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.   

There’s no better time than now to start the application process. You know what type of job you want, you have found the right company to place an application with, but wait: Is it better to apply for a multiple jobs?  My answer is YES; in the current labor market you will get the biggest value for your job search if you apply for multiple jobs with different companies in the same industry. For instance if you want to work in retail I would apply for numerous retail outlets perhaps Target, Kmart, Wal-Mart. Just keep accurate notes of where you applied for jobs so when recruiters contact you, you sound organized.  

So you have chosen the job you want to apply for maybe you found a posting on WiserWorker.com. Remember: you need to be just as prepared for an online application as you are for an interview.  Sure it’s less pressure because it’s a computer screen rather than a live person. Because of this little fact you need to be sure to give as much information as possible to the online application,   you want the recruiter to get the spark from your resume and call you for the job they are hiring for.

Get the spark going fill out the best possible online application, do that and the job will materialized.

Part 3

I thought it might be helpful to explain the difference between online applicant profiles and online applications, there is a difference and you need to understand it.

Online Applicant Profile- Companies have the ability to build their search database of applicants by allowing the job seeker to enter your information into their database.  Recruiters often shop these online databases for candidates before they even post positions.  It’s not uncommon for a company to require you to create an online profile before completing an application, usually after you create an online profile then you can “shop” for jobs that are open within that company and then quickly apply for those jobs.  

Job Application- Usually when you fill out an application it’s for a specific position, and once that position is filled your application is archived. Applications are time sensitive and job specific.

Important - a profile is long term permanent record with that company where as a application is for one specific job opening.

It’s in your best interest to create online applicant profiles at the job boards you are most comfortable with such as WiserWorker.com.  Our employers visit our applicant profiles often looking for job seekers just like YOU. Click on this link to start your applicant profile.

Good Luck!

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.

Earlier this year and a wise man said to a large group of people “Tough Times Don’t Last, but Tough People Do” at the time this statement struck me as profound, but today it means more to me than it did on that day.  Our labor market is in what I can only describe as tough times, I also know we are a nation of determined people. The answer: job seekers need to dig in and ask am I a tough person?  In this labor market the tough people will prosper and will professionally survive.  

If you are a job seeker you need to get tough. It’s a essential for survival in the workplace.  You might ask yourself what does it mean to be a tough job seeker. As a person who works with job seekers and employers daily, I think a tough job seeker might possess these attributes:

Confident in their abilities to succeed

Aggressive - know what you want and they go after it

Skilled - a full profile of abilities to enhance your resume

Determined to be the best candidate!

Innovative– create solutions without supervision

Mentor – have the desire to share your knowledge with others.

Problem Solver – ability to solve a problem on your own

Diverse Experience - years of life learned skills.

If you’re not already become a tough person, when you apply for a position go into confidently. When you interview for a job put your best foot forward, highlight how you intend to make the company you are interviewing with a better place.  Don’t place all your focus on the negative rather highlight the positive.  The media tends to report on the negative because let’s face it that’s what sells.

Hang in there; what I can tell you is WiserWorker.com places new postings on our site every day. We strive to provide you with up to date information.  I can also tell you that people just like you are using online job boards more now than ever.  I can guarantee you WiserWorker.com is here to stay and wait out the storm with you because we are an organization made up of tough people who are here to help you the tough job seeker.  

In case you were curious, Jeff Littlejohn is the wise man who said “Tough Times Don’t Last, but Tough People Do” to our group. He is our leader and one tough guy.

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 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.

Don’t get sucked in too crisis mode; The purpose of this blog is to provide valuable insight on improving your life through finding financial security.   In short our mission is to help job seekers find jobs and it’s the hope of WiserWorker.com that job seekers with jobs will be able to achieve financial security.  

Pretty cut and dry, right?  Not so much, the media repeatedly reports what’s wrong with the economy complete with all doom and gloom, you can stomach. For instance; just this morning on MSNBC.com there was an article titled “Hard times have some flirting with survivalism” which essentially talks about people panicking and hording food, the person that was interviewed for the article (who refused to give his real name) was quoted as saying he felt we were “entering the Greater Depression.” Doesn’t it speak volumes that the interview subject doesn’t want to give his name?  

My point, yes let’s get back to jobs and the mission….don’t you think it would serve the American people better by talking about how we can fix the situation we are in?  How you can prevent further doom and gloom? Oh I don’t know maybe let’s talk about how we can create more jobs or maybe how people can find a job with the skills they have or learn new skills to find different jobs. Let’s focus on how to fix the problem and not how to survive as the world gets worse. We have an obligation to each other to get out of the situation.

How can you help?  Well start with the basics: Stay focused, keep your resume updated keep your eyes open and figure out how you can make a positive impact on the situation.  For me I am going to make sure I have the best possible website for jobseekers and provide as many resources as I can.

I am reminded of something I read by Helen Keller “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.”