My Explain How To Site » Careers http://myexplainhowto.info Helpful how to information for the do it yourselfer. Sun, 20 Nov 2011 16:00:27 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Things You Need to Know About Joining the Military http://myexplainhowto.info/2011/09/05/things-you-need-to-know-about-joining-the-military-2/ http://myexplainhowto.info/2011/09/05/things-you-need-to-know-about-joining-the-military-2/#comments Mon, 05 Sep 2011 20:15:29 +0000 admin http://myexplainhowto.info/?p=524

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When joining the military is a thought in your mind, talking to a military recruiter should be the first order of business. Many people are intimidated about taking this first step and you should not feel this way. I once recruited for the United States Marine Corps, so I can speak from my experience.

The first thing any recruiter will do upon contact with you is do a prescreening. Prescreening is first looking for the obvious things (physically) that would disqualify a potential applicant. The recruiter will then ask a series of questions to see if they can proceed with the application process. The purpose of these questions is to uncover any potential problems that would disqualify you from enlistment. You are not obligated to join the military because you walked into the office. The recruiter will not keep you and ship you off to boot camp because you walked into their office asking for a sticker or brochure, there is a process you must go through. I am amazed at the un-founded fears that people have about talking to a recruiter.

Once the recruiter has the opportunity to screen you and they find out you meet the basic qualifications, they want to know if you are smart enough (spoken like a true ex-recruiter). The next step that will prove your aptitude is a simple 30 minute test. This test does not commit or compel you to anything; in fact if you do well on it, you will discover the wide opportunities of occupations you qualify for in the military, if you choose to know and who wouldn’t want to know that?

Provided you have passed the prescreening and the practice test and you move on to taking the A.S.V.A.B (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) and then the physical, you are well on your way to completing the application process. My recommendation at this point in this article would be this, do not waste your time and the recruiter’s time, if you are not sure you want to be in the military. It is possibly to get most of your concerns answered before you even take the practice test. Knowing what possible occupations you qualify for, requires that you at least take the practice test and then the A.S.V.A.B

Joining the military is a process, you should also know, it’s the first step for a teen and young adult to better themselves, learn things like independence, responsibility, confidence and discipline to name a few. I must say, you will learn things in the Military, that college will not teach. I’ve been to college and I honorable served in the military, the military is for some and others should definitely seek employment elsewhere because of the dedication it takes to be a service member. Semper Fi!

Thank you for reading my article. Nathaniel Lewis is a business owner and technology professional who enjoys writing and sharing life experiences that will help people. Your comments are welcome to this and any article.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nathaniel_Lewis

]]> http://myexplainhowto.info/2011/09/05/things-you-need-to-know-about-joining-the-military-2/feed/ 0 A pig, a cow and a fish – things to consider in a diverse job market http://myexplainhowto.info/2011/09/05/a-pig-a-cow-and-a-fish-things-to-consider-in-a-diverse-job-market/ http://myexplainhowto.info/2011/09/05/a-pig-a-cow-and-a-fish-things-to-consider-in-a-diverse-job-market/#comments Mon, 05 Sep 2011 20:15:19 +0000 admin http://myexplainhowto.info/2011/04/29/a-pig-a-cow-and-a-fish-things-to-consider-in-a-diverse-job-market/

The workplace is is just as diverse as the Internet, when online one can visit site located in different countries and experience a different culture without leaving their present location. Often times I encounter a small business owner who launched a website with the idea of selling to an online consumer base; not realizing their business is actual global and accessibly to anybody, anywhere.

When a company decides to do business locally they are careful to produce advertisements that are in good taste and generally excepted by all. For instance, parents may find it offensive and in poor taste if a clothing company makes revealing clothing for little girls or a toy company making realistic toy guns for little boys. When a staffing company takes on a new contract worker, they often send out key chains, coffee mugs or other trinkets as a way to welcome or show company pride or generate referrals.

There are many things to consider when your company hands out promotional materials, designed to generate referrals. Advertising should be in good taste ,considering the many ethnicities that may view your ad and possibly find it offensive. What about the cow, the fish and the pig? I’m getting to that. Back in 1984, Pepsi was asked to remove an ad that was found offensive in India. The ad depicting a child was seen as violating child labor laws in India. It looks like the advertising firm who came up with the ad, didn’t do their research.

A friend on mine was recently hired by a staffing company and the company sent him some promotional materials or trinkets. Foamy little figurines in then form of a cow, a pig and a fish. He thought about sharing one of the figurines with another co worker…who was from India and a practicing Hindu. The possibility of an insult and being offensive to someone was immanent. You see, the cow is something sacred in India and many other animals are seen as divinities and also as incarnations or aspects of Vishnu or Siva.

So, as diverse as workplaces are, the pool of job applicants is just as diverse and companies need to do their research and consider the whom they are reaching out to.

]]> http://myexplainhowto.info/2011/09/05/a-pig-a-cow-and-a-fish-things-to-consider-in-a-diverse-job-market/feed/ 0 Barriers to Effective Communication in the Workplace http://myexplainhowto.info/2011/08/18/barriers-to-effective-communication-in-the-workplace/ http://myexplainhowto.info/2011/08/18/barriers-to-effective-communication-in-the-workplace/#comments Thu, 18 Aug 2011 11:53:08 +0000 admin http://myexplainhowto.info/?p=467

The workplace is often described by many as stressful, busy, productive and possibly a distraction for some. Without effective communication, much is misunderstood and managers will often find themselves making poor decisions because something was not communicated. Businesses exist for one main purpose and that’s to generate a profit. Why then would any business risk their existence and their reputation because of the inability to effectively communicate.

In the workplace there exist barriers that hinder effective communication, managers and employees alike must recognize these barriers and take proper action to remedy the situation to allow for productive communication. Why is this important? Nothing is more embarrassing than to make a business decision based on something you though you heard or understood.

Distractions

When managers meet in the board room or the cubical, they share information needed to make business decisions. Managers should consider meeting in a place where distractions are kept at a minimum. While in the board room, cellphones are a definite distraction, especially when custom ringtones are heard that sidetrack the meeting at the precise moment vital information is given. When managers make a business decision based on something they thought they heard and there was no reason to clarify, results can be disastrous. Distractions can come in many forms. Holding a meeting in a place where there is noise and those in the meeting are struggling to hear what you have to say, is a recipe for disaster.

Stress

While some workers thrive on it, other may find it difficult to cope with the stress encountered in the workplace. When businesses are prosperous or in distress, managers and workers tend to make hasty decisions or they make decisions without having all the facts. Being able to prioritize events and the importance of things (as they happen) will help you in managing your stress.

Attitudes

This is a big one, a single person could effectively hamper the communication process with their attitude. This attitude can be from a manager or a worker. When attitudes are apart of the equation, emotions will rain in the course of the process. No body wants to be wrong, everybody wants to point fingers and everybody wants to be right. Management has to take a hard stand on setting the tone for the communication process and each person has the professional responsibility to do the same.

Language

Tone, inflection and common phrases mean different things to different people, especially when they speak another language. For those english speaking managers and workers, you must realize this. This is a fact of the diverse workplace. It’s shortsighted to display your displeasure with a coworker with a sharp accent. Diversity is not going away, ever, in the workplace.

Lastly, the organization and its internal structure is often a barrier to effective communication. The communication process or the flow of information between managers and upper management is often frustrated when workers are bound to following organizational charts. When managers and supervisors can get quick and responsive feedback from upper management to make smart business decisions I believe the importance of effective communication within the workplace is realized.

Thank you for reading my article. Nathaniel Lewis is a business owner and technology professional who enjoys writing and sharing life experiences that will help people. Your comments are welcome to this and any article. Please visit http://MyExplainHowTo.info/ where you will find more How To informational articles.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nathaniel_Lewis

]]> http://myexplainhowto.info/2011/08/18/barriers-to-effective-communication-in-the-workplace/feed/ 0 How to Overcome Being “Overqualified” http://myexplainhowto.info/2011/08/18/how-to-overcome-being-overqualified/ http://myexplainhowto.info/2011/08/18/how-to-overcome-being-overqualified/#comments Thu, 18 Aug 2011 11:52:48 +0000 Nlewis http://myexplainhowto.info/?p=199

Have you ever gone through the interview process, felt confident that you’d performed extremely well, and then heard these dreadful words: “I’m sorry, but we feel you’re overqualified for this position.”

Arrggh!!

When I was told that after an interview, several thoughts went through my frustration-fogged mind… What kind of crazy excuse is that for not hiring me? So what if I’m ‘overqualified’ — don’t employers always want to hire the person with the best qualifications? If I’m willing to take this job, overqualified or not, why is that a problem? This isn’t fair! What’s the real reason they don’t want to hire me?

When interviewers say you are “overqualified,” here’s what they are concerned about:

(1) You’ll be bored in this position;

(2) You won’t be satisfied with the salary they’re offering;

(3) You’ll leave as soon as you get a better opportunity;

(4) They’ll have to go through the time-consuming and expensive process of hiring and training someone all over again.

They may or may not make you feel better about being “overqualified,” but you must admit those are legitimate concerns.

If you get the “overqualified” excuse once, you’ll be wary about getting it again. So if you apply for other jobs that may be at a lower level than warranted by your background, skills, education and experience, you may be tempted to “dumb down” your resume and omit things like college degrees. But lying about your background is not the way to go.

Here’s a better strategy: address it head-on. Be the first one to raise the “overqualified” issue with a potential employer. If you bring it up yourself, you can discuss it openly and convince the interviewer that it
won’t be a problem.

They key — as with every job interview issue — is to anticipate and prepare. Before you go to the interview,think about what you’ll say and how you will convince them that they should hire you, even if you are “overqualified.”

After explaining how you will be a great asset for their company, tell them why you are applying for a lower-level position. Do not say, “I can’t find anything else and I really need a job.” Though that may be the case, this approach is a little too honest and will reinforce their fear that you will leave
at the first opportunity.

Say something like, “You can tell that I’ve worked at a higher level before, but this position is exactly what I’m looking for.” Then, depending on the job and your circumstances, explain why. For example:

* “I’ve always wanted to work for your company [or in this industry], and I’m willing to take a lower-level position to get that opportunity.”

* “It will allow me to use my skills and expand my experience in a new field.”

* “I’m looking for something a little less stressful, with fewer responsibilities, so I can spend more time with my family.”

* “This position provides the stability and long-term growth potential I’m looking for.”

* “The salary is not my top priority. I’d have no problem with earning less than I’ve earned in the past.”

Be very enthusiastic about the job. Explain how you can meet their needs now and in the future as the company grows. And most important of all, convince them that you will not quit as soon as something better comes along.

If you are convinced that this job would be worth it, you might even try this: offer to sign an agreement stating that you will stay on the job for a minimum of 12 months. Whether the hiring manager actually takes you up on that offer or not, it will definitely make a very positive impression!

If you anticipate the “overqualified” issue and address it up front, it will not be a drawback to your success!

Bonnie Lowe is author of the popular Job Interview Success System and free information-packed ezine, “Career-Life Times.” Find those and other powerful career-building resources and tips at her website: http://www.best-interview-strategies.com.

Author: Bonnie Lowe
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

]]> http://myexplainhowto.info/2011/08/18/how-to-overcome-being-overqualified/feed/ 0 Act quickly or get left behind – the Importance of staying informed http://myexplainhowto.info/2011/08/11/act-quickly-or-get-left-behind-the-importance-of-staying-informed/ http://myexplainhowto.info/2011/08/11/act-quickly-or-get-left-behind-the-importance-of-staying-informed/#comments Fri, 12 Aug 2011 00:06:12 +0000 admin http://myexplainhowto.info/?p=453

Companies who tend to downplay new technologies or those companies who simply are not paying attention to trends and changes might find themselves struggling for survivability in a fast paced economy.

In short, look at what’s happened to the video rental industry, those companies who failed to embrace change and change with it, are struggling and trying to reinvent themselves. Movie theaters are trying to keep pace with technology. You no longer have to go to the theater to purchase a ticked, you can not only make your purchase online, you can go to a kiosk at the theater ( by passing lines ) and make your purchase. Technology  has changed how companies large and small do business.

It really does not matter what your products and services are, not embracing technology can cause you to go out of business ( depending on your products and services). What about non profit organizations and churches? I have seen churches struggle with the lack of attendance and participation.  Members needing  access to computers couldn’t go to their place of worship because their church simply did not provide access.   Church members would rather visit their local church when it comes to their children getting their homework done, but since their church could not meet the need, members went to churches that embraced change. The church environment is safer and more familiar than your local library for some.  How about those member who could not make it to church? Churches who fail to embrace technology won’t be able to stream audio or provide their members an MP3 file of a sermon.

Successful shoe companies, expanded their customer base by taking their business global and online. There was a time when book stores scoffed at the ideal of electronic readers gaining  popularity and momentum in the marketplace, look at major online bookstores now as they clamor and compete for your business offering e-readers. The market for electronic content is growing. The importance for the small business and non business owner to stay informed is obvious. Take for instance, a popular online DVD rental company who decided to offer streaming content only,  for a niche market of customers who own devices without optical drives! Absolutely a brilliant and timely business decision to move with technology, by making a slight change to their business model,   I’m sure other companies will imitate.

Companies and individuals who decide to sit on the side lines and observe changes in technology,  may find themselves in distress and loosing their customer base to the competition. Some decisions require a quick action on your part and other opportunities, may afford you the opportunity to evaluate and then decide. I believe this, at the rate of progress technology improves, individuals, managers, professionals and business owners must stay informed as to the advances in technology to stay competitive, if not you will get left behind.

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