Tag Archives: work

Michigan’s Keweenaw area becoming a work, play destination spot

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By Brad Barnett
Keweenaw Convention & Visitors Bureau

If you travel to the end of US 41, you’ll find yourself in Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula. Known for its Northwoods wildlands and stunning Lake Superior beaches, the Keweenaw is a wonderland for outdoor enthusiasts and leisure travelers.

But as employers embrace the benefits of working remotely, the Keweenaw is morphing into the Midwest’s ultimate outdoor office. Given flexibility to work from home (or anywhere with an internet connection), employees are packing their laptops for a workcation.

So what makes the Keweenaw an attractive destination for the new “Zoomer” workforce?

The Greatest of the Great Outdoors
The Keweenaw’s remote wilderness is home Isle Royale National Park and some of the country’s most beloved mountain-bike trails at Copper Harbor. Plus, there’s another 60 miles of single track in the area suitable for different levels. Abundant conservation and nature preserves feature flowing waterfalls and countless hiking opportunities.

But in the winter months, the Keweenaw truly shines. The area has hosted the National XC Skiing Championships several times over the past decade thanks to world-class Nordic skiing trail systems, and nearby Mount Bohemia claims the best powder east of the Rockies, with an annual average of 273 inches and 900 feet of vertical. And like summer, countless snowshoe and fat tire biking trails crisscross the peninsula.

Lake Superior Life
Nestled in the heart of Lake Superior, the Keweenaw’s abundant shorelines draw travelers seeking calm waters and quiet beaches. Come summer there’s boating, paddling, surfing, and kiting on Lake Superior and numerous inland lakes. Pack a lunch and some sunscreen and set up your mobile office a few feet from the water. You can always hit mute on your video conference if the sound of waves lapping against the shore gets too distracting.

Small Town Vibe, Big Tech Resources
The Keweenaw is made up of numerous small towns with most populations ranging from 200 to 2,500. But the metropolitan cornerstone of Houghton (pop. ~7,500) consistently ranks as one of America’s top small towns because of its access to outdoor recreation, charming downtown, nearly non-existent crime, and quality education systems. High-tech start-ups generated by Michigan Tech University grads have led to a surge of coworking and maker spaces like 101 Quincy perfect for workers needing temporary access to office space and advanced communication infrastructure.

How to Get Started
Visit www.keweenaw.info to start planning your Keweenaw work remote experience.

From Bleak to Bright Future: A fresh perspective brings opportunities for success

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By West Michigan Works!

 

D’Angelo Green will graduate from Muskegon Heights High School Academy with a very bright future. But the outlook hasn’t always been so positive.

A bleak future

At the start of his senior year, D’Angelo lacked the essentials needed for graduation and success beyond high school: credits, motivation, maturity and basic employability skills. He was ready to drop the very program that would help him turn his life around—Jobs for Michigan Graduates (JMG).

Jobs for Michigan Graduates

The JMG program helps youth at risk of dropping out of high school get the skills they need to graduate, find a job and contribute to their communities. The program, which includes classroom instruction, adult mentoring and leadership development, has helped 98% of its participants graduate and 91% move on to employment, continuing education or both.

A fresh perspective

Fortunately, D’Angelo didn’t drop the program and after further engagement and several class assignments, his perspective changed. D’Angelo began to see opportunities for a brighter future. After his product presentation for the “Shark Tank” program activity—a virtual reality headset—one of the “Sharks” offered him a job and the mayor of Muskegon Heights offered free space to run his business!

 

D’Angelo is happy he decided to stay with the JMG program; he has made considerable improvements in areas where he once struggled and he is focused on his plans for the future. He recently accepted a position at AB Electrical Wires in Muskegon Heights and plans to attend Muskegon Community College to study engineering.

 

“I am extremely grateful for the opportunities that have opened up as a result of the JMG program,” D’Angelo said.

 

Employment Expertise is provided by West Michigan Works! Learn more about how they can help: visit westmiworks.org or your local Service Center.

Newly Unemployed? Five Steps to Put you on the Road to a New Job or Career

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By West Michigan Works!

It’s no secret that job loss is stressful. Losing your income, daily routine and professional identity can lead to feelings of anger, fear and grief. Coping with these emotions can make searching for a new job overwhelming. There are things you can do to help stay positive and keep moving forward.

Start by organizing what you need to do into easy-to-follow steps. Focus on one step at time. Every time you complete a step, check it off your list. Eventually your list will no longer seem so overwhelming! The checklist below can help you get started.

Register with the Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA). You can register for unemployment and update your records all online. Visit the Michigan Web Account Manager (MiWAM) to set up an account and file your claim.

Create a Pure Michigan Talent Connect (PMTC) account. PMTC is an online portal where you can search for jobs and upload your resume so employers can find you. Get started at www.mitalent.org/.

Visit a Michigan Works! service center. Once you file for unemployment, you will need to register for work in person at a service center. Michigan Works! staff can help you through the process. The service center in Ottawa County is located at 121 Clover St, Holland, MI 49423. Visit the West Michigan Works! website to find other locations in our region.

Talk to a service center staff member. They can tell you what free services you are eligible for. Depending on your situation, you may qualify for employment preparation, career planning or scholarships for career training or on-the-job training.

Connect online. Follow the Michigan Works! Facebook page in your county to stay up-to-date on employers that are hiring and other resources for job seekers. Update your PMTC profile at least once every 30 days. This ensures your information will continue to be seen by employers.

Remember to stay positive, take it one step at a time and use the many resources available to job seekers. West Michigan Works! offers a variety of free services to help you develop a plan and take your next step to a new career!

Employment Expertise is provided by West Michigan Works! Learn more about how they can help: visit westmiworks.org or your local Service Center.

Employment Expertise: Job Search Buzzwords — Soft Skills

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By West Michigan Works!

Editor’s Note: This is week four of our five week series on job search buzzwords.

What are soft skills?

Dictionary definition: personal attributes that enable someone to interact effectively and harmoniously with other people.

Our definition: desirable qualities that you can’t learn in a classroom.

How do I show an employer I have soft skills?

Soft skills are important to your success as an employee. They’re the qualities you’ve learned through life experiences. Employers value these skills as much, or more, than the specific teachable abilities you need to perform a job like welding or programming (hard skills).

Examples of soft skills include:

  • Teamwork
  • Communication
  • Flexibility
  • Patience
  • Time management

During a job interview, employers may ask you situational questions like: Give an example of a time when you had a conflict with a team member?

Your response is a perfect opportunity to showcase your soft skills:

  • You spoke rationally with the coworker about the problem (illustrates good communication skills).
  • You changed a process in your daily routine to help make theirs a little easier (highlights your flexibility).
  • You value harmony in your team because you know you’ll be more efficient if everyone is getting along (shows you’re a team player).

Employers want to know they’re hiring a person who will do their job well but also has the ability to work with other team members, is reliable and represents the company well.

Employment Expertise is provided by West Michigan Works! Learn more about how they can help: visit westmiworks.org or your local Service Center.

Employment Expertise: Job Search Buzzwords — LinkedIn

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By West Michigan Works!

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is week four of our five-week series on job search buzzwords.

 

What is LinkedIn?

 

Dictionary definition: a business and employment-oriented social networking service that operates via websites.

Our definition: a networking tool that acts as part resume, portfolio, letters of reference and social media. The social media aspect allows you to highlight your personality as well as your professional experience.

How do I make LinkedIn work for me?

Your LinkedIn profile should represent how you want to be seen by your network and potential employers. All of the topics discussed in our job search buzzwords series can help you build your profile:

  • Use the site to network with trusted contacts.
  • Strengthen your brand by including personal information you wouldn’t include on a resume.
  • Use your elevator speech as your headline or in the summary section.

With this knowledge and the five tips below, you will be on your way to creating a strong presence on LinkedIn.

  • Stay up to date. Be sure to include your most recent positions, responsibilities and accomplishments.
  • Get personal. You should always be professional. However, LinkedIn is a great way to let your network and potential employers understand you better. Include volunteer experience, interests and causes you are passionate about.
  • Give. LinkedIn allows you to write recommendations for others in your network as well as endorse them for skills. Start endorsing, and they may endorse you back.
  • Engage. The site allows you to follow posts about business-related topics or posts from different industries and companies. Read, share and comment on posts that interest you.
  • Make sure your profile is error free. In addition to proofing for typos, spelling or grammatical mistakes, make sure your information is correct and accurately portrays your accomplishments. Do not exaggerate.

Employment Expertise is provided by West Michigan Works! Learn more about how they can help: visit westmiworks.org or your local Service Center.

 

Employment Expertise: Job search buzzwords — soft skills

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By West Michigan Works!

Editor’s Note: This is week four of our five week series on job search buzzwords.

What are soft skills?

Dictionary definition: personal attributes that enable someone to interact effectively and harmoniously with other people.

Our definition: desirable qualities that you can’t learn in a classroom.

How do I show an employer I have soft skills?

Soft skills are important to your success as an employee. They’re the qualities you’ve learned through life experiences. Employers value these skills as much, or more, than the specific teachable abilities you need to perform a job like welding or programming (hard skills).

Examples of soft skills include:

  • Teamwork
  • Communication
  • Flexibility
  • Patience
  • Time management

During a job interview, employers may ask you situational questions like:

Give an example of a time when you had a conflict with a team member?

Your response is a perfect opportunity to showcase your soft skills:

  • You spoke rationally with the coworker about the problem (illustrates good communication skills).
  • You changed a process in your daily routine to help make theirs a little easier (highlights your flexibility).
  • You value harmony in your team because you know you’ll be more efficient if everyone is getting along (shows you’re a team player).

Employers want to know they’re hiring a person who will do their job well but also has the ability to work with other team members, is reliable and represents the company well.

Employment Expertise is provided by West Michigan Works! Learn more about how they can help: visit westmiworks.org or your local Service Center.

 

Employment Expertise: Job Search Buzzword — ‘Personal Branding’

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By West Michigan Works!

 

This is week two of a five-week series on job search buzzwords.

 

What is a personal brand?

 

Dictionary definition: the ongoing process of establishing a prescribed image or impression in the mind of others about an individual, group, or organization.

 

Our definition: how you present yourself online and offline to others and, for job seekers, to potential employers.

 

Companies use brands to help consumers identify their merchandise. For example, we immediately connect the Coca-Cola logo and Nike swoosh to soda and athletic shoes. But it’s much more than a logo. It represents the feelings, expectations and value we associate with a specific company or product.

 

A brand can also apply to a person. Your personal brand includes your experience, skills, interests, online presence and relationships. Creating a strong personal brand can help you stand out from the crowd.

 

How do I create a strong personal brand?

 

Understand yourself.

 

What value do you offer? What are you passionate about? What are your strengths and weaknesses? When you reveal your authentic self to potential employers it shows them that you are more than your skills and experience. Your unique personality will help recruiters understand how you fit with the company’s culture.

 

Create an online presence.

 

Promote your brand online with positive, professional posts. If you don’t already have one, create a LinkedIn profile. You can include personal information such as causes you are passionate about and share posts on topics you are interested in. You’ll be seen as an individual instead of another resume in a large pile.

 

Network.

 

Last week’s article explained how to network. If you have done the work to understand your true self, networking is a way to share it with the world. Be personable and easy to relate to. Don’t be afraid to be vulnerable – people like to connect with other real people. Finally, be consistent.  Stay true to your brand so that people remember who you are, what you stand for and what value you offer.

 

Employment Expertise is provided by West Michigan Works! Learn more about how they can help: visit westmiworks.org or your local Service Center.

Employment Expertise: Five Tips for the Mature Job Seeker

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By West Michigan Works!

Are you over 50 and back in the job market for the first time in years? Do you think your age will make it harder to find a new job?

It’s true; hiring managers can make generalizations about mature job seekers. They may worry that you are not up to speed with the latest technology. They might also assume you are overqualified and will demand a higher salary.

There are ways to overcome these barriers. Here are five tips to help you get back in the workforce:

  • Consider training to update your skills. Is there new technology used in your line of work? Would you like to break into a new field? Use this time to get the training you need to land your next job.
  • Refresh your resume. To prevent broadcasting your age, don’t include graduation dates or experience dating more than 10-15 years. Focus only on skills that relate to the job you are applying for.
  • Stay up-to-date with technology. You will need to be comfortable searching the web for jobs and applying online. A strong LinkedIn profile can show potential employers you are comfortable with technology.
  • Network. Connect with friends, former colleagues and supervisors first. Let them know you are looking for a new position and ask them for advice and referrals.
  • Highlight your strengths. Older employees can bring a high level of professionalism, strong problem-solving skills and emotional intelligence to a position. This can make you a valuable member of any team.

Employment Expertise is provided by West Michigan Works! Learn more about how they can help: visit westmiworks.org or your local Service Center.

Employment Expertise: Earn a salary while learning skills to be a medical assistant

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By West Michigan Works!

West Michigan Works! is now accepting applications of interest for its Medical Assistant Registered Apprenticeship program. The one-year program will begin in January 2018.

Hospitals, doctor offices, nursing homes and urgent care clinics across West Michigan are in critical need of medical assistants. A medical assistant is essential to the care of patients and is a great way to begin a healthcare career.

Typical duties

Clinical activities may include:

  • taking and recording vital signs and medical histories,
  • preparing patients for exams,
  • drawing blood and
  • administering medications.

Administrative activities may include:

  • medical records,
  • billing and
  • coding information for insurance purposes.

As a student in a US Department of Labor-registered apprenticeship program:

  • You’ll graduate with a national, industry-recognized credential.
  • You’ll immediately apply what you learn in a clinical setting.
  • You’ll earn a salary while learning the skills to be successful in a high-demand career.

Many students graduate with a full-time job, with little or no debt.

If you are interested in joining the next Medical Assistant Registered Apprenticeship program, please complete an Application of Interest by July 15, 2017.

Employment Expertise is provided by West Michigan Works! Learn more about how they can help: visit westmiworks.org or your local Service Center.

Employment Expertise: Use the STAR method to shine during interviews

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By West Michigan Works!

There are many different kinds of job interviews, from traditional one-on-one interviews to informal group interviews. Employers often use the competency-based, or behavioral interview. If you’re searching for a job, it’s a good idea for prepare for this type of interview.
Employers use the behavioral interview to learn more about your qualifications based on past behavior.  The questions tend to start with “Tell me about a time when…”  If you’re nervous or unprepared, you may ramble on, forgot important details or be at a loss for words.

Fortunately, there is a simple way to help you answer these types of questions—the STAR method.

First, think of an example that highlights the quality that the interviewer is looking for, such as excellent customer service or problem-solving skills. It can be from an internship, school activity or project, community service, hobby or work experience. Then answer the question using the following four steps:

Situation: Set the scene. “A customer called complaining about…”

Task:  What did you need to do? What was your responsibility in this situation? Highlight any challenges, such as deadlines, costs, etc. “I needed to address the customer’s complaint quickly and respectfully.”

Activity:  What did you actually do? Keep the focus on you, even if the example involves a team. “I apologized, asked them to explain the problem and reported the details to my supervisor.”

Result:  How did the situation end? “The customer posted a positive comment on our Facebook page and continued to order from us.”

To prepare for your next interview, think of five or six examples and tell the story using the STAR method. Remember to keep them short (one to three minutes), use numbers whenever possible to show results and end with a statement that highlights your ability. For example, “I’d never talked to such an angry customer before, but by staying calm, I was able to resolve the problem and the customer left happy.”

Employment Expertise is provided by West Michigan Works! Learn more about how they can help: visit westmiworks.org or your local Service Center.

Employment Expertise: The thank-you note — a job seeker’s secret weapon

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By West Michigan Works!

 

You submitted your resume, got an interview and left the interview feeling great. Now, it’s time to relax. Job searching is tough work! Before you celebrate, there’s one last step to your job search: A thank-you note.

 

One out of three employers think less of a candidate who doesn’t send a thank-you note. One in 10 wouldn’t hire someone if they don’t send a thank-you note, according to Career Builder.
Here are some tips to help you write a great thank-you note:

  • Keep it short, professional and sincere.
  • Send the note within 24 hours of your interview. Hiring managers are busy. If they receive your note a day or two after your interview, it shows them you are organized. And, it helps them remember you as they make hiring decisions.
  • A hand-written note is best. The average hiring manager receives 100+ emails a day. Make your thank-you note stand out by sending it through the postal service instead of their clogged inbox.
  • Choose a thank-you note that is simple and professional. Avoid cartoons, silly sayings and bright colors.
  • Use the three sentence rule:
    1. Thank them for the interview. “Thank you for taking the time to interview me yesterday.”
    2. Add something personal from your interview. Reference a specific conversation or a question they asked. Or, talk about something you liked from the interview. “I really enjoyed hearing more about your company culture.”
    3. Repeat your interest in the job. Remind them you’ll be a great addition to their organization. “I look forward to working with you in the future. My background will help [name of organization] continue to grow.”
  • Don’t forget to add “Dear [their name]” and the beginning, and “Sincerely, [your name]” at the end.

 

Employment Expertise is provided by West Michigan Works! Learn more about how they can help: visit westmiworks.org or your local Service Center.

Employment Expertise: The power of words

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By West Michigan Works!

 

A résumé should display your unique skills and abilities. A strong résumé should make you stand out from the crowd, so try to show your work history and abilities in an interesting way. One way to do this is using action-oriented words to describe your individual talents.

 

Choose words that show employers real activities with measurable results. Words like “was” or “became” do not say much about what you actually did. Instead, choose verbs that lead to questions such as “how,” “how many,” “how much,” “when,” “where,” “who” and “why.” Good words should make you want to include more details and make the reader want to know more.  You can provide the specifics on how you achieved your results during the interview.

Example of weak word choice:
“I became Lead Scheduler after six months with the office.”

Example of strong word choice:
“I reduced the number of unfilled appointments by 30% in my first 6 months with the office.”

Here are 20 action verbs to consider using in your résumé:

  • Accomplished
  • Arranged
  • Assisted
  • Collaborated
  • Completed
  • Delivered
  • Generated
  • Improved
  • Managed
  • Monitored
  • Operated
  • Planned
  • Processed
  • Produced
  • Reduced
  • Reported
  • Scheduled
  • Screened
  • Tested
  • Updated

Take the time to review and re-write your résumé to include strong action verbs. This will clearly show the employer the value you will offer as an employee. You want your résumé to make a good first impression so you’ll get the interview!

Employment Expertise is provided by West Michigan Works! Learn more about how they can help: visit westmiworks.org or your local Service Center.

Employment Expertise: First steps to a positive online presence

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By West Michigan Works!

 

More and more HR professionals are using the Internet to find information about job candidates. In a recent poll of recruiters, 93% said that they look at a candidate’s social profile and 42% of those said that they’ve reconsidered a candidate based on what they found.

 

Knowing this, how can you create a good online first impression? Here are a couple tips to get you started.

 

Google yourself. Look at the first three or four pages to see what an employer will see. A search that brings up negative or inappropriate content could land you in an employer’s reject pile. And while having negative content online may hurt your chances of landing a job, having no information is almost as bad; recruiters may see this being out of touch or lacking skills.

 

To combat this, you need to get fresh, positive content on the Internet. A good way to do this is to create or update your LinkedIn profile.

 

LinkedIn is the #1 social media site that employers and recruiters use to search for candidates, so it’s important to have a complete profile with detailed information about your skills and experience. Pay close attention to the following:

  • Photo: Your profile is 11 times more likely to be viewed if you include a photo of yourself. Be sure to use a professional-looking photo.
  • Headline: Your headline is the short description of you that follows your photo in LinkedIn. A strong headline uses key words that are relevant to the position that you’re searching for and makes people want to view your profile. This is your opportunity to sell yourself in 120 words or less. Be concise. Be creative.
  • Network: Once you set up your profile, connect with everyone you know: current and former colleagues, past employers, people in your industry, neighbors, family, friends and former classmates. And don’t forgot to follow companies that you may be interested in.

Building your online presence takes time, but these steps are a good start. Once you get some positive content on the web, remember to monitor it on a regular basis.

 

Employment Expertise is provided by West Michigan Works! Learn more about how they can help: visit westmiworks.org or your local Service Center.

Changing careers? Here’s how to find a job that’s right for you

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By West Michigan Works!

 

Did you know that the average person will change careers five to seven times in a lifetime? Not just a new job, but a completely new field. For example, leaving a marketing position for accounting or moving from manufacturing to retail.

 

Why do workers change careers so often? Sometimes it has to do with frustration in a current job. Other times, a business closure or downsizing forces a move. A lifestyle change can leave workers needing more time at home or a larger salary. As workers mature, they better understand their talents and interests.

 

Whatever the reason, multiple career changes is the norm in today’s workforce. So, how can you do it successfully?

 

Understand yourself. Take time for self-reflection. What are your passions, strengths and weaknesses? Not sure where to begin? Consider taking a personality test, like the Myers-Briggs Personality Assessment, to get started.

 

Find the right fit. Once you understand your skills and personal preferences, start exploring your options. There are many good career exploration sites online like Pure Michigan Talent Connect. Their Career Explorer page has tools that match your interests and skills with the best career for you.

 

Prepare. Research the position you want to transition into. Are your current skills transferable? Do you need additional training or education? Consider volunteering in the field. You can gain knowledge and make connections.

 

Network.  Speaking of connections, do you know anyone who is already working in the field? Would they be willing to provide a reference, or do they know of current job openings? Join a professional network in the field and attend local networking events. Prepare a strong elevator speech to let your new connections know why you want a new career.

 

Employment Expertise is provided by West Michigan Works! Learn more about how they can help: visit westmiworks.org or your local Service Center.