Many years ago, jobs were endless and you didn't need to give up an arm to
get one. That isn't the scenario any longer. Too many companies are going bankrupt
and employers are cutting back in hopes to stay afloat of the rough times we are
encountering. With the few jobs that are available, now employers are asking not only
for degrees for a simple receptionist position but for the candidate to accept a lower
pay scale. It comes as an insult to what we can make an hour but also as to our
intelligence. No one is going to stay at a position for $8.00 an hour as a receptionist if
we find a better paying position later.

So why ask us to? Why do they do that? Do
companies like changing their work force every few months? I have never figured that
out. It amazes me.

In June, 467,000 jobs were eliminated, meaning 131.7 million people are working in
the U.S.--fewer than in May 2000. 900,000 jobs will disappear by the end of the year,
without unexpected improvement, many years of employment gains will be lost.
135,000 jobs lost in manufacturing, 117,000 lost in professional and business services,
75,000 lost in construction. Even 53,000 jobs were lost in government, a sign that the
stimulus package has not been enough to help the economy.
Years ago going to college or technical school meant finding the position of your
dreams as soon as you finished school and being paid accordingly. This is not the case
today. With 300 people applying for the same position with the same qualifications,
your chances of landing the ideal position has become the same gamble as if you
bought a lottery ticket and won. You actually might have a better chance at the lottery.

Finding the right position shouldn't be a chore. If you have a computer, there are many
job sites on the internet. They are:

CareerBuilder.Com-Good site for job hunting, although they don't update their site
enough. I applied for a position that they had on their site as current according to the
date, but I remember seeing it there too long. So I called the company that I was
applying to and they said the position was filled. So it is always a good idea to call the
companies that you are applying to after filling out an application on line.

Indeed.Com-A very easy to navigate and read site. I was impressed when I first visited
there. And the jobs they have listed there will actually tell you if they are no longer
available and removed. Saves time from having to apply the first time.

Monster.Com-Used to be better years ago. Not much there now. And our newspaper
is linked to them so it now makes the job hunting more of a challenge. If you don't
want to buy your local paper, check your local paper's website. Chances are their link
to jobs will take you to Monster.com.

USA.gov-A great job hunting site if you are looking for federal and government jobs. I
found one there for the IRS and applied, although my application was accepted by the
IRS, when I check the status, it is still sitting there as being “received” after I was told I
would be getting an email for an interview. Oh well.

Dice.Com-One of the best around for anyone wanting a technology position. If you
are in the computer field or any other technical field, this is the site for you. Very easy
to sign up for free and easy to navigate. Some of the positions there are high paying.
If you are thinking of finding a new position and relocating is an option for you, the sky
is the limit. I recommend this one highly.

Now it's a matter of being able to wow and impress your impending employer with an
interview that surpasses all the rest of the applicants. Many job applicants are nervous
about interviews. It is understandable since there is so much competition and the
thought is on your mind as to how you can impress them and land the job over
everyone else. Prepare yourself. Make sure you bring a resume that has a cover
letter. Cover letters give the interviewer a little knowledge about your lifestyle and work
background. Make sure you include hobbies that you are interested in and any
certificates you might have.

Next, make sure the position you are applying for is worthy of your skills and you have
some kind of track record in that field. If not, many employers will feel you are
overqualified if you apply for a sales job for $8.00 an hour in sheer desperation
because you just have to work to survive and have been working as a construction
worker for $15.00 an hour previously.

While interviewing, don't talk about your recent divorce or how you dislike any former
employee or employer. These are interpreted as negative remarks and can hurt your
interview.

I recently ran into a person who mentioned her divorce to an employer and since the
woman interviewing lost her husband to an illness, she felt the applicant didn't
apparently fight for something she thought was insignificant. So instead of getting the
assistant manager position, she was offered a sales associate position for a lower
hourly wage.

Never ask how much does the job pay. Granted it is the most important aspect of the
job. It saves one from having to go through the whole interviewing process in the first
place, but it does make you look like all you are is after the money. I always leave the
field that says “Amount expected per hour” blank. I figure if they don't know, I am not
going to tell them. Besides, what if they wanted to offer me more and I just told them
less? I would be cutting my nose off in spite of my face.

Never ask the interviewer what the company makes. You should know that already
and if you don't know, you can always Google it. Yes, Google, one of the best research
options we have on the internet. Type the word in, get the answer. Most companies
today have a website or look in the yellow pages and call them and ask, just don't give
your name when they answer. In all cases,we don't want them to know we have no
clue and need to find the answer.

In all fields of employment, we automatically are taken for granted that we can get
along with anyone. Mentioning a former co-worker in a negative way will make you
seem confrontational and not a prospect as a leader. Employers will see you as
someone who will find a better position for higher pay or leave because you couldn't
get along with your co-workers.

Talk about how you can be an asset to the company. Remember, it's never about you.
It's what you can bring to the table of the company. If it takes more schooling to land
the job or to get the position you want, this might be an option for you. If you can't go
to school during the day, sign up for night school at a local college or technical school.
Another option is to take on line courses, one of my favorites is Ashworth college which
can be found online at www.ashworthhighschool.com. There you can get an
accredited course or courses. It is very important to make sure the school is
accredited. Ashworth not only lets you take college courses. They also offer GED
programs and high school programs for people who didn't finish. If you are thinking of
going in the military, The Marines require a high school diploma. So this is something
you might want to consider to get you into a higher pay scale or just change
professions. There is also a market now for nurses and medical staff. That is one job
position that will never be filled since health providers have been on the rise for
demand for years.

Other courses to take are Cosmetology, Nail Technician, Auto
Repair, Pharmacist, Dental Assistant. Computer Repair is another challenging and
rewarding position. You can get your certifications for such as Microsoft Professional
Technician and A+ certification. Once you have received these types of certifications
you can demand more pay for your services. You can sign up for these courses and
tests on line. It will cost a fee for the test, but well worth it in the end.

Also, there are many temporary jobs out there that pay by the day or week. These are
temporary positions and sometimes that temporary positions can open up into a full
time position. These can be searched for on the internet or look in your phone book
yellow pages. I found one for a toll collector and the pay ran $10.00 per hour. So, if
you are looking for a job, be creative in your search. Check every avenue, just not the
obvious positions. Pet shops, groomers, security guards are some positions that no
one would think of applying for off hand.

If you in the construction field or looking for a job to make money for a day at a time in
any physical labor category, you can work for a temporary staffing agency. This is
where you go down to the agency early in the morning and wait for someone to arrive
with work. You work for the day and get paid the same day also. They will drive you to
the job site and return you back. If you like it and want to return the next day, you can,
but you might be working for someone else. It is who ever has work that day. The
Department of Labor office in your town will also have a list of jobs to apply to, just visit
their local office and apply in person using their computers to find jobs listed.

If you don't know how to write a resume, you can have someone do it for you or get a
software program such as Microsoft Works. They have many templates already in the
software; all you have to do is fill in your information. Don't have a computer? Borrow
one or buy one. Save money not having to have someone professional write a resume
for you and make you copies. You can always just fill out the application before hand,
but handing your interviewer a resume not only makes a great impression but also
saves you time from having to fill out application after application. I make about 15
copies on my computer, print them out and put them in the car in case I run across
someone hiring that has caught my interest. I am always prepared.

Medical Insurance is hard to find these days. Most employers hire part time so they
don't have to offer any or offer “limited insurance”. Limited insurance just covers a
discount off prescriptions and up to a limited amount for hospital stays and emergency
room visits. This type of insurance is cheap when compared to major medical policies,
but then again, the policy doesn't cover much. If you find a company that offers major
medical benefits, 401K, employee stock purchasing, apply there first. Don't worry if the
job only pays $9.00 an hour, the insurance and benefits makes up the difference.
Now that you have landed your new job, let's do things right and keep it.

Never take more time off then is needed. This would be one of the reasons why you
could be instantly replaced. Remember, no job today is secure. Unless your arm has
fallen off, show up for work on time. Leave a few minutes earlier in case of unforeseen
traffic conditions or bad weather. Employers do not tolerate lateness very well.
Never, Never use foul language or stereotype anyone at work. This falls under the
Harassment Policy and could cause you to lose your employment. If asked to do a
certain task, smile and say yes. There will always be tasks that are not enjoyable.
Grin and bear it.

Always come to work dressed in their uniform code. You don't want to be sent home to
change and coming dressed properly the first time shows that you are a team player
and will benefit you in the long run once you get your 90 day review.
Breaks are usually 10-15 minutes long and lunches are a half hour to a hour long.
Some people I knew thought it was funny to take their lunch break given an hour and
come back to work an hour and 20 minutes later. This not only looks bad for you, but
the person you were supposed to relieve for their lunch is now late leaving. It causes
a spiral effect in the day work schedule. If this gets to be a problem with a fellow
employee, let your supervisor or manager know. That is why they are there.

Put a smile on your face always........And always dress for the part. Remember, you
don't get a second chance to make a first impression.