Ans Svc/Cust svc

Lest we forget it, I must re-iterate that I do have customer service experience as a telephone operator at a local answering service during times away from school. My resume lets you know that that particular job entailed answering telephones via computer, taking/typing messages, transferring calls, and dispatching service personnel. But what you don't know is that I was lucky enough to be part of the team that was among the ATSI (Association of TeleServices International) 2006 Award of Excellence Recipients!

Everday at the answering service, my job as telephone operator was all about customer service. I had to listen carefully to customers and be prepared for any situation. It was my responsibility to aid and assist them in their communications and this entailed all types of challenges including dealing with emergencies. An average day included helping dispatch or put people in contact with whomever they need. The accounts we answered for were mostly health care accounts but people calling on the other end of the line had concerns incorporating everything from basic routines to dire emergencies. I can say with confidence that I always did my job to the best of my ability and acted in accordance with all procedures and rules.

Blue Cross Buns

Today I sent a resume into Independence Blue Cross for a paid internship. The email said: "We are looking for a summer intern who would like to work in a Corporate Communications department assisting the technical team with support for print,web and multimedia designers. This is for Independence Blue Cross and the position offers many great opportunities for any student looking practical IT experience in a communications or corporate environment."
Contact and Application.

Then I found a listing on monster for a graphic design and customer representative in Sparks, MD which is nearby to Hunt Valley. The monster.com listing said "To Apply: To respond to this opportunity, please go to: http://www.MyChoiceEngine.com/Role/32265 or fax 1-800-521-9556 Attn: Gwena". Then it redirected to this Administaff thing where I painstakingly filled out the online form THREE TIMES before submitting. Sigh.

Then around 9:30pm I sent my resume off to Baltimore@rht.com because evidently this "Robert Half Technology" is a staffing organization with a Baltimore office...maybe I'll get a call? This said that a technical writer could get like $30 an hour! How fabulous.

Just after 1am I recieved e-mail confirmation notice that my application for Graphics & Printing Technician I was received in the State of Delaware's Office of Human Resource Management. My application was received on 4/26/2007 1:03:41 AM. The filing deadline for this job is 5/2/2007 11:59:00 PM. To review your application or submit an application for another job, return to the Current Employment Opportunities.

Joe's advice

"The 3 big job search websites are careerbuilder.com, monster.com and hotjobs.com. All of them are pretty much the same as far as setting up your resume and looking for jobs. Careerbuilder.com is ranked as the number one career site these days, but with any of these sites it is easy to get lost in the shuffle since there are a lot of people accessing the sites and applying for jobs.

Another good place to look is craigslist. Job postings on this site are usually from smaller firms or companies since it is cheaper then what the big time sites charge. Also, with a smaller company you might have a better chance at finding an entry level job and also hearing back from a potential recruiter.

For example,more people are applying for jobs at Cisco through hotjobs.com on a daily basis then for little Joe Schmo ad agency that wants to hire an entry level person and is using craigslist. Also out here we have bayareajobs.com which just focuses on jobs in the bay area. Not sure if it is good or not, but if they have a similar site for Delaware or the surrounding area it might be worth checking out as well.

Since she is just starting out she should make sure she has a resume and a standard cover letter put together and then throw it out to as many companies that are looking to hire graphic designers. The more she sends out, the better chance she has of hearing back from a potential employer. Also, it's not uncommon for the recruiters to take their sweet time in responding, if they respond at all. She should check out the postings on a daily or every other day basis as well, as job postings are putted up on a regular basis. Let me know if this helps. -Joe" Mon, 9 Apr 2007

What is this?

CLERICAL - Civil/Paternity Assistant:
Ocean City - Great opportunity for summer internship. Large volume restaurant now Interviewing for immediate clerical position thru Oct. Interviews by appointment only. Call 410-289-6821, Mon-Fri, 10am-4pm. NO WALK-INS PLEASE!
Source - Daily Times - Salisbury, MD

Requirements:Seeking individual withexcellent phone and grammar skills. Includes, but is not limited to, answering multi-line phones, filing, typing, computer skills. Must have dependable transportation and be able to work nights and weekends.

applications

My yahoo bulk/junk mail box has recently been flooded and I'm not sure why. The legitimate inbox shows a few reminders from careerbuilder that I applied to:

Date of Submission:2007/03/29
Job Title:Administrative Assistant
Company:Kelly Services
Location:US-MD-Owings Mills


Date of Submission:3/29/2007
Job Title:dispatcher
Company:Kelly Services
Location:US-MD-Laurel


Date of Submission:2007/03/29
Job Title:Customer Service Clerk, Full Time
Company:Pitt Ohio Express
Location:US-MD-Baltimore

Also sent off a resume and cover letter to the Daily Times because they are still continuing to run their ad for a graphic designer. I'm not qualified in the Quark software they have and yes I feel it is outdated but after having several family and friends mention this job I'm sick of hearing about it and qualified or not I've sent in my stuff. Ha! Oh and I sent another cover letter for a craigslist thing. Yadda, yadda, yadda.

Non-paid paying internships

Wednesday I traveled to the capital city of our lovely state and went to a job fair at a private collegiate institution. I filled out two applications. Today I called one of those places back. They called me back and said that although my experience is fitting they have a rule that they either give you a paid internship or on the other hand a non-paid internship but with college credits. Currently they cannot afford to pay someone and they'd like to offer me a non paid internship but I've graduated college so really the credits don't do alot for me. I continue to play the game insearch of my $42,000 a year job. Did you know the State Police pay $40,000? that's close enough for me...a viable possibility. Can you imagine that?

across tips

I recently came across a GoldenKey/SallieMae Job hunting tip sheet:

• network, network, network: be in the right place at the right time
• have copies of resume at the ready: at all times
• research companies: and write a well informed dcover letter
• practive interviewing: with friends or family
• keep careful records: of contacts plus where and when you sent out things
• be prepared to talk about yourself off the cuff: anywhere
• stay optimistic and confident: it will take a while, but it's well worth it

Online resources and job engines:

1. truecareers.com
2. monster.com
3. careerbuilder.com
4. hotjobs.com
5. directemplioyers.com
6. job-hunt.org
7. careerjournal.com
8. salary.com

Driving records

Last Thursday I went to OC and stayed through Sunday. While staying down there I had no Internet connection and hence no progress on jobs. Of course that doesn't mean it wasn't forgotten as I was rudely reminded by my loving family at Sunday dinner that I still don't have a job. Everyone wants to give me their two cents and tell me where to go to get a job. While I'm sure it's only because they care, sometimes it is hard for me to patiently swallow their advice. I know that all in good time I will work things out on my own.

Since I filled out a form today to request my driving record, I'm wondering how many businesses actually do background checks. Do you think anyone is really looking at my driving records? Initially I thought no, but today I've changed my mind. Potentially will be worth receiving a copy myself to see what they could be examining.

I'm smart, I'm nice

Playing the game today for a graphic design internship with Systems Alliance, Inc. in Sparks, Maryland with response from job posting from the Baltimore.CraigsList.com

"Please take note that while working towards my bachlor of arts degree I gained valueable customer service experience with a local answering service. I am interested in and excited at the possibilty of working for your Fortune 1000 company."

Also played the game today by sending a resume and gmail cover letter to a Pasadena, Maryland sign company in response to another Baltimore.CraigsList.com ad. Almost forgot to mention I filled out the web form on unitedelectricjobs.com and submitted my pdf resume. Should this really feel like a gameshow to me? What an analogy.

it's electric

I have finished my antibiotics and I am feeling better. However I'm still plagued frequently in the morning by a sore throat. Today I noticed a flyer on delaware.facebook for unitedelectricjobs.com with United Electric Supply with locations in Jessup, MD and Wilmington, DE. Why do I feel like this job searching is one big game that I don't really feel like playing? I almost hate it when people call me on the phone cause I feel like it's a big waste of time. But time is all I've got, so what time am I really wasting by not taking a chance here? It's Easter and I'm unemployed.

On the mend II

Feeling quite a bit better in general now and I'm almost through the antibiotics. Not making much job progress. Suck.