letters and using LinkedIn. CAREER What Success Means to You: The Corner Office Is Out and the Side Hustle Is In by Catherine Fisher | LinkedIn Its interesting to see how things shift! Especially when it comes to how we define career success. For example: 34% of professionals would take a 10% pay-cut for the ability to design their own schedule. 89% feel that skills are even more important than job titles. 87% say success isn’t just about what you accomplish in your life, it’s about what you inspire others to do. Will we see changes in company policies or new types of jobs based on these new definitions of success? We already have. How to Overcome Fear of Failure Adopt a True Growth Mindset by Daniel Codella | Wrike Many people have a fear of failure. This article spells out why and ways to turn those limiting thoughts around. How to Be Successful in Life and Your Career by Hannah Morgan | US News World Report On Careers EY conducted a survey about what it takes to be successful. These are the six top answers to the question about what it takes to make it and my tips on how to put them into action. COVER LETTERS THANK YOUS 15 Words and Phrases to Never Include In a Cover Letter by  Amy Elisa Jackson |   NBC News The cover letter isnt dead yet. So when you do write one, be sure to eliminate these phrases! One way to stand out and have success in landing an interview is by going above and beyond to show your interest in company and job through your cover letter. Dont take shortcuts! The Perfect Interview Thank You Note That Works Every Time [Infographic] by Business Insider | YouTern This template lays out ideas for what you should say in your thank you message after an interview. Sending a message after a job interview is often overlooked or rushed. Make it count! LINKEDIN 20 LinkedIn Tips to Help Boost Engagement by Brad Smith | Social Media Today Are you having success with LinkedIn?  Simply having a LinkedIn profile isnt enough. Engagement is the magic to getting good leads. The tips and advice in this article are written for businesses but they apply to job seekers too! Engaging with people on LinkedIn will help build brand awareness and trust (when done appropriately).

Friday, May 8, 2020

How To Make Taxes And Your Job Search Easier To Handle

How To Make Taxes And Your Job Search Easier To Handle There is a lot of information out there on tax filing and job hunting and keeping your information organized. Its an important subject because, according to the IRS, some job hunting expenses are deductible. The problem is figuring out how to keep track of all the expenses so you have the paperwork to prove your deduction claims. Pilers, Filers, and Technophiles The way that will work best for your purposes is the way that you naturally do things. Most of us are either pilers, filers, or technophiles. If you are a piler, its obvious because there probably is a pile or two in your immediate vicinity right now. You tend to toss things somewhere to deal with later, and instead of going against your habits, how about having a box or basket to toss all receipts into? If you can create several boxes and make them look good, you can sort as you toss, but some of us pilers would rather pitch it all in one place and take an evening to sort it at tax time. Pilers have a hard time going through extra steps even if a nice system is set up, but boxes thats just walls on the pile. It works. If you are a filer, you might already have an impressive system set up with files and labels. Just make sure there are files for any job search expenses and that you put anything remotely deductible in a file so you can find out if it is needed at tax time. Filers need to make sure they arent so organized they over-separate files into overwhelming divisions of minutiae. Its okay to file by month instead of subject, for instance. If you find yourself unable to file something that may be important, make a file for may be important stuff and put it in. If you are a technophile, you love the tech stuff and you are great at scanning documents and putting that information in cyberspace or hard drive. The problem is when you lose track of where your stuff is or that hard drive crashes. There is a lot out there for technophiles who want to keep documentation electronically, but make sure you have backed it up for emergencies. Its true that some job search expenses are deductible  but only if you handle your documentation information efficiently. Whether you are a piler, filer, or technophile, the challenge is to figure out what works for you and do it.