Work and Family

Photo Credit: Google Public Domain Images: mommd.com

Balancing work and family is difficult regardless of whether you are single parent or have a partner to share the responsibility of a child.  Some things to consider BEFORE taking a position are:

• What family benefits does the company have in place?
• Do they have daycare onsite or do you have to find a daycare provider?
• Do they allow employees to work from home if a child is sick?
• What kind of health insurance do they provide for families?
• What is the company's Maternity/Paternity Leave policy? 

Finding the answers to these questions before beginning a new job will help to keep unwanted surprises down to a minimum. 

Once you are working, these are some tips on how to create a balance at home.

•  Stop trying to make things perfect.  This eats up your energy and causes unneeded stress.
• Take time out to exercise and/or meditate.  Taking a walk with your kids, riding a bike around the neighborhood or even dancing to your favorite music can help you de-stress quickly!
• Unplug!  Turn off the phone, the computer, and other electronic devices that can distract you from spending time with your family.

These are just a few ideas to help you balance family and work. For further ideas go to: 

• http://pods.dasnr.okstate.edu/docushare/dsweb/Get/Document-2421/T-2233web.pdf

• http://umaine.edu/publications/4186e/

 

Transition to College and Career

 

Photo Credit: Google Public Domain Images

 

Want to start a career? Have you been thinking about college, but don't know if you are ready, yet?

 

Holyoke Community College has a program, Transition to College and Careers (TCC), which helps students be "ready, confident and successful."

 

TCC is a FREE college prep class for adults.  In the TCC program, you will build your proficiency in math, reading and writing skills as well as study strategies and computer skills.  TCC is a supportive community in which the learning environment enables students to succeed.  Students are supported in identifying career pathways and navigating the college admissions process.

 

Applicants to TCC  must be:

• 18 + years old
• have a GED or HiSET  - OR
• have a high school diploma from at least 4 years ago
• plan to complete a certificate or degree program

The next class will begin in January, so contact  

Mary Martone (413-552-2245  mmartone@cepholyoke.org) or  

Marie Troppe (413-552-2728  mtroppe@hcc.edu) 

now if you are interested in joining TCC. 

 

 

The All-Important Thank You Note

Saying "Thank You" is a very important practice, especially when you want to make a positive impression on a future employer.  Putting together a thank you note that shows your gratitude and helps you get the job can be tricky.

Follow these simple steps for creating you "Thank you for the interview," note.

1. Salutation: Dear… (Unless you know the person very well, always use Mr., Mrs., Ms., etc.)
 
2. Write a sentence that says, "Thank you for the opportunity to talk with you about… (name position and company)"
 
3. Write something positive about the company (Why do you want to work for them?)

4. Write about a connection you made during the interview with either an interviewer or with the company (Did someone go to the same school as you?  Is there an interest that is similar to yours?)

5. Remind the interviewer(s) of why you would be good for the position (This is where you highlight your skills and strengths. Pick your top two to mention.) 
 
6. Close with: "I look forward to hearing from you. Sincerely,  (your name)"

Remember to make your note short but to the point. You can email your thank you, but make sure you follow the steps as if you were writing a handwritten note.

Example: (Notice that the parts of the note match the steps above.)

Dear Ms. Butler, 

Thank you for the time you spent with me today interviewing for the position of hostess at Mom’s Café. Mom’s has such a warm atmosphere with great home-cooked food. 

I enjoyed learning that you also attended CNA when you first came to the US.  You are an inspiration.

I know that my cheerful personality and understanding of home cooking will make me an asset at Mom’s. 

I look forward to hearing from you about this position. 

Sincerely, 
Maria Santoro

Do You Need to Take the HiSet?

Photo Credit: Public Domain Images

Many time, immigrants are told by friends or relatives that they must take the HiSet (High School Equivalency Test, formally known as the GED) in order to go to university or to get a job.  This information is not always correct.

Immigrants who have finished high school (usually 12 years of school) and graduated, do not need to take the HiSet.  They may, however, need to get their transcript translated and evaluated.  (A transcript is a list of your classes and grades that your school provides to a recognized organization that translates and evaluates your coursework.) 

When having your transcript evaluated, it is important that you use an organization that is a member of National Association of Credential Evaluation Services.  Click here for a list of Evaluation Service Companies.

Important Things to Remember When Job-Searching

When searching for a job, there are some very important things to remember. 

First, look for a job doing something your really want to do. Doing work that you don't enjoy is stressful to your mind and body.  This makes it difficult to do a good job. When you do work you enjoy, everyone benefits - you, your employer and your clients/customers.

Second, make sure you are getting paid for your knowledge and experience. Companies that do not pay their employees fair wages, should be avoided. You can check what the expected wage is in your area for the work you do at CareerOneStop.

Third, location is very important because your time is valuable!  Think about it.  If you have to travel an hour or more to your job, that's two or more hours a day you aren't spending with family and friends or doing things you need to do.  

Next, consider the management style of the company where you are applying.  Ask in your interview about their management style.  If you are someone who needs little supervision, having a supervisor that is always looking over your shoulder will drive you crazy.  In addition, having a supervisor who is never available is confusing and difficult.  Knowing ahead of time how you will be managed is a great benefit to finding the right job.

Finally, ask in your interview about advancement.  Does the company offer any benefits for employees to get more training?  Do they have a tuition reimbursement (they give you back money spent on school) program. Do they offer in-house (within the company) training?

Job-searching is not easy, but if you remember these important things, you will have an easier time of finding the right position for you!

Tranferable Skills

What are "transferable skills?"

Transferable skills are the things you can do that can be used in almost any job or career.  Everyone has some transferable skills. These skills should appear on your resume.

Here is a list:

Transferable Skills List 

Communication Skills: 
the skillful expression transmission and interpretation of knowledge and ideas. 

• Speaking effectively 
• Writing concisely 
• Listening attentively 
• Expressing ideas 
• Facilitating group discussion 
• Providing appropriate feedback 
• Negotiating 
• Perceiving nonverbal messages 
• Persuading Reporting information 
• Describing feelings 
• Interviewing 
• Editing 

Research and Planning Skills: 
the search for specific knowledge and the ability to conceptualize future needs and solutions for meeting those needs. 

• Forecasting predicting 
• Creating ideas 
• Identifying problems 
• Imagining alternatives 
• Identifying resources 
• Gathering information 
• Solving problems 
• Setting goals 
• Extracting important information 
• Defining needs 
• Analyzing 
• Developing evaluation strategies 

Human Relations Skills: 
the use of interpersonal skills for resolving conflict relating to and helping people. 

• Developing rapport 
• Being sensitive 
• Listening 
• Conveying feelings 
• Providing support for others 
• Motivating 
• Sharing credit 
• Counseling 
• Cooperating 
• Delegating with respect 
• Representing others 
• Perceiving feelings situations 
• Asserting 

Organization Management and Leadership Skills: 
the ability to supervise direct and guide individuals and groups in the completion of tasks and fulfillment of goals. 

• Initiating new ideas 
• Handling details 
• Coordinating tasks 
• Managing groups 
• Delegating responsibility 
• Teaching 
• Coaching 
• Counseling 
• Promoting change 
• Selling ideas or products 
• Decision making with others 
• Managing conflict 

Work Survival Skills: 
the day-to-day skills that assist in promoting effective production and work satisfaction. 

• Implementing decisions 
• Cooperating 
• Enforcing policies 
• Being punctual 
• Managing time 
• Attending to detail 
• Meeting goals 
• Enlisting help 
• Accepting responsibility 
• Setting and meeting deadlines 
• Organizing 
• Making decisions  

Know Your Rights!

One fact that many new Americans do not know is that workers (ALL workers) in the United States have rights. The laws, both Federal and state, protect workers. Here are some basic rights:

Massachusetts Wage Act 

 

You must be paid for every hour you work, even if you quit or are fired. This applies to hours worked, tips, vacation pay, holiday pay and commissions. If you voluntarily leave your job, you must be paid in full on the next regular pay day. If you are laid off or fired, you must be paid in full on the day your employment ends.

 

Meal Breaks

  

If you work at least six hours a day, you are entitled to a 30 minute break. During your break you must be relieved of all duties and allowed to leave the premises. If you voluntarily elect to give up your meal break, you must be paid for the time worked.

Tips

 

You may be paid $3.00 an hour if you regularly receive tips of more than $20.00 per month, and only if those tips, when added to the $3.00 per hour, equal at least $9.00 per hour. Your tips are yours to keep. No employer, manager or boss may request or accept any part of your tips.

 

Minimum Wage 

 

Massachusetts’ minimum wage is $9.00 per hour.

 

Overtime

  

By law, employers are required to pay time-and-a-half if you work over 40 hours a week. For example, if you usually earn $9.00 per hour, you would be paid $13.50 per hour for each hour worked beyond 40 hours. 

If you think you are not being treated fairly, you have the right to seek legal advice.   
  
The Pioneer Valley Workers Center at 42 Gothic Street (downstairs from the Center for New Americans) helps people with questions about fair employment.

Interviewing Tips

Photo Credit: By Grey Geezer - CC - via Wikimedia Commons 

Here are some tips for having a successful interview.

• Always arrive on time. (Being late can lose you the job.  Being too early can, also.  IF you must be late, call the person with whom you are interviewing and explain the problem.  Things happen and a good employer should understand.)

• Remember that your interview starts before you arrive! (Pushing past someone on your way to the door, or driving unsafely into the parking lot in order to get a space, might be seen by your prospective employer, thus giving a bad first impression.)

• Don't fidget.  (Not only is it distracting to others when someone is always messing around with their hair or clothes, it makes the person doing it look unprofessional.)

• Stand up straight and look people in the eyes when you speak.  (In the US, standing/sitting straight and looking people in the eyes is a sign of confidence.)

• Give a firm handshake. (People, both men and women, in the US look for a firm handshake, not bone-crushing and not weak.)

Dressing for the Interview

When you go for an interview, how you dress says as much to your potential employer as your resume or job application.  Here are a few tips to follow.

• Always wear clean, ironed clothes.
• Do not wear jeans, cutoffs, tank tops or T-shirts.
• Do not wear open-toed shoes or sandals.
• Avoid any kind of heavy perfume or after-shave.

Women may ask their CNA advisor or someone at the OneStop Career Center about Dress for Success, an organization that helps low-income women find the clothes they need for interviews and work.  They also offer various seminars, workshops and networking for women.

Photo Credit: Google Public Domain Images

Resume or CV?

When looking for a job, you should have an up-to-date resume ready to sent to potential employers or, to hand to them before an interview.  In the past, a curriculum vitae or CV was required, but now most employers prefer a one-page resume specific to the job.  CV's are too long and often contain information that is not relevant to the position being applied for at the time.

Here are some tips for creating a topnotch resume.

• First, create a resume for the position you are looking for, not a resume that gives all your history. You may have more than one resume.

• Make sure your formatting is correct.  In other words, make sure that if you use bullets, they all line up the same or, if you use all capital letters in titles, you do that throughout the resume.

• Today's employers like to see numbers, so instead of writing in you description "catered weddings, graduations and community events," say, "catered 20 weddings, 5 graduations and 6 community events in the last year."

• Have someone edit the resume before you print it out. You don't want to miss out on the job of your dreams because your resume had mistakes. (Go to the Career Center and ask for help!)

• Write a cover letter that tells the employer why they should hire you and does not repeat what they will see in the resume. Use strong descriptive words.

Here are some links to sites that offer templates for your resume and cover letters:

Best Resume Templates of 2015-2016

Best Cover Letter Templates of 2015-2016 

That First Impression

The first time doing anything can be scary.  When you are looking for a job, there are a lot of "firsts".  Even if you have worked before, it will be the first time you meet the people at this new company. You want to make a good impression. How do you make yourself feel comfortable for that first interview?

• One of the first things you can do, is to relax.  Take a deep breath. 
• Then, tell yourself that you are going to be the best you can be.  
• Arrive a few minutes early so you have a chance to do this. 
• Ahead of time, make sure you have a fresh, up-to-date copy (or two) of your resume. 
• Also, make sure you have learned something about the company.  
• Have two or three questions to ask the interviewers.  (DON'T ask them about pay, benefits or vacations until you have the job!)

  
Your first impression will be one of a calm, businesslike employee that has what it takes to do a great job!