by cjxpadmin | Dec 31, 2012 | January 2013 Magazine, This Issue's FEATURE
By Sheena Williams
A makeover is something that everyone should try, now and then. I don’t mean getting a new suit or buying a new brand of make-up. Those are fantastic too, however, there are changes that we can make, on the inside and around us, that can also constitute as a makeover. A new positive attitude is always in season, and it is a makeover that everyone can appreciate. So, this year, why don’t you try some of the following:
- Be Thankful — Being thankful is not just for Thanksgiving Day. You’re alive to see another
day; you can walk and move around. Even if it’s slowly or stiffly, you are still here to do it. There are people who can’t say that. Whenever you feel “Woe is me,” know that you are not alone and that there are people all over the world who are going through the same things you are, but they are doing it with a smile. Let those people be your guide and your model and be grateful that you have another day to get your life together, another chance to find that career, and another moment to make yourself happy.
- Appreciate Your Support System — Tell those people who care about YOU that you care about THEM. This is your Support System. Thank them. Tell them that you love them. Give them a hug. Give them a pat on the back or a secret handshake. Whatever it is you do that lets someone know that you appreciate them, for not only what they do, but who they are will make their day just a little brighter. This will ensure you that you know who is close to you. Most people only have a few friends, so when you look around and you see your people still standing there, they need to know that you appreciate that they are still there.
Be Generous With the Compliments — Hand out those compliments. Giving compliments makes others smile. It makes others happy. It lets them know that whatever they were doing or tried to do, did indeed work. We like to call these “warm fuzzies.” When you make someone smile without the expectation of a compliment in return, it lets them know that the statement is genuine. If you can’t give a compliment properly, then don’t say anything. Why make someone’s day bad just because you aren’t happy?- See the Good in Everyone — Try to see the good in everyone as well as every situation. Staying positive is crucial to not falling into depression. People are depressed because they allow themselves to give into the negative thoughts that surround their everyday lives. By looking on the bright side and finding the good in every situation, you are blanketing yourself into a protective layer of positivity. Get to know more about a person or a situation before you make snap judgments about their life. They are on their own journey and you don’t know what led them to the moment they are at right now. So use a little compassion.
- Be All That You Can Be — Not to steal from the Army, but be that person you always wanted to be. I was told a long time ago that your life is like a piece of paper. Everything that happens, everyone that you meet, and everything that you do leaves a mark. You need to decide what type of mark you plan on leaving on the lives of those around you. Do you want to be a positive mark or a negative one? These are the kinds of things that we need to keep in the back of our minds when dealing with people every day. While at work, you have the ability to affect the day of a lot of people. You don’t have a choice in affecting their day, but you do have a choice in how you are affecting their day.
- Stay Away From Negative Energy — In the above item, we talked about not making any
negative marks on the pages of others. This one deals with negative marks made on your page. Do not allow yourself to be blindsided or swayed from your course by negative influences. If someone is giving you advice, listen, but then, decide what you want to do with that information. Not all advice is good advice and some advice does not come from a positive place. If you have a goal for yourself, then, do what it takes to reach it. You can at least say you were brave enough to act on your dreams. Negativity is usually a product of fear and has no place in the new positive you!
- Introduce Yourself To One New Person — Here in Texas, saying hello to someone is not an odd occurrence. If you’re breathing, you’re greeting someone. However, introducing yourself to someone new is a whole different story. Introducing yourself means that you are
making yourself, your time, and your advice available to someone else. That is what networking is. It is the ability to walk up to someone, give them your name and let them know that you’re available. If you introduce yourself to one new person a month, by the end of this year, you will have widened your social network by 12 people.
The New Year is fraught with new chances, changes, and challenges. A lot can happen over the course of 12 months, but in that time, you can make yourself exactly who you want to be. It is up to you and we wish you the best of luck! Δ
by cjxpadmin | Dec 27, 2012 | Job Club Heart of Texas, Job Search
Hello, our discussion is late this week due to the holidays, don’t worry participation will be counted as normal!
A New Year’s resolution is a commitment that a person makes to one or more personal goals, projects, or the reforming of a habit. A key element to a New Year’s Resolution that sets it apart from other resolutions is that it is made in anticipation of the New Year and new beginnings. People committing themselves to a New Year’s resolution generally plan to do so for the whole following year. This lifestyle change is generally interpreted as advantageous.
It is not enough to say “I want a new job.” It is important to look within yourself and see what it is that you need to change about yourself to get that new job. Maybe you slouch during interviews. Maybe you need to update your resume. All of these things are important. It is mandatory that you take a deep breath look in the job mirror, and identify the things within yourself that you can change to make your job search fruitful. It could be something as simple as changing your outlook on how you search for a job, how you apply for your job, or what type of job you’re looking for. Are your standards too low or too high? The leading cause of resolutions is failure is that the expectations for the goal are unrealistic.
From 1 to 10 tell us what your work resolutions are! Happy New Years from CampusJobXpress!
– -NOTICE- –
TWC mails you a letter showing the maximum amount of EUC you could receive for each Tier. Per federal law, the program allowing payment of EUC benefits expires on December 28, 2013.
Based on the maximum amount of EUC you could receive for each Tier, your benefits may run out before the EUC program expires.
If you have benefits remaining on your EUC claim after the program expires, TWC cannot pay those funds to you because the EUC program will be over.
EUC Eligibility and Deadlines
Tier 1: Must exhaust regular benefits by December 21, 2013, and Tier 1 claim must begin by December 22, 2013. TWC determines your eligibility for the extension after you complete and return the EUC application.
Tier 2: Must exhaust the prior Tier by December 21, 2013. Per federal law, the program allowing payment of EUC benefits expires on December 28, 2013. If you have benefits remaining on your EUC claim after the program expires, TWC cannot pay those funds to you. Other eligibility requirements:
You must be able and available for full-time work.
You must be unemployed or working reduced hours.
Your base period wages must equal or exceed 40 times your weekly benefit amount. (If your regular claim pays 26 weeks of benefits, you meet this qualification.)
You must have exhausted your regular benefits on your most recent claim, or the claim year must be expired.
Your regular claim must have been filed on or after May 7, 2006. You cannot be eligible for unemployment benefits on a new regular claim* in Texas, in any other state, or Canada.
* Note: if you are eligible for a new regular claim that pays less than your EUC claim, you may be able to continue receiving EUC.
Work Search and Availability Requirements
If you are required to look for work, your work search and availability requirements increase while you are receiving EUC.
You are required to participate in special reemployment assessment activities with the Workforce Solutions office, unless you have attended similar services within the last three months.
You are required to seek and accept work you are capable of performing.
You may be required to submit your worksearchlog.
Possibility of Further Extensions
TWC notifies you by mail if you qualify for another extension, so make sure we have your correct address. To verify or change the address TWC has on our records, log on to Unemployment Benefits Services, select Contact Information from the Change My Profile menu, and follow instructions.
You cannot apply for a benefit extension before exhausting your current balance because you must exhaust each level (Tier) of benefits before applying for an extension.
Congress can enact legislation to create further extensions at any time. TWC will notify you by mail if another extension occurs after you exhaust your benefits and you are potentially eligible for the extension. Make sure we have your correct address on our records.
(Jan/2013)
by cjxpadmin | Dec 19, 2012 | Job Club Heart of Texas, Job Search, Uncategorized
To start this discussion we would like to give the most up to date answer we have received regarding UI Benefits from the Heart Of Texas Workforce Center:”You can still make your payment request on your scheduled day even if that day is the 29th , 30th, or 31st.”We want to be sure you understand the above statement does not guarantee you will receive benefits.
The following is a piece of news regarding this situation:
“Unemployment Extension News Update 12/18/12: The National Employment Law Project (NELP) reports that Representatives Sander Levin (D-MI) and Lloyd Doggett (D-TX) joined with Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) and unemployed workers at a press conference to implore Congress to renew federal unemployment insurance before it expires on Dec. 29 – regardless of whether a deal is made on the fiscal cliff.”
On another note, we have a couple of Job Fairs coming up after the New Year. January’s job fair will concentrate on the Food Service industry and February’s job fair will be open to any type of business.
Two things to remember: First, make sure that your WorkinTexas profile is up-to-date and Second, don’t forget to upload your resume to your Campusjobxpress.com profile. We will be sure to provide more information as we get closer to the event date. Stay Tuned!If you have any questions please ask and we will continue to get you the most accurate answers as quickly as possible. Everyone have a wonderful holiday and for those who will be traveling, be safe. MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!
NOTE FROM THE PAGE ADMINISTRATORS: As a side note we will not be in the office from Dec. 21st -Jan 2nd. There will be a job club for the next week, but we will not be available in person at the Workforce Solutions Center until Jan. 2nd. Once again have a safe and happy holidays!
by cjxpadmin | Dec 11, 2012 | Job Club Heart of Texas, Job Search
Below you will find a notice from the Texas Workforce Commission. This notice is to inform you of the latest information available on UI benefits. Please read it carefully. If you have any questions, just ask! Here’s the link: https://campusjobxpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/TWC-EXTENDED-BENEFITS.pdf
We have UI Specialists monitoring the Job Club. They will research your questions and will post the official answer from the Texas Workforce Commission. They will also give you the website and online location to find your own answers. The Workforce Center and the CampusJobXpress Staff understand what is happening to your benefits and will assist you in any way possible.
We have a Job Fair December 13th from 10am to 2pm at the Waco Heart of Texas Workforce Center at 1416 South New Road. Plans are to keep this employment effort going through the month of January.
In February, there are plans for another larger Job Fair. It is important for you to update your resume. Even though you may have had your resume done by someone you rely upon, please allow us to review it. We are also encouraging everyone who feels they would be a good candidate for the video resume, to please send us an email so that we may make an appointment for you to accomplish this.
If you have questions, ask now so that we can work on giving you the proper answers. If you have been performing job searches and have not found that that job is for you, then, please post those jobs for others to review.
We have a Resume Class Tuesday through Thursday at 9:00 am and at 10:30am. Computer Classes are available at 2:00pm on Tuesdays, Microsoft Word Classes on Wednesdays at 2:00pm and on Thursdays, we have an Excel Class, also at 2:00pm.
So, in conclusion for this discussion, give us your UI questions, your Job Fair questions and let us know of any employer you would like for us to invite to future job fairs. Thank you very much!
by cjxpadmin | Dec 4, 2012 | Job Club Heart of Texas, Job Search
This is a story we could all learn a lesson from!
Gratitude Napkins
by Robert Williams
Frank’s Diner was once an energized, thriving business, a favorite spot for locals and tourists alike in the scenic New England town of York Beach, Maine. But when the economy hit a brick wall, Frank found it more and more difficult to hold onto his trademark, cheerful smile.
One day, Frank caught a glimpse in the mirror on the diner wall of a grumpy, scowling old man with frown lines embedded deeply in the corners of his mouth. He didn’t recognize the man as himself. Looking around his desolate diner, he knew that it wasn’t just the economy that had driven his customers away – it was his pessimistic attitude toward life. Frank had tried to remain optimistic but it seemed like the hits just kept coming, like a NorEaster pummeling the coastline. He often wondered what there was to look forward to each day.
His eyes met with a booth in the back corner of the diner where a frail elderly woman ate breakfast with a college age girl. Mrs. Sheridan and her caregiver Michelle had been coming in for breakfast every day for a couple of years. Frank would nod and force his face into a smile when they walked in the door each day. They were his best customers after all. Mrs. Sheridan would conclude each meal by scribbling something onto a diner napkin and placing the napkin in her purse with a contented smile.
One sunny fall day, even though the New England leaves painted a breathtaking landscape outside the diner windows, Frank was oblivious to the beauty that surrounded him. He was currently crouched under the counter, grumbling about how the dishwashers were always leaving spots on the coffee mugs. A feeble voice above interrupted his rant.
“Frank, I wonder if I could have a word with you.”
Frank nearly smashed his head on the cash register as he jumped to his feet, looking at Mrs. Sheridan in surprise. Michelle held onto the old woman tight, obviously propping her up. All Frank could do was nod agreeably.
“I wanted to talk to you about these…”
She lifted her trembling arm, pointing toward the frown lines on Frank’s face.
He opened his mouth to say something, to explain, to defend himself… but realized he had nothing to say, so Mrs. Sheridan continued.
“Young man, I learned a long time ago that life doesn’t always go your way. Believe me, I have 90 plus years of my fair share of heartbreaks and challenges that I could easily carry around with me as baggage. Instead, I choose to carry these with me.”
She reached into her purse and took out a stack of the napkins Frank had watched her scribble on every day. She had written things like: autumn leaves, Michelle’s kindness, seashells from the beach, the beautiful sunrise today, another delicious breakfast at Frank’s Diner.
“Frank I would like to challenge you to do the same; to stop carrying around your struggles and start carrying an attitude of gratitude instead.”
After Mrs. Sheridan further described his daily “homework assignment,” Frank didn’t have the heart to refuse her request.
At first he did it to appease her. As she watched from her booth each day, Frank would dutifully take a napkin from a dispenser on the counter, scribble something he was grateful for on it and put it in his pocket. The process was mechanical in the beginning, mindless instead of mindful. But each time Mrs. Sheridan smiled over at him, wordlessly encouraging him to continue.
Frank barely noticed when things began to change, when the words of gratitude he jotted down on the napkin each morning began to sink into his thick, stubborn skull. The attitude of gratitude he had inadvertently adopted through the sheer routine of it, began to truly mean something. That was when Frank’s life began to change…
A little over a month into his daily gratitude homework, Frank once again caught a glimpse of himself in the diner mirror. The reflection in the mirror was of a glowing, joyful man whom he hadn’t seen for years. This man looked forward to each new day with hope and enthusiasm.
Still smiling almost uncontrollably at the realization of how much life had changed, Frank surveyed his now bustling business. Locals, staff, and tourists alike were cheerfully enjoying the revitalized space. Even though Frank hadn’t made any physical renovations, the diner somehow looked brighter to him. His eyes automatically drifted to the corner, to share in the moment with Mrs. Sheridan. But for the first time in a few days, the booth was empty. Frank’s heart sank…
A couple days later Michelle arrived and placed a box on the counter in front of Frank with a solemn smile, tears glistening in the young woman’s eyes.
“Mrs. Sheridan wanted you to have these.”
Looking at the floor so she couldn’t see his own tearful eyes, Frank simply nodded his appreciation. He felt an overwhelming wave of gratitude wash over him that such a special lady had come into his life, and exactly when he needed her most.
By time the springtime leaves were blooming, Frank’s Diner was more popular than ever in York Beach. There was one new feature in particular that was a huge customer draw. When a diner patron reached for a napkin from a dispenser, they also received a message of gratitude printed on it. Each message was word for word from Mrs. Sheridan’s collection; along with a few from Frank’s own personal stash. Beneath the message was the question – “What are you grateful for today?” with a blank line beneath. Frank would watch from the counter as customers of all ages and from all walks of life eagerly scribbled their answers on napkins, and almost always with a smile. Mrs. Sheridan’s unwavering attitude of gratitude, it seemed, had transformed not only his own life, but the lives of those around him as well.
The question for each of us is, what steps will YOU take today and every day to adopt an attitude of gratitude in your life? Will you make the choice to focus on your burdens or your blessings? It is so easy to feel shortchanged when we focus on lack and what is wrong in our lives. But when we practice gratitude as a daily habit, life has a way of transforming positively around us. Whether you use something as simple as a napkin journal, when you write down the things you are grateful for each day you’ll be changing your view of the world around you, just one day at a time. All habits have a starting point. Start your’s now!
Be Grateful!
KeepYour Hope Alive!
What are you grateful for in your life?
