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The Kentucky State Fair Board begins a three-day job fair today as it tries to fill 350 part-time positions paying about minimum wage for its Venue Services Department.
The fair board is filling positions such as ticket-takers, ushers and security for events at the Kentucky Exposition Center, Kentucky International Convention Center and the KFC Yum! Center.
Applicants must be at least 18 and should come prepared to complete an application and be interviewed during one of three sessions that will be conducted from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on a walk-in basis:
Today, Kentucky Exposition Center, 937 Phillips Lane, South Wing C, room 101
Wednesday, Kentucky International Convention Center, 221 S. Fourth St., lower level room 14
Thursday, KFC Yum! Center, corner of Second and Main streets, main lobby
The commute is killing you, the caffeine has you on edge and the shirt and tie is getting you hot under the collar. And that’s before we even mention the workload.
Modern life is a demanding beast and if you’re looking to manage your work life better, there’s one thing you need: Mobile broadband.
So how does a little thing like a dongle or a smartphone solve all of that? Remember when you used to stand in line for your morning coffee and look at the girl with headphones, her laptop and mug and think “she’s not really working”? Maybe there was a time she wasn’t, but today you can bet that she is working in an environment she likes.
“But how does she talk to her clients?”
She probably uses communications platforms such as Skype or Oovoo. Calling computer-to-computer is free and calling a landline is less expensive than using the blower.
“But what if she needs to have a meeting?”
Then she gets in her car, or catches a train and still manages her work life. If there’s no time, or getting to see clients is expensive, video conferencing will give her the face-time she needs without hours or days of travel. If the job is a short one, it can probably be finished more quickly this way than if travel were added to the equation.
“How does one share paperwork?”
If she’s dealing in office documents like Word, or Excel, she might be using Dropbox, which is an online storage system that allows documents to be stored in files on the Internet. The file is shared via an email invite. Suddenly the need to be in the same room as the person you’re working with is gone.
Alternatively, there are dedicated content management systems such as Basecamp that can house the entire content for a project and allow two or more people to collaborate on a single document at the same time.
There is also Google Docs which does the same. It has an added function of Instant Messaging Chat (IM) that allows collaborators to chat through their process as they are working. Colour coding allows users to see who has added what to the mix, so all the rules of collaborative working apply, just within an online framework.
Take a step back for a moment and you’ll see that using these tools, the gal in the cafe can hire and collaborate with people anywhere in the world. Add Paypal to the equation and she can unlock expertise in foreign markets and often for a better price than we would find it at home. That’s valuable. Equally, if her own patch is a little dry she can find work in foreign markets and receive payment in exactly the same way.
“What if one’s on the road all day?”
Then she’s on her smartphone. The name is no mistake, smartphones are smart.
Take Dropbox as an example: She has the app on her phone, which is synced with her online account. When documents are updated, the Dropbox app will tell her. If something needs her urgent attention, she’ll immediately know to make the time for it somewhere in her day. Documents are inactive for much less time this way than if they are sitting in an in tray in an office somewhere.
If she’s travelling a lot she’ll have an app like Kayak, which allows her to compare flight, hotel and rental car prices on the phone. Once her itinerary is booked, she can check flight status in real time and have instant access to the airlines contact information. If her plans need to change, she can make other arrangements before she’s late for everything.
“How does she manage her contacts if she doesn’t have an office?”
Social networks are the new rolodex. And it’s not just about Facebook. Professional networks such as LinkedIn allow colleagues past and present to stay connected. Profiles are regularly updated so that you can see what your contacts have been up to and whether you can be useful to one another today.
Networking itself doesn’t have to be a face-to-face exercise either. Twitter is a great platform for meeting new people in your field. Following their tweets also gives you an insight into what innovations they are interested in.
“So, I can manage my work life while sitting in a cafe too?”
Yes, technology has evolved to a point where it is working for us. All the frameworks are there to save us time and money, to breakdown geographical barriers and allow us to explore markets that were once out of the reach of the average working person. The number of online businesses have increased exponentially as individuals harness the Internet to make a living.
But there is a caveat to all this:
Just because it’s online doesn’t mean we can forget what it’s fundamentally all about: human relationships. And there’s no app for that.
Do you make your work life smoother with the Internet? Got tips?
By Jeremiah McWilliams, Cox Newspapers
In Print: Tuesday, June 28, 2011
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In one of the roughest job markets in memory, fast-food positions are proving attractive for job seekers of all ages. • Once a workplace ceded largely to teens and part-time workers, fast food is attracting older people with experience, education and marketable skills.
K’wan Banks, 35, went through three rounds of interviews to land a job at a metro Atlanta McDonald’s. The Everest College graduate has a commercial driver’s license and work experience with Avis car rentals. Getting a job at McDonald’s, where she is now in training to be a manager, was tougher than she expected.
“I didn’t think McDonald’s was that serious,” she said.
Restaurant owners can afford to be picky as the competition for every opening gets tougher.
Keith Lollis, who operates three McDonald’s restaurants around Atlanta, said his establishments were begging for workers not long ago. Job applicants used to arrive dressed in jeans; he now sees more men in suits and ties or khaki pants and oxford shirts. Women come in dresses. Perhaps one in 10 applicants has a college education, up from one in 30 or 40 less than a year ago.
The restaurant industry is the country’s second-largest private employer, behind health care. Of the industry’s workers, 42 percent are age 24 or younger, and upward mobility is a big draw. More than 90 percent of salaried employees started out hourly, according to industry statistics.
Before the recession, Aziz Hashim’s restaurants had trouble finding enough workers. A lot of young people weren’t interested in fast-food jobs. They are interested now, said Hashim, chief executive of National Restaurant Development
“If we open up even a very modest job opening, it would not be unusual for us to get 50 or 100 applications,” said Hashim, who has restaurants in Atlanta, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Jacksonville and Orlando.
“There are lots of people who want these jobs, need them and would love to have them,” said John Challenger, chief executive of Chicago-based Challenger Gray Christmas, an outplacement consulting firm.
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By Jeremiah McWilliams, Cox Newspapers
In Print: Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Story Tools
Comments
Contact the editor
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In one of the roughest job markets in memory, fast-food positions are proving attractive for job seekers of all ages. • Once a workplace ceded largely to teens and part-time workers, fast food is attracting older people with experience, education and marketable skills.
K’wan Banks, 35, went through three rounds of interviews to land a job at a metro Atlanta McDonald’s. The Everest College graduate has a commercial driver’s license and work experience with Avis car rentals. Getting a job at McDonald’s, where she is now in training to be a manager, was tougher than she expected.
“I didn’t think McDonald’s was that serious,” she said.
Restaurant owners can afford to be picky as the competition for every opening gets tougher.
Keith Lollis, who operates three McDonald’s restaurants around Atlanta, said his establishments were begging for workers not long ago. Job applicants used to arrive dressed in jeans; he now sees more men in suits and ties or khaki pants and oxford shirts. Women come in dresses. Perhaps one in 10 applicants has a college education, up from one in 30 or 40 less than a year ago.
The restaurant industry is the country’s second-largest private employer, behind health care. Of the industry’s workers, 42 percent are age 24 or younger, and upward mobility is a big draw. More than 90 percent of salaried employees started out hourly, according to industry statistics.
Before the recession, Aziz Hashim’s restaurants had trouble finding enough workers. A lot of young people weren’t interested in fast-food jobs. They are interested now, said Hashim, chief executive of National Restaurant Development
“If we open up even a very modest job opening, it would not be unusual for us to get 50 or 100 applications,” said Hashim, who has restaurants in Atlanta, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Jacksonville and Orlando.
“There are lots of people who want these jobs, need them and would love to have them,” said John Challenger, chief executive of Chicago-based Challenger Gray Christmas, an outplacement consulting firm.
[Last modified: Jun 27, 2011 05:33 PM]
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Copyright 2011 St. Petersburg Times
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By Jeremiah McWilliams, Cox Newspapers
In Print: Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Story Tools
Comments
Contact the editor
Email Newsletters
In one of the roughest job markets in memory, fast-food positions are proving attractive for job seekers of all ages. • Once a workplace ceded largely to teens and part-time workers, fast food is attracting older people with experience, education and marketable skills.
K’wan Banks, 35, went through three rounds of interviews to land a job at a metro Atlanta McDonald’s. The Everest College graduate has a commercial driver’s license and work experience with Avis car rentals. Getting a job at McDonald’s, where she is now in training to be a manager, was tougher than she expected.
“I didn’t think McDonald’s was that serious,” she said.
Restaurant owners can afford to be picky as the competition for every opening gets tougher.
Keith Lollis, who operates three McDonald’s restaurants around Atlanta, said his establishments were begging for workers not long ago. Job applicants used to arrive dressed in jeans; he now sees more men in suits and ties or khaki pants and oxford shirts. Women come in dresses. Perhaps one in 10 applicants has a college education, up from one in 30 or 40 less than a year ago.
The restaurant industry is the country’s second-largest private employer, behind health care. Of the industry’s workers, 42 percent are age 24 or younger, and upward mobility is a big draw. More than 90 percent of salaried employees started out hourly, according to industry statistics.
Before the recession, Aziz Hashim’s restaurants had trouble finding enough workers. A lot of young people weren’t interested in fast-food jobs. They are interested now, said Hashim, chief executive of National Restaurant Development
“If we open up even a very modest job opening, it would not be unusual for us to get 50 or 100 applications,” said Hashim, who has restaurants in Atlanta, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Jacksonville and Orlando.
“There are lots of people who want these jobs, need them and would love to have them,” said John Challenger, chief executive of Chicago-based Challenger Gray Christmas, an outplacement consulting firm.
[Last modified: Jun 27, 2011 05:33 PM]
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At one time, Jenna Keigley of Serena had five part-time jobs — none of them her dream job teaching full-time.
Keigley graduated from Aurora University in 2009 with a degree in elementary education with an endorsement in science.
“Jobs were far between and few,” she said. “It was very discouraging that first summer but Iknew a lot of other people were in the same boat.”
Keigley worked as a substitute teacher until a reading aide position opened at Harding Elementary School. She also took coaching positions with the school and worked as a tutor, in addition to working Saturdays at the YMCA and taking some shifts as a cashier at Handy Foods.
She continued to search, though, for full-time work in her field, even considering moving out of state to do so. But come this fall, Keigley will finally get her chance at the head of the class. Harding hired her as the full-time middle school science teacher in April.
At one time, Jenna Keigley of Serena had five part-time jobs — none of them her dream job teaching full-time.
Keigley graduated from Aurora University in 2009 with a degree in elementary education with an endorsement in science.
“Jobs were far between and few,” she said. “It was very discouraging that first summer but Iknew a lot of other people were in the same boat.”
Keigley worked as a substitute teacher until a reading aide position opened at Harding Elementary School. She also took coaching positions with the school and worked as a tutor, in addition to working Saturdays at the YMCA and taking some shifts as a cashier at Handy Foods.
She continued to search, though, for full-time work in her field, even considering moving out of state to do so. But come this fall, Keigley will finally get her chance at the head of the class. Harding hired her as the full-time middle school science teacher in April.
At one time, Jenna Keigley of Serena had five part-time jobs — none of them her dream job teaching full-time.
Keigley graduated from Aurora University in 2009 with a degree in elementary education with an endorsement in science.
“Jobs were far between and few,” she said. “It was very discouraging that first summer but Iknew a lot of other people were in the same boat.”
Keigley worked as a substitute teacher until a reading aide position opened at Harding Elementary School. She also took coaching positions with the school and worked as a tutor, in addition to working Saturdays at the YMCA and taking some shifts as a cashier at Handy Foods.
She continued to search, though, for full-time work in her field, even considering moving out of state to do so. But come this fall, Keigley will finally get her chance at the head of the class. Harding hired her as the full-time middle school science teacher in April.
Networking is an important and very fun, part of the job search. If you can communicate, you can network — and the opportunities for networking are unlimited.
When you are searching for a job, let everyone know. Job seekers are successful when they share and obtain information about jobs. Learning to be more assertive about your search can be a great way to enhance your marketable skills.
If the skill of networking is not your forte, it can be learned, nurtured and cultivated into a working tool for a successful job search. Networking can be defined as any opportunity to sell yourself, your abilities or your products.
Using your computer to compile a networking data base with notes is great, but not always available to everyone. You can start networking with some basic supplies and resources to get yourself organized:
–Index card box with alphabetized dividers
–Phone book
–Address book
–Holiday card or birthday lists
–Company directories
–Local newspapers
–Chamber of Commerce or library
If you are searching for work, you are no doubt already plugged into the local unemployment offices, online advertisements, reading newspaper help-wanted ads and driving around filling out applications. But, did you know that there are dozens of other ways to seek work? You can make contact with people daily about your desire to work. When you need to find a job — this should be your priority with all conversations. Start conversations with “have you heard of any companies accepting applications? I’m looking for work and am available any shift, any day, dependable and have reliable transportation, please share this information with anyone.”
There have been some great “job search clubs” in the local area. The Chamber of Commerce has sponsored some group meetings that have promoted lots of networking and chatting about jobs. People are able to meet other people that know of available jobs. Everyone is not looking for the same work, so what a great opportunity to pool your resources and search together.
The Job Seekers Club in Danville will start a new session on July 19. The meetings start weekly at 8:30 a.m. and the presentation and networking opportunities will be from 9-10:30 a.m. This session will be meeting at the RCATT. Get connected with others that are searching. You can pick up free tips about searching and learn about job openings in the area. For more information call (434) 791-2933.
Most people today are plugged into the world of Facebook. Let all of your “friends” know that you are unemployed and available for work. If you have clearly communicated information on your social networking wall, someone will easily be able to see if the jobs they know about may be a match for you and worth mentioning. Beware — employers also may check your Facebook page.
Check out the “JOBS: Danville/Pittsylvania County Surrounding Area” Facebook page for local opportunities.
Networking is about advertising what you have to offer in a professional and respectful manner. You are able to network at church, civic organizations, sports clubs, local colleges, schools and all local agencies and non-profits with community bulletin boards. You never know when someone you contact will offer their own contact for exactly what you have to offer.
Volunteering your time is such a great way to gain experience, references and “network” with others that are employed. Again, those people may very well know of other people that have heard about employment opportunities.
Networking does come with a level of responsibility and realistic expectations. You need to have a professional demeanor and demonstrate you are ready to work. You need people to recommend you to others. Sometimes, the individual with absolutely no work history will need to consider volunteer opportunities or will need to consider a job with an employer that targets those with no employment history (fast food restaurants, retailers, etc.).
Everyone has to start somewhere — and starting at an entry-level position will prove to be a great opportunity to gain experience. All jobs are part of our lifelong learning. Be creative, think outside of the box, talk about yourself and your job search to everyone you encounter. Be prepared for something great to happen!