Online Employment Blog

by: Christine Zafra

Edugree has unleashed their own list of the Top 5 Worst Companies to Work For. They have included in their list the following:

1. The Home Depot
2. AOL
3. Best Buy
4. McDonald’s
5. Verizon

These companies do have something in common according to Edugree: all of them practice malpractice. Whether you call it abuse or whatever, these companies have been in the watch list of most Americans. Most of the hate forums on the internet have mentioned these companies one way or another, and the list of complaints against them just grows every minute. Although they do have one positive commonality, and that is they accept applicants with lower-end education, but then that doesn’t mean that these people don’t have the right to enjoy the benefits College graduates enjoy.

Photo taken from http://www.consumerist.com

by: Christine Zafra

Before, the store Walmart has been on everyone’s lips due to its low prices and excellent discounts. But today, if Walmart would still be on everyone’s lips, well, it’s not for the same reason anymore—Walmart employees have become rebels to their own company.

Why is that so? Apparently, having cheap goods comes with a price. Walmart employees do not enjoy perks and benefits, they have “rock-bottom” wages and some employees even take advantage of the government’s food stamps to chip in to their daily sustenance. Some Walmart stores have filthy environment and the employees also have near to the ground morale. Why do the employees continue to work there if they experience these things?

They have no choice, do they?

Photo taken from http://www.concurringopinions.com

Who doesn’t want to have a fulfilling career? Of course, we all are. Over the years, more and more people are becoming dissatisfied with their job. However, there are those who enjoy their job and have never made a career change in their work life.

A fulfilling career is one that brings out the best in you. It eventually becomes a positive and productive extension of you, your work attitude and your goals. A good career comes effortlessly and sometimes naturally, like the coming of your ideal mate. It provides you with a purpose, a good self image and a sense of pride. It matches your personality, lifestyle, interests, skills and values.

by: Christine Zafra

Some job aggregates have options wherein you could input some additional pieces of information regarding yourself aside from the traditional resume and personal information (i.e. name, address etc.). An example of this “additional information” would be that of skill. Job aggregates such as Jobstreet.com allows the person to add 10 skills in his/her profile which is more beneficial for the applicant since it broadens his/her chance of being accepted in jobs outside his degree. Such skills include cooking international cuisine, HTML coding, writing, smooth talking (a natural talent, appropriate skill for sales people), and video editing if your degree is Psychology (for example).

Photo taken from http://www.alwayswow.com

Say the hiring manager has given you the go signal to ask questions, keep your cool and ask one question at a time. Below are the things you should be able to ask the hiring manager:

1. Management. Ask about what the company does, its advocacy, values and management system.
2. Training Programs. A good company provides training programs for the advancement of its employees.
3. Promotion Trends. This talks about promotion rates, performance reviews and merit increases. A high promotion trend is always a good sign.
4. Compensation Philosophy. This will give you an idea on salaries, benefits and company offerings. A sound compensation philosophy is one that promotes the overall well-being of employees.

Most often than not, potential job candidates are given a chance by the hiring manager to ask questions after the latter has finished evaluating the former. This is a perfect chance to know as much information about the company as you want.

Clear your mind of pointless thoughts, it’s now time to throw intelligent questions. Basically, the things you should ask must be solely about the company or at least, concepts that are of interest to the company.

Usually, the hiring manager would answer each question with as much honesty as possible. Other times, though, he would try to impress you and provide data that exceeds reality. Learn to distinguish ideas from facts. (to be concluded)

Green jobs are a trend today. The world has finally accepted the fact that green is really the way to go. I belong to the increasing number of people hoping that the green concept is here to stay. This is a vital step to preserve our natural resources and uplift our standard of living.

For job seekers whose work history is science-related, then green jobs are for you. However, those who do not have green expertise can always go green through trainings and proper education. Here is a list of green jobs as gathered by CareerBuilder.com with salary information from the US Bureau of Labor and Statistics:

1. Hydrologist � $51,080 (annual median income)
2. Environmental engineer – $50,000
3. Pest Control technician – $30,500
4. Conservation biologist – $52,480
5. Science teacher -$41,400 to $45,920
6. Toxicologist – $79,500
7. Pollution Control technician – $32,000
8. Fund-raising director – $45,000
9. Ecologist – $68,950
10. Camp Counselor – $19,320

For the link to the website�s information, click here.

Finding employment online can be exhausting and the competition can be tighter than you could imagine. Usually, there are thousands of applicants vying for the same position and you have to remain in control of the situation at all times.

Confidence is a key ingredient to succeed in finding online employment. You have to present yourself competently so the hiring manager can notice you. Here are some confidence boosters you should practice:

1. Identify your strengths. Knowing what makes you tick is a plus factor when finding jobs.
2. Be abreast of industry updates. Keep updated with what is happening in the industry where you belong. This helps a lot during interviews where the hiring manager usually asks about the challenges or issues affecting the industry.
3. Get surrounded by optimistic people. People who have positive outlook in life are a good inspiration. Let yourself be immersed in the company of these people so you get positive vibes.

Most high-paying jobs do not get advertised nor reach the doors of online job sites. It is best that you talk to people that could introduce you to more people that could help you find your dream job. It is best that you join a network, which is exactly like that � a group of professionals and community leaders that exchange ideas and share job opportunities with one another.

Once you become a member of a network, your next step is to use networking to your advantage. Here are some tips for an effective networking:

1. Widen your contacts. Think of friends from the past, former classmates and old colleagues whom you could add to your contact list. More contacts means more job opportunities.
2. Assert your goals. As with any endeavor, being aware of what you want to get from networking will make your job search successful.
3. Be organized. Keep a record of your contacts and networking activities for future use.

May it be formal or informal, networking is a powerful tool in finding a job. Make sure you continue to improve your networking skills.

Once you have been scheduled for an interview, the next thing to do is to research about the company you are applying to. Knowledge of the company, such as its scope of operation, structure and background, builds your confidence by giving you answers to possible interview questions about the company itself.

Another benefit of company research is that it shows the interviewer your concern about the company and how you want to contribute to its growth. This is important because employers rate their job applicants based on a particular set of hiring goals. If they see a well-informed and resourceful job applicant in you, your chances of getting the job are guaranteed.