Tuesday, May 19, 2009

To Give or Not To Give - Your Social Sec. Number

In truth, an employer should only ask for your social security number (SSN) when it comes time to fill out the paper work (W-2) for taxes. However, many employers ask for your SSN on their job applications. Should you give it out? Well...there's a couple of things you need to remember....

1. Did you politely explain that you are concerned about all the identity theft you are hearing about AND "could you provide the last four of your SSN or could you give them your driver's license number?


Many employers will listen to your concerns and may very well give you permission to use the last four of your SSN or your driver's license number.


2. Did you ask how old applications are destroyed? If an employer throws out old files, this is a concern because a dumpster diver could find the info and there is a potential to steal your identity. If the employer sends the documents to a shredding company, you might ask if a background check is done on the employees who work for the shredding company. Again, this is a potential problem for an employer should the documents land in the 'wrong hands'.


3. Also, ask why your SSN is needed prior to being hired. Some employers do not realize that they do NOT need a SSN to do a complete background check on a potential employee - they do need your complete legal name(s) and your birthdate, however a SSN is not needed. However, be nice and polite when asking the purpose for the request and do NOT be a smart Alec.


4. For online applications, I ask companies if there is a unique number they can assign since any site can be hacked into.


5. Also, I have asked if I could handle the SSN issue in any other way. I have found employers to be very receptive to my requests.


HOWEVER, today is a 'buyers market' and some employers may not be receptive to your questions. You now have a choice, to fill out what is requested on the application, get the interview and land to job.....or not get the job.


I know of someone who insisted that a prospective employer was not going to be given her SSN. She lost the job opportunity which was not a smart move, especially in today's job market. ASK nicely and EXPLAIN your reasons. A reasonable employer will meet you at least half way. And please do not be a smarty pants because you will not get the job and you will not look professional.



Construction Examples for Business Cards

* Over ____ years experience

* Commercial * Residential

* Blow torches *Forklifts * Levels * Manlift or personnel lift *Power drills, saws & grinders * Stump cutters

* Willing to: * travel *work overtime, holidays and/or weekends

* Reputation for completing jobs on or before deadlines and under/on budget

* Supervised crews of up to ____ workers

* Able to work with diverse personalities

Oil Field Examples for Business Cards

* Worm * Roughneck *Roustabout * Driller * Toolpusher

* Bronco * Key Energy *Company *Company

* Hoists (Air & Electric) * Lifts * Power grinders (Deck & Handheld)

* Over ___ years experience

* Trained, hired & evalated ______

* Supervised crews of up to __ workers/employees

* Reputation for completing jobs on or before deadlines

* Willing to work overtime, holidays, weekends

* Able to travel

* Excellent safety record

Friday, May 8, 2009

Money, Money, Money

If you are in a dead-end career, your industry trends indicate work will continue to be outsourced, or it's just time to look into another type of work, now is the time to do so.
Funding is available for retraining, however you need to ask and to research.

One of the first places I would go, to seek funding, is the school(s) I am interested in attending. Please make an appointment with a Financial Aid Officer (FAO) who can point you to several funding sources. Right now, with the economy and the number of layoffs, I am uncomfortable suggesting you take out a student loan. Therefore, talk to your Financial Aid Officer about grants, scholarships, and workforce investment act funds. There are most likely many other types of funds, however your FAO will be the best person to guide you but please emphasize you are not seeking a loan due to your layoff, etc.

Also, many of the State agencies (employment or unemployment offices) work with agencies which are awarded Workforce Investment Act (WIA) funds. Call your local office to locate the agency handling these funds and make an appointment to visit the WIA Specialist.

There may be requirements you need to complete prior to visiting the WIA Specialist. Again, your employment/unemployment office can direct you most likely. You may be required to be signed up with your local (un)employment office, you may need to take some pre-assessments, you may need to have a completed resume, etc. Follow the directions you are given - if you are speaking to a representative, take notes and at the end, summarize your understanding. If the representative has handouts, get them, read them and highlight the requirements.

The people I know have a list of jobs which are in demand and are funded - jobs which are not in demand, are dead-end, are likely to be outsourced probably will not be funded (this makes sense - why would someone train for a job that will not be there in the near future?).

Some of the in-demand jobs may not be familiar to you. Look them up at:

http://online.onetcenter.org.

Also, do not forget that some groups which service specialized populations, may have funding available. If you are over 45 years of age, you may want to look at AARP. Business organizations which support underrepresented populations may have funding. Also, look at the larger companies who are seeking a diverse workforce - there may be funding available for continuing one's education.

Friday, May 1, 2009

Stress Busters

  1. Get organized - list what can be done now, what can be done later and what can be done if there's time. Use a planner and limit the time you spend on distasteful tasks and give more time to tasks which are less stressful.
  2. Get into a healthy lifestyle. Exercise. Eat right. Limit caffeine and alcohol intake.
  3. Make a list of the good things in your life.
  4. Schedule time to be with people are good for you and stop hanging out with people who drain the life out of you.
  5. De-clutter your life. Clean the garage, attic and/or basement. Items which are still good, either donate or have a garage sale.
  6. Get 8 hours of sleep.
  7. Get a hobby. (Whining, moaning and groaning are not considered hobbies)
  8. Make a list of your attributes or strengths.
  9. Take time to do something for yourself that you have not done because.....
  10. Learn what you can control and forget the rest.
  11. Learn to say 'no'
  12. Tell the truth
  13. Think positive - if you are what you eat, you become what you think.
  14. Unplug phones or don't turn them on once in awhile.
  15. Slow down
  16. See a funny movie or read a good book
  17. Volunteer - helping someone often makes us feel better.
  18. Take a walk in the park, on the beach or somewhere you haven't visited for awhile.
  19. Build in rewards for finishing distasteful tasks.
  20. And my favorite, laugh, eat brownies and ice cream once in awhile, watch Dancing With The Stars, get a Frisbee and toss it around with a friend (or your dog), stop beating yourself up (there's plenty of people which will do that for you), and remember, in a hundred years, it won't matter, it barely matters now and if this doesn't work, I've got a ton of stress reducing yard work you can do (hey, sunshine and exercise have been shown to be stress reducers).