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The Golden Rules of Office Etiquette

site_admin — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:18:21 +0000

Stepping into a new job can be demanding and sometimes stressful. One way to make a good impression on your new colleagues is by having excellent workplace etiquette. In the workplace, the rules are often more subtle. However, knowing how to treat your work and your coworkers can ensure that you become an asset in the workplace.

Physical appearance matters in the workplace. Here are some tips on how to present at work.

Dress appropriately. If you are in an office, dress appropriately. If you have to wear a particular uniform, make sure that it is well-kept.
Gum-chewing is fine for your off time, but during work, where you must interact with people, gum-chewing can make you seem immature. Customers may also be put off by this.
Maintain good hygiene.

People skills matter a great deal as well. In dealing with people, make sure to:

Treat everyone with respect and be courteous at all times.
Show thanks when someone does a favor for you.
Knock on peoples’ office doors instead of bursting in unannounced.
Say “hello” to your colleagues in the morning and “bye” before you leave.
Be a team player- this means being helpful and cooperative with the people you work with.
Welcome suggestions and be humble in accepting both praise and criticism.
Being pleasant and friendly to everyone is a great way to boost other people’s spirits.
Be honest and dependable. People will learn that you are a person who can be counted on.

What other qualities do you think help people in the workplace?

Recovery Job of the Week - Pharmacy Technician

site_admin — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 13:55:49 +0000

Occupation
Pharmacy Technician

Industry
Health Care

Median Wages
$13.32 hourly
$27,710 annually

If you like science, are precise, and like dealing with the public, think about becoming a pharmacy technician. Pharmacy technicians fill prescriptions under the direction of a pharmacist, measure, and count medication, and distribute medication to patients.

Job Prospects

This job is growing at a faster than average pace. Between 2006 and 2016, there will be 178,000 more employees needed in this field. The projected growth rate between 2006 and 2016 is 32 percent.

Work Tasks

Receive written prescription and refill requests and verify that that refill requests are accurate
Create and update patients’ medical profiles, including what medications they are taking
Answer phones, talk to patients, answer questions and process refill requests and medication pick-ups
Prepack medicine, fill prescription bottles, and type out patient labels for each type of medication
Mix pharmaceutical preparations according to written prescriptions
Keep a safe and secure environment in the pharmacy for drug storage
Assist patients’ with queries about their prescription, how to take the prescription, and any concerns they might have

Work Styles

Alert
Observant
Dedicated
Responsible
Precise
Cooperative with others

Stepping Stone Positions

This position has five recognizable apprenticeships associated with this profession: Pharmacist Assistant; Pharmacy Support Staff (Level I Pharmacy Service Associate); Pharmacy Support Staff (Level II Pharmacy Support Technician); Pharmacy Support Staff (Level III Lead Pharmacy Technician); Pharmacy Support Staff .

To learn more about apprenticeships, visit the US Department of Labor (DOL) State Apprenticeship site. For general information on apprenticeships, visit the DOL’s Office of Apprenticeship site.

In addition, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that many pharmacy technicians receive informal on-the-job training. People hired without training are hired under the presumption that they will get certified by taking a national certified exam within a specific period of time. In places with few scant employer resources, pharmacy technicians with formal training are preferred.

A GED or high school diploma is required. People with experience volunteering in a hospital, in customer service, or working as an aide in a community pharmacy all help. People who have computer skills- including inventory management- have an advantage as well. Having strong English skills, or a background in chemistry or health education, are valued skills as well.

More Resources

Pharmacy Career Information

National Pharmacy Technician Association, P.O. Box 683148, Houston, TX 77268.

Accredited pharmacy training programs

American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, 7272 Wisconsin Ave., Bethesda, MD 20814.

For information on the Pharmacy Technician exam

Pharmacy Technician Certification Board, 2215 Constitution Ave. NW Washington DC 20037-2985.
Institute for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians, 2536 S. Old Hwy 94, Suite 214, St. Charles, MO 63303.

12 Tips to Stretch Your Budget

site_admin — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 20:55:54 +0000

When you’re working paycheck to paycheck or, even if you are able to save a little money, you’ve probably found yourself looking for new and creative ways to stretch your money.

RECOVERY.GOODWILL.ORG provides advice to stretch your dollar but, often simple changes in your habit make the real difference. So, from changing your entertainment routine to being more aware of your cash flow, we offer 12 ways you can stretch your budget.*

Use cash for face-to-face purchases. Relying on credit cards should be a last resort for making payments. Using cash or debit cards helps keep you honest about what you’re able to spend.
Have a written budget.
Ask your current cable or internet providers for a better price or, for other lower-priced service options.
Reexamine when and where you eat out. Look for deals during the week. Try lunch or breakfast instead of eating out at dinner.
Visit thrift stores to find deals on clothes, books, toys, furniture and much more.
At the grocery store, consider purchasing store brands. They’re priced below name brands.
Have a “phantom” $100 in your checking account and avoid overdraft fees.
Call your car insurance provider and ask for a better price. Ask about “mutual” companies.
Reduce entertainment costs by viewing popular television content on Hulu.com, ABC.com, and CBS.com.
Consider the following ideas:
- Drop your premium movie channels or cable TV, altogether.
- Use Compact Fluorescent Light (CFL) bulbs to reduce energy costs.
- Don’t buy bottled water. Buy a water filter and bottle it yourself.
Use automatic deposits for 401(k) plans and “rainy day” savings account.
Pay down credit card and installment debt. When you do, you free up money to save and invest.

*These tips provided by the Financial Information and Service Center (FISC), a Consumer Credit Counseling Services (CCCS) agency in Wisconsin and program of Goodwill Industries of North Central Wisconsin.

To discuss additional financial strengthening options, call FISC toll-free at 1-800-388-2227.

Recovery Job of the Week - Occupational Therapist Assistant

site_admin — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 22:25:44 +0000

Occupation
Occupational Therapist Assistant

Industry
Health care

Median wages
$23.19 hourly
$48,230 annually

If you enjoy helping people heal and the world of medicine, you may want to consider becoming an Occupational Therapist Assistant or OTA. OTAs work with Occupational Therapists to provide rehabilitation services for patients with physical, emotional or mental disabilities.

Projected Job Growth
Between 2006 and 2016, availability of OTA jobs is expected to grow 25 percent - a much faster than average rate. As the Baby Boomer generation grows older, a large number of people are expected to require rehabilitative services.

Typical Work Tasks

Observe and record the progress, attitude and behavior of the patient.
Assist patients in their performance of therapeutic tasks.
Select therapeutic activities that match a patient’s abilities.
Instruct patients and their families in home programs, basic living skills, and the care and use of adaptive equipment.
Assess and report on the daily living skills of patients with physical, mental, or emotional disabilities.

Work Styles

Cooperative
Dependable
Work with integrity
Demonstrate concern for others
Sensitivity to others’ problems and concerns
Good communication skills

Stepping Stone Position
This job usually requires an associate’s degree. A basic requirement for OTAs is a high school diploma or GED Diploma. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 126 accredited Occupational Therapist Assistant programs in 2007.

The first year of OTA study typically involves an introduction to health care, basic medical terminology, anatomy and physiology. In the second year, courses are more rigorous and usually include therapy courses in areas such as mental health, physical disabilities, gerontology and pediatrics.

Completion of the coursework usually requires 16 weeks of supervised fieldwork in a clinic or community setting.

Additional Resources
BLS site on Occupational Therapist Assistants
American Occupational Therapy Association

Looking for a Job? Little Things Make a Big Difference

site_admin — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:40:48 +0000

In a tough economy, there are usually more people than jobs, which increases competition amongst applicants.

In a crowded field, it’s important to avoid a few common mistakes and pay attention to little things that make a real difference.

With that in mind, we suggest some small actions you can take to be noticed and land a new job.

The Job Search

Search Online They say that searching for a job is a full-time job. By using search sites such as SimplyHired or Hotjobs, you can make the most of your time. Want to work at a non-profit? Try Idealist.org. Also, set up job alert emails and have vacancy notices sent to you on a daily or weekly basis.
Network Talk to friends and family to see if they know someone who is hiring.
Cold Call Contact companies you want to work for to see if they are hiring. Sometimes a position will be available without being listed on the organization’s web site or job search tool.
Build Skills While you’re searching, consider volunteering in your field to gain experience. You can even volunteer online, to give yourself more flexibility.

Writing Your Resume

Robert Half International says “When in doubt, leave it out.” If you have something you aren’t quite sure should go in your resume/cover letter/interview, then it is probably best to omit it. For instance, refrain from mentioning that you hate the morning, that you don’t like wearing formal work clothes or that you hate meetings.
Make sure you have a spectacular resume and cover letter .

Submitted Your Application? Now What?

Remember to call back a week after submitting an application to inquire about the position. This follow up will demonstrate your interest and help you stand out.

The Interview

Be pleasant to the receptionist. If you ignore, are cold to or come across as mean to the receptionist, he or she can inform the hiring manager about that negative impression, which could cost you the job.
Project an outstanding attitude and show enthusiasm. Hiring managers are inclined to hire someone who demonstrates enthusiasm and interest. All things equal, the person with the best attitude will normally win.
Dress appropriately and make sure you turn your cellphone OFF.
When asked about previous work experience, be honest and positive. If you had a bad experience with your previous employer, avoid complaining about him or her. Find a positive spin. For example, “I had differences with my boss but, I learned how to deal with the adversity and complete my work.” Employers like to hear how you were able to turn a bad situation good.

If you are currently unemployed, do not beat yourself up. Times are harder for many individuals. With a little strategy and small behavior and attitude adjustments, you can be well on your way to new employment opportunities. Good luck!

If you have any suggestions for job seekers, be sure to submit them below.

Job of the Week

site_admin — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 17:58:19 +0000

Occupation
Pharmacy Technician

Industry
Health Care

Median Wages
$13.32 hourly
$27,710 annually

Job Prospects

Work Tasks

Receive written prescription and refill requests and verify that that refill requests are accurate
Create and update patients’ medical profiles, including what medications they are taking
Answer phones, talk to patients, answer questions and process refill requests and medication pick-ups
Prepack medicine, fill prescription bottles, and type out patient labels for each type of medication
Mix pharmaceutical preparations according to written prescriptions
Keep a safe and secure environment in the pharmacy for drug storage
Assist patients’ with queries about their prescription, how to take the prescription, and any concerns they might have

Work Styles

Alert
Observant
Dedicated
Responsible
Precise
Cooperative with others

Stepping Stone Positions

To learn more about apprenticeships, visit the US Department of Labor (DOL) State Apprenticeship site. For general information on apprenticeships, visit the DOL’s Office of Apprenticeship site.

More Resources

Pharmacy Career Information

National Pharmacy Technician Association, P.O. Box 683148, Houston, TX 77268.

Accredited pharmacy training programs

American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, 7272 Wisconsin Ave., Bethesda, MD 20814.

For information on the Pharmacy Technician exam

Pharmacy Technician Certification Board, 2215 Constitution Ave. NW Washington DC 20037-2985.
Institute for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians, 2536 S. Old Hwy 94, Suite 214, St. Charles, MO 63303.

Previous Jobs of the Week

Recovery Job of the Week - Bellhop

site_admin — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 17:50:08 +0000

Occupation
Bellhop or Porter

Industry
Hospitality and Tourism

Median Wages
$9.49 hourly
$19,730 annually

Projected Job Growth
Between 2006 and 2016, the number of jobs will increase by 11,000 vacancies, an increase of 14 percent.

Typical Work Activities

Assist hotel guests with baggage.
Transfer luggage, packages, trunks, and other materials from the lobby into guests rooms.
Greet guests as the enter and leave hotel grounds.
Assist guests with their inquiries.
Provide room service.
Act as part of the hotel security team.

Work Styles

Be dependable.
Able to work with integrity.
Have attention to detail.
Demonstrate concern for others.
Able to cooperate with others.
Able to manage heavy objects and be on your feet for extended periods.

Stepping Stone Positions
A GED or high school diploma is usually required for this position. Inquire at a local Goodwill about ways to obtain a GED diploma.

According to Ehow, to become a Bellhop, apply in person at the Human Resources department of the hotel - make sure to be positive and well groomed. During the interview process, smile frequently. As a bellhop, you will be constantly smiling at guests.

Research hotels in your area and think about the locations where you would like to apply. Hotels such as Hilton, Marriott, and the Sheraton are examples of three national hotel chains with many locations. If you have no experience, you may want to think about starting out in a smaller hotel and working up to a more prestigious location. Additionally, many Bellhops begin working as Elevator Operators and are eventually promoted.

Resources

Advance Your Education to Advance Your Career

site_admin — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 20:55:37 +0000

It’s no surprise that higher levels of education correlate to better jobs and better pay. What’s a little less known are the growing number of educational options available for non-traditional students (e.g. adult learners).

Whether you want to earn a GED or obtain an advanced degree, educational institutes and companies across the country offer the means to advance your education and career prospects.

GED Diploma
If you did not complete high school, then a General Education Development, or GED, Diploma is a great opportunity to advance your career. Why? The majority of all jobs require a minimum of either a high school or GED diploma . Getting there means passing the GED test and passing that test means practice and study. Luckily, several web sites offer practice tests and sample questions to help you prepare.

4tests.com and learnatest.com offers practice questions.
StudyHelp offers time management and study skills.
Passed.com provides preparation tips and tricks.

Associate’s Degree
A traditional Associate’s degree takes about two years to complete, making it a cost effective option, and can be earned in a wide range of fields. Additionally, you may be able to apply your Associate’s credits to earn a Bachelor’s degree.

Career Builder highlights eight in-demand Associates’ degrees with good job growth and promising career advancement.

Cardiovascular Technician or Technologist Work with doctors to analyze various cardiac (heart) problems.
Dental Lab Technicians Create crowns and dentures for dentists to use on patients.
Veterinary Technicians Perform routine medical exams/tests on animals.
Forensic Science Technicians Gather and analyze information from crime scenes.
Occupational Therapist Technicians Help occupational therapists perform exercises with patients.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants Perform research, close arguments, and assist lawyers in the preparation of legal cases.
Physical Therapist Assistants Assist patients recovering from injuries.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers Check and treat medical conditions using sonographic instruments.

Online Degrees
The explosion of personal computing propelled the growth of the online degree industry. Today, according to CBS, over four million people have taken an online or distance learning course. For someone trying to hold down a job, an online degree can ease the stress of going back to school. The conveinance, skills development and willingness of many employers to partially or fully cover tuition costs, make getting your degree online an attractive option.

If you are interested in pursuing an online degree, make sure to:

Research several educational providers and ensure they are accredited.
Familiarize yourself with your intended degree requirements.
Talk to friends and family who have taken online classes to gather their opinions.
Visit Online Education to research different online degree options to match programs to your interests and strengths.

Regardless of your educational pursuits, going back to school is a great way to realize your hopes of a better job and brighter tomorrow.

Recovery Job of the Week - Bus Driver

site_admin — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 16:38:27 +0000

Occupation
Bus driver

Industry
Transportation

Median Wages
$16.32 hourly
$33,940 annually

Projected Job Growth
From 2006 to 2016, approximately 51,000 additional jobs will be created in this field. This job has a projected growth rate of 10 percent. People seeking employment in this field have good opportunities.

Typical Work Activities

Inspect vehicles, and check gas, oil, and water levels before departing
Drive bus/vehicle on a specific route, to a specific destination. Adhere to a specific schedule of when to transport passengers to and from a destination.
Park vehicles at specific loading areas so that passengers can board
Help passengers with luggage, with tickets, with questions they may have about the bus route
Advise passengers to sit down and keep their voices down during the duration of the trip
Control the lighting, heating, and ventilation systems for passenger comfort
Unload and load passenger luggage

Work Styles

Job requires a high degree of self control — the ability to remain calm and keep emotions in check
Cooperative, good natured, and able to work well with others
Good near vision and far vision
Good depth perception
Active listener
Dependability
Concern for others

Stepping Stone Positions
To become a bus driver, you first need your Commercial Drivers License, or CDL. To get a CDL, you must spend time driving with someone who already has a CDL. Then, you take a 2-part test with both a written and a driving portion.

Make sure you have one or two good professional references. City bus officials will check to make sure you are dependable and trustworthy. Contact the Goodwill in your community to learn more about professional references.

Call your city hall or go to your city’s website to apply for a bus driver job. If you live in a rural area and/or are more interested in driving a school bus, contact your county’s education department to learn more about how to become a school bus driver.

Training for a city bus driver is divided into two parts: classroom training and hand-on bus driving training. The course can last from 2 to 8 weeks. Usually, you need to possess a high school diploma or GED for this position, as well as have at least 20/40 vision without corrective lenses.

Resources

Stand Out with a Great Cover Letter

site_admin — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 15:55:12 +0000

In a time when over 12 million Americans are unemployed, the amount of people applying for jobs is greater than the amount of jobs available. The three main parts of getting a job are submitting a resume, submitting a cover letter, and going to an interview. An often overlooked, but very important part of this process is the cover letter. Learning how to write a compelling cover letter will make you stand out in the crowd.

A cover letter is the first thing an employer sees. A cover letter tells the employer why you are interested in the position, the professional experience you have, and why you think you would be perfect for the organization. The goal of the cover letter is to show the employer that you have experience in the field and enthusiasm for the job that you are applying for.

Below are some tips for writing a cover letter:

Hiring managers spend about 15 seconds looking at a cover letter and a resume. Make sure the first sentence of your cover letter is interesting and will grab the attention of the person reading it.
Make sure that your grammar and spelling are correct. Use spell check and have a friend or a relative proofread your letter before you send it. You can go to the library and check out a book on grammar or visit GrammarBook, an online guide to grammar.
Research the position you are applying for. Incorporate the goals of the organization into your cover letter. For example, if you are applying to work at a book publishing company that believes in producing high quality material and to get people interested in reading, mention your commitment to doing good work and your natural passion for books. Employers love when a person shows that they’ve done their homework on the company or organization.
Make sure that the contact information at the top of your cover letter is correct.
Keep the cover letter to no more than ONE PAGE. No one wants to read a novel. It should be clear, concise, and short.
The cover letter should be typed. Use 12 point font and make it single spaced. Margins at the sides and the bottom should be no less than ½ inch.
The tone of the letter should be proactive. Tell the employer, in the last paragraph, that you look forward to hearing from them about how you could be a great part of their organization.
If you do not hear from the employer in a week, give them a call to inquire about the position.
Check out Bucknell’s cover letter checklist to make sure that you follow all of these steps before submitting it.

For more sample cover letters, go to Trinity College’s “How to write a cover letter” site.