Part Time Work Can Turn Into a Career

office setup

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Many people struggle with trying to find the right balance of work in their life. Whether you are a student or a single parent, it might be tough for you to work full-time. The down side to your part-time job is that there are often very few solid opportunities for people to get the pay and the comfort of benefits from a job you can’t work at 40 hours a week.

That’s why finding the right kind of company is essential in turning your part-time work into a career you can feel safe and secure in. There are companies out there, like Cricket, that offer full time benefits for employees who only work 30 hours a week. This is a great deal for a mother or student who needs that third day off in the week.

Of course, beside the benefit of getting a Cricket Android phone and working for Cricket, there are other companies you could work for. Taking a look online or visiting a company’s website should help you determine what companies have good benefits for the part-time worker.

You should know that when starting this job you will have to wait the normal waiting period. Usually a company requires that you wait 90 days to one year before you can receive full health benefits. How long the waiting period is depends entirely on the company that you choose to work for.

Now that you know these great benefits exist, there is no reason not to go after them. Your part-time job could be your full-time comfort and security. Start looking today.

 

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Advice for interviewing

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We have all had an interview for a potential job more then once in our work history, but being able to land that potential job from the interview is what you need to know.  The following will give you tips and advice of how to have the smoothest interview.

Role play with a friend or family member.  Have them ask you possible interview questions, record it and play it back.  Listen to your responses and see and listen for yourself how you think you did in answering the questions.

Study the potential company.  Try to research and study as much as possible about the company you are interviewing with. Becoming knowledgeable about the company may need all you need to land a job.

Be prepared to answer questions with regards to your skills.  You might have to elaborate on a specific time where you went above and beyond to make a customer happy.  You might have to explain to your potential employer your weaknesses.  Compile of list of possible answers from questions they might ask you, that way you have them readily available when the time comes.

It is extremely vital to always be on time for an interview.  It’s always best to arrive a few minutes prior to your interview.  Don’t forget to bring with you a few extra copies of your resume as well as any references you might have.

Dress to impress.  It is not recommend to come to an interview wearing jeans or shorts.  You should consider dressing nice, as the first impression is always the last impression.

Be Financially Prepared

Being financially prepared for every situation can be difficult. You can never tell when something bad is going to happen, like a job loss or a change in employment status, such as lack of temp work. It is important to consistently hone your skill set and build on your strengths in your career field so you can be a valuable asset in the ever changing job market.

Depending on the situation you are financially preparing for, whether it is the birth of a baby, buying a house, or simply paying off debt to ensure long term financial security, you should know what goes into each of these situations. Being financially prepared for a baby can be a little easier, as you have time to adequately prepare. Most people start saving when the child is born for their college education, so that when the time comes the college money is there for them.

Buying a house can be a bit more difficult to prepare for. Saving money for a down payment can take time and sacrifice, and once you find the house you want to buy, you have to get approved for a mortgage loan. There are also closing costs to consider, and the costs involved with moving from your current residence to your new home. If you find yourself in a position where you need money quickly, Payday One is a resource that can help.

Being prepared for any financial situation can be easy if you are ready for it in advance, but if you’re not there are ways to get the money you need without harming your credit or going into debt.

 

Safe Ways to Get out of Debt

You want to get out of debt.  How do you do it and still remain sane? Fortunately, there are ways to get out of debt and still have a bit of fun. Here’s how:

  • Use cash loans for emergencies.
  • Keep a portion of your money in a savings account.
  • Pay cash for your big expenditures. If you don’t have the cash for a new couch, don’t buy it.
  • Pay off your largest credit card first and use the money on this card to double your payment to the second and so on.
  • Plan your week. Write down your activities. Find out where you are spending your money.
  • Discover the free events in your community.
  • Focus on your dream. When you pay off a credit card loan and you get that fine letter saying it’s paid off, frame it and place it on your wall.
  • Spend less than you earn. A simple concept; but one many of us struggle with.
  • Use coupons. Watch the sales. Don’t buy anything at full price.
  • Bargain shop; even for clothing.
  • Make saving a game. Get your kids involved, and add up how much they are able to save in one month.
  • Lay out all your monthly bills. Discuss with your family how much is spent on a monthly basis and how they can help.

Getting and staying out of debt is not something you can do nonchalantly or without thinking about it. Staying out of debt takes effort, planning and a fine sense of creativity—if you have the courage to use it.

The Temp Work Option – Finding Work in a Tight Economy

A Firm's Labour Demand in the Short Run

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Although the job market is slowly starting improve, there are still a lot of people looking for work. One of the overlooked sources of jobs is temping – working as a temp. In the past, temp work was considered to be for administrative and clerical jobs. That is no longer the case. There is a growing demand for a wide range of professional and technical temp assignments. There are also a growing number of temp agencies that specialize in specific employment fields.

What makes temp employment so appealing to many people is the diversity of jobs, the flexibility and the exposure to different work environments. Many temp firms provide benefits – insurance, health and holidays. According to the American Staffing Association, up to 90 percent of temp firms also provide skills training and refresher courses. As many as 90 percent of all companies use temporary employees and according to Manpower, Inc., 40 percent of these employees are hired as permanent employees at companies they are temporarily assigned to work at.

While many job seekers look down their noses at temp employment, it is a growing field that should not be ignored in a job search. In 2008, US News.com reported that the McKinsey Quarterly cited hiring temps as the third top business trend in America. The trend has continued upward because companies continue to downsize and rely of temp employees to fill staffing gaps. Job seekers who opt to explore the temp option should research and use reputable agencies and register with several of them. With a positive attitude and a willingness to try new assignments, temp employment is a great option.

The One Question to be Careful Asking During a Job Interview

There are many questions that you can ask when interviewing for a job like ‘What is the job description?’ and ‘What does your company do?’ However there is one question that should be treated very delicately. That question is ‘How much does the job pay?’ It may sound like a simple enough question but if asked at the wrong time, can hurt your chances at landing the job.

Some companies will outright state what the salary for the position is and in that case you do not have to worry. However, when a position says DOE or depends on experience, you should trend lightly on the subject. If you walk into an interview and immediately ask what it pays, some employers will assume that all you care about is money. Everyone knows that a big part of having a job is to make money, but employers also want you to like your job and want to excel at it.

Waiting until an interviewer brings up what the position pays is usually your best bet. They know that salary is a factor and will get to it when they feel it is appropriate. If the interview is coming to an end and salary has not been discussed, then would usually be an acceptable time to bring up the subject. More often than not, salary is the last thing that is negotiated.

So, remember to be careful when it comes to discussing salary before you know that you have the job. It is a subject that will eventually be discussed and it is usually best to let the employer bring it up first. Asking questions about it too early could reflect badly on you.

An Awards and Achievements Section Looks Great on a Resume

Your resume is a chance for you to showcase yourself to potential employers. While the normal sections like skills, education and experience are very important, there is another section you can add to give yourself an added advantage. If you have won any awards or have any significant achievements, you should include that information on a resume.

Employers will sort through many different applications, most of which will be people with similar qualifications. The problem they will run into is not knowing at what level the workers have performed. An awards/achievements section will help out. If you had taken the lead on a project and were recognized for your efforts or received an award for exceptional work, including this information on your resume can give you an advantage.

You do not want to overshadow other areas of your resume with this section, so only include awards or achievements that really show your accomplishments. A short description of each will suffice and you can explain them in detail during an interview. You will want to include things like being promoted quickly or having a position created for you due to your skills. Anything that shows you are a hard-worker, leader or problem-solver would be a good item to include here.

Including a section in your resume with your achievements or awards is a great way to separate yourself from other people applying for the same job as you. Keep this section short and to the point with just enough information to ‘wow’ an employer and make them want to know more. Put yourself in a class by yourself and the job offers will start rolling in.

Tips for Preparing for a Job Interview

There is nothing more exciting and nerve-racking than being called in for a job interview. You are half way to getting the job and all you can think about is what not to do to screw it up. Here are some tips for preparing for an interview.

Make sure to bring a current copy of your resume, cover letter and references with you. It is always nice to be prepared in case the interviewer needs an extra copy. It is also a good idea to bring a folder with paper and a pen, in case you need to take down any notes or information during the interview. The employer will also like to see that you are prepared for anything.

An absolute must when going to an interview is to arrive early. This is not an option. There is nothing more embarrassing and detrimental to your cause than showing up late. Avoid this at all costs by getting to the interview site 15 to 30 minutes early.  You can always wait outside if you do not want to go into the building right away, but you do not want to run in five minutes late and hinder your chances.

The last key to preparing for an interview is to make sure to dress for success. It is almost always okay to over-dress, but you never want to under-dress. A suit and tie for guys and a business formal dress or pantsuit is almost always recommended, even if the employer says that you can wear anything.

If you follow these simple guidelines your interview will be a smooth sailing. Look neat and organized and be on time, and the job is as good as yours.

Show Off Your Computer Skills on your Resume

With the boom of technology in recent years, the amount of white collar jobs has also increased steadily. If you are someone who is looking for work in an office setting, there is one set of skills that is almost always absolutely necessary. I am referring to basic computer skills. And while basic computer skills are becoming the norm, it is increasingly desirable for job applicants to have more than just basic computer skills.

Most employers assume that everyone has used a computer at some point, so it is not necessary to note basic computer skills on a resume. However, it is a good idea to put a short list of the different types of software and computer programs that you are familiar with. This can be anything from Microsoft Word to Adobe Photoshop to DVD burning software. Even if the employer has never heard of the specific program, they will assume that you probably have above average computer skills. This may not get you the job outright, but it will probably move you over to the interview pile if you were on the fence.

If you do not have much familiarity with different types of computer software, there are plenty of tutorials online. While most employers can train you on whatever they use on a day to day basis, having at least a little familiarity with different programs can do you a world of good. So, make sure to list the different types of computer programs that you have used on your resume or look around online to try out some new ones. The more you know about computers, the better your chances for finding that office job you want.

How to Best Represent Your Work Experience on a Resume

Your resume is a representation of the body of work you have completed in your professional career. It can be expected that not every job you have been hired to do will be beneficial towards future jobs, so you need to make sure your resume gives you the best advantage that it can.

You should never provide false information on a resume, but you do not need to include every single detail. Employers will often question things like gaps in employment or having many jobs over a short period of time. If this describes a portion of your work history, there could be a very valid reason for it, such as moving or attending school. However, this may be difficult to explain on a resume.

One tip for gaps in employment is to just put how long you worked at each job, like 1 year or 3 years. This will still accurately show how much work experience you have but not show that you took a year off to finish school. If you changed jobs frequently, you can put the experience that you received in your skills section and leave that information off of your list of jobs. This will give you the opportunity to have all yourinformation on the resume and if an employer has questions about it, you can explain your situation during the interview.

The idea of your resume is just to give employers a summary of what you will be bringing to the table. If they like what they see, they will be sure to ask for more details later. Your resume is just a way to get your foot in the door. Make sure that keep all the facts on the page, but arrange them in a way that is most flattering to your skills.