Wiser Worker Blog

Over the weekend something pretty amazing happened The Arizona Cardinals earned a trip to the Super Bowl. Being an Arizona native this is a day I have been waiting for and waiting literally for years…..but on Sunday January 18, 2009 it happened the Arizona Cardinals are on their way to Tampa, Florida. And you know what it’s exciting; even if you aren’t a football fan it’s exciting. The Arizona Cardinals and especially Kurt Warner have reminded me that if you think you can…YOU CAN.

What you may or may not know is that at the beginning of the season Kurt Warner was brought in to be our backup quarterback and there was all the usual speculation that he was too old to play and especially too old to be a NFL quarterback.  I remember thinking “this guy must LOVE the sport to be still doing it”. He took it in stride and said he wanted to be a team player.   Pretty soon he was our starting quarterback and the magic just happened.

Kurt Warner knew he wasn’t too old to be a NFL quarterback and he went out there and proved it to anyone who had doubts about his ability. My wish for you is that when you are looking for jobs think about Kurt Warner and what he has accomplished, and how he accomplished it.  I have no doubt that is was hard from him, but if you look at his story nothing has come easy for him and he always charges ahead.

Ask for help and look for guidance, WiserWorker.com and The AARP Foundation are here with as many services as you can utilize. It’s not always about what you can do but more about what you THINK you can do. So shed the limitations and get out there the job market needs job seekers just like YOU!

Because I work on the wild and exciting world of recruitment I often find myself being asked industry related questions from friends, family and yes the out of work job seeker.  Over the last few weeks I have found myself answering the same type questions over and over – at an alarming rate. It’s the nature of this question that has now become the subject of today’s blog.  

The Question: “When I am looking for a job is it okay to pay for an interview?” or “Do I need to pay for job leads?”  NO and not only that it’s absolutely NOT okay.    

Folks, you are looking for job a place where you will earn a paycheck, a company that is going to pay you for your wisdom and experience. Let me make myself clear……YOU DO NOT NEED TO PAY ANYONE FOR A JOB! 

Example of a possible scam:

“Help wanted: International development firm offers once-in-a-lifetime job opportunity. Enthusiastic team leaders from any professional field are encouraged to apply. We have already won several government contracts and are looking for adventurous self-starters like you! Six-figure salary. Send resume and $500 application fee to secure an interview today!”

Everything up to the send $500.00 to secure an interview is probably okay, however I personally hate the six figure salary comment, but this alone isn’t cause for alarm. In case I haven’t made myself clear you never have to pay for an interview and yes folks I used the word NEVER.

Red flags that should alert you to the presence of a job scam include:

1.    Request for bank account numbers. Never give personal bank account, PayPal, or credit card numbers to an employer.

2.    Job applicants are asked to fax a copy of their driver’s license to the “employer” as proof of qualification.

3.    A contact email address that is not a primary domain. For example, an employer calling themselves “Employment Guide” and they have Yahoo! email address. This could be a sign. 

4.    Misspellings and grammatical mistakes in the job ad

5.    Asking for upfront money….never ever a good sign.

Staffing Agencies: In case you are wondering how staffing agencies work generally a company who is seeking employees pays the staffing agency to find employees. The money is only exchanged between the staffing agency and the employer NOT the job seeker.

As a general rule of thumb if it feels wrong it probably is wrong. Good firms would never ask you to send or pay money.  In my experience of job search I have never had to pay to get a job. So adopt this policy if anyone asks you to pay for an interview then politely or maybe not so politely decline.  I assure you there are better opportunities to be found just about anywhere but of course start your search at WiserWorker.com. 

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.   

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!

Everyday businesses across the United States make decisions, some tough and some are easy. Hiring new employees are one of the most difficult decisions managers have to make. Why? Well if you hire the wrong candidate you run the risk of actual hurting your business.  When you hire someone you are actually hiring people to represent you and your business. Still need convincing?  Here are the obvious outcomes of hiring the wrong candidate:

1. Conflict:  How much of your time is spent trying to get employees to communicate more effectively with you or their co-workers. 

2. Poor Productivity: This is the number one business issue today.  

3. Errors: Some people have the competencies to be trained quickly, continue processing new information and multi-task. Others don’t and create the costly errors that their teammates are forced to solve.

4. Lost Customers & Sales:  You know when you’re business is experiencing conflict, apathy, low motivation and errors. So do your customers; and they won’t put up with it.

If you really care about YOUR customers that keep you in business, stop hiring the wrong people and stop losing clients to your competitors.  The topic at hand is WHY should employers hire older workers?  Today I learned a pretty amazing statistic about the older jobseeker.

The turnover rate for employees under 30 is six times greater than that of employees that are over 50.

Do you need any more proof you need older workers for your business?  Email me I will help you, in your mission to hire older workers.