http://www.thecontractorweekly.com/index.php/site/index/ en smit9563@charter.net Copyright 2008 2008-05-22T17:00:00-05:00 http://www.thecontractorweekly.com/index.php/site/find_the_job_you_want/ http://www.thecontractorweekly.com/index.php/site/find_the_job_you_want/#When:17:00:00Z Whether you are looking for a job with any employer, there are general guidelines you can follow to find work faster.  Below are tips to help you with any job search. Network: Most people find jobs through word-of-mouth. Talk to the people you know, including relatives, friends, professors, former co-workers and web sites like The Contractor Weekly.  Let them know that you are looking for work; ask their advice; seek out introductions to people in the field that interests you. Customize: Create a custom version of your resume for each job or industry that interests you. Your resume is usually an employers first contact with you. Make sure it highlights your skills that relate to the job that employer is seeking to fill. Know yourself: Identify your skills. Work on communicating them effectively. You need to be able to lay out your skills, and explain how they relate to the job you’re seeking. Read More Whether you are looking for a job with any employer, there are general guidelines you can follow to find work faster.  Below are tips to help you with any job search. Network: Most people find jobs through word-of-mouth. Talk to the people you know, including relatives, friends, professors, former co-workers and web sites like The Contractor Weekly.  Let them know that you are looking for work; ask their advice; seek out introductions to people in the field that interests you. Customize: Create a custom version of your resume for each job or industry that interests you. Your resume is usually an employers first contact with you. Make sure it highlights your skills that relate to the job that employer is seeking to fill. Know yourself: Identify your skills. Work on communicating them effectively. You need to be able to lay out your skills, and explain how they relate to the job you’re seeking. Organize and prioritize: Make a list to help keep track of your job search efforts. Preparing a list also helps you to organize your priorities and keeps you focused on your goal—finding your perfect job. Do your homework: Read the newspaper and trade journals to remain current on developments in your field of interest. Knowing the latest trends and mergers will help set you apart from other candidates in an interview. Practice, practice, practice: Preparation is the key to a successful interview. Know your skills and be ready to illustrate how they relate to the job in question. Practice with a friend to get comfortable with your responses and to formulate strong answers to questions you might not anticipate. Follow up: Follow up on all leads as soon as possible. If you don’t, your competition may. And, following an interview, always send a thank-you note the same day. Keep your head up: Looking for a job can feel like a job in itself.  Don’t let it get you down. With patience and hard work, you will find the right job.  Job Sponsor 2008-05-22T17:00:00-05:00 http://www.thecontractorweekly.com/index.php/site/create_a_great_resume/ http://www.thecontractorweekly.com/index.php/site/create_a_great_resume/#When:19:00:01Z The purpose of a resume is to highlight your qualifications and get you an interview. Your resume, along with your cover letter, introduces you to an employer. It lets him/her know who you are and what you have to offer. The perfect resume is targeted to the specifics of the job description. Tailoring your resume shows that you’ve done your homework and highlights the skills you possess that are relevant to the job. Resumes can follow a variety of styles and formats, but most contain the same basic information:Read More The purpose of a resume is to highlight your qualifications and get you an interview. Your resume, along with your cover letter, introduces you to an employer. It lets him/her know who you are and what you have to offer. The perfect resume is targeted to the specifics of the job description. Tailoring your resume shows that you’ve done your homework and highlights the skills you possess that are relevant to the job. Resumes can follow a variety of styles and formats, but most contain the same basic information: Identifying Information: This section includes basic contact information, including your name, mailing address, phone number, and email address. If you have a Web site that is relevant to the job for which you�re applying, include that here, too. Objective: This is really just a brief description of your immediate career goals. The key is to keep it short and concise and to make it relevant to the job for which you are applying. If your objective is vague, leave it out. Education: This section details your past and current educational endeavors. List degrees, diplomas, or certificates you have earned or are working toward. Start with the most recent and work your way back. Include the name of the school, degree, major, date of graduation, and honors or academic accomplishments. Work Experience: This is a summary of your work experience. List your most recent or current job first and work your way back. Include your job title, the name and location of the organization, and the dates you worked. Describe your job duties and accomplishments briefly using strong action verbs. Military, intern, and volunteer experiences may be included here or detailed in another section. Volunteer Experience: If you have done a lot of volunteer work, list it in its own section. Include where you volunteered and briefly describe what you did and when you did it. Interests and Extracurricular Activities: This section can be used to highlight skills that were not gained through work or education, but are relevant to the job for which you are applying. These may include leadership or teamwork skills you picked up through professional clubs, academic teams, or organized sports. Skills: Use this to highlight special skills you possess that are directly related to the job for which you are applying. This is a good place to detail your computer experience and list the programs you are familiar with. References: This is always the last section of your resume, but references need not actually be included in the resume itself. Your best bet is to say “References Available upon Request” and to keep a separate sheet with your references detailed handy.  Job Sponsor 2008-05-18T19:00:01-05:00 http://www.thecontractorweekly.com/index.php/site/why_should_we_hire_you/ http://www.thecontractorweekly.com/index.php/site/why_should_we_hire_you/#When:19:51:00Z This is often the last question you will be asked in an interview. Prepare for it. This is your chance to restate the skills you possess that are most relevant to the position and to summarize your other qualities that make you the perfect person for the job. Outline your answer before you go in, so that you can answer clearly, concisely, and with confidence. Read More This is often the last question you will be asked in an interview. Prepare for it. This is your chance to restate the skills you possess that are most relevant to the position and to summarize your other qualities that make you the perfect person for the job. Outline your answer before you go in, so that you can answer clearly, concisely, and with confidence. In formulating your answer, be sure to address these areas: 1. Determine their goals for the position. This should come up during your research into the company and into the position. If possible, talk to others who work for the company. If you are unclear on this point, include it in the questions you ask at the interview itself and be prepared to incorporate it into your answer. 2. Show you have the skills needed for the job. Based on the goals you have identified in step one, determine how your skills and experience support those goals. If necessary, refer back to your “60-second commercial” for a list of skills you possess. 3. Articulate shared values. Again, this should come up in your research. Look at the company�s mission statement and regular business practices. Explain why these are in line with your own values and goals. 4. State your interest in the position. Be enthusiastic about the opportunity to work for this company and/or within a certain team. Be sure that the interviewer is clear about the fact that you want this job. Job Sponsor 2008-05-16T19:51:00-05:00 http://www.thecontractorweekly.com/index.php/site/protecting_your_privacy_when_job_searching_online/ http://www.thecontractorweekly.com/index.php/site/protecting_your_privacy_when_job_searching_online/#When:01:25:00Z Job search privacy is an important issue for anyone who uses the Internet to job search, and that’s most people. In fact, it’s almost impossible to job search without going online. Personal information has been stolen from job sites and there many companies who prey on unsuspecting job seekers. How Job Search Scams Work As an example, I read very detailed email correspondence between a candidate for employment and what she thought was a hiring manager at a job she had applied for. The information was very persuasive and included a detailed job offer. After some back and forth, it turned out the “employer” needed her bank account information, or so they said, in order to hire her. It was, of course, a scam, but I can see how she was almost taken advantage of. This wasn’t a unique experience. Unfortunately, it happens all the time. There are, however, some things you can do to protect your privacy when you’re job searching. If you’re careful, you’ll be able to conduct an online job search while keeping your personal information confidential. Read More Job search privacy is an important issue for anyone who uses the Internet to job search, and that’s most people. In fact, it’s almost impossible to job search without going online. Personal information has been stolen from job sites and there many companies who prey on unsuspecting job seekers. How Job Search Scams Work As an example, I read very detailed email correspondence between a candidate for employment and what she thought was a hiring manager at a job she had applied for. The information was very persuasive and included a detailed job offer. After some back and forth, it turned out the “employer” needed her bank account information, or so they said, in order to hire her. It was, of course, a scam, but I can see how she was almost taken advantage of. This wasn’t a unique experience. Unfortunately, it happens all the time. There are, however, some things you can do to protect your privacy when you’re job searching. If you’re careful, you’ll be able to conduct an online job search while keeping your personal information confidential. Don’t Share Confidential Information Never include the following on your resume, in your cover letters, in email, or in accounts you set up on job sites. * Date of Birth * Social Security Number * Driver�s License Number * Bank Account Number * Credit Card Information * PayPal Account Number * Mother’s Maiden Name * Spouse’s Name How to Protect Your Privacy You can help protect your online privacy by taking the time to set up accounts (email accounts and user names/passwords) to use just for your job search. Don’t mix your personal or work information with your job search accounts. The more separate you keep them, the easier it is to protect your confidential information. Email Address Use a dedicated email address just for your job search. It will not only help you protect your privacy, it will help you keep track of your job search correspondence and applications. Free email accounts, like Gmail, are available, and with web-based email you can check your email from anywhere. Job Site Logins Don’t use the same login information that you use for your personal online accounts (i.e. your banking or shopping). Use a different user name and password for the job search and career networking sites you use. Email Messages Be wary of phishing emails from fraudulent employers. Double-check to make sure the company and the job posting are legitimate by visiting the company web site (rather than clicking on the link in the email) and review the company (the “About Us” section is a good place to start) and the job listing. If you’re not sure, research the company online before you respond. On the Phone Be just as careful on the phone as you are with email. Don’t give out any personal information - legitimate employers don’t need it and won’t be asking for it. Keep Track Keep track of everywhere you post your resume, along with your user name and passwords. Tools like JibberJobber are available that will track where you have sent your resume, as well as communications with your contacts. Don’t Share Information Do not share any confidential information with a potential employer unless you are absolutely sure they are legitimate (and don’t count email-only correspondence as valid communications). Employers don’t need your social security until they hire you. Check Out the Company Take the time to thoroughly check out the company. Review the warning signs to watch for, if you’re having reservations about whether this is the company for you. Avoid Scams Avoid scams by researching job listings and companies before you apply. One quick way to check is to Google the company name plus scam ("company abc scam") to see if there are any complaints. With some companies, I’ve found pages of results, with more than enough information to know that nobody should apply for a job there. Job Sponsor 2008-05-16T01:25:00-05:00 http://www.thecontractorweekly.com/index.php/site/f_22_raptor_vs_su_37_vs_su_30_vs_eurofighter_typhoon/ http://www.thecontractorweekly.com/index.php/site/f_22_raptor_vs_su_37_vs_su_30_vs_eurofighter_typhoon/#When:02:33:00Z Which one is the best jet fighter in the world? You decide!  F-22 Raptor View SU-37, SU-30 and Eurofighter Here Which one is the best jet fighter in the world? You decide!  F-22 Raptor SU-37 SU-30 Eurofighter Typhoon Tech Talk 2008-04-27T02:33:00-05:00 http://www.thecontractorweekly.com/index.php/site/helicopter_reset_germany_dyncorp_international/ http://www.thecontractorweekly.com/index.php/site/helicopter_reset_germany_dyncorp_international/#When:01:44:00Z DynCorp in Germany will conduct another helicopter Reset form Sept. 08 till June 09. They will hire up to 160 people of all disciplines with I.D Cards and 80 GMBH (Local Tax Payers). To hire in for I.D. Card Holders you most go thru T.E.S.A. (Technical Expert Status Accreditation) You will need an A&P or FCC. DynCorp need SM, ET, NDT, QC and supply. Be prepared to work a minimum of 60 hours a week. With a day off everyweek when in full motion. The pay for card Holders and Aviation skill will be approximate $2,567 a week and $10,268 a month based on a 60 hour work week and 50% of current per diem which is $170.50 a day. Currently local cost of housing will be about 800-900 dollars a month unless you team up and rent a bigger place and split the cost. IF U STAY OUTSIDE U.S. FOR 330 DAYS IT WILL BE TX FREE INCOME!!!!!!!!!  For more info go to the forum and send Heloman a message. Forum Topic DynCorp in Germany will conduct another helicopter Reset form Sept. 08 till June 09. They will hire up to 160 people of all disciplines with I.D Cards and 80 GMBH (Local Tax Payers). To hire in for I.D. Card Holders you most go thru T.E.S.A. (Technical Expert Status Accreditation) You will need an A&P or FCC. DynCorp need SM, ET, NDT, QC and supply. Be prepared to work a minimum of 60 hours a week. With a day off everyweek when in full motion. The pay for card Holders and Aviation skill will be approximate $2,567 a week and $10,268 a month based on a 60 hour work week and 50% of current per diem which is $170.50 a day. Currently local cost of housing will be about 800-900 dollars a month unless you team up and rent a bigger place and split the cost. IF U STAY OUTSIDE U.S. FOR 330 DAYS IT WILL BE TX FREE INCOME!!!!!!!!!  For more info go to the forum and send Heloman a message. Forum Topic Job Sponsor 2008-04-25T01:44:00-05:00 http://www.thecontractorweekly.com/index.php/site/dont_see_the_job_that_you_want/ http://www.thecontractorweekly.com/index.php/site/dont_see_the_job_that_you_want/#When:03:45:00Z If you don’t see a job in your field or in a location that you like let us know so we can find it for you. Send us an or you may just leave us a comment. If you are a contractor and are working in one of the locations that we have posted please let us know about that area. Other contractors may want to relocate there and your information could be very beneficial to them.  If you don’t see a job in your field or in a location that you like let us know so we can find it for you. Send us an or you may just leave us a comment. If you are a contractor and are working in one of the locations that we have posted please let us know about that area. Other contractors may want to relocate there and your information could be very beneficial to them.  Job Sponsor 2008-03-09T03:45:00-05:00 http://www.thecontractorweekly.com/index.php/site/are_you_ready_to_relocate/ http://www.thecontractorweekly.com/index.php/site/are_you_ready_to_relocate/#When:22:46:00Z When the time comes to relocate we all tend to lean toward the internet for information on our next job site. Then we check the prices of the hotels to make sure that the contract house is paying the max allowable per diem. . I have been on a few jobs in the past where a sponsor would have been a nice thing to have. I have started a topic in our forum where others like you can post information about the site where they work. For instants what the hotels have to offer. Tell us if you are getting over time on the job. You know important stuff. I work in Greenville SC and I will give you some details of this area in the forum. I hope that others will share information so we may help someone in need. And who knows you may find what you are looking for. I will see you in the forum.. When the time comes to relocate we all tend to lean toward the internet for information on our next job site. Then we check the prices of the hotels to make sure that the contract house is paying the max allowable per diem. I have been on a few jobs in the past where a sponsor would have been a nice thing to have. I have started a topic in our forum where others like you can post information about the site where they work. For instants what the hotels have to offer. Tell us if you are getting over time on the job. You know important stuff. I work in Greenville SC and I will give you some details of this area in the forum. I hope that others will share information so we may help someone in need. And who knows you may find what you are looking for. I will see you in the forum. Job Sponsor 2008-02-18T22:46:00-05:00 http://www.thecontractorweekly.com/index.php/site/just_a_phone_call_away/ http://www.thecontractorweekly.com/index.php/site/just_a_phone_call_away/#When:02:30:00Z Everyone has a cell phone these days, so when you travel in the states you always can keep in touch with your loved ones. But what if you take a high paying contract job overseas? Will your cell phone work in another country without you pay the high cost for service? I took a contract job one year ago in Germany. I knew my cell service wouldn’t work there. But since I already had Vonage phone service at home, I added the Vonage SoftPhone line for 10 bucks a month on top of my regular service and that included 500 free minutes every month. I just loaded the software to my laptop and I was set. I just had to be on high-speed internet service in order to make or receive a call. Read More Everyone has a cell phone these days, so when you travel in the states you always can keep in touch with your loved ones. But what if you take a high paying contract job overseas? Will your cell phone work in another country without you pay the high cost for service? I took a contract job one year ago in Germany. I knew my cell service wouldn’t work there. But since I already had Vonage phone service at home, I added the Vonage SoftPhone line for 10 bucks a month on top of my regular service and that included 500 free minutes every month. I just loaded the software to my laptop and I was set. I just had to be on high-speed internet service in order to make or receive a call. A great solution for people on the go, the Vonage V-Phone fits on your keychain and can be used anywhere there’s a high-speed Internet connection! Imagine the savings of making calls from your hotel, an Internet café – you name it! It’s powered through your PC so there are no batteries to replace. The Vonage V-Phone comes with Vonage Talk software pre-loaded – there’s no need to install it on your PC and no need to restart your computer. Simply insert the Vonage V-Phone into any available USB port, plug the earpiece microphone into the side of the Vonage V-Phone and you’re ready to make and receive calls! Remove the drive when you’re done and the phone and all your important contact information goes with you. I worked with others who used Skpe as there phone service. With Skype you can make free calls over the internet to other people on Skype for as long as you like, to wherever you like. It is free to download. The only draw back that I see is that each party must have Skype for you to get the service for free. If you call a landline or cell phone you have to pay fees. Yahoo messenger phone service has improved over the years. And it is a great way to stay in touch. Both parties just have to be logged in on yahoo messenger. If you know any other ways to save just pass it on. Tech Talk 2008-02-17T02:30:00-05:00 http://www.thecontractorweekly.com/index.php/site/identify_your_skills_and_recognize_their_value/ http://www.thecontractorweekly.com/index.php/site/identify_your_skills_and_recognize_their_value/#When:00:10:00Z Tell me about yourself. That is usually one of the first things that an employer will say in an interview. What he/she is really asking is what qualifies you for this position. Your response will set the tone for the rest of the interview, so your best bet is to prepare your answer in advance. Think of your answer as a 60-second commercial in which you sell yourself.  Know the job description for the position you are going for and tailor your comments to match. Your script may vary slightly depending on the position, but the foundation will always be based on your skills. Assess yourself. The first step in composing your commercial is self-assessment. To get started, it may help to review your resume. Look at the jobs that you have held and decide what skills you used for each. Make a list of at least ten of your strengths and skills. Use active words that reflect what you have done. Include both job specific skills, such as your ability to use a computer, and your “soft” skills, such as your ability to organize or your attention to detail.Read More Tell me about yourself. That is usually one of the first things that an employer will say in an interview. What he/she is really asking is what qualifies you for this position. Your response will set the tone for the rest of the interview, so your best bet is to prepare your answer in advance. Think of your answer as a 60-second commercial in which you sell yourself.  Know the job description for the position you are going for and tailor your comments to match. Your script may vary slightly depending on the position, but the foundation will always be based on your skills. Assess yourself. The first step in composing your commercial is self-assessment. To get started, it may help to review your resume. Look at the jobs that you have held and decide what skills you used for each. Make a list of at least ten of your strengths and skills. Use active words that reflect what you have done. Include both job specific skills, such as your ability to use a computer, and your “soft” skills, such as your ability to organize or your attention to detail. Evaluate how each of your skills will be useful to the position you are seeking.  Decide which seem most relevant.  Write them down.  These will be the basis of your commercial. Compose your message. Now, you are ready to put your commercial together. It will help to write down exactly what you want to say, so that you can practice and be sure not to miss any major points. Start with a brief introduction of yourself.  Include your name and your usual line of work.  Then, state what position you are seeking. This part may vary depending on the interview. Next, you will get into your skills.  Start with your job skills and work into your “soft” skills. Sell your experience. Employers are interested in what you have done. Use action words to tell them. They are clear, concise and direct – all strengths that impress employers in an interview.  Strong words include: achieved composed drafted interpreted obtained produced administered constructed established launched operated provided analyzed coordinated expanded maintained organized reorganized assembled created generated managed originated reported budgeted demonstrated implemented motivated oversaw researched collaborated developed improved negotiated performed resolved Job Sponsor 2008-02-12T00:10:00-05:00