by cjxpadmin | Jun 2, 2012 | June 2012 Magazine, This Issue's FEATURE
In a world of work deadlines, interviews and parking lots, it’s easy to get sucked into your thoughts. “I have to pick up the kids”, “I have to get these reports that are due in Mr. Smith’s office”, or “I have a late meeting to get to attend” are all things that fill our heads at any given time. With all of this going on, it’s easy to forget that danger lurks. There are people out there counting on the fact that you are too busy and too distracted handling other business to know what’s going on around you. Now, that is not to say that you should be paranoid, because it’s not like there is an evil clown waiting on you in the copy room. But we do want to give you some things to keep in mind while you’re going about your work day!
- Pay Attention. It cannot be stressed enough that prevention is worth 20 pounds of
cure! If you’re in an unfamiliar setting, take the time to look around and see where everything is located. Is the area well kept? Are there a lot of dark spaces or large objects? Is there a fire exit plan? Taking the time to peruse your area allows you to identify trouble spots or places that you could run to if you needed to get away in a hurry. Forcing yourself to be aware will not only keep you safe, it’ll make you more efficient. After all, who doesn’t need to know where the break room is?
- No Lollygagging. So you take the trouble to rush through your work day to start your
3- day weekend. You hurdle over small children to get to the elevator. Those two old ladies you pushed over on your way down the stairs are now glaring up at you from the third step where you left them. You go through all of this trouble just to sit in your car and check out your phone. Checking your email, applying makeup, checking items off your PDA are all things that take your attention off your surroundings and leave you vulnerable to attacks. Three out of every ten carjackings happen while the driver in question is sitting in their car distracted. Just be aware!
- Check Your Car. Sometimes in our haste to get to and from various places, we don’t use the safest methods of getting there. Before you even get into your car, look into the back seat, around, and under your car. Have things been moved around? Was the neatly folded blanket you left
in the car on the seat now suddenly spread out over the back? Is there a suspicious shadow near the front of the car? Is there a suspicious van parked on the passenger side of your vehicle? These are all red alerts that something about the situation is off. If it’s late, do you have Security walk you to your vehicle? Never feel that you are bothering someone by asking them to walk you to your car. Think about how they would feel if you didn’t ask for help and something happened to you. Be accepting of help!
- Be Careful Who You Talk To. It’s okay to say hello to people and smile. No one is asking you not to be friendly. But if you are in an unfamiliar place or if your work
place is located in an area that has had some trouble, then, stopping to give the little overall-clad street urchin $5 because he lost his dog can be a recipe for problems. You could get mugged. Does everyone have to know that every Thursday you are at Pattie’s Nail Heaven getting a manicure done at 3:00 o’clock? You and your new nails could be snatched up. Is someone asking you, “What time is it?” If you are confident that the person asking is genuine, then, there is no harm in helping, but if you have to go into your purse or pocket to dig for your phone, then just say no. It’s a distraction you might not walk away from unscathed. Just be careful!
- Little Things Count. When you walk out of your building, are your keys in your hand ready to go? The time it took to have your keys out saves you time in getting into your car and going home. Does your phone or key ring have a flashlight on it in case you drop them in the dark? Did you let security know you were leaving the building? Security can only work with the information that they have. How will they know to look for you if they didn’t know you were even in the building, let alone gone? These are things that could save your life or keep you from getting hurt. Another tip about keys in your hand is that before you walk out of the building, place your keys in your hand with a key sticking up out of your closed fist (between your fingers). In other words, create a weapon to use in case someone tries to attack you. Go for the eyes if you can!
- Take a Basic Self-Defense Course. Basic self-defense is just that. It’s designed so that you can get away and get help, emphasis on you getting away! It’s not for you to pretend you’re Bruce Lee and Judo chop every random mugger that happens by as if
you’re Austin Powers. By taking a defense course, it will make you aware that you are not helpless if a situation arises. They will tell you what’s safe for you to legally carry. They explain ways of getting out of an attacker’s grip to get somewhere to call the police. They take you through steps to keep from panicking. Remember the best defense is a good offense. By going through the steps, it puts it in your muscle memory and your body will take over in a crisis helping to get you out of a bad situation, again emphasis on getting you out of a situation and calling for the police.
Remember the best thing that you can do is to get away. If you have to choose between fight and flight, chose flight. Don’t forget to scream or shout for help. The more attention you draw to an issue, the faster it will be resolved.
Once again, no one should be afraid of getting out there and meeting people or going to 
work. But with just a little awareness, you can keep yourself safe, and keep your family from being hurt if something happens. Criminals are not going to take on someone they feel will be a problem. If you don’t make yourself a mark you are less likely to become one! And if you don’t make it easy for a criminal by being compliant and doing everything they ask, they won’t take the time to carry out their dirty deeds. Beware! △
by cjxpadmin | May 1, 2012 | Job Search, May 2012 Magazine, This Issue's FEATURE, Uncategorized
INITIATIVE
What is the definition of initiative? Well, when you’re talking about a personal nature such as social settings, it would be an introductory act or step, leading action, such as it would take initiative to make friends. In other settings, it could mean readiness and ability in initiating action, something enterprising or adventurous. Now when you are talking about your own personal self, 
you would take responsibility, make a decision or bottom line, to act on one’s own initiative. Well, that’s what Webster says.
Take the Initiative. In life, you will never feel the exhilaration of doing something fun or adventurous or maybe even a little dangerous. Do you dare? Sometimes, you have to take the initiative to go beyond what you feel is safe. Why do we do this? Because it’s life guys, okay? There are many things out there that maybe haven’t touched your life yet, but you will never know this if you don’t take the initiative.
Initiative at Work. The same holds true in your work and your career. If you are working somewhere in an entry level position and a position comes up that could help you move up the ladder, so to speak, would you apply for it? Well, who wouldn’t, right? 
Sure, but you need to take the initiative to make that happen. I will tell you a story about a good friend of mine who was in this very same situation. He has been working at the same entry level position at this big corporation for over a year. He is a very hard worker and a very conscientious person, but yet, he is still in that entry level position. So what did he do? He took the initiative. He saw his chance to do something different in his everyday process of working, so he spoke up about how something could be done differently. His supervisor took notice and has now asked him to apply for an upcoming position with the company, not as a temporary worker which he currently is, but as a permanent employee — with benefits! YAY! That’s a good feeling. And this all came about because he took the initiative.
So, when on your job, taking the initiative simply means that you will go beyond your job title or duties to get something done. On any job, as you grow in the job and as you gain more experience and know-how, higher-ups expect you to show initiative. They want you to be able to be more flexible, have answers to
problems or even initiate a new procedure to save time or money, like my friend did on his job.
Here are a few tips for you to show initiative:
- Always keep yourself busy. When you have completed your duties, find something else to do to make the job situation better. Take on extra duties if you can.
- Establish a good rapport with your supervisor and with his superiors.
- Think up ways to improve your work environment.
- If you see something that is being done wrong or inefficiently, bring a suggestion forward.
- Volunteer to help with work-related committees or company fundraisers.
- Always, always keep your mind open to change.
So, look around you. What change can you make? In anything? Home, school, work, personal, anything? Just set your mind to something you want to change and make it happen. It’s in your control.
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by cjxpadmin | May 1, 2012 | Job Readiness, May 2012 Magazine, This Issue's FEATURE, Uncategorized
ILLEGAL INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
Have you ever been to an interview and you were asked certain questions and in your mind, you wondered, “Was that question legal?” “Should I answer that or object?” Well, it happens to a lot of people. There are various situations where you may be asked questions that could go either way. There are, however, some questions that are illegal and we are getting ready to cover that right now. Pay attention to the Example Tables because they will show you some good examples of some of those illegal questions and then it will give you possible alternatives, legally speaking.
AGE? DATE OF BIRTH?
Age-based inquiries should be avoided because state law prohibits discrimination against persons age 40 and older. An age inquiry may be made to ensure a person is “old enough” to work for the job being filled, or if the job is among the few where age discrimination is permitted such as physically dangerous or hazardous work or driving a school bus.
| Example of Illegal Questions |
Possible Legal Alternatives |
| How old are you? |
Are you over the age of 18? |
| When is your birthday? |
Can you, after employment, provide proof of age? |
| In what year were you born? |
|
| In what year did you graduate from college/high school? |
|
MARITAL/FAMILY STATUS
(often alludes to sexual orientation)
The purpose of these “family” inquiries is to explore what some employers believe is a common source of absenteeism and tardiness. Typically, these questions are asked only of women making the inquiry clearly unlawful. However, even if such inquiries are made of both men and women, the questions may still be suspect. Such information has been used to discriminate against women because of society’s general presumption that they are the primary care givers. If the employer’s concern is regular work attendance, a better question would be, “Is there anything that would interfere with regular attendance at work?”
| Example of Illegal Questions |
Possible Legal Alternatives |
Are you married?  |
Would you be willing to re-locate, if necessary? |
| Do you have a permanent partner? |
Travel is an important part of the job. Do you have any restrictions on your ability to travel? |
| With whom do you live? |
Do you have responsibilities or commitments that will prevent you from meeting specified work schedules? |
| How many children do you have? |
 |
Are you pregnant? |
Do you anticipate any absences from work on a regular basis? If so, please explain the circumstances? |
| Do you expect to have a family? When? How many children will you have? |
|
| What are your child care arrangements? |
|
PERSONAL
Minimum height and weight requirements are unlawful if they screen out a disproportionate number of women or minorities. Unless the employer can show that a height or weight requirement is essential for job performance, such inquiries should be avoided.
Questions about height and weight are always illegal unless it can be proven that there are minimum requirements to do the job.
| Example of Illegal Questions |
Possible Legal Alternatives |
| How tall are you? |
|
| How much do you weigh? |
Are you able to lift a 50-pound weight and carry it 100 yards, as that is part of the job? |
|
 |
DISABILITIES
Inquiries about a person’s disability, health or worker’s compensation histories are unlawful if they imply or express a limitation based on disability. Under the federal Americans with Disabilities Act, any inquiry at the pre-employment stage, which would likely require an applicant to disclose a disability, is unlawful. Employers must avoid such inquiries or medical examinations before making a bona fide job offer.
However, an employer may inquire about an applicant’s ability to perform certain job functions and, within certain limits, may conduct tests of all applicants to determine if they can perform essential job functions, with or without an accommodation.
| Example of Illegal Questions |
Possible Legal Alternatives |
| Do you have any disabilities? |
Are you able to perform the essential functions of this job with or without reasonable accommodations? (This is a legalquestion if the interviewer thoroughly described the job.) |
| Have you had any recent illness or operations |
Will you be able to carry out in a safe manner all job assignments necessary for this position? |
| Please complete the medical questionnaire. |
Are you able to lift a 50-pound weight and carry it 100 yards, as that is part of the job? |
| What was the date of your last physical exam? |
NB: Medical exams are legal AFTER an offer has been extended; results should be held strictly confidential except for reasons of safety. |
| How’s your family’s health? |
|
| When did you lose your eyesight/leg/hearing/etc? |
|
NATIONAL ORIGIN/CITIZENSHIP
Inquiries about a person’s citizenship or country of birth are unlawful and imply discrimination on the basis of national origin. A lawfully immigrated alien may not be discriminated against on the basis of citizenship. The Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 require employers to verify the legal status and right to work of all new hires. Employers should not ask applicants to state their national origin, but should ask if they have a legal right to work in America, and explain that verification of that right must be submitted after the decision to hire has been made. To satisfy verification requirements, employers should ask all new hires for documents establishing both identity and work authorization.
| Example of Illegal Questions |
Possible Legal Alternatives |
| Where were you/your parents born? |
Do you have any language abilities that would be helpful in doing this job? (Legal, if language ability is directly relevant to job performance.) |
| What is your native language? |
Are you authorized to work in the United States? |
| What is your country of citizenship? |
 |
| Are you a U.S. citizen? |
|
ARREST RECORD
There are laws that prohibits inquiries about past arrest records but permits consideration of a current arrest. If an applicant is under arrest for an offense that is substantially related to the job, an employer may suspend judgment until the case is resolved, advises the applicant to reapply when the charge is resolved, or refuse to employ the applicant. A current employee who is arrested may be suspended if the charge is substantially related to the job.
An employer may not refuse to employ or discharge a person with a conviction record unless the circumstances of the conviction substantially relate to the circumstances of the job. If an inquiry about convictions is made, the employer should add a clarifier, “A conviction will not necessarily disqualify you from employment. It will be considered only as it may relate to the job you are seeking”. Anyone who evaluates conviction record information should be knowledgeable about how such data may be used.
| Example of Illegal Questions |
Possible Legal Alternatives |
| Have you ever been arrested? |
Have you ever been convicted of ____ crime? (Legal, if the crime is reasonably relevant to the job; e.g. embezzlement for a banking job.) |
|
 |
|
|
AFFILIATIONS
| Example of Illegal Questions |
Possible Legal Alternatives |
| What clubs or social organizations do you belong to? |
List any professional or trade groups or other organizations that you belong to that you consider relevant to your ability to perform this job. |
RACE/COLOR/RELIGION
This question may discourage an applicant whose religion prohibits Saturday or Sunday work. If a question about weekend work is asked, the employer should indicate that a reasonable effort is made to accommodate religious beliefs or practices. An employer is not required to make an accommodation if doing so would create an undue hardship on the business.
| Example of Illegal Questions |
Possible Legal Alternatives |
| All questions are illegal. |
Are you available for work on Saturday and Sunday? |
by cjxpadmin | Apr 1, 2012 | Job Search, Resume, Spring 2016 Magazine, This Issue's FEATURE
Few can deny the benefits of helping others. It gives you that warm special feeling that lets your heart grow 3 sizes every year. There is nothing like helping someone and seeing the smile and hearing the “thank you” that comes when you have made a difference in someone’s life. One cannot explain the satisfied feeling you get when you hand a child a toy that he/she wanted and how their faces light up like a Christmas tree. And if that’s not enough to get you to your nearest soup kitchen and roll up your sleeves, here’s another reason. Do you know how good volunteer work looks on your resume? Not only will volunteering catch the interest of your employer, it will also give you experience that you don’t have to pay for — does not cost you a cent! You can build your portfolio and do something for someone else! It’s the season of giving and sharing and there are a lot of opportunities to get out and give back to the community. Although if you’re industrious and don’t feel like waiting on a particular time of year to get involved, we have some tips on how to find the right place and ways for you to get out and help out!
Homeless Shelters.
These are everywhere and they always need help. You can help at meal times directly at the shelter. They might need help in the office area.
A lot of paper work comes with running this type of organization and most of the staff are volunteers — just like you. They are getting paid little or no money for their free time and they would welcome the help.
Food Collection.
This is one of the easiest ways to help. You virtually don’t have to do anything, but put a box in a place where you know people will put canned goods. All you need is a place to collect the food, something to put the food in, and a place to drop it off. There are food banks in most cities that would love to have the help and are practically operated through the donations of others. Not really feeling donating to homeless shelters? Pet shelters need the same help. Feeding all of those animals is a job-and-a-half. They are spending so much money trying to keep up with and pay for the bills that any food contribution you could make would be very welcome. Just call your local humane or animal shelters and find out what the requirements are and you’re off and running!
Spare Time Volunteering.
Some of us are super busy. We may not have the hour to devote to whatever charity is knocking on our door. But most hobbies have a charity that will accept your donations. Do you crochet? Maybe there is a child program that needs blankets. Wood working is your choice? Great! You can enter your item in a charity auction. Not only does this allow you to take time for yourself, but you can donate your project to a worthy cause! And if you’re going into business for yourself, it’s a free way to get your name out there. It is a win-win situation for everyone!
Working with Children and the Elderly.
Not only does this show you’re a team player, you can have a lot of fun! Children’s hospitals need assistance from people to help them run story hours. You can be a 
candy striper and get your foot in the door at a medical facility. Go to old age facilities and visit with the patients. You’ll get to hear stories of their lives. Learn some new things. Did you know anything about cars? They might. Also, you don’t know who someone knows. And that little old lady you’re feeding apple sauce to may have a son who is a manager at that very office where you were hoping to get an internship. It can happen.
Public Organizations.
Libraries, political campaigns, hospitals, and environmental groups all need volunteers. You think these places run themselves? Each of these places offers the chance for you to make contacts in all types of industries. It gives you the chance to not only help others, but it will give you the chance to network. You never know where your first or new job is coming from and this may be your chance to find one!
Call Centers.
If you have ever watched television and seen someone call a suicide hotline, then you know how desperate these places are to get help. These places need people to answer calls and help people find their way through whatever problem they are having.
Good with advice and easy to talk to? This might be your thing. You are making a difference in the life of someone that needs help immediately. This gives you experience in answering telephones and other office work as they are always looking for help in all areas.
Click Page Charities.
This one is the easiest one to do. All you need is an internet connection and computer. If you’re surfing the net often, just pull up a site of click charities. These are sites that get money when you click on their link. Just Google Charity Click sites and it will pull up literally hundreds of sites that you don’t have to do anything, except click on them for them to get help. By driving traffic to those sites, you are helping them pay for their administrative fees and donating to whatever charity you’re supporting. Pretty sweet deal for just a few seconds of your time!
Hope this helps! If you want more ways to help, head to your local library or google your town and charities. There are literally hundreds of ways to find projects to help and get your name out there. Everyone’s life is like a piece of paper. Don’t you want the make you make to be a good one?
by cjxpadmin | Apr 1, 2012 | Job Market, Job Search, Spring 2016 Magazine, This Issue's FEATURE
Fortune has always favored the bold, but the bold also always has a plan. There is nothing like being at the right place at the right time. Except you have to plan to be at that place at that time with a snazzy work appropriate outfit and a business card! You can let fate carry you anywhere it wants to, or you can give fate a hand to re-direct that river of success in your direction!
Fortuitous Encounters.
That shooting star called Serendipity can take off anywhere and any time! Make sure you’re ready to grab hold of it with both hands. If you’re out and about, you are more likely to have a fortuitous encounter if you’re at a place where you can encounter people. Take up macrame, go to a free seminar held at your local school, or check out the Chambers of Commerce. They are always holding events that let you get out and meet people. You can meet anyone there such as CEO’s, managers, supervisors, your next baby sitter who happens to have a Ph.D. It does not matter! But you wouldn’t have met any of these people if you’re sitting at home. Get out and encounter!
Don’t Ignore Oddities.
So you’re sitting on a bench at the park and a guy wearing overalls and a straw hat with muddy accessories sits down. He introduces himself and holds out his hand to shake. You’re wearing a suit or a dress and you’re hesitant to breath the same air, let alone touch his hand. Get over it and yourself! That man may be the one giving you your next interview. That man may be the father of your supervisor. That man could be the missing link between you and your next pay check. It can happen!
Happenstance can happen anywhere.
Your job is to make sure it happens when you’re ready. Going to a seminar? Research the company that’s sponsoring it. Look at your goals and see how that company could fit into it. When you prepare for a conversation, it makes it easier to engage. Going to a knitting circle? Talk a little about what you do. Someone may know someone else who needs what you’re offering. There are always ways to spin any situation to your advantage. Be inquisitive!!
Take a Chance.
Is your comfort zone getting you that job? Try something new! You can accomplish all three of the above by going somewhere you’ve never been. You don’t know what is going to give you that “Aha” moment! You just have to be open to new things. If you’re knitting a rug sitting at the park, you may see people walking their dogs, people jogging, and maybe even a clown creating balloon animals. Someone who isn’t open is seeing: dog walkers, joggers, and a clown. The person who is open is seeing sees: a new love interest, a new work out buddy, and an entertainer at their kids’ birthday party. It doesn’t cost anything to take a chance.
Remain Flexible.
Your boss has given you a lot of work to do over the weekend. But there is nothing that says you can’t take your work to a restaurant and do it there. There was no stipulation that you couldn’t go to an internet cafe and sit with others, busy typing away to get your work done. As long as you’re getting your work done, there is nothing that says you can’t be where the action is and where your next opportunity might be!
Know What You Want.
The biggest mistake that people make when staring luck in the face is not knowing exactly what they want. You are being given the chance to have it all, however, you don’t know what it is that you want. By knowing what you’re looking for, you’ll know what to look for. You volunteered to knit for a charity. 
Someone bought your creation and now they want you to make sweaters exclusively for their store. You have always wanted to design clothing, but since it’s just sweaters, you said no. You could have made those sweaters, used the store in your portfolio, handed out your card and a brochure to let others know you do more then sweaters, and set up a web space that would get you noticed. But you missed your chance by trying to get the big picture instead of the small opportunity to get you there.
There are little moments in time when you look back and think “Why didn’t I do that?” or “If I had just said this,” and you didn’t. There are days you’ll cringe at some of the things you’ve done and wish you could have had another chance. Luck is a tricky task master, but if you prepare yourself, you can make your luck work on your schedule!
by cjxpadmin | Apr 1, 2012 | Job Search, Spring 2016 Magazine, This Issue's FEATURE
Beginning March 12th, the Heart of Texas Workforce Center is placing an even greater effort on placing the dislocated worker (UI Claimants) into employment opportunities. Individuals will be receiving emails, phone calls and post cards prompting them to come in, call in or logon to take advantage of this new effort.
This program will place much emphasis on the employer, with the belief that finding employment opportunities need to come first, then match the dislocated worker to an employment opportunity. This is the most efficient way to place individuals. A team of employment specialists is working around the area looking for the next great employment situation for claimants.
Every job is important and every employer is needed to make this effort a success. Employers are asked to take note of the dislocated worker, who is, in many cases, a seasoned worker with experience and skills. This worker has been laid off from a job that they loved and lost through no fault of their own. They have weathered the storms of a bad or slow economy and just need a chance to re-enter the workforce.
Many tools are being used, one being the Work-In-Texas online placement tool which matches jobs and claimants. Many employers have been asked to post their jobs in this system which has proven its value time and time again.
A new tool being introduced is the CampusJobXpress.com Magazine. This magazine, meant to help college students find employment while attending school as well as upon graduation, has been extended to help the dislocated worker. Many of the dislocated workers have been forced to change careers as the job market is changing. They are going back to school to become more competitive. This has made the typical college student to be anyone from 18 to 80.
Resumes, pictures with bios, an online Job Club and an ongoing Online Job Fair are featured to help employers see the great variety of individuals available. This magazine is open for use 24/7. There is a Fortune 500 Watch, where jobs from the Fortune 500 companies are posted. Employers are featured as the best opportunities for placement become available.
Join us at the Heart of Texas Workforce Center and the online magazine; we are all trying to make the difference in the lives of the dislocated workers.
Dislocated Workers! Please join us at the Workforce Center at 1416 South New Road or call 254-296-5222 and ask for Sheena Williams. Employers! Please call Rachel Rudd at 254-339-8788 or email us at info@campusjobxpress.com.
In Texas and specifically in the Heart of Texas Board Area (McLennan, Bosque, Falls, Freestone, Limestone Counties), funds are available for the dislocated worker. This is a great opportunity for going to college to get an Associates Degree or obtain a license or certificate for a trade.
At the HOT Workforce Center at 1416 South New Road in Waco, Texas, staff will help you screen and apply for this possibility. It’s simple and quick with a broad range of assistance. Sheena Williams will schedule an appointment time. Invest a little time in exploring this chance to change your life. The HOT Workforce Center is ready to assist you. If you are in one of its outlining counties, go to the nearest workforce center office and tell them you have an interest.
