Monthly Archives: November 2009

Author : Alvah Parker

Everyday we hear about more layoffs You will want to be proactive by starting a job search before it happens That is a smart move but you must be careful If your current boss gets wind of it you might be the first to be laid off Of course if you have already successfully lined up a job, it won’t matter much!

There are going to be lots of people looking for jobs now How do you distinguish yourself from the others? This is a really important question The good news is that you can save months of job searching by simply using one or two of these ideas

When there are lots of people looking for work how do you get noticed? You must stand out from the crowd How do you do that? Having a unique skill is one way You’ll need to highlight it on your resume At an interview you will want to back it up with success stories about how the skill has solved a problems for your past employers

Another way to be memorable is to tell a compelling story I recall years ago hearing that someone always told the story of how he was on a plane that was high jacked People always referred to him as “the fellow who was high jacked” He stood out!

Another way to stand out is to take a risk We are usually encouraged to follow all the rules when applying for a job Don’t rock the boat so to speak Following all those rules makes us all alike!

I loved the story I heard recently at an event where Shirley Singleton co-founder of Edgewater Technology was the keynote speaker In the early 80s after being laid off as a teacher she signed up for and completed a computer programming class

After sending out hundreds of resumes with no response she answered a help wanted ad in the newspaper only to learn they had already filled the job In desperation she begged them to just interview her even though she knew they had no opening for her She just wanted to know what it was like to be interviewed! They agreed to help her

When she returned home from the “interview” there was a message on her answering machine saying they were creating a job for her! Out of frustration she had taken a risk and as a result she was hired

Lots of times clients tell me they are perfect for a particular job and can’t understand why they were not hired One job candidate who was really upset when she was turned down for a job sent a gift of candy to that hiring manager telling her how much she had enjoyed meeting with the team Several months later the hiring manager called her about another job The gift had made an impression that lasted

It is important never to burn any bridges and to stay connected to those you meet even the ones who turn you down You never know who will eventually help you find that perfect job!

So whether you are already laid off or just think you might be, now is the time to think about how you will make yourself memorable to those you meet, what kind of risk you are willing to take to get a great job, and how you can stay connected to those who have the potential to help you in the future Now is the time to make sure you stand out!

Take Action

1 What kinds of attributes do you have that make you memorable? Is it a skill, a talent, a hobby, an experience? How does it fit into your career goals?

2 What risk would you be willing to take to get yourself noticed? What is the upside? What is the downside? How do you make the decision to follow through?

3 Who have you met recently that has the necessary connections to help you with your job search? How do you stay connected with him/her?

Alvah Parker is a Practice Advisor for Attorneys and a Career Coach as well as publisher of Parker’s Points, an email tip list and Road to Success, an ezine with career and business information. Subscribe now to these free monthly publications at her website free monthly publications and receive a free values assessment along with your subscription.

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Author : James Copper

There are many sources of plumbing training, not all of which is classroom Standard residential or commercial plumbers, pipe layers, steam fitters and pipe fitters all vary their training in one or many of a variety of methods Most residential and commercial / industrial plumbing training is offered in technical schools or community colleges This classroom plumbing training is almost always supplemented by on-the-job training Steam fitters, pipe layers, pipe fitters and plumbers that work primarily in commercial settings usually get their training through very formalized apprenticeship programs

Apprenticeships are generally the best plumbing training in terms of a comprehensive look at what the job constitutes These apprenticeship training programs for plumbers and other pipe specialists are administered by local labour unions and the companies with which they are affiliated or by organizations that represent non-union contractors Examples of organizations through which one can get plumbing apprenticeship training include the Mechanical Contractors Association of America, the United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices part of the Plumbing and Pipefitting Industry of the U S and Canada; The National Fire Sprinkler Association; the National Association of Plumbing, Heating and Cooling Contractors; and the Home Builders Institute The latter is a subsidiary of the National Association of Home Builders

Apprenticeship plumbing training lasts four to five years whether its union or not Primarily on the job training it also includes a minimum of 144 annual hours in the classroom The subjects for which the apprentice plumbers receive classroom training include blue print reading, drafting basics, applied chemistry and physics, math, local plumbing codes, plumbing and contracting safety, and legislated contracting and plumbing regulations

The on-the-job part of the plumbing training includes basic plumbing skills such as learning to recognize the various types and grades of pipe, using the essential plumbing tools, and unloading plumbing materials safely As the apprenticeship continues and the apprentice progresses in her or his experience, she can learn how to work with and install the various pipes, plumbing fixtures and piping systems

Those who want to apply for apprenticeship plumbing training have to be a minimum of 18 years old and must be in good health An applicant may have to have a GED or high school education Someone who has military plumbing training is considered a great apprenticeship applicant In fact, they may be credited for the experience Other suggested training that can grease the plumbing apprenticeship application wheels is drafting, general math, reading blueprints, computer skills and physics

While there is no uniform standard plumbing license, most municipal and state governments in the United States require that plumbers acquire a license Passing an examination that tests how well they absorbed their plumbing training and how well they can carry out their plumbing tasks is common in many areas With additional training beyond the basic plumbing courses, plumbers can go on to become supervisors of other construction and plumbing employees, can go into business for themselves or find work as a building inspector

James copper is a writer for http://www.newcareerskills.co.uk where you can find information onplumbing training

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Author : Tony Jacowski

There are some simple strategies that can help you deal with gaps in employment

How to Handle the Questions

The best way to handle a time gap of more than 2 years would be to be honest If you took time off for personal reasons, for example, say so – but try not to give too many details Usually, any information that you provide will be accepted if the gap was a long time ago Recent gaps in employment generally require more explanation

You can try using different types of resume formats (depending on your situation) to cover the gap

Functional Resume- Software professionals who have vast experience in several technologies frequently use this resume style Job seekers who have minimum experience also prefer this format Job seekers who adopt the functional resume style systematize it by adding their specialized skills and functions This resume style is purely functional, stating employment dates, company names, and position titles

This style also works well for homemakers who are returning to work after awhile Functional resumes are not used as frequently as the chronological style, but if well drafted, it can cover up any gaps in employment and can be used as a marketing tool

Chronological Resume- This format is also called the default format, as this resume type is organized in reverse chronological order starting with job titles, names of the employers, employment dates and achievements within a time period of 10-15 years This style is the best bet for those who have lots of experience in one field and who don’t have many employment gaps

This resume style is well accepted, as it is usually short and concise, with details well specified Conservative career professionals or job seekers who are searching for openings in the international job market also use this format

How to Include the Explanation

If you prefer using a functional resume, you should include a short explanation for the gap in your cover letter Including a legitimate explanation always helps – just make sure that you mention it in passing and don’t get too detailed unless you are asked about it later

If you have a big gap and don’t mention it in your cover letter, then many recruiters may discard your resume thinking that you are not serious about your career

If it’s a minor employment gap, recruiters generally will understand, but if you had a more complex issue resulting in a larger gap, then it is better to specify it during the interview on your own

The biggest concern for an employer when they see gaps in employment is whether this issue is an indication of your probable future absence How you address any gaps in your employment will usually determine whether you will get the interview or not – so be prepared

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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Author : Cathy Goodwin

Does this scenario sound familiar?

You’ve been working on a big project for a long time Maybe you are writing a book or develop a major marketing campaign You try to move ahead every day, but sometimes you just stop Even a small task seems overwhelming And when you take a day off, you feel guilty

What’s going on?

The Time Tyrants have taken over your schedule (and maybe your life) Here are 5 ways to stand up to them — and accomplish more on your own terms

(1) Get rhythm your own rhythm

When you’re working on a book, job search, business start-up, dissertation, or special assignment, you often feel that the project has begun to consume your entire life You can’t afford to take a break, you say, let alone a day off

But experienced professionals understand their own rhythm

I once heard a talk by a writer who had written several book-length projects She said, “Sometimes I’m really productive I write five pages on my book! Then the next day I’m drained So I review what I’ve written or organize my research files ”

This writer knows her work style She doesn’t listen to the “experts” who tell her to force herself to write pages a day, no matter what

Some writers can churn out 3, 5 and even 10 pages a day of quality writing But she can’t

(2) Recognize when resistance means, “time for a break ”

Do you ever find yourself staring at a blank screen, wondering why your mind refuses to create new ideas?

If you’re starting a new project, you might need warm-up exercises Writers typically develop a handful, such as “Write a memo to yourself about the project” or “Find an object in your home and tell a story around it ”

But if you’ve been working nonstop for several days,weeks or even months, your mind may be screaming for a break

When I get going on a project, I resist taking a day off to read a new mystery, go for a hike, or watch a good movie But I’ve learned to turn off my Inner Time Tyrant who says, “You need every moment you can get ”

So I take off The next day (nearly always!) I wake up eager to work I accomplish everything I need to do and more

(3) Discover the difference between randomness and laziness

Psychologists who study our up-and-down activity blips have found a certain randomness operates in human productivity levels

For example, an employee “Bill” varied his arrival time at work When Bill was late, his boss yelled at him When Bill was on time, the boss offered praise

Sure enough, Bill responded The day after the boss yelled, Bill was on time And the day after the reward, Bill slacked off and arrived late So, concluded the boss, praise doesn’t work And punishment does

There was only one problem A computer demonstrated that Bill’s arrival times showed a pattern of random variation In fact, the computer could predict quite accurately how Bill would perform – with or without praise and blame

The same pattern has been found among students: some days you learn faster while other days you just don’t get it And some days you’re productive and efficient, while other days you’re sluggish

If you’ve studied statistics, you probably guessed that we’re talking about regression to the mean People usually have an average level of productivity When they work hard one day, they tend to slow down the next

So here’s an exercise Suppose you have a writing project You set a goal: write 500 words a day For other projects, find a daily activity level that’s easy to observe and measure

For the next 30 days, track how many words you write (or how productive you are in the task you’ve chosen) Some days you’ll write 1000 words, other days none, with lots of variation Each day just record your word count, without judging your output At the end of 30 days, calculate an average And calculate again after 60 days

You may find that your natural average is 300 words a day You can lower your daily goals – or recognize that you work best with your random pattern

Obviously, if you have a deadline, you have to increase your output Professional writers typically write 1000-3000 words a day Their mean might be 1500

But if you’re making acceptable progress toward a goal, you can begin to understand, accept and work with your natural rhythm

(4) Remove the word “laziness” from your vocabulary

When you’re berating yourself for lack of progress – stop! Review your numbers Chances are you’re right on schedule, although you may feel your doing nothing

(5) Ask yourself, “Do I really need to do this? And do I want to?”

I call this question the Magic Question because I find we tend to over-use the word “priority ” Do you really need to complete the project at all? And if so, do you really need to be perfect in every way?

Sometimes the answer is “yes ” You have a book contract You need to maintain quality to satisfy your loyal audience (and of course pay the mortgage and the light bill)

Regardless, beating yourself up and feeling guilty won’t work If you’re constantly falling behind, maybe it’s time for a change of career – a chance to enjoy marching your life to a new beat

But sometimes you realize the Time Tyrants have infiltrated your computer and your life You’re not being lazy You’re just looking for a way to get free from someone else’s agenda make room for what’s really important

Cathy Goodwin, Ph.D., author, speaker and career consultant, specializing in mid-career transitions, decisions and escapes. Visit rel=’nofollow’ href=’http://www.midlifecareerstrategy.com’>Midlife Career Strategy Website
Abolish your time tyrants and find freedom to accomplish what’s really important:
Your 21 Day Time Makeover Guide

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Author : Josh Stone

A housekeeper is an individual responsible for the cleaning and maintenance of the interior of a residence The term is almost exclusively applied to females; males are generally referred to as housecleaners, head of household staff, or, under the old British Imperial system as houseboys (regardless of age)

In the great houses of yesteryear the housekeeper could be a woman of considerable power in the domestic arena The housekeeper of times past had her room or rooms cleaned by junior staff, her meals prepared and laundry taken care of, and with the butler presided over dinner in the Servants’ Hall Unlike other servants, she was addressed as Mrs Last Name

Today’s head of household staff in a great house lives in much the same manner, although fewer households can afford large retinues of servants with an elaborate hierarchy A housekeeper also supervises and coordinates activities of household employees in a private residence: Informs new employees of employer’s desires and gives instructions in work methods and routines She assigns duties, such as cooking and serving meals, cleaning, washing, and ironing, adjusting work activities to accommodate family members She also orders foodstuffs and cleaning supplies, keeps record of expenditures and may hire and discharge employees Also works in residence employing a large staff

The housekeeper is generally hired by and reports to the lady of the house The extent to which the housekeeper supervises other staff varies from household to household In general, the staff of a grand dwelling is divided into departments, with the housekeeper in charge of all the female staff with the possible exception of the kitchen staff, who report to the cook, and the between staff, who may report to the butler; in these cases the cook and butler reported directly to the lady of the house

In other households, particularly those of the very wealthy who maintain several residences, the housekeeper is the ultimate head of household staff and may hire and fire junior staff, subject to the approval of the lady of the house, and make recommendations for senior staff In this case, the cook and butler report to the lady of the house through the housekeeper

Housekeepers also work in hotels and resorts Their job description differs slightly from the traditional housekeeper A Commercial housekeeper performs housekeeping duties, such as cleaning and stocking supplies in units when assigned Maintains a high cleanliness standard for all resort rental units and provides top level customer service for guests

FUNCTIONS:

Cleans guest rooms and stocks with appropriate supplies in the prescribed manner while following safety and security procedures and regulations, including but not limited to: Picks up and removes trash; Changes linen and makes bed(s); cleans entire bathroom; sweeps and dusts each unit; cleans the windows, balconies and porches

Retrieves, stocks, restocks and stores the supplies according to current procedures

Receives assigned section, keys, supplies and any priority room requests from the Executive Housekeeper Turns in keys and unused supplies at the end of each shift Checks with supervisor prior to clocking out at the end of each day

May be required to clean carpets using equipment supplied by Lake Lure Golf & Beach Resort to maintain cleanliness standards of all floor coverings within the rental units and amenities

Responds to guest requests and reports guest concerns in a timely and hospitable manner to ensure guest satisfaction

Reports any missing articles, damages or mechanical problems to the Executive Housekeeper and turns in any articles left in each unit

Coordinates with the Executive Housekeeper relating to work priorities and provides assistance when/where needed

Check amenities buildings (i e , restaurants, pro shops, recreation and public areas) to insure that they meet cleanliness standards are cleaned and properly stocked

Performs other related duties as directed by the Executive Housekeeper

The functions within this job family will vary by level, but may include the following:

Sweeps, dusts, mops, scrubs, washes, vacuums, waxes, and polishes building floors, walls, woodwork, windows, furniture, equipment, and hardware

Cleans and sanitizes laboratories, washrooms, and bedrooms, keeps washrooms supplied with paper, towels, and soap

Collects and disposes of trash and garbage; moves equipment and furniture such as beds, tables, and chairs

Performs sanitary inspections in designated areas for purposes of infection control

Replaces and removes medically contaminated sharps and/or medically soiled and contaminated dressings and supplies

Orders and distributes custodial supplies; maintains inventory

Observes and reports safety violations; actively participates in emergency situations

Assists in training and continued education of lower level workers

Plans, assigns, and supervises all functions of a housekeeping department

Inspects quarters for maintenance of proper housekeeping standards

Supervises and maintains records of the distribution of furnishings

Maintains necessary records; prepares required reports

Establishes housekeeping standards; assists with policy planning; prepares departmental budget request

Knowledge, skills and abilities required at this level include those identified in Level I plus knowledge of various cleaning methods, materials, and equipment used in custodial work; of proper procedures for disposing of waste, including medically contaminated sharps and/or medically soiled and contaminated dressings and supplies; and of chemical product safety Skill is required to operate custodial equipment

What should I look for when hiring a maid or housekeeper?

Hiring a maid is a serious responsibility Allowing someone into your home and to come into contact with your belongings should require a substantial amount of research in finding the right person for the job The following are few tips to keep in mind during the hiring process

Insurance: Many maids and housekeepers work through a service company that hires employees to work under the name of that company Should you use such a service, make sure the company is insured to cover accidents in the workplace-your home

Ask For References: Before even considering hiring a maid from a company, seek out those who have worked with them before Was their experience a good one? Always ask the housekeeping service company for references before hiring them

Employment Screening: Be sure to find out whether or not each of the maids or housekeepers are screened before hired to the company Does the service company confirm their references and verify they are residents? These are very important items to take into consideration before hiring a maid

Contract: Who will provide the cleaning supplies, the maid company or you? What happens if you are not satisfied with the job done in your home? What happens if items are damaged in your home while the maid is working? These are questions that need to be answered and answered to the customer’s satisfaction in a written contract signed by both you and the housekeeping company

How much would it cost to utilize maid or housekeeping services on a regular basis?

Many maid and housekeeping service companies charge by the week and by the size of your living space Small apartments often cost $40 a week, while a large home could cost $60 a week These prices fluctuate on the type of home as well as if there are any special problem areas that need to be cleaned

Freelance writer for over eleven years.

Housekeeping Uniform White Aprons Medical Scrubs

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Author : James Copper

Energy courses are part of the residential and government way of life in the UK, as domestic energy assessment is a must for construction, sale or rental of residential dwellings

One of the best energy courses to start your understanding of energy efficiency in the UK is called Energy Efficiency from A to Z The energy course came about with the UK government understanding that the energy used in the United Kingdoms residential dwellings now represents the greatest part of the countrys total use of energy

Regulations in both the UK and all of Europe now demand improvement in energy standards and energy-efficiency reports

The first in a series of energy courses, this introductory one day look at energy efficiency is designed to teach domestic energy assessor candidates, builders, home owners, home buyers, landlords, property managers and any other interested individuals and organizations the ins and outs of making residential dwellings energy efficient

Included in the information of this and other energy courses will be a look at the UK legislation that regulates energy and the reasons behind the implementation These courses will also study energy legislation throughout other parts of Europe This energy course will provide a practical look at the factors involved in making a home energy efficient

Those who attend this energy course should, at the end of the day, know and understand several key energy efficiency factors They should understand why it is important to become as energy efficient as possible, both from the eyes of the home dweller and the government

They should have a clear understanding of all new and old legislation One important law that they will fully study is the European Directive on the Energy Performance of Buildings Included as well will be country-specific building and housing regulations that have energy-efficient elements

This and subsequent energy courses will define and study fuel poverty as well as ways to combat the problem The course will teach home energy rating systems and the regulations for compliance

Those who attend this energy course will learn as well about the various choices of heating, cooling and hot water controls and systems They will be trained in comparison of the costs of each They will be apprised of grants and other funding help that is available for those who want to improve on their homes energy efficiency

They will learn the meaning and the value of renewable energy, as opposed to non-renewable fossil fuel use They will also learn about ways to conserve on heating costs, through things like ventilation, insulation and reduction of condensation

This, as with all the government-provided energy courses, is open to many Attendees at these energy courses include front line energy assessment teams such as domestic energy assessors, members and staff of local authority agencies, staff of pertinent housing associations, health and medical care professionals, staff and managers of utility and other energy firms, homeowners, landlords, property management staff and potential home buyers

James Copper writes part time for PCS who offer energy assessor courses for career changers who want to become a energy assessor.

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Author : James Copper

Before you decide to take an online training course you should consider your options There are hundreds of online sites advertising that they provide you with online training courses You need to know which course will be right for you There are some questions to ask yourself first about the online training courses

1 Why do you want to take the online training course?

2 Are you going to change careers?

3 Do you want to improve your current status at a company?

4 Will the online training courses be useful to you?

By answering the questions mentioned here it will be easier to determine what type of online training courses you want to take Not all online training courses provide you with a certification once the course is complete Some of the online training courses are from individuals trying to sell you training, but not from an accredited course or even a UK employment recognized course

What we mean by UK employment recognized course is that certain companies like Microsoft, ISEB, MSP, M_o_R, etc provide training courses and an exam which leads to certification These names are universally recognized in the UK, especially in IT and Business Management These courses speak volumes when the certification is listed on the resume Taking a course that is UK recognized at companies could be the difference between a pay grade

It is also the main reason it is important to determine why you want to take online training courses If you are just hoping to improve yourself through online courses in language, communications, etc you might go for a less expensive option than certificate level training courses

On the other hand, always taking certification courses in online training courses is your better option Even if you do not think you will use the certification on your resume, you do not really know A few years from now you could consider a change in career that leads you towards the training course you had previously

Online training courses are great for a variety of people There are thousands of online training course options There are also several ways of taking the course In an online training course you usually have the ability to choose how long the course will take you You do not have to complete the course in 5 days if you need a month

The training course materials will also differ Some of the best classes allow you to use software, audio CD’s and textbooks Assignments are submitted online through email or the online training course websites

Online training courses which are set up through a private business can still be useful You do want to make sure the individual site has all the necessary qualifications and security though This is another reason you might want online training courses through accredited colleges or training schools You are guaranteed that the training course is legitimate and that you will receive all the information you need With online training courses you want more than a short tutorial

James Copper is a writer for http://www.trainingindex.co.uk/blog where you can find information on training courses

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