10 New Blue-Collar Jobs

10 New Blue-Collar Jobs Rachel Zupek, CareerBuilder.com writer<br /><br />In the old days, there were blue-collar workers and white-collar workers. These days, there are white-, blue-, green-, gold-, pink- and gray-collared workers, too. (Seriously.)<br /><br />The problem with these classifications is that not only are they based on stereotypes but for the most part, they're inaccurate. Pink-collar workers, for example, supposedly work in jobs that have traditionally been considered female, like hairdressers, nannies and nurses. One can argue, however, that a significant percentage of these jobs are also occupied by men in today's work force. Gray collar allegedly classifies workers who work beyond typical retirement age (an allusion to gray hair?) and gold-collar workers are apparently young, low-wage employees who spend most of their paycheck on luxury items.<br /><br />While today's labor force is a far cry from the segregated one that existed in the first half of the 20th century, worker classifications still exist. Perhaps the worst typecast group is blue-collar workers, often assumed to have poor education and minimal capabilities. In reality, these physically demanding jobs actually require extensive training and certifications and usually involve work that no one wants to do themselves.<br /><br />Here are 10 blue-collar jobs that are following the ways of the world as technology, the environment and the population rapidly changes. These labor-intensive jobs offer decent (though not the highest) pay and job growth through 2016, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Some of them you might not have heard of -- but when you read the job requirements, you'll realize how often you utilize their work.<br /><br />Landscaping and groundskeeping worker<br /><br />Many homeowners can't find time to take care of their lawns and also desire to entertain outdoors in an attractive setting. Hence, groundskeeping workers remain vital to our work force. Salary: $10.22/hour; $21,260/year<br /><br />Electronic home entertainment equipment installer/repairer<br /><br />If you tried to lift or install the new 60-inch flat-screen TV you just purchased, you know it's not easy. Plus, such equipment isn't cheap, so buyers are willing to spend the extra money to have it professionally delivered and installed, or to get it fixed when it goes on the fritz. Salary: $14.42/hour; $29,980/year<br /><br />Terrazzo worker and finisher<br /><br />As people become as concerned with image as function, terrazzo finishers will continue applying decorative and attractive finishes to hallways, patios, floors and panels in households around the world. Salary: $15.21/hour; $31,630/year<br /><br />Highway maintenance worker<br /><br />Roads require constant maintenance, conforming to safety standards or repairing damaged roadways. Since cars don't seem like they'll fly anytime soon, maintenance workers will be around for a while. Salary: $15.67/hour; $32,600/year<br /><br />Security and fire alarm systems installer<br /><br />Though there was a 2.6 percent decrease in property crime in the first six months of 2007, according to the FBI, robbery, burglary and larceny-theft still pose a threat. To continue fighting crime, security and fire systems installers will work to ensure people feel safe in their homes. Salary: $16.73/hour; $34,810/year<br /><br />Computer, automated teller and office machine repairer<br /><br />Computers and office equipment are vital to the day-to-day activities in both business and home, like the convenience of banking and bill-paying online. These machines always need to be up and running and we need professional repairmen to make sure they are. Salary: $17.54/hour; $36,480/year<br /><br />Tile and marble setter<br /><br />Along with the population, businesses are growing, too. Tile and marble are becoming more popular for use in shopping malls, hospitals, schools and restaurants. These, along with other nontraditional housing materials, are also popular in homes nationwide. Salary: $17.59/hour; $36,590/year<br /><br />Heating, air-conditioning and refrigeration mechanic and installer<br /><br />Environmental concerns continue as both people and companies strive to "go green." For many, this means installing new, energy-saving heating and cooling systems in their homes and offices. Those who already have such machines require them to operate at the highest efficiency, which means professionally maintaining them. Salary: $18.44/hour; $38,360/year<br /><br />Structural and reinforcing iron and metal worker<br /><br />Similar to people, structures get older. As they do, buildings, bridges, power plants and highways need to be rehabbed, repaired, replaced or maintained and these are the people who will do it. Salary: $19.46/hour; $40,480/year<br /><br />Subway and street-car operator<br /><br />With our ever-growing population and the strong push to improve the environment, public transportation like subways, street cars and light rails will become more prevalent in the next few years. Salary: $23.55/hour; $48,980/year<br /><br />*Salaries and figures based on median annual/hourly earnings, according to the BLS.<br /><br />Rachel Zupek is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com. She researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues<br /><br />It doesn't hurt to look! <a href="http://www.mygvbiz.com/getrich">www.mygvbiz.com/getrich</a> Become an Independent Distributor Today!

10 New Blue-Collar Jobs

10 New Blue-Collar Jobs Rachel Zupek, CareerBuilder.com writer In the old days, there were blue-collar workers and white-collar workers. The...

Read more »

Can You Be Your Own Boss?

Can You Be Your Own Boss? Robin Ryan, Author of '60 Seconds and You're Hired'<br /><br />Many of us fantasize about owning our own companies. Nearly one million new businesses are launched each year, but more than 85 percent will close within five years. There are some key indicators of who will be most effective as owners. Take this quiz to help you determine if you have the burning desire, discipline and resources to become your own boss.<br /><br />Are you a self-starter?<br />It will be up to you, not someone else, to develop the business, organize the projects, manage your time and follow through on details.<br /><br />Can you handle the uncertain financial risk?<br />Businesses all have cycles, the ebbs and flows in profitability. Once it's started you'll have overhead and operational expenses that must be met before you get paid.<br /><br />Do you have good business skills?<br />You must attract customers. New and repeat customers are the lifeblood of your business. You must possess or learn these skills -- accounting, business planning, operations, sales, marketing and customer service -- to survive and succeed.<br /><br />Do you have the stamina needed to run a business?<br />Business ownership is a lot of work. Can you face 12-hour work days, six or seven days a week, every week?<br /><br />Are you motivated by achievement?<br />Many entrepreneurs get great joy out of the daily "wins" they get from doing business. They find it's a competitive game and satisfying way to fulfill their instinct to achieve. They have fun doing it. These people have a passion and driving desire to come in first. They are doers and want to derive benefits from their efforts and labor. They are unlikely to get "burned out" or worn down by carrying all the responsibilities of the business on their shoulders.<br /><br />Are you a good decision-maker?<br />Business owners are required to make decisions constantly, quickly, under pressure and independently. Do you research and examine all options on important decisions to minimize your risk, but then decide and go forward?<br /><br />How well do you handle different personalities?<br />Business owners need to develop working relationships with a variety of people including customers, vendors, staff, bankers and professionals such as lawyers, accountants or graphic artists. Your ability to successfully deal with demanding clients, unreliable vendors or cranky staff people in order to benefit your business will directly impact your success.<br /><br />How will the business affect your family?<br />It's hard to balance work and family demands during the first few years after starting a new business. There may also be financial difficulties until the business becomes profitable, which could take months or years. You may have to adjust to a lower standard of living or put family assets at risk. Can your family deal with the challenges business ownership requires? Although many entrepreneurs go on to make large incomes, the "lean years" are a necessary part of the evolution and business growth cycle. Equally important to consider are the many job perks -- paid vacations, sick days, medical and dental insurance, stock options, cars, health club memberships -- that disappear when you own the company. Think about the extra costs you will now incur.<br /><br />How will you deal with the isolation?<br />Once you go off on your own, you'll be just that -- alone. Can you deal with being isolated? Will you miss the status, respect and collegial connections that you had while working for an employer other than yourself? Don't underestimate this -- it's the reason many consultants and service business owners close their own operations and re-enter the corporate world.<br /><br />Can you go two or three years without an income?<br />List start-up resources to buy/start and run your business. Note sales and break even points as well as profit projections. Be conservative in your estimates on how fast you'll be able to turn a profit. Develop family and business budgets that support you and your family while your business is beginning to grow.<br /><br />Robin Ryan has appeared on the Dr. Phil Show, Oprah, NBC Nightly News with Tom Brokaw, CNN, CNBC and is considered America's top career coach. She is the best-selling author of: "60 Seconds and You're Hired!;" "Winning Resumes;" "Winning Cover Letters" and "What to Do with the Rest of Your Life." She's the creator of the highly acclaimed audio training program Interview Advantage and The DreamMaker. To purchase her books and audio training programs go to http://www.robinryan.com/.<br /><br />It doesn't hurt to look! <a href="http://www.mygvbiz.com/getrich">www.mygvbiz.com/getrich</a> Become an Independent Distributor Today!

Can You Be Your Own Boss?

Can You Be Your Own Boss? Robin Ryan, Author of '60 Seconds and You're Hired' Many of us fantasize about owning our own companie...

Read more »

Unhappy at Work? Ask Yourself These 7 Questions

Unhappy at Work? Ask Yourself These 7 Questions by By Heather Mundell, CPC<br /><br />You're sitting in another agonizing meeting and glancing at your watch. "I can't believe what a waste of time this is," you say to yourself. "I've got five phone calls to return and probably 25 new e-mails in my inbox. Guess I'm staying late again. I just wish I cared more about what I'm doing here anyway."<br /><br />If you notice that your complaints about work are becoming frequent and serious enough that you're questioning your willingness to stay, here are seven essential questions to ask before deciding whether to leave your position. Answering these questions is the first step in taking charge of your own career.<br /><br />1. What do you enjoy and what don't you enjoy about your job?<br /><br />This is a basic yet essential exercise. On a sheet of paper create two columns. In the first list all of the aspects about your job that you enjoy. In the second, detail your complaints. Be honest and specific. Now compare the two lists and notice any patterns. How meaningful are your likes and what are the impacts of your dislikes?<br /><br />2. How long have you felt the way you do?<br /><br />Every organization experiences good times and rough times. Are you hating your job because it's budget time or review time? Are you in a good phase only because sales are up in the summer? Have you been complaining for two solid years? Get some perspective about your overall satisfaction level.<br /><br />3. How does your job align with your strengths and your values?<br /><br />People are usually happiest when they are encouraged to play to their strengths and values. Make a list of your strengths and values and consider them in light of your current job and organization. How well does your job fit you? Are you an extroverted leader in a job involving a lot of data analysis? Are you committed to a particular cause and work for an organization whose mission runs counter to your ideals?<br /><br />4. What is your job costing you?<br /><br />Even those of us in lucrative positions face some degree of "opportunity cost" in their lives. Others face real emotional suffering. How mild or severe is the cost of remaining in your current position? Be honest about the impact your job has on your health and sense of well-being.<br /><br />5. Will this job get you where you want to go?<br /><br />You need to have a clear vision before making a dramatic decision about your current position. What would you love to be doing one, five and 10 years from now? How will this job get you there? Is this job a natural stepping stone or a dead end?<br /><br />6. How is your boss supporting you?<br /><br />Your boss's skill as a manager is a critical factor to your job satisfaction and success. She can give you challenging assignments and assist your career progression. Or she can ignore you, dump unappealing projects on you or undermine you. If your boss is intolerable, it may be time to move on. Fighting to have your boss removed or waiting for your boss to change or get fired are rarely successful tactics.<br /><br />7. What's keeping you where you are?<br /><br />Now it's time to be brutally honest. What are your primary motivating factors for working in this position? Perhaps you've made lifestyle choices that depend on your salary level. Maybe you spent many years and thousands of dollars obtaining an advanced degree to get where you are. Maybe you have convinced yourself that there is no better job out there. What are you committed to in your life? How does your job support those commitments?<br /><br />Take some time to analyze your work experience in light of your answers to these seven questions. By noticing your desires and honoring your aspirations, you can achieve more clarity about what you want and what is in your way. With clarity, you can transform your vision into a plan for action.<br /><br />If you still feel stuck, consider hiring a professional coach. A coach can help you clarify your vision, remove obstacles, create an action plan and follow it. With coaching, you can more readily take charge of your career and move closer to achieving your dreams.<br /><br />Heather Mundell is a certified professional coach and former human resources director. To learn more about her and Dream Big Coaching Services, visit her website at http://www.dreambigcoaching.com/.<br /><br />It doesn't hurt to look! <a href="http://www.mygvbiz.com/getrich">www.mygvbiz.com/getrich</a> Become an Independent Distributor Today!

Unhappy at Work? Ask Yourself These 7 Questions

Unhappy at Work? Ask Yourself These 7 Questions by By Heather Mundell, CPC You're sitting in another agonizing meeting and glancing at y...

Read more »

Service To Children

The Ever Flowing Stream article below is about a ministry that is dear to my heart and has been endorsed by our recent General Convention as a mission priority of the Episcopal Church. CIS is not yet statewide, and some of our churches partner with schools in other ways. CIS is expanding. This is the largest such partnership opportunity and the one that offers us the best way into giving children a chance in life.<br /><br /> An Everflowing Stream<br /> Amos 5:24<br /><br />EC 2/05 Confirms care for the needs of children as a priority of the Church and urges the President and Congress to make funding for children’s care a priority <br /><br />Communities in Schools<br /><br />Communities in Schools is a non-profit organization that provides support to children of all ages by ensuring that they are successful in school, are safe, healthy and able to learn. By empowering students to stay in school and achieve their highest potential, Communities in Schools of Nevada is preparing children not just to survive, but to thrive.<br /><br />As the nation’s largest dropout prevention organization, CIS brings caring adults into schools to address the children’s unmet needs. The result is that teachers are free to teach, and students—many in jeopardy of dropping out—have the opportunity to focus on learning. And when a child can successfully learn, he or she can stay in school, prepare for college, for a career, and ultimately for a better life.<br /><br />Communities in Schools of Nevada has identified the many different reasons for a child to be unsuccessful in school and has implemented programs to service each of those needs. Homelessness, hunger and health are big issues in many schools. CIS created a program that sends home backpacks filled with food for the child and their family so that having a nutritious meal is one last thing to worry about and the kids can focus on school. <br />CIS has also built two health clinics on school grounds that are open to any child in the Clark County School District, absolutely free of cost. Now parents don’t have to worry about how they are going to afford healthcare, and children who were distracted in school because they were sick, or couldn’t see the blackboard, or had a toothache, are now relieved of that pressure and are free to learn.<br /><br />Communities in Schools of Nevada also offers a mentoring program called the Fellows Academy in the middle and high schools. CIS, along with school administrators, identifies as-risk youth who may be on the path to dropping out or just not doing well in school, and empowers them to learn so that they are empowered to achieve throughout life.<br /><br />Children who are hungry or homeless or at-risk in some way have certainly never had the opportunity to experience something as amazing as a week at Camp Galilee. It is our hope that the $16,000 needed to fund the camp can be raised so that these children can participate in this wonderful experience.<br /><br />Please help CIS reach their goal of ensuring that children in Nevada are given every opportunity so that their first focus can be school and reaching their fullest potential in life. There will be more information at the Diocesan Convention, where CIS Nevada State Director, Louise Helton, will be speaking.<br /><br />(This article was written by Abby Wagner, Marketing Director for Communities in Schools of Nevada, 702-770-7611. For information about the Nevada Social Concerns Network contact millsr007@aol .com)

Service To Children

The Ever Flowing Stream article below is about a ministry that is dear to my heart and has been endorsed by our recent General Convention as...

Read more »

Top 10 Reasons Why They Don't Like You at Work

Top 10 Reasons Why They Don't Like You at Work by Kate Lorenz, CareerBuilder.com Editor<br /><br />When you walk into the breakroom, do the lively conversations stop? Do the groups quickly disband as everyone scrambles to head back to their offices? Do you think to yourself, "Was everybody's break really over or were they just trying to avoid me?"<br /><br />If any of the following situations describe you, these might be the reason you feel left out:<br /><br />1. "The sky isn't really blue -- it's actually cyan"<br />Do you incessantly spout unnecessary or obscure information that would make Cliff Clavin from the TV show "Cheers" jealous? Lose the "know-it-all" attitude or you'll make a career of lunching alone.<br /><br />2. Chains of Love<br />Are you never around because you're always out on a "smoking break?" Limit your puffs to standard break times.<br /><br />3. Workaholic Wannabe<br />Do you mosey in late, take extra long lunches, and don't really start to roll-up your sleeves and dig into some serious work until about 2 p.m.? Then, do you make sure everyone sees you working past 5 p.m.? Well you're not impressing anyone; rather you're annoying those who already have put in a full day before you even get warmed up.<br /><br />4. People Magazine Office Edition<br />You're very good at filing away information about everyone in the office! If you want to keep friends, learn to keep a secret.<br /><br />5. Devil's Advocate<br />Do you feel compelled to take the other side of every argument just to make a point? Well stop it! Nothing is more exhausting for your co-workers than knowing you're always ready to challenge them no matter what they say.<br /><br />6. Yadda-yadda-yadda<br />Do you barge into cube after cube forcing one-way conversations on your innocent victims? If the only response you receive is, "Uh-huh, uh-huh, uh-huh," then they're not interested in your blather. Now get back to work!<br /><br />7. You gotta see the ba-a-aby!<br />Related to the yadda-yadda-yadda talker is the baby babbler who incessantly gushes about her children. Only family and close friends should be privy to details about every syllable uttered, step taken or diaper dirtied. It's wonderful that you love your baby, but just don't make it your only topic of conversation.<br /><br />8. Mr. Un-Clean<br />Leaving dishes in the sink, old food in the fridge, food splattered inside the microwave and crumbs on the break table is a sure-fire way to annoy fellow workers. Clean up your act.<br /><br />9. What's that on your nose?<br />Do you constantly follow your boss around, laugh at all her jokes and drop her name in countless conversations? If so, then you are a suck-up. Working in an office does require a certain amount of "schmoozing" the boss, but you don't have to tie yourself up in a pretzel to impress her while alienating everyone else in the office.<br /><br />10. Big Mouth<br />Are your phone conversations loud enough to be from the speakerphone even though they're not? Dial down the volume to keep the peace.<br /><br />If you recognize yourself in any of these scenarios, be warned: It's time to change your ways. Of course you can never please everyone, but healthy work relationships are necessary to properly perform your duties and for future advancement in the company. So get rid of some of your annoying habits and you're sure to gain some new friends.<br /><br />Kate Lorenz is the article and advice editor for CareerBuilder.com. She researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues.<br /><br />It doesn't hurt to look! <a href="http://www.mygvbiz.com/getrich">www.mygvbiz.com/getrich</a> Become an Independent Distributor Today!

Top 10 Reasons Why They Don't Like You at Work

Top 10 Reasons Why They Don't Like You at Work by Kate Lorenz, CareerBuilder.com Editor When you walk into the breakroom, do the lively ...

Read more »

Can You Be Fired for Blogging?

Can You Be Fired for Blogging? by Kate Lorenz, CareerBuilder.com Editor<br /><br />It was Merriam-Webster Online's No. 1 word of 2004, and Fortune magazine named it the No. 1 tech trend for 2005. Two surveys by the Pew Internet & American Life Project in November 2004 found that 8 million people say they have created one and almost one-third of Internet users say they read one. But it's still a mystery: Six-of-ten Internet users say they don't know what "blog" means.<br /><br />A blog, according to Merriam-Webster's Online Dictionary, is "a Web site that contains an online personal journal with reflections, comments and often hyperlinks provided by the writer."<br /><br />Bloggers write about their lives to keep friends and family up-to-date, talk about their industry, discuss hobbies or rant about their favorite reality TV show. But posting pictures of you at work, disclosing confidential information about your employer, or bad-mouthing your co-workers could get you in hot water for committing inappropriate behavior.<br /><br />Whether or not it's intentional, divulging dirt about your job can spell trouble at work. Ellen Simonetti, a flight attendant for Delta, learned this the hard way.<br /><br />Simonetti started a blog as a way to cope with her mother's death because she found it easier to write about her feelings than talk about them. She described it as an anonymous, semi-fictitious account of life as a flight attendant -- and she lost her job because of it.<br /><br />Simonetti claims her termination resulted from pictures posted on her Web site, which show her in uniform aboard a Delta airplane. "The only reason I was given was the very vague phrase: 'inappropriate pictures in uniform.' Delta will not define what 'inappropriate' means, nor tell me which pictures they found 'inappropriate'," she says. When asked about the issue, a Delta representative said the company does not discuss internal employee-related issues with the media.<br /><br />Whatever bloggers are writing about work, employers don't like it. Employees have reportedly been fired for blogging at a number of companies, including Starbucks, Delta, Wells Fargo, Friendster and Kmart.<br /><br />In a January 2005 survey by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), only 3 percent of human resource professionals report disciplining an employee for blogging and none reported dismissing an employee for such behavior. Despite this, ejected bloggers stand by their claims.<br /><br />What could be grounds for termination? If you are disclosing trade secrets or proprietary or confidential information on your blog or using excessive amounts of time when you should be working, it's possible you will reap the consequences, says Rosemary Haefner, vice president for human resources at CareerBuilder.com.<br /><br />"Companies need to do their best to not only protect their interests, but protect their employees," says Jeremy Wright, fired blogger and founder of InsideBlogging, a blog consulting company. "Most firings are due to individual bosses taking drastic measures; it is rarely a higher company decision. When a blogger is going to be fired, the HR team needs to be sure it is for the right reason and that reactive measures simply aren't being taken due to fear or personal issues."<br /><br />If you're thinking of starting your own blog or already have one, here's some advice to make sure your online diary isn't reason for your employer to let you go:<br /><br />1. Know where your company stands.<br />Ask about the company blogging policy before you start, even if you are doing it anonymously, Simonetti advises. Does your company establish boundaries? Is blogging acceptable? Is it OK to mention your employer? Are there topics that are off-limits? What are the consequences?<br /><br />2. Blog on your own time.<br />If you are using company hardware, a company network or doing it on company time, you are likely bound by company policy and could be reprimanded or terminated for wrongful use, Haefner says.<br /><br />3. Practice safe blogs.<br />"Employees who go around sharing negative or confidential information about their company, product, or service -- either internal or external -- to the company would and should get fired," says Pete Quintas, CTO of SilkRoad Technology, creator of an enterprise blogging application called Silkblogs. "You need to be honest and not secretive about what you are writing unless you are willing to deal with the consequences."<br /><br />4. Don't hide it from your boss.<br />Quintas says you should be honest about your blogging, and ask your employer if it is OK to do. "I would consider it analogous to asking your employer: 'I have been invited to speak on a panel at this industry conference; can I participate?'"<br /><br />5. Use good judgment.<br />If you consider blogs and the Internet an extension of your voice, what you say on your blog about your company, product or service should be kept within the guidelines of what you would verbally say in public, according to Quintas. "Treat it with the same restraint of how you talk in person about your company, remembering that more people have access to what you say." he suggests. "Don't say anything different than what you would say at a happy hour, or at a company holiday party, or at an industry trade show, or in front of a customer."<br /><br />6. Others will disagree with you.<br />You can't please all people all of the time. As with any communications medium, the best advice is to be aware of the repercussions your decisions may have, Wright warns. "Anytime you post, you are effectively making a choice between being safe, and having something worthwhile to say. It's a rare occasion where you can both please everyone and come up with a new and engaging line of thought. Sometimes things you say will offend people, no matter where you're saying them."<br /><br />Kate Lorenz is the article and advice editor for CareerBuilder.com. She researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues.<br /><br />It doesn't hurt to look! <a href="http://www.mygvbiz.com/getrich">www.mygvbiz.com/getrich</a> Become an Independent Distributor Today!

Can You Be Fired for Blogging?

Can You Be Fired for Blogging? by Kate Lorenz, CareerBuilder.com Editor It was Merriam-Webster Online's No. 1 word of 2004, and Fortune ...

Read more »

Six Signs to Run -- Not Walk -- From Your Job

Six Signs to Run -- Not Walk -- From Your Job by Kate Lorenz, CareerBuilder.com Editor<br /><br />So you've finally landed a new job and you're thrilled to be in the working world again. Hopefully, your new position will be one that provides you with support, great opportunities and plenty of recognition for your successes. Unfortunately, a company that seems like Cinderella during the interview process can end up looking more like an ugly stepsister once you actually join the team. Here are six real-life, sure-fire signs that it's time to run away and never look back!<br /><br />1. You ask your new boss for supplies and she hands you a No. 2 pencil and legal pad -- and nothing else. While not all companies can afford to outfit employees with late-model laptops, cell phones, pagers and company credit cards, it is important that you are given the tools that you need in order to do your job. If you aren't, or if the company questions you every time you ask for a new pen, it could be an indication of financial stress.<br /><br />2. You were shown to a cubicle your first day of work, given a company manual and haven't been spoken to since. Even if you have years of experience, you should always be given some kind of orientation or training during your first days on a new job. The companies that are known as the best places to work all have substantial training programs and processes in place to make sure new employees feel comfortable and supported right from the start. Be wary if you feel like you have been left to go it alone.<br /><br />3. Every time you tell someone about your new job with the company they raise their eyebrows and say "Really? Wow... good luck with that." A company's reputation isn't always completely accurate, but it does usually stem from legitimate information. Good companies to work for are typically well-known and well-respected in their communities. In fact, you should ask others in your industry and the local business community what their thoughts are about the company when you are doing your initial research. If everyone you ask has a negative tale about your new employer, chances are their impressions have some validity.<br /><br />4. After two weeks on the job, you are already halfway to becoming the employee with the most seniority. One of the biggest issues for human resources professionals today is employee retention. You will notice that most of the country's top companies have employees who have been around for years. Lengthy employee tenure is often a sign that the company is doing something right. "I joined a firm in St. Louis and learned that the company had seven other employees come and go in the past year," says Sarah, a public relations executive. "What's worse is that it was only a five-person operation. That should have been the first sign that the company was not a great place to work."<br /><br />5. You answer the phone while the company's secretary is away from her desk and find that the voice at the other end is a collection agency calling for the third time that week. While this sounds unbelievable, this actually happened to one worker, who said other employees at the company were eventually instructed to not answer the phones. "It became a joke with all of us," she commented. "We used to run out and cash our checks as soon as we got paid and were always afraid that they were going to bounce!" If you see any signs that your company is in real financial or legal trouble, get your résumé back out on the market.<br /><br />6. You notice that every day for the last five days, at least one person has run crying from your boss's office. While not everyone's boss is a bundle of joy, you should expect to be treated with respect in the workplace. If you see signs that the executives running your company make all of the other employees shake with fear, burst into tears or work on edge all the time, look for a greener pasture. There are companies out there that find success without putting employees through the ringer.<br /><br />You will not know everything about your new company until you put in your time, but if you get a bad feeling right away, there is probably a good reason for it. Trust your instincts when you start a new job, and know what qualities you want to see when you walk into the office. Doing so can keep you from being stuck in a dead-end situation that leaves you frustrated and unfulfilled.<br /><br />Kate Lorenz is the article and advice editor for CareerBuilder.com. She researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues. Other writers contributed to this article.<br /><br />It doesn't hurt to look! <a href="http://www.mygvbiz.com/getrich">www.mygvbiz.com/getrich</a> Become an Independent Distributor Today!

Six Signs to Run -- Not Walk -- From Your Job

Six Signs to Run -- Not Walk -- From Your Job by Kate Lorenz, CareerBuilder.com Editor So you've finally landed a new job and you're...

Read more »

L'entreprise Technitoit à la Maison de l'emploi le 28 août

<BR><br /><strong>La société <a href="http://www.technitoit.fr/">TECHNITOIT</a> recrute sur Orléans des vendeurs techniciens conseillers, et des poseurs applicateurs</strong>.<br />L'entreprise TECHNITOIT est spécialiste de la rénovation des toitures et des façades. Elle fabrique, commercialise et pose.<br /><br />Venez rencontrer l'entreprise et découvrir ses métiers, muni de votre CV,<br /><ul><li>le <strong>vendredi 28 août</strong> 2009<br /><li>à la <strong>Maison de l'emploi</strong> du Bassin d'Orléans.</li></ul><p>Des entretiens de recrutement seront proposés le jour-même.<br /><br />Pour s'inscrire à la réunion d'information, contacter la Maison de l'Emploi du bassin d'Orléans au 02 38 24 18 03 ou <a href="mailto:accueil@news-these-days.fr">accueil@news-these-days.fr</a>.<br /><BR>

L'entreprise Technitoit à la Maison de l'emploi le 28 août

La société TECHNITOIT recrute sur Orléans des vendeurs techniciens conseillers, et des poseurs applicateurs . L'entreprise TECHNITOIT e...

Read more »

Combatting Entry-Level Boredom

Combatting Entry-Level Boredom by By Abby Wilner & Cathy Stocker, Authors of Quarterlifer's Companion<br /><br />The Boredom Epidemic<br />One of the most common complaints we hear from young professionals in entry-level positions is that they are bored out of their minds. They are generally assigned menial tasks which, thanks to the wonder of word processing, do not take up much time, and their supervisors are reluctant to assign any substantial work.<br /><br />Compounding the problem of boredom is the ever popular "face time" requirement. Everyone feels pressured to hang around the office for eight hours or more, out-waiting the boss or each other, regardless of their workload. This essentially trains us to be less efficient, because we feel penalized for finishing our work too quickly.<br /><br />In our 2004 survey of 391 twentysomethings on quarterlifecrisis.com, 61 percent said they were bored with their work (or lack thereof) -- almost 50 percent higher than the number of respondents who said they were stressed-out from a heavy workload.<br /><br />Consequences of Boredom<br />After leaving school filled with enthusiasm and ambition, the letdown of insignificant workloads can cause feelings of depression and worthlessness. And our twenties are a dangerous time to be bored at work because we are now forming on-the-job habits which, like smoking or biting our nails, will be hard to break.<br /><br />Below are some typical twentysomething complaints and questions about boredom at work:<br /><br />"I can never figure out whether to ask for more work because I've heard that companies will see that as a chance to downsize or reorganize. Since I have been out of college, I have frequently found myself bored with little or nothing to do. I wonder whether some people just get bored because they are more efficient than others."<br /><br />"I work nine-hour days and have nothing to do! I wish I could just go sleep somewhere. But I can't, so I sit at my computer and pretend I'm doing work while I am really just playing on the Internet. I think I would drive myself to an early death if the Internet did not exist!"<br /><br />"I expect work to be fairly boring; it's work. But it really chafes my bum to think about all the things I could be doing instead of sitting here, praying that something will need to be typed."<br /><br />Tips on Battling Boredom<br />While most bored employees automatically turn to the Internet for entertainment gossip and solitaire, there are more constructive ways to both fill up time and further your career:<br /><br />Start out the day by writing down your "five before five" -- a list of things you want to accomplish before the day is over -- and tape it to your monitor as a constant reminder.<br /><br />Be honest with your supervisor and ask for more work. Hopefully, he or she will appreciate your efficiency and ability to get the job done fast and reward you with a more challenging set of tasks. If your employer does not value efficiency, then perhaps it is time to look for a better fit.<br /><br /><br />A mentor can help you think of ways to increase and diversify your tasks by explaining the various roles and skills required in your industry or organization. A mentor can be any person with a career track to which you aspire, whether that is a co-worker, friend of the family or fellow alum. Visit your alumni Web site to get in touch with some alumni in your field who could act as mentors.<br /><br /><br />Try online courses to further your job skills and association Web sites for research and literature relevant to your field. Keep up with the news in your industry, and you'll be prepared with some impressive small talk next time you run into your boss' boss in the elevator.<br /><br /><br />Set up a meeting with a co-worker or supervisor to discuss the status of a project. Let them know that you are interested in becoming more involved.<br /><br /><br />If you've made the above attempts to enhance your job and still run out of things to do, chase your wild dreams. Got a book or movie idea? Well start writing already! Want to build a personal Web site? Learn HTML and get coding! At least those skills are applicable to your present or future jobs.<br /><br />When you pass the time at work with work-related activities rather than personal errands, you feel better about yourself at the end of the day. You feel that you have really earned your paycheck, and you learn more that you can apply to other jobs in the future. And most importantly, the time really flies by.<br /><br />Abby Wilner and Cathy Stocker, co-authors of "Quarterlifer's Companion: How to Get on the Right Career Path, Control Your Finances, and Find the Support Network You Need to Thrive," run the Web site Quarterlifecrisis.com, a supportive community for twentysomethings. Wilner is also the co-author of Quarterlife Crisis: the Unique Challenges of Life in Your Twenties.<br /><br />It doesn't hurt to look! <a href="http://www.mygvbiz.com/getrich">www.mygvbiz.com/getrich</a> Become an Independent Distributor Today!

Combatting Entry-Level Boredom

Combatting Entry-Level Boredom by By Abby Wilner & Cathy Stocker, Authors of Quarterlifer's Companion The Boredom Epidemic One of th...

Read more »