Fun Facts Friday

Interview Bloopers!

We've all been interviewed for jobs. And, we've all spent most of those interviews thinking about what not to do. Don't bite your nails. Don't fidget. Don't interrupt. Don't belch. If we did any of the don'ts, we knew we'd disqualify ourselves instantly. But some job applicants go light years beyond this. A survey of top personnel executives of 100 major American corporations turned up these stories of unusual behavior by job applicants.

The low lights:

1. "... stretched out on the floor to fill out the job application."

2. "She wore a Walkman and said she could listen to me and the music at the same time."

3. " A balding candidate abruptly excused himself. Returned to office a few minutes later, wearing a hairpiece."

4. "... asked to see interviewer's resume to see if the personnel executive was qualified to judge the candidate."

5. "... announced she hadn't had lunch and proceeded to eat a hamburger and french fries in the interviewer's office - wiping the ketchup on her sleeve"

6. "Stated that, if he were hired, he would demonstrate his loyalty by having the corporate logo tattooed on his forearm."

7. "Interrupted to phone his therapist for advice on answering specific interview questions."

8. "When I asked him about his hobbies, he stood up and started tap dancing around my office."

9 . "At the end of the interview, while I stood there dumbstruck, went through my purse, took out a brush, brushed his hair, and left."

10. "... pulled out a Polaroid camera and snapped a flash picture of me. Said he collected photos of everyone who interviewed him."

11. "Said he wasn't interested because the position paid too much."

12. "While I was on a long-distance phone call, the applicant took out a copy of Penthouse, and looked through the photos only, stopping longest at the centerfold."

13. "During the interview, an alarm clock went off from the candidate's brief case. He took it out, shut it off, apologized and said he had to leave for another interview."

14. "A telephone call came in for the job applicant. It was from his wife. His side of the conversation went like this: "Which company? When do I start? What's the salary?" I said, "I assume you're not interested in conducting the interview any further." He promptly responded, "I am as long as you'll pay me more. "I didn't hire him, but later found out there was no other job offer. It was a scam to get a higher offer."

15. "His attaché [case] opened when he picked it up and the contents spilled, revealing ladies' undergarments and assorted makeup and perfume."

16. "Candidate said he really didn't want to get a job, but the unemployment office needed proof that he was looking for one."

17. "... asked who the lovely babe was, pointing to the picture on my desk. When I said it was my wife, he asked if she was home now and wanted my phone number. I called security."

Find more here: CLICK HERE

Top Job Thursday

Developmental Services Worker

Description

A Developmental Services Worker supports individuals who have a developmental disability to enhance their ability to function within all aspects of community living. Duties may include:

• Completing and maintaining client history and background forms
• Participating in the development and implementation of person directed plans
• Supporting individuals to develop and maintain relationships within the family and community
• Managing individual medication
• Developing and applying crisis intervention strategies
• Responsible for modeling and promoting a healthy lifestyle and maintaining a safe environment

Personal Qualities

• You like working with others
• You are cooperative
• You enjoy helping people
• You are able to sit for long periods of time
• You enjoy developing and implementing plans
• You are able to use computers and other technologies
• You have strong communication skills
• Review the Essential Skills profile for additional qualities required: click here

Career Opportunities

• Many Developmental Service Workers work for school boards, group homes or in private homes
• Some workers may be employed by the government and/or community agencies

Educational/Training Requirements

• The minimum entry for apprenticeship is Grade 12
• Completion of a 3,720 hour apprenticeship program is required

Potential Earnings

• Apprentices progress towards a journeyperson's wages over time
• Wages generally range from $13.00 to $28.65 an hour, excluding overtime, with journeypersons usually earning the higher end of the pay scale

Prospects For Employment

• Employment is expected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations through the year 2009
• Most employment opportunities for this occupation are found in the service sector, primarily in non-institutional health services such as community mental health and addictions clinics
• Job opportunities may also be found in the private sector

For more information: CLICK HERE

Weekly Feature Wednesday

Position Type:

On-campus Part-Time Employment (AVAILABLE TO LOYALIST STUDENTS ONLY)

Job Title:

Public Relations Work Study Student

Job Location:

Room 3H1E

Employment Category:

Work Study Student

Job Description:

Public Relations Work Study Student

Less than 10 hours per week

1 position
Start Date: 9/6/2011 End Date: 4/20/2011

•Work and collaborate with staff in College Advancement & External Relations
•Event development planning/fundraising – United Way, etc.
•Assisting with Media monitoring
•General office duties - filing, data entry
•Social Media (Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Blogger)
•Other duties as required by College Advancement & External Relations

HOURS:
Flexible hours based on the student’s schedule, approximately 10 hours per week, Monday to Friday. Most hours are between 8:30 and 4:30.

OTHER:
This position will offer the opportunity for growth in the areas of written and oral communication, event management, time management/priority setting skills, and computer skills.

Job Requirements:
Applicants should possess excellent organizational and interpersonal skills as well as event development planning and fundraising skills. Computer skills (Microsoft Office applications, Social Media) are also an asset.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:
To be eligible for this position you must be Work Study approved.
Application Procedure:
Employer in person

Application Material Required:
Cover Letter
Resumé

Additional Application Information:
Department: College Advancement & External Relations Officer
email: ecappuccitti@loyalistc.on.ca
ext: 2392
FAX: 613-969-7902
Contact Name: Edina Cappuccitti

Department Manager: Dianne Spencer

Application Deadline: Sep 28, 2011 11:59PM

Tip of the Day Tuesday

Tips for Internship Success

Your internship experience is one of the most important pieces of the foundation you are laying for a successful career. Since the professional world can be very different from university life, it is important that you have an understanding of some of the differences. Use these tips to help you make the most of this valuable experience.

• Clarify expectations about the internship: both the employers and yours. It is a good idea to agree upon your job responsibilities in writing.

• Take advantage of the transition time at the beginning of your internship and ask lots of questions. You are not expected to know what is going on right away, but the faster you learn the ins and outs of daily life on the job, the better off you'll be.

• Meet regularly with your supervisor to ensure that both of your expectations are being met. This is a good way for you to get feedback on your performance and helps to keep you on track with current and future assignments.

• First impressions are very important, as is maintaining good ones. It is important for you to dress, speak, write, and generally behave like a professional. Shake hands, make eye contact, smile, and be friendly and confident.

• Be observant and ask questions about appropriate behavior at the work place. Different organizations have different expectations regarding employee behavior and it is important that you learn about and conform to the corporate culture. This can include issues such as appropriate clothing, demeanor with customers, personal phone calls, and where to park your car. If you aren't sure if it's OK to eat the donuts in the company kitchen, ask first. When in doubt, err on the conservative side.

• Focus on your communication skills, both written and verbal. Proofread your written work carefully. When communicating with your coworkers choose respectful, tactful, and professional language at all times.

• Show up to work on time, when you are expected. Call if you are going to be sick or late. Don't be sick or late often. Choose your sick days with care; it will be noticed if you are not at work on important days.

• Establish good relationships with your coworkers. Be friendly, polite, helpful, and sensitive. It's good to talk with your coworkers and get to know them but beware of gossiping and complaining. Be careful about bringing personal business to work, and be sure that what you do discuss is fit for public consumption.

• Be easy to work with. Accept assignments without complaint, ask for more work when assignments are completed, and turn out good quality work. Listen carefully to instructions and ask for clarification. Learn to work as a team; be respectful of input from other team members and practice the art of compromising.

• When you leave, be sure to ask your supervisor for a letter of recommendation and keep in touch so that you can call upon him/her later when you are in need of a reference. This will also help your supervisor keep you in mind when future opportunities arise.

For more information CLICK HERE

Making It Big Monday

Top Ten Tips to Stand Out in the Workplace

Many of us have a strong desire to receive positive recognition for work that we perform. It's natural and a part of human nature. In order to receive deserved praise, however, you must first take pride in the work you do; once you are able to do that, the recognition will naturally follow.

Fortunately, no matter what your occupation, everyone has the opportunity to gain positive recognition in the workplace. The following is a list of the top ten things that you can do in order to stand out in your workplace.

1. Do more than what is expected.
It is so easy to say 'It's not my job' when you're given a task that you don't normally perform; however, by going above and beyond your everyday duties, you are demonstrating initiative and drive.

2. Be a team player.
Don't become an annoyance by refusing to work well with others. Consider tightening up your social skills and volunteering for committees in order to gain shine in your boss's eyes.

3. Use work time effectively and responsibly.
It's very tempting to surf the Internet or gab on the phone with a friend while sitting at your desk, but don't do it! You are wasting company money and time, and you risk being caught and labeled a slacker.

4. Dress the part.
There's an old saying about if you want something, 'you've got to dress the part' and that is definitely true in the workplace. Make sure your appearance says 'professional' and not 'loaf' in order to be regarded as a serious employee.

5. Don't use profanity or off-color language.
Using foul language or denigrating remarks can paint you as being a rude and offensive employee. A definite no-no.

6. Don't participate in office politics or gossip.
If you are engaging in gossip and other similar behavior, most likely others will come to regard you as petty and untrustworthy in the workplace.

7. Be dependable.
You should always strive to meet deadlines and keep the promises you make so that others will view you as a reliable employee.

8. Participate in meetings.
Voicing your opinion and ideas says that you've got confidence and convictions.

9. Smile.
Even when it's the last thing you feel like doing, still smile -- and others will smile with you.

10. Seek opportunities to learn new skills and maintain old ones.
Don't make the mistake of becoming a dinosaur; keep yourself marketable by remaining current in your profession.

As you can see, standing out from the crowd and achieving positive recognition is easy for anyone with the desire to do so!

Written by Cathy Warschaw, Director of the Warschaw Learning Institute. Click here to learn more.