Boss Gives Company to Workers

VIDEO: Bob's Red Mill Natural Foods owner Bob Moore gives his company to his employees. This is an inspiring story of a business owner who is rewarding his workers by actually giving them the company that they have helped build and make successful over the years.  It is refreshing to hear about a businessman that is not motivated merely by self-interest and greed, but rather in sharing his success with his employees.

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Posted on February 19, 2010 at 6:25 pm by salaryfor.com · Permalink · Leave a comment
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Job Trends – Making Yourself More Marketable in a Tough Economy

Career Expert Antonio Vianna

Career Expert Antonio Vianna

It is estimated that the majority of Americans know someone whose job has been affected by a tough economy, either a job loss or a job change. How we anticipate and respond to these types of unexpected and expected changes is often based on our feelings about the change. For some, the job change or loss is negative because there is no longer a primary source of income; perhaps there has been a change in the hours worked so your routine is upset; perhaps you have a new boss or new co-workers, or a new work location, or even new technology, all of which requires you to learn something new, to change the way you used to do things. However, the positive aspect of a job change could be a promotion, an opportunity to learn something new from others or from new technology, a chance to be with people whom you have not worked with before, and therefore, an exciting time.

Changing world and economic conditions, career changes, and changes in life’s conditions will continue to be a part of the American life for the next decade, at least. So, it is best to prepare for this inevitability by taking advantage of these changes. Resisting inevitable change results in more harm than good. Most Americans identify themselves with their job/career, so a job/career loss is very personal. And further, we go through the same stages of dealing with a job/career loss as we would with a loss of a loved one:

A. ignore (It is not happening to me)
B. shock (I don’t know what to do)
C. anger (I’m angry as hell)
D. acknowledge (Here is what I’m going to do)

Only when we acknowledge a job/career change/loss can be effectively and efficiently move on. Don’t keep it a secret – tell others – ask for help – admit you don’t know everything – be prepared to change.

Great career opportunities exist in a good economy as well as in a bad economy. They always have and always will. What each of us must understand is how the world environment is changing the way work is done. For example, with a heightened sensitivity on the environment, “green jobs” are being created and companies are labeling themselves “green companies.” For example, this means a career, such as a Tourism Specialist, might now be identified as an Eco-Tourism Specialist because the additional responsibilities are to ensure that the work is performed without harming the environment. New job demands of the Eco-Tourism Specialist might mean to ensure that all vehicles transporting tourists from point “A” to point “B” must be fuel efficient, that the places where the tourists are lodged and fed must be energy efficient, or that the bags used to carry items must be biodegradable. The point is that the changes in the environment has caused a change in the way the job is performed.

Sensitivity to the changing world conditions also means being aware of what jobs to avoid, because in the long run they are not sustainable. Examples could include jobs that are more likely to be outsourced, more likely to be combined with another job, more likely to be computerized, and least likely to add economic value to the organization.

Employees as well as employers can help during these tough times. For example, employers could engage the employees in a discussion for ideas if there is a consideration of a downsizing. Some approaches include but are not limited to reduction of work hours, job sharing, job loaning, use of unpaid vacations and sabbaticals, creating a job faire, training employees for another job, creating resume books of those who are affected and share that information with other employers. The list is almost endless. The employees too can offer ideas as well. In addition to those mentioned above, the employee might decide to return to school for further education/skill training, and most certainly take this opportunity to really understand their Interests, Competencies, Motivation, Capabilities, and Best Working Environment. Two keys are worth mentioning. One, draw from your past but do not let the past draw on you, and two, find ways to add value to an organization either by increasing revenue or by decreasing costs.

There are many places that employees can look for help in finding their next career job. Here are some places:

A. Former companies
B. Former employees (all)
C. Companies’ suppliers and customers
D. City Chamber of Commerce
E. Employment Agencies
F. Executive Search Firms
G. Outplacement Firms
H. Metro Career Centers
I. Friends and Neighbors
J. Employment Development Department
K. Company Websites
L. Industry Websites
M. City Websites
N. Job/Career Websites
O. Newspapers
P. Industry/Professional Journals
Q. Professional Associations
R. College Placement Centers

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How To Apply For Government Jobs

career expert Jason Kay

career expert Jason Kay

There are literally, millions and millions of Government jobs out there and there is actually a specific process you need to complete in order to apply for such a job. The benefits, health, dental, paid vacation and holidays are outstanding and they are all provided through taxpayer’s money.

There are resources available online that makes looking for a government job easier than hoofing around town looking door to door. Here are the steps you need to know:

1) Current Openings: You will need to look at the current openings in your area first and any job search site can help you with that. USAJobs.gov is the best place to search for a government job. From this you can decide which jobs are of interest to you.

2) Application: You can fill out an Optional Application for Federal Employment (OF612). This is a downloadable file in Microsoft Word (.doc) format. Once you fill it out you can print it. Optionally, you can write a federal resume. These resumes must contain additional information than private sector resumes and are formatted a bit differently. Get more information at KSADoctor.com.

3) Information: You will need to provide certain information as well:

a. Full name

b. Mailing address

c. Phone numbers, day, night, mobile

d. Social Security Number

e. Country Of Citizenship

f. Highest Federal Civilian Grade, if any

g. Education – school name, address, degrees, majors

h. Work Experience – fully detailed information

i. Other qualifications – job related training, skills, certificates, leadership, honors, awards, etc. etc.

4) Civil Service Exam: There is a number of civil service exams possible and each department has their own tests and how they administer them. There are written tests, essay tests, in-basket tests, assessment centers, performance tests, physical abilities tests, psychological tests and of course an interview. Not all of these tests are needed for each posting; this was just a list of what types of tests there are for various government positions. There are online resources for information on the individual tests.

a. These tests are scheduled to happen at certain times and you will be assigned a date and time to appear for your testing.

b. In order to be considered and possibly hired for a position, you must pass any and all tests given to you. If you are not hired during the valid date for the test results, you will need to re-take the tests at another time.

5) Interview(s): That’s right, there will probably be more than one interview and just like the Civil Service Tests, you must do well on all subsequent interviews to receive a job offer.

Just because you do well on everything, does not mean you will get the job for which you apply. As with any other employment offer, there are other people vying for the same job as you. Being that this is a government posting, the number or people applying is probably even greater than in the private sector. Be sure to really study up on the specifics of what will be expected of you throughout the screening process.

Lastly, depending on the position, some agencies may want you to undergo a physical examination, drug screening or a probation period before hiring and these periods can last anywhere from 6 months to a year. That’s it, now you know how to apply for government jobs.

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