by cjxpadmin | Oct 10, 2012 | Job Club Heart of Texas, Job Search
Good Morning Everyone,
Today we would like to discuss how you present yourself in the Job Market through pictures. Your image is everything when it comes to getting a job, and professionalism is key. We must always be aware of the statement we make with our clothes, expressions, settings, etc.
For instance, if you present yourself to an employer wearing a t-shirt and shorts, that may say to an employer that you are not looking for a professional position. In reality, you may have a degree in Business but your image does not express this.
In a resume, we also suggest that you leave out your personal interests which is also true for your picture. We suggest that your personal life should not be expressed in a picture that is meant to be professional. Even if you are not seeking a professional position, it is always recommended that you express yourself appropriately in the Job Market, whether it be during an interview or through a professional profile.
With that said, our question for you today is:
What does your picture and/or appearance say about you?
What would you change, if anything?
What may help you change your look?
by cjxpadmin | Oct 3, 2012 | Job Club Heart of Texas, Job Search
Please be patient as the corresponding video will be up later today. Thank you!
Hello, this is Sheena.
Today we have three new things to discuss: the Extended Unemployment Benefits, our last job event and the new contractor for the Heart Of Texas Workforce Centers in this area.
First, our major announcement is the management of the workforce center has change and the new contractor will be adding new services whichshould help you with your job search.
Under discussion is more help with resumes, adding classes for computer, Word, excel and powerpoint, email basics and more detail instructions on the use of Work In Texas.
We will also have more job events as our business services team is expanding its services. More to come as we get more information….
Second the last employment showcase.
Please be mindful that if you commit to an interview you should keep that appointment. Not showing up for a scheduled appointment is problematic for the employer and It reflexes poorly on you. Next time let staff know if you cannot keep your appointment.
Last, with all the discussions about UI Benefits we have attached a detail explaination from the Texas Workforce Commission posted on their website.
If you have any further questions after reading this, please ask us so we may attempt to get you an answer.
Thank you se you next week
UI Benefits Information
by cjxpadmin | Sep 25, 2012 | Job Club Heart of Texas, Job Search
[jwplayer mediaid=”3311″]
Hi, this is Sheena with CampusJobXpress and this is Discussion #11. In response to our discussion last week, we got a letter and I am going to read it to you now. It is called My Past, My Future. Actually, the title of it is It Is Not Over. It comes with a quote that says “Just when the caterpillar thought the world was over, it became a butterfly.”
The other day I was talking with a very good friend. We had not spoken in a while and so we covered a multitude of subjects to include family, common friends, health, work, abundance and various combinations of these.
As we talked about our journeys through this road called “life,” we recalled those events that we had planned or expected. Over the 30 plus years that we have been friends, our families have had many mountaintop experiences. But just as mountains have tops, they have their corresponding valleys. So we acknowledged also the valleys of our lives, the times when we experienced events in our lives that we did not expect and/or did not want.
Then, in my friend’s usual witty and humorous fashion, he said, these events were just “course adjustments,” not failures or defeats.
Life unfolds as it does. In spite of our best plans, wishes and prayers, events happen that are not of our liking. If we had the control over life as we would want, these events, these happenings would not exist. But we do not.
Sometimes these “course adjustments” are small and go almost unnoticed by us. But there are those “course adjustments” that when they happen, we are shaken to the very core of our being. We think that this is the end, that we cannot overcome this “course adjustment.”
Everything happens for a reason. I deeply believe this. About a day after my conversation with my dear friend, I read this anonymous quotation:
“Just when the caterpillar thought
the world was over, it became a butterfly.”
Here is a demonstration by nature of a “course adjustment.” As it is in nature, so is in our reality. When life unfolds, as it does, it does not mean that it is the end. It just means that we are, just like the caterpillar, experiencing a “course adjustment” — a transition to a different level in our human experience.
Our challenge is to accept the change and believe that it will lead to something much better, that the Divine of the Universe does all out of love for us.
Keep Your Hope Alive!
Here are some things that we want you to remember as you are going through your own course.
- Wednesday, there is a Showcase, appointments only, you know who you are. On Thursday, at Richland Mall, it is completely open to the public. It is a Retail Job Fair so if you are looking for something over the holidays, this is probably for you.
- Next Wednesday, there is a major announcement about the Workforce Center.
- Keep posting your jobs. There have been so many people who have been helped through you all posting your own jobs. Some of you have moved due to job opportunities that you have found on the Posting Board that we have.
- Last, but not least, if you don’t have a resume posted, please post it soon. It is hard to match you to an employer without it.
by cjxpadmin | Sep 5, 2012 | Job Club Heart of Texas, Job Search, September 2012 Magazine
OPEN DISCUSSION
This week is an open discussion about what’s own your mind? I would like to start the discussion with a few general statements.
- The Job Club is a place where each one of us can share job search experiences and opportunities. Each week, I would like for you to post one job you have found that you would like to share.
It is as simple as this example posting:
This is Melvin, I would like the group to know there is a job in Accounting at A to Z Office Supply on Washington Avenue.
Our discussions have been so good; however, the overall purpose is to share job information, even though the topics we are sharing are critical in finding and keeping a job.
- Any of you that have attended the Job Club meetings at the Workforce Center have heard me say that all of you are adults and we will not force you to do anything. You participate at will and we will give you credit for that. We are approaching 300 people who have gotten jobs and with your continued cooperation, we can do even more.
- Now, please share your jobs, your questions and your opinions.
- Two Quick Reminders! We have another Job Event coming up in September and we want you all to be prepared. This event will concentrate on Retail positions, which does not limit itself to clothing stores. Be sure that your resume is at its best and have the appearance to match it. Also, the articles on Grammar and Punctuation are now posted for your viewing in the September Issue.
CjxpAdmin: Hello, the Job Club tab has changed location to make it easier for everyone to find. Any questions please ask below. Thank you!
by cjxpadmin | Aug 28, 2012 | Job Club Heart of Texas, Job Search
Punctuation, what is it good for? Absolutely everything!
This is true; punctuation is important in many situations, especially when the situation is your employment. Intelligence is a necessary tool at every place of business and knowing how to use punctuation/grammar correctly is a sure sign of this. For those who have not received a formal education, good grammar and knowledge of correct punctuation can be perceived as such. Many have made the point that their supervisors make grammatical errors daily. Grammar does not guarantee you a position, but using it properly can enhance your chances of a better paying position within the company or possibility for advancement.
In September, we will be having another Showcase Event, possibly two. These events will have a certain type of industry concentration, Retail and Sales. Grammar is of huge importance in these fields. Sales is all about the way you speak and present yourself, your company, and your product. This is why we want you to be prepared in every way when we place you in front of an employer for an interview. The more confident you are in the way you present yourself, the more confident the employer will be when hiring you to do the job.
On September 1st, two full-length, in-depth articles will be posted with regard to Grammar and Punctuation. Punctuation has shown to be tough for many, as well as Grammar. So, today, we want to know “What part of punctuation stumps you the most?”
As observed from last week’s Grammar Income Test, it appears that many of the questions that were answered incorrectly had to do with punctuation. We have created another small test for you to complete to allow you to practice your punctuation rules. In addition to correcting the punctuation, also be mindful of anything that is missing.
As before, mark your answers as Correct or Incorrect. In instances where you see a multiple choice answer, write down the letter for that. Okay, here we go:
Period.
- Chloe tried to buy the $9.99 CD at the store on Memphis St but someone had given her only 9.45
- Nine-tenths is written out as: (a) .09 (b) 9 (c) .9 (d) .90
Comma.
- Alec, brother to Baby Joshua, has the best toys in the playroom.
- Margie began her new employment on Wednesday October 1 2012.
Colon:
- The classroom consisted of four things, desks, chairs, computers and books.
- We had to cancel our trip: Rachel and her sister were sick.
Semicolon
- Melvin was very upset; the question for Job Club was not ready.
- Andrea answered the question correctly, therefore, she received the prize.
Apostrophe
- We wanted to use Sheenas’ computer, but its security code was missing.
- Back in the 50s, we used to see a lot of Rock and Roll.
Dash
- The office crew decided to send 1-2 displays for the conference.
- James and Louise the two top sales persons received awards.
Question Mark
- May we please take your jacket.
- Your jacket was left where?
Exclamation Point
- Hurry, the sale is on.
- Stop! Your purse is on top of your car.
Parenthesis
17. The child will (one day) learn his own schedule.
18. The report is due within, 10, ten days.
Quotation Marks
19. “Sarah, asked Stacy, do you really want to use the software?”
20. Yolanda “Yoli” went to the party with the group.
To review your answers, please refer to the article in the upcoming September Issue entitled “Punctuation.” There you will not only see the answers as well as a few tips with regard to punctuation. Good Luck! And as always, thanks for participating.
If anyone is interested in Retail and Customer Service positions, please email rachel@campusjobxpress.com. We are having a Job Event the last part of September.
by cjxpadmin | Aug 27, 2012 | Job Search, September 2012 Magazine
by Marrisa Maldonado
The role of a manager and the role of a leader are often thought to go hand in hand. Many individuals think that in order to be a manager, you have to be a leader and vice versa, but the fact of the matter is that both positions have differences in their functionalities and in their duties. All managers have formal authority and status. Three main roles that managers assume are informal roles, interpersonal roles, and decisional roles.
The informal role of a manager concerns how they receive and relay information and how they monitor internal and external information.
Interpersonal aspects of their work include establishment and maintenance of interpersonal relations. Another aspect 
of their interpersonal duties is to be a figurehead and a liaison for subordinates in a symbolic manner.
A manager’s decisional duty includes entrepreneurship. They handle problems by turning them into opportunities, and they have to be negotiators and resource allocators.
The five major functions that managers perform are planning, organizing, command, coordinating, and control.
When it comes to planning, a manager has to determine an organization’s goals and think of logistics and resources.
Organizing/coordinating means that managers have to adapt and know how to integrate activities and tasks.
Command is based on a leadership function which means that it is the manager’s responsibility to direct and coordinate people and to motivate their employees.
Last but not least is the controlling function which entails monitoring the performance of their employees, correcting, implementing and reinforcing disciplinary actions, as well as keeping the organization on track.
If you are applying to a managerial position, you need to keep the responsibilities and roles that were previously listed in your mind and not take them lightly. Most people believe that if they can lead, then, that makes them a good manager, but this is not the case. The nature of managerial work is supposed to be used as a tool for the organization. Organizations are social interventions and are designed to accomplish tasks through group efforts. Managers are critical tools because managers should be able to understand and predict the behavior of people within organizations.
Basically, if you think that being a manager means separating yourself from your subordinates and interacting with them 
only when you need to communicate orders, you are in for a rude awakening. I would strongly recommend that you have strong communication skills and be proficient in emotional sensitivity if your goal is to take on managerial responsibilities. When you become a manager, your popularity level will change among your co-workers. If you are a people pleaser by nature, then, I would not recommend a managerial position for you because you cannot please everyone. Part of being a manager is making tough decisions that your employees may not agree with or like. People who want and like positive feedback in exchange for their hard work should not seek out a managerial position because most of the time, no one pats you on the back and gives you positive feedback for your work when you are a manager. If you have been promoted to a managerial position or are seeking employment in this position, keep in mind that the best managers only strive to receive respect from their employees. You should always want respect from others at your job and not be too concerned with employees liking you. Remember that “respect” and “like” are two different things in any aspect of life.
For those of you who are applying for jobs, but are not seeking managerial positions, I have not forgotten about you. Even though you are not seeking a managerial position, you have to be conscious of what type of manager is hiring you or what type of manager you are currently working for.
Managers hold two assumptions about the nature of their employees. A Theory X manager views employees as irresponsible and lazy. These managers assume that people dislike work and will do what is possible to avoid it. They believe that employees must be coerced, threatened, or punished for them to achieve goals.
Theory Y managers hold the assumption that people are responsible and employees are generally ambitious about their work. They also believe that people have self-direction toward completing tasks and goals. Which manager would you prefer? I do not know about the rest of you, but I think that Theory Y manager is the better candidate.
Now for those of you who strive to be leaders in the work place, I commend you for your goal, but I will explain what functions a leader has and you can decide if this is for you or not. For those of you who already identify yourselves as leaders, you can decide what type of leader you are because I will discuss two types of leadership styles as well.
Leaders are individuals who facilitate a movement by a group of people toward a common goal. Leadership is a process of influence. It is important for you to remember that not all managers exercise leadership! I cannot stress that point enough. Leadership is about coping with change and establishing direction. Leaders know how to motivate people by inspiring them to overcome obstacles. In order for an organization to be effective, it needs to have strong leadership and management, but in America, there is under leading and over managing. There are a lot of leaders that have no formal authority within the workplace and there is nothing wrong with that. You tend to see this type of leadership the most in the work place. In general, most leaders have common characteristics from others which are more ambition, energy, desire to lead, self-confidence, high intelligence, and are high self-motivators. If you fit these characteristics, then, you have the makings of a leader! If you do not have any formal authority at your job, that does not mean that you cannot be a leader. In fact, I would advise you to be a leader even if you are not the boss because we need more leaders.
Now to be clear, I am not saying to overpower or undermine your boss or manager. All I am saying is to be a leader, if you want to be and let your manager do their duties, you must delegate. In the U.S., most people are transactional leaders. These leaders base their interactions by straightforward exchanges between them and their followers. If their followers perform well, the leader will reward them. The main goal of this type of leader is to keep the behavior of their followers in line with the organization’s goals.
The other type of leader is the transformational leader which is the type of leader who uses vision to instill commitment in their followers. This type of leader will make changes to an organization in order to change beliefs and attitudes of their followers. One type of leader is not better than the other. It all depends on the followers and the needs of those followers. If you are a follower, it is your personal needs that will drive you to decide which type of leader you will follow. Being a follower is not a bad thing at all because people who are leaders cannot lead if they have no followers. Leaders are not meant to be seen as individuals who can do it all, they need followers to help them carry through with their leadership. Everyone has a purpose and a part to play.
Now that you know the differences between a manager and a leader, you can decide which one you would prefer to be. Do you think it is better in the long run to be a manager or a leader? Do you think that one person can be both a manager and leader at the same time? Is your job or the one you are applying to being directed by a leader or a manager? Think about it. △
