Community Observations

I have been (back) on Jobcase after being away for several years and throughout my time supporting the community, I have seen the same constant posts from people. It's understandable that people need advice, support, feedback, or suggestions, so I want to try to make this easier for anyone and everyone. If you come across this post, take note.

Pick what information you want to know, should know, or want to keep in mind going forward.

WHAT IS JOBCASE?: Jobcase is a social media platform that provides employment resources to job seekers. It is similar to LinkedIn but a less corporate based version. These resources may be a factor in securing successful employment, but landing a job all depends on you. Those within the community should understand that nothing is given to you, to anyone. If you want something, you have to make an effort and work for it. P.s. Jobcase is not a dating site. One can be friendly and compliment someone, but be respectful in your approach.

There are millions of jobs available and millions of people who need jobs, so what are you doing to make yourself stand out from the others? How you market yourself is just as important as it is to need an income to survive. You cannot expect handouts in life just because you "need a job".

You should always apply yourself in ways that matter. Don't have the experience or skills sets? Work on gaining them by volunteering or taking free training courses. Learn to build your own platform as you deal with the pressures of the real world. It won't be easy but it will be worth it.

EMPLOYMENT SCAMS: The unfortunate reality is that employment scams are rampant everywhere. You have to work extra hard to dig, research into an opportunity to verify its legitimacy, and prevent yourself from being scammed. The objective of any scammer is simple, they want information and money, and how they get it can be spread across every platform possible (mail, email, phone, online, etc.). Scammers know to target vulnerable people who are desperate, gullible, and hopeful.

A scammer contacts you via text message, email, or through social media presenting an opportunity. If they claim or tell you:

1. You can make a high dollar amount that is too good to be true.
2. Claim you can work remotely by sending or positing information online.
3. Tell you that they need a check for a specific amount to cover the cost of equipment or supplies needed to perform the job.
4. Ask you to cash a check they plan to send you (cash fraud checks through your bank)
5. They are unable to provide you with a company website and a direct link to the position.
6. Immediately offer you a job without an interview.

IT IS A SCAM!

Scammers are known to hijack job listings and repost the same position across third-party job boards to scam unsuspecting individuals who do not know how to differentiate between a real job listing and a scam.

JOB APPLICATIONS: If you come across a position of interest and want to apply for the role, here are some best practices to be proactive in your job searches:

1. Read the job description in full. Copy the entire job description and email it to yourself for recordkeeping. Note: This also comes in handy for any employment or legal proof reasons.

2. Locate the company’s physical website, go to their careers section and search for the same position you found on a job board. Match/compare the job description you found/emailed to yourself and confirm the details line by line.

Note: Some companies may not have the position posted on their website for three reasons:

1. The position has not been posted yet or the company’s website isn’t built to track or manage the influx of job applications received.

2. It is possible the position is not accurate, or real and/or the position was hijacked by a scammer and reposted to lure applicants for their personal information, as they pose as the company. If you suspect this, CALL the company’s HR department, which you can pull directly from the “contact” section of any company’s website.

Let them know you want to verify a job listing you found online before submitting your application.** Companies will happily help you with this anytime, and in some cases, it can even be a benefit to you by showing you are taking initiative to be proactive, and helps you build rapport with someone on the inside that may like you enough to be a reference.**

3. The position was filled and the company removed the job listing from their website but not from the job board itself. This commonly happens.

Applying for a position from a company’s website typically requires you to create a username and password to gain access into the company’s job portal, and track your application status. Yes, it’s tedious, yes, it’s time consuming, yes, it’s redundant, but welcome to technology. The benefit to this is that you also learn to become more technically savvy the more you do this. Silver lining?

Make sure your resume is up to date before applying for any job. Check for spelling or grammatical errors, and make any updates, if needed.

REJECTION TYPES: Many job applications will be automatically rejected if the following applies:

1. Your application has missing information by choice. Putting “see resume” in lieu of not filling out an application in full is an automatic rejection. Some ATS won't even allow you to proceed with an application until all required fields are completed.

2. Your resume doesn't match specific keys words that the ATS is scanning for, and although no one has control over the functionality of ATS, be sure your resume has matching key words you identified within the job description of the position you applied to.

INTERVIEWS - PHONE, VIRTUAL OR IN-PERSON: Companies will typically make first contact with an applicant via email or by phone, and either be a tier level recruiter, a talent acquisition specialist, an HR generalist, or a hiring manager post-application submission if your background sparks the company’s interest to want to schedule an interview with you. Post-applying to jobs does not automatically warrant an interview.

You will know who they are when they introduce themselves – remember them because this is where your interview begins without you knowing. This is also where you'll want to go back into your emails and pull up the job description you emailed to yourself.

Be prepared, do your research behind the company, the position, and its responsibilities. Do not procrastinate to the last minute, and be sure to ask questions. No company will waste their time if you have no questions, and assume you don’t want to know anything. Companies know this is BS and will immediately reject you or move on to the next person. Remember, you are competing with other applicants, too.

Most companies will conduct virtual interviews using MS Teams, Zoom, or WebEx, unless it's in-person. You want to confirm with your recruiter about which video conferencing application the company uses to conduct their interviews beforehand, or if the interview will be held in-person.

BACKGROUND CHECKS: Got an offer pending a background check? Here’s what you should know:

1. Background checks are between 5-7 (OR) 7-10 years depending on what the company’s background check timeframe is. This is typically indicated at the end of a job application in fine print and will highlight what a company is searching for during the background check. Keep note of this.

2. Companies looks for criminal records for felonies/misdemeanors, sexual harassment/offenders/pornography, and drug use. Marijuana may also a considered a drug depending on the company and your state of residence, and defined as medicinal or recreational use. In addition to the background checks, companies will also conduct a credit check if your position or the company handles or manages any finances.

For credit checks, companies will look for records of financial fraud/embezzlement. A low credit score may or may not be overlooked but companies want to see how of if you manage or can manage finances, and if you are trustworthy with handling finances. Depending on your state of residence, it is always best to request a free copy of your background and credit report, which is or should be free to you when being conducted for the purpose of employment.

3. Any job offer is contingent on your background check and can/will be rescinded if you fail your background check.

If your offense is old and/or has surpassed a time frame, it is completely legal to not specify that on your job applications. When a person has been convicted of a felony, the length of time the felony will show up on the record depends on the state the felon lives in.

In California, Colorado, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, Texas, and Washington, a felony will not show up on a record after seven years no matter what. In every other state, however, the information is present on the record forever. It all depends on how far back the requester (company) of the background check wants to go, but they are able to obtain information regarding any felony convictions during your entire lifetime. Most employers only go back 5-10 years on a background check, though.

You can read more information regarding convictions here: https://www.privateeyesbackgroundchecks.com/does-a-felony-show-up-after-7-years/. Hopefully this insight may help you future job search.

ALWAYS READ THE FINE PRINT at the end of each job application before it’s submitted. Some companies require your agreement via a box checked, a signature (typed name), or an automatic agreement when you submit your application. It varies from company to company.

Hopefully you take whatever information applies to you, to your situation and it's helpful or insightful during your job search.

#information #knowledge #insight

As an aspiring information professional, I want to be sure I have the skills and knowledge to deliver the best work in my field. I am studying for an MLIS with a Data Science certificate that teaches me all about the duties of the librarian as well as learning SQL, R, and other data programs. Would love to connect with that communitity to learn more about the opportunities and share more! #libraries #Information #data #2021 #jobsearch

Hi, all:

Should you be looking? I have heard many answers, some good, some bad.

I would like to offer you a simple three-legged stool approach.

Like this stool, if your position meets all three of these standards, then STAY.

If your position meets TWO of these standards, then CONSIDER LEAVING.

If your position meets ONE or NONE of these standards, then START LOOKING.

Standard #1: Are you happy in your work? This means different things to different people, so I won't create a list here, because different things make different people happy. But, people know if they're happy in their work. And, like you can't be sort of pregnant, you can't be sort of happy. Also. If you have to think about it, chances are, you're not.

2. Is your pay meeting or exceeding what your industry standard is for where you are located? Invest in yourself and do your homework here.

3. Is your company stable? Have there been layoffs? Does your gut tell you that something's not right with your company or position? If you feel these things, go with your gut.

One perk of my job would have to be, being able to help customer’s pets. Whether it relates to healthy nutrition for them or figuring out possible allergies and how to avoid them. Either way I just enjoy being able to get a stressful situation under control, and making sure everyone is leaving healthy and happy.

Hello, hope this message finds you in good spirits. Sometimes it is difficult to enjoy life when you are unemployed, especially during the holiday season and more specifically when your funds are low.

Not proud to say it but I've been unemployed during the holidays more than once, and as a parent, this can bring about pain and stress that hurts to our core. During a period of time where I was out of work for over 9 months the holidays almost turned me into the grinch. To help you avoid stress and continue to strive forward with great energy and momentum I’d like to share 5 tips to enjoy the holidays while unemployed.

Stay Active And Finish The Year Strong - This time of year it is common to throw the towel in for the year with the idea you’ll pick things back up after the new year. This is a bad idea because it stops positive momentum, and delays your results. We all know finding a job can take time and if you are just starting in January it could be mid-first quarter before something lands. If you stay actively seeking work now, you can start the year with momentum and possibly get work sooner. Companies that really need to hire don’t stop during the holidays and there is also a host of companies looking for seasonal work. When anyone asks about your progress you can feel good saying you are on it daily versus saying “sure I’m employed but I’m taking a break from getting results” Keep up the good fight!

Focus on Gratitude - To avoid becoming a grinch like I almost did it's helpful to write, yes actually write a gratitude list. Write down all the things you are grateful for. This helps build the universal energy that attracts other good things into your life and also highlights how much you have in your life even though you aren’t working. By writing, give thanks to any people, situations, circumstances or things you have. Remember that you were born with nothing so anything in your life now is a blessing. If you are feeling bold light up someone's day by telling them why you are thankful or why you appreciate them.

Don’t Be Entitled, Don’t Feel Worthless - If you aren’t aware you can break this guideline easily and become the Don or Debbie downer of the season. If you are in a situation in which you can’t afford something don’t sit quietly expecting all to know you aren’t working and volunteer to take care of your needs. It can be uncomfortable but stating you can’t swing something is the adult high path. Most importantly if someone says “hey, don’t worry bout it, I got you” put your ego to the side, be the good receiver of blessings, be gracious and accept. Try not to go into a dark hole by hiding, not participating in events and feeling like only the employed version of you has value. You just being you is valuable to your loved ones, and you being a happy you is a blessing to the world.

Find Ways To Contribute - Although you may not be able to contribute financially during this time of year there is a lot of entertainment, cooking, cleaning and organizing to be done. As long as you don’t try too hard you can add great value to others and ease the tension of everyone by taking on the off-task that nobody is excited to do. Plus if you volunteer first you won’t feel taken advantage of if someone says “hey why don’t you help with this since you aren’t contributing financially. Don’t overdo it though, low esteem can cause you to morph into the family butler which won’t feel good.

Create Low-Cost Traditions. You don’t have to spend a dime to organize and set up the card game. The family football event is fun for all. Start new traditions that break the model of consumerism. Understand this time of the year is about family and loved ones. I’m sure you remember something positive about the holidays as a child that looking back was very low cost or didn’t cost anything. This is a lesson we should all learn before we are forced via life circumstances to observe. Teach your kids about giving back and all the ways to enhance life and family during the season that don't require money.

I understand where you are, from personal experience my friends. I send all the encouragement and energetic support I can offer. The plan above is not for the weak or for those married to negativity and excuses. I encourage you to be courageous. Don’t let life beat you down mentally any longer, think about being the Hero Of Your Story as if your life was a book. Don’t cower or hide in shame. When this passes you’ll admire the strength you had before the results came, that's what faith is. However, the blessing yielded from faith are only for the bold.

This is my challenge to you, if you plan on taking the bold route please comment and let us all know that you will live the path of “No matter my situation, my light will shine!”

Eva's Village is a community based organization. There goal is housing homeless men and women with children. Eva's is also a recovery residential house as well as out patient counseling.

Happy Halloween, Today is the day when you pull all the tricks out of the bag to master the interview for the job you seek. Nothing can hold you back after mastering all these tricks you received from Jobcase. We have prepared you, mentored you, have guidance and more. It’s time to cash in on the treats we all gave in one form or another. Those positive words of wisdom were all meant for you to conquer the job for you. All you have to do now is apply the skills you learned with the resume tips, interview preparation post and more. Now it’s all up to you to make us all proud right here in the community who believed in you from the start and in the end we will be here to congratulate you. With this said Happy Halloween!

G4S, has an immediate job opportunity for a Healthcare Security Officer (USO). As a Healthcare Security Officer, you will be responsible for the physical security of the client's hospital campus and its surrounding grounds

Full time job with excellent benefits. $500 success bonus (bonus for hired candidate)

Education, Licenses and Certifications Required

Must possess a high school diploma or equivalent Must submit to any State-required training or other qualifications for licensing Must possess a current and valid driver’s license Type and Length of Specific Experience Required

Have one or more of the following:

Minimum of one year verifiable and successful security experience Associate’s degree or higher in any discipline preferred Service in the active duty military, Veterans, military reserve or National Guard a plus Service in auxiliary police or cadets Verifiable work history

While not required, one or more of the following qualifications are a plus:

Prior security experience in a healthcare environment Six (6) months or more experience involving direct customer interaction

Applications https://app.onaliro.com/s/SA3Sgji5Y.