How to Find A Job | Gangs & Street Gangs

Lil Miss P runs down some jobs to see how your skills fit the requirements. From entry level to top jobs, you may have the skills you need.

To let the media know what is going on, many companies, politicians, personalities, celebrities, etc. will work with publicists or publicity firms. The firms work to take news and updates out to the media to help secure coverage of their clients in the press. It’s said that something like 75% of what you read/watch on TV is generated by publicists — probably most of all by entertainment. It’s no accident that you will see Will Smith on a bunch of magazine covers and TV shows just as a movie he is starring in is about to come out. The day to day job of a publicist varies. Some publicists are “in-house” — or employed by a company directly. Others are agencies or practitioners working with multiple clients as third party vendors. Publicists can earn anywhere from $35,000 at the entry levels to upwards of six figures. I believe the average salary is in the $75-80,000 range but check Google to be sure. Publicity careers require someone who is a bit like a sales person, fearless to get in front of the right people and push for an outcome. Good oral and written communication skills are in high demand, but if you’re a good sales person or at keeping the hustle on, publicity can be a great job. The fun part is that you’re seeing your stories you placed in the media people read, for your clients. The downside is that it can be very long hours and very taxing. It’s hard to get stories in the media even with a big draw client sometimes — but if you like a fast pace and lots of challenges, variation and connection with others, this is the career for you. Schooling is mostly necessary but I’ve seen people who make it very far in the business on smarts and skills. Stick to taking communications courses and marketing courses versus niching into a specific PR degree — it can pigeonhole you into PR when it’s not really, really necessary. Starting out at entry level you’ll be doing research and sending out pitches to media for other people on your team, clipping articles, writing reports and all kinds of other grunt work but if you take to it and get through it quickly, there’s a lot of room to grow. The publicity industry always seems to have work but like any other industry can be subject to layoffs and difficulty finding jobs in tough economic times. It is the kind of job that helps to be in a major city, but don’t rule out freelancing in your own town, or even starting a firm. The Public Relations Society of America is the industry’s governing body to help people network and connect: http://www.prsa.org/. When searching for jobs on Craigs List, etc. look under “Public Relations,” “Publicity,” or “Marketing.” Public relations/publicity jobs can be found in virtually every industry — political, music, fashion, entertainment, television, sports, media, food, beverages, education, non profit, you name it.

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How to Find A Job, Knowing How

May

The Value of Networking And How To Do It

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Continuing her series on how to find a job Lil Miss P looks at networking:

One of the most important elements of creating opportunities for yourself and your work is networking. It’s the ongoing effort to meet and connect with people in the career or business you want to be in, whether it’s fashion, music, entrepreneurship, publicity, writing, or virtually any other industry. In fact, I would say next to reading and staying on top of what’s happening in business and the markets I work in, networking has been one of the most valuable tools I’ve used over the course of my work, be it at the entry level, as an executive or an entrepreneur. In today’s age, networking has never been easier. It can be done via email, social networks, and other means, and it makes it easier to find offline events and organizations than ever before. Here’s how to get started with networking for your work:

1. Identify where and what you need. Networking is useless if it isn’t in the right environment. Networking can take place at the entry level, where you are meeting people and peers who are equal to you in business, or it can take place at higher levels, where you’re meeting senior level people who can directly open up opportunities or benefit your work. I encourage people I mentor to do both. While networking among those equal to you may not seem to be as beneficial as those who are in leadership roles, it can be a great way to make connections that can lend opportunity and insight over the course of time. It can also help connect you with people who are like-minded to you, giving an opportunity to fill your life with new friends and faces that might be more directly relatable to your goals. Oftentimes, those I mentor say that knowing others who are “in the same boat” as them helps, particularly if there are few friends or family in your inner circle doing what you are trying to do. Second to this is networking up, or working to connect with people in senior level and management positions for mentorship, learning and growing. For this, I actually prefer approaching and connecting with people via email — it’s much more targeted and you’re more likely to get a response versus meeting them at events.

2. Have your message ready. One of the most important things when networking is being able to cleanly and concisely explain who you are, what you do and what you want to accomplish. I call this your “messaging” and virtually every person I mentor or advise is put through the punches of developing theirs. Practice introducing yourself in the mirror or in the car while you’re driving about so that you get comfortable speaking about yourself and getting your point across. While you are at events, be sure to shake hands with those they meet, introduce yourself and state very clearly what you are hoping to gain out of being on hand to network — i.e., “I’m here to hopefully connect with a few people in the music industry. I’m hoping to become a sound engineer and make music.” By knowing who you are, what you’re doing, and ultimately, what you want, you will increase your chances of getting it — whether you’re networking in a group or one-on-one.

3. Dress the part. They say you never get a second chance to make a first impression and that is true. Treat networking events with the same priority and approach as a job interview or any other important meeting where you’re representing yourself. Make sure you are clean, well groomed and dressed appropriately — lots of networking events can be super casual, but it is not the place to wear the Bulls jersey and jeans or something short and sexy. If you can, have personal business cards with your name, title, email and phone number printed off to share with others so that they’ve got a means to connect with you after the event, and always make sure you ask for a business card or get email/phone numbers of those you meet so that you can continue to build your contacts of who you know.

4. Don’t just think of yourself — but what you can do for others as well. A lot of people make the mistake of making their networking efforts one-sided, aiming to only benefit themselves. But, most people who you’ll meet while networking are also looking to gain valuable connections and contacts, which is why it’s equally important to be one yourself. As you meet people, be sure to make clear what your skills are, how you may benefit people, what you are good at. Let them know as you are speaking with them if anything they are doing is synergistic to your skills or business. For example, a major business person I once met would have been the perfect person to tap to benefit my work, but instead I offered to advise on his projects, free of charge. I did so and in turn it later opened up several major doors for me — many that made a huge difference in my work that I to this day continue to benefit from.

From here, you will always want to follow up with everybody at least 1-2 days after the event — any longer and they may forget who they’ve met as events can be quite a whirlwind of activity. Suggest a second call or meeting in your email as well. For example, “Hello, it was great to meet you at XYZ event. I’d love to stay in touch. Would you be interested in getting together for a call or coffee to talk additionally?” Always make clear what value you bring and what you’d like to get out of the relationship, being as eloquent about it as possible. As you continue to connect with people and gather contacts from networking, stay in touch with them — periodically email to ask how they are, updates on their work, and suggest additional meetings and get togethers. By building these relationships, you will always have a lot of go-to people for insight, information and sometimes, work.

To find networking events in your city, the internet and local media are two of the best sources. Hop on Google or Bing search and type in search terms like “business or XYZ industry networking groups in Chicago” and likely you’ll see a bunch of responses come up. Almost every city has multiple networking groups and organizations, and virtually every industry you can imagine does as well. Take a careful look at each event and make a list of those that appeal to you or sound on target as you conduct your research. There are great groups by gender, religious belief, race, and much more — virtually anything for anybody is available. Just take a good look online and in your local media for events, etc. that are coming up. To network directly by emailing people or connecting online, research people by title, role, etc. at the companies you want to work for. Social networks can also be great sources for networking for jobs and work – LinkedIn is the largest online professional/business social network, but you can find great opportunities, events and people on Twitter and Facebook as well. Just locate who you feel will be most beneficial to you and vice versa, and reach out.

As you continue to network, make sure to always let people know where and what you are interested in and available for. For example, most of the people I network with know the industry I am in and what I do specifically, and often send opportunities my way that they hear about. Most of all, have fun. Networking can be a great way to socialize, all while getting work done.

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How to Find A Job, Knowing How

Apr

Hustling Is A Skill That Can Get You Into The Life And Work You Want

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Someone once said to me that hustling is a universal skill — something that can be used for good or bad in life. The same skills that may have made someone sharp on the street are the exact same skills that many of the country’s top celebrities and business people also have. It is an ability to know how to position an idea in the marketplace, know how to take it to market, or convert it to the desired outcome. If you were using your skills to commit crime or break the law in the past, you can turn the tables and start using it to get ahead on the right path — including the life you need, work you want, etc. All it takes is a little thought to what yours are and set a course for using them towards the job of your dreams, the career you want, and everything else that comes from having that acute talent to get the move on and make things happen. Here’s how:

1. Hustlers take action. Nobody I’ve met that’s successful has taken life laying down, and that applies the same on the street. They get up, get moving, get something going, etc. A great example of someone like this in the business world is Tyler Perry. He was abused as a child by his father and got a GED yet never let it stop him from getting a move on. Nobody wired him to know what to do in the film industry or reach his goals — he made the moves himself, learned the ropes and kept at it. As you work in business and towards your career do the same. Hustlers never stop until they get there.

2. Hustlers understand it takes steps. Whether you are in the board room or on the street, those with the hustle always know it takes steps to get to where they want, and they make them strategically and carefully. Tight, smart moves are what makes someone good at getting what they want or where they want to go. A good example of someone who took the right steps to get to where they want to go is the musician T.I. — he started to network in music, started to see and look for the right steps to take to get to where he wanted to go. One by one, he got there.

3. Hustlers listen and learn. Some of the best business people in the world are notorious for keeping an ear to the rail — and being open to learning about and trying new things. Rupert Murdoch of News Corp had no idea about the internet business but that didn’t stop him from buying the popular website MySpace, which later became an even bigger success. Don’t be afraid to learn, use the internet, read the trades in the industries you want to work in and keep tabs on everything that you can about the work or career you want. Most of all never stop being willing to learn — it’ll get you where you want to go and beyond if you do.

4. Hustlers are patient. Move too quickly in anything in life or make a snap decision and you might find yourself sorry. It applies to both life and work, whether you’re born rich or poor, in the office or on the streets, etc. Those who get what they want know it takes time to get and they’re smart to wait and watch for it, ready to take action. A great example of this is Oprah Winfrey. She was not born the billionaire she is today. In fact, she had a very difficult childhood including poverty and abuse. Yet, she was patient and kept moving towards her goal. Today she is one of the top five richest people in the world.

When you’re ready to make the move to turning your street skills to real job and career skills to take your life where you want it to go, all it takes is to remember you’ve already got a natural born talent just like those mentioned above. All it takes from here is your effort and unwillingness to give up from there.

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How to Find A Job, Knowing How

Apr

How to achieve your goals

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Lil Miss P returns with another piece on how to achieve your goals

Taking Small Steps To Gain Big Ground

One of the hardest things you’ll do is start at square one. I don’t like to call it starting at the bottom, because it’s more of a lateral — not vertical — course. The first step towards anything is never the bottom, a bad step or negative. In fact, it’s the most important step of all. Nobody’s life was changed in a single second, no great career no matter what it is ever started overnight. In fact, meet any major athlete, musician, business person, executive, leader, etc. and you will likely find they didn’t just start at the same square one you are today but chances are, had just as hard of a run. The big things in life are not easy — if they were, everybody would be able to attain it. But, rest assured, as certain as I write this today, if anyone works hard enough, long enough and patiently enough, everything he or she dreams (or very close) can be attained. I’ve seen it happen endless amounts of times. Trust me when I say, it will be worth it more than you might ever realize on the day you decide to take those first early steps. Starting at square one is where everybody starts but always remember — those who aren’t willing to take that first step don’t ever get there.

The good news is, you can make it a little bit easier/faster if you are careful, smart and strategic in your steps, and most of all, patient. I am living proof of this. Hundreds of thousands of people are. Here is how to do it:

1. Work Towards What YOU Want — Even though the first few steps you take towards the life and changes you want may seem small, all of them are important and all must be taken with careful consideration. Make all as relevant to what you want to achieve long term as possible. For example, if you are interested in moving into the food industry, with your sights on being a great cook or chef (including a reality show!), take a job at a restaurant that’s closest to the type of food you’d like to cook. From there, focus on gaining SKILLS and EXPERIENCE — the more the better, because the more you have the further it can help you to move to the next step when you’re ready. Make all of your moves towards what you want this way and you’ll find the distance between where you are today and where you want to be tomorrow much shorter.

2. Set Goals — The bible says, “Write the vision, make it clear” — that means make a plan. You won’t get far without one, whether you’re heading across the country for vacation, trying to change your life or tackle errands at the store. As you’re working out the small steps towards bigger goals, plans and dreams, you’ve got to be sure to create a plan or you won’t get very far. It always starts with that first step. It could be, “I want to work in the music industry.” Ask yourself then what the next three small steps are — 1. Learn about how the business works. 2. Learn about careers in the music business. Then break it down again, how can you learn about the music business and music industry careers? That makes the next three steps of your plan: 1. Research music industry careers on the internet and how the music industry works. Keep repeating this cycle of thinking about your goal and how to get there and you’ll have your plan.

3. Be Realistic — There are no short cuts in life and no easy ways out. Even those who may have some parts of the path come easily, like somebody who is born rich, it doesn’t mean life will be easy or without challenges and hard work. It just comes in another form. My rich friends and my poor friends, regardless of who they are and what they have, all struggle alike in different ways in their world. They may not have the support they need, people they have to support that they may be unable to, illness, family problems, unexpected pregnancy or other issues. Keeping this in mind will help the going get tough when the tough gets going.

4. Celebrate The Little Wins — One of the most important things to do as you’re striving to grow, change or get ahead is to remember and celebrate each step you accomplish. No matter how insignificant it may seem or far away from where you want to be, it is an enormous achievement. You must take a second each time and congratulate yourself. Without each and every little step you take, you would not achieve your goal so they are as big as the day you’ll reach that giant big thing. Understand this and celebrate it. You have come a long way every time you make another move towards where you want to go. Whether its a tiny promotion or meeting a great contact, take a second and relish in it. It’ll remind you to recognize how great you are — and help you move forward.

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How to Find A Job, Knowing How

Mar

How To Write A Good Cover Letter When Applying For A Job

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Lil Miss P Continues here job finding series with tips on how to write a good cover letter when applying for a job:

They say it’s not what you say but how you say it, but when it comes to job hunting and potentially nailing an interview, it’s a little bit of both. I’ve talked about the importance of marketing yourself and your skills in the past while in an interview. Today is all about writing cover letters and emails when applying for jobs. Whether you’ve been blessed with great writing skills or the ability to communicate and articulate things well or not, you can craft a useful, effective and professional cover letter or email by following just a few important steps.

1. Speak Their Language.

Whether its human resources or the head of a department looking to fill a position at a company, everyone is looking for the same thing: To find the best person who fits the job to help the company operate. A lot of job seekers make the mistake of telling employers what they’re looking for but the smartest thing to do is think about it from the employer’s position and talk about what might be important to them. For example, instead of saying that you’re looking for a position that can help you advance, be sure to include plenty about why your skills, talent, experience and personality fit the work. If it’s a position at a manufacturing plant or factory, talk about your keen attention to detail and punctuality. If it’s a secretary or management role in an office, share you’re great talent for keeping track of things, multi-tasking and enjoying interesting daily challenges. By talking about what you bring to the table versus the other way around, you will set yourself apart from other candidates — and potentially nail an interview as a result.

2. Aim To Create Three Paragraphs.

Cover emails can be slightly shorter than traditional printed cover letters, which look odd if there isn’t enough to fill out the sheet of paper. A good rule of thumb in general is to divide the letter into three short paragraphs, each with three to five sentences. The first is your intro — who you are and why you are contacting them. Reference specifically the job that you are going to be applying for and where you found it. Companies can be hiring for upwards of a hundred positions depending on their size so you will want to reference it in the first paragraph. In the second paragraph, share why you fit the job and what you bring to the company. Talk about your specific skills that match the job as referenced above, always trying to relate it back to the position. And third, wrapping things up with how you’d love to be considered for the job, are available to interview or have a phone call and can provide references if needed, etc. Always let them know that your resume follows. If you are applying via email, it’s a good idea to copy and paste your resume in the email as well as attaching it just in case someone has trouble opening it.

3. Be Sure To Be Polite, Professional And To The Point

Since your cover letter/email is a reflection of you and your ability to do great work, it is very important that you say what you say carefully and most of all, watch punctuation, spelling, language, etc. Always be sure to spell and grammar check before you send anything out. You might also want to have someone else take a look at it, either a friend, family member or career counselor, pastor, etc. It never hurts to have second eyes take a look at what you’re writing — lots of major writers do this even if they’re ultra experienced and accomplished. Take your time and really work at saying what you’d like to say with your best foot forward. The good news is, generally once you’ve written a good cover letter or email once, it can be tweaked and repurposed for pretty much every job you apply for thereafter. Just make a few changes to fit the various positions you’re applying for and you’ll be good to go.

While the job effort can be a little tedious, there are a lot of things you can get out of the way early on that you can use repeatedly — like a great resume and cover letter or email, references list, etc. After you’ve sent your resume and cover letter or email, it’s okay to follow up a short two weeks or so later to check on status. This can show your professionalism and attention to detail, as well as that you give an effort. This can help you stand out among other people applying for the job and potentially land an interview.

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How to Find A Job, Knowing How

Feb

Can You Be An Entrepreneur? Yes!

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Miss P continues her series with a look at the possibilities of running your own business…

While everybody has to make money to survive and buy the things they need, what we do to make money is entirely up to each of us — and that means the sky is the limit on what we can pick! For some, being an entrepreneur might be the right fit. You’ll work very hard, and sometimes, you’ll have to work even when you don’t want to, but it’s not unlike a high paying job in that sense. Most people who make six figures are chained to their desk whether they own the company or not. The downside of course is that like anything else, your company can have a hard time making money, like during an economic downturn. But, regardless of what you do for a living, there will likely be pros and cons to it. I’ve been employed and I’ve been an entrepreneur, and I’ll be honest. The steady, stable paycheck is my preference. I also enjoy not having to worry about handling taxes — when you work for someone else, it is so much easier as it comes right out of your paycheck. But, I also love the freedom and flexibility of being an entrepreneur just the same. The work is heavy and you do work a lot but you at least have some ability to take an afternoon off when you want to. It does take a ton of motivation, also — you have to be a real self starter to launch and run a business. But, it can be a great fit for someone who is ambitious and a go getter. In fact, believe it or not but a lot of the skills that people learn on the street are the exact same skills needed to be a great entrepreneur.

If this sounds like you, here are the three quick steps to launching a business:

1. Find a need for a product or service. One of the most important things you can do before launching your own venture is to research the marketplace and find something you like to do that is in demand. It can be virtually anything — in some cities, there are businesses that decorate people’s houses for holidays. The sky can be the limit. Just make sure that whatever you choose is something that people need or you will have a hard time finding customers. Service related businesses like house cleaning, lawncare, etc. can all be launched for fairly low costs, but don’t be afraid to explore creating a product as well. A young aspiring fashion designer once got her start putting together things out of scrap fabric. Today, it’s one of the biggest new clothing brands. Take a little time and think about what you like to do, what appeals to you and what might be in need or demand and you’ll be on your way through the first and most important step of entrepreneurship.

2. Find support (including financial). Launching a business can seem like a giant mountain to climb but it really isn’t. You will need to weed through a lot of steps, learn new things, and of course, possibly finance it through a loan or some type of capital. There are endless resources for things like this. Mentors, government programs for small business, incubators, and all kinds of other support is available. If you’re thinking about taking the leap into owning your own business, do a quick Google search and/or check around in your city for resources. In San Jose, a local organization partnered with a flea market to create an incubator for people who were making and selling products, and it has since increased employment in the area. So, be sure to take a look around. Don’t give up if things take time or require a little bit of effort. It’ll all pay off later if you find the right support at the start. Some people finance their companies on their credit cards — be careful doing this. You’ll want to always keep your expenses very tight and resist the temptation to spend on things you may think you need but don’t.

3. Launch it! Once you’ve got your business in place, it’s time to launch! Ways to market a company can range from passing out fliers to sending out word of mouth emails to family and friends, to advertising and publicity, so after you’re business is ready to go, look into various means to get the word out about it. Believe it or not, most local media around the country can be reached by everyday people who have news, like you. Check out online marketing capabilities as well — social networks are free to join and use, and can be a great way to market a business and draw new customers.

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How to Find A Job, Knowing How

Feb

Dressing The Part: What To Wear For An Interview And Beyond

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I’ve interviewed people for corporate positions in the past. Every time I think about what is ideal or appropriate for a job interview, I think of this one candidate who crossed my path. She was impeccably dressed in a skirt suit, which was a pencil skirt and blazer, in a dark gray. It didn’t look overly expensive, in fact the opposite — but it was the right cut and fit, and was well pressed. Even the most expensive of suits won’t look professional if they don’t properly fit. She paired it with a very simple black leather heel and a nice button up shirt, ironed and starched, in white. Bold silver jewelry and a giant black leather handbag topped the outfit off. She carried a small leather note book that held her resume, which she promptly handed our way. Her hair was clean and trimmed, clearly styled but not anything overly fancy. She wore just enough makeup to notice she had put herself together in the morning, but not so much that it seemed inappropriate. We would have hired her and offered the job, but she went with another firm.

The lesson for me had stuck, however: Looking the part can pay. Just think about it. How many times have you seen someone dressed so well, it immediately commands interest? That can apply in the workplace more than you know and today’s post is all about that. If you’re about to start the job hunt, you must consider what you are going to wear. I’ve shared tips for this in past posts if you’ve read them. Today’s post is all about how to find good interview suits and other professional/workplace wear.

1. Try eBay. eBay can be a GREAT source for used suits and other professional clothing, shoes and accessories — and the nice thing is, it’s shipped right to your house! What I do when it comes to buying things on eBay is to try to find the brands offline at stores, try everything on and see if I can get a better deal on the eBay site. This can also help getting the right fit since you won’t be able to try things on eBay before you buy. Brands for women to look for include Anne Taylor, Banana Republic and Limited, which make great suits for a very fair retail price. For men, Banana Republic, Men’s Warehouse brand and Perry Ellis might offer affordable options. In addition to suits, eBay can also be a good source for affordable work appropriate shirts, ties, shoes, bags and other accessories. Be sure to read measurements carefully for clothes as many workplace items like pants, skirts and jackets may be altered to fit the original wearer.

2. Try online sale racks. If you’re on a budget, the sale pages of many online stores can be a great source for low cost workplace and professional attire. Sites like Bluefly.com, Target, JC Penney, Men’s Warehouse, Banana Republic and countless others are constantly marking down merchandise of all kinds that can work for work. Sales usually happen at about the mid to end of a season, so hit these kinds of sites as spring, summer, etc. end for the best selection.

3. Tap charity if needed. Lots of charitable organizations help people get a professional start by supplying free or deeply discounted workplace clothes, shoes and accessories. Most are local or regional, so your best bet would be to Google search for things in your area. Salvation Army and Goodwill are also options. For women, Dress for Success (www.dressforsuccess.org) is a large, national organization that provides clothing, shoes and accessories in several major cities. Churches can also be local sources as well.

The key things you’ll want:

For men:

Suit — jacket and pants in a dark neutral color — gray, black, navy blue, etc.

Dress Shirt — a button up, collared dress shirt to correspond with the suit is ideal. White is the most versatile, or a solid neutral color like gray or blue.

Tie – a nice tie that works with the suit and dress shirt is ideal. Avoid anything that’s too bold or loud.

Dress shoes — leather dress shoes in black should work with just about any suit you get

– You can add a leather dress belt if you want but it’s not necessary

For Women:

Suit — jacket and pants or skirt in a dark neutral color — gray, black, navy blue, etc.

Dress Shirt — a button up, collared dress shirt to correspond with the suit is ideal. White is the most versatile, or a solid neutral color like gray or blue.

Dress shoes — leather dress shoes in black should work with just about any suit you get. A low heel is most comfortable. Do not wear a heel that is too high! 3.5 inches max

Handbag — a plain handbag that looks nice with the suit

Once you’ve got the job, buy things that mix and match easily — for example, wear the suit pants you have without the jacket and a nice thin plain colored sweater, or add different dress pants, skirts, etc. to coincide with the shoes color you have. In terms of jewelry, you’ll want to keep it understated. Depending on the job, men and women may want to remove piercings (nose, ears) and cover tattoos. Last, always make sure that everything’s cleaned and pressed. If you don’t have time to iron, try putting a suit or shirt in the bathroom as you shower and shut the door — the steam can help work out wrinkles in a flash, or pop in the dryer at no or low heat for a few minutes. You’ll want to watch where you hang an item in the bathroom when steamy — sometimes, dirt on walls, doors, etc. or water condensation can drip or run onto items if they’re hung too close to walls, etc.

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How to Find A Job, Knowing How

Feb

Q&A With A Top Employment Recruiter

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Lil Miss P continues her series on how to find a job…all of her posts can be found under our Knowing How section.

This past week, I tapped a top employment recruiter who has done work with some of the biggest companies in the world. Here is what was shared about working around gaps in employment history, criminal records, and more.

Q: How can someone with a less than perfect history (i.e, spotty work record, jail time, etc.) work around their past and move ahead in a career?

A: It’s hard if someone has a criminal record. Companies can’t put their other employees knowingly at risk. If there are big gaps in employment, using a functional resume instead of a chronological one is one way to highlight abilities and previous experience and not the actual work record. They’re not hiding anything but highlighting what they can do. Also a resume is not a legal document but an application is. You don’t have to list things on your resume (for example: if they have a criminal record), but most applications will ask about a criminal record. They need to read that question in the application carefully and answer it honestly. For example, the question on the application might be “have you been convicted of a crime” which means EVER, or it might be “have you been convicted in the last 7 years”.

The other piece is to have some direction and be realistic about your job search. Most large companies do background checks so that is something you will have to consider if you have a criminal history. A person cannot expect to land a $100k job as a Manager with a questionable past. You have to be willing to start where you are given the opportunity and show your employer that you can be a good worker, reliable, etc. and work from there. This goes for anybody, not just XYZ. Everybody has to start somewhere.

Q: What types of incidents or crimes turn employers away? Is there anything that a job seeker can do about it?

A: On a background check, things like misdemeanor drugs charges, DUI, etc. can sometimes be acceptable but things like theft of violence are almost never acceptable. There’s no “one” way to approach that. It would have to be a case by case basis and each person will have to be prepared to address these things in an interview. Whether it’s a gap in employment to due jail time,
or lots of moves in their work history, it will have to be addressed if asked. And they need to KNOW what is in their criminal record. They do not need to volunteer information but if asked they should know how to address honestly.

Also, having references that can vouch for the person’s character will be helpful. These should be professionals NOT friends.

Q: Is there anything someone can or should do in interviews?

A: Once the person gets an interview they need to be prepared to address those questions if they come up. I found this article on line that I thought
explained it pretty well in the section about Interview Tips. I think that part could apply whether they have a record or just to address a gap in employment. If they don’t have a record but have a sketchy past, they can still focus on their achievements, changes in attitude, etc.

http://www.brightknowledge.org/projects/bright-knowledge/null,1438,AR.html

Q: Is it impossible? It seems like the cards are stacked against!

A: Not at all. It’s just important that to see the situation for what it is, understand it, and take the right steps. People make mistakes and they can change. It’s just a matter of proving that you’ve changed, are living life differently, etc. It’s no different than proving your loyalty or that you can handle things anywhere else in life. And as with anything else, once you do, you’ll have achieved the outcome you want. Most of all, do not get discouraged! There are a lot of programs out there to help people in this very situation, and employers who are willing to give people a second chance!

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How to Find A Job, Knowing How

Feb

Do Not Let Your Past Dictate Your Future — in Work, Life Or Anything Else

Street Gang Articles

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Today’s post was inspired by someone who emailed in for help this past week. This one is for you.

If I were to speak to the hundreds of thousands of gang members in the country, I would say one thing: You did not deserve to be born into the world you were in. You didn’t ask to be a little baby brought into whatever situation you may have been. It wasn’t your fault that you may have grown up hungry, afraid, hurt, abused, lost, ignored or whatever else may have happened. You were meant to matter, to go on to doing great and big things. And those who raised you didn’t know any better. They were as hurt and broken as you may be today. You deserve your hurts and pains from your past to be acknowledged, because they were and are very real. And you need to understand those things made you become as much as you are today as anything. I do not believe that anybody chooses a life of pain, suffering, despair, violence — I believe every bad thing humans do comes from a place of pain. If you have not realized this and acknowledged this in your life, and about yourself, then you must spend a minute doing so today. The first step to change is healing, and you deserve to heal too. Most of all, as you sit there hoping for a better life, or hoping for change, you need to know that you deserve that too. If you keep reaching, it will come. We live in a world of second, third, fourth, fifth and even tenth chances — or more — because that is the way God operates. The Bible says, “Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world.” If God himself gives us endless chances to try again, get it right, etc. then you will find people in this world who will do the same.

As you go out to find legitimate work, and to create a life for yourself outside of gangs, you need to look at your past as God does: The past, a mistake. My mom always says God put our eyes in the front of our heads for a reason — so that we look to what is before us, not behind us. I believe it. This is the mindset and the truth you need to hang onto as you take the steps towards change. You were born to matter, to do great and wonderful things. Even with any past you’ve had, that has not changed. When you are ready to reconnect with what you were meant to become, it will be there waiting. Life is hard whether you live legitimately or you live in violence and crime — there are no easy routes either way. But, if you move towards something, it’ll move towards you — whether the steps you take are positive or negative. Keep taking the steps towards what is positive, no matter how hard it is, how scared you are or how bleak the situation may be. Because when you do, doors will open, the world around you will shift. Hundreds of people who were once in the same situation you are in are proof.

When you are speaking with prospective companies regarding jobs, communicate these things. You made a mistake. You went the wrong way because you didn’t know, you weren’t aware, but you are now and things — including you — are different. In time, someone will believe in you and they will give you that break, and within a few years, your past — and whatever may have happened — will become less and less of a factor to what you have and can do in the future. I have seen living proof of this in endless amounts of cases. It will be hard for some companies to trust you, it’ll be hard for some people to believe that you are not who you were, but don’t let it affect you because for each of them, there will be others who are the opposite and believe you have changed. The more that you live a legitimate life, the less the past will play a factor in everything. In time, not only will you likely find that the past doesn’t have an affect on what you can have, you will find it will matter less and less.

If you are in the process of changing your life, or desire to, these are the steps to take:

1. Accept the path and the role you did NOT play (childhood abuse, trauma, etc.) and the one you did (bad choices, actions, etc.) and then MOVE ON. Acknowledge it and let it go. It is meant to be left behind. It has no purpose or place to where you are going. Leave it.

2. Seek God and what is within yourself to find your purpose. God doesn’t want you to just work at some XYZ job — He wants you to do far greater, bigger things. If you have never dreamed before, or never looked within yourself to what you really deep down wish you could do or be, you must do this today. The bible says, “Write the vision and make it clear” — if you are not clear on what you really want, it will be harder. Find it today.

3. Get support. We ALL need support — and that includes you. There are so many people trying to help people like yourself. Find them. They are your new family. They will lift you up when the going gets tough, they’ll help you and support you. This website is devoted to helping — email and ask. You will find it there. Also seek out other gang members who may have changed — Google examples and reach out to them via email. They know your fight, and they can help be a support as you do it.

4. Get moving. It is so fun to dig up your path and find your way once you’re on it, you are going to be empowered and charged up about it. Make a list of what you think you need to do if you are not sure, and start moving. If it is finding a job to get by now, work on it. If it is to better your income or to move onto a specific career path, do it. Every single thing in life requires taking steps — no matter what happens, keep moving on yours. You might stumble at first, or even fall, but in time if you keep at it, you’ll run swiftly and smoothly like everybody else.

5. Help others do the same. Nothing is more fulfilling or rewarding than giving back. Pay it forward by being the support to someone else that you once needed.

Now I know it’s going to be hard — believe me, but if you do the above, you will not be sorry.

Lil Miss P

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How to Find A Job, Knowing How

Jan

Building The Ultimate Resume No Matter What Experience You Have

Street Gang Articles

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Lil Miss P continue her series on how to find a job, this week looking at Resumes.

One of the hardest parts of the job hunting process is creating a good resume. Without it, job candidates can be looked over. A good resume can help you stand out in a tight economy where companies often have upwards of two and five hundred submissions for a single position. It can also be the backdrop to ace an interview once you get in the door — everything they need to know about how fantastic you are is right on paper, and all you need to do is reinforce that with personality, professionalism and a smile. The popular format for resumes is to list your work experience and the companies you’ve worked for, including the various job duties you had. But, what happens if you don’t really have any work experience? What if you haven’t held many jobs? That’s where the Skill Set resume can really help. It identifies your strongest traits by what skills you have and puts them first, tucking away your work experience at the bottom of the page instead of the top. I’ll be honest, when I was job hunting years ago I used this format despite having a good work record and I almost always got the interview. It’s a format I’ve also used in mentoring other people and I’ve seen it firsthand help land interviews and jobs. It doesn’t mean it’s the right format for everybody, of course. But if you are a little lean on demonstrating employment or specific work experience to a position, skill set format can be a great way to circumvent this and allow your skills and talent to shine.

The first step in creating a skill set style resume is to identify the main skills you need for the type of job you are applying for. For example, if it is a receptionist role at a corporate office, the two main skills needed might be: 1. Office And Administrative Experience. 2. Project Management Experience. Instead of starting your resume with the companies you worked for, you would start it with those two titles and then the relevant skills you have that relate to it. For example:

Your Name/Address/ETC

Office And Administrative Experience
- Capable of handling and routing incoming telephone calls. Bright, courteous personality and experience in handling general inquiries.
- Experienced in basic office functions — filing, organization, ordering and managing supplies, etc.
- Outstanding multi-tasking skills. Able to juggle many projects at once efficiently

And so on. The goal is to think up all the relevant skills you have that will make you an outstanding fit for the job and put them on paper under each section as I’ve shown above. The key is to really focus on what specific skills you have that are a fit, and what skills are relevant to the job. A secret way to find out the skills you need to include for a position can come straight from the job posting. Lots of times, I’ll go through the requirements requested line by line in the job ad and note which ones on my resume that I have and can provide if hired. Ideally, you want to fill a single page for your resume at minimum so be sure to list as many skills and points you can on yours. Once you’ve completed the skill portion, you must add a section for WORK HISTORY and that’s where you can put various jobs you’ve held in the past or present. With each, you’ll want to note the functions and duties you had including highlighting any successes — such as, “Managed and trained other employees helping five to be promoted to higher level positions,” etc. Then any education you may have would be very last, at the bottom. So, if we were using the example above, here is what your skill set focused resume would look like:

Your Name/Address/ETC

Office And Administrative Experience
(list skills that you have that are relevant — as many as you can think of that fit)

Project Management Experience
(again, list skills you have that are relevant – as many as you can think of that fit)

Work History
(list jobs and a few short points on what you did at them)

Education
(list your education — high school, college, etc.)

By putting your skills first, it can help companies focus on what you have to offer first, and not necessarily emphasize on your work history alone. It can be a good way to present yourself if you are new to the work force or don’t have much work history, or if you are trying to transition into a new industry that you may have great skill for but not a lot of relevant experience. Most of all, it’s a great way to put your best talents and capabilities forward and help you shine!

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How to Find A Job, Knowing How