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

Weekly Feature Wednesday

Job Title:

Patient Care Assistant

Position Type:

Volunteer

Job Location:

Belleville Dialysis Clinic

Employment Category:

Social Service/Recreation/Health

Job Description:

Can you spare 1-2 hours per week?

Help your community and gain valuable experience. Your efforts would benefit our patients who receive dialysis treatments at our clinic.
Responsibilities would include: serving patients refreshments & friendly visiting. Clinic is open Monday to Saturday 7am to 11pm. Three shifts available (8:30am, 12:30pm or 5:30pm) 1-2hrs each time.

For more information and to receive an application contact Ann Larson, Social Worker, Belleville Dialysis clinic at 613-395-1878 or larsona@kgh.kari.net

Job Requirements:

Weekly commitment of 1-2hrs. Criminal reference check including a vulnerable person check. Health screening including a 2 step TB test.

Targeted Programs:

Targeted Clusters

All Programs

Targeted Programs

Nursing (BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN NURSING)
Personal Support Worker
Practical Nursing
Pre-Health Science
Social Service Worker (SSWA)
Social Service Worker (SSWP)

Salary:

Volunteer Work

Application Procedure:

Employer Telephone

Company Information:

Organization:

Kingston General Hospital

Division:

Belleville Dialysis Clinic

Job Contact:

Mrs. Ann Larson

Contact Title:

Social Worker

Phone:

(613)966-2300

Fax:

(613)966-8943

Email:

larsona@kgh.kari.net

Address:

345 College St. East

Belleville

Ontario

Application Deadline: Jan 19, 2012 11:59PM

Tip of the Day Tuesday

7 Ways to Use Social Media to Help Your Job Search

To use social media effectively for your job search, you need to understand that social media isn’t about you. It’s about the community and what you can do to add value to the collective whole. Here are seven tips to help you use social media for your job search:

1. Become part of a community on Twitter or another more targeted social media platform. Engage with people and companies that you’re interested in. Follow their employees. Retweet and respond to their tweets. Show that you’re interested. This doesn’t mean constantly tweeting “Can I have a job?” or stalking them. Rather, tweet their content and show that you’re interested.
2. Connect on LinkedIn. Often considered a job hunter’s ghetto, LinkedIn is useful for meeting like-minded individuals. It is a good idea to actively engage by sharing links, joining groups and answering questions.
3. Learn who your friends are. Become more active on Facebook. Re-connect with people from your past. Of course, this is helpful to do before you need this safety net. Remember people use Facebook in different ways—for some it’s about being social and for others it’s about business.
4. Find out about your target audience. "Want to connect with me? Spend some time on my blog and learn about me." Leave a comment to start a conversation. Bear in mind that very few readers take the effort to comment. Therefore, you’ll stand out. Isn’t that what you want to accomplish?
5. Join the conversation. Participate in one or more Twitter Chats. This is a good way to make contacts with other people. Understand that like other forms of social media, you have to build your relationships over time. Therefore, you may not leave every chat with new leads but you’ll be able to start building new relationships that can help you long term.
6. Get out and meet people. Depending on your area of expertise, find offline meetings where you can get out and connect with people in real life. Also, use real life events to connect with others in your industry such as conferences and other local events.
7. Share your knowledge. Start your own blog to support the community around your area of expertise. The benefit is that your content is a strong example of your ability to build a community around your work.
   

To read more or to view the original article CLICK HERE

Making It Big Monday

Gaining Self-Confidence In The Workplace

Confidence is one of the most important personal qualities for succeeding in the workplace. Sometimes it doesn't matter how much you work or how skilled you are, it is how you project yourself that matters to co-workers and employers. If you are not confident in yourself and your abilities, others will pick up on it. If you don't think that what you are doing is worthwhile or of high quality, chances are no one else will think highly of it either. What's worse, in a competitive environment like an office, others may try to use your lack of self confidence against you. Whether it is fair or not, it is usually people who have the most self confidence that advance to a high point in their careers quickly. People lacking this important quality have to struggle harder to get ahead, no matter what skills they may have.

Here are some tips for gaining confidence in your professional abilities.

1. Focus on your abilities. Though you may feel totally unprepared for a job, you undoubtedly have skills that relate to your work. Get back to fundamentals by finding these skills and focusing on them. Even if you are struggling at your job, you can approach the struggles as a chance to improve. While you improve, you can gain your professional worth from those things that you already do well.

2. Be prepared. This might sound simplistic, but it can be the difference between feeling that you are a success or a failure. This might mean doing extra work at home, but once you gain the self-confidence or at least achieve a certain level of comfort with your job, you can streamline this extra work or realize that you are actually competent enough to do without it.

3. Act like you are completely comfortable with your work abilities, even if you aren't. This is a vital trait for people who are interviewing for a new position, but it can also work for people who are already on the job. If you appear stoic and not easily flustered, others will respond to you more positively. When you do this, you are also constantly telling yourself that you can do the job. This makes you less nervous on the job and more able to pick up the skills that can help you gain more and more confidence.

4. Find self-worth outside of your work. Work is a part of every adults life, but it doesn't have to be the only part of your life. Finding joy and confidence in other areas, such as hobbies or passions, can take some of the pressure off of you. A job is merely a job. Although it is difficult to separate your professional self-image from your personal self-image, doing so can help you feel more comfortable at work. If you can focus more on non-work-life, your job becomes only one aspect of your self-image. At the very least, this can lessen the performance anxiety that you feel at work.

5. Take care of all the things that you can control. You may not be able to change a chaotic work environment or ask your boss to fire annoying co-workers but there are plenty of things that you can control. For many people, low self esteem and depression carry over into their personal appearance and their work space. Fixing this might be as simple as getting a new hairstyle (one that you like, not one that you think others will like) and cleaning up your work-space. Of course, a new look and an uncluttered desk aren't going to solve all your problems, but they are easy steps that you can take to feel a little better about yourself at work.

To read more or to view the original article CLICK HERE

Fun Facts Friday

Your resume is a vital part of you job searching process! Be sure not to make any mistakes these candidates did:

• I demand a salary commiserate with my extensive experience.
• I have lurnt Word Perfect 6.0 computor and spreadsheet progroms.
• Received a plague for Salesperson of the Year.
• Reason for leaving last job: maturity leave.
• Wholly responsible for two (2) failed financial institutions.
• Its best for employers that I not work with people.
• Am a perfectionist and rarely if if ever forget details.
• I was working for my mom until she decided to move.
• Failed bar exam with relatively high grades.
• Marital status: single. Unmarried. Unengaged. Uninvolved. No Commitments.
• I am loyal to my employer at all costs... Please feel free to respond to my resume on my office voice mail.
• My goal is to be a meteorologist. But since I possess no training in meterology, I suppose I should try stock brokerage.
• I procrastinate, especially when the task is unpleasant.
• Instrumental in ruining entire operation for a Midwest chain store.
• Note: Please don't miscontrue my 14 jobs as job-hopping. I have never quit a job.
• Reason for leaving last job: They insisted that all employees get to work by 8:45 a.m. every morning. Could not work under those conditions.
• References: None. I've left a path of destruction behind me.
• I am most proudest of my 3.93 GPA and organize skills.
• Graduated in the top 70% of my class.
• Completed 11 years of high school
• Bi-lingual in three languages.
• Here are my qualifications for you to overlook

To read more to to view the original articles CLICK HERE and HERE

Top Job Thursday

Become a: Broadcast Journalist

Broadcast journalists are responsible for investigating, gathering and reporting on news and current affairs. They are expected to present this information in a fair, balanced and accurate way. This is done through news bulletins, documentaries and other factual programmes for radio, television and online broadcast.

Skillset: Broadcast journalism is 'the collection, verification and analysis of events which affect people' (Sector Skills Council for Creative Media). The work of a broadcast journalist shapes people's perceptions of the world in which they live. Broadcast journalists can fill a number of roles within the media including editor, reporter, presenter/news anchor, producer or a correspondent.

Typical Work Activities

Although exact duties and responsibilities will vary from role to role between radio, television and the internet, broadcast journalists will generally be involved in many of the following duties, on a daily basis:

• Generating ideas for stories/features and following leads from news agencies, the police, the public, press conferences and other sources
• Pitching ideas to editors and commissioners
• Researching and gathering evidence and information to support a story using relevant information sources (internet, archives, databases, etc)
• Writing scripts for bulletins, headlines and reports which adhere to legal and contractual guidelines
• Selecting appropriate locations, pictures and sound and exercising editorial judgement on the best angle to approach a story from
• Providing directorial input, advising crews on what to film or record
• Identifying necessary resources and deploying/managing technical crews for location shoots, including sound operators and camera crew
• Using portable digital video (DV) cameras and other equipment to record material and appropriate editing software to produce complete packages for broadcast
• Deciding on the running order for bulletins and making any necessary changes during broadcast
• Preparing and presenting material 'on air' for both pre-recorded and live pieces
• Identifying potential interviewees, briefing them, preparing interview questions and conducting both live and recorded interviews
• Preparing timings for each news item and monitoring these during broadcast
• Developing and maintaining local contacts and assuming a public relations role

Skills and Knowledge

• Excellent communication and ‘people’ skills
• Good listening and questioning skills
• Empathy and tact
• Good writing and research skills
• Confidence and a clear speaking voice
• Persistence and motivation
• Attention to detail
• Calmness under pressure and the ability to meet tight deadlines
• A creative approach with the ability to ‘think on your feet’ when necessary
• The ability to work on your own initiative and also as part of a team.

To view the original articles or to read more CLICK HERE or HERE

Weekly Feature Wednesday

Job Title:

Administrative Assistant Placement

Position Type:

Unpaid Internship

Job Location:

Bancroft

Job Description:
Looking for students interested in completing an administrative placement at our Bancroft office location.

Length of placement would be dependent on the student's course requirements. Can start as soon as possible.

Placement student would assist Receptionist who serves as the initial public contact to the Society and is responsible for various administrative tasks crucial to the effective functioning within the reception area and organization at large.

Job Requirements:

• Currently completing diploma or certificate program through college
• Relevant paid or unpaid receptionist or administrative experience or skills which would be transferable to this type of placement
• Will need to provide a clear criminal reference check and vulnerable sector screening prior to beginning placement

Targeted Programs:

Targeted Clusters

All Programs

Targeted Programs

Business Administration - Human Resource Management

Application Procedure:

Employer Email

Application Material Required:

Cover Letter

Resumé

Company Information:

Organization:

Hastings County Childrens Aid Society

Job Contact:

Ms. Laura Evegroen

Contact Title:

Employee Services Coordinator

Phone:

(613)962-9291

Fax:

613-962-7036

Website:

www.hastingscas.org

Email:

hr@hastingscas.org

Address:

363 Dundas Street West

Belleville

Ontario

Application Deadline: Dec 02, 2011 11:59PM

Tip of the Day Tuesday

Master Telephone Interviews

The telephone interview is by far becoming more and more popular. Many job hunters still get that adrenalin rush even with the phone interviews. Following the tips and advice in this article will help you master the phone interview.

Often, the first step in the hiring process is the telephone interview.

Companies and the recruiters they employ use a telephone interview to develop a pool of candidates to look at closer, and to pare down the number of applicants for a job opening.

The advantages of phone interviews to a company are:

• Cost less.
• The list of questions can be standardized.
• The interview can be delegated to a lower level (cheaper) employee.
• It can be done quickly.

The aims on both sides of the telephone are limited. The caller wants a selection of qualified candidates, and the process screens out many candidates. If the call is a straightforward screening call, the caller will likely ask about your experience, availability and salary requirements. Your strategy is to provide facts that support your resume, with some context about your performance. Try using numbers and facts to be effective, however, you don't want to volunteer anything that could disqualify you . Make every effort to sound professional but not personal.

Since you are unlikely to win the job from a telephone interview, your goal is to secure an in-person interview with the person who has the authority to hire. Approach the call with that attitude.

Managing the Telephone Interview

Try to reschedule surprise interviews. Say that you have a conflict and suggest a time you can call back. When you call back, be prepared for the call just as you would for a full-dress interview.

Have ready:

• Your calendar.
• Pen, paper and a calculator
• A short list of questions about the job.
• Research you have done on the company.
• The job ad and the resume and cover letter which you sent in response to the ad.
• A list of your accomplishments which relate to the job you are discussing.

The Techniques of a Pro

• Smile - it comes through in your voice.
• Speak directly into the phone.
• Don't smoke, chew gum, eat or drink anything.
• Stand up... Your voice sounds stronger.
• Avoid ah, er, hum. This habit is especially noticeable on the telephone. This takes
practice. So practice!

For a Winning Performance

• Confirm the caller's name and company. Get the caller's telephone number.
• Do use the technique of repeating or re-phrasing questions. It tells the caller that you
listened carefully, and gives you time to think about your answer.
• Pace the call. Let the caller do most of the talking, without interruptions.
• Avoid the simple yes or no; add selling points at every opportunity.
• If you need time to think, say so - as in radio, silence during a telephone conversation is
dead air time.
• Be aware that the caller can't see you - can't see your hand gestures, can't see you
taking notes.
• Compensation issues come at the end of the interviewing cycle, never at the telephone
stage. You can truthfully say you don't know enough about the job to state a salary figure.
And, of course, you would need a personal interview to really talk with the company.
Which is another way to go for the personal interview. Re-affirm your qualifications,
express your interest in the job and the company. Say you would appreciate the
opportunity to talk about the job further - in person.

By Nathan Newberger. To read more or view the original article CLICK HERE

Making It Big Monday

A positive attitude in the workplace can make a big difference...

10 Things a Positive Attitude in the Workplace Can Do:

1. Career success: Who is more likely to get promoted... Those who think positively and get results, or those who constantly complain and say something isn’t their job? Staying positive certainly increases your chances for a successful career.

2. Stress reduction: You feel stressed when you see events or situations as stressful. Change your perception to something more positive and the stressful feelings will go away. Instead of problems, see issues as challenges. Try asking yourself how you can make something easier or more enjoyable. It's amazing what you come up with when you start asking yourself these questions.

3. Less sick days and better productivity: Stress can have a serious negative impact on your health. If you can reduce your stress, or the stress of everyone in your organization you'll enjoy better health, less sick days, and better productivity.

4. Improve customer relations and improve sales: Customers would rather deal with someone positive. Research shows that sales professionals who think positively and believe in the benefits of their product have much better sales performance.

5. Become a better leader: If you own a company or if you manage people, those who report to you usually get more from watching you than they do listening to what you’re saying. Be a good example of having a positive attitude in the workplace. Set goals and ask for people’s support in achieving them. Take a positive attitude approach to achieving those goals and to overcoming challenges. Your attitude and enthusiasm will spread throughout your workplace. A positive attitude is just as infectious as a negative one. Be careful about which one you’re fostering.

6. Improve the attitude of other employees or those who report to you: As I said, positive attitudes are infectious. Even if you’re an employee you can help create a positive attitude in the workplace by being the change you want to see. Refuse to participate in negative conversations. When you’re in a meeting or when you encounter a challenge, steer the conversation to focus on how the issue can be overcome. You might seem a bit odd to others at first, but your attitude will begin to affect change. Keep at it and keep focused on your goal of affecting change. Soon the attitude will spread throughout the workplace, or at the very least, those who insist on staying negative won’t bother you anymore because they know you won’t entertain their negativity.

7. Improve teamwork: Teams are much more effective when the members are united in overcoming challenges and figuring out how they can achieve their objectives rather than dwelling on all the problems and obstacles that stand in their way.

8. Improve motivation for yourself and others: If you have a positive attitude about achieving goals and success in general, you will be much more motivated to take action. If you look at what you would like to accomplish and you see only the obstacles, your motivation diminishes pretty quickly. Ask yourself what might spur you to action.

9. Improve decision-making and overcome challenges: See challenges as opportunities to grow and become better. When you’re making a business decision, you can use this same approach and your options will really open up.

10. Improve Interpersonal Relations: People like positive people. They’re automatically drawn to a pleasant and upbeat demeanor. Your business and personal relationships will definitely improve when you employ a positive attitude.

To read more or to view the original article CLICK HERE

Fun Facts Friday

Interesting Job Search Facts And Statistics

1. Job Dissatisfaction: According to a recent life and work study, a surprising 88% of people are dissatisfied with their jobs.
2. Multiple Jobs: On average, the least-educated man holds more jobs than the most educated man while it’s the opposite is true for women. Men without a high school diploma held 13.3 jobs between the ages of 18 and 44 while men with a bachelor’s degree or high held 11.0 jobs. Women with a bachelor’s degree or higher held an average of 11.7 jobs from ages 18 to 44 while those with without a high school diploma held an average of 9.7 jobs.
3. Follow Up Calls pay Off!: Statistics show that the first person to place a follow up call to a job posting has a 95% chance to get the job position and those who call the following day only have a 1% chance.
4. Time To Get A Job: The average amount of time it takes someone to become employed varies between 2-6 months depending on time and strategies invested in the search.
   
5. Electronic Resumes: 70% of Fortune 500 hiring professionals surveyed said resumes sent electronically are preferred.
6. Multiple Careers: The average person will change jobs every 6 to 10 years and careers between 2 to 4 times. Furthermore, people should expect a career change to take between 2 to 6 years to implement.
7. Online Job Ad Response Rate: The average response rate to an online job application is less than 5%.
8. How To Get Hired: 86% of managers say they hire people they like rather than what the job requires.

To view the original article or to read more CLICK HERE

Top Job Thursday

Becoming an Architect
What is Architecture all about?

Architecture is the art, the science and the business of building.

Architects create homes, office towers, schools or churches. They are talented people with a flair for design, an awareness of social trends, keen business sense, solid engineering skills and an understanding of the law.

Today’s Architect may practise alone or be part of a firm. Some Architects are self-employed. Others may be on salary, as employees of government, real estate developers or large corporations.

“Clients” are those who use the services of Architects. A client may be a family, a school board, a company, a housing authority, a government department or a building contractor.

Why does Architecture matter?

There’s no place like home

The design or re-design of a home is one of the most fascinating and important things an Architect can do. Homes house the daily activities of families and individuals. Sometimes they offer privacy and shelter. Rural or urban, row house or apartment, the home may be used year-round or only for vacations.

Keeping the past alive

Old buildings add variety to city streets and remind us of our links to the past. Public interest in restoring old buildings is as strong as the economic pressure to re-use them. The result ? Architects are using modern techniques and ideas to renew historic buildings across Canada.

Inside the home and office

Respected Architects have designed chairs, tables, cabinets and fabrics--objects that lend comfort and pleasure to people’s homes and work spaces. When the desire to create something “organic” or whole, is strong, Architects design not only a building and the space around a building, they will also shape the space inside the building.

Mirrors of time

Great civilizations leave behind great architecture. Think of the pyramids of Egypt, the columns of Greece and Rome, the great cathedrals. Architecture reflects the religious, political and social values of the day. Today’s buildings express our society’s common purposes and will tell our story long after we are gone.

Where is Architecture going?

Big and sleek

In giant cities, the voices of commerce, finance, business and government call out for giant buildings. Big buildings can cause big problems, such as increased traffic flow. They also create a need for parking, water, sewer and fire-fighting access. Putting large buildings into a city involves balancing the technical, planning and aesthetic problems. Architects with special design skills are needed to tackle these big jobs.

What do Architects do?

It all starts with a commission or contract from a client. The commission may involve the design of a single building or a group of buildings and the spaces between them. The client may be a person, a board of directors, or a government department or a business.

Usually, the Architect leads a team of specialists including structural, mechanical and electrical engineers, as well as others. Architects must also understand and deal with building codes and bylaws set out by municipal, provincial and federal governments.

The Architect keeps everyone on time and on budget. Technical knowledge, good people skills and no-nonsense business sense are all important to this task.

Bottom line: Architecture is a business. Being creative and designing something beautiful are only the first steps in making a vision come to life.
What does it take to be an Architect?

Ask yourself these questions:

* Do details matter to me?
* Can I analyze what I see?
* Am I a creative thinker?
* Do I truly value the things I see?
* Do I understand and get along with people?
* Do I think in a logical and orderly way?


To read more or view to original article CLICK HERE

Weekly Feature Wednesday

Job Title:

World Vision Fundraisers

Position Type:

Contract

Job Location:

Belleville - Quinte Mall

Job Description:

Inspiring Fundraisers - Needed Immediately - Quinte Mall – Belleville * Nov 11 – Dec 23

Have you ever felt like you wanted to make a difference, but didn’t know how? Here’s your chance!

donorworx Inc., a boutique-style fundraising agency, is currently hiring for the World Vision Canada Christmas 2011 Mall Campaign and is offering an exciting opportunity where you can dramatically help improve the lives of children around the world.

Be part of a passionate fundraising team whose mission is to promote child sponsorship.
Our teams are made up of dynamic individuals; moms, students, artists, activists, community leaders, volunteers, travelers, musicians, professionals and teachers - just to name a few.

Join donorworx in the World Vision Canada Christmas 2011 Mall Campaign in numerous malls across Ontario. Not only is this job extremely rewarding, but it also offers an excellent rate of pay, along with the potential for leadership positions and amazing travel opportunities.

Weekly Hours: 15-25 hrs/ week
Timing: 2-6 week contract position, starting on Nov 11, 2011 until Dec 24, 2011
Training: Mandatory full day of paid training prior to campaign

Job Requirements:
Do you have the qualities of a Fundraiser?
Do you possess terrific communication skills and enjoy working in a team environment? Do you have plenty of stamina and heaps of energy? Are you friendly, outgoing, self-motivated, sales and goal oriented?
Are you a child sponsor? Have you ever traveled to countries where World Vision Canada works? Have you volunteered in aid and development projects? Do you feel passionate about world issues? If so, come and join our team!

• Commitment to the cause and desire to make a difference
• Proactive, outgoing and welcoming nature
• Resilience, drive and endless enthusiasm
• The ability to work under pressure and to meet targets
• The ability to inspire and influence others with excellent communication skills
• Police check is required

Salary:

$17.00 per hour

Application Material Required:

Cover Letter

Resumé

Additional Application Information:

How to Apply:
If you are interested in joining the donorworx fundraising team, please visit the Jobs section on www.donorworx.com.

donorworx is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes a diversity of applicants. We thank you in advance for your interest; however only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.

Organization:

donorworx Inc

Division:

World Vision Campaign

Job Contact:

Alex Jameson

Contact Title:

Recruitment

Phone:

(416)792-0770

Website:

www.donorworx.com

Email:

alex@donorworx.com

Address:

347 Sorauren Ave

Toronto

Ontario

Application Deadline: Nov 13, 2011 11:59PM

Tip of the Day Tuesday

Interview Follow-Up Tips and Suggestions for Success in Obtaining Your Dream Job

Take interview follow-up very seriously as a strategic part of landing the job of your dreams.

Follow-up all interviews, even if they did not go as well as you expected, or you decided that you did not want the job. Interview follow-up will definitely place you ahead of other job candidates who interviewed for the same job, all other things being equal.

Follow-up well in a timely manner.

At the end of your interview, ask the interviewer or panel of interviewers

1) When they will make their decision, and...

2) When you might expect a call for a second interview.

Write down the correct names and titles of every individual who interviewed you, in addition to the receptionist, personal assistant, or executive secretary who served you. Request their business cards or make notes of their information in a small notebook. Interviewers, and even company presidents, will ask the receptionist what he or she thought of you as a job candidate and as a person. Make a good impression on everyone there.

• Write individual thank-you note cards or letters to each person who interviewed you within 24 hours. Say something slightly different in each one to make them sound individualized.
• Write thank you notes after every interview, even if you do not want to job. This will help make you known in the business world as someone who has class! It will make good business contacts for you.
• Find out whether snail mail, email, or FAX is the best way to get hold of the interviewer(s). Ask the receptionist. Proofread your thank-you letters or cards before sending them and make 100% sure that there are no grammar or spelling errors.
• In your thank-you letters, write that you appreciate the company's interest in you and re-state why you think you are the best candidate for the job.
• Call all your references before you apply for jobs and ask their permission to use their names, addresses and phone numbers.
• Continue to search for jobs and go on interviews, even if your interview went so well that you think the company is definitely going to hire you. You do not know that for sure, and you do not want to lose momentum in the job market while you are waiting for a job that hired someone else.
• Stay visible in your business by continuing to look for other job and career opportunities, even after you have been hired. Stay informed about the job market and your industry, because you will be able to use the information to help yourself and others.
• Do additional interview follow-up after the thank-you letters or notes have been received. Allow 48-72 hours after mailing, then make a telephone call to the interviewer and ask about the position. Re-state your assets during your telephone calls.
• Be patient, but persistent. The hiring process often takes a while.
  
• Consistently continue your follow-up efforts until the job is filled. Just don't call every day. If an employer tells you it may take 30 to 60 days to fill a position, you can certainly call once a week, however.
• Do not forget about the company if you do not receive a job offer or the job-offer package does not work out for you for some reason. This is an important business contact.
• Small employers are as important as large corporations in the realm of business contacts. Add your interviewer into your business circle and ask them to keep you in theirs for the future. Ask them for referrals to other contacts.
• You can use job interviews to gain important information for your future about business trends, plans being made by new companies, etc., not only for obtaining a new job.

THANK YOU LETTERS and THANK YOU CARDS

You must use your judgment about whether to write letters, use email, or prepare handwritten thank-you cards for interview follow-up. However, it is always wise to send a handwritten letter or card and then quickly follow it with one of the other methods of contact and thanks.

The refer to the original article or to read more CLICK HERE

Making It Big Monday

Improve Your Leadership Skills!

Whether you're aware of it or not, on some level you are continually leading yourself and others. It makes sense that you strive to improve your leadership skills and get the most out of life for everyone in your sphere.

If you desire to lead a passion-filled life in which you are a positive influence to everyone, you will enjoy incorporating the following practices to assist you in consistently living your life as a conscious and strong leader.

1. Have a clear vision of yourself, others, and the world.

Who are you? What do you stand for? How do you want to influence others? How do you want to contribute to yourself, your family, friends, colleagues, and the world? Answer these questions to formulate a concrete vision of yourself and your world. Then, start living your life as the leader who makes your vision a reality!

2. Know and utilize your strengths and gifts.

You have unique gifts that you were born with and personal strengths you’ve developed over your lifetime. Realizing and utilizing these gifts and strengths will assist you in being a formidable leader.

3. Live in accordance with your morals and values.

Making choices and taking actions out of accordance with your morals and values leaves you with a nagging “Bad” feeling. This feeling seeping in from your subconscious mind hinders your success in your career and your relationships. On the other hand, making choices and taking actions aligned with your morals and values helps you succeed almost effortlessly. People sense integrity and will naturally respect your opinion and leadership.

4. Lead others with inclusiveness and compassion.

Those who include everyone in their sphere of influence by recognizing each person’s greatest value are the greatest leaders. To be one, look beyond the obvious and see others with insight and compassion. Many of history's greatest leaders have admitted that they rose to the top because another leader recognized and harnessed their potential.

5. Set definitive goals and follow concrete action plans.

You have to know where your destination is before you can map out a plan to get there. First set specific life goals with appropriate timelines to improve your leadership plans. Design your goals by moving backwards from the end of your life to the present week. Then, formulate action plans you can commit to that will get you to where you want to be.

6. Maintain a positive attitude.

No one respects a grumpy or negative person. With a positive attitude you are looking at the bright side of life. People are naturally attracted to you when you have a positive attitude. By being positive, you will lead a happier life, as well as be surrounded by other positive people. You will also magically attract exciting offers and possibilities.

7. Improve communication skills.

Having great leadership skills includes your being able to clearly and specifically communicate your vision, goals, skills, intentions, and expectations to others. This also includes your ability to listen to what other people are consciously or unconsciously communicating. To become a great communicator, continually strive to improve your verbal, nonverbal, and listening skills.

8. Motivate others to greatness.

A leader is as powerful as his team. As a leader, you will want to surround yourself with a powerful team by assisting others in recognizing and utilizing their strengths, gifts, and potential. Motivating others to their own greatness will improve the group energy, increase the vitality of your projects, and move you forward toward achieving your goals and vision.

9. Be willing to admit and learn from failures and weaknesses.

Face it – No one is perfect, and everyone has made a mistake or two in their lives! The most successful leaders know that the key to success is not in avoiding falling or failing, but to learn from their mistakes. As a strong leader, you will also be able to communicate your weaknesses to your team, so that you and your team can appoint someone who excels at that particular task or activity.

10. Continue to educate and improve yourself.

Great leaders continue to improve themselves in every possible way. The person who thinks he is an expert, has a lot more to learn. Never stop learning. Be receptive to everyone’s perceptions and information from around the world and beyond. Be sure to GROW!

By Ronya Banks, CLICK HERE to view the original article and read more.