Weekly Feature Wednesday

Job Title:

Brand Ambassador

Position Type:

Off-campus Part-Time Employment

Job Location:

Belleville

Employment Category:

Customer Service

Job Description:

JOB OPPORTUNITY

Customer Serivce Brand Ambassador

JOB OPPORTUNITY

Customer Serivce Brand Ambassador

Time to:: LAUNCH! into the Right Job!!!

Looking for a job to utilize your social skills? Would you like to work where talking is the job? Then look no further for the perfect position is here for you!

LAUNCH! a division of CIM is currently looking for outgoing and reliable sampling promotion reps for a sampling campaign for our client a National Retail Grocery Store Chain.

Key responsibilities:

- Intercept customers capture their interest

- Interact with customers and conduct food demos

- Talk about the benefits of the product

- Reflect a positive image of the company

- Have fun!

Requirements:

- Experience in sales/promotion an asset

- Outgoing and engaging individual

- Ability to start conversations with many types of customers

- Strong communication and interpersonal skills

- Ability to stand for 6 hour shifts and some light lifting

- Comfortable using a computer/ internet for reporting

Location: High Profile National Grocery Store Chain

PAY: $11.00 - $13 per hour

Position: Part time hours are average of 13 per week depending on the month - Starts asap!!

Benefits: Join one of “Canada’s 50 best managed companies”; Paid Training

Work with a dynamic and experienced team.

For an interview, send your resume to dave.mago@launchthis.com

:: LAUNCH! A division of CIM www.launchthis.com

Founded in 2004, LAUNCH! Is a brand communication agency with a core expertise in promotional and experiential brand campaigns. Recognized as one of Canada’s Top 50 Hottest Agencies in 2004 and Top 100 Fastest Growing Agencies in 2005 & 2006 and the only one in the Industry to be named one of Canada’s 50 Best Managed companies for 9 years in a row, LAUNCH! delivers measurable and award-winning results for Fortune 500 clients.

Requirements:

- Experience in sales/promotion an asset

- Outgoing and engaging individual

- Ability to start conversations with many types of customers

- Strong communication and interpersonal skills

- Ability to stand for 6 hour shifts and some light lifting

- Comfortable using a computer/ internet for reporting

Salary:

$11 - $13

Application Procedure:

Employer Email

dave.mago@launchthis.com

Application Material Required:

Resumé

Organization:

Consumer Impact Marketing

Division:

LAUNCH!

Job Contact:

Dave Mago

Contact Title:

Sourcing Specialist

Phone:

(416)847-2361

Website:

www.launchthis.com or www.simweb.com

Address:

191 The West Mall suite 300

Toronto

Ontario

Canada

Application Deadline: Dec 22, 2011 11:59PM

Tip of the Day Tuesday

Don't Make These Top 10 Interview Blunders

1. Don't Prepare
Not being able to answer the question "What do you know about this company?" might just end your quest for employment, at least with this employer. Background information including company history, locations, divisions, and a mission statement are available on most company websites.

2. Dress Inappropriately
Dressing inappropriately can work both ways. You will certainly want to wear a suit if you are interviewing for professional position. When interviewing for a summer job at your local theme park or as a lifeguard, for example, dress accordingly in neat and casual attire.

3. Poor Communication Skills
It's important to communicate well with everyone you meet in your search for employment. Especially be sure to positively connect with the person who might hire you. Shake hands, make eye contact, exude confidence and engage the person you are speaking with. This will let the interviewer know that you are an excellent candidate for this position, before you even answer an interview question.

4. Too Much Communication
A recent candidate for employment (who didn't get the job) didn't hesitate to answer his cell phone when it rang during an interview. Leave the phone behind or at least turn it off before you enter the building. Same goes for coffee, food and anything else other than you, your resume, your job application, and your list of references.

5. Talk Too Much
There is nothing much worse than interviewing someone who goes on and on and on... The interviewer doesn't need to know your whole life story. Keep your answers succinct, to-the-point and focused.

6. Don't Talk Enough
It's really hard to communicate with someone who answers a question with a word or two. Even though you shouldn't talk too much, you do want to be responsive and fully answer the question as best you can.

7. Fuzzy Facts
Even if you have submitted a resume when you applied for the job, you may also be asked to fill out a job application. Make sure you know the information you will need including dates of prior employment, graduation dates, and employer contact information.

8. Give the Wrong Answer
Make sure you listen to the question and take a moment to gather your thoughts before you respond.

9. Badmouthing Past Employers
So you hated your job and couldn't wait to leave? Even if it's true don't say so. It's sometimes a smaller world than you think and you don't know who your interviewer might know, including the boss you never liked... You also don't want the interviewer to think that you might speak that way about his or her company if you leave on terms that aren't the best.

10. Forget to Follow Up
Be sure to always follow up with a thank you note reiterating your interest in the position and the company.

By Alison Doyle, To view the original article CLICK HERE

Making It Big Monday

6 Tips for Moving Your Career Forward

1. Be in control. In order to move forward in your career, it is important to recognize you are in control. If you are determined to get ahead in your career, eager to be acknowledged for your dedication, and interested in receiving better opportunities, it is up to you to make a move. Be proactive!

2. Make goals. One of the best ways to better your career is to distinguish the goals you want to achieve. These can be short- or long-term goals. Be sure you write them down no matter how far ahead in the future they may be. It is easier to reach something if you believe it is attainable.

3. Update your resume regularly. This cannot be stressed enough! You always want your resume to be current in case an opportunity arises. Also consider if your resume reflects your personal brand. Your resume is not only an indication of you as an individual, but also of your career as a whole.

4. Stay up-to-date. It is a good idea to always remain current with your career goals, resume, and most of all, the industry you’re in or interested in. This might mean learning more about a certain product or technology, or even picking up on programming language that is significant to your industry. You want to be reliable and knowledgeable when it comes to the business you’re in.

5. Develop more skills. While staying up-to-date, it is good to develop the necessary skills for your career. If you stay current, then you will always know if you need to be learning new concepts. You could take a class at a local community college, or even watch online tutorials. Whatever it may be, it is essential to always educate yourself.

6. Network. You always want to be expanding your network. Many communities and cities hold networking events for different industries, so be on the lookout. 80 percent or more of your job search should be spent offline!

By Heather Huhman, To view the original article CLICK HERE

Fun Facts Friday

Don't answer questions like these job interview candidates did!

Q. Why should I hire you?
A. Because they say you should always hire people who are better than you.

Q. Why do you want this job?
A. So I can have a front for my more lucrative activities.

Q. What do you remember about your life as a child?
A. The courts promised to suppress all that after I turned 18. Why do you want to know?

Q. Who do you admire most in history?
A. The Three Stooges. Q. Why?
A. Because when someone asked them a stupid question, they smacked the idiot in the face.

Q. What five or six adjectives best describe you?
A. Really, really, really, really, really cool.

Q. What can you tell me about your creative ability?
A. I think my answers to most of your questions are pretty good indicators.

Q. Tell me about you as a team player?
A. Teamwork is OK, as long as other people don't get in the way.

Q. Are you willing to take a drug test as part of your employment?
A. Sure. What kind of drugs do I get to test?

Q. Did your grade-point average reflect your work ability?
A. Absolutely. Maximum results for minimum effort has always been my goal.

Q. Do you consider yourself to be a smart person?
A. No. But I'm the only person in the world with that opinion.

Q. What is your greatest weakness?
A. Three-foot putts for par.

Q. How do you handle change?
A. I usually put it in a jar in my sock drawer.

Q. Can you supervise people?
A. Sure. Tell people what to do, then kick their butts if they don't do it.

Q. Describe your management style.
A. Don't do anything you can make someone else do for you.

Q. How do you go about setting an example?
A. I never let anyone catch me sleeping in my office.

Q. How would your subordinates describe your management style?
A. Who cares.

Q. How do you define a "problem person"?
A. Anyone who disagrees with me.

Q. Are you a good communicator?
A. Huh?

To view the original article CLICK HERE

Top Job Thursday

10 Steps to Become a Personal Fitness Trainer

1. Decide if You Have What It Takes-Personal trainers need to have a multitude of skills. You should be patient, analytical, persistent, nurturing, organized, an effective motivator and a good listener. You should love working with different kinds of people and be a self-motivator. You should definitely lead a healthy lifestyle to be a good role model for your clients.

2. Choose a Certification - There are a variety of certifying organizations, each offering different classes, workshops and exams for getting certified. You'll want to choose an organization that is nationally recognized and accredited. If you already have a club in mind, call and ask them what certifications they require. If you don't know where you'll work, take some time to research organizations: How much the certification costs, what the pre-requisites are, if they offer a workshop/exam in your area or a home study program.

3. Choose a specialty - This isn't required, but in this competitive market, many fitness trainers are boosting their resumes by getting specialty certifications. Getting a specialty certification means you have more to offer and, even better, you can usually charge a little more for your services.

4. Get a Job at a Club - Using your local phone book, call some clubs in your area and ask them if they employ personal trainers. If they say yes, ask about availability of jobs and the procedure for filling out an application. You can also visit some of the major clubs on the Internet and see what jobs they have open.

5. Setting Up Your Own Business - Briefly, setting up your home business requires: Choosing a business entity (i.e., sole proprietorship, partnership, etc.), choosing a business name, registering your company, getting liability insurance, setting up your gym (if you're training from your own home), targeting potential clients, and marketing yourself.

6. Market Yourself - Once you get things going, it's time to get your name out to the masses. This means making flyers, newsletters, business cards, a website or even setting up neighborhood seminars to bring in the business. Be prepared to hawk your wares anywhere you can: posting flyers in sporting goods stores,getting friends and family members to spread the word and sending out flyers and newsletters to people you know. Offering free consultations and seminars is a great way to get people in the door.

7. Improve Your Skills and Education - Continuing education. It's a dirty job, but if you want to keep your certification and be good fitness trainer, you'll have to do it.

8. Become Indispensable to Your Clients - Being successful at this job takes work, talent, skill and experience. Getting a certification is no guarantee that you'll either get clients or, more importantly, be able to keep those clients.

9. Other Options - You don't have to work in a gym or even work for yourself. Personal fitness trainers work in all kinds of different areas: corporate fitness, cruises, resorts, spas, online training and more.

10. Beyond Personal Training - Once you're an established fitness trainer, there are even more opportunities available to you. You can consider consulting, fitness writing, athletic coaching (with the proper education), group fitness instruction or even opening your own gym. Whatever you choose, you'll find that being a personal trainer provides everything you love in a job.

To view the original article CLICK HERE

Weekly Feature Wednesday

Job Title:

Animator

Job Location:

Work From Home

Employment Category:

Arts/Culture/Heritage/Language

Job Description:

Virtual Team Builders is a young, fast-growing training company. We specialize in training geographically-dispersed teams reach their maximum potential through coaching, designing and consulting solutions.

We want an animator to join our team for a marketing project. The ideal candidate should have strong animation, design, and illustration skills.

This person would be working from home and responsible for crafting short, educational videos on the subject of virtual teams, and developing a book of educational comics. This project would take place over several months, and requires a humorous person who’s great at telling stories. If you have a passion for illustration, and animation, send your resumes to info@virtualteambuilders.com.

Please note that this is an unpaid internship, however, this is an excellent opportunity to gain work experience in a business environment and develop your skills. Also, you will be able to receive a Reference Letter from a CFO of Fortune 500 company for your accomplishments.

Job Requirements:

-illustration skills

-animation skills

-sense of humour

Application Procedure:

Employer Email

If by email, send to:

info@virtualteambuilders.com

Application Material Required:

Cover Letter

Resumé

Organization:

Virtual Team Builders

Job Contact:

Claire Sookman

Contact Title:

Principal

Phone:

(M3H 4Y2)416-398-5160

Website:

http://www.virtualteambuilders.com/

Email:

info@virtualteambuilders.com

Address:

35 Canyon Ave

Toronto

Ontario

Canada
Application Deadline: Dec 15, 2011 11:59PM

Tip of the Day Tuesday

Top Ten Job Interview Tips

It’s a tough job market out there today and getting the job you want requires more than just a killer resume. You can’t just sell yourself on paper but have got to be able to do it in person...in a face-to-face job interview.

Here are a few interview tips to help you make a great first impression:

1. Market your skills and related experience in the field that you are applying for. Be sure to do it in a way that is positive, but not arrogant or aggressive.

2. Research the company before your interview. It’s a great way to know where you would fit into the organization. This will also let the employer know that you really want to be a part of the company.

3. Prepare answers to common interview questions ahead of time, and practice saying them, so you aren’t stumped during the interview.

4. Dress for success, in the manner you would dress for the position you’re seeking.

5. Bring a list of your own questions with you in a folder with the company’s name on it, so that you don’t forget them. You should keep your extra resumes in there too.

6. Be a good listener and focus. Try not to talk too much during your interview.

7. Be prepared to describe your weaknesses and strengths.

8. Make eye contact with your interviewer.

9. Don’t volunteer your personal opinions to your interviewer about any subjects unless you are asked.

10. Try to establish a good rapport with your interviewer. Be casual but professional, and most importantly BE YOURSELF! Take the time to implement these interview tips before your next job hunt. It will give you a leg up on your competition.

To view the original article CLICK HERE

Making It Big Monday

Want To Stand Out At Work? Get The Small Stuff Right!

Have you ever blown off a task at work because it just seemed too small or menial to bother with? Perhaps you figure it won't matter if a few little details slip - a couple of unanswered emails, maybe, or some rushed forms that are supposed to be filled in with painstaking care. Instead of filing papers according to your office guidelines, you just keep them in a heap in your in-tray - you don't think anyone's ever going to need them.

But getting the little things right - and doing an excellent job on small tasks - can really make a difference. After all, if your boss thinks you can't be trusted to get the little things right, are you likely to be given responsibility on anything else?

Take pride in getting small tasks right:

1. Your Task Could Be Mission-Critical
   Even if something seems unimportant or insignificant to you, it might be a crucial cog in the machinery of your company.
   
   This isn't a new idea; it's been around for centuries. This old nursery rhyme illustrates the same point:
   

   For want of the nail the shoe was lost;
   For want of the shoe the horse was lost;
   For want of the horse the rider was lost;
   For want of the rider the battle was lost;
   For want of the battle the kingdom was lost;
   And all for the want of a horse shoe nail.

   Are you the person in your company losing the nail?


2. The Way You Carry Out The Task Matters
   If the procedure you're supposed to use seems like a ridiculous amount of effort, ask your manager for the reasons behind it. There may be a perfectly good rationale about why you have to fill out a form in triplicate - perhaps it'll cause a lot of hassle for the QA team or the auditors if you don't.
   
   If there really does seem to be no point to the procedure, part of doing small tasks well is to get it changed! It'll make things easier both for you and your colleagues.
   
   Don't just assume that a complex procedure means your boss or manager is trying to be a pain. They don't want to waste your time on trivia - after all, they pay you!
   


3. You're Showing Diligence and Reliability
   Taking care over little tasks really can impress a boss or manager. If you're the one in your team who always fills in forms right, always cheerfully volunteers to do the mailouts, and never has a stack of unfiled papers heaped around the desk - you'll be sending out great signals.
   
   Assuming that you want your boss to see you as organized, diligent and reliable, taking care with small jobs can only create a great impression.
   
   Even if you're not in a traditional employed job, the same applies. If you're a freelancer, then customers will be more likely to re-hire you if you deal with the little things as well as the big ones - for example, getting back to their emails promptly and professionally.
   
   If you're a student, doing a good job on the minor aspects of your course - showing up to lectures, preparing for seminars, getting essays turned in on time and with appropriate paperwork completed - can really help you shine in your teacher's mind when they come to write a reference for you!
   


4. You Get Personal Satisfaction From a Job Done Well
   The final reason, doesn't have anything to do with impressing your boss, colleagues or customers is simply this: you can take pride in knowing that you've taken care over a job and that you've done it to the best of your abilities.
   
   How do you feel about yourself when you know you've slacked off, ignored your responsibilities, and put in a half-assed effort? And how do you feel when you know you've done your utmost, even though the task was tedious or boring?
   
   Be proud that you're the sort of person who does things well - even when no-one else will ever know.

To view the original article CLICK HERE

Fun Facts Friday

Don't make these Resume Mistakes!

The following quotations were taken from resumes and cover letters from all over the country. With all the work and care that goes into writing these documents, it's funny, if unfortunate, when errors slip through to the final draft. Alas, such mistakes make exactly the wrong impression on exactly the wrong people.

• "Served as assistant sore manager."
• "Married, eight children. Prefer frequent travel."
• "Special skills: Experienced with numerous office machines and can make great lattes."
• "I can play well with others."
• "Accomplishments: Completed 11 years of high school."
• "Reason for leaving last job: Pushed aside so the vice president's girlfriend could steal my job."
• "Previous experience: Self-employed -- a fiasco."
• "I am quick at typing, about 25 words per minute."
  
• "Special Skills: Speak English."
• "Education: B.A. in Loberal Arts."
  
• "Education: College, August 1880 - May 1984."
• "Work History: Performed brain wave tests, 1879-1981."
• "Extensive background in public accounting. I can also stand on my head!"
• "Enclosed is a ruff draft of my resume."
• "I am a quick leaner, dependable, and motivated."
• "My salary requirement is $34 per year."
• "I vow to fulfill the goals of the company as long as I live."
• "I worked here full-time there."
• "I am relatively intelligent, obedient, and as loyal as a puppy."
• "Note: Keep this resume on top of the stack. Use all the others to heat your house."
  
• "I don't usually blow my own horn, but in this case, I will go right ahead and do so."
• "Please disregard the attached resume -- it is terribly out of date."
  
• "Here are my qualifications for you to overlook."
• "I need just enough money to have pizza every night."

To view the original article CLICK HERE

Top Job Thursday

Licensed Practical Nurse

Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) are an important part of the health care system and participate in a range of different work settings. They perform duties that may include giving injections, taking vital signs, dressing wounds, observing patients, performing basic diagnostic tests, and administering medication. They assist patients in daily living activities such as eating, dressing, exercising, bathing and so on. LPN's usually work under the supervision of registered nurses, physicians, and/or dentists. Additional training is available to allow LPNs to care for patients in specialized areas such as pediatrics, surgery/recovery, obstetrics, and psychiatry. Licensed practical nurses are often responsible for observing patients, recording their reactions to medications and treatments, and reporting the results to the head registered nurse. Individuals interested in becoming a licensed practical nurse should be intelligent, caring, tactful, and possess sound judgment. These skills, along with good health and physical stamina, are very important in this line of work. LPNs should also have a sincere interest and care for people.

Work Environment:
Licensed Practical Nurses work in a variety of health care facilities including hospitals, nursing homes, dental offices, mental health institutions, private homes, community health clinics, and public health departments.

High School Preparation:
Individuals interested in a career as a licensed practical nurse should take high school courses in biology, chemistry, algebra, psychology, emergency medical technology, first aid, health occupations/medical professions, physical education, child growth and development, foods and nutrition, computer skills, English, geometry, and history.

College Requirements:
Students entering a practical nursing program must have a high school diploma or the equivalent. An applicant must complete an accredited program and pass the National Council Licensure Examination for licensed practical nurses. Programs include classroom as well as supervised clinical practice in patient care. Individuals interested in becoming a licensed practical nurse should contact schools for information on admission and course of study.

Career Outlook:
Employment opportunities for licensed practical nurses are expected to be excellent in the years to come. Nursing schools are graduating far more LPNs than they have in the past in order to keep up with the demand in the job market. As with most other professions, the need to replace current employees will continue to be the main source of job openings. The growing elderly population, which requires more care from trained personnel, and the general growth of health care will also cause this job market to expand. Another area of exceptional growth for LPNs will be in nursing homes.

To view the original article CLICK HERE

Weekly Feature Wednesday

Job Title:
Marketing & Sales Program for Students & Grads!

Position Type:
Off-campus Summer Employment

Job Location:
Belleville, ON

Job Description:
MARKETING & SALES PROGRAM FOR STUDENTS & GRADS!

We are currently hiring students or grads who are self-motivated, entrepreneurial, and eager to challenge themselves professionally by managing select areas for one of Canada’s most successful student companies.

Are you a future business leader? Do you want to be in charge of your own crew of students and learn real business skills?

STARTING NOW:
Part-time during the school year, Full-time during summer 2012.

It’s a flexible part-time position during the school year consisting mostly of an extensive business and marketing training program that will prepare you both for this job as well as any future endeavors.

DUTIES:
1) Marketing
2) Sales
3) Staff and Project Management
4) Business Operations

Great income. No previous business or management experience is necessary but a qualified candidate will be business savvy, entrepreneurial and good with customers.

TO APPLY:
Send an email with your resume, contact information, and a brief cover letter to ontario@studentworkforce.ca

More information is available at http://www.studentworkforce.ca

REQUIREMENTS:
*Great attitude and work ethic
*Desire to run and manage your own staff of student employees
*Driver's license and vehicle
*Available Full-Time for summer 2012
Targeted Programs:
Targeted Clusters

Salary:
To Be Negotiated

Application Procedure:
Employer Website

If by Website, go to:
http://studentworkforce.catsone.com/careers/index.php?m=portal&a=details&jobOrderID=681445

Application Material Required:
Cover Letter
Resumé

Additional Application Information:
http://studentworkforce.catsone.com/careers/index.php?m=portal&a=details&jobOrderID=681445

Company Information:

Organization:
Student Workforce

Division:
Human Resources

Job Contact:
Will Stewart

Contact Title:
Student Entrepreneurship Program

Phone:
647-477-3447

Website:
http://www.studentworkforce.ca

Email:
will@studentworkforce.ca

Address:
25 Liberty Street, Suite 204
Toronto
Ontario

Application Deadline: Dec 11, 2011 11:59PM

Tip of the Day Tuesday

Top 10 Tips for Interns

Organizations seek interns who are motivated and exhibit a "go-getter" attitude. They want interns who have a strong work ethic, are dependable and work well independently and in a team environment. Following these tips may increase the likelihood that your internship could turn into a full-time job offer!

1. Meet and Greet with Everyone You Meet
Successful work relationships require excellent communication skills and a positive attitude. Your supervisors and co-workers may be immersed in projects and deadlines and not take notice that you are new to the organization.Make sure you take the initiative to introduce yourself and exhibit a positive and friendly attitude to everyone you meet, from the janitor to the CEO.

2. Do Your Research
Make it a point to do research and learn all you can about the company and industry. You can also write directly to a company for information, engage in informational interviews, contact the local Chamber of Commerce, or read local newspapers and business publications to find out more about an organization!

3. Set Personal Goals and Keep Yourself Busy
Set personal goals that you want to achieve during your internship and ask your supervisor for things to do. If you find that your work is done, ask for new projects or look to read company literature and/or professional journals. Goal setting is especially important for interns - to ensure that you gain the relevant skills employers are seeking when hiring future full-time employees.

4. Read Professional Trade Journals & Magazines
Keep up on employer information and read what the professionals are reading. Learn more about your employer, their competition, and additional information about the industry in general. Are there new trends or is there something exciting currently happening in the field? Internship success requires motivation and a true desire to learn more about the industry. Successful interns take the initiative to learn as much as possible during the short duration of their internship experience.

5. Be Prepared to do Some Grunt Work
Take the smaller tasks in stride and keep your mind focused on the big picture. You may need to make some coffee or do some filing at some point but if making coffee and filing takes up the majority of your day, it's time to speak with your supervisor about your goals and expectations of the internship. One way way to avoid this situation is to make an agreement prior to the internship outlining your responsibilities. Remember there are menial tasks included in all jobs and pitching in and doing your share will establish better teamwork and goodwill among co-workers.

6. Ask Questions
Take advantage of your student status and ask questions about everything you don't understand. Employers believe that students who ask questions are motivated and really want to learn all they can about the industry. As an intern, employers do not expect you to know everything about the job or industry. Internships are a great learning experience and the more questions you ask the more you will learn about the job and how the industry operates.

7. Find a Mentor
Learn from those you admire and develop mentoring relationships you can continue long after your internship has ended. Professionals enjoy sharing their expertise and want to assist new professionals entering the field. A good mentor is someone who is willing to share their knowledge and expertise and wants to see their mentee succeed in the field.

8. Be Professional
Maintain a professional image and avoid gossip and office politics. Maintain a positive and professional image both inside and outside the office. Maintaining professionalism while interning also means making efficient use of your time by avoiding the use of company time for personal phone calls and emails.

9. Develop Professional Relationships
Communicate with supervisors and co-workers and keep yourself in the loop of office communications. Professional relationships are key in starting a successful career. Throughout your career a professional network will help you to learn of new opportunities and offer ways to advance in your field.

10. Be Enthusiastic!
Show your enthusiasm and motivation and ask to be included in meetings and professional workshops. Enthusiastic employees tend to rub off on each other and have a positive impact on the organization as a whole. If you're looking to be hired as a full time employee after your internship ends, exhibit the qualities of an enthusiastic worker during the short time you have to make a positive impact on both your co-workers and supervisors.

To read the original article CLICK HERE

Making It Big Monday

10 Time Management Tips That Work

Practice the following techniques to become the master of your own time:

1. Carry a schedule and record all your thoughts, conversations and activities for a week. This will help you understand how much you can get done during the course of a day and where your precious moments are going. You'll see how much time is actually spent producing results and how much time is wasted on unproductive thoughts, conversations and actions.

2. Any activity or conversation that's important to your success should have a time assigned to it. To-do lists get longer and longer to the point where they're unworkable. Appointment books work. Schedule appointments with yourself and create time blocks for high-priority thoughts, conversations, and actions. Schedule when they will begin and end. Have the discipline to keep these appointments.

3. Plan to spend at least 50 percent of your time engaged in the thoughts, activities and conversations that produce most of your results.

4. Schedule time for interruptions. Plan time to be pulled away from what you're doing. Take, for instance, the concept of having "office hours." Isn't "office hours" another way of saying "planned interruptions?"

5. Take the first 30 minutes of every day to plan your day. Don't start your day until you complete your time plan. The most important time of your day is the time you schedule to schedule time.

6. Take five minutes before every call and task to decide what result you want to attain. This will help you know what success looks like before you start. And it will also slow time down. Take five minutes after each call and activity to determine whether your desired result was achieved. If not, what was missing? How do you put what's missing in your next call or activity?

7. Put up a "Do not disturb" sign when you absolutely have to get work done.

8. Practice not answering the phone just because it's ringing and e-mails just because they show up. Disconnect instant messaging. Don't instantly give people your attention unless it's absolutely crucial in your business to offer an immediate human response. Instead, schedule a time to answer email and return phone calls.

9. Block out other distractions like Facebook and other forms of social media unless you use these tools to generate business.

10. Remember that it's impossible to get everything done. Also remember that odds are good that 20 percent of your thoughts, conversations and activities produce 80 percent of your results.

To view the original article CLICK HERE

Fun Facts Friday

Handling Student Debt: 5 Tips for Future Students

Graduating high school is, undoubtedly, a big deal. With that diploma in hand, you are suddenly faced with more choices than you ever have been before. Where are you going to college? What do you want to study? Where are you going to live? How are you going to pay for it all?

This last question is a big one – and it’s getting bigger every year. Increasing tuition and housing rates, coupled with the fairly poor job market, are making it more and more difficult to get through college without acquiring a significant amount of student debt. In fact, the average member of the class of 2011 graduated with about $22,900 in student loan debt alone. That, of course, doesn’t factor in credit cards or car loans.

So what’s a starving student to do? Well, if you’ve just graduated (or are graduating soon), the good news is that you’ve got a little time to figure things out. Read on to discover some tips that can help you avoid overwhelming debt later in life.

Tip 1: Avoid it when you can.
The best way to handle debt is to not go into debt in the first place. Avoid student loans and credit cards whenever possible. The problem here is that it is incredibly easy to go into debt – especially for students. Credit card and loan offers will be coming at you left and right. Just remember that although these may present you with an “easy” solution now, they’ll come back to bite you in the end. Develop the mentality that student debt is not your friend! It should only be used as a last resort.
Tip 2: Work, work, work. Save, save, save.

Saving money is going to be a lot harder when you’re away from home, paying for things like rent and groceries on your own. Spend your last few months or years at home working hard and saving what money you can. If you have a job, determine a set amount or percentage of each paycheck to set aside for savings. Think about other options too, such as savings plans offered through your bank, and come up with something that works for you. Your savings will add up faster than you might think!

Tip 3: Find other ways to pay.
Do research –as much as you can handle – on scholarships. There are lots of them out there, and some you don’t even have to demonstrate financial aid to qualify for. Get in touch with a high school counselor, or someone in the financial aid office at your future college, to help you find applicable scholarships. Also, talk to these people about grants, which could be available depending on what field you are planning on going into.

Tip 4: Ride in (cost-conscious) style.
Shake the idea that your ride has to be the best around. If you need a car, don’t think that you have to buy something new, especially if you’re going to have to take out a loan to do so. A sensible used car (in good shape, of course) will be much cheaper and will still get the job done. If you don’t need a car, don’t get one! Most college towns have plenty of options that make a car unnecessary. Think about using public transportation, riding a bike around town, or getting a motorized scooter. You’ll save now and later – since you won’t have to buy gas!

Tip 5: Keep an eye on things.
Whether you are able to stay completely out of debt or not, make sure that you keep a close watch on your finances. Know your account and loan balances, and make sure you don’t let things get out of hand. Credit cards can be especially dangerous here, since it’s so easy to play around with money that you can’t see. If you do need to have a credit card, consider using it only for certain things, like gas or groceries, and don’t let yourself use it for anything else! This will help you keep your credit card spending in check.

For many students, it is simply impossible to get through four (or more) years of school without taking on some kind of debt. If you find yourself in this situation, don’t despair! Just make sure you are keeping everything in check by working hard, saving when you can, and not taking on any unnecessary debt. Work hard to make sure your investment remains an investment in your future rather than a future financial burden.

By Katie Harris, to view the original article CLICK HERE

Top Job Thursday

Animation as a Career

A career in animation requires strong artistic skills and a solid familiarity with the latest in computer animation technologies. It also requires the ability to turn creative thoughts into compelling images, using them to effectively communicate an idea. Is this industry right for you? Could you become an animator?

There are a number of different career paths for animators. We often think of animators as the talented artists who create the cartoons we love, either for film or movies. Animators continue to work in these areas, but increasingly, many are employed creating animated graphics for a variety of projects.

This can include websites, online advertisements and video games. Animators can find full-time employment with movie or television production companies, with advertisers, web design firms, video game companies or with animation firms. Free lance work is another option for animators, particularly those specializing in web animation. Most entry-level positions will require an animator to have a bachelors degree in a related field such as fine arts or media. There are a number of Computer Animation Schools that offer course work specifically in computer animation and associated technologies. In addition, a strong portfolio of work which a training program can help you to develop is an essential part of landing a job in computer animation and becoming an animator.

Video Game Animation:
The video game industry is exploding right now, with no slowdown in sight. Nearly all games will need a team of animators to bring the games to life. Motion capture often is being used here as well as in movies to nail down convincing character animation. Texture mapping, lighting effects, and other special effects are just as important to the success of a video games attempt to draw you in and immerse you. It might sound like many of the same elements in a feature film. That's because technology is closing in the gap, and the paying consumer demands more.

Movie & Television Production:
The full spectrum of animation in these areas is quite large. Jobs may include character animation in the form of a cartoon, logo, special effect and more. In case you haven't noticed, 3D really has taken off in the realm of computer animation and animation in general.Movies such as Lord of the Rings, Finding Nemo, the latest Star Wars prequels are all relying extensively on 3D computer animation. What would have looked fake and rigid a mere 6-7 years ago now looks photo realistic and seamless for 3D rendering and animation. Exciting techniques involving motion capture can really add to the realism of characters.

TV also offers a fair amount of opportunity in computer animation. Commercials are littered with animated logos, cats that sing, and bottles that dance etc... There are also TV movies, and obviously shows that rely on a computer artist to do some digital special effects. Some may start their animation career this way.

The Internet:
More and more, you are seeing animated advertisements dance across your screen as you're on the Internet. You go to a movie site or a band site, and you have a very good chance of seeing a flash animation. Much like other media industries, the Internet is expanding at a mind boggling rate. And with it comes new websites and advertisements that need a way to stand out. Static images don't always cut it, so why not get the attention of the viewer with animated characters or text?

An Outlook on the Computer Animation Industry
Salaried animators and multi-media artists (grouped together) are earning an average of about $44,000. In the video and motion picture industry the median salary is higher, at around $60,000. As with every career, the salaries animators earned varied greatly with their employer and their region.

Computer animation, like many creative fields, is fiercely competitive. As the web, the entertainment industry, and other multimedia outlets continue to grow, there continues to be opportunities for talented artists to work as animators. But you really need to get the proper training at one of the strong computer animation schools to be on that cutting edge that these employers seek. Not only do you get hands on training with the best equipment, but you also rub shoulders with those who know the industry well. This is just as important as the training itself.

If you are artistic, have an eye for detail, can meet tight deadlines, then maybe an animation career is what you have been waiting for. Do YOU have what it takes to become an animator?

To read the original article CLICK HERE

Weekly Feature Wednesday

Job Title:

Program Leader

Position Type:

Off-campus Part-Time Employment

Job Location:

YMCA of the City of Quinte West

Employment Category:

Social Service/Recreation/Health

Job Description:

Leading various nightly Youth Programs within the Quinte West YMCA. Programs vary between many different sports (ball, hockey, basketball, soccer etc) and to other youth programs (arts, science, culinary). A program leader works 2-3 nights per week starting at 5 O’clock, each leader will be placed where it is believed to be their strongest program. Each employee is responsible for providing a lesson plan with proper structure every week before they lead their program.

Job Requirements:

• Experience in designing physical activity programs
• Responsibility and focus on all safety standards
• Current standard CPR and first aid level C (planning on achieving it)
• Vulnerable sector police check
• Proper dress code
• Punctual

Targeted Programs:

Targeted Clusters

All Programs

Targeted Programs

Child and Youth Worker
Child and Youth Worker - Advanced Standing
Culinary Skills - Chef Training
Early Childhood Education
Early Childhood Education - Accelerated Program
Early Childhood Education - Apprenticeship
Early Childhood Education - Distance
Fitness & Health Promotion
Nursing (BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN NURSING)
Pre-Health Science
Social Service Worker (SSWA)
Social Service Worker (SSWP)

Salary:

$10.70-$11.07 per hour

Application Procedure:

Employer Email

If by email, send to:

brad_warner@YMCA.ca

If by Fax, send to:

6133948223

Application Material Required:

Cover Letter

Resumé

Organization:

YMCA of Belleville & Quinte

Job Contact:

Brad Warner

Contact Title:

Child, Youth and Family Coordinator

Phone:

(613)613-394-9622

Website:

www.ymcabellevillequinte.ca

Email:

brad_warner@YMCA.ca

Address:

50 Monogram Place

Quinte West

Ontario

Canada

Application Deadline: Dec 01, 2011 11:59PM

Tip of the Day Tuesday

Interview Follow Up Tips

Strategic job interview follow up is an essential part of job interview success. Here are some key steps to help you follow up professionally and get the job you want.

Write and send your interview thank you note within 24 hours of the initial job interview.

If you have not already done so, let your employment references know that they are likely to be contacted in the next couple of days by the company.

Give them some details about the job interview, the job itself and the company so they have an opportunity to think about what they can tell the company to highlight your suitability.

Make the appropriate follow-up call within a week or so of the job interview. For advice and tips on how to make this tough call use the detailed job interview follow up guidelines.
interview follow up

Continue with your job search, even if you are confident this is the position for you. It is never wise to rely on one job opportunity, there are no guarantees that you will definitely get the job. Knowing what other job opportunities are out there will help you when making the final decision about taking the job. You will be better able to evaluate the job offer in terms of the current job market.

You never know, a better job opportunity may also arise if you carry on searching while waiting for the hiring decision! Another job offer puts you in a position of strength when asking for feedback. In a non-threatening way, let the company or recruiter know that you have received another offer and are considering it. You can restate your interest in the initial job but ask for a definite date for the hiring decision so that you can respond to the other offer.
"Since our interview I have received another job offer. I am still very interested in your position but I would like to know when I can expect a final hiring decision. The other company have asked for my response by the end of the week."
Be patient, hiring processes often take longer than initially anticipated. Just continue with your interview follow up at timely intervals. About once a week, you can alternate between politely phoning and emailing the company and asking them the status of their hiring decision.

If you don't get the job, do not think of it as time wasted. You have made some important contacts at the company. You can send a short note to the hiring manager or human resources, thanking them for their time and asking them to keep you in mind for other suitable positions.

To view the original CLICK HERE

Making It Big Monday

Tips for Workplace Success

You've just landed your dream job: high pay and good benefits, reasonable hours, the opportunity to be a valued member of a team, and excellent perks (like the option to telecommute, reimbursement for continued education, more).

Everything is going great, but you need to resist the urge to coast. Maintain workplace success by following these guidelines:

• Know your employer's expectations. Make sure you understand company culture, job duties, employer policies.

• Be honest in EVERY instance. Resist the urge to borrow company supplies for personal use, do personal errands on company time, or pad your expense account.

• Be positive. Whether things are going well or badly, always maintain an even keel and resist the urge to complain to co-workers about your boss or your job. Your complaints could work their way back up the corporate ladder.

• Be a team player. The business world loves team players - those willing to set aside their personal goals for the overall goals of the department or company. Team players get noticed and often advance faster than those with a more self-centered approach.

• Avoid gossip. Stay focused on the positive and refrain from sharing personal or company information with your co-workers.

• Practice good "cubicle etiquette." Whether or not you're actually in a cube, respect shared office space by keeping voice volume low on the phone and in person. Do not SHOUT across the room; go to co-workers to speak to them.

• Leave your personal life at home. Keep personal calls and emails to a minimum. Leave errands for lunchtime or when you're away from work. Don't share intimate details of your social life over the water cooler!

• Be willing to take on extra duties. Always volunteer for extra responsibilities - whether it's overseeing a major new project or filing folders.

• Use technology only for business purposes. Most companies monitor employee usage of technology, so you should skip the personal emails and text messages.

• Be punctual and respect established business hours. Get to work early, never take more time than is allotted for lunch, never leave early, and work extra hours if necessary when on deadline. You want to send the message that you're dependable and willing to go the extra mile to meet company goals.

• Always respect deadlines. Keep your word. Always meet deadlines; if you miss a deadline, it may have a domino effect throughout your company. Talk to your boss far ahead of a deadline if you believe that you won't be able to complete an assigned task on time.

To view the original article CLICK HERE

Fun Facts Friday

First Jobs of the Rich and Famous

Don't worry if you get stuck with an odd job that might not totally dovetail with your life goals. Many successful celebrities have had some strange jobs before hitting it big.

1. Orlando Bloom's first job was working at a skeet shooting range as a clay pigeon trapper when he was just 13.

2. Beyonce Knowles' mother owned a salon when the future pop star was growing up, so the aspiring singer picked up some extra cash by sweeping up hair.

3. As a teenager Mick Jagger worked as an ice cream salesman. After entering the London School of Economics, Jagger also worked as a porter at a mental hospital.

4. Need a rat catcher? Call Warren Beatty. He caught rodents to pay the bills before hitting it big.

5. It's tough to envision Colin Powell as anything other than a general or diplomat, but when he was growing up in the Bronx, he worked in a baby furniture store. Powell even picked up a bit of Yiddish on the job since that was the preferred language of his employers.

6. Warren Buffett had cash going through his hands even as a young man; his first job was at his grandfather's grocery store, although he eventually worked his way up to a gig at J.C. Penney.

7. Of course, some early jobs predict the future rather well. Before rising to prominence with Black Sabbath, Ozzy Osbourne worked in a slaughterhouse.

8. As a young man, Matthew McConaughey wanted to get away from Texas for a while, so he spent a year in Australia. To support himself, he took on a number of jobs, including one that involved shoveling chicken manure.

9. Gwen Stefani earned some cash in her early days mopping floors at a local Dairy Queen.

10. Rod Stewart had a number of jobs before his music career took off, but gravedigger was undoubtedly the creepiest.

To view the original article CLICK HERE

Top Job Thursday

Choosing Art as a Career
Is being an artist a realistic and achievable career?

So you want to be an artist… is this a realistic career choice, or are you going to live in a cockroach-infested flat for the rest of your life, fulfilling the “starving artist” stereotype? In short, the odds of being a successful fine artist (someone who makes a living by creating original, one-off pieces of art) are against you, but some people do succeed. Though most of us are exposed to art only as paintings in galleries, art teachers, and hobby painters, there are many other options out there.

What Career Options are There for Artists?
A career in art is not limited to being a painter of canvases which get framed and sold in a gallery. Behind every piece of art in a newspaper, magazine, book, poster, and leaflet there’s a graphic or commercial artist - usually a team. There are graphic artists putting the magazines together, illustrators drawing the cartoons and graphics. Website designers, computer-graphic artists (computers don’t draw the graphics themselves, they’re just a tool, a modern version of a paint brush!), and animators Other areas include: Film, TV, stage set building, computer games, art galleries and museums, teaching art and art therapy, and mural or face painting.

Be sure to think more broadly! Photography, landscape design, interior design, shop-window design, framing, textile and clothing design, lighting design or architecture and engineering are other areas you can work in. These all require creative skills and, even if in your heart you long to be a fine artist, working in any of these fields will complement what you do at your easel in your 'own' time.

Will I Really Make Enough Money to Live On From an Art Career?
The creative industry is competitive, but that’s a characteristic of the dedication people in it feel to their work. See it as a challenge to strive and succeed, rather than writing yourself off before you’ve even begun. It takes hard work and determination, the ability to sell yourself, and to produce the goods.

Art will not make you the same money as being, say, a stockbroker. But you have to decide what's more important to you: money or having a job/career you thoroughly enjoy. Do you want a fancy car, or simply one that’ll get from A to B without breaking down? Assess your priorities and make your choices accordingly. Do without rather than go into debt for a non-essential (and take a critical look at what you consider essential).

Some people choose a job simply because it pays the bills and leaves them with plenty of time to pursue a fine-art career part time. Or one in an unrelated field so it won't use up their creative energy. Only you can know if this is right for you.

What Qualifications Should You Get for an Art Career?
Take a look at all the options available at various fine art or a graphic art degrees/diplomas and choose the one that’ll give you the most options - you may think you know what you’re going to enjoy, but may end up being surprised by what you enjoy most. Take enough business courses to ensure you’ve the skills to sell yourself and your work, and can manage your own business (do the books, pay your taxes, understand a contract etc.). If you can’t afford full-time college, do part-time courses rather than give up on the idea of an art career.

But I Want to Make a Career as a Fine Artist!
It takes a lot of determination, hard work, hard selling, and persistence to make a career as a fine artist. You need to create paintings people want to buy. Are you willing to change your style and subject matter so that people will buy more? Will you take commissions, painting to order in terms of size, colour, and subject? Being a competent painter isn’t a magic wand. You also need to be able to market yourself and your work. It is possible to make a career as a fine artist, but it’s tough and few artists make a living by only selling their work (at least initially). But then who says you can do only one thing at a time?

To view the original article or to read more CLICK HERE