8 Startlingly-Simple Job-Finding Tips.

So you just got laid off, quit your dead-end job, or are just looking for a change of pace? 

Here are 8 tips/resources that can help you easily land the job of your dreams, and get a call back within the week.



1.) Craigslist. 
I will never understand why people shy away from using craigslist to find jobs. Here's why it's a great resource; first of all- you have less competition. Few people use it as a medium, and many job posts are repeatedly posted because positions are not filled. Secondly, using Craigslist is a great way not to get suckered into a small-time position at a huge chain. Many small warehouses are more than happy to pay a very good wage to reliable people in the area, and not only will they pay well, but chances are you'll gain free training and experience that will help your resume out even more.


2.) Ask around.
Don't be afraid to tell your friends what kind of a position you're in. In fact, chances are that through their networking abilities in and out of the office, they may know of an opportunity that would suit you. After all, they are your friends and know your strengths, weaknesses and interests.


3.) Linkedin.com
Linkedin is another great job-finding resource. And by this, I don't mean you should pay the fee to become a "job-seeker", because you will be in competition with hundreds of others. Make "connections" with family, old classmates, colleagues, work-peers, owners of companies you've worked along-side. Check out their profiles, and check out what they do. Look on their companies websites and call up to see if they're hiring. You may even be able to use your connection as a reference. Another way to use linked-in to find jobs is to join "groups" that have to do with your skills and interests. Often on the boards will be job postings that you can access for free, and a face behind it. You can also post your resume on the board for others to contact you.


4.) Make yourself known.
If you know of a place you'd like to work, go drive over there. Say hello. Let them know that you're willing to fill any necessary position. Enlighten them with your knowledge of the company by doing your research. For example, "I'm aware you have been around for 16 years, and in this economy that's quite a feat! I know you must be doing something right and I'd love to be a part of it." Drop off your resume- complete with a cover letter stating what you think you can offer the company.


5.) Be willing to travel.
One of the biggest troubles that hiring managers and company owners face is finding an employee who is free to travel. In fact, many companies state it directly on job listings. Having the ability to travel opens you up to a completely new realm of possibilities that many find untouchable. However, I don't suggest this to those of you with families.


6.) Learn another language.
Learning another language is another way to put yourself ahead of the game. Plus, with it being the age of technology, it's never been easier. In fact, one of my new favorite websites is http://duolingo.com/
Though your selection is limited, they allow you to learn languages easily, quickly, oh, and it's totally 100% free. No need to waste your money on classes or Rosetta Stone. No catch, folks.

(And I was not offered or paid in any way to speak out about the site, I'm just a huge fan.)


7.) Offer critique.
I do not, I repeat do not mean criticism. But if you do happen to get that interview, and you get around to checking out the website etc (which you'd have to be dumb not to) I've found that it helps to mention to the interviewer what you liked about it, and if you're ballsy enough, what you think they could do to make it more valuable to the user. This could come back to bite you if you say it the wrong way, but if you can manage to be suave until at least the end of the interview, it could show the interviewer that you may be able to provide help even in areas that are not your "expertise". For example, in the job interview I had with my current job, I mentioned that I did logo design, and would be more than happy to update their logo or help with business cards if they needed it. I feel that I was, in part hired for that reason- because within six months I had been asked to do exactly that, and had proven my worth.


8.) Talk to strangers.
When I was 16, I took my sister to school one day. Ended up in conversation with a mother of another student. She asked me at that time if I was available to babysit, which I was. (I mean, more money.)
She and I continued to maintain a relationship where I would watch her daughters, she'd invite me to church groups, I would buy her daughters little gifts, teach them the guitar, etc. One day she called me and mentioned a sales position available at a small company whose owner she knew. I ended up taking the position, and working my way up to managing the warehouse, doing the accounting work, making purchases...Anything I could learn- I did. The company exploded, and when I decided to leave after three years, I had a huge list of new skills, all thanks to talking to a stranger in an elementary school parking lot.

Long story short, you never know what someone else may have under their belt to offer. Networking is absolutely the most valuable skill when it comes to job security. So, I implore you to get out there. Get online. Make friends. Let people see you shine, and help you to achieve your goals in a setting where you're most appreciated.


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So my question for today is, what are some other tried and true methods of gaining employment?

Feel free to answer below in the comments section.

New Google+ Page, and New Logo!

Good morning, everyone!

We now have a new Google+ Page, that can be found here:

And here is our new logo:

What do you guys think?

10 Qualities of a Great Boss:

1. Lets employees shine:
A great boss lets you shine. They know your strengths, and are sure to put employees in positions that highlight those strengths.

2. Patience and Understanding:
A great boss understands that sometimes employees face obstacles that can get in the way of productivity. Be it a death in the family, car troubles, a doctor visit- a top-notch boss understands that employees have a life outside of work that needs time and attention to maintain.

3. Adequate Pay:
A great boss knows that many people are money-motivated, sometimes by need rather than by choice, and offers the pay that each employee deserves (based on performance). They also understand that their employees not only need enough to live off of, but a little bit extra to play with, too.

4. Utilizes Rewards Systems:
Whether it be overtime, work-gatherings or extra time off, a great boss rewards their employees for exemplary work. A great boss understands that in order to see results, positive change must be rewarded. (See "Classical Conditioning")

5. Optimism:
An optimistic boss is one that employees will look up to. Not only is a great boss optimistic about the company's success, but each employee's personal success- therefore encouraging employees to perform at their peak with ease and a smile.

6. Complimentary:
A great boss gives compliments to employees when compliments are due, and sometimes even just after small feats. The bosses that stand out are the ones that will page or email an employee just to say "You're doing a great job, keep it up!"

7. Space and Time:
Space and time are an important thing for a great boss to factor in. She or he won't be constantly nagging, and won't expect work to be completed in an unreasonable time frame. They will encourage employees to set reasonable goals for themselves, and will reward employees that excel instead of punishing those that are distracted.

8. Facilitates Teamwork:
A great boss brings in a team for big decisions, and takes a democratic approach to change and progress within the company. They will encourage employees to share ideas and learn from their peers, as well as keep their office door open for inquiries.

9. Sets a Good Example:
A great boss is someone that employees look up to, and someone that they are grateful to have running the business. A great boss is someone who is calm in times of stress, commands attention, and respects their employees. They are someone with the type of confidence that makes employees want to follow their example- which results in positive growth!

10. Provides Space, and a Comfortable Work Environment:
Lastly, a great boss is one that physically gives each employee enough space to breathe. Someone who would rather expand the size of the building than have their employees breathing down each other's necks. They are someone who makes sure to offer a chair that works well for an employee's back, a desk that they can fit their five cups of coffee on, and a work-area with enough space for them to get up and take a walk if needed.


______________________________________________________________________

From an employee's standpoint- What are some qualities of your boss that you admire? What are some areas that they could improve? If you were in their footsteps, what would you do differently?

From an employer's standpoint- What do your employees appreciate about you? What could you do differently?

Resume Template:

I speak to people all the time who are right out of college, and looking to write their very first resume. I recall all the time spent looking it up, asking around, guessing and checking, etc. So today, I've decided to make it easier for all of you with my very-own resume template. Feel free to copy and paste, and add in your own information.

Good luck on your job-search!

___________________________________________________________________________

Your full name

Street and house number

City, State, Zipcode

Cell Phone (###)###-####

Your business email address (not kitty123@aol.com)

Objective

Put here what you want to gain by having this job. What would you like to learn and how would you like to use this job to further your career?

Summary

A _________ individual with interests in _______, ________, and _______. Specializes in _________, and _______. Working on _______________.

Education

___________ High School: (Awarded). (Date Awarded).

(If Applicable) _________ College: (Associates/ Bachelors/ Masters/ Certification) in ______ Degree with an emphasis on ________. Awarded (Date awarded).

Professional Experience

Business Name- City, State (Worked from date- Worked to Date)

     Responsibilities: _______, ________, ________ (What did you do?)

Business Name- City, State (Worked from date- Worked to Date)

     Responsibilities: _______, ________, ________ (What did you do?)

Business Name- City, State (Worked from date- Worked to Date)

     Responsibilities: _______, ________, ________ (What did you do?) 

Business Name- City, State (Worked from date- Worked to Date)

     Responsibilities: _______, ________, ________ (What did you do?)

Software Skills

(Insert software skills here. Ex: Apple OS/Windows,

Acrobat Pro, Microsoft Office(Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook))

Following Up- How Much is Too Much?

One of the best pieces of advice I've ever received was from my supervisor at a sales gig.

He told me:

You're not dating [your clients], you don't have to worry if you're bugging them by calling them. 

He then told me about a man who was selling him a product-painting module. This man had called seven times in the past 5 days. My supervisor had full intent to buy the machine, but by the man constantly calling, it made him want to buy it sooner. If this man had stopped calling, he would have most likely tossed that project onto the back burner, or at the very least forgot who it was that called him in the first place.

Not only that, but following up often does more than that. Your clients and customers will grow to know your name, and what you stand for. Perhaps next time they are in need of what you have, they will remember that you remembered them. You must keep in mind that you are sparking an interest when you offer a sale. If the customer has a chance to forget who you are, they may keep that interest, but they'll take their search to the first name that pops up on Google, not you.

More commonly, we've seen the benefits of customer follow-ups after they buy from you as well. Making sure that they are satisfied shows that you want to have a good relationship with the customer, as well as fosters good communication. This lets them know that if they have questions, they can come to you.

This also works well for both parties if you take into account that by communicating with the customer, you can learn how to better provide for them. There's no need to pay for market research if you take a few minutes out of your day and ask them directly how they're doing with your product, and what they'd like to see from you.

Never forget that your customer is many other companies' customer as well.



So the question for the day is: What will you do for your customers to make your company stand out?

How To: Good Customer Service.

Speaking of which, I had the most awful customer service experience with the Sprint phone-reps this weekend. Why is it that they're so helpful in the store but so rude when you have a problem?

Needless to say, three hours of wasting my life on the phone later, I ended up with nothing but an ulcer. 

Enjoy!

10 Ways To Find True Love with Customers infographic

8 Things You Should Know About Your Local Sample-Lady:

1. They are paid less if you don't buy their product.
Most sample-ladies, otherwise known as sales reps, demo specialists, or product reps are either paid by commission, or are paid by sales "skill". I say "skill" because,  for example, the sample people at Costco (CDS) are paid an hourly rate, and no commission. However, they are judged by the amount of sales they make, compared to the amount of samplers. They are also expected to sell 2.5 times the sales of the same product last week. Sometimes this works at their disadvantage; imagine a new product comes out by Tollhouse week one, everyone wants to buy it. But, when the samples are being given away, people either realize the cookies are too dry, or too small, or too sweet-- what ever! This woman is working while odds are against her to sell two-and-a-half times the sales of the product when people thought it might be something they were interested in.

Now, I promise I'm not just rambling. The important factor about this information is that if these women don't sell 2.5 times last week's sales, they will lose their hours the next week. This leads to number two:


2. Their job is not easy.
Some days they may have "easy" products, but most days they don't. Keep in mind there's usually a reason why these companies pay people to try to sell their product. It's either an awesome hidden gem, or more often it's terrible/near it's expiration date and the company (or in some cases the store itself) is trying to move the product off the shelves.


3. Small talk brightens their day.
However, there is something you can do. You want to make a difference in someone's life? All it takes is a simple "hello", and "thank you" when you take the product. You could even ask how they're doing. All of the demonstrators I've spoken with have told me how much they appreciate when someone says thank you, or smiles at them. Just remember, they're on their feet all day dealing with rude customers and grabby children. This leads to number 4...


4. They hate when you say things like "Ooh, it's lunch time?"
Sampling the store's food is not a free service to you. The product you're eating, as well as the wax paper it's sitting on comes out of someone's pocket. If you're not interested in the product, what's the point of trying it?



5. They remember you.
Alright, so you admit it. Maybe you're the type of person that takes sample after sample and giggles about it when you slink away. Maybe you were rude to the demo lady, or told her to hurry up. Maybe you let your five kids take five samples a piece, and didn't pick up the garbage they dropped when they walked away. A sample lady never forgets; and don't be dumbfounded if there's a "mystery surprise" in your food next time, or the food is conveniently not finished cooking every time you walk to their cart. Sample ladies can be a delightfully passive-aggressive breed.

But on the other hand, say you're one of the customers that was polite every time. You engaged in short conversations, used your manners and didn't just pretend to be friendly so you could continue eating. They remember you, too. And you will be the first to know if a product is going on sale next week, or get the biggest, prettiest sample she's got.


6. They are not allowed to tell you to stop taking seconds, but they really wish you would.
Unfortunately, your local sample lady is not allowed to tell you to stop, but this means she's also not allowed to tell anyone else to stop. So if you're staking out the bratwurst, wait ten minutes until the next batch is done, and suddenly a swarm comes and batch two is missing: this is not the sample lady's fault.


7. If you harass a sample-lady, you can get banned from the store.
Here's where the truth comes out, I worked as a product rep for about three years through high school and my start of college. Unfortunately, there was a lot of customers that came to feast that were beyond rude. They were insulting, would call me names, grab me, would not leave me alone when I made it perfectly clear that I was at work, and didn't want to go out with them on Saturday: and the sad part is that this is not uncommon. It's a normal occurrence for many demonstrators, and most of the women at my particular store would have to report someone to the manager at least once a month.

It's not worth losing a Sam's Club membership because you've had a bad day.


8. They're people, too.
If you grab 5 samples of chocolate cake and then explain that you can't buy it because of calorie-restrictions, you will be mocked. If you're rude, you'll be badmouthed. All these ladies want is the same thing as you want; as little stress as possible at work. So if you can help it, try to be one of the people that makes them leave that night smiling. Don't ask them why they don't have a "real job", because what they do is not as easy as it seems. They can't take tips, but if you notice they're doing a good job- tell them! They are not out to get you, or to sucker you into buying something- they're there for the people that want to buy the product. (And maybe the people whose kids won't let them leave without it.)

Friday

Hey, it's Friday, what great news!

The day to slack off, and come home to booze.

Every Friday I wake up

I drink a pot of coffee, not just a cup.

Wonder why I go to work;

'Till 5 PM, I'm such a jerk.

Can't wait to take off my high heels

And have time for three full meals.

Come home, lay down, relax, unwind

Enjoy the perfect state of mind

I've got two days to forget the week

Friday will never lose it's mystique.

Ever Wonder How Much Consumers Spend On Valentines Day?

♥Let's take a look at Australia: 

 

Infographic by E-Web Marketing

Ten Secrets to Sending out an Email to Customers that They'll Actually Read and Respond To:

1.) No Images
I see it all the time in sales emails. There's nothing more spammy than an email about a big sale with pictures of models wearing the new season's clothes, or a product with a price-slash on it. Instead of including pictures in your emails, add a link redirecting customers to the site if they want to see for themselves. This way if they're even slightly interested after reading what you have to say, they'll dive into your whole website instead of focusing on that one sale product.


2.) Make it feel personal
Subject line- their name.
It doesn't matter what company you're from, people are more likely to open the email when they feel that it directly concerns them. It shows that you spent the time to write to them, and makes the customer feel a bit more obligated to see what you have to say instead of instantly deleting the message before opening it.


3.) A little bit of improper grammar
This doesn't mean, "how u doin" is an acceptable greeting. But starting off an email with "Hope all is well!" has always worked for me and my colleagues. You want your email to seem conversational and non-threatening. You want to seem comfortable enough to converse with the customer, to encourage them to get involved with you/your company and respond or ask questions.


4.) No funny colors
When you write an email to your friends, do you use black text or bright red? You use black. To respond you use blue. Sticking with the plain black font is the way to get your customers to read your email instead of assuming you're trying to sell them something (which you probably are).


5.) No bullet points
Bullet points are tacky in sales emails. When you're trying to sell, or in my case buy things from customers, you should make it as easy to manage as possible. Don't list everything, and don't put it in bullet points.

You're more likely to read "Company A works mostly with the purchase, sale, and repair of Cotton Balls, Paper Plates, Sandals, Frying Pans, Headphones, and Shredders." without thinking twice.

As opposed to: "Company A would be interested in the following:

*Cotton Balls
*Paper Plates
*Sandals
*Frying Pans
*Headphones
*Shredders

A semicolon gives the reader the chance to mentally skip the following list. It prepares them to involve themselves in your product, which they can choose against.


6.) No enlarged text
If you want to grab someone's attention and direct it at a specific point in the email, just delete the whole email. You're not doing it right. See "Keep it short and simple"


7.) Read receipts
It's sneaky. I know. But there's no better way to judge the potency than attaching read receipts to your emails. This way you can tell how many "reads" you get out of the total amount of sent emails, and how many "deleted without opening" notifications you get. You can also go even further, and compare total reads to total replies. The fun is endless. This way if you want to try more than one version of an email in honing your craft, you can see which works better and why.

Another sneaky aspect of read receipts comes into effect when you make a point to mention that you have one attached. Just adding "*Read Receipt Attached" in smaller text underneath your signature can catch someone's eye, and in times even guilt them into responding. I know, I'm awful.


8.) Hopeful conclusion
"I look forward to working with you!" etc.
It's sweet, hopeful, polite. It tells the customer that you have their interest in mind, and that their response matters to you. It'll also put you above the rest of your kind that are also fighting for their attention.


9.) Keep it short and simple
Keeping it short an simple means that the reader can make their way from start to finish in 30 seconds. Most people don't check their email for the purpose of shopping. They check their email to absorb necessary information and move on. Referring to "No enlarged text", it's important that in this thirty seconds your email would be lucky to receive, you include the most important information only. This, of course, aside from casual greeting and hopeful conclusion. If you find yourself making something a crazy color or bold in order to draw attention, perhaps take some time to get rid of unnecessary information.


10.) Send it to one address at a time
I know, this is the worst part. However, when someone sees that their name is the only one in the "To:" box, they feel more like this is a personal conversation between you and them. They see that you took the time out of your day to "check in" with them. This factor mixed in with your conversational approach will not just give you that upper-hand in the sale, but it may even help you to form a relationship with the customer, making you their go-to person/company for their needs in the future. Wouldn't you rather have your customers come to you than have to go to them?



Feel free to leave your input in "Comments". What other factors have you experienced that forge the difference between a read email and a deleted email?

What makes packaging effective?

Today I'll be using the example of Olia, Garnier's new "oil powered" hair color.

So why do people buy this, or more specifically, why did it catch my eye?

First of all, the box is black. It stands out from other boxes of hair color by the packaging color alone. You can see a picture for reference here. The box features a bright yellow flower, and a close-up, shiny representation of the desired hair color on the front. The difference between this product and many others, is that it claims to "improve and restore" hair, and plans to do this by a 60-40 ratio of flower-oils to chemicals. This giant yellow flower assured me that if I used this hair color, I was practically bathing in earth-liquid. 

Secondly, was the name. Genius. Olio means "oil" in Italian. It's 2013 and Italy is hot. Everything from the Italy-inspired clothing patterns, to the men. Olia is a brilliantly feminized version of the word, which is the main selling point in the product. 

So needless to say, the packaging, name, and price combined are what convinced me to pick up the box and bring it home.


Upon walking in the door, I was eager to see what made this product different. I opened the package and inside was a mixing bottle that looked like a large teardrop. It was marvelous. The packaging designers stuck with the color theme the whole way through, making each bottle mostly black, with a subtle hint of yellow. Even the colorant gloves were captivated in a small jewelry bag, and were black. The individual tubes that held the colorant, developer, and conditioner were virtually seamless, fit in the hand perfectly, and were made of a soft, non-threatening plastic instead of the common, unforgiving aluminum. Did this change made a difference in the product quality? No. But it was something different. 

Was the fact that it was different than the rest comforting, exciting, terrifying?

This product was obviously marketed to a younger generation. The "environmentally-whatever" approach is a big step for the twenty-and-thirty-somethings wanting to make that small switch because they believe it's better for their bodies. The bold colors on black is anything but vintage. Even the typeface used on the packaging is new-school. It was the Verdana to every other product's Times New Roman. So does it work? Yes. Because the young people don't want what their mothers used.



Feel free to give me your input in the comments section. What catches your eye in Walgreens and why? Would you rather stick to old-faithful, or try new things?