Job Fairs February 9th and 16th

Logo and Photos courtesy of Six Flags Web Site

Interested in a seasonal job? If you can't find a year round job, it's time to start hunting for spring/summer/fall seasonal jobs. Organizations like Six Flags/Great Adventure, the largest seasonal employer in New Jersey, has over 4,000 positions available for the 2013 season, including 200 internships. And these aren't just jobs for kids. These jobs for people of all ages and interests.

In addition, there will be summer performance auditions on February 2 and 10 at the Showcase Theater. Energetic hosts, entertainers, actors, technicians, dancers, and specialty performers are invited to audition. Be prepared to showcase your talents on site on those dates.

Quote from the Six Flags New Jersey web site:

"Whether you want to be a performer, character, ride operator, games attendant, water aide, or cleaning crew member, you’re going to be part of a wonderful team with exciting benefits. For example, 2013 crew members will be among the first people to participate in our intense Safari Off Road Adventure, and water park employees will be the first to operate the all-new splashy Big Wave Racer. Other perks include competitive wages, valuable experience, incentive bonuses, flexible scheduling, free park admission, in-park discounts, exclusive employee events, reward programs, scholarships, and the opportunity to make new and lifelong friends. You’ll be surrounded by friends, food, and fun – all while getting paid."

So if you have a smile and like the outdoors, go to the Six Flags web site and apply online prior to the job fair dates and then get there bright and early for the job fairs. Take the time to browse through the site if you aren't familiar with Great Adventure's rides, water park and entertainment offerings so you can sound knowledgeable during your interview. Good luck! See you there this summer!

We're Hiring in Delaware County!

I'm here to offer you what has to potential to be the best job you've ever had! And the really good news is that we're hiring 100 employees before January 1, 2013. And one of those new employees could be you. We offer you access to health care benefits and a flexible schedule (as well as a host of other benefits), and the opportunity for advancement--and it's NOT a scam. I know, you've heard it all before, but truly, this is legit. And if you don't live in Delco, call me too, we are actively hiring all around the country.

We are the leading direct selling company worldwide. We have over six million representatives, and the next one could be you. We're Avon. And we encourage you to be be your best with the best.

I admit, I'm an Avon Rep. I held off for a long time, over a year, while I looked into it carefully. Checking to see just how much money I could make in the amount of time I had to devote to it. Avon Reps can be full or part time, so the amount of money you make will depend solely on you.

Who is the typical Avon Rep? We're women, we're men, we're anything but typical! Some of us are older, some just out of high school. We sell to different demographics but most of all Avon is about helping people. We help people look and feel their very best--what more could you ask for in a job? Avon sells cosmetics but they're more. They sell fashion, they sell kitchen gadgets, they have jewelry and items designed just for men. We sell holiday specialty items and lingerie. You name it, we sell it! (Well, almost!) It's a great job. A job that is all about making people happy--what a blast!

I admit, I sell Avon for profit, but I'd be lying if I said it wasn't fun as well. So if you've been looking for a job, full or part time, live in Delaware County, and want a job that's fun and makes you $$$, Avon is for you.  And unlike many direct sales companies, Avon charges you a minimal $10 fee to start. No expensive kit needed.

Want to find out more about Avon? Call me, I'll tell you about my experiences with Avon and if you're interested put in contact with my up line. We're people helping people, and I'd love to help you find the best job you've had!

Call me at 610-761-5398 and leave me your name and phone number, or if you prefer an email address. Looking forward to meeting you and showing you just how great a job selling Avon can be.

Top 10 Companies Hiring Employees Over 50

Are you over 50 and looking for work? The website Retirement Jobs analyzed where the majority of over 50's are working . Their results? 

Top 10 Industries by % of Employees Age 50+

1 Airlines
2 Utilities
3 Insurance
4 Retail
5 Chemicals
6 Aerospace
7 Packaging & Containers
8 Forest & Paper Products
9 Food Production
10 Beverages

So if you are looking for work, try targeting some of these companies. Since they are already over fifty friendly, it gives you a better chance at making it through the door. Good luck! May the hiring god be with you!

Background Checks

Most large companies outsource background checks on potential employees. And sometimes the results are astounding. Did you ever get turned down for a job and ask for a copy of your background check? Sometimes the smallest errors can turn a 'you have the job' to 'we regret to inform you...' (alas, no job!)

I spoke to a job applicant a few days ago who had an unusual result to his background check. It seemed it had turned 'he' into a 'she' (or in this case, turned him into his wife.)

How did it happen? A simple error on the applicant's part. He used auto fill when he was filling out a job application at home. The problem? His wife had also been applying for jobs using the same computer and auto fill put her driver's license number into the application.

You would think if a company got back results where the applicants information had the same last name and same address they would presume this was an simple error. But they have so many applicants that the accuracy of your job application is your responsibility.

After he contacted the company's human resource department and the company who ran the background check to have it corrected, he eventually got the job. But only after a lot of angst. And in this economy who can take the chance on missing out on a job opportunity because they made a simple mistake?

So save yourself some anxiety and do everything you can to be sure your job application is filled in correctly. Double check any numbers, addresses, and verify your contacts. And please disable the auto fill option.

No Call Back After An Interview?

There are any number of reasons you might not be getting a call back after an interview, and some of them have nothing to do with you or the person who interviewed you and if they want to hire you.

My spouse, who until recently was one of the long term unemployed, recently applied for a job at XYZ Company (OK, OK, so it wasn't really XYZ Company, but keeping it confidential). He'd found a hot lead, the interview went well, the company liked him...and he was REJECTED!

Why? For a reason you might never suspect. No one would provide a reference for him. I don't mean a specific person, I mean the companies he worked for.

His old companies were just not answering when the company he interviewed with called for references. They were just ignoring phone calls. Or it had been more than five years since he worked there and after that amount of time they'd archived their previous employee files and would not even verify that he'd been an employee at their company.

Wow! Who would have thought? I mean he knew they all had policies of not giving references other than dates of employment but to not answer when a potential employer of a former employee called for a reference? Call me naïve, but yes, I thought they'd at least verify dates of employment.

So take the time to find someone who will write you a personal letter of reference from your old company. Or if you know someone at the company who has knowledge of your former employers and can verify where you worked even if they can't verify exact dates, be sure to provide the employer with their name, address, and current phone number and email address. Have you taken the tech route and posted your prior employers on LinkedIn? Have people write a recommendation on LinkedIn. It will remain there where employers can view it.

Provide a list of personal contacts who can verify where you have worked. It's not optimal, but in a pinch it just might be enough for the potential employer.

So just in case it's been awhile since you were employed, and especially if you worked for a company that went out of business or was taken over by another company, be sure to have a backup for your references. And good luck!

(Oh yes, in case you are interested, he got the job! One of his personal references who also happened to work for the company verified his employment.) That was a close call!

Top 10 Fun Jobs For Nerds Over 50--Or My Job Bucket List!

By the time you get to my age (a dreaded 58) you've probably had a lot of jobs or had one or two and wished you could change yours, just to try out something new. Since I've been the product of downsizing three times in the last ten years I've had a lot of time to think about what I'd like to do.

I thought long and hard about what my TOP 10 fun jobs would be--so if yours are different don't be surprised. But please feel free to add them to the 'Comment' section.  I love hearing from my readers!

Nancy's Top Ten Bucket List of 'Wishful Thinking' Jobs:

1. Book Reviewer-Yeah, I know I can do it for free on Amazon etc. but the idea of reading and getting paid for it makes my day.  I don't care what it is, I don't care if it's short, long or in between.  I don't care if it's a book, magazine or online, I read it all!
2. Continuity Editor-I don't even know if they have these for books but I HATE when I'm reading a book and all of a sudden the continuity is off! If someone was wearing a red tie at the beginning of the chapter one would think by the end he'd still be wearing the same color!
3. Antique Hunter-I don't want sell them you understand, I want to find what people are looking for so THEY can buy it.  I am a huge fan of spending OPM (other people's money), just ask my mom at Christmas time when she's looking for the best price for a present or a neat gift for someone, who does she call? That would be me! Or my art collector friends whose collections are full of the results of my hunting. I'm not a pro, but I love the hunt!
4. Antiquarian bookseller-I do love HUNTING for valuable, one of a kind or rare items, coupled with my love of books this job lures me like a siren!  Hunting for first editions or other rare books -- pure joy.  Am I an expert? By no means! As I said, this is a 'wishful thinking' list!
5. Venture Capitalist-I love the excitement of taking something small and making it grow and thrive! Or taking an already existing and taking it to the next level.  I want to be a SHARK on  Shark Tank!  OK, OK, I know I need cash to do that, but it's wishful thinking!
6. Fashion Designer-This one I admit is total pie in the sky. I have NO talent in that direction but I do love vintage clothes or historical costumes. So maybe what I really need is to be someone who does costume designs for historical re-enactments or movies.  Face it, how many people took one look at Bella's dress in Twilight and recognized it as a knock off of an old Yves St. Laurent? Yeah, I know, I'm a nerd!  An OLD nerd!
7. Leather Collector-sounds kinky huh? but no, it's really kind of boring.  At least as leather collecting goes. This one is mild, but an obsession! I could do it in my sleep! My Pinterest board is filled with shoes, handbags,gloves, coats, anything made from good leather. Why do I want to travel? To go to countries where they have fabulous leather shoes and gloves etc. Shoes I fall in love with. Shoes I can't afford. Shoes that don't fit my lifestyle but oh how I love them all. High heels, flats, medium heels or even sandals or sneakers. I love shoes. I'm a mini-Imelda Marcos. And don't get me started on handbags.or gloves, or coats, or vests, yes if it's leather I want it. And a job that revolved around leather...please.... (well not a kinky one ...)
8. I want to decide what to sell on QVC.  OK.  Yeah.  I know.  I can hear you going... QVC?  Is she nuts? I admit, I do not shop on QVC.  But I love seeing what you can sell on QVC.  Or with a good infomercial!  Talking someone into buying something they don't really need or want... fun!
9. I want to be Ellen DeGeneris' personal assistant. Fact is, I LIKE Ellen. I don't just like her show. She's one fun lady! Anyone who starts her TV show off by dancing--you can't help but like her. I think it would be a kick to work for her. (yeah, I know, I live in Philadelphia, I guess Ellen will just have to move here huh?)
10. Last but not least? I want to be Dr. Seuss! OK, I know, hard to do. He's like...uh dead. That part I'm not interested in. But he was a one of a kind act. But I want to be an adult who maintains their sense of whimsy, their childlike wonder and outlook on the world. Dr. Seuss did that in spades.

What's on your bucket list of wishful thinking jobs? Leave me comments and let me know. Oh and if you're Ellen... I'm available! For you I would desert my blogging!

Have You Considered Temping?

I  know, a lot of us have been out of work for a long time. Some of us have had part time jobs but all of us are hunting for that elusive full time job that will give us benefits! I never appreciated my health benefits so much until I didn't have them! So where to look for work?

If you live in Delaware County, try Monarch, and temp agency in Springfield PA.  The women who run it are great about placing you and the great thing about temping... it can evolve into a full time job.  There are plenty of other agencies out there, just not ones I have personal experience with. It will also depend on your skill set, some are in bigger demand than others.


What does a temp job give you? Current work experience and a new reference! Golden in this age of long term unemployment! So give it a try!


Need to brush up on job skills? Why not head out to Delaware County Community College?  They offer regular classes for credit but also have adult education classes too. Don't leave any stone unturned, sometimes you need to update your skills in order to be more marketable! Happy Hunting!