Dear New Hampshire....Take My Governor, PLEASE!

Dear New Hampshire,
I heard you were quite taken with Governor Christie. I read about it here. 
You like his brash manner (in New Jersey we call his name calling "lack of manners" See it here!) and outspokenness.  Not having facts, shouldn't really be categorized as outspokenness. He didn't have the facts when he spouted off about pensions and what other governors have done in New Jersey. Was he lying or just speaking without know the facts? Read about that here.                

We've had Christie as Governor here in NJ for ...about 5-6 years now?

• Unemployment is up....check out the facts.   
• Property taxes have risen under Christie at a rate almost twice as high as our previous governor. Numbers from 2013 here. Or compare your state to ours here. 
• Transparency in government was something Christie promised in his campaign. However, his office can't seem to cough up any facts when questioned. The New York Times even reported it here.  And the lawsuits are costing taxpayers-you know the ones who want the transparency-big bucks. 
• Bridgegate leaves questions  and we're waiting for the indictment to drop any minute now. 
• New Jersey was hit hard by Superstorm Sandy two years ago and people are still fighting to get back in their homes. They question the Governor about it and get ...well, not much. NorthJersey.com reported it here. 
• Then there's the great New Jersey Exodus; We be leaving this high taxed state where you get less for your buck. 

In closing, dear New Hampshire, if you think our Governor is so great let him govern New Hampshire for while and then get back to me.

Respectfully yours,
A New Jersey Taxpayer

Do Four Things to Get the Job

Sitting at the front desk in a building that houses multiple companies, I see a lot. Job seekers come through, looking for that perfect match. Past my desk come many qualified candidates that ruin their chances with the same dumb mistakes. 

• Be on time. Such a simple requirement, but one of the most important things in an interview. Look at it this way, if a person can't be on time for the interview how are they going to get to work on time? Do a drive by the day before so you don't get lost the day of the interview.
• Dress like you want the job. Walking in wearing t-shirt and jeans doesn't show the employer anything but you're on vacation. Show them you want it. Wear a suit or nice pants and a button down shirt. Comb your hair. 
• Come prepared. Bring a resume and a list of references. Put them in a folder so they don't get wrinkled. A crumbled piece of paper pulled from your pocket shows the employer you don't care enough to keep it neat.
• Research the company on the Internet before your interview. Know what they do and find something special about the company to mention during your interview. Do your homework. Impress them with your knowledge of their company. 

I've seen too many potentially good candidates ruin their chances by making these dumb mistakes. Be on time, dress for success, be ready to sell yourself and do your research. These four things will put you ahead of the pack and increase your chances of getting the job. 

The Job Interview: Why You Blew it!

Five things that will blow your job interview:

     1. Late arrival. Be on time! Or maybe a few minutes early, but not an hour early. You were scheduled around the interviewer's work day. Respect that. Showing up 5 to 10 minutes early? Great! Showing up two hours early? DON'T DO IT! No you don't look anxious for the job or like a go getter. You look like someone who can't tell time or follow directions. In some companies there might be someone who has to keep an eye on you so you don't wander. You just screwed up their day. 

     2. Dress like a slob. Instead, dress like you want the job. Leave the t-shirt and hoodie at home and wear a shirt and tie. Or blouse and nice pants/skirt. Good shoes, no sneakers.  Make sure your clothing is clean. No stains. No missing buttons. 

    3. TMI. (Too Much Information) Don't say stupid things. We all know an interview can be an extremely nerve wracking experience, but keep your cool. Think about your answers. Go online and look up "Interview Questions." Most companies use the same type of questions so you might have an edge if you know the common questions. 

           a. Never tell them you smoked pot when you were younger or have a problem with alcohol. 

           b. Don't complain about your family. 

           c. Never say anything bad about your last boss or coworkers. 

     4. Bare your Ink. Tattoos. I love them, I have one, but cover them during the interview. Tattoos are one of those things people either love or hate. You don't know who you're meeting with or what their views are on ink. You want the job? Play the odds and cover the tats till you get the job. 

     5. Go empty handed. Be prepared. Bring a copy of your resume and references. Don't be digging in the phone to find numbers of your friends to put down as references. (Turn your phone off!)  If you don't have a resume, get one. Not a lot of work experience? Put volunteer work or special skills on it. Get help with that resume by someone who knows how to write one. Check with your local collage or library to find out where to get help. 

An interview is a chance to sell yourself to the company. Recite a list of the skills you have that fit this job before you go in so you'll have a better chance of remembering them when you're in the hot seat. If you have a friend or family member who'll practice interviewing you, do it! Practice can only make you stronger in when in the interview chair. 

Good luck! 

Cover Letters to get that Interview- Why they're Important

The job you just applied for received over 100 applications. Sounds daunting, but this mountain of paperwork can be climbed and you can come out on top.
      Step 1. Read the job ad carefully. Inside that ad you're going to find key words. When the employer wrote the ad he described his dream employee.
     Step 2. Make a list of the key words within the add. If the ad says something like;
        Brand new pediatric dental office looking for a front office staff member with dental office experience. This person should be a team player who can ensure the smooth and efficient running of the practice as a whole. The ideal candidate will be friendly, enthusiastic, and have a positive attitude. Also, they should be a quick-learner, flexible, and have excellent organizational and customer service skills. Tasks include welcoming patients, scheduling appointments, presenting fees and discussing dental insurance benefits, processing dental insurance claims, tracking and calling patients with incomplete treatment, and all other front desk tasks. Great opportunity for a highly qualified candidate that possesses strong leadership skills. Salary based on experience. 

     The key words here are; team player, efficient, enthusiastic, positive attitude, flexible, excellent organizational and customer service skills, strong leadership skills. So you'd want to hook the person who reads your cover letter by using these words. This is what they are looking for, so be that person. 

     Step 3. Check out the website if possible. Google their name, email address, or phone number to find it. There might be more key words on their website you can find to use in your letter. 

     Step 4. Make your first sentence or two a hook. That means say something right up front to make them read on. Don't start with "I would like to apply..." They know that already, you gave them your resume. Try, "I'm looking for a position that will appreciate my positive attitude and excellent customer service skills." In that first sentence you've incorporated two key words from their wish list. 

     Step 5. If you can say something personal about their business, add that, too. The above ad if for a pediatric office so any experience you have with kids would be good to mention. If it's a construction office, you can admire something you saw on their website. 

     Keep it short and to the point. All your skills should be listed on your resume, so don't list them all here. A highlight or two that coordinates with what was asked for in the ad is fine, but most employers don't have time to read a book. 

     If you're not that great a writer google cover letters and copy them, BUT don't forget to add your keywords and personalize it to make it stand out from the crowd. Use the bones of those online letters, but you need to make them your own and tailored to the job for which you're applying. Every job you apply for should have a different cover letter that's been modified to reflect the job, key words, and how your skills would match. 

Good luck! Go get 'em! 

Why I'm NOT Voting for Governor Christie

Reason # 1;

I'm not voting for Governor Christie because numbers don't lie. He can bluster and blather all he wants but the unemployment numbers are there in black and white.

These number have risen steadily since he took office. Embarrassingly enough, this puts New Jersey at 7th worst in the entire nation. Yes, New Jersey, the state that made their mark in the industrial revolution and prospered ever since...is headed for last place. Who knows, if we give him 4 more years, we just might make it. We've been watching this decent into middle class poverty since he got the job, why would anything change? And if he gets "Right to Work" laws in place in New Jersey, it will only get worse. Every state that implemented "Right to Work" has seen a steady DECLINE in worker wages. With unemployment already at an all time high, "Right to Work" laws will send us skidding into the gutter.

In fact, his get tough, cut all state aid policies have increased unemployment. Tax cuts are still in place for the rich and his buddies are lining their pockets, but police, firefighters, and teachers are still on the unemployment line. Christie forgets he's dealing with more than numbers on a ledger. All budget cuts affect real working class people. People Christie doesn't really know anything about.

Most people think his tough talk is cool. He's a Jersey tough guy and will defend the state.

Ha!

He's defending big business and letting the middle class slide into poverty. Four more years? No friggin' way!

Stay tuned for reason # 2 tomorrow.....

Mr. Christie...do the Math...

Governor Christie says he's not going to raise taxes...
So that means he's going to take all the State Aid away from every town in NJ and force THEM to raise taxes.
Then he can say he didn't do it, right?
Hey, Mr. Christie? Ever hear of the snowball effect? The fact that sh*t rolls down hill?
Don't even get me started on what this does to our over-taxed unemployment system. How many people went on unemployment because State Aid was cut?
Anyone got that number???

(Recent unemployment numbers aside...we can't count the one shot Census takers. Their jobs will be over in a heartbeat)