Drowning My Memories

I threw away a lot of memories today. Hurricane Sandy drowned them in filthy water and putrid sand and mud. It hurt when I tossed the guest books from the funeral homes that took care of my grandparents and parents.  Inside one of them was a letter that I wrote to my dad toward the end of his life.  My handwriting is still visible on the slippery paper but I'm afraid that if I move the paper the words will slide off.  In this same soggy mess I found a perfect dollar bill where my dad had written, “I Love You” to my mom. It made me cry.

I had to toss my parent’s record albums.  When we cleaned out their home four years ago we saved the Frank Sinatra Christmas album, a couple of German marching songs along with the other records that reminded us of our childhood.  Today I stuffed them in a black contractor bag because they were covered with mold spores. I had a quick thought that I might save them if I threw them in the sink with some dish soap but no, I’d just be wasting my time and I had to keep moving.

Most of the things that Sandy stole were pieces of my childhood.  Of course I have my memories but as I get older, the memories will begin to fade and I might need something to touch, read or gaze at. I dumped a bunch of old pictures too.  They were of relatives from a century ago.  Sandy washed their names away so I tossed them in the black bags too; so long strangers.

I wound up keeping a couple of sweaters that belonged to my dad and mom along with a bag of my mom- mom’s linens.  I also picked up a sampler that my mom worked on in elementary school. I can’t get all of the mold spots out of it but at least I saved it.

As I pitched the pieces of my childhood I had a thought.  Perhaps my parents had Sandy destroy all that stuff because they wanted me to get rid of it and to save some of my own memories. Maybe, but when that happens I’ll be sure to place them on the highest shelf.

Has Your Job or Business Been Impacted by Hurricane Sandy?

While waiting in line to get into Sea Bright the other day, I heard a woman say that she was fired from her job because she couldn't get to work due to Hurricane Sandy. That's not right but is it legal? Unfortunately, we'll be hearing more and more stories like this.

This is an email from my friend, Mary Ellen Clark, Assistant Commissioner of Labor, Workforce Development at New Jersey. The links will take you to the information you will need as a business owner or individual job seeker and have been affected by the hurricane.

There are two worksheets posted on www.jobs4jersey.com with information for both employers and individuals in NJ who have been impacted due to Sandy. NJ was awarded a National Emergency grant and working with local municipalities for them to hire to do clean up and humanitarian work. Almost all of our One-Stop Career Centers are open as of today (exceptions being Eatontown and New Brunswick who may still be without power), people can go there to get help and internet access. We have a SandyHelp hotline and email set up to answer inquiries and help direct people to assistance – info on the fast fact sheets. As we get set up for the emergency grant and temporary work, we will be using our 23 Jersey Job Clubs as places for information about temporary and volunteer work – the calendars for workshops are up on the www.jobs4jersey.com website."

Sandy

Hurricane Sandy swept up the east coast like the Wicked Witch of the West; just in time to ruin Halloween and spit out buildings and property like so many broken teeth. As I sit here without power for going on ten days, I think about S-A-N-D-Y and her wrath.

Mud and silt on the windowsill along with a stereo speaker.

S- Social Media: I relied on my smart phone to get through our first few days without electricity. Until we got a stronger generator three days after the storm, we’d charge our phones in the car and then log on to Facebook to learn of the destruction, curfews, and to see the photographs and videos the decimated towns.

Waters pushed the bed and furniture across the room.

A- Angst: Unless you are in this area, you cannot fathom the destruction. Sandy was our Katrina. She has killed 41 people in NY City alone and caused billions of dollars of destruction. She has pounded the citizens of NY and NJ and thousands are still in the dark.  Help is needed and some people won't leave their dark,cold homes for fear of looting.

Beach club cabanas swept across the street and landed in a boat yard.

N-Normalcy and Nastiness: Putting aside gas rationing and grocery store madness, things are starting to return to normal. At first, tempers spilled over and blood pressures were on the rise but that gave way to compassion, normalcy, humor and caring.  It will take a while but NJ has proven to the world that we are "Jersey Strong", and not at all like the "Jersey Shore".

Major road buried under 6 feet of sand.

D- Destruction: Sandy was a killer and she battered buildings and fences and beaches and roads like a prize-fighter.

Sandy tossed the living room furniture after lifting it up four feet.

Y – Why: Sandy has passed and the clean-up has started.  If you are in the area, why not volunteer at one of the many organizations that are begging for help collecting or sorting clothing, driving patients to doctor appointments, feeding the homeless or assisting someone clean up the destruction.

The day after the hurricane. Beauty and serenity.

Eight Common Sense Interview Mistakes

What can kill a great interview? Here are a few things that you can do to destroy your chances of getting hired.

1. Failing to be prepared with specific examples of your skill set including your measurable accomplishments. These should be related to the job requirements that are stated in the open position.

2. Neglecting to research the company and prepare questions related to both the company and the open position. The following questions are helpful:
 a. What are the short and long term goals of the company?
 b. What is the vision of the department?
 c. What is the company environment like?
 d. What concerns need to be addressed immediately?
 e. What do you see happening with this position for the next 3 to 6 months?
 f. What are the particular attributes needed to succeed in this job?
 g. What are the challenges a person coming to this job will face?

3.  Leaving your common sense at home by:
      a. Wearing to much cologne or hairspray
      b. Chewing gum
      c. Forgetting to turn off your cell phone (not on vibrate).
      d. Arriving late or too early.
      e. Using words such as “like” or ending your responses in, “you know”.
      f. Avoiding eye contact.
      g. Extending a weak hand shake.
      h. Dressing inappropriately.

4. Bad mouthing your former company, manager or co-workers.

5. Bringing up discussion around salary or benefits without being prompted.

6. Talking too much.

7. Appearing arrogant or acting as if you know more than the interviewer.

8. Acting disinterested.

What do you think is the #1 interview killer? Answering the phone during an interview will most likely not get you hired.

Celebrity Noise - Use Your Own Head: Warning Language Alert

What is wrong with the people in our country? Why can’t they think for themselves? Why do people in the media bully people whose ideas don’t align with theirs?

I read an article about the recent re-tweet made by Eva Longoria concerning anyone (especially women and minorities) who supports presidential candidate Mitt Romney.  It said, “@evalongoria I have no idea why any woman/minority can vote for Romney. You have to be stupid to vote for such a racist/misogynistic twat”. Misogynistic is defined as having a hatred of women. She didn’t mean “twit” either. For those who don’t know, Longoria is co-chair of the Obama campaign.  About the vice presidential debate she re-tweeted, “Biden is making Paul Ryan his prison bitch! #vpdebate.”  Really?

During the second presidential debate the other night I couldn’t help but respond to Bill Maher who tweeted, “If Romney gave some of these answers in primary debates, crowd wld have devoured him; nothing but a clump of magic undies and black hair dye”.  I called him a bully. What do Mormon garments have to do with the election? If Gov. Romney was Jewish and Maher mentioned his magic yarmulke would anyone be offended?

The world has always been full of star-struck people and now with Twitter and Facebook, they can follow along with the rants and raves of their favorite celebrities.  It’s almost as if they feel that by reading and commenting to tweets, they are “friends” with those people.  Hello! Eva Longoria is not your friend! On the other hand, many celebrities use their status to endorse their favorite candidate. That’s fine; freedom of speech and all that.  What is wrong is that many non-celebrities (you know, the people like you and me) think that these celebrities must know something and follow their every word blindly. The celebrities know this and use it; it must be the ultimate rush for them!

Use your head before you vote and don't rely on what Bruce Springsteen, Kid Rock or any other celebrity says. Do your own research.  Look at the job numbers, look at the economy and deficit. Study the facts about the outlook for creating jobs in this country and for Heaven's sake, don't vote one way because you're favorite celebrity said so!

Manufacturing and Jobs in the Garden State

There’s been a lot of talk about manufacturing jobs lately and boosting that dwindling industry has also been a talking point of both presidential candidates. According to the NJ Department of Labor and Workforce Development, “New Jersey manufacturers employ nearly 338,200 people, plus 136,700 workers are employed by companies that supply and support manufacturers, nearly 13% of New Jersey’s private sector workforce.”

Last December I gave outplacement training to a manufacturing plant that was leaving the state after 57 years. Manufacturing is one of those industries that have become obsolete. A statistic from the Occupational Outlook handbook says that between now and 2018, manufacturing positions will decline 13%. It also states that as workers adapt to team-oriented production methods, those who can operate multiple machines will have the best opportunities for advancement and for gaining jobs with more long-term potential. In other words - the odds aren’t very good unless you sharpen your skill set. Gone are the days when someone with a limited education or a specialized skill can make a decent living running a machine or making a part. Should someone in the manufacturing area leave the field for something else? Are there any reskilling trainings available? Here is what I suggest someone in the manufacturing field do:

1. Set up a game plan with goals and dates.
2. Assess your career values, motives, skills and transferable job skills.
3. Take advantage of any free career assessments offered. There are many online assessments available.
4. Find and use grants or low cost training/retaining.
5. Network with one another and with other networking groups (such as the Jersey Jobs Clubs via the Unemployment Office). You can also network with the manufacturing groups on LinkedIn.

There are a number of workforce training grants available that provide skilled training, education and a wide range of support to workers and employers. This summer New Jersey’s pilot “Fabricated Metal Product Training” program graduated ten students from a 12-week course preparing them for work in NJ’s metal product manufacturing industry. Of the ten, all received offers for employment.  For information on the program, please visit the NJ Department of Labor and Workforce Development or talk to your local unemployment office.
There are a number of websites for manufacturing jobs.  Some good ones are Manufacturing Jobs USA http://www.manufacturingjobs.com/home/home.cfm?site_id=105 and ManufacturingJobs.Org: http://manufacturingjobs.org/ and Jobs4Jersey.
For additional information about manufacturing in New Jersey, please visit New Jersey Next Stop.

Jobs and Politics

A friend of mine posted an article on Facebook that explained how the Eastman Kodak Company has asked a bankruptcy court judge to allow it to end retiree medical benefits at the end of the year as part of its plan to restructure. I agreed with her that it is appalling that a company can do such a thing to the loyal staff.  I also mentioned that a public company can eliminate positions “at will" and that the number of people over the age of 50 whose positions are cut is enormous!  It’s especially nasty when the cut comes at a time when people are beginning to think about retirement.  It is very difficult for someone who is that age to find a comparable position with a comparable salary. She then asked my opinion about the Presidential race and how as a business executive, the "challenger" eliminated or outsourced positions and didn't really give a hoot about the repercussions.

This is my response:

 I am not a big political debater but here goes. As a job search instructor and resume writer I am constantly in the trenches with the unemployed and the underemployed and what I have seen these past 4 year is heartbreaking. I have seen people looking to take in boarders just to keep their homes, people dumbing down their resumes just to get an entry level job, people taking crappy jobs that pay minimum wage just to eat. I have seen and heard a killer story with every resume that I have written. I have a very hard time charging people to write their resumes because I know that they can’t afford it. I can’t tell you how many times I have given away my services for free.

I have also seen a ton of people who would rather live off unemployment than take a job making way less than what they were used to making. I don’t blame them - years ago that would bother me but now it doesn’t. It kills me to see the vacant buildings and closed up shops up and down the roads I travel. So, in answer to your question, it is absolutely awful now (and I coming from the private sector where nothing was ever guaranteed and a company can replace anyone without blinking an eye). As a small business owner, I would rather see a successful business person step in just this once. I am not a political animal but I am living it every day and when our current President makes speeches about accepting a mediocre existence, I have to disagree with him. 

What’s your take on the state of the economy and the employment situation?