Monthly Archives: July 2009

Author : Josh Stone

Maids perform typical domestic chores such as cooking, ironing, washing, cleaning the house, grocery shopping, walking the family dog, and taking care of children In some countries, maids take on the role of a nurse in taking care of the elderly and people with disabilities Maids are often expected to work at least fifteen hours per day

Many maids are required by their employers to wear a uniform Today the maid may be the only domestic worker that upper and even middle-income households can afford In the Western world, comparatively few households can afford live-in domestic help, usually compromising on periodic cleaners In less developed nations, fewer educated women and limited opportunities for working women ensures a labour source for domestic work

Young girls working as scullery maids fell to the bottom of the servant hierarchy which meant they were mocked and ridiculed by upper servants and completely ignored by members of the household despite the fact that they slaved away each day at their work The scullery maid reported (through the kitchen maid) to the cook or chef

A between maid (also called hall girl, particularly in the United States) is a female junior servant in a large household with many staff The position is largely defunct in the 21st century, as few households can afford great retinues of servants with the elaborate hierarchy of the past

The term hall girl came from her chief duty, which was waitressing in the Servants’ Hall She was required to set the table and remove the dishes, as well as waiting at table She may also have carried meals up to the head housekeeper, if, for example, that head of staff had breakfast or afternoon tea in her room(s)

The term between maid came from the fact that her duties came under the area of responsibilites of the housekeeper, butler and cook; if these individuals did not like one another the job of the between maid was a very difficult one

In developed countries most families can no longer afford live-in help In nations where there is still a ready supply of inexpensive labour the middle classes may still be able to afford servants For these households, the remnant of the once grand position of head housekeeper is often a cook-housekeeper The modern cook-housekeeper performs cooking and cleaning duties

A maid service, also known as a residential cleaning service or home cleaning service is a business which provides cleaning services as a convenience to homeowners who do not have (or do not wish to spend) the time to clean their own homes Maid services have become more common over the last 20 years or so, partly because of the rise in two-income families

Although a maid service may be more expensive than simply hiring a part-time maid, it offers a number of advantages First, a service will provide not only someone to do the cleaning, but also all of the necessary supplies Second, in the United States, if you hire a maid directly, you are responsible for withholding social security taxes Third, a maid service is, or should be, insured, and can be held accountable if something is stolen, whereas a private individual may be difficult to track down

There are several large maid service franchises in the United States, such as MaidPro, Molly Maid and Merry Maids There are also thousands of independent perators around the country They are also becoming more prevalent in England, Australia, South Africa and elsewhere There are also numerous companies supplying useful services to maid service companies, like training, marketing help and supplying management software

There are now thousands of residential cleaning businesses throughout the United States and Canada More spring up every year Maid services are becoming more popular in other countries, too – perhaps a sign of a relatively well-off population, or perhaps these businesses have sprung up just as the two-earner household has become the norm

Way back, it was traditionally a woman’s role to clean the home, but as more and more women have joined the work force, the time pressure on families with children has grown immeasurably, so paying someone to do the cleaning makes sense to time-pressured couples where both work, and are making a reasonable income

A maid service is a relatively easy sort of business to start, because one needs little more than a phone and one or two workers to get started However, to make the business really successful, one must plan appropriately and have sufficient capital for start-up costs and marketing, and be prepared to go through some relatively lean times at first, while you build up a clientele

Men working in the cleaning profession are usually called janitors A janitor is a person who takes care of a building, such as a school, office building, or apartment block They are responsible primarily for cleaning, and often (though not always) some maintenance and security A female janitor is called a janitrix, although this term is rarely used The title custodian is sometimes given to janitors as a term of higher respect In some settings janitors are called housekeepers or housekeeping staff Janitors have also come up with a number of alternative job titles

Domestic workers perform typical domestic chores such as cooking, ironing, washing, cleaning the house, buying foods and drinks, accompanying the female head of the household for grocery shopping, taking the family dog for a walk, and taking care of the children In some countries, maids replace the role of a nurse in taking care of the elderly and people with disabilities

Domestic service, or the employment of people for wages in their employer’s residence, is also sometimes simply called “service ” It evolved into a hierarchical system in various countries at various times

Prior to the labour reforms of the 20th Century, servants had no protection in law The only real advantage that service provided was the provision of meals and accommodation in addition to the modest wage Also, service was an apprentice system; there was room for advancement through the ranks However, it was also perilous, particularly for females, as there was no protection from unscrupulous employers or members of the family Many employers require their domestic workers to be in a uniform

Freelance writer for over eleven years.

Maid Uniform Aprons Nursing Uniform Scrubs

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Author : Rusty Sheridan

Confidence in a job interview is something you must build before that day arrives It is not enough to be sure of who you are; you must know who the hiring company is, as well That takes research and lots of thought about what information might be exchanged based on that knowledge

If you are thinking that an interviewer is going to ask you dozens of questions about your background, think again You have been invited to the interview because they read your resume and have pre-qualified you So, if they do ask you questions about your background, it is probably to see how you communicate

There are many interview strategies used these days One of the more popular include behavioral-style interviewing, which is basically a set of questions that are posed to see how you behaved in certain scenarios on the job It is not just about what you did, but how you handled yourself and solved problems

Sometimes they will ask you off-the-wall questions that have absolutely nothing to do with the job itself That is to see how you react to the unexpected

Many job seekers prepare word-for-word what they are going to say in an interview That is a big mistake There is no way of knowing what will be asked When you realize that your overly prepared responses will not get their debut, your anxiety will rise and you might appear too nervous and, ironically, unprepared

So how do you build your confidence before you arrive to your much anticipated job interview? Start by researching the company There are many sources available online, including news archives and the company’s own website Gain an understanding of how the company was founded, how it grew in products, service and locations

Think about how you qualify for the position in detail and how your experience would be an asset to the company Think about things that you want to know about the company, not just about your salary You want to convey that you are very interested in the company, not just about getting a job

If you are aware that the company was recently acquired, acknowledge this information in the interview and ask how the acquisition affects the position you are interviewing for For example, have the responsibilities changed or broadened in any way?

Asking questions based on what your research reveals is a great way to learn about the company Moreover, it shows your interest and sets the stage for a conversation because this approach is natural, not (obviously) rehearsed

Keep in mind that it is not enough to be qualified The interviewer must like you, as well There is always the human factor to consider You are speaking to a person, not taking an online survey For this reason, posing questions about their company will help you to establish a rapport with the interviewer You will also make a great first impression

Knowing that you are armed with knowledge of their company and have lots of key questions to ask will prove to be a powerful confidence builder As you pose your questions and they respond at length, you might even forget you are interviewing That is a good sign that the interview is going well

Just be careful not to let your guard down, laugh too much, or get personal Keep your edge at all times As long as you are in control of your own behavior, you will feel more prepared, relaxed and confident That, coupled with your qualifications, will increase your chances of getting a second interview and a job offer

For more resume and career information, visit Sample Resumes

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Author : Matthias Koster

The term personal support worker (PSW) is used almost exclusively within the Canadian province of Ontario Why is that so?

Back in 1997 the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education and Training combined to create new program standards for workers that provide personal care and support to people living at home and in long term care facilities

At the beginning of the 1997 school year a number of previous courses were combined into and governed under what is now today known as the personal support worker training outcomes and module outlines standards

Previously training for what are now considered personal support worker jobs feel under the umbrella of a number of courses These courses consisted of home support worker levels I, II, and III training, along with a Health Care Aid course and finally Personal Attendant courses Students enrolled in these courses in September and prior years were allowed to continue their studies, as the new standard applied to only new courses being offered from January 1st 1997 and on

That takes care of the dry portion So how come other provinces aren t jumping on the personal support guidelines bandwagon?

Since the personal support worker program is governed by the province of Ontario the degree has more value within Ontario than outside of it Other provinces have different guidelines, training and rules In Manitoba for example the tasks that an Ontario PSW carries out are handled by a Health Care Aid The system is less regulated in Manitoba A student may acquire a health care aid certificate from certain employers while on the job at their facility This makes it simpler to obtain a degree and in turn forces down the average wage

According to research carried out by Payscale Ontario support worker pay is $14 75 per hour on average In other lightly regulated provinces average pay is approximately three dollars per hour lower, with New Brunswick ($11 25), Saskatchewan ($11 33) and Manitoba ($11 62) being used in the research study

While having an Ontario personal support worker certificate should help one obtain employment outside of Ontario there is no guarantee that it will help a prospective worker obtain a higher wage This is the trade off for going outside of the province The program was designed to regulate program and work standards across Ontario Accidentally (or possibly on purpose) by having the course and training set up in this fashion, the province of Ontario has made it undesirable for personal support workers to leave the province Unlike other various trade school, college or university degrees which allow flexibility and freedom of movement throughout the entire nation with little to no potential degree erosion , an Ontario personal support worker certificate holds most of its value within the province of Ontario

This could be seen as a negative but if you have no desire or need to venture elsewhere within Canada or abroad then the program s benefits, short start to finish time (typically courses are one year in length), and high wages make becoming a PSW a sound short and long term career choice

One of many authors at http://www.personalsupportworker.ca , Matthias Koster has created articles for one Canada’s first websites devoted entirely to personal support workers, their courses, supplies, and job information.

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Author : Anna Stenning

Moving away to a new destination is a hard choice to make If you are moving for the first time and you have a long wait ahead of you before moving, then it is a good idea to use that time to prepare for the move This is not strictly directed at the packing of all of your belongings and making arrangements for the actual physical move – though this is an important element to your relocation The other preparation comes with becoming familiar with the area and getting to know your new neighbours

During my recent move to Sudbury, I spent a lot of my time becoming familiar with the area and approaching the Sudbury recruitment agencies If like me, you are moving to start out a new life in a different location, then you will need to have considered the job prospect and your ability to finance yourself With any move, the first thing to do is to secure yourself a position of employment with a view to finding a long term accommodation

One of the things that I had found when approaching the Sudbury recruitment agencies is, how each consultant had asked me why I was relocating It is no use just saying that it is for a change or career change, you will need to give your reasons for moving Much like a normal job interview, only you are going through an agency and seeking assistance on finding employment as quickly as you can Always prepare to explain about your previous employment experience, with emphasis on how you could use your skills that you have picked up for potential employers

Another thing that I had picked from some of the other Sudbury recruitment agencies is their keen interest in where I would be living Some places look to find you something local to them and prefer you not to commute Like most jobs, this is a sore spot and more often than none this cannot be avoided However, if the opportunity arises where you will need to move away for your job and you are able to relocate then my advice would be for you to take it

As Sudbury was my choice of destination for a new job, others may not have the choice to move to a location that they desire It is a good idea to take your time in considering your options beforehand, as this is a decision that will be a big change in your life Allow yourself some time to think about it, this is something you will be entitled to and you can use your time to find out as much as you can about the new location

It is a daunting experience when you finally reach the point of where you will be moving for the first time You will find that the stress will be alleviated if you spend some time making sure that you have a secure base and will not struggle once you are moved in Always make sure you have a six-month contract with the accommodation you are staying at, or a contract with a break clause, as you will need to prepare yourself for the unexpected

One final thing to remember is knowing your local emergency services These include your local police station, hospital, doctor’s surgery etc Get yourself registered with the nearest doctor’s surgery and dentists, so that you will not have to worry about looking for the right one You may find that when you move, it will be too late to register onto their books, which is why it is important to do this as early as possible

Anna Stenning has approached Sudbury recruitment agencies in the past in order to find herself a secure job in this area.

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Author : Tony Jacowski

Job Opportunities

Due to the continuous growing demand for physical beauty and an extravagant lifestyle, job vacancies in spas and resorts are increasing dramatically Although no basic qualifications are necessary to enter in this profession, a formal training program will help you to acquire a better pay and position There are numerous job opportunities available in this field, ranging from manicurist -pedicurists specialists to masseurs and therapists to cosmetologists

Beside these positions, you can also apply for positions such as electrologists, skincare specialists and beauticians There are numerous beauty schools offering training programs and courses that will help you to build a career in this field of hospitality While working in a spa, you can also enroll in other courses related to the spa This will only help you to grow in your career

Job Requirements

As a spa professional, your main objective will be to provide your client with supreme royal treatment and ultimate pampering In order to do a satisfactory job, you should also be able enjoy what you are doing If you are able to satisfy your customer completely, only then can you expect them to return to your spa, time and again People go to spas in search of peace and revival of the body, mind and soul; and return back to the real world rejuvenated

As a spa professional, it is not only your duty but also your responsibility to ensure that the customer attains complete “nirvana” Your disposition should reflect positive energy and your vibrant spirit should be able to immediately put the customer at ease As your job profile largely requires you to provide healing through touch therapy, do not let other aspects of your life interfere with your work, otherwise this will hinder your performance

Popularity And Future Of The Spa Industry

The spa and resort industry is growing at an alarming rate and very soon will be the global retreat choice for millions of people, all over the world They are famous and renowned for providing natural remedies and therapeutic water treatments like “balneotherapy” The concept originated from the Belgium town of Spa where people with iron deficiencies were given ferruginous water to drink However, in today’s modern world it has a broader scope Depending on the treatments provided, spas can be categorized as destination spa, a health spa, a day spa or a spa town

As with any other job, you also need to seriously consider the positive as well as negative aspects of a career in the spa industry Better still, you could consult a career counselor to guide you

As a spa specialist, you will be highly appreciated for providing relief to people from their daily grind, but there will be times when you too will need to take a break and unwind in the spa Although managing a spa can prove to be quite tedious at times, it is a very rewarding and enriching profession as you are not only acclaimed for your miraculous healings but also get a chance to interact with the rich and famous from all over the world

Tony Jacowski is a quality analyst for The MBA Journal. Aveta Solution’s Six Sigma Online offers online six sigma training and certification classes for lean six sigma, black belts, green belts, and yellow belts.

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