Monday, November 26, 2007
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Mistakes Made with Online Job Search
By Arlene Whiting
Only sending resume as an attachment.
No follow-up after sending information to potential employer.
Not checking job search engines with keywords.
Posting resume without regard to privacy. (Especially if you are currently employed.)
Lack of time preparing resume and cover letter to email.
Forgetting to check email daily.
Forgetting to return phone calls.
Forgetting to ask for interviewer’s business card so you can send a thank you email in 24 hours of the interview.
Neglecting to print out job descriptions you replied to.
Organizing your communications between you and potential employers. (Who you spoke with, when and where.)
Staying focused and upbeat during the whole process.
Only sending resume as an attachment.
No follow-up after sending information to potential employer.
Not checking job search engines with keywords.
Posting resume without regard to privacy. (Especially if you are currently employed.)
Lack of time preparing resume and cover letter to email.
Forgetting to check email daily.
Forgetting to return phone calls.
Forgetting to ask for interviewer’s business card so you can send a thank you email in 24 hours of the interview.
Neglecting to print out job descriptions you replied to.
Organizing your communications between you and potential employers. (Who you spoke with, when and where.)
Staying focused and upbeat during the whole process.
Monday, November 19, 2007
Ten tips For Government Grants
By Arlene Whiting
1. There are a limited number of programs offering direct loans to individuals from the Federal government. Most Federal government programs provide funds to state and local governments or other organizations to manage the distribution of assistance.
2. You will need to learn how to write a proposal. There are several aids available.
3. Look for assistance for a program that meets your needs.
4. Know what you are looking for.
5. Try what others are looking for in the top 10% page.
6. When you find a program/programs that you are looking for contact the person or office listed in the program. You will also want to look at applying for Federal Assistance as well as developing and writing grant proposals.
7. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to download the Standard Form 424 application for Federal assistance. You can download the regular version Adobe Acrobat Reader, or download the text-only version of Adobe Acrobat Reader. Go to http://12.46.245.173/pls/portal30/catalog.FAQ_DYN.show Note: Individual programs may require other forms or additional documentation.
8. Make sure to look for application deadline.
9. Contact the agency to determine:
• Applicability of your proposal/project.
• Availability of funds or assistance.
• Answers to any questions you may have.
10. Know the types of assistance.
• Formula Grants- Allocations of money to states or their subdivisions.
• Project Grants-Project grants can include fellowships, scholarships, research grants, training grants, experimental and demonstration grants, evaluation grants, planning grants, technical assistance grants, survey grants and construction grants.
• Direct Payments for Specified Use-Financial Assistance from the Federal government provided directly to individuals, private firms, and other private institutions to encourage or subsidize a particular activity.
• Direct Payments with Unrestricted Use- Financial assistance from the Federal government provided directly to beneficiaries who satisfy Federal eligibility requirements with no restrictions being imposed on the recipient as to how the money is spent. Included are payments under retirement, pension and compensatory programs.
• Direct Loans-Financial assistance through the lending of Federal money for a specific period of time, with a reasonable expectation of repayment. These loans may or may not require interest.
• Guaranteed/Insured Loans-The Federal government makes arrangements to (indemnify) a lender against part or all of any defaults by those responsible for repayment of loans.
• Insurance-Financial assistance provided to assure reimbursement for losses sustained under specific conditions. Coverage may be applied directly by the Federal government or through private carriers and may or may not involve the payment of premiums.
• Sale, Exchange, or Donation of Property and Goods-Programs which provide for the sale, exchange or donation of Federal real property, personal property, commodities, and other goods including land, buildings equipment, food and drugs. Not included are the loan of, use of, or access to Federal facilities or property.
1. There are a limited number of programs offering direct loans to individuals from the Federal government. Most Federal government programs provide funds to state and local governments or other organizations to manage the distribution of assistance.
2. You will need to learn how to write a proposal. There are several aids available.
3. Look for assistance for a program that meets your needs.
4. Know what you are looking for.
5. Try what others are looking for in the top 10% page.
6. When you find a program/programs that you are looking for contact the person or office listed in the program. You will also want to look at applying for Federal Assistance as well as developing and writing grant proposals.
7. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to download the Standard Form 424 application for Federal assistance. You can download the regular version Adobe Acrobat Reader, or download the text-only version of Adobe Acrobat Reader. Go to http://12.46.245.173/pls/portal30/catalog.FAQ_DYN.show Note: Individual programs may require other forms or additional documentation.
8. Make sure to look for application deadline.
9. Contact the agency to determine:
• Applicability of your proposal/project.
• Availability of funds or assistance.
• Answers to any questions you may have.
10. Know the types of assistance.
• Formula Grants- Allocations of money to states or their subdivisions.
• Project Grants-Project grants can include fellowships, scholarships, research grants, training grants, experimental and demonstration grants, evaluation grants, planning grants, technical assistance grants, survey grants and construction grants.
• Direct Payments for Specified Use-Financial Assistance from the Federal government provided directly to individuals, private firms, and other private institutions to encourage or subsidize a particular activity.
• Direct Payments with Unrestricted Use- Financial assistance from the Federal government provided directly to beneficiaries who satisfy Federal eligibility requirements with no restrictions being imposed on the recipient as to how the money is spent. Included are payments under retirement, pension and compensatory programs.
• Direct Loans-Financial assistance through the lending of Federal money for a specific period of time, with a reasonable expectation of repayment. These loans may or may not require interest.
• Guaranteed/Insured Loans-The Federal government makes arrangements to (indemnify) a lender against part or all of any defaults by those responsible for repayment of loans.
• Insurance-Financial assistance provided to assure reimbursement for losses sustained under specific conditions. Coverage may be applied directly by the Federal government or through private carriers and may or may not involve the payment of premiums.
• Sale, Exchange, or Donation of Property and Goods-Programs which provide for the sale, exchange or donation of Federal real property, personal property, commodities, and other goods including land, buildings equipment, food and drugs. Not included are the loan of, use of, or access to Federal facilities or property.
How to Leverage Holiday/Seasonal Employment
By Arlene Whiting
It’s that time of year again. I look back and think where did the year go? Children back to school, college semester finally back into full swing and time to get ready for the biggest gift giving time of year. The time of year that will make or break the retailers. You will begin to see bigger sections in the newspapers for full-time and part-time employment and “ah Yes” one of the old standby favorites part-time holiday/seasonal employment in retail.
Well you have many retail options here: electronics, clothing, sports, video games, pets, shoes, sneakers, home furnishings, flowers, camera, craft, online retailers, product vendors, (Those who supply the stores with products) and the Inventory vendors (Those who do inventory for retail stores).
I must caution you first not to believe the hype the media plays with retail employment. There are pro’s and con’s to this no doubt. I want you as the employee working for a wage not to be naïve that it is not all it’s cracked up to be.
1. You will be working with all kinds of personality types.
2. You will be constantly checked for theft.
3. Your hours may suffer if you are not a management favorite.
4. Jealousy is all around you.
5. Professionalism before and after the store closes goes out the door.
6. Holiday shoppers can be rude, disrespectful and inpatient.
7. The employee discount in most cases is just the sale price that they give to the consumer. It’s really not that much and you will probably not make enough extra to shop there any way.
8. Part-time can be anywhere from 4 to 32 hours and full-time is anywhere from 32 to 35 hours. In most cases don’t expect any overtime.
9. With your retail earnings you will probably not make enough to purchase the higher priced products where you work. Unless you have another source of income coming in. The exception would be making small purchases such as candy, soda or any other small accessories.
10. Your promotion strictly depends on the General Manager. If the General Manager in place is helpful to your road to success then you are half way there. If the General Manager in place is not helpful then you have two options. Get hired at another store with a management team you have influence with or stick it out until that particular General Manager leaves.
11. You will probably have to take a drug test.
Now that we have gotten the minor details over let’s get to the application and interview process. First you will want to allot at least six hours for application time because nine times out of ten the application is online and it will take about 90 minutes.
You will want to apply to at least three places of employment. To work at McDonalds now a days you have to apply online. Tip for online application there are questions that the employer will ask several times but in a different context. Make sure you pay attention and have a clear mind when going through the personality test. Also in the wage area don’t be shy here. A retail employee can make anywhere from $8.00 -$12.00 an hour coming in the door.
Also if you want to make any type of money you want to push for management right from the door. You will know within the first 90 days if you are someone they are considering. That is if you are considering this for a possible career option.
Make sure you answer your phone or have your voicemail set in a professional manner. For the interview make sure you dress neat and respectful when you go to the interview. You don’t have to necessarily wear a suit but make sure you have on clean and ironed clothing. No jeans, sweat shirts, khakis or casual wear. Men make sure your pants fit around your waist and wear a belt. Women make sure your hair and nails are clean and done. Brush your teeth and make sure you have fresh breath.
• Sell yourself at the interview.
• Believe in yourself if you don’t no one else will.
• Think before answering interview questions. You never get a second chance at a first impression.
• At the conclusion of the interview you will know if you are hired or it may take a few days up to two weeks tops if the employer is doing a second interview.
Now you are hired and it is time to produce and network. Try to learn who the key players are and be aware of company gossip (the grapevine). Companies are becoming more aware of this destructive behavior.
Most people overlook this next option but begin to talk to the vendors when they come in. This could be an option for you if retail employment doesn’t work out. Find out who the key players are in the organization and begin to get referrals just in case you need them for an interview.
In conclusion retail employment is just like any other job. There is politics but it’s not office it’s the sales floor. There is brown nosing and those who tell the boss everything they want to hear. The bottom line is gone are the days you work hard and the management team sees your effort and rewards you with a promotion. But it’s if they like you or you are their idea of someone who they want to see on their management team.
It’s that time of year again. I look back and think where did the year go? Children back to school, college semester finally back into full swing and time to get ready for the biggest gift giving time of year. The time of year that will make or break the retailers. You will begin to see bigger sections in the newspapers for full-time and part-time employment and “ah Yes” one of the old standby favorites part-time holiday/seasonal employment in retail.
Well you have many retail options here: electronics, clothing, sports, video games, pets, shoes, sneakers, home furnishings, flowers, camera, craft, online retailers, product vendors, (Those who supply the stores with products) and the Inventory vendors (Those who do inventory for retail stores).
I must caution you first not to believe the hype the media plays with retail employment. There are pro’s and con’s to this no doubt. I want you as the employee working for a wage not to be naïve that it is not all it’s cracked up to be.
1. You will be working with all kinds of personality types.
2. You will be constantly checked for theft.
3. Your hours may suffer if you are not a management favorite.
4. Jealousy is all around you.
5. Professionalism before and after the store closes goes out the door.
6. Holiday shoppers can be rude, disrespectful and inpatient.
7. The employee discount in most cases is just the sale price that they give to the consumer. It’s really not that much and you will probably not make enough extra to shop there any way.
8. Part-time can be anywhere from 4 to 32 hours and full-time is anywhere from 32 to 35 hours. In most cases don’t expect any overtime.
9. With your retail earnings you will probably not make enough to purchase the higher priced products where you work. Unless you have another source of income coming in. The exception would be making small purchases such as candy, soda or any other small accessories.
10. Your promotion strictly depends on the General Manager. If the General Manager in place is helpful to your road to success then you are half way there. If the General Manager in place is not helpful then you have two options. Get hired at another store with a management team you have influence with or stick it out until that particular General Manager leaves.
11. You will probably have to take a drug test.
Now that we have gotten the minor details over let’s get to the application and interview process. First you will want to allot at least six hours for application time because nine times out of ten the application is online and it will take about 90 minutes.
You will want to apply to at least three places of employment. To work at McDonalds now a days you have to apply online. Tip for online application there are questions that the employer will ask several times but in a different context. Make sure you pay attention and have a clear mind when going through the personality test. Also in the wage area don’t be shy here. A retail employee can make anywhere from $8.00 -$12.00 an hour coming in the door.
Also if you want to make any type of money you want to push for management right from the door. You will know within the first 90 days if you are someone they are considering. That is if you are considering this for a possible career option.
Make sure you answer your phone or have your voicemail set in a professional manner. For the interview make sure you dress neat and respectful when you go to the interview. You don’t have to necessarily wear a suit but make sure you have on clean and ironed clothing. No jeans, sweat shirts, khakis or casual wear. Men make sure your pants fit around your waist and wear a belt. Women make sure your hair and nails are clean and done. Brush your teeth and make sure you have fresh breath.
• Sell yourself at the interview.
• Believe in yourself if you don’t no one else will.
• Think before answering interview questions. You never get a second chance at a first impression.
• At the conclusion of the interview you will know if you are hired or it may take a few days up to two weeks tops if the employer is doing a second interview.
Now you are hired and it is time to produce and network. Try to learn who the key players are and be aware of company gossip (the grapevine). Companies are becoming more aware of this destructive behavior.
Most people overlook this next option but begin to talk to the vendors when they come in. This could be an option for you if retail employment doesn’t work out. Find out who the key players are in the organization and begin to get referrals just in case you need them for an interview.
In conclusion retail employment is just like any other job. There is politics but it’s not office it’s the sales floor. There is brown nosing and those who tell the boss everything they want to hear. The bottom line is gone are the days you work hard and the management team sees your effort and rewards you with a promotion. But it’s if they like you or you are their idea of someone who they want to see on their management team.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Friday, November 9, 2007
“Make Your Wiki Stick: Five Tips”
Wikis are often not used or not used effectively according to an Information Week survey. So below are five tips to make your wikis stick.
Start threads around everyday work activities. Put more entries in related to agendas, meeting minutes, daily tasks, and short-term projects.
Post content that gets the Senior Managers attention. Like sales progress reports, revenue updates, and similar metrics.
Post items that are related to work and play. For example have work information and sports information posted on wiki. You might want to post items in the areas of golf, tennis, football (local college team/professional), or volleyball.
Include email with wiki links.
Make wikis as open as practically possible.
Start threads around everyday work activities. Put more entries in related to agendas, meeting minutes, daily tasks, and short-term projects.
Post content that gets the Senior Managers attention. Like sales progress reports, revenue updates, and similar metrics.
Post items that are related to work and play. For example have work information and sports information posted on wiki. You might want to post items in the areas of golf, tennis, football (local college team/professional), or volleyball.
Include email with wiki links.
Make wikis as open as practically possible.
Thursday, November 1, 2007
"Money At Your Door"
"Money At Your Door" (Special Report) $5.95
by Arlene Whiting
If you always wanted to know where to find those free products, internet marketing resources, blog sites, information, paying survey companies, coupons, business information, government grant money and more then this is the special report for you! “Money at your Door” will give you the secrets that others have used successfully to get free products, information and outrageous deals that you and your family can take advantage of today.
Ever wondered how your neighbors are making it? How they have plenty of food at the end of the month. In this powerful special repot you will get legitimate resources to free information and products. “Money at your Door” will give practical and sound information. Act now! Don’t delay the introductory price is $5.95.
If you have ever wanted to know how to start your own internet business and want a low risk, low cost way to do it then “Money at your Door” is the book for you.
Have you spent countless hours on the internet searching for the free information and products that everyone is talking about and ended up with a lemon website. Then “Money at your Door” is the special report for you.
Act now! Cash in on those bargains and deals that you’ve been searching for. Improve your quality of life and your resources. This powerful and practical report will become a valued and reliable resource. Hurry don’t delay your purchase of “Money at your Door” for the introductory price of $5.95.
To place your order please make cashiers check, money order or check for $5.95 payable to Arlene Whiting, P.O. Box 1972, Boothwyn, PA 19061.
Along with your payment please include your full name, mailing address, email address and phone number so that your special report can be sent to you through Digital delivery as soon as payment has been received. Please print all of your information legibly. (Please include your telephone number as a contact if there are any problems.)
Thank you in advance for your support.
Note: Your special report will be sent through digital delivery.
Or you can purchase "Money At Your Door" for $5.95 through Paypal just click the button below.
by Arlene Whiting
If you always wanted to know where to find those free products, internet marketing resources, blog sites, information, paying survey companies, coupons, business information, government grant money and more then this is the special report for you! “Money at your Door” will give you the secrets that others have used successfully to get free products, information and outrageous deals that you and your family can take advantage of today.
Ever wondered how your neighbors are making it? How they have plenty of food at the end of the month. In this powerful special repot you will get legitimate resources to free information and products. “Money at your Door” will give practical and sound information. Act now! Don’t delay the introductory price is $5.95.
If you have ever wanted to know how to start your own internet business and want a low risk, low cost way to do it then “Money at your Door” is the book for you.
Have you spent countless hours on the internet searching for the free information and products that everyone is talking about and ended up with a lemon website. Then “Money at your Door” is the special report for you.
Act now! Cash in on those bargains and deals that you’ve been searching for. Improve your quality of life and your resources. This powerful and practical report will become a valued and reliable resource. Hurry don’t delay your purchase of “Money at your Door” for the introductory price of $5.95.
To place your order please make cashiers check, money order or check for $5.95 payable to Arlene Whiting, P.O. Box 1972, Boothwyn, PA 19061.
Along with your payment please include your full name, mailing address, email address and phone number so that your special report can be sent to you through Digital delivery as soon as payment has been received. Please print all of your information legibly. (Please include your telephone number as a contact if there are any problems.)
Thank you in advance for your support.
Note: Your special report will be sent through digital delivery.
Or you can purchase "Money At Your Door" for $5.95 through Paypal just click the button below.
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