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 An outdated work history won’t help you and errors in  spelling look unprofessional.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

A Secret Job       

        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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Why You Should Work For The Government- Job Hustle

Numerous people avoid working for any type of government-related agency; which is a shame. The idea of working for a state or federal institution is disregarded by many. Large numbers of people dislike the government and working for them is strictly not allowed. A large segment of the populace is ignorant of the fact that there are good reasons to consider a job with the government.

Find the Merchandising Secret

Putting personal gripes to the side may be worth it to get a job with good perks. Consider what you can gain from a position with this ‘entity’ and not enter political references.

The Book of U.S. Government Jobs: Where They Are, What's Available & How to Get One (10th edition) (Book of US Government Jobs) 

Top Reasons to Work for the (State or Federal) Government

1. 
   Job Security – Government workers are overwhelmed with work that is never completed. Even those that attempt to stay on top usually fall behind due to lack of staff or large workloads. For the prospective employee this equals to a secure job position.
2. Cost of Living Increments- In prosperous times, federal employees receive an additional amount to their salaries noted as cost of living. This event happens after congress has agreed on and passed the budget. This pay is not guaranteed and many not happen during a recession.
3. Education Pay – Various state and federal employee programs pay for college classes taken. Different departments may have specific rules, but at least a partial amount of tuition may become paid from an employee program.
4. Low Termination Rate – A ‘myth’ with government employment reflects how difficult it is to get fired. In some situations, this may be true, because as long as you show-up then you keep your job. The unwritten rule is that many state and federal departments are used to complacency (laziness) among their employees.

Federal Government Job examples

Federal Jobs http://www.usajobs.gov/

District Court

U.S. Bankruptcy Court http://www.uscourts.gov/Careers.aspx

Immigration Office

Social Security Administration http://www.ssa.gov/careers/

State and Local Government Job examples

Welfare offices

Community Programs

State college and universities

Public Defender

Child Support Office

Coping With A Job You Hate

Everyone at one time or another find themselves at a job they hate, but can not leave. Either it is a bad time to leave or you have contractual obligations. i.e.: they paid for your education or you took out a 401k hardship loan.

You could be angry and make everyone else angry but let’s not. Instead find a way of diversion from thinking of this place you want to leave but can’t. A few coping exercises can help you make the best of a bad situation.

Find options to avoid the misery of staying at a job that is not the best fit. Keep yourself and those around you in good spirits; although this may take some practice. Search for the right distraction or muse to keep yourself at least somewhat satisfied.

• A unique special something - Find an item or some peculiar whatever... and leave it at the job. Therefore, you only see that special item while you are at the workplace. Look for an interesting place near your job to visit during lunch breaks. Is there a special coffeehouse? Nice store or park you can look at to rejuvenate during the week.

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• Switch-up environment – Park in a different spot for a change in scenery and walk around spots that make you smile or relax. Find other people to hang out with; someone you think is interesting but haven’t made that friendly gesture yet.

 Effortless Relaxation (Relaxing music plus subliminal affirmations)

• Do something - Look into transferring to a different department or position. Make sure it is a good change for you; snoop around and find out about the atmosphere and people. Do some research about wage information; money should not be a surprise.

• Get some class – Most large companies offer computer, human relations or other classes for free to employees. Take a few classes to learn a new skill or meet new people. If the company pays for college classes, then go for it but don’t forget the fine print. You may need to retain employment upon the company paying for education.

Find the Merchandising Secret

The Secrets of Seasonal Work

Now is the time to look for temporary seasonal employment. You may ask why bother with a short-term work assignment? The reason is that even in a tough economy people will shop.  A benefit of living in the United States is that we are a people of commerce; we shop when we have money and when we do not.

What is Seasonal Employment?

Seasonal or holiday work is when companies hire extra workers for the holiday season. Companies start hiring mid-October and work continues for up to a week after Christmas. An added bonus is that many companies offer holiday workers employee discounts.

Top 3 Reasons to Try Seasonal Jobs

1. Access to an abundance of hours. Retail stores and other businesses have extended hours during the Thanksgiving/Christmas season. Places open earlier and stay open later which equals to more opportunities to earn money.
2. Plentiful work available. Many types of job industries hire for the holiday season. No one who is looking for work should limit themselves to just retail. Think outside of the box for places to find work.
3. A money making opportunity. The most important of all reasons to try seasonal work is that it provides a means to pay bills. Earning an income represents the goal of obtaining any type of work.

Where to find seasonal employment

If you don’t know where to look for holiday employment, then look at the section below for a starting point. Don’t limit your search to just these; expand on the types of businesses these examples represent.

·        Retail- Job prospects include cashiers, the sales floor and overnight stocking positions. Every store from Toys R Us and Target to Walmart and Dollar Tree need workers for the increase of shoppers.

·        Delivery/Logistics – The increase of packages sent and delivered equates to hiring more people to ensure the task is completed. The United Parcel Service (UPS), Federal Express (Fed Ex) and the U.S. Postal Service all hire seasonal workers during their peak season. Positions include clerks, package handlers, drivers and drivers’ assistants.

·        Work from Home- The under the radar at home job market employs holiday workers, as well. Customer Service Representatives at home work assignments at large companies like West At Home (http://www.westathome.com/) that employ for ShopNBC and Toys R Us. Another business that employs work from home workers for the holidays is Meijer stores (toll free number (800) 619-0111). 

 

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In Closing

I hope that my secrets of seasonal work can help you in finding a job. Remember to look in places besides stores to find the right position for you.