How to Play: The Game of Work

I like to compare rules of social institutions to board games. It helps me to remember that I must play by their rules to succeed on their grounds. This is the second post of the series.

 To play a game to win you must be clear on your objective and it is not the same for everyone. The long version of this post can be located here, but I will give you some examples below.

• Need someone else to pay for your college - look for employers that pay or provide partial payments for higher education of their employees
• Need good benefits - look for employers that specifically have good vacation, sick days, health insurance packages

Identify the players of the game here (long version). 



  

Welcome to the Game of Work

I like to compare rules of social institutions to board games. It helps me to remember that I must play by their rules to succeed on their grounds, do well for myself while ensnared in their trap. This is the basis for my new pieces on the work game.

On my other blog, I wrote an article about the players of the game with their roles. Look their for the long explanation, but here is a little snippet.

Influencer

• Busybodies

Co-worker

• Works in your department

Boss Boss

• Holder of real authority

Your boss

• Controls your raises, time-off

 Communicating at Work: Principles and Practices for Business and the Professions

  Blog post on The Other Therapy- It's not a shrink

Learn a New Language Secret

Learning a foreign language can help open job opportunities. This article is about learning Chinese, but the basic principles can work for learning any language. Substitute the language you want to learn and the same rules apply.

Those that like Asian culture may consider the task of how to learn Chinese. Some people are intimidated about learning a new language, but they do not have to be. Learning traditional or simplified Chinese is a rewarding goal to become multi-lingual. The directions below will prepare you for learning the language of China and Taiwan.

To learn Chinese, you will need:

• Language course (local or immersion)
• Learn Chinese books
• Other Chinese speakers
• Time to Practice

1. Get some class. Most people follow the how to learn Chinese thrill by taking a language course. Try a local college or high school to find beginner courses, with language schools being an additional option.
2. Take a trip. Go on vacation while reaching the how to learn Chinese goal. Enroll in an immersion program in China or other Chinese speaking area. Immersion programs surround the learner in the target language for daily activities.
3. Use books. Search for foreign language texts at bookstores and libraries. Studying how to learn Chinese requires knowing vocabulary and grammar basics. Language books provide the basics that help with communication skills.
4. Talk a lot. Speaking with others in the same language is an important part of how to learn Chinese. Listening and communicating is necessary when acquiring new language skills.
5. Practice often. Daily reviewing of Chinese vocabulary will help with learning the language. Frequent practicing will keep new skills fresh and less likely to forget.

The above suggestions apply to studying Chinese and other languages. Apply one or all of them to learn a new language.

I Quit My Job.. Now What!

So, you quit your job and don't know what to do next. The situation can be fixed  somewhat. On my other blog, I wrote a post that detailed what to do and say (correspondence). I will give you the short version.

1. Write a letter of resignation. Send it in the mail after you quit. They still will put it in your file.
2. List a good reason for quitting. Think of a respectable answer, be creative.

Working and Having an Illness

It can be difficult to work while having a chronic conditions. Ailments such as arthritis and migraines can make it difficult to stay employed. I wrote here about how to work while having an illness. Below I will list a few points made on the other blog. For  more details, view the entire article here.

Know Your Limits

• Find out what you can do by yourself and with help
• Think if medications help you do more

Get Out the Box

• Ditch the standard 9 -5 gig
• Find jobs that work for you
• Consider part time or seasonal work

Make Your Resume Better

Improving your resume can help with attracting more interviews and obtaining a better job. On my other blog, I wrote an article about different ways to make your resume better. I give examples on that post, but here I will give you a few of the steps. This is the quick and dirty option, for more tips and explanations check the original post.

1. Make a different resume for each career title. List the skills and attributes that the employer is looking for.
2. Use past reviews to find out what you are good at. Look at what previous supervisors praised you on, and use that.

3. Update your resume and use spell check. An outdated work history won’t help you and errors in  spelling look unprofessional.
4. Try a thesaurus to find synonyms and add variety to words on your resume. Buy it at a dollar store or apply the feature on word processing software.

The Merchandising Job Secret

      

        Did you know that Merchandising is the hidden job market? This industry works to keep consumers purchasing products from retailers. They record information on displays to entice more sales and report the data. People who are merchandising are the ones that when you ask for help in a store their response is “I don’t work for (name of the store)”.

 Jobs in merchandising are at all types of retail establishments including supermarkets, gas stations and movie theaters. Some assignments are routinely completed on a weekly basis while others are a one-time special assignment. Greetings cards, holiday ornaments, books and magazines are included in this category.

                   

Mystery shopping is a cohort of merchandising. They are different   industries that both involve retail establishments. As a mystery shopper, while purchasing items detail is reported on customer service.

Why Do Merchandising or Mystery Shopping?

People who like to work solo and make their own hours do well in merchandising and mystery shopping. If  you are a self-starter that doesn’t need direct supervision then this industry is for you.

What Skills Do I Need ?

People that are computer literate and have an internet connection are qualified to work in this field. The physical ability to stand on feet, stoop and bend are required. Basic counting and multiplication skills are also needed.

An example of merchandise positions

Field Service Representative – collecting information at store displays (by using a hand held scanner), promotional and seasonal products.

Auditor – Records quantity of specific products                     

Product Demonstrator- Demonstrate and allow sampling of products

Installers- Set-up or re-arrange new displays

Seat Counter – Counting of chairs in a theatrical release

How do I find these jobs ?

  Most companies have websites to apply, but it’s better to find a job board that includes all. The best is a website called NARMS; fill out a profile and start your search. Another good source of information is the Volition forum.

A few merchandising companies: Marketforce, Acosta Retail Service, ATA Retail Services

A few mystery shopping companies: Goodwin & Associates, Trensource, Sights on Service Inc

Find the seasonal work secret


       
                                                                          

     

Being a Temp Can Give You Freedom

 Find Work Through Temporary Agencies (1)

Have you ever wanted to live the casual but gainfully employed life that is seen on television or movies? Well, I did it and it’s one of the best working experiences of my life. I would work a month or two full-time (with overtime) then I would take a week or two off. I certainly am not a bigwig or own a company, but a worker who values their time. The information below is how I created a work when you want system.

I used temporary staffing agencies to work when I wanted. The key to doing this successfully is persistence, do not slip or it could workout badly for you. The following information can be used for anyone who uses staffing agencies.  

    Throw a wide net. If physical conditions are not a problem, then register for  warehouse and clerical positions. Light industrial work includes labeling boxes and other factory type work; therefore, keep that door of options open. Those who cannot type or lack computer experience, but can count and read will find file room jobs easily.

Time is on your side. List all times that you can be consistently at work, including weekends and all shifts. The goal for temporary work is to work hard for a few months  and then take time off. Anyone can work hard for a short period, but the long durations bring burnout. The more available you are increases the likeliness to find many work opportunities.

No location limits. Consider all areas of your metropolis for work; do not put limits on just particular side of town. If you use public transportation, then know the routes before accepting an assignment. Those living in small towns might consider looking for work in the neighboring city.

Be a job whore. Enroll at various employment agencies to find as many jobs as you can. The registration is conducted at the agency, after that it’s all telephone communication from there. Consider going to an agency out of your way if they are known for placing many employees. Keep in touch with agencies and let them know your availability status.

Leave an impression. The key when signing up with a new company is to stand out from the crowd. Arrive early wearing professional clothing (warehouse work included), smile and use good grammar. Always appear eager to work and bring a resume along with past employer information and references. Prepare yourself for answering the most common interview questions.

   Ace the test. Assessments are what agencies use to figure out your skills. Prepare ahead of time for alpha-numeric typing and filing. Brush up on simple math concepts such as subtraction, addition, multiplication and division. The goal is accuracy along with speed.

Stay clean. Drug testing is common practice for staffing agencies. Be upfront about not being able to pass a test, no one likes wasting their time. There are products that advertise they beat the test, but why bother. Be realistic about your own situation.


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