Jude’s Eclectic Resources

I took an opportunity on the 29th of August about a secret shopper site and while I was checking out the site I also decided to sign up as a mystery shopper because I think it would be cool to go to individual establishments and evaluate their customer service.

The application was easy to fill out so I applied. So I received an email today giving me some specifics on the openings around Pennsylvania. If I am a new shopper I am only allowed to take one shop, I guess this would be an evaluation shop to see how well you do.

Because of the distance I would have to travel for one of these shops and the amount that was being offered just didn’t make sense for me to accept any of them. Especially with the price of gas.

If they had been able to supply businesses around the immediate area I live in then I could have accepted and done my first secret shopper assignment because then I would be making money instead of spending more to make less and traveling a couple of hours for $10.00, just isn’t feasible for me.

Maybe down the road they might have something I can accept. They seem to cover all the states so if your interested in something like this and the assignments are near you then it could be a way to make extra spending money. Maybe there are local companies in your area that provide this secret shopper type of service. It can’t hurt to check.

People get fired for many reasons and a few of them are as follows. Not being able to get along with your co-workers, can’t follow company rules, you don’t click with the boss, overselling your qualifications in an interview, meaning never exaggerate or lie about your skills because if you are lacking these necessary skills you could be fired.

Always try to be a team player and never gossip and spread rumors and always try to go with the flow and accept any changes that are asked of you. Not being able to change can hold you back or cause you to be fired.

Always know what your strengths and skills are and know how to use them. The keys to success are hard work, persistence, always being prepared, courage, self discipline, and don’t forget faith in yourself and abilities.

We all want to do more than just exist or survive in our job, we want to succeed and prosper. Try to be an asset to your company and ask for more training so you can do your job even better. Be organized and efficient and ask for more responsibility and don’t be afraid to ask how you can increase your earnings. See if there are projects you can volunteer for or help with to make yourself more valuable.

To get ahead you need to dress as if you are already in the position you want, dress for success. Be enthusiastic and arrive early and stay late. Keep records of the things you do and how you have increased production and saved money for the company. There are many ways you can promote yourself within a company without being a cut throat and making people detest you.

All situations or events in our life that are unfamiliar to us and cause a transition or change any habits can cause havoc with our emotions and cause undo stress with our mental and physical being. That being said, starting a new job or changing your career can be very draining and stressful for anyone.

I know in my lifetime I have gone through many changes so I know first hand how hard it can be. When starting a new job you need to be alert so your able to think clearly and be able to make decisions and carry them out with energy. You will likely be on probation for the first 90 days till you prove yourself and knowing that will cause a stressful feeling.

If you know what your going into before you start you can work on adapting your mental state to meet this challenge and make the transition easier. Every job I have ever had, the whole process has made me physically sick from all the stress.

I like to show by example so I was never good at telling people what to do. I worked as both waitress and bartender at one restaurant for 20 years and was given the responsibility of training them, both waitresses and bartenders, plus I was forced to fire a couple of people which wasn’t in my job description nor was I paid for assuming the role as manager. Working with the public is very stressful in itself, but to have to let someone go because my boss was a coward caused me to seek a career change.

When starting any new endeavor be prepared for feelings of fear and uncertainty and your personal life will need adjusting depending on the shift and hours you are expected to work. Your first priority will be to learn and get the lay of the land. Never be afraid to ask questions regardless if you think someone might think your stupid and if need be ask your questions over and over until you learn. This is where that energy and focus will come in handy.

A good boss will communicate well with their employees so you will know exactly what is expected of you and if they don’t then you should initiate some form of communication so everything is clear and do try to get to know your boss. You can learn transferable skills from any position you hold so never consider any job as dead end, the more skills you can develop the more you can offer if you ever change positions. Do your very best on every job so you can develop good references.

5 necessary skills for job survival are punctuality and that means in all things, getting to work on time, returning on time from breaks and lunch, your attendance at meetings, appointments and always make sure you plan ahead encase you need some other form of transportation.

Quality means how well you perform your job in all areas to keep the product up to standard or better so the consumer will be happy and buy more. Your company will not grow if the quality is bad so take pride in your job.

Productivity - You are paid by a company to produce a certain amount of work so it is best to develop a positive attitude and avoid any circumstances that would limit your ability to perform the duties that are expected. Production is always the end result for any company.

The ability to get along with fellow employees, the public, and supervisors is very important. You are always being evaluated by your actions so be cooperative, courteous, and show good work ethics. Steer clear of any problematic employees and be careful of the things you do and how you do them.

Loyalty is truly appreciated and valued by the employer and is usually rewarded. It encompasses all of the above skills. When you are working toward the common goal of improving your place of employment, you are not only making it better for the employer, but for everyone around you including yourself.

How you prepare yourself for that interview is very important and can be very stressful and you will be feeling nervous and want to make a good impression. Always be prepared for some tough questions. Try to keep the following tips in mind and go over the checklist below so you will be ready for the questions most likely to be asked.

I know sometimes my mind goes blank when asked a direct question even if I know the answer, but if you know what may be asked you can be more prepared.

1. What can you tell me about yourself?
2. What are your strengths?
3. What are your weaknesses and limitations?
4. Why are you seeking employment with our company?
5. Why are you seeking this type of position?
6. What previous experience do you have that relates to the job here?
7. If I called your former employer what will they say about you?
8. How have you shown initiative and willingness to work in the past?
9. What are your plans for the future and do you intend to stay here longer than 6 months.
10. What wage are you expecting to make?
11. Tell me why we should hire you?

Also be prepared for the one question you are afraid of that might be asked and try to think of a positive answer that the potential employer might accept. Be prepared, I can’t stress that enough cover all your bases.

I know most companies use pretty set questions so be prepared and write your answers down so you can have them ready in your mind, but don’t repeat them as if you had memorized the answers. Try to speak in a relaxed manner without rushing your answers, but don’t keep rambling on and on and always make eye contact.

Provide complete answers and show some enthusiasm. Ask questions, but never try to interview the person that is interviewing you. Answer questions clearly and try not to be vague. Know the position you are applying for and don’t give the impression that you don’t know what you want to do.

I always like it when they make a decision straight away, but if they don’t, ask them when they will make their final decision and thank the interviewer for their time and be sure to shake hands with the interviewer before and after the interview. I have never sent a thank-you letter, but depending on the type of position you are seeking it would be appropriate to send a thank-you letter as soon as the interview has been concluded.

When filling out an application it should be as neat as possible and always completely filled in, never leave any empty lines or spaces. If something doesn’t apply to you simply put N/A (Not Applicable). Always use ink, blue or black is acceptable and print or you can type all information if possible.

Always try to answer the questions as honestly as possible because when you sign that application your are attesting to the fact that all information given is true and correct. Companies can and will terminate your employment if they find out you have falsified any information on your application.

Carefully read and follow all instructions and never give more information than is asked for in any question, such as your health status and any disabilities, any criminal records and the reasons for leaving your last job. Try to put a positive spin on it and not a negative one. Avoid using negative words, such as, problems, personality conflicts, quit, and fired or terminated.

Never use the term will discuss or will discuss at interview on your application more than twice, it would be better to use it only once. In some cases it would be better to put this in especially if there is not enough space to explain something potentially damaging to you such as, a health or disability problem, a felony conviction or reasons you were terminated from your last position.

When asked for the salary you desire try not to use a specific dollar value use instead open or negotiable because you don’t want to sell yourself short nor do you want to price yourself out of the running.

If you are confronted by a question that you know is being asked illegally on the application either put N/A or go ahead and answer it if you don’t mind the company having this information, but never leave it blank.

If you don’t actually have much work experience in the job field use all the space provided to list any volunteer work done for your previous employers and list all positive and relevant information.

Ask the secretary or receptionist how long applications are kept on file and who will be looking at your application and unless the company states that it discourages phone calls call back in about a week to the specific person looking at your application if at all possible. That at least shows a desire for the job with the follow up call.