How’s That Screenplay Coming Along?

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.

Tags: Careers, crossing, Employment, Jobs, screenplays, writers, writing

The Founding Fathers Also Had to Work for a Living

Part of celebrating Independence Day is to remember the brave men (and women) who risked their lives to found this country and create the first democratic nation in 514 years.

Since this is an employment site, and Founding Father is not a paying gig, I thought I’d take a look at what some of the more familiar founders did for a living.

John Adams (1735 – 1826) was a schoolteacher and a lawyer. Later he would be the first US vice president, the second president, and an ambassador.

Samuel Adams (1722 – 1803) worked as a brewer (duh), publisher and failed entrepreneur. Later, he was Governor of Massachusetts.

Benjamin Franklin (1706 – 1790) was an popular author, and a printer and inventor. He invented the lightning rod, bifocals, the Franklin stove, a carriage odometer, the glass harmonica, the public library and the fire department. Later he was an ambassador and Postmaster General. Somehow, he finagled his way onto the C-note.

John Hancock (1737 – 1793) was an importer, exporter, slave owner and large-writer. Later he was Governor of Massachusetts.

Patrick Henry (1736 – 1799) was a failed planter, a failed entrepreneur, and a successful lawyer. He was Governor of Virginia — twice.

Thomas Jefferson (1743 – 1826) was a lawyer. He also dabbled in horticulture, architecture, archaeology, paleontology, inventing, and being the third President of the United States.

James Madison (1751 – 1836) was a lawyer, although he never gained admission to the Bar. He was secretary of state to Thomas Jefferson, and was the fourth president.

George Washington (1732 – 1799) was a planter, by which I mean he sat on his butt and the slaves did the planting. He was an officer in the British Army, and then Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army. Of course, he was the first president.

Tags: Careers, famous people, history, Independence Day, Jobs

Don’t Worry About Switching Careers – Presidents Do It All the Time

Long gone are the days of yore, when a squeaky clean man young right out of college, recently married to his high school sweetheart, went to work in the mail room of a company and retired 41 years later as a vice president.

No, in the modern world, precarity keeps even professional workers jumping from position to position. And the average working American will have three separate careers during their lifetime, as dramatic technological and social changes keep the job market in permanent flux.

With Presidents Day coming up next Monday, let’s take a look at some of the careers US presidents held before they went into politics.

Twenty-three US presidents were lawyers, including Abraham Lincoln, Franklin Roosevelt and Bill Clinton. Of course, the skills and knowledge of a lawyer are directly useful to a politician (or at least should be.. you hear me, Blago?).

Six presidents were teachers or college professors, including Woodrow Wilson (at Wesleyan, he coached the football team) and Lyndon Johnson (a Texas high school teacher).

Grover Cleveland was sheriff of Erie County, New York; Warren G. Harding was editor of the Marion, Ohio Daily Star; Thomas Jefferson was an architect, archaeologist, inventor, and farmer; and Herbert Hoover was a minig engineer and an author.

George W. Bush was an oil company chairman and manager of a baseball team, although he wasn’t particularly good at either. Barack Obama was a research associate and a community organizer.

So if you find yourself leaving behind one career for another, don’t worry. You’re in good company.

And have a happy Presidents Day!

Tags: Careers, changing careers, US presidents

Save Your Health — Eliminate Stress at Work

US News & World Report published today a story called “Why Your Job Could Be Making You Old.” The story cites the claim that stress contributes to health problems and rapid aging.

Physicians have long observed that people with stressful careers and lifestyles tend to develop health problems–especially when their jobs carry extreme consequences for mistakes. According to a theory advanced by Michael Roizen, chair of the Wellness Institute at the Cleveland Clinic and co-founder of RealAge.com, many American presidents have aged approximately two years for each calendar year in office.

The author, Emily Brandon, then discusses ways to to cut back on stress, and advises exercise and healthy living to to build up an immunity to stressors. She only briefly touches on employment stressors, so here are a few more valuable tips for avoiding stress at work.

Build a Firewall Between Your Work and Home Lives

Allowing your work problems to follow you home can have a devastating impact on your home life, your family and relationships. It’s not the easiest thing in the world just set aside your work issues, especially if your job requires a huge time investment, or if your career is central to who you are as a person. But it is possible.

Likewise, stress at home can adversely affect your work. They key here is to remain mindful of your emotions. If you’re stressed at work, ask yourself if what you’re really upset about isn’t an issue from your personal life.

Maintain Good Communications with Your Superiors and Co-Workers

Work stress often comes from being in a position of ignorance. Does my boss like my work? Will there be layoffs? Will I ever get that promotion? Yet workers often don’t try to find their own answers to these questions, out of fear — fear of their boss, or fear that they will get an answer they don’t like.

Instead of wallowing in stress, just talk to your boss and your co-workers about your issues. Be professional, of course, and don’t ask inappropriate questions or spread gossip. But if you’re worried about how your boss perceives you, then ask. You may be worrying about nothing. But if you do get negative feedback, that’s good too — you need to know these things if you want to keep your job. Don’t wait for a performance review to find out how you’re doing.

Be reliable.

If you’re late for work a lot, or miss too many work days, then you’re creating your own stress. It’s not as hard as it seems to change your life and health habits so that personal issues don’t get in the way of your career.

However, there are issues — serious illness, family problems, etc. — that will affect your work, and you can’t do anything about. Or at least, solving the issues will take time. This is a common source of work stress, but it’s easily fixed. Talk to your HR manager. Your firm may have policies directly related to your situation, and might be willing to help you out with paid time off or extra money.

Even if your company won’t help you out, at least they’ll know your work is being affected by serious issues, and that you’re not merely irresponsible.

Got some advice of your own? Comment below!

Tags: Advice, Careers, communication, Emily Brandon, health, stress, US News & World Report

Dude, Where’s My Job?

Earlier today the Senate voted to release the second half of the $700 billion dollar bailout package originally authorized under the Troubled Assets Relief Program (TARP). But this time the $350 billion dollars won’t be bailing out the automotive industry. According to Larry Summers, Obama’s economic advisor, “The incoming Obama administration has no intention of using any funds to implement an industrial policy.” Instead the plan is to keep the funds in the financial sector. Obama is planning to expand lending to consumers and small businesses, and Summers has pledged to commit $50 billion to $100 billion to address foreclosures. The aim is to promote stability of the financial system and increase lending, preserve home ownership, promote jobs and economic recovery, etc…all with the maximum degree of accountability and transparency.

This time around let’s hope that the benefits can be felt by the average American who has been struggling to get by in these tough economic times. Since the economic benefits definitely did not trickle down to most Americans last time, the stated focus of the plan on small businesses and consumer loans seems to be a step in the right direction. And we all know what more money invested in small business and consumer loans means–more spending and the need for more manpower to meet consumer demands.

That’s right, if Obama’s confidence in this plan is well-placed that means you and yours will have a much better chance of finding and keeping gainful employment in the near future. You can be certain that every new position popping up as a result of this economic stimulus plan will be found in one, convenient location. You know what I’m talking about—it’s EmploymentCrossing of course.

So with the help of this bailout money and a little help from EmploymentCrossing, pretty soon you won’t be asking yourself “Dude, where’s my job?” Instead you’ll be asking, “Dude, where’s my car?” You know, the brand new one you just bought with the big bucks you’ll be earning at your new job.

But since you aren’t earning the big bucks just yet, don’t forget to take advantage of our risk free, 7-day trial.

Tags: Add new tag, Bailout, Careers, economy, Employment, Jobs, Larry Summers, obama, TARP