Sunday, March 31, 2013

Capitalizing on Foreign-Language Skills

An article in The Dallas Morning News March 31, 2013, edition, on page 1J “Wanted in Law Enforcement: Foreign-Language Skills” described how individuals with foreign language skills are an important asset for law enforcement organizations.

As a volunteer interviewer and job counselor at the North Dallas Shared Ministries, http://www.ndsm.org.  I have many opportunities to meet with speakers of other languages – primary Spanish.  As an interviewer, my message to them is to learn English!  I encourage them to watch TV in English, listen to the radio in English, and assist their children with their homework in English.


However, when I am a job counselor and my clients are bilingual, I encourage them to seek job openings for bilingual speakers.  In the Dallas area the target language is primarily Spanish.  The ability to speak more than one language is a major strength which job seekers should use to their advantage. 


Please post a comment or email me at glynjordan@gmail.com if you are bilingual and have found employment using your language skills.     


 

Thanks, Glyn


 
 
 

 
 

Saturday, March 30, 2013

Good News! - Texas Employment Statistics

On March 29, 2013, The Texas Workforce Commission issued the Texas job statistics for February 2013. 
http://www.twc.state.tx.us/news/press/2013/032913epress.pdf

Texas reported an unemployment rate of 6.5% compared to U.S. rate of 8.1%.  The number of jobs of nonagricultural jobs was 11,119,100 of which 1,765,900 are goods producing and 9,353,200 are service providing.


The good employment news is not restricted to Texas.  An article in The Dallas Morning News in the March 29, 2013 edition on page 1A by Sheryl Jeans, “Texas Job s See Record Surge”, writes that the unemployment rate fell in 22 states, unchanged in 16 states and increased in only 12 states.  In addition to Texas, Nevada, California, and Florida have significant reductions in unemployment rates.


I think that this positive employment news should be welcomed by many discouraged workers.  For those who have given up finding employment, I suggest that they restart their job searches. 


After rereading my Jesse James blogs, consider the following data.  The unemployment rates are 3.2 in Midland, 3.8 in Odessa, and 4.6 in Amarillo.   


Please post a comment or email me at glynjordan@gmail.com if you or someone you know is a discouraged job seeker.    


 

Thanks, Glyn


 

Sunday, March 24, 2013

Untapped Potential

A headline in The Dallas Morning News, March 24, 2013, edition on page 1C by Barry Horn got me thinking about an individual’s untapped potential when seeking employment.  While this article discusses selling beer and wine in college stadiums, I am wondering if job seekers consider their own potential when searching for a job.

I think that it is productive to consider your own personal strengths and how such strengths will provide value to an employer.  You should take a yellow pad and list your own strengths.  Your strengths should include not only your physical and mental abilities but also your personal accomplishments.  Think about compliments you have received and about times when you have felt really good about something that you have done for others or when you have completed  a major task.

Now map these feelings to a job or occupation that will lead to repeat performances.  I always get a sense of satisfaction when my students say that some statement or event in class is worth taking home and remembering – perhaps even life-changing.  Consequently, I am a teacher among other things.

Perhaps it is rare when someone finds a vocation or line of work that is very fulfilling, but the result is worth the search!

Please post a comment or email me at glynjordan@gmail.com about your untapped potential and if you have used your potential to find meaning employment.

 

Thanks, Glyn

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Job Listing Web Sites

Below is a list of Internet sites that list job openings.  Many of these sites were posted before in this blog; however, this list has been recently checked-out.

Internet Job Search Sites

 

askearn.org – people with disabilities

burryman.com-freelance writing jobs

careerbuilder.com – general categories

careers.atterro.com – general categories

careersonestop.org – general categories


creativehotlist.com - visual communication jobs

dice.com – technical

hcareers.com – jobs for hospitality workers

Idealist.org - nonprofit jobs

indeed.com - general categories & felons (enter felon)

jobcentral.com/vetcentral/tap_index.asp – military veteran job sites

job-hunt.org/jobs - general categories

jobmetaseek.com - general categories

 jobs.oodle.com/careers - general categories


jobsonline.com - felon jobs (note: must complete profile & set up acct.)

lawjobs.com - law jobs

monster.com – general categories

net-temps.com -general categories

prostaff.com - light industrial professionals.

retracerebellion.com - work at home jobs

seniorjobbank.org - jobs for seniors

simplyhired.com - general categories

staffinglinks.com – general categories

twc.state.tx.us Texas employment job site

workintexas.com – Texas job site for all employments 


us.jobs.com - general categories
 

workforce50.com - jobs for seniors over 50

Please post a comment or email me at glynjordan@gmail.com if you find any of these sites helpful to your search. 


 

Thanks, Glyn

 

Sunday, March 17, 2013

Jobs in Computer Forensics

An article in The Dallas Morning News on page 1J in the March 17, 2013 edition “Careers in Computer Forensics” by Allan Hoffman, Monster Tech Jobs Expert, is another article published by The Dallas News in its series honoring National Criminal Justice Month.

A specialist in computer forensics is more than a computer guru.  It is not enough for one to be an expert in bits and bytes, but he/she should also be an alert investigator - thinks and acts like Columbo.


Here is an example of a job description for a computer forensics


Computer Forensics Job Description

A Closer Look at the Role of a Computer Forensics Technician

For individuals who are both tech savvy and have a desire to analyze and investigate, a computer forensics job could be a rewarding one. A computer forensics specialist examines computer hard drives, storage devices like flash drives, cell phones, PDAs, tablets, MP3 players, smart phones, electronic notebooks, video game consoles or any other electronic device that may hold evidence that could be used in a court of law.

The extent of the analyses could be as simple as a personal computer or as complex as a main server for a large corporation. A computer forensics job description includes a balance of technological, investigative and informative skills. It also includes the ability to preserve and present finding so that they may be used as admissible evidence in a court of law. With the ubiquity of technological devices for storage and communication, computer forensics professionals are in higher demand.

Computer forensics job descriptions comprise of many essential skills. These include:

·         Technological Skills - A firm working knowledge of various operating and network systems, encryption programs and data retrieval procedures and the ability to provide IT support.

 

·         Analytical Skills - The ability to analyze digital data and think outside the box as an investigator.

 

·         Communication Skills - The ability to communicate findings orally (i.e. in court), in writing and to communicate cohesively with all members of the investigative team/organization/corporation.'



A cursory search on the Internet finds numerous links to training opportunities for computer forensics jobs. If you enjoy solving problems, scavenger hunts, and have an interest in criminal justice, perhaps you should “investigate” a career in computer forensics.

Please post a comment or email me at glynjordan@gmail.com your thoughts about a career in criminal justice.


 

Thanks, Glyn

 


 

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Myers-Briggs and Job Searches



A well known instrument measuring personality types is the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI).  A person may be designated in one of sixteen personality types based on responses to the Myers-Briggs instrument.  Please review the following link for more information about the MBTI: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myers-Briggs_Type_Indicator.

The question is does knowing your MBTI assist you in finding a job?  Job listings typically do not indicate the MBTI appropriate for the open position.  Perhaps they should. Here is a link to a description of the MBTI types:


I suggest that you take the Myers-Briggs instrument and then search for jobs that match your profile. For example I am type ESTJ and found the following link to jobs for me: 


Please share with readers of this blog the results of your job search by posting a comment or emailing me at glynjordan@gmail.com.


Thanks, Glyn

 
 


 

Sunday, March 10, 2013

100 Best Jobs of 2013


U.S. News & World Report lists the best jobs for 2013. You can view the complete list at http://money.usnews.com/careers/best-jobs/rankings/the-100-best-jobs. 

All jobs aren't created equal. In fact, some are simply better than the rest. U.S. News 100 Best Jobs of 2013 are the occupations that offer a mosaic of employment opportunity, good salary, manageable work-life balance, and job security. Some careers offer just the right mix of these components—for instance, our top tier is filled with tech and healthcare jobs—but the list also includes strong showings from occupations in the social services and business sectors. Even construction jobs enter the fray this year. Read more on how we rank the best jobs, and check out our full list.


Here are the top 20:


Dentist


Registered Nurse


Dentist


Pharmacist


Computer Systems Analyst


Physician


Database Administrator


Software Developer


Physical Therapist


Web Developer


Dental Hygienist


Occupational Therapist


Veterinarian


Computer Programmer


School Psychologist


Physical Therapist Assistant


Interpreter & Translator


Mechanical Engineer


Veterinary Technologist & Technician


Epidemiologist


IT Manager


After reviewing the list, what conclusions do you reach?  It appears to me that health care and information systems jobs are highly ranked.  I suggest that you review the entire list to find jobs that are available in your ballpark.  


Please share your opinion as to which jobs appear to be the most promising for you by posting a comment or emailing me at glynjordan@gmail.com.


 

Thanks, Glyn

 


 

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Apps Are Creating New Jobs But Replacing Workers



Articles in The Wall Street Journal on page B1 in the March 6, 2013 edition “Apps Are Creating New Jobs” by Greg Bensinger and Jessica E. Lessin and “But Also Replacing Workers” by Anton Troianovski describes a paradox – article titles that seem contradictory.

 

A lady working in a psychiatric hospital making $ 1,700 - $2,000 per month began using an Internet app – “Postmark”, selling women’s clothing on the Internet, and now earns as much as $3,000 per month.  Many Americans carrying smart-phones are making payments, purchases, and finding answers to questions; consequently, they are replacing many workers in the process.

 

Actually this paradox is not unique.  For years innovations and automation have been providing laborsaving technological advancements.  Should we be very afraid?  Is the sky falling?

 

I think the message is clear, the ever advancing use of machines and systems to accomplish manually tasks will continue and perhaps escalate.  Given this clear progression, what should workers do?

 

As I repeat myself; workers should prepare for the work to be accomplished.  Training and education are keys for dealing with the trend.  Observing and reading about individuals who have changed to deal the new environment can provide cues for financial success.


Please let me know what actions you are taking to survive in this changing work environment by posting a comment or emailing me at glynjordan@gmail.com.


Thanks, Glyn

FYI:  Below is the QR code for this blog:


Sunday, March 3, 2013

Jobs in Law Enforcement



An article in The Dallas Morning News on page 1J in the March 3, 2013 edition “The Next Level of Law Enforcement” by John Rossheim, Monster Senior Contributor Writer, got me thinking about careers in law enforcement.

 

Below are some websites that provide leads for immediate openings in law enforcement:

   

Discoverpolicing.org – Is a very rich site providing leads to jobs categories by state.

  http://discoverpolicing.org/?gclid=CM6CuaCY4bUCFQSnnQodOC8AkA

 

Law Enforcement Jobs- The site’s “Quick Job Search” link provides job listings by job title and state.  For example, I found 104 job listings for polygraph examiners in Texas.  

http://www.lawenforcementjobs.com/

GoLawEnforcement.com - This site lists hundreds of police and criminal justice jobs including entry level police officer, crime scene investigator, and special agent positions.

http://www.golawenforcement.com/jobs.htm

 

Federal Law Enforcement Jobs – This site provides links to many categories of Federal law enforcement jobs including air marshals and national park police.  

http://crime.about.com/od/police/a/federal_jobs.htm

 

The Internet is rich with law enforcement job openings.  Perhaps these sites will be helpful to individuals departing the military and seeking civilian employment. 

 

The qualifications for the jobs vary widely.  Please let me know if you are considering a career in law enforcement and if these sites are helpful to your job search by posting a comment or emailing me at glynjordan@gmail.com.


Thanks, Glyn