Wiser Worker Blog

If you are looking for a new career with the freedom of the road and you live in Michigan you might be in luck! You may qualify for free truck driving training if you have been laid off, not working, and make less than $40,000 a year through Michigan Works. I found this opportunity and I had to share it with you, you might remember I wrote about finding a new career in truck driving.

In that article I shared that over 65% of truck drivers today are over the age of 50. With the help of Great Truckers Driving School you can realize the dream of becoming an open road truck driver is you so desire the freedom a career in truck driving offers. If this career field is of interest to you and you live in Michigan you need to take advantage of their programs and opportunities.  There is no better time than today to make a change that can changes your life, what other job gives you the freedom to see the country while earning a paycheck?

Great Truck Drivers School is a certified licensed school from the State of Michigan. Owners are instructors as well, making a difference in training and they are friendly, patient their only interest is your safely and success. Great Truckers Driving School offers the very best in fully insured state certified vehicle training. Available seven days a week and our hours are very flexible to meet your needs, you can start anytime! Call today 1-313-271-6600 or email for more information greattruckschool@yahoo.com .   

Still want to learn more? Check out WiserWorker.com or our sister website Careersingears.com dedicated solely to transportation jobs. People just like you are already driving into retirement! Our websites have many resources you might find useful when researching if a career in truck driving is right to you.   

Probably one of my favorite holidays, I have always thought of Thanksgiving as the official kick off to the Christmas Season.  This year it hold a little different meaning, with the economy in somewhat of an influx I am more thankful than ever for my good fortune. I have a great job helping job seekers like you find jobs with WiserWorker.com and our various hosts of tools that we are constantly adding.

A year ago WiserWorker.com was just an idea or a concept and look where we are now…..online and growing larger every day. For us at WiserWorker.com it’s been a busy year, but it’s also been very exciting!  From our home to yours Happy Holidays!  

Part 2

Just like everything else in life if you are prepared the online application process will be far less intimidating. Before you jump in feet first prepare yourself. Make sure you have the appropriate amount of uninterrupted time set aside to fill out the application, figure on anywhere from 30 to 45 minutes for the first one.

So how do you prepare for something that is online? It’s just like being prepared for a traditional sit down interview. You wouldn’t go to an interview unprepared to talk about yourself and your skills so don’t sit down to a computer unless you are prepared as well.  Make sure you have these items ready and accessible when you get ready to sit down and fill out an application.

1.   Printed copy of your resume – use it as a reference.

2.   Electronic resume– In many cases you can copy information by selecting the information on your resume and pasting to the online application. 

3.   Your personal information – depending on what types of position you are applying for you may need information such as your driver’s license.  Have it handy!

4.   Your job history details – Have your dates of employment for both active and volunteer positions.

5.   Small note pad– keep a notepad with you to jot down any questions you might have…just like in a traditional interview.

So in a nutshell take the time to prepare for the time you will spend online filling out applications. IF you do the preparation work it will go so much better. I promise, hang in there we are in this together!

In a world where I believe w don’t have enough human contact I have found the necessary evil of online applications.  Company use online applications to streamline their hiring process, the fact is this: companies have more applicants than recruiters.   Online applications are not going away and in fact we will probably see more companies using them so it’s time we understand them, embrace them and learn to use them to our advantage.

Over the next week I will be delving into the world of online applications. I will go over how to be prepared to complete an application and be prepared in general.  It has been my experience that online applications are almost mini interviews.  They are more than a resume but less than a full fledged interview.

Time: the reason most people fail at online applications. Job Seekers don’t give themselves enough time to accurately fill out the applications. People tend to rush themselves because they figure they can explain in detail when they get the interview.  Well folks; this is your first impression; take the time to make the best impression you can. If you need an hour to fill it out then take an hour. Tune out the world and focus on the task at hand your online applications. This may be the only chance you get!

Start with WiserWorker.com some of our job postings direct you right to the application process.  Online applications can be intimidating, but don’t be afraid of them.  My advice to you is to take a deep breath and take your time; we will get through them together.

Is it possible to be too aggressive in the search for a job?  I say NO, in some cases I am sure it’s happened however more commonly job seekers tend to send a resume or fill out an application and then wait and then, well ….wait some more.  To those job seekers I say….get out there and make it happen!  If it’s a job you want and think you are the ideal candidate follow up and make sure you are don’t become just another applicant in a pile of applications.   

Just yesterday I was talking to a job seeker who told me they had put in an application for the perfect job and never heard back.  My response:  Did you follow up?  Well you guess it they had not. They were waiting to see if they would call back.

Folks, there is no shame in calling and asking about the hiring process, the conversation can go something like this:

Job Seeker:  Hello, I turned in an application last Monday and I was wondering where you were in the interview process?  I am very interested in the position you have open.

Employer:  Hold on I have had so many people interested in this position, what was your name? 

Employer:  Why do you feel you are the best applicant for my position?    

Job Seeker:  I have many years in customer service as well as customer retention and I like to work with the public. I would appreciate the opportunity to come in and meet with you and discus my qualification.

Employer:  Can you come in tomorrow? I would like to sit down with you and tell you more about the job.

The current labor market is one where the eager are going to get noticed and the aggressive are appreciated.   As a manager who often recruits, I have always been in the opinion if a job seeker shows me they are interested in a job; they deserve an interview.   Make sure you start your job search  with WiserWorker.com for all the latest job openings.  

Well folks it’s here…cold and flu season. I bet you are asking yourself how cold and flu season fits into job search. Well, it does in more ways than you can imagine. It’s a plain and simple fact that this time of year is the easiest time to pick up germs and while you are searching for a job you need to avoid as many germs as possible.  It’s no fun to land a job only to wind up calling in sick so be proactive and avoid the cold and flu season.

My career with WiserWorker.com keeps me on the road and in close quarters with germs. I also HATE being sick, I have learned to pay close attention to keeping the germs at bay. The winter season is the time of the year when I have to be the most careful and work extra hard at staying healthy. Here are some of my ways to avoid being a victim of cold and flu season.

1.    Flu Shot - You can stop in at any Walgreens pharmacy and licensed health care professionals will administer flu shots and nasal spray flu vaccines in-store, in most cases they can bill your insurance. I stopped in a Brandon Walgreens and it was only $24.95.  No appointment necessary.

2.    Wash Your Hands Frequently - Get in the habit of anti-bacterial gel, it’s a live saver.  I shake a lot of hands and you can never wash your hands, don’t stop shaking hands just wash yours more often.

3.    Whip Down Common Surfaces – When I enter a grocery store I wipe down the cart with a Lysol towel. Most stores offer them free but I also carry them in my purse.

4.    Clean Your Phone – Phones are breeding grounds for germs. If you share a phone make sure you wipe your phone off with a cleaning towel.

5.     Stay Away from Sick People – your health is important steer clear of people who are already sick. 

6.    Stock up on foods that will keep you healthy- Researchers are finding positive links between immune function and components in food. Here’s a link that will give you all the info you need.

These are just a few of the things I do to ward off the cold and flu season, I also try to keep up my exercise routine a nice brisk walk keeps the heart healthy as well. If all else fails and you find yourself ill do yourself and your co-workers a break and stay home and get better. It doesn’t help anyone if you are the one who spreads germs, I want you to be a Wiser Worker!

It’s your privilege and your duty!  Tomorrow is the big day…..it’s time to cast your vote on who you would like to see in office for the next 4 years. If you need to know where to vote visit www.govote.com, they will tell you where to go!

Here’s what you need to know to cast your vote:

Make sure you’re registered and bring your ID

Know where your polling place is and when it closes: Visit http://govote.org/ for the up to date information on your polling location.

Your vote matters: Here’s a fact: The 2004 election was decided by fewer than 120,000 votes in Ohio. The 2000 election came down to 537 votes in Florida. The reality is that, in 2004, more than 14 million people who were registered to vote, didn’t. When elections come down to thousands, hundreds and sometimes dozens of votes, showing up is everything.

Thinking back on lessons that stuck with me over the years, the good firm handshake stand out.  My dad always told me to make sure my handshake was firm, because it was the first impression people get of you.   Dad taught me to plant your feet, look the person right in the eye and shake their hand like you are confident in yourself. He told me that people could tell a lot about what type of person I was just by my handshake.  Looking back on it I probable dismissed it at the time but subconsciously it has stuck with me over time.

Then today I read an article that that suggests that a handshake is key to interview success.  Could my father after all of these years have been right?  Well yes it does appear that he was, and I would admit to only you that a limp handshake just does irritate me!  I almost immediately move on, part of me secretly thinks this person doesn’t have confidence in their self why should I?   Sad but true and now it’s been validated. 

So my fellow job seekers for your own best interest learn how to properly share ones hand. I thought you might need some assistance so I dug up the following information Anatomy of a Perfect Handshake:

• Speak Up: Say something when you shake hands, perhaps “It’s very nice to meet you, Mr. Franklin” or “Good to see you again.”
• Get a Grip: Your grip speaks volumes, A limp one suggests hesitance or mousiness, while a bone cruncher can seem overly enthusiastic or domineering. A medium-firm grip conveys confidence and authority.
• Dry Your Palms: Sweaty palms communicate nervousness, which can subconsciously make people feel like you’ve got something to hide.   
• Know When to Let Go: The ideal handshake lasts approximately three seconds. The hands can be gently pumped once or twice, and then it’s time to pull back your hand, even if you are still conversing.

So like my dad told me many years ago a handshake does make or break a first impression make sure yours is the right one. If you can develop a solid handshake you will be one step ahead at your next job interview.

It seems that the 55 and older group has taken to the keypad for communication. Researchers at Sprint report that 20% of adults ages 55-64 send text messages, and LIKE to communicate this way.  Of that group 76% report that they use this method of communication to send messages to their children. Texting has become a fast and efficient way for parents to stay in touch with their children who often live far away.

Why the sudden texting craze?  Couple of reasons first of all it’s easy, quick and accessible, the message sender you can get the message across without any interruptions hassle, when you get a text you don’t have to call anywhere to get the message its right at your fingertips.  Guess what studies show that people are 4 times more likely to respond to a text than they are a voicemail.    I remember when voicemail was a luxury now for me it’s a hassle.

As a manager I use texting as a method of communication because it’s a quick non intrusive way to get my message across and they can look at the message at their pace when they have time and respond at their own pace.   In addition to texting  WiserWorker.com has made it easier to look for a job. For now you can enjoy all the great articles from that contribute to this site is an easy to read and navigate mobile version. Now you can enjoy the WW Blog on the train, the bus, at the doctor, in the park or anywhere that life takes you.

How do I get this information on my cell phone you are require to have internet access on your cell phone’s plan. Please consult with your mobile carrier if you are unsure.

1. On your mobile web browser, head on over to http://wiserworkerblog.mofuse.mobi/
2. Follow the instructions!

Texting makes it easy to communicate with those you need to and stay in touch with your world.

Today’s a big day for older job seekers; you just got another tool that will help you find a job: AARP Foundations WorkSearch.  Whether you’re looking to re-enter the workforce or upgrade from your current job WorkSearch and WiserWorker.com is the place for you! Regardless of why you are returning to the workforce WorkSearch is a great place to start.

Exploring Your Options 

Jobseekers can begin their journey by exploring possible job options and learning what job is for you.

Assessing Your Skills and Interests 

As a jobseeker returning to the job market you might be ready to jump right in, but wait take the time to assess your situation and learn what skills you have.

Improving Your Skills 

You might want to sharpen the skills before you jump right in or maybe learn all new skills.

Finally Finding a Job 

Don’t know where to begin your job search? There are over 20 websites catering to older job seekers among the leaders WiserWorker.com.

The job market is a big place, before you start your job search visit WorkSearch and then WiserWorker.com to find a job.

Good Luck!