29. August 2008 | Show Originial
The Emmaus Community of Pittsburgh, in partnership with CCAC and other providers of intellectual disability services, will offer an eight-week training program at CCAC’s Allegheny campus, beginning October 6th, 2008, for individuals who aspire to work with persons with intellectual disabilities in a residential community setting (group home). The course will be provided free-of-charge to initial participants and is supported by a $45,000 grant from FISA Foundation. According to Lorraine Wagner, Executive Director of the Emmaus Community, the program “aims to target career minded candidates who are empty nesters, high school graduates, unemployed, single parents, or currently employed but seeking a more fulfilling line of work.”

Course participants will receive an introduction to the field, including an overview of the history of mental retardation and the ethics and values that impact on the work of Direct Support Professionals. Other training will include job responsibilities, communication skills, state and county regulations, and the required medication administration and CPR/First Aid certifications. All participants will complete an on-site practicum with local providers, where they will have the opportunity to work first-hand with individuals with intellectual disabilities. Upon successful completion of the program, a certificate will be awarded, and graduates will attend a job fair where they can meet representatives from local intellectual disability service agencies.


Wagner emphasizes that “this unique training program will allow participants to enter into a career in the Direct Support field as true professionals, with all of the information and training that is crucial to providing the highest quality of care.” Wagner says “the program is designed to provide not only a textbook knowledge of Direct Support, but face-to-face experiences. Graduates will have a better understanding of the needs of people with intellectual disabilities and the importance of this very rewarding work.” For more information, contact Karen Jacobsen at 412-381-0277. The deadline for applications to the program is September 19, 2008.

About Emmaus:
Emmaus is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization located in Pittsburgh’s South Side which provides permanent homes and care for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities. For a visit to Emmaus, to share the news of these services with the community in your articles and stories, please contact Emmaus at 412-381-0277

28. August 2008 | Show Originial
Create Chaos 2008 in Orlando, FLIf you are a creative professional anywhere near the realm of the Central Florida area, you need to be aware of 1 thing:

A Storm is Brewing...

...and its coming to the Orlando World Center Marriott the week of October 13th - 17th. The week long celebration of creative and interactive professionals brought to you by Brahn Communications, will showcase 10 Conferences / Trade Shows and offer unlimited networking and knowledge opportunities.

The Creative Heads Job Fair
Create Choas is also excited to host the Creative Heads job fair for Interactive Professionals. The job fair will be in the Cypress Ballroom of the Orlando World Center Marriott, Orlando FL on the following dates and times:

Tuesday, 14 October 12:00 pm – 6:30 pm
Wednesday, 15 October 10:30 am – 6:30 pm

The Create Chaos Website Teases the Following People
• Are you actively looking for a job?
• Are you casually networking to see what opportunities are available?
• Are you interested in getting acquainted with some great companies?
• Or are you hoping to broaden your horizons and possibly switch industries?

*It is suggested that you create a profile and register for the event. You can do so by clicking here!*

Look for the Orlando Employment Guide to be roaming the halls all week and taking part in this one-of-a-kind event.

Staying in touch with Create Chaos
Official website
Twitter Account

Happy networking Orlando!

-Greg Rollett
28. August 2008 | Show Originial
Looking for a job in Baltimore, MD?

The Employment Guide is having a job fair at The Baltimore Convention Center.

When: Wednesday September, 17th
Time: 10:00am-2:00pm
Where: One west Pratt Street Baltimore, MD 21201

Be sure to dress for success and bring plenty of resumes.

Check out our video from our June job fair at Anne Arundel Community college.
Click on this link: Baltimore job fair video
27. August 2008 | Show Originial
Click on the image below to view a copy of this week's edition of The Employment Guide.






Don't forget to visit Charleston.EmploymentGuide.com for more job listings and to learn more about the employers you see in this week's edition.


27. August 2008 | Show Originial
Click on the image below to view a copy of this week's edition of The Employment Guide.



Don't forget to visit http://Columbia.EmploymentGuide.com/ for more job listings and to learn more about the employers you see in this week's edition.
27. August 2008 | Show Originial
Click on the image below to view a copy of this week's edition of The Employment Guide in Charlotte, Raleigh and Greensboro.
















Don't forget to visit EmploymentGuide.com for more job listings and to learn more about the employers you see in this week's edition.
27. August 2008 | Show Originial
With the recent buzz about how companies are using social media applications like Twitter (or not, as the case may be), I started to think about how job seekers might be using social media and networking. I myself use Twitter to keep up with friends, interests and organizations I like, and probably have more memberships to social networking sites than I care to remember half of the time. But, how can these resources be effective for job seekers?

Let's take a look at some of the ways you can use social media to your advantage.

Twitter is a great resource (despite it's frequent "fail whale" down times) for anybody trying to keep up with an organization or company. The basic idea behind Twitter is "What are you doing?". A simple question asked to it's users that is answered in 140 characters or less. It can be anything from "Surfing my favorite blogs," to "Turning in applications and resumes online." Even job boards are getting in on the trend. The Employment Guide® has several Twitters working on both the national and local levels to keep job seekers updated on job fairs, available jobs, and when new blog posts are available. It's a quick way to interact with anyone and everyone in your social network, moving information from person to person through conversations. Seek out organizations you're hoping to get your foot through the door in on Twitter and keep up with their daily updates. It can help you gain valuable insight into the workings of the company, and even tip you off to when jobs are available!

Of course, social media is all about networking, and applications like Twitter are supplemented by networks like MySpace, Facebook and LinkedIn. These are online communities, off-shoots of the intranets and Friendsters of the world, that connect users through their own network of friends, colleagues, interests and organizations. Each network is a little different, so let's look at how they can each help you out in your job search. MySpace is a great way to connect with your friends, and in turn get information that only your friends would know. For instance, I once worked for a hospital gift shop and wouldn't have even known about the position if I hadn't read about it in one of my friends' "bulletins". The emphasis on MySpace is less on professional networking and more on social, so be prepared to make a lot of friends (and gain great leads in the process!). Facebook, while originally intended for use by college students (it started on a college campus, and was initially only available to those enrolled in an accredited college), has recently been opened up to the general population. This has led to an influx of organizations and companies that are itching to employ those who have furthered their education. Facebook has a unique application builder that has allowed companies to create ways to keep their friends on Facebook up to date on all of their job openings, blog posts, and updates. All of these updates and applications are found on the user's Facebook homepage, in addition to their friend's updates. LinkedIn is perhaps the most in depth resource for job seekers already in a position, but perhaps looking to build their networking opportunities. The network connects people through their various professional contacts, allowing them to come into contact with hiring managers and companies all over the world. It gives the user the ability to post resumes, references, contact information, and their reason for being on LinkedIn. There are, of course, a myriad of other social networking sites out there. It's up to you to decide how to use your network, but with so many choices out there you're bound to enhance your job search if you use any of them to your advantage!

Some companies, like The Employment Guide®, are even creating their own social networks. We recently re-launched HealthCareerWeb.com, with an added resource for job seekers: MedComm. MedComm is meant for the medical community and aims to connect everyone from RNs to doctors to x-ray techs. There are other sites available, like Ning.com, where users can build their own social networks, allowing them to personalize their networking experience. This gives the job seeker a huge advantage. If you can create your own network, inviting the people you want to invite, then you're able to concentrate exactly what content and information is being networked. It's a great way to enhance your job search, and get to know more people!

As you can see, there are a lot of ways to get involved in social networking, and almost all of them can help you in your job search. The key is to have a point of reference when joining a network. They're big and can be a little daunting, so remember your purpose. I'll see you on the interwebs, but until then you can keep up with us on The Spot Blog's Official Twitter!
27. August 2008 | Show Originial
It's refreshing to find someone who is excited about their career. Heather Dame is one such individual. Heather attended the Indianapolis Hospitality Job Fair dressed in culinary and eager to network. Heather is a recent graduate from the Culinary School at Sullivan University. Prior to that, Heather was a graduate of Kokomo High School and their ProStart program. For those unfamiliar with ProStart, it's an intensive two year culinary and food management program woven into the high school curriculum, sponsored by the National Restaurant Association. In 2006 Heather's team represented Indiana as they participated in the ProStart Nationals in Charlotte, NC.

When you talk to Heather you soon discover that she has a passion about all things culinary. "The biggest challenge I have so far is trying to decide what I want to do. There are so many things that I can do with my degree . . . . . I have so many interests in food . . . . I want to be a food writer, work in a test kitchen, be an executive chef . . . . or teacher." As Heathers shared her thoughts, it became clear, while the job titles over time may vary; culinary will be the focus of her career. Heather's love for cooking started early, "I started cooking at a young age. My mother went to culinary school, she taught me the basics."

Heather has obviously been exposed to a variety of foods but when asked about her favorites she recalls the basics. "I love Mac & Cheese and soups." These basic foods evoke fond memories. Heather remembers waking most Sunday mornings to the smell of broth simmering on the stove and arising to help her mother prepare homemade soup.

Currently Heather is employed at The Limestone Restaurant, a 4-star restaurant in Louisville, KY. At The Limestone, Heather joins a celebrated staff where the chef owners are renowned for their interpretations of classic southern dishes. With her education and attitude, "I love to make people happy, to work hard and see the satisfaction in a person's face when they eat something I have prepared," Heather will be a worthy addition to this celebrated staff.

Thumbs up, Heather, and to wherever your passions take you. Perhaps one day, as mentioned above, she will consider teaching a fitting tribute to the many educators, most notably her mother, who stimulated her interest.
26. August 2008 | Show Originial
What shouldn't you do when interviewing? Here are a selection of blunders, mistakes and errors a candidate for employment can make. Spend time preparing to interview so these don't happen to you!
Top 10 Interview Blunders

1. Don't Prepare
Not being able to answer the question "What do you know about this company?" might just end your quest for employment, at least with this employer. Background information including company history, locations, divisions, and a mission statement are available in an "About Us" section on most company web sites. Review it ahead of time, then print it out and read it over just before your interview to refresh your memory.
2. Dress Inappropriately
Dressing inappropriately can work both ways. You will certainly want to wear a suit if you are interviewing for professional position. When interviewing for a summer job at your local theme park or as a lifeguard, for example, dress accordingly in neat and casual attire. If you aren't sure what to wear, visit the organization and watch employees coming in and out of the office to see what they are wearing.
3. Poor Communication Skills
It's important to communicate well with everyone you meet in your search for employment. It is, however, most important to positively connect with the person who might hire you. Shake hands, make eye contact, exude confidence, engage the person you are speaking with, and you will let the interviewer know that you are an excellent candidate for this position - before you even answer an interview question.
4. Too Much Communication
Believe it or not, a recent candidate for employment, who, by the way, didn't get the job, didn't hesitate to answer his cell phone when it rang during an interview. Leave the phone behind or at least turn it off before you enter the building. Same goes for coffee, food and anything else other than you, your resume, your job application, and your list of references. They don't belong at an interview.
5. Talk Too Much
There is nothing much worse than interviewing someone who goes on and on and on... The interviewer really doesn't need to know your whole life story. Keep your answers succinct, to-the-point and focused and don't ramble - simply answer the question.
6. Don't Talk Enough
It's really hard to communicate with someone who answers a question with a word or two. I remember a couple of interviews where I felt like I was pulling teeth to get any answers from the candidate. It wasn't pleasant. So, even though you shouldn't talk too much, you do want to be responsive and fully answer the question as best you can.
7. Fuzzy Facts
Even if you have submitted a resume when you applied for the job, you may also be asked to fill out a job application. Make sure you know the information you will need to complete an application including dates of prior employment, graduation dates, and employer contact information.
8. Give the Wrong Answer
Make sure you listen to the question and take a moment to gather your thoughts before you respond. Like the following candidate, you'll knock yourself out of contention if you give the wrong answer.
The interviewer had completely described a sales and marketing position to the candidate. She emphasized that cold calling and prospecting were the most important skills and experiences needed for the position. The candidate responded to the question about what she did or didn't like to do in sales, with these words: "I hate to do cold calling and prospecting, and I'm not good at it." That response ensured that she wouldn't get the job!
9. Badmouthing Past Employers
Your last boss was an idiot? Everyone in the company was a jerk? You hated your job and couldn't wait to leave? Even if it's true don't say so. I cringed when I heard someone ranting and raving about the last company she worked for. That company happened to be our largest customer and, of course, I wasn't going to hire someone who felt that way about the company and everyone who worked there.
It's sometimes a smaller world than you think and you don't know who your interviewer might know, including that boss who is an idiot... You also don't want the interviewer to think that you might speak that way about his or her company if you leave on terms that aren't the best.
10. Forget to Follow UpAfraid you didn't make the best impression? Are you sure that you aced the interviewed? Either way, be sure to follow up with a thank you note reiterating your interest in the position and the company.
Finally, even if you do flub the interview, don't take it to heart. I don't think there is anyone hasn't blown an interview or two. If it happens, look at it like it just wasn't meant to be, learn from your mistakes and move on to the next opportunity.
Information provided by: Top 10 interview Blunders.
26. August 2008 | Show Originial
Background checks have become commonplace for many employers, but not every job seeker knows what information an employer may learn about them through the process.

The Fair Credit Reporting Act sets the standard for employment screening for background checks being completed by an outside company. The FCRA mandates a company must obtain an employee's written consent before a background check is conducted and must notify the employee if an adverse hiring decision is made based on information found in a background check.

Under the FCRA, an employer may be able to access a potential employee's: driving records, social security number, bankruptcy, property ownership, past employers, vehicle registration, education records, character references, military records, personal references, credit records, court records, neighbor interviews, state licensing records, incarceration records, criminal records, workers compensation, certain medical records, drug test records and sex offender lists.

According to Nick Fishman of EmployeescreenIQ, employers are usually most interested in a potential employee's criminal records.

"That's obviously the number one," he said. "Beyond that it depends, all employers are different."

Fishman said the type of records an employer wants the most may correlate with the job opening. For instance, someone applying for a job that involves driving will probably have their motor vehicle records accessed.

Fishman said education and verification records are always important to employers, and 56 percent of job applicants have a discrepancy between what they report to the employer and what a background check reveals.

Sex offender status, credit reports, address history and social security number traces are also on top of the list, Fishman said.

There is a lot of information employers are not allowed to access when performing a background check, according to the FCRA, including: bankruptcies after 10 years; civil suits, civil judgments and arrest records after seven years; paid tax liens after seven years; accounts placed for collection after seven years and any other negative information after seven years, excluding criminal convictions.

Records pertaining to education, military service and medical history are usually confidential unless an employer first gains permission from the employee to access the records.

Most recently, Fishman said, employers have been more and more likely to gain information by looking at an employee's social networking sites, such as Facebook and MySpace.

"There are a lot of things out there that are tempting for people to check," he said. "It's a big no-no because there's no way to authenticate the information."

If an employer tries to access information not covered under the FCRA, penalties can vary from litigation to discontinuation of services with a background check company. Fishman said if employers don't follow the rules, it's only a matter of time before major legal hurdles arise, and most employers don't knowingly go against the rules.
26. August 2008 | Show Originial
Amidst all the online job applications, resumes submitted and people that you talk to, looking for a job can be overwhelming on an organizational level. I have broken down 5 tools to help you manage your job search and online browsing time.

Gmail | Email from GoogleGMail - GMail is the free email solution from Google. Set up an account and create an email address with your full name (firstnamelastname@gmail.com). Use this as your primary email for online applications, resume submissions and contact with employers. It is considered by many to be a more professional email provider than Yahoo, Hotmail or AOL. Another great feature is the labels, where you can sort your mail by company, recipient or any other category that comes to mind. Forgot where you saved an email, luckily GMail utilizes Google search, making it easy to locate past mail by keyword or sender.

linkedInLinkedIn - LinkedIn is a professional social network that lets people connect based upon workplace relationships, whether they be current or former co-workers, past and present clients, classmates or colleagues. This is a great resource to see what links you have to potential jobs and connections.

Remember The MilkRemember The Milk - RTM is my favorite web based to-do list. You can easily create lists for your job hunt, personal matters, work tasks and more.

Emurse | Resume creationEmurse - Need a resume? Use Emurse to get you started. Other benefits are saving your resume online and the ability to download your resume in all common formats including Microsoft Word and PDF.

JobALot | Search for JobsEmploymentGuide.com and our suite of Online sites - The Employment Guide offers a full suite of online job resources, job listings, education centers and more to get your career on track. These sites include:

What other tools do you use when looking for a job? Any good calendars, task management sites, note taking applications? Chime in Orlando and happy hunting!

-Greg Rollett
(Don't forget to check out the Heath care Virtual Job Fair going on right now!!! Click here to get started!)
26. August 2008 | Show Originial
Click on the screen shot below:
Healthcare jobs in Clearwater, Tampa and St Petersberg | Health care job fair
Head on over to HealthCareerWeb.com now and check out the bevy of health care jobs across Florida and find an opportunity or career path that will balance out your life. For any questions regarding the Virtual Job Fair, please send an email to greg.rollett@employmentguide.com.

Thanks and happy hunting Tampa!!

-Greg Rollett
25. August 2008 | Show Originial
Click on the screen shot below:
Healthcare jobs | Health care job fair
Head on over to HealthCareerWeb.com now and check out the bevy of health care jobs across Florida and find an opportunity or career path that will balance out your life. For any questions regarding the Virtual Job Fair, please send an email to greg.rollett@employmentguide.com.

Thanks and happy hunting Orlando!!

-Greg Rollett
22. August 2008 | Show Originial
If you're a recent graduate or an employer looking to attract Gen Y candidates and in Raleigh or Charlotte areas, you're in luck! Forbes recently named both cities in their top 40 list. Here's what Forbes had to say about the #8 and #12 spots:


8. Charlotte, N.C.
The biggest question for Charlotte is how the fallout in the commercial banking sector will affect its status as Wall Street South. Banking giant Bank of America has been central to its growth as a financial services center and is an important part of its 11th ranking in our companies measure. Charlotte's graduate attraction rate is 14th best, and cost of living is still well below salaries.



12. Raleigh, N.C.
The city's ranking by company concentration, salary, number of never marrieds and cost of living stayed more or less the same as last year. Behind its overall four-position climb is Raleigh's increased ability to attract graduates. This is attributable to the city's expanding economy, which has made it one of the largest centers for domestic migration. Also working in its favor is our decision to allow Duke graduates from the class of 1998 to count toward Raleigh's total; last year they were disqualified
For more about what factors determined the ranking, read the full article on Forbes.com. Congrats to both Carolina cities!
- Rosie Reilman
Photos courtesy of Forbes.com

22. August 2008 | Show Originial
With a brutal few days of rain, Tropical Storm Fay came and decided to check in for a few days. I am no hurricane or storm expert so I wanted to point you to a few resources for tracking the remnants of Fay and a few bookmarks for next time a storm comes floating our way.

Weather.com - Run by the Weather Channel, they would seem to be the experts in this field, although it is national site.

MyFoxHurricane - Run out of Tampa Bay they have a comprehensive page full of charts, radar and other useful information about current and potential storms.

WFTV Ch. 9 Hurricane Watch - A page dedicated to tracking storms, great local information.

For Orlando Weather - No page dedicated to hurricane tracking (that I could find), but a great local weather source.

WESH NBC Orlando Hurricane Center - Great landing page with information on storm tracking but also pages for Evacuation Procedures, Shelter Information, Emergency Contacts, a Prep List and more.

Local 6 Hurricane Center
- Aggregated page with updated tracking of all storms in the tropics, plus news stories, blog posts and related articles.

News 13 Hurricane Center
- A page dedicated to news stories, articles, tracking updates and general hurricane information including a hurricane alert program.

Mashable, a Social Networking and Online News Blog, has a list of other great sources to track Fay and other storms that are making waves in the Tropics.

I hope that everyone escaped the storm in good health and everything will be back to normal come Monday. If anyone wishes to share any stories, please leave them in the comments or send a message to greg.rollett@employmentguide.com.

Happy hunting Orlando!

-Greg Rollett
Get job updates and other information on your cell phone at Twitter or our mobile JobSpot.
21. August 2008 | Show Originial
We have been doing some growing in the past few months and the Orlando JobSpot has taken a life of its own, in helping people in the Central Florida during their job search. Whether you are stopping by from a link on EmploymentGuide.com, have us bookmarked or subscribe to our RSS Feed, I want to say thank you to all of the readers and the local community.

We realize that the Central Florida community spans many people, from different nationalities and backgrounds to different skill sets and technological backgrounds. Knowing this, I wanted to make the "Orlando JobSpot Experience" as easy and in your backyard as possible.

So, if you want to connect with the Orlando JobSpot, visit us at one of our convenient locations below:

The Blog - Yes, you are indeed reading a blog. It's written by me, Greg Rollett, the Internet Marketing guy at the Orlando Employment Guide. I try to update a few times a week and deliver tips on resumes, job fairs, local events and news and other things that relate to the job hunt.

Subscriptions - I would love for everyone to come back to the site everyday, however, I know that you all are busy looking for jobs are taking part in your life to see when we update. To make the process easier, look up on the right side of this page and subscribe. There are 2 options, an RSS Reader Subscription (a feed reader like Google Reader is needed) or via e-mail. Sign-up today!

Mobile - I live on my cell phone. The more information I can get on the go the better. Hopefully this site gets you the information you need quickly. As of now we are keeping it super simple with Job Fair updates and the posts from this here page. If there is something else that you would like to see on the mobile site, just let me know! Getting the site on your phone is even easier with the widget on the right side of this page. Enter your phone number and the link will be texted to you.
Twitter - We are using the microblogging service to keep you updated on new job postings, events and happenings within the Employment Guide world. Start following us at http://www.twitter.com/orlandoeg today! What are you doing?

JobSpot TV - We have been talking and talking about it and finally we are live with Orlando JobSpot TV. We will be highlighting local non-profits, events and companies and generating advice straight from the recruiter. We chose to use Viddler to host our video because they let you leave comments in the video. Check it out today!

Facebook - For those on Facebook, we have a JobSpot page and group. Read up on events and add them to your calendar.

In the paper - Yes, the JobSpot is in the paper. Check out Page 5 of the Orlando Employment Guide and see a new featured article every week. This is part of our Central Florida Community Guide.

I think that sums it up. Once again, thanks Orlando for making us your number one resource during the job hunt. Remember to keep leaving comments and joining in on the conversation. Let's grow our community together!

-Greg Rollett
21. August 2008 | Show Originial

Start expressing yourself.
Your job search is all about how you present yourself. By creating a brand around your personality, school and work history and your network, you put yourself in a great position to succeed.

HealthCareerWeb.com is a place that allows you to do that. By joining in on forums specific to your industry, creating a profile and networking with other like minded job seekers and professionals, Health Career Web is defining how Health Care jobs are searched for.

We are proud to deliver an event that will not only get the conversation started on HCW, but also deliver opportunities from companies across the state. Starting Monday, August 25th job seekers from around the country and most importantly the state of Florida will be part of the Healthcare Virtual Job Fair hosted by the Employment Guide and HealthCareerWeb.

With gas a non-stop conversation piece and more employers turning to the net for recruiting, this event will give job seekers the opportunity to search for and apply for jobs in their own personal settings and time.

All you need to do is head on over here starting Monday morning at 10am.

For more information on the Job Fair, please shoot an email over to greg.rollett@employmentguide.com.

Happy hunting Tampa!

-Greg Rollett
21. August 2008 | Show Originial

Ok so this could be a really long blog post. It could go into debating over what type of job you want, money vs. happiness and job satisfaction, but I'm not going to do that. What I want to talk about are major warning signs that you should not accept a job offer. Things that scream employment scam or that are more obvious red flags.


Requesting too much information.
Generally, companies won't ask for Reference, personal information such as Social Security Number, personality tests, banking information and other personal information unless there has been an expression of mutual interest. All this information probably will be requested of you by the Human Resources department after an interview where the Employer is seriously considering hiring you and you have expressed that you'd be interested in accepting, or after a job offer has been made. Be wary of an Employer that requests this information too early on.


Lack of information available.
What does their website look like? How much information is available? Check out the contact information listed. Is it just a P.O. Box? Is there a phone number? Is there a Hotmail or Yahoo email address? This might not apply to smaller companies or start-ups but it's definitely something to take note of. Make sure you Google the company and do some research. You can also use the Better Business Bureau to research employers. Online you can also go to whois.com and search for the domain name. Who comes up as the Registrant? The company name, or an individual? It is possible that the website domain could be registered under the owner's personal name instead of the company name, so this alone doesn't mean they are a scam. Is it a private registration (you can't get the details)? Again, that alone doesn't mean it's a scam necessarily. Finally, look at the date the domain was registered. If the website gives details about how long the company has been in business and the domain registration differs greatly from that, be wary. If they claim they've been providing work at home jobs for 10 years, but upon looking up the domain name you see they've been online for a couple of months, that's a red flag.


Unwilling to offer information or is too quick to make a decision.
This may seem a little weird because most the time, job seekers sit in agony for days (maybe even weeks or months) over a hiring decision to be made. But sometimes it's good that the decision takes a little longer. Certainly make sure you only accept an offer after you interview. An Employer who is willing to offer a job before they have even interviewed you is definitely a red flag. How does a company that knows nothing about you but a few words on your resume know if you're the right fit, or if they are the right fit for you? Some other red flags are being unable to see where you will be working or meet your coworkers. Also, if during the interview, it seems that the recruiter is not answering any of your questions directly or is unable or unwilling to give a detailed description of the opportunity and job duties that you will be performing, that can also be something to raise caution.


Wants your money.
This is an institution that is supposed to be paying you. If they ask for money to process your application or require a fee, more than likely, this is not a legitimate job opportunity. Now there are some work at home and franchise opportunities that do require a fee to startup, but be sure to do your research on these companies before you invest your cash. Equally, companies that require you to transfer funds, receive and deposit funds or receive packages, particularly from addresses located outside of the United States should also cause you to use caution or drop the opportunity all together.


If you feel that you may have been a victim of fraud or provided too much information to an employer, you can report the incident at the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center or contact the Employment Guide's Customer Service Line at 877-876-4039.

Learn more about current employment scams Better Business Bureau's Employment Scams website. The Federal Trade Commission can offer some helpful information about identity theft and ways to protect yourself.
- Rosie Reilman, Photo by Shavar

21. August 2008 | Show Originial

Happiness. We all want to have it. It seems like it's pretty rare to find people who like their job, let alone who find happiness. A lot of times we're quick to ask questions about salary and whether or not it fits our budget but how many times do we consider how a job will effect us emotionally?

If you're not sure, do some self-evaluation or a skills test to determine your work style or where your passions are. Then you can work to match those to a different industry.

Things to consider:


The Company. What industry is the company in? How large is the company? What do it's current employees say about their workplace? What kind of relationship, if any, will you have with other departments? What kind of products does the company produce? Are they a company that you'd be proud of? How are they protrayed to the public?



Your future coworkers or managers. The people we work with are people we interact with on a daily basis. Sometimes more daily than our families. So when you're interviewing, keep that in mind. Can you see yourself working with these people? I remember when I interviewed here, and while being introduced to everyone in the office, immediately I felt comfortable. Now sometimes the interview doesn't allow for you to meet everyone you'll be working with. But you still will get to talk with a manager or someone in human resources. Do they do any fun activities together? (Ex: work parties, birthday celebrations, hanging out outside of work, etc.)



Commute. How far is your commute going to be? Is rush hour traffic or sitting in traffic something that is stressful to you? How do you feel about making the drive two times a day? Is there a easily accessible bus route or way for alternative transportation if you decide not to drive? Will there be any travel involved? How does the amount of travel fit within your situation and current schedule?



Your work environment. Where will you be working? Who and what is around your work area? Would you like to work in a cubicle, office, outdoors or another work station?



Salary and Benefits. Is the salary the job is offering enough? How important is money to you? How stressed over financial issues? What kind of insurance and retirement plans does the company offer? Are there any other benefits that haven't been mentioned (Ex: corporate discounts on mobile plans, rental cars, merchandise, etc.)?



Type of Work. Will overtime be required? What is the work load like? Are there a lot of deadlines or urgent projects that come up on a regular basis? How much supervision will you be required to do or how much will you be supervised? Who is it that you'll report to and how often? How is your work expected to be implemented?





These might be good questions to ask during an interview. No job will be absolutely perfect in every aspect. You might find that there are a few things that you don't like. Some of the things might be negotiable, others aren't. Evaluate what aspects are going to be deal-breakers and what you can compromise on. It's important to ask yourself about these things before accepting a job so that you're finding something that won't make you miserable for 40+ hours a week. Don't be afraid to ask questions and do some research. For some a job is a means to do the things that make them happy and not nececessarily where they draw their satisfaction.


- Rosie Reilman, Photo by Lars Andreas
Originally posted at the Charleston Job Spot

21. August 2008 | Show Originial
Don’t think social networking matters? Think again. Over the last 3 years social networking is on the rise, especially in the job sector. Don't believe me, check out this graph by Indeed:


(Click image to view full size)

Indeed goes through a pretty large amount (approx. 50 million) of jobs every year (including jobs from EmploymentGuide.com) and this graph shows the rise in "social networking" appearing in job postings.

Maybe you won't have to know how to use social networking as your main job function, but it's definitely something worth knowing about. At very least, you should at least be able to track your reputation online and find out what employers can see, especially if you're participating in social networking sites like MySpace and Facebook.

- Rosie Reilman


20. August 2008 | Show Originial
With more and more employers checking out your digital life before making a hiring decision, you should at least know what is out there, right? Below is a list of 6 ways that can help you see what is on the web and then create an action plan to either begin removing non "grandma friendly" material or beginning to put up career related posts, sites and pages if good old Google doesn't even know who you are. Enjoy.

Google - The big cahuna in web search. The first thing you should do is perform a Google search on yourself and see what the company that owns the web knows about you. This is a free tool.

Google Blog Search - This is a great tool to keep up to date on any topic as it is mentioned across the blogosphere. This is a free tool.

Google Alerts - Set one of these bad boys up for your name, your company or any other search term and Google will send you an email anytime they index a new page that features that search phrase. This is a free tool.

Spokeo - what HR professionals use to perform checks across a magnitude of Social Networks, Blogging platforms and photo sharing sites. This is a free and paid tool.

WhoZat - is a people search engine and will bring back results for a person's name across Social Networks like Facebook and Myspace, any videos from YouTube and more as well as all associated web pages. This is a free tool.

Wink - Another people search engine. You never know where a provocative picture or article can show up, or can you?

Good luck Orlando in finding out about yourself on the web. If you don't like what you see, consider adding some more social networks that have great content on them or try blogging. Adding pages with great successes and content may often outweigh the bad or grey areas in a search.

Happy hunting Orlando!

-Greg Rollett
19. August 2008 | Show Originial
I recently had the opportunity to speak with Mosi from the Victim Service Center. We got to chat about their organization, one that helps provide comprehensive, compassionate, victim-focused services to meet the needs of victims of crime, including sexual violence survivors, who reside in or were victimized in Orange County, Florida.

The Victim Service Center is holding their second annual fundraiser on Thursday, August 28th at the Orlando Science Center. Learn more about the event in the video. The flyer can be downloaded here.



For more information on the Victim Service Center, be sure to pick up a copy of the Orlando Employment Guide at your local Publix, favorite gas station or at any of our 1,700 green boxes in the Central Florida area!

The Orlando JobSpot would like to thank Mosi and the Victim Service Center for taking time out of their day to chat with us and show us around their offices. We wish them the best at the fundraiser and in their endeavors to make a difference in the Orlando community.

*To have your organization highlighted on the Orlando JobSpot and in the Orlando Employment Guide, send an email over to orlandojobs@employmentguide.com.*

-Greg Rollett
18. August 2008 | Show Originial
Click on the image below to view a copy of this week's edition of The Employment Guide.





Don't forget to visit Charleston.EmploymentGuide.com for more job listings and to learn more about the employers you see in this week's edition.


18. August 2008 | Show Originial
Click on the image below to view a copy of this week's edition of The Employment Guide.



Don't forget to visit http://Columbia.EmploymentGuide.com/ for more job listings and to learn more about the employers you see in this week's edition.
18. August 2008 | Show Originial
Click on the image below to view a copy of this week's edition of The Employment Guide.





Don't forget to visit Atlanta.EmploymentGuide.com for more job listings and to learn more about the employers you see in this week's edition.


18. August 2008 | Show Originial
Click on the image below to view a copy of this week's edition of The Employment Guide in Charlotte, Raleigh and Greensboro.













Don't forget to visit EmploymentGuide.com for more job listings and to learn more about the employers you see in this week's edition.
14. August 2008 | Show Originial
Healthcare Virtual Job Fair | Florida
More info to come asap! (the flyer is small I know, click here to see it bigger with a little more information!!)

-Greg Rollett
14. August 2008 | Show Originial
If you?re looking for a job in a distant city, you face an extra challenge: How do you convince employers to interview you when there are plenty of local applicants to choose from?

Challenging, yes. Impossible, no.

You can make a long-distance job search work. All it takes is some planning and creative effort.

Here are four ways that others have found work in far-off places. What can you learn from their stories?

1) Borrow a Local Address
If your resume and cover letters show an out-of-state address, it can count against you -- many employers will look only at local candidates because they don?t want to deal with relocation costs and related factors.

That?s what Jeff Esposito found.

?I began my search by quitting my job in New York and moving back with my parents in New Jersey, to find a position closer to my girlfriend in Boston,? he says.

After a fruitless month applying for out-of-state jobs, Esposito changed course by changing his address. ?I replaced the NJ address on my resume with my girlfriend?s in Boston. This increased the number of calls that I received.?

Questions: Who do you know in or near where you want to work? Could you live with them temporarily should you need to relocate? If so, consider using their address on your resume and cover letters. Keep your existing cell phone number, however, unless you trust others to answer phone calls professionally for you.

2) Take a Trip to Your Destination City
Most employers are unwilling to fly candidates in for job interviews. Why not solve this problem for them?

If you can?t use a local address, be up-front in your cover letter and say that you will be in town on certain days and would like to come in for an interview.

This worked for Taryn Mickus.

?I was living in Washington, DC a few years ago and searching for jobs in New York City,? she says. ?I called all of the companies I wanted to interview with and told them I would be in town for only two days and would really like to meet with someone.?

Giving employers a small window of opportunity can nudge them into action because they won?t want to miss out on talking to you. And it gives them another reason to pull your resume out of the pile and examine your qualifications anew.

After setting a date to be in town and asking to meet employers, Mickus got enough interviews to land three job offers in six weeks ? and was hired by a NYC public relations firm.

Questions: If you want to work in another city, plan a trip there to meet potential employers. Try to arrange phone interviews before you go, so you can maximize your results by holding second- and third-round interviews in person, after you arrive.

3) Look Smart and Avoid the Competition Hunting for jobs is like hunting for deer or ducks: The less competition you have for quarry, the better your odds of bagging one.

That?s how Katie B. was hired for a job in San Francisco after graduating from college and still living in New York state.

While other candidates searched for jobs on the usual web sites, Katie found hers advertised in PR Week magazine, an industry trade journal. She had less competition for the job opening this way and ?My employer was impressed that a college student was reading that magazine? she says.

After her initial phone interview, Katie sent the hiring manager a thank-you email expressing strong interest in the position. ?I offered to come out to San Francisco for a second interview, but they paid for my travel,? she says.

Katie was hired shortly thereafter.

Questions: Do you know all the trade journals and magazines for your profession? Have you searched their print and online editions for job postings? If not, you may be missing out on a happy hunting ground with less competition for jobs -- even those out of state.

4) Find Local Allies
A final way to find jobs long-distance is to make personal connections where you want to work.

?I don?t care how much technology there is, one thing hasn?t changed: People still do the hiring,? advises author and career consultant, Andrea Kay. So you need to meet people -- the more influential and well-connected, the better -- in your destination city.

That?s what ultimately helped Jeff Esposito get hired.

?I was approached by a recruiter near Boston who understood my situation and who made the initial interviews over the phone. After the second call, they asked me in for an in-person interview, which eventually led to the management job I now have,? he says.

Questions: Who do you know in your target city? Who should you know? How can you bridge the gap between those two lists? Ask the people in your network, as well as on web sites like LinkedIn, MySpace and Facebook, to get introductions.

Now go out and make your own luck!

Kevin Donlin is Creator of TheSimpleJobSearch.com. Since 1996, he has provided job-search help to more than 20,000 people. Author of 3 books, Kevin has been interviewed by The New York Times, Fox News, CBS Radio and others. His free report, The Simple Job Search Manifesto, is found at www.TheSimpleJobSearch.com.
14. August 2008 | Show Originial

Ask the Recruiter! We're hopefully going to have a series of blog posts along this lines where we ask recruiters, the very people who are going to be looking at your resume and asking you the interview questions, what they think. So first up is Todd Petzold. Todd is a Division Recruiter for the Southeast for Orkin Pest Control. We asked him a few questions based on candidate who don't have experience.

This can be a tough thing, especially with downsizing, sometimes it forces people to uproot and change careers. So if you decide to change what do you do about the lack of experience? Here's what Todd Petzold had to say:

EmploymentGuide: As a recruiter, what advice do you have for job seekers who are seeking employment in an industry where they may not have a lot of experience?

Todd: Companies with great training programs don’t typically just look for people who have a lot of experience in their industry. Those companies are looking for transferable skills. Examples of transferable skills are customer service, enthusiasm, leadership and being a team player. These skills are not industry specific. Take a look at the job ad you are applying for and your resume, are there any similarities? No, then it is time to get to work. Put similar key phrases that you see from the job ad into your resume (only if they apply to you and your work history, of course!) Remember that different jobs/companies call for different resumes.

EG: What attributes should they highlight that can help the lack of experience be overlooked?

T: It goes back to transferable skills. Just because you don’t have “experience” in a field doesn’t necessarily mean you are not a fit for the job. You need to show the recruiter/hiring manager that you have talents that will overcome the lack of experience.

Some examples of transferable skills:



  • Enthusiasm - What gets you excited/motivated to work?

  • Trainability - How easily do you pick up new information?

  • Leadership - Do just think about managing other people, think about à have you trained others or managed a process/project?

  • Customer Service - How do you treat customers- both internal (co-workers) and external?

  • Adaptability- How you deal with change in work load, boss, add responsibility?

  • Analytical Ability – How do you solve problems or issues that come up?


When thinking about changing industries or jobs think about what knowledge and skills you have already that could be of value to the potential company. Market yourself with those skills!

Thanks Todd for participating, and hopefully that helps a little for those out there trying to answer the question about experience. For more tips on answering this question check out the following related posts:

Writing a Resume that Recruiter Will Love
I have no experience? What can I do?
The Interview: You're Overqualified for this Position


If you have questions to ask, please email them to me and we'll ask our recruiters to answer them. All questions will be kept anonymous.


- Rosie Reilman
Photo by cervus


13. August 2008 | Show Originial
Job Interview TipsWe all the know the actual job interview is super important. Below are 5 things that were on my mind about the interview process and how you can use them to make a more powerful impact on your first face-to-face meet with your possible future employer.
  1. Laziness - Timing is everything. Someone close to me had an interviewed lined up with one of the theme parks here in town. They were waiting on the confirmation call from the company. Being lackadaisical, my friend didn't check their voice mail for 6 days. 6 Days!! The company had called, left a message asking for the person to call in to get a final confirmation. When my friend called, the job was already filled. In a time when jobs are scarce, and interviews are few and far between, missing an opportunity due to laziness is just not acceptable.
  2. Inappropriate e-mail address - These still get to me and there is good reason. Most companies block terms that are unrelated to their business. "Babydoll" and "Sexymamma" before your hotmail, yahoo or gmail account usually will not get through filters. Make it easy for the person that is getting ready to interview you to get in touch with you.
  3. Dress code - Do some homework on where your interview is being taken place and dress accordingly. If ever in doubt, overdress. Nothing says "I don't care" more than an outfit that looks like you slept in it the night before.
  4. Not asking questions - A job interview is a 2-way street. You need to be interviewing the company just as much as they are interviewing you. It not only shows that you are paying attention but that you are mentally ready to work for this company.
  5. Follow-up - Make sure yo leave the interview with a method of contacting the recruiter or an individual at the organization. Even in a busy day, recruiters like to be thanked for their time and be reminded of who would really be a great fit for their organization.
As you get ready for an interview, be sure you ask yourself the following question:
Am I sure that I did everything possible to be prepared for today?
If you can answer that, then you should be "a ok!"

Happy hunting Orlando!

-Greg Rollett
12. August 2008 | Show Originial
photo by afsilva

Having just walked into the office after a little vacation to the Big Apple for a little relaxation and meeting some amazing people at Social Media Camp in NYC, I feel completely refreshed, clear headed and stress free.

When you come back from an environment that allows you to get away from all of the noise, distractions and day-to-day activities that consume your life, you get into a zone and begin producing at a higher level. At least that's how I feel.

Not everyone can go on a week long vacation, but there are some things that you can do in your everyday life that can clear your mind and get you focused. This will help you achieve the goals that you wish to achieve whether at your current job or if you are on the job hunt. Recruiters can sense stress levels of the people they are interviewing and they are more likely to hire someone that has a great work-life balance.

5 Tips to Getting Stress Free and Balanced:
  1. Talk a walk - and not just around your complex or neighborhood. Look for a local park or trail that really separates you from your regular environment. Don't forget the dog as they like to get out in fresh air as well.
  2. Go for a drive - Be careful as this one can be stressful as well, with traffic and gas prices. The key here is to get out of the city and into open roads, possibly Ocala, Palm Coast or somewhere out west like Sarasota, where the action is slower and the views are spectacular.
  3. Visit the beach - we do live in Florida, so really anyway that you head out, you are more than likely going to hit water. When attempting to clear your mind, stay away from popular and crowded areas like Daytona Beach and Cocoa, instead opt for areas that will allow you to breathe and be yourself. Start with Ormond Beach or Flagler.
  4. Clean your house/room/apartment - This doesn't sound like any relaxing fun, but the rewards are. Having a clean place to call home is a stress reliever in itself and will clear your mind of the things you need to cross off your to-do list. Getting Things Done is a great book that helps to de-clutter your life and maximize your daily output.
  5. Give yourself a day - Send the kids to the sitter, put the dog in a doggie hotel and send your wife/husband/boy/girl over to their friends house and have a day to yourself. Giving yourself time to eat, drink, shop, say what you want and make decisions on your own will give you confidence and release stress. Pamper yourself if necessary, I know I got to shop a little on 5th Avenue before I left town and that really helped my let loose.
There are countless other things that can be done to release the stress in your life and come back to your desk, computer or job site with recharged batteries and an open outlook.

Sometimes it takes a vacation, sometimes it takes an afternoon or weekend. Just remember to turn off the crackberry and the YouTube, forget about the TIVO and limit your input for a few hours and live a little.

When you come back, you will be driven, focused and ready to rock n roll.

Orlando, leave any tips that you have to come back recharged or tell us about a vacation that got you refreshed and ready to hit life running. I am looking forward to your responses.

-Greg Rollett
Follow the Orlando Employment Guide on Twitter for updates on job openings, new posts and events in the Orlando area! It's free and works with your Mobile Phone! http://www.twitter.com/orlandoeg
12. August 2008 | Show Originial
Click on the image below to view a copy of this week's edition of The Employment Guide.




Don't forget to visit Atlanta.EmploymentGuide.com for more job listings and to learn more about the employers you see in this week's edition.


12. August 2008 | Show Originial
Click on the image below to view a copy of this week's edition of The Employment Guide.


Don't forget to visit http://Columbia.EmploymentGuide.com/ for more job listings and to learn more about the employers you see in this week's edition.
12. August 2008 | Show Originial
Click on the image below to view a copy of this week's edition of The Employment Guide.




Don't forget to visit Charleston.EmploymentGuide.com for more job listings and to learn more about the employers you see in this week's edition.


10. August 2008 | Show Originial
Click on the image below to view a copy of this week's edition of The Employment Guide in Charlotte, Raleigh and Greensboro.







Don't forget to visit EmploymentGuide.com for more job listings and to learn more about the employers you see in this week's edition.
08. August 2008 | Show Originial
An ongoing story that has developed over the past three years and well covered by the Pittsburgh Business Times's Tim Schooley and Ben Semmes concerns multiple retail and office projects planned for the Cranberry Twp, PA area near the intersection of I-79 and state route 228.

On the planning block for three years, the cornerstone project involves
Simon Properties, owner of Ross Park Mall, South Hills Village and Century Three Mall, as well as dozens of other properties around the country. This would be a retail project of over 850,000 square feet similar in design to Pittsburgh’s Waterfront in West Homestead.

With a total projected cost of over 85 million dollars, Simon has put together financing of 40 million along with an additional 25 million from state and local sources, leaving a shortfall of 20 million needed to break ground. A large part of the funding would go toward road improvements needed to both
Rt. 228 and to the I-79-Rt 228 interchange to handle projected traffic volumes created by the projects.

A project of this scope, as accessible as it would be, do to it’s location near I-79, I-76 (PA Turnpike), state Rt. 19 and state Rt. 228, would make it a destination for shoppers from a 50 mile radius and more. The number of good jobs created would be over a thousand not counting the additional support and ancillary jobs. Click on the image for a larger view.

It would be more than a shame if this project were to die because this funding gap could not be closed by the unofficial deadline of the end of 2008. Simon Properties has inferred that if no real progress is made by then they will walk away and look elsewhere for investment opportunities.

It’s time our state and federal representatives step up and help close this gap. Opportunities like this are extremely rare. The benefits we would get are regional in scope. Our elected leaders have an opportunity here to show the leadership they were elected to provide. Or they can do nothing.

07. August 2008 | Show Originial
There is a great article at AllBusiness that you need to check out if you were interested in my last post about how companies can work to keep Gen Y candidates.


Some people might think Millennials are coddled, arrogant Facebook addicts who feel a strong sense of entitlement and aren't willing to work hard for the great rewards they expect.

In reality Millennials are the first generation of "digital natives," that is, they have never known a world without digital technology. As a result Millennials experience the world in a completely different way than previous generations. They experience the world through technology, like older generations experience the world through their organic senses. This intimacy with the digital world is one of the Millennials' greatest strengths. It also presents the greatest challenge to those companies that need highly qualified applicants. Managers need to determine ways to capitalize on their strengths and work with their weaknesses with business goals in mind.


Millenials are such a hot topic and companies are trying so hard to figure out what they want. Maybe because I'm part of the Gen Y generation, I find it interesting to see companies falling all over themselves trying to figure us out. The AllBusiness article has an excellent quote that will be really important for employers who want to attract (and keep) this generation:

...nothing makes Millennials unhappier than doing tasks with traditional methods that can be done better and more efficiently with the right technology or more sophisticated methods.

Gen Y is all about the 4-hour Work Week. We don't want to waste our time doing something for 3 hours when it can only take 30 minutes. And why should anyone? But definitely check out the rest of the article for more.

Read: New Millennials in Workforce Present Challenge, Opportunity. AllBusiness

If you're still looking for resources, why not go to the source? BrazenCareerist.com and EmployeeEvolution are two communities of Millennials who are putting the very information that companies want to know.

- Rosie Reilman
06. August 2008 | Show Originial


I came back from lunch to a very pleasant surprise. CNN.com is running a story about the nation's economy crisis, and featured a photo of a job-seeker-just-like-you reading one of our free weekly publications! According to the story, CNNMoney.com reports that "48% of respondents [to a CNN survey] think the economy is the most important factor in deciding whom they will vote for in November." (To give you a preview of the article itself.)

While we here at The Employment Guide® prefer to remain neutral about who ends up in the White House, we are decidedly not neutral about helping you find your ideal job. Check out EmploymentGuide.com for yourself and start your job search - and don't forget to pick up one of our free weekly publications!


06. August 2008 | Show Originial
On doing some resume research, it seems there is some debate over whether it's ok to include personal interests on a resume. Does listing interests or hobbies on your resume really show you are a well-rounded candidate or does it just add extra unneeded information on your CV?

Most recruiters will assume that you have other interests besides what you do for work. A company generally doesn't really care what you do outside of work and even if it makes for good conversation, just because you can converse well with the hiring manager or recruiter doesn't mean you'll necessarily get the job.

You might consider including a professional association membership or leadership roles that you have taken on. Personal interests that showcase your leadership skills or some other skill set that can translate into your ability to do a job and do it well. While these may not fall under the "interests" category, it could be placed under Groups/Professional Associations or Community Leadership Roles.

Your resume should only display information that shows your qualifications for the job you are applying for. The fact that you are a dog lover or love to watch Carolina Panthers or are a diehard Duke Basketball fan is not usually relevant (unless you're looking to become a vet technician or a sports writer.) Even then I think that information is best suited for your cover letter where you can explain your qualifications.

Let me offer this example: one of my hobbies is learning HTML and other website coding. I don't do it professionally but I like learning. So I have added this hobby as a skill set on my resume, because in this case, my hobby or interest is relevant to my profession. In fact now that I find myself maintaining a blog that interest has become a great help to me!

I don't think that employers are going to think because you don't list crocheting or that you dress up every year for the Star Trek convention you are not a well rounded individual. Just remember, the purpose of a resume is supposed to show your professional qualifications, show your mad skills and help the recruiter to know why you're the best person for the job.

Live Long and Prosper... and Good luck!
06. August 2008 | Show Originial
If you grew up in my generation, college wasn't simply something you did like it may have been in my parent's generation. From the moment you step into elementary school, the message that "You must attend college!" is hammered into your young brain. There are, of course, cultural reasons for this. Between the 50's and the 70's, arguably a time of intense cultural growth in the United States, our country began to see a shift in terms of small-town life which was much more suited to the pain-staking education process, to "big city life," which required people to spend most of their time working full-time jobs, caring for children, balancing social and cultural responsibilities and, at the same time, attempting to complete their education. War, shifts in thought pertaining to government and organized institutions, and a cultural revolution led to a country of people playing catch up in terms of their education.

Most recently, I read about a 90-year old woman who, after abandoning her master's education in the 60's, finally graduated from Hofstra University with her Master's Degree of Science in Education with a focus on counseling. Like many others in her generation, the pressures of a full-time job, children and other family responsibilities derailed her education. Her story is quite inspiring, though, so check it out!

Not much has changed since then. With the strain on economy, our country (and the world) wrapped up in the war in Iraq, the focus has been more on working than education for some time. More and more high school graduates are foregoing a college education for full-time jobs that are paying less simply to keep up with bills, car payments, care for children and various other necessities of American life. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), 67.2% of graduating high schoolers in 2007 enrolled in college for the fall*. This is down by about 2% since 2005, with 2008 looking to be even more dramatic.

However, a closer look at this these statistics shows some encouragement for those looking to further their education (and careers by extension). While students enrolled in 4-year programs generally were found to have less involvement with the work force (31.4% to be exact), those enrolled in 2-year programs with local community colleges or online colleges made up 54.7% of the work force. These numbers show that it's possible (and beneficial) to continue learning even while you're working. Not only that, but it's more convenient than ever with the advent of online courses and more and more colleges offering night courses for those working full-time.

So how do you balance your life between working and taking classes, either through distance learning or night courses? I'm glad you asked! I've compiled a list of just a few things you can do to make furthering your education that much easier on your social and professional lives.

1. Many employers offer tuition reimbursement for courses you take that could enhance your job performance. Taking courses that add to your position makes you more valuable to the company. Not only that, but that "go-getter" attitude is just what every employer is looking for. Ask your employer if they offer this convenient incentive.

2. Don't overload yourself with too many credits. Especially if you're working 40 hours or more a week, it can be difficult to go straight from work to a class room. Enroll in a program that will let you learn on your own time - distance learning courses (online) are perfect for this as you can get the work done in your own time. If you have to take the course on campus, limit yourself to only a couple classes per semester.

3. Work with your employer. If your course schedule is particularly demanding, see if you can switch up your hours a little. Many full-time employees will switch up their lunch-times, or add an extra hour on to days they're not attending classes so that they're able to make more reasonable time for their courses. See what your employer is able to help you out with.

4. Use a lunch period or two during the work week to complete school work. Sure, it's not the most appealing use of your lunch break, but grabbing a quick bite and pushing out some assignments during the work day can help ease the stress of working all day and then having to focus on school work during your evening hours. Just make sure your employer doesn't mind you bringing your school work with you to the office. Freeing up your evenings will help make learning less stressful.

5. Last, but not least, be diligent. You're bound to grow weary of the daily grind that school work and your regular work will present. Just keep in mind that with a degree (or even certification), you're likely to make a significant amount more than you would otherwise. The BLS states that those with degrees often make anywhere between $5,000 and $20,000 more than those with just a high-school degree*.

Furthering your education could help further your whole life. You may have to do a bit more work than Roslyn B. Klein to get there, but it's worth it in the end. How are you dealing with taking courses and working part- or full-time?

*Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, April 2008, College Enrollment and Work Activity of 2007 High School Graduates.

*Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, January 2007, Usual Weekly Earnings of Wage and Salary Workers - People 25 Years Old and Over.
04. August 2008 | Show Originial
Click on the image below to view a copy of this week's edition of The Employment Guide.




Don't forget to visit Atlanta.EmploymentGuide.com for more job listings and to learn more about the employers you see in this week's edition.


04. August 2008 | Show Originial
Click on the image below to view a copy of this week's edition of The Employment Guide in Charlotte, Raleigh and Greensboro.








Don't forget to visit EmploymentGuide.com for more job listings and to learn more about the employers you see in this week's edition.
04. August 2008 | Show Originial
Click on the image below to view a copy of this week's edition of The Employment Guide.


Don't forget to visit http://Columbia.EmploymentGuide.com/ for more job listings and to learn more about the employers you see in this week's edition.
04. August 2008 | Show Originial
Click on the image below to view a copy of this week's edition of The Employment Guide.




Don't forget to visit Charleston.EmploymentGuide.com for more job listings and to learn more about the employers you see in this week's edition.


04. August 2008 | Show Originial
Most people came for the jobs. Some came for the networking and friendly environment. Same came for the World Famous Careers in Gear "Gear."

Check out the winners below!


04. August 2008 | Show Originial
Saturday, August 2nd was the date of the Careers in Gear and Employment Guide Driver's Job Fair at NBI Truck Driver Training in Winter Haven, FL. At the event we had companies and Owner / Operator's showcase their wheels with an opportunity to become the official Orlando Careers In Gear "Best in Show" Champion.

We were very proud to announce "live on 97 Country" that the winner was Ruan Transport. Michelle from Ruan was there to accept her prizes and snap a few photos in front of their award winning truck!

Ruan Transport wins Best in Show at Driver Job Fair in Winter Haven, FL

Congratulations Ruan!

Ruan Transport at the Careers in Gear Driver Job Fair
More Driver Job Fair wrap-up coming this afternoon!

-Greg Rollett
01. August 2008 | Show Originial
Sadly, summer is coming to an end. If you took our advice on how to pick a summer job then you're probably now trying to decide whether or not to keep that job throughout the school year. It can be tough juggling a job between sports, friends and other extracurricular but it can be done. So here are some tips for finding some balance between school, work and life:

Pick the Right Job
Maybe the job you had this past summer was good for all the free time that you had, but it might not be ideal for work hours. Talk with your manager about what he or she has available during the school year. Also be sure to know what hours you're legally allowed to work if you're under 18. I'd suggest that you try and stick with the same job if you can but if you're working a seasonal job or the hours won't work for your school schedule then you might have to find something that is a little more flexible.

Just keep in mind not only your other responsibilities but be able to catch up on sleep to be able to still focus on your school work. It may not feel important now but getting through school should be your first priority. It can get pretty crazy if you end up committing to too many hours. You might want to try starting out with a lower number of hours and adding them on once you get comfortable with how your schedule is.

Be Someone People Can Count On
This means make a schedule and stick to it. Your employer wants to know that you'll be there when you commit to your hours. Your teacher expects you to get your assignments done and turned in. You can only call in sick a few times before you are at risk of losing your job or getting really far behind in classwork. If things get overwhelming then you can cut back on some of things you're involved with - even if it means your work hours.

You don't have to do all work and no play. Definitely make time with friends or chatting on Facebook - whatever you do that lets you unwind. But just remember to keep your priorities straight. If you say you're going to work, then you should work. Exercise a little discipline when those America's Next Top Model marathons come on. Don't let TV or other things distract you if you need to be studying. This discipline and ability to juggle many different time consuming things will help with your time management and project management skills for later on when you're looking to start your career. If you can show your part-time job employer, your teacher, parents and friends that you are someone that they can count on, you'll be that much ahead of the game. When you're ready to really start looking for a full time job, you'll have that many more people to use as references to attest to your great time management skills or reliability.


That Which Doesn't Kill Us, Only Makes Us Stronger
Ok so that is a little bit dramatic but Kanye West's song 'Stronger' has some truth to it. There will be days when you've got about 5 million things that have to be done a the same time. You'll want to quit just about everything and hide away and become a hermit. Again, a little bit dramatic, but there will be hard times. Some days you'll want to just hit the snooze button one more time.

Just remember: you've got a paycheck coming. Your friends will be the ones bumming a couple bucks off of you and you'll be able to get that new iPod you've been wanting. Of course if your always miserable and unable to handle your set schedule it might be time to reevaluate your priorities and cut back on some things. But the thing to remember is that work isn't always fun. It can but, sure. But every so often when you feel like it's too much, just think about all the great experience that you'll be able to use later on. Either that or you'll be able to use your paycheck money for a sweet vacation during spring break.



- Rosie Reilman

01. August 2008 | Show Originial
We found this online and thought it was funny ;>)

Job Recruiter Lingo:

Competitive Salary
We remain competitive by paying less than our competitors.

Join our Fast-Pace Team
We have no time to train you.

Casual Work Atmosphere
We don't pay enough to expect that you'll dress up; well, a couple of the real daring guys wear earrings.

Must be Deadline Oriented
You’ll be six months behind schedule on your first day.

Some Overtime Required
Some time each night and some time each weekend.

Duties Will Vary
Anyone in the office can boss you around.

Must have an Eye for Detail
We have no quality control

Apply in Person
If you're old, fat or ugly, you'll be told the position has been filled.

No Phone Calls Please
We've filled the job; our call for resumes is just a legal formality.

Seeking Candidates with a Wide Variety of Experience
You'll need it to replace three people who just left.

Problem-Solving Skills a Must
You’re walking into a company in perpetual chaos

Good Communication Skills
Management communicates, you listen, figure out what they want, and do it.

Require Team Leadership Skills
You’ll have the responsibilities of a manager, without the pay or respect.

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