Jason wrote:

I recently graduated from university and have not found a job yet. With the recession, should I think about going back to do graduate studies this fall if I don’t have any interviews lined up for next month?

Looking for a job in recessionary times is already difficult. It can be made even more difficult if you are a new graduate and don’t have experience. Give yourself some time and try to figure out why your job search is not producing results. It may be that you approach your job search the wrong way. If after a few months of looking for a job you still cannot find something, doing graduate studies can be a good idea, but keep the following in mind:

Watermarks are texts or pictures that appear as background in a document.  In an office setting, they are often used to identify the status of a document or qualify the document (i.e., draft, final, for discussion, internal, etc.).  For example, if you are writing a memorandum to a partner or an opinion to a client, [...]

Sophie wrote:
I went for an interview last week and saw the interviewer with my resume.  I was surprised to see that it did not resemble what I sent out.  I sent my resume by email.  How can I prevent that from happening?
When you send out your resume and the person at the receiving end has [...]

Think the job market is tough now?

It’s been tougher. A lot tougher.

Recall the 1930s, when unemployment ran as high as 25%. That’s tough.

Now, do you think the best job-search methods from the Great Depression might help you find work now, in the Great Recession, when fewer than 10% of people are jobless?

WorkBloom.net has migrated to a new WordPress design.

Office is a strange place. If you have been working indoors for long enough you start to see patterns. Here is how I try to classify office workers in my workspace. I can easily classify them in 12 distinct categories. Here is my list for you to enjoy.

Arrival Time Checker

These are the workers who reach office fifteen minutes before timing and are considered pest by the other colleagues are just liked by the boss. They can be recognized by the serious looking facial characteristics.

Open Eyes Sleeper

They are the workers who say “yes sir!” on all work assigned to them. They are found in every meeting with power point presentations.

Blackberry Addict

They always seen busy with their blackberry and are prone to pranks. They are usually not aware of all the things going around them.

Smokers

They are always found in small groups in the corner outside the office despite of the weather. They are characterized by their bad odor.

Good Looking Dumb Chicks

These are least productive workers and may just be beneficial to the morale of male workers. They are seen busy with their nails sitting on their seats.

Good Looking Dumb Chumps

These are seen grooming themselves and enjoying their reflections. They also give reason to female productive employees to return to work.

Office Supplies Collector

The feeling of being less paid makes their nature harsh. They hunt the office supply and collect them in their counter.

Free Lunch Hunter

This type of specie is not yet extinct. They always look someone to pay for their lunch. Female colleagues are mostly hunted by them.

The Fat Guy with Tight Tie

They are characterized by their weird dress habit and too tight tie. They are trying to downscale the stored fat in their body by their dressing.

The But Crackers

This unpleasant species is also found in many offices. Many people accidentally see this but can’t help it out.

The Pet Lovers

She can be recognized by the photos of her pets on her desk rather the photos of the family.

She is mostly found staring at those photos with pretty smile on her face.

The Almighty IT Guy

He knows more about your computer than yourself. If you treat him respect you can assign him that work which you find difficult to do.

People who liked this Post also read

• List of Most Essential Office Supplies

(photo by Army.mil)

This week here on the JobSpot we have some very special information for veterans and for families of veterans looking to find a job in today’s climate. While the job search may be similar to that of a non veteran, there are a few extra resources, Bills and tips that can help accelerate your transition into civilian life. Today we examine part 1 of 2 on the G.I. Bill that was introduced post 9/11.

(P.S. Tip: The Department of Veterans Affairs is the only resource that can answer your personal and specific GI Bill entitlement questions. Call 1-888-GIBILL-1 for questions concerning the Post 9/11 GI Bill. The answers given below have been derived from interviews and VA documentation. However, many questions remain, and much is still to be determined.

When does this new benefit go into effect?
The Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) goes into effect on August 1, 2009.

Is this benefit retroactive?
No. The Post 9/11 GI Bill will only cover classes and programs completed after July 31, 2009.

Am I eligible for this new benefit?
You are eligible if you served a minimum of 90 days on active duty after September 10, 2001. This covers active duty served as a member of the Armed Forces or as a result of a call or order to active duty from a reserve component (National Guard and Reserve) under certain sections of title 10. However, some periods of active duty service are excluded. Periods of service under the following do not count toward qualification for the Post 9/11 GI Bill:

• NOAA, PHS, or Active Guard Reserve;
• ROTC under 10 U.S.C. 2107(b);
• Service academy contract period;
• Service terminated due to defective enlistment agreement;
• Service used for loan repayment; and
• Selected reserve service used to establish eligibility under the Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB chapter 30),
• MGIB for Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR Chapter 1606), or the Reserve Education Assistance Program (REAP chapter 1607)

Does the length of time served after 9/11 effect my level of benefits?
Yes, the amount of tuition and stipends paid under the Post 9/11 GI Bill will vary depending on your state of residence, number of units taken, and amount of post Sept. 11, 2001 active-duty service. Here is a quick reference showing the percentage of total combined benefit eligibility based on the following periods of post 9/11 service:

• 100% - 36 or more total months
• 100% - 30 or more consecutive days with Disability related Discharge.
• 90% - 30 total months
• 80% - 24 total months
• 70% - 18 total months
• 60% - 12 total months
• 50% - six total months
• 40% - 90 or more consecutive days

What are the benefits of the this new educational assistance program?
The Post 9/11 GI Bill offers several education assistance benefits. The three major benefits include up to 100% paid tuition, a monthly housing stipend, and a stipend of up to $1,000 a year for books and supplies. If you attend less than full-time you will receive a portion of the payment based on the number of units of study. These payment rates are paid according to the length of your period of service as listed in the previous question.

Are there additional benefits?
Yes, the additional benefits include the following, which are not charged against your 36 month entitlement:

• Tutorial assistance may be paid up to $100 per month, not to exceed a total of $1200;
• One licensing and certification test may be reimbursed, not to exceed the cost of the test up to a maximum of $2000; and
• Work-study is authorized for individuals training at 3⁄4 time or higher.
• A one-time payment of $500 for veterans using the Post 9/11 GI Bill to pursue a program of education if the claimant—
• Resides in a county with 6 persons or less per square mile (as determined by most recent decennial Census); and either
• Physically relocates at least 500 miles; or
• Travels by air to physically attend an IHL if no other land-based transportation exists.

Is the a limit to the benefits if I go to school half-time?
Yes, there is a limitation on Educational Assistance for Training Pursued at Half-time or Less and for Active Duty Members. If your attend training at 1⁄2 time or less you are not eligible for the monthly housing stipend. You are eligible for an appropriately reduced stipend for books. The amount of educational assistance payable is the applicable percentage mentioned in an earlier question at a rate the lesser of:

• Established charges; or
• Highest amount of established charges regularly charged in-State undergraduate students for full-time pursuit at an in-State public college or university.

I am on active duty, is there a limit to my benefits?
Yes, active duty members are not eligible for the monthly housing stipend or for the book stipend. The amount of educational assistance payable is the lesser of the:

• Established charges; or
• The Top-up amount not covered by military tuition assistance.

I was promised the College Fund when I joined, will I still get that extra benefit?
Yes, individuals eligible for a kicker (College Fund, Reserve Kicker) will remain eligible for such kicker under the Post 9/11 GI Bill. If eligible, you will be paid the kicker each month as an increase to your housing stipend, even on active duty. Although as an active duty service member, or a veterans training at 1⁄2 time or less, or you are pursuing distance learning, you will receive your monthly kicker payment.

I elected to make additional contributions under the “Buy-Up” program, will I get the additional benefit?
No, you will not receive an increased amount for additional contributions ($600 buy-up) paid under chapters 30 or 1607 and you will not be refunded this amount under the Post 9/11 GI Bill.

I hope this information was useful and tomorrow we will continue to look at the G.I. Bill and how it can help jump start you career. Later in the week you will hear testimonials from former soldiers, information on vocational rehab, resources and more all in a salute to our Veterans as we approach Memorial Day.

All of these articles and more can be found throughout the state of Florida in our Veteran’s Transition Guide. A complete list of Central Florida locations will be available by the end of the week, and you can always grab a copy at Workforce Central Florida.

Please let us know if you have any comments or additions and we’ll be sure to address them.

-Greg Rollett

1.Why do you want this job?
Basically the interviewer is asking “Why are you here?” The purpose of this interview question is to make sure that you are looking for the same job that the employer is trying to fill. It is exploring your passion for this business and this work. Why are you interested in this type of work? Provide examples of specific aspects of the work that interest and excite you. Convince the interviewer that you are looking for exactly the type of work that this position is offering. Rephrase in an enthusiastic and positive way the things you have learned about the job from the interviewer, the recruiter or the job posting and your background research. Highlight how your skills and abilities fit in with these job requirements.

2.Tell me about yourself
The interviewer is trying to find out if you will fit in with the rest of the team and the company. This job interview question also explores what motivates you and whether it is consistent with the position and company. Again avoid just repeating what you have written on your resume. What makes you uniquely qualified to do this job? Try to describe yourself objectively focusing on your key skills and abilities that will be of value in this job. Describe your character as it relates to the inherent job requirements. If you are not sure of what behaviors are required in the position you can use general work-related adjectives such as diligent, persevering, hard working, enthusiastic.

3.What are your weaknesses?
With this interview question the interviewer is evaluating your self awareness and insight rather than your actual weaknesses. Acknowledging a weakness is seen as a sign of maturity and wisdom. Refer to a valid and sincere weakness but turn it into a positive by describing it as an area for development. In your answer detail the steps you have taken to try and improve.

4.Where do you want to be in five years?
The interviewer is looking for a match of expectations between your hopes and goals and what the job and company can offer you. Referring to goals and aspirations unrelated to the work you are applying for demonstrates a lack of interest in the current position and sends up red flags for the interviewer. It is best to avoid mentioning specific job titles and specific time frames. Refer in a general way to what you enjoy, the strengths you have that you would like to develop, what you hope to learn from your work experience, realistic challenges and opportunities you expect in your chosen career field.

5.Why should I hire you?
With this top interview question the interviewer is looking at your objective assessment of your suitability for the position. Link up your work experience to the requirements of this job. Describe the immediate relevance of your past experience. Provide examples of your transferable skills. Refer back to your strengths and how they will benefit the position and the company. Focus on your key skills and expand on how you will use them in this position. Offer a couple of examples to explain why you are so enthusiastic about the job, the work and the company.

More and more reports are coming out saying that layoffs are slowing down, but does that mean that more businesses are hiring? Things are still pretty touch and go for a lot of people, but that doesn’t mean that things can’t turn around. I also know that we see reports like this every summer when college kids get of school, and it has not changed much since I graduated. Hang in there and keep chasing down every lead. So with that said, here is a great check list to follow compliments of Spherion Career Blog, so that when businesses do start hiring again you will be ready:

- Make sure your resume is up to date and in order, listing your most recent experience and skills.

- Start making connections by networking and meeting professionals and peers in your line of work.

- Stay in touch with those from your last place of employment - they may be able to hire you back.

- Practice your interview skills and consider taking a couple of course to refresh or learn new skills.

- Get your interview clothes in order.

- Pound the pavement. Don’t just rely on job boards and web sites, make personal visits to companies and visit job fairs that will surely become more and more frequent if the job market is turning around.

- Also, take a minute to make a plan of action. Outline the type of job you want and narrow in on industries or employers that most interest you.

Have you ever wondered if the Portland area has enough land to accommodate future jobs? Well Metro in Portland is trying to figure that out. They have estimated that there will be between 1.25 million and 1.7 million more jobs in Portland region by 2030. If all goes according to plan this will be great news for the region in the next 20 years, but the debate is whether or not they need to expand urban growth boundary. So there is a lot to discuss going forward on this issue.

So Portland, if you have any tips you would like to add about job recovery or the current issue that Metro is facing please feel free to leave your comments below.