Photo by:  Argonne National Laboratory

One down-Greensboro Job Fair, February 9….more to come! So, don’t worry if you missed out on the first job fair of the year in the Carolinas. The next, Hire Commitment 2010, job fair for the Carolinas is coming up quick, February 23rd. If you have not already registered for this event, please do so. We need your help to make this event as successful as the previous.

The February 9, 2010, Greensboro Job Fair, had a good outcome with 600-700 jobseekers. People didn’t just show up and turn running out the door when all they saw were schools, because that was not the case. Schools and Employers, both, were there with positions available from hourly wages to mid level positions, and conducting on-site interviews. Jobseekers left happy with a smile on their faces, being they were hired on the spot or set-up for a second interview.

Now this is the kind of event we all want to have…employers and jobseekers leaving happy.

Be prepared for the next event, February 23rd, at ITT Technical Institute-North Campus, 10926 David Taylor Drive, Suite 100, Charlotte, NC 28262.

Keep posted and Follow for some tips to keep in mind when attending job fairs…

Photo by: Juergen Kurlvink

"What am I doing here?" That is a question that we too often ask ourselves. Don't let that question pop into your head when you walk into a job fair. Right now as we all know, it is a very tough market and there is more competition than ever for a position. No need to get on that topic, so let's get to the point. A job fair is your given opportunity to explore potential employers, and learn what they have to offer.

Upon attending the job fair:

1. Find out what businesses/employers/recruiters will be present: You know what kind of job or position you are looking for, so the more information you can gather beforehand, the more successful it will be for you. Spend some time doing research: what kind of skills will they need, different job openings, or even what kind of people they are looking for.
2. Develop some questions you'd like to ask employers:  Gathered the information on the companies, right? Upon that research you may of had some questions, write these down so you can have them answered (interview the interviewer).
3. Proofread your resume-at least twice: Some see the job fair opportunity as the first interview. They are right, so don't show up handing out your resume to "your" company with errors. Your resume gives employers the run down of your skills and a way for them to remember you.

With this information in mind, get to researching and working on "the" resume if you have not already done so. Was this information beneficial to you??

Follow for the next job fair step: At The Job Fair

5 days out---> It is getting close to the job fair, February 23rd...so quit your slacking! Have you even gotten your resume done yet or even made an attempt? Seriously, if you have not completed anything by now...you still got time. Thank goodness for the weekend coming up, but by all means don't rush and just slap your information together. Keep in mind that first impression is very important.

For those that have been following, you are well aware of what I mean. Last week was the subject topic Before the Job Fair,  information for you to get prepared. This week the topic is: At the Job Fair.

Let get straight to the point. The day has finally come and there is a company that you would like to work for and completed all the research, so it's time.

1. Dress the part: This is a very very important part of the process-besides having your resume. It is your time to shine, so dress the part for the job that you are chasing. Make sure that before you leave the house you have Good hygiene and well groomed (clip your nails.) Do not wear your jeans and tee shirt, leave it at home. Business casual is usually, the most appropriate-wear a suit if the job would require-niced pressed shirt/blouse and slacks/skirt. Keep jewelry and make-up to a minimum, not too excessive.
2. Take time to talk to the employers: Were you thinking about just dropping off your resume and moving around the room? WRONG! These companies are taking time out of their planner, just like you, to try and help you.  Take time and talk to them to gather more information or answer questions. When there is a crowd at the booth, avoid it. Why? The point here is to establish a connection, so they won't be heading back to the office with another person in mind.
3. Use your research to appear confident and knowledgeable: Remember this part of the process Before the Job Fair?  You should. This is the time to ask your questions and get them answered. Don't waste time. Employers want to hire people who are genuinely interested in their company...use your knowledge to your advantage!
4. Offer a firm handshake and maintain eye contact: Exactly as it says 'offer a firm handshake and maintain eye contact.' Still don't understand? By doing so, this lets the employer know that you are attentive, interested, dedicated, and regardless of the type of job you are in route of and if you get the job, you still have good manners.

Fairly simple, don't you think? Information that every person should keep in mind. Was this information of any help to you? I certainly hope so, and I look forward to seeing you at the job fair: February 23, 2010, ITT Technical Institute North Campus, 10926 David Taylor Drive, Suite 100, Charlotte, NC 28262


-Khon Phaxai

• You made that resume, spruced it up and with your current information? Great.
• Research on the companies? Yep.
• Wardrobe picked out and appropriate (casual business-keep it nuetral and not over dressed)? Check.
• Well groomed (comb/brushed hair, clip nails-get rid of the dark nail polish)? Always.
• Take a notebook and pen
• Be prepared to ask your questions
• Shake hands and SMILE

I’ve noticed a trend for…I don’t know, about a year now; people are more stressed and pessimistic about everything. Okay, maybe not everything, but pretty close. Take a breather from all the activities and work that you are doing. We all need the money and to be supportive; however, the most important factor is yourself. Reality, we are not as super-human as we want to be. In our mind we can do whatever; touch the sky, reach the highest buildings, etc. but the body simply can not. Our body can withhold all the beating we put it thru and in many ways it can, therefore, I will leave the body topic for a different blog: Advantages and Disadvantages of LNS (Late Night Shifts).

I want to keep everybody on a positive note; all the negativity that is floating around can become very harmful. Don’t become a bad influence, become a role model. Isn’t that something you have always heard or even told your child/children? Do not think that children, grown or not, do not sense your mood swings because they do and they know it well. For those that have children, this a great quote to keep in mind: “To the world you may be just one person, but to one person you may be the world.”-Brandi Snyder

It is up to us to make the most of our life-think of all the things you had to do to get to where you are-all of your achievements! Don’t let it go to waste. Keep thinking positive.

A limit on what you will do; puts a limit on what you can do.


-Khon Phaxai

When you're in a position where you think you've got a lot of ego and you might perceive it as power-If you're in a position to make things happen-That allows you tremendous opportunities which other people don't have.-Alan Bond

Heard that before? I hadn’t, not till now. My point in that quote would be the ‘ego’ part that people seem to get into their brain and think they can out do and out take anything and everything. It’s not true. The body and the brain sometimes don’t agree with each other. Our mentality is very strong. It’s very important to take great care of our body. Stress is a major fact in heart disease, especially with how everyone is looking at the market. If you need to find a job check out www.employmentguide.com; we can help you find the road to success!

For many of us, money is tight and just barely making ends meet. Those that work the Late Night Shifts, have it worse than all others. Not to concentrate on the negative points of a third shift job, it does pay well and more than other shifts. However, is it worth it?

Those that work the LNS, you have to keep up with your body; make sure you are eating right-Fruits and vegetables-, exercising, and getting enough sleep. It’s hard, yes, I know but it is very possible. It doesn’t take long for your body to react to changes, so what you do will affect you for a lifetime. The clock ticks without missing a second; however, the heart sometime skips a beat. Don’t argue just yet. Yes, we have an internal clock the “circadian rhythm” which is the internal clock within our body that regulates our eating and sleeping habits. Regardless, it can be adjusted to one’s lifestyle. You can’t do it overnight, if you can-make sure you let me know-it’ll take a couple of weeks for the body to adjust and that could mean fatigue or no sleep at all. That is why for those that work the LNS tend to have poorer health and higher risk factors: high blood pressure, stress, low metabolism, fatigue, and heart disease.

So for your health it will be best to learn how to manage your time wisely-better than normal-and pick up on some stress relieving tips. One of the great tips…Exercise! Who would of thought? To help your heart, breathing, and keeping your metabolism from hitting rock bottom. Release the endorphins in your body-it makes you feel better.

I leave you with Thomas Richards: “There is so much in life I can’t control. But this is my life and I’ve decided to be happy. I can choose to be happy regardless of my other circumstances. It’s not "when I get a promotion, I’ll be happy....." or "when I can speak in front of a small group of people, I’ll be happy....." The focus should be on learning to be happy now. Tap into your inner peace and contentment in the way that works best for you.”



-Khon Phaxai

The Comprehensive Safety Analysis (CSA) 2010, is a part of the FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration). The purpose of the CSA 2010, and FMCSA is to reduce the crashes, injuries, and fatalities that result from the commercial motor vehicles. This includes the trucks and buses, not the residential trucks.

By the end of this year, 2010, the FMCSA will have a full blown world wide safety system in tack making the roads safer, making road trips more enjoyable, that will go into full effect July. Yes, over the years the number of accident has reduced due to the screening process and more available drivers. With this new system, CSA 2010, coming into play it could be that you see more women drivers on the road? There are also more women drivers now than there was ten years ago, currently there are 200,000 women that have deciding to make the trucking industry a part of their life, their career. Yes, it is quiet possible. With more limitations to the Operation Model, there will be roughly 175,000 truckers that will be affected by the system. There is a good possibility for that had been involved in crashed and wrecks could lose his/her job forever. We will see a change when we are driving down the road, there maybe less Big Rigs on the road.


Keep your eye for this new system taking place; you maybe be seeing some new road signs.


-Khon Phaxai

Raleigh, NC, April 6, 2010 – In an effort to step up its drive to assist workers 50+ struggling during this time of high unemployment around the country. AARP, Employmentguide.com and Wiserworker.com are sponsoring multiple career fairs specifically designed to help mature job seekers in 2010. AARP will sponsor 48 career fairs in 19 states which have high unemployment rates of 10 percent or more for older workers. Raleighs’ career fair is part of the national career fair series, taking place in cities across the country.


These job fairs will be open to jobseekers of ALL AGES!

Who: Workers age 50 and older seeking employment as well as jobseekers of all ages.

Sponsored by: AARP, EmploymentGuide.com and WiserWorker.com

Participating employers represent industries such as health care, customer service, hospitality, finance, sales, insurance, skilled trades, transportation, security and more.

What: Raleigh Career Fair in Partnership with AARP

When: Tuesday, April 6th, 2010
9:30am – 1:00pm

Where: Holiday Inn Brownstone
1707 Hillsborough Street
Raleigh, NC 27605

Why: The U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that in 2000, 13 percent of the U.S. workforce was 55 and older and, by 2010 that figure will likely increase to 17 percent. Nearly 7 out of 10 workers age 45-74 tell AARP that they plan to work in some capacity in retirement.

Recruiters/employers, and jobseekers if you are interested in attending or will not be able to make it to the event please email: khon.phaxai@employmentguide.com 
 

Do we really know what anyone is thinking? And what’s the reasoning behind the decision? Is science really right? No, we don’t know, and if we did then it would be a really boring world and nobody would have to vote. Everyone would think the same, no opinions, and well…we wouldn’t have the economic problems, now would we?

In February, there was a poll that showed 13 percent of our people were concerned about health care and 52 percent worried about the economy. Now, with that number in mind…why was the health care such a big issue? That is something I would need explained to me.

Regardless of what I think or have to say; the unemployment rate has held at a steady 9.7 percent. The number may not seem that big of a deal, but it is since the beginning of the economic downturn we lost 8.4 million jobs. With the new incentive (nearly $1trillion- 2,000 page health care packages) we are looking at possible 250,000 jobs by the end of 2010. That is a good thing, in the matter of job offerings. Don’t forget that right now the Census Bureau is looking for nearly 10,000 employees or more in certain areas so get your resume and go apply for the job at the Department of Labor. Don’t say, “There are no jobs, and no one is hiring.” At that point you are only lying to yourself and not trying hard enough. It takes a longer time, now, to even get a job response than it did two years ago. During this time of crisis it’s a call for tougher measures, longer hours. Prepare yourself for the long haul people…it’s only the peak.

Check out http://www.employmentguide.com/ for jobs and the Department of Labor to see what they have to offer.

If you know any company that is looking for a large number of positions to fill, let me know. We can help others find a job! The more information that we can provide each other


-Khon Phaxai