EmploymentCrossroads.com

10-A-Day

Todd — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 16:17:03 +0000

If you’re on the hunt for a new job, in this economy, with unemployment looming above 10%, you’re going to have to put some elbow grease into your search. Everyone’s vying for the perfect job, and you’ll have to consider that you won’t get every job you interview for. On top of that, you won’t get an interview for every job you apply for. So, you need to step you’re hunt into high gear.

While you’re not working, consider it your job to be finding a job. That’s where “10-A-Day” comes in. Every day, you should be applying for 10 jobs. Does that seem like a lot? Good!

Some estimates say that you’ll get 1 out of every 10 jobs you interview for. Well, how many jobs that you apply for will you get an interview with? You might not like those numbers. So think about it like this: If you’re applying for 50, or let’s say 70 jobs, per week, you’ve just significantly increased your chances of finding one.

If you’re applying for one job a day, that’s only 5-7 per week. Let’s look at those numbers again: 50-70 and 5-7. Need I say more?

Hop onto Employment Crossing today and search for jobs all over the United States. If there’s opening available, then it’s on Employment Crossing.

The people over at Employment Crossing are doing half of the work, searching for the best jobs, and the best opportunities in every sector. Whatever your skills are, Employment Crossing has the best jobs for you.

Hard Work: Your Best Friend

Todd — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 19:55:59 +0000

How’s that dream of yours coming along? Are you living in a Penthouse Apartment? Do you own that yacht next to P. Diddy’s? Are you the CEO of a multimillion dollar company?

Whoa there! Don’t get down on yourself if these day dreams haven’t come to fruition yet. They can and they will happen if you truly want them to.

Truly wanting something, like your dream job, for instance, is not simply wishing and hoping for it day after day. It’s not sitting at your current job, huffing and puffing about how you’d make ten times a better boss than the man with the corner office down the hall.

Truly wanting something is going out and doing what it takes to get that something. It’s a driving force, that cannot be stopped. It colors every move you make and it leads you towards those promised lands: corner offices, CEO jobs, and even yachts!

The best thing you can do to get your goals into gear is to find the job that will take you there. Without a doubt, the best place on the internet for jobs is Employment Crossing.

Employment Crossing collects job data from every region of the country and in every sector of the workforce. What do you excel at? Accounting? We’ve got it. Landscaping? We’ve got it. Marketing? I think you get the picture.

Start your journey towards that corner office today at Employment Crossing.

How’s That Screenplay Coming Along?

Todd — Sat, 03 Apr 2010 20:26:15 +0000

At least one of you reading this, I will endeavor to say, is an unemployed writer working on the first thirty (if you’ve been really productive) pages of your future award winning screenplay. If you’re at home, across from you, on the desk, or dining room table (wherever your workspace is) is your cell phone bill… not paying itself.

You’ve maybe just barely paid off your rent for the month and it’s left you without much more than money for 79 cent tacos from one of those fast food establishments you’ve been relying on for survival.

You and I both know that reality has set in and it’s time to face the facts:

YOU NEED A JOB!

Not only do you need a job, but you need Employment Crossing to find you that job. After all, you’re a writer. You want to make that B.A. in Enlgish or Journalism proud. You’re passionate about the written word and you won’t compromise yourself working behind the counter of the local coffee shop.

“No, sir. You cannot get half-caf. And no, sir. You cannot get a scone with that.”

Listen to me. Jump onto Employment Crossing and find that job that allows you to use your talents, your skill set, and take one step toward that ultimate goal of being a professional writer.

Don’t waste time, my friend. Get started today. You’re phone bill is begging you.

Boom Chicka Wow Wow: My Craigslist Interview

julie — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 22:30:56 +0000

My interview suit was getting dusty. Thinking about interviewing made me nearly catatonic. I HAD to get out there and actually meet people instead of just sending out resumes.

I’d been unemployed for 5 months, checking all the sites daily for something new to come up, when I found a job for an office manager on Craigslist. Most of the job listings on Craigslist are written by people who clearly need my services as a writer. The number of misspellings and grammatical errors is just frightening, really. Sure, put some character into it, but don’t make yourself look like a dumb ass. The job for office manager was well written and seemed to be slightly more professional in nature than “Personal assistant needed. Please send photo.” So, I sent my resume like hundreds of times before. This one was different, though. The ad was for an office manager position at an adult production company. Since my last position was at an Orthodox synagogue, I had to say something about it in my cover letter, which I admit was snarkier than usual. Cover letters, as you know, are your potential employers only window into your personality, so if you have one… you should show it. After all that time looking for a job and getting zero responses, I admit that my cover letters started to deteriorate. Even this one was not my best, but at least it stood out. In two sentences I showed them that I’m smart and creative. My 7th grade English teacher Miss Gilbert drummed into me: Show don’t tell. It really is true.

They called me! Actually, they emailed me, but who cares? I actually got a response to a resume! Then I got worried because they told me to come to a house up in the Hollywood Hills and not, say, a studio as I was expecting. I called around and found a friend who agreed to come with me and wait in the car. You know, in case it got weird. I figured in all likelihood the guys at the porn company just found it easier to shoot their movies in a real house rather than a studio made to look like a house. I give kudos to them for being successful enough to own a house up there.

I showed up EXACTLY on time and still had to wait. I did wonder as I was sitting in the living room if there had been any scenes shot in there but I didn’t wait very long so my daydream didn’t get too far. I was shown into an office just after a guy with tattoo sleeves and multiple face piercings left.

I was extremely overdressed for the occasion. My two interviewers were wearing clothes that did not scream out “This is a legitimate business!” But, I managed to sit in a dignified way on the edge of a chair in my suit and heels. They asked me if I knew what they did at their company 3 times during my 15-minute interview. Maybe wearing the pearls was too much? Had they seen me drive up in my beat up minivan? I laughed at their jokes and explained how I could keep them organized. I asked questions about how they did business and tried my best to look unfazed when they told me the job also included production assisting and a bit of wardrobe assisting. I think it went pretty well.

It’s two weeks later and they haven’t called me back. I’m glad I went to the interview, though. Every bit of experience putting yourself out there adds another piece of glitter to you for when you shine in front of the employer who eventually hires you.

Making It Through The 9 To 5

Todd — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 22:48:38 +0000

If you’re a full time employlee, chances are you already see something wrong with this title. Full time jobs aren’t 9 to 5, they’re 9 - 6:30 and beyond. There’s no telling somedays just how many hours you’ll have to put in to pull your weight at work. However, there are a few techniques you can use to make the hours more bearable.

1) Befriend Coworkers
If you have a strong and friendly rapport with your co-workers, then working, especially when working together, might not seem like working at all. A sense of friendship among your co-workers could lead to more laughs on the job, and perhaps more innovative and creative ideas.

2) Be Productive
Another way I could put this tab is “Don’t procrastinate.” I have found that procrastination is itself a major source of anxiety: leading to feelings of guilt, shame, and being overwhelmed. If, on the other hand, you can be productive on a day to day basis, chances are good that the stress level at your job will decrease. You’ll also build self-esteem and a good work ethic.

3) Make Your Job Work For You
Whatever your job is, or whatever company you work for, there are always ways to improve upon current standards. Make it your job to come up with those ideas. For one, developing strategies for improving productivity or profitability is an interesting and entertaining endeavor on itself. Also, this could lead to a raise, promotion, or some other wild dream you may have.

4) Check Your Twitter 5 Times A Day
I know it sounds counter to the “be productive” tab, however, if you allow yourself five mini internet breaks a day, all of which should go no longer than 5 minutes, you’ll increase your stamina and be able to wow your bosses with your new brand of super focused work.

Coffee is also always an option, but some people don’t react great to coffee. If you can’t take coffee, take a run in the early morning and then eat an apple.

The best way, however, of “making it through the day” is finding the right job for you, that you love.

Click here to get started on your journey!

How Did I Get Into This Mess: 4 Signs That You Need A New Job

Todd — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 07:54:48 +0000

People
- Your coworkers are always yapping about something or other and if you have to listen to it any longer, you’re going to crawl under your desk and sing the theme to “Beaches.”

Money

- Are you the guy that tries to sneak in three bags of Mickey D’s into the movies because you can’t afford to buy anything in the theater? Are you eating Mickey D’s on a regular basis?

Boss

- Your boss is a cheat. Your other boss is a liar. And your other boss is a thief. Yeah… you need a new job.

Unemployed

- You don’t have a job.

Try Employmentcrossing.com to find the best job out there, just for you.

Down, Set, Hike!

Home Sweet Cubicle

sara — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 20:03:21 +0000

Like many employees you’ll spend a great deal of time in your “home away from home”, also known as your office cubicle. If you’re like me staring at a gray wall for months or years on end can become boring. Make your cubicle a relaxing and pleasant corner of your work world instead of a drab space you can barely stand to be in. So what if you didn’t get that swank corner office with bay windows? You have three fabric walls and an imagination, go wild (sort of)!

It is very important that you understand your company’s standards before undertaking any redecorating. Check out your coworkers and managers spaces. Ask your supervisor if you’re unsure of any rules as to how you can decorate your cubicle. Once you’ve gotten the go ahead decide how you want to decorate your space. Perhaps you’ll want to hang personal photos, awards, paintings, a calendar or some other image. When I worked at an insurance agency I brought in Fine Art postcards I collected from European museums I visited and tacked them to my cubicle walls. During hectic afternoons I loved taking a few seconds out to glance at my postcards. I would caution you not to hang or post images of a lascivious, lewd or intimate nature.

Are those overhead fluorescent lights hurting your eyes? Perhaps you could find a desk lamp to make your day a little brighter. Larger retailers carry basic desk lamps in store and online. Check out Target if you’re looking for a cheap, colorful and funky choice. If you’re really adventurous go to a Salvation Army, Goodwill or other type of thrift/antique shop.

Some companies allow employees to listen to small radios, MP3 players or portable CD players. Check into your company’s policies. Burn some CD’s of your favorite band or turn that AM dial to your favorite radio pundit…

Do you have a green thumb? Bring in small plants to decorate your cubicle, make it your garden away from home. Bamboo and cacti are ideal office plants, both require only a limited amount of water and attention.

Finally, keeping your space somewhat tidy and clean will make your work day more orderly and relaxed. Try doing a few minutes of organizing before you leave every day. Yes its a drag after sitting in front of that computer for 8 hours, but you’ll be thankful tomorrow.

There’s a Reason it’s a Cliche

joshua — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 20:36:08 +0000

Harrison Barnes wrote a blog this morning about the importance of holding on to our dreams. In it, he spends a lot of time talking about the importance of positive thinking. As I read it, I couldn’t help thinking it was a cliche. But then I realized something - there’s a reason it’s a cliche.

The word cliche comes from a common practice in the printing industry in the days when printing presses had to be set by hand. Some words and phrases were used so often that it made sense to fuse the letters together to form what was called a stereotype - a block of letters that could be set into the press without having to set each individual letter. When the stereotype was dropped into the molten metal used to make a printing plate, it made a sound that sounded like “cliche” and the word was born.

The benefits of positive thinking are vast and hardly ever disputed. It’s a cliche because it’s true, it works, and it’s important. If you’re serious about finding a career that you love, then you have to be serious about thinking positive. Positive thinking is more than an absence of negative thoughts. If you are passive in your thinking, complacent, thinking neither negative nor positive thoughts, you are stuck where you are and subject to the whims of the world. Positive thinking is active. It requires intent and it is followed by action. Make today the day you give up on complacency and embrace the cliche - the power of positive thinking.

Social Networking Snafus & Your Job Search

sara — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 18:38:43 +0000

Do you have a photo of yourself posted proudly on your personal social networking page? No, I don’t mean that professional portrait you framed and gave to your grandma last Christmas. I’m talking about that night two weeks ago when you and 20 of your closest friends decided to play beer pong on the roof of a abandoned petrochemical facility and Bob captured the moment on his phone…

In that handy “personal information” section of the same profile did you list the following dislikes?:Working, collating, filing,bosses, HR departments and wage slavery?

Before you send your resume out to the employer of your dreams ( or lets face it in this economy, any employer) you may want to tighten the privacy settings on your Facebook/MySpace/Social Networking Site of Your Choice and other personal ephemera floating around out there on the ‘net.

Prospective employers do treat these resources like a free background check and they will judge you by what they find.

According to research done by the Career Builders website 53% of potential employers will research you online. 43% of those who do research you rely on common search engines and 12% go directly to Facebook to check you out. According to Career Builders, two in five employers found information during such a background check that dissuaded them from hiring a candidate. One third of employers said that an online search of candidates qualifications proved said candidate lied about his or her qualifications.

Once you’re hired you need to be careful too. 28% of employers reported firing an employee over material they posted on the web. In most cases this material was derogatory towards an employer or another employee. It is important to realize that the internet is a memory monster, all those blogs you wrote when you were 16, those wild beer pong photos, political affiliations, likes, dislikes, music and friends are out there once you put them out there. The best solution is to never give out personal information over the internet. If you do, use a pseudonym and don’t post identifying photographs. Many people live a great deal of their lives on the web so this may be an impossible option. As an alternative, protect the flow of information. Go into your account settings and crank up the privacy. Plug your name into a search engine and read your results. If you see any issues try to fix them if that is possible.

Also remember that Social Networking can be used for good. You may be able to make employment contacts or employers may reach out to you. Make your best impression!

Don’t put your name or identifying information to anything online that you wouldn’t want your grandma to read…unless your grandma belongs to a motorcycle gang ( Hi Grandma!).

Help! I can’t get out of Bed in the Morning (And I Need to Get to Work)

sara — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 20:35:39 +0000

My alarm clock is a tyrant. I hate it. Inevitably at 4:50 am every morning my dreams are interrupted by a loud incessant shrieking noise that refuses to recede into the background. When I can’t block out the noise any longer, I roll over, eyes half closed, and force myself to stumble across the room to turn off that evil plastic black box. I find a pair of warm fuzzy socks (It’s usually about 15 degrees here in the mornings) and start my “routine”.

It’s not always so easy. What about the time (s) I “accidentally” unplugged the clock and fell back asleep for an hour? Or the numerous mornings I’ve played the snooze button tango? Maybe you can commiserate. I do not have an absolutely fool proof way to make you leave the warm shelter of your bed in the morning, but as working adults we inevitably need to wake up and make it to work on time.

The easiest way to wake up on time is to go to bed at a decent hour. This sounds ridiculously easy, maybe too easy. I am naturally a night owl so I know how difficult it is to do this if you have a day time job. Staying up until 1:00 am will not help you wake up at 5:00am. Know yourself. Understand how much sleep your body needs and set aside enough time to actually sleep. Do you need certain conditions to get a healthy, relaxing sleep? Do you need complete darkness to sleep? Do you sleep better with the light on? Does your room need to be toasty warm before dozing off or do you like it to be cooler? Take some time to really think about your optimum sleep conditions.

Stop drinking caffeine and any spicy or heavy foods a few hours before you plan to sleep. Eating and drinking these things can make it more difficult to fall asleep when you need to. Some people find that certain decaffeinated teas or herbal drinks help them feel drowsy before going to bed.

Prepare for your day the night before. Lay out your clothes, do some light housekeeping, perhaps make your lunch. By doing all of these things in the evening you will not be as rushed in the morning.

Once you’re in bed, relax and close your eyes. Put some music on if that helps you drift off. Don’t stress about not being able to get to sleep, that most likely will keep you awake longer.

Move your alarm clock to different locations in your room. Don’t put it right next to your bed. By placing your alarm clock out of arms reach you are forced to get up.

As soon as you get up take a shower, get dressed and take care of any morning chores. Sitting around in your pajamas will tempt you to get back into bed.

If you live in a climate with cold winter weather conditions, make sure to scrape the snow off your car and warm it up if necessary. If you’re in the middle of a morning storm this can take quite a while!

Do you have trouble waking up in the morning? What strategies do you use to make yourself wake up and go?