Charleston JobSpot- information about employment in Charleston, SC including job openings, upcoming events and job fairs, recruitment opportunities, links and resources for both job seekers and recruiters.

Being a Leader, Even at an Entry Level Job

Labels: for job seekers, workplace Posted by The Employment Guide on Tuesday, May 20, 2008 at 8:36 AM

It can be really difficult when you're at the bottom rung of the corporate ladder to feel like you matter and can accomplish much of anything. But the truth is that you can still be a leader even at an entry level, hourly position. Newly Corporate has some great thoughts on this very subject in their post: Get To the Top by Leading from the Bottom. Brandon quotes Jack Welch's book Winning in defining characteristics of leaders and then showing how it can relate when you're at the bottom of the totem pole. Definitely check out the post it's got some great insight into how to be a leader even if you're not at the top of the company... yet.

- Rosie Reilman, photo by Bombardier

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Hire a Wiser Worker

Labels: AARP, employment, for job seekers, for recruiters, mature worker, older worker, retirement, wiser workers Posted by The Employment Guide on Monday, May 12, 2008 at 1:07 PM

Today, here at the office, we had some training on a new website that Dominion Enterprises just launched. It's crazy, another one! Can you believe it? First CareersinGear.com, then HealthCareerWeb.com and now WiserWorker.com.

It just goes to show the vast needs in the online recruitment industry. What was really interesting about our training was the great opportunity there is for the 40+ age bracket. Boomers, WiserWorker.com is a salute to you.

WiserWorker.com has partnered with the AARP to deliver a great job seeking resource to the largest demographic in the country. Not only is the Baby Boomer the largest demographic group but they're currently the fastest growing group on the internet. No more is technology just for the young guns. According to statistics from the AARP, a lot of those heading for retirement (or already in retirement) the majority don't think they've saved enough and not only that 23% plan to keep working through retirement because they want to keep their income coming in.

So what does this mean for the job market?

You have a demographic that is looking for continued independence into and past their retirement. There is this demographic who are perfect for part time and flexible scheduled working.

So if you're looking to pick up some post-retirement work just to have a little extra cashflow or looking to hire some experienced workers who are flexible, WiserWorker.com is a good place to check out and use as a job seeker resource or recruiting resource.

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Guide 2 Careers Series: Amusement Park Ride Attendant / Manager

Labels: amusement park jobs, guide to careers, recreation workers, summer jobs Posted by The Employment Guide on Wednesday, April 30, 2008 at 1:47 PM

In conjunction to our Employment Guide to Careers and the help of the Department of Labor Career Guide, I'll be doing a blog post series on different careers that are popular on EmploymentGuide.com. This hopefully will give you insight as to what a particular job will entail, the types of qualifications and skills that you'll need to get the job and any other relevant information. Please feel free to comment or email suggestions as to what you'd like to see in this series.

Entertainment & Recreation Jobs: Ride Attendant / Manager

On the Job
An amusement park ride manager is responsible for ensuring the safe operation of the various rides within the park or venue. The ride manager at an amusement park must monitor and test all the rides within his or her management area and ensure that they meet all federal, state or local guidelines with regards to safety. This may mean periodically testing as well as routinely testing the controls as well as the physical structure of the ride.

Most amusement park ride managers oversee the training of new employees that operate or work on the rides and equipment. The manager also helps employees learn how to respond to customer questions. Usually the amusement park ride manager will respond to all complaints or concerns that visitors may express regarding the safety of the ride or the behavior of the operators or employees. All employees should be aware of proper operating standards for the ride as well as signs or indications that there may be a problem with the ride or the systems. Since most new amusement park rides are computerized there is more safety and security, but operator alertness and management supervision is still very important.

The amusement park ride manager is also responsible for tracking the amount of use the various rides get per day, week, weekend or per season, recommending modifications or changes to the rides, or even moving less popular rides out of the park and bringing in more popular rides.

Common work activities include:
- Routinely checking and monitoring the safety of the various rides both structurally, electronically and through the computer systems if applicable.
- Training and supporting staff in the understanding of the equipment and the correct operation of the ride.
- Responding to any questions or concerns about safety or operation of the various rides within the park.
- Completing and tracking all maintenance, upkeep or repairs completed on the various rides.
- Understanding and rigidly adhering to any safety guidelines at a federal or state level regarding the maintenance or operation of the rides.
- Coordinating the maintenance and operation schedules for the ride to ensure proper staffing and upkeep.

(This On The Job Profile is courtesy of JobProfiles.org)

Benefits and Salary
In May 2006, median annual earnings of recreation workers who worked full time were $20,470. The middle 50 percent earned between $16,360 and $27,050. The lowest paid 10 percent earned less than $14,150, while the highest paid 10 percent earned $35,780 or more. However, earnings of recreation directors and others in supervisory or managerial positions can be substantially higher.

Experience & Required Education
The educational and training requirements for recreation workers vary widely depending on the type of job. Full-time career positions usually require a college degree. Many jobs, however, can be learned with only a short period of on-the-job training.

The large numbers of temporary, seasonal jobs in the recreation field typically are filled by high school or college students, generally do not have formal education requirements, and are open to anyone with the desired personal qualities. Employers compete for a share of the vacationing student labor force, and although salaries in recreation often are lower than those in other fields, the nature of the work and the opportunity to work outdoors are attractive to many.

Personality
This is a great opportunity for individuals who are looking for part-time or seasonal work. Those who enjoy working outside and with people might also be a good fit to work in an amusement park.

Read more about being a Ride Attendant or being a Recreation Worker

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Healthcare Jobs in the Carolinas

Labels: career fairs, healthcare jobs, medical billing jobs, nursing jobs, south carolina Posted by The Employment Guide on Friday, April 25, 2008 at 10:50 AM

The Employment Guide, employmentguide.com and healthcareerweb.com have joined forces to host the first Carolinas Healthcare Virtual Job Fair.

Simply visit any of the Carolina home pages of employmentguide.com during the week of May 19th through May 25th and click on the Virtual Job Fair Banner. Presto.....you can view hundreds of healthcare jobs in the Carolinas, and you can even apply online. Find a Job On Your Schedule!

A New Career With A Top Healthcare Provider in North or South Carolina is Only A Click Away!
Access The Job Fair Anytime Between Monday May, 19th and Sunday May, 25th.

For More Information, watch our video by clicking on the box below.

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Guide 2 Careers Series: Housekeepers, Janitors and Building Cleaners

Labels: cleaning jobs, guide to careers, housekeeping jobs, janitorial jobs Posted by The Employment Guide on Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 11:19 AM

Building cleaning workers—including janitors, maids, housekeeping cleaners, window washers, and rug shampooers—keep office buildings, hospitals, stores, apartment houses, hotels, and residences clean, sanitary, and in good condition. Some do only cleaning, while others have a wide range of duties.

Janitors and cleaners perform a variety of heavy cleaning duties, such as cleaning floors, shampooing rugs, washing walls and glass, and removing rubbish. They may fix leaky faucets, empty trash cans, do painting and carpentry, replenish bathroom supplies, mow lawns, and see that heating and air-conditioning equipment works properly. On a typical day, janitors may wet- or dry-mop floors, clean bathrooms, vacuum carpets, dust furniture, make minor repairs, and exterminate insects and rodents. They may also clean snow or debris from sidewalks in front of buildings and notify management of the need for major repairs. While janitors typically perform most of the duties mentioned, cleaners tend to work for companies that specialize in one type of cleaning activity, such as washing windows.

Maids and housekeeping cleaners perform any combination of light cleaning duties to keep private households or commercial establishments, such as hotels, restaurants, hospitals, and nursing homes, clean and orderly. In hotels, aside from cleaning and maintaining the premises, maids and housekeeping cleaners may deliver ironing boards, cribs, and rollaway beds to guests’ rooms. In hospitals, they also may wash bed frames, make beds, and disinfect and sanitize equipment and supplies with germicides. Janitors, maids, and cleaners use many kinds of equipment, tools, and cleaning materials. For one job they may need standard cleaning implements; another may require an electric floor polishing machine and a special cleaning solution. Improved building materials, chemical cleaners, and power equipment have made many tasks easier and less time consuming, but cleaning workers must learn the proper use of equipment and cleaners to avoid harming floors, fixtures, building occupants, and themselves.
Building cleaning workers in large office and residential buildings, and more recently in large hotels, often work in teams consisting of workers who specialize in vacuuming, picking up trash, and cleaning restrooms, among other things. Supervisors conduct inspections to ensure that the building is cleaned properly and the team is functioning efficiently. In hotels, one member of the team is responsible for reporting electronically to the supervisor when rooms are cleaned.

Benefits and Salary
Median annual earnings of janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners, were $19,930 in May 2006. The middle 50 percent earned between $16,220 and $25,640. Median annual earnings of maids and housekeepers were $17,580 in May 2006. The middle 50 percent earned between $15,060 and $21,440. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $13,140, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $26,390.

Daily Routine & Work Environment
Because most office buildings are cleaned while they are empty, many cleaning workers work evening hours. Some, however, such as school and hospital custodians, work in the daytime. When there is a need for 24-hour maintenance, janitors may be assigned to shifts. Most full-time building cleaners work about 40 hours a week. Part-time cleaners usually work in the evenings and on weekends.

Most building cleaning workers work indoors, but some work outdoors part of the time, sweeping walkways, mowing lawns, or shoveling snow. They spend most of their time on their feet, sometimes lifting or pushing heavy furniture or equipment. Many tasks, such as dusting or sweeping, require constant bending, stooping, and stretching.

Experience & Required Education
Most building cleaning workers, except supervisors, have a high school degree or less and mainly learn their skills on the job or in informal training sessions sponsored by their employers. Supervisors, though, generally have at least a high school diploma and often some college.
No special education is required for most entry-level janitorial or cleaning jobs, but workers should be able to perform simple arithmetic and follow instructions. High school shop courses are helpful for jobs involving repair work. Most building cleaners learn their skills on the job.

Beginners usually work with an experienced cleaner, doing routine cleaning. As they gain more experience, they are assigned more complicated tasks. In some cities, programs run by unions, government agencies, or employers teach janitorial skills. Students learn how to clean buildings thoroughly and efficiently; how to select and safely use various cleansing agents; and how to operate and maintain machines, such as wet and dry vacuums, buffers, and polishers. Students learn to plan their work, to follow safety and health regulations, to interact positively with people in the buildings they clean, and to work without supervision. Instruction in minor electrical, plumbing, and other repairs also may be given.

Read more about Building Cleaners/Housekeeping Jobs.
Search Housekeeping Jobs or check out our Featured Employer: Wild Dunes

Photo by Crystl

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CareersinGear: Female Driven - Women in Trucking

Labels: driver jobs Posted by The Employment Guide on Tuesday, April 01, 2008 at 3:59 PM

I was taking a walk recently when I saw a Honda Pilot parked in a driveway with a “for sale” sign in the window. I have been looking for an SUV, so I stopped to read the sign further. I couldn’t help but smile when I read the words, “FEMALE DRIVEN” neatly printed under the price.

Female Driven. The owner must have considered this to be selling point or she (or he) wouldn’t have listed it as a notable item. I recalled the old adage about buying a car that had “only been driven to church on Sunday by a little old lady.” I wondered if this was meant to be an advantage.

Personally, I had never considered a “female driven” vehicle to be any different than one owned by a male. Anyone who knows me will attest to that after they’ve seen me drive my Dale Earhardt Monte Carlo with “Intimidator” imprinted on the back.

I do recall that Insurance companies used to rate girls lower for premiums than boys when they are new drivers. I decided to determine if “female driven” is really a selling point and if that trait extends to eighteen wheelers.

The AAA has researched the driving habits of Americans in conjunction with Carnegie Mellon University, and their reports can be found at http://www.traffic-stats.us/. These figures do not include professional drivers, but I wanted to learn whether or not “female driven” should be a selling point for an SUV.

The insurance companies were right. Women have fewer accidents than men. Over all age groups, women had only .78 fatalities per million miles traveled as opposed to men, who suffered 1.39 fatalities. These statistics covered drivers only.

When looking at the 16-20 age group of new drivers, the rate of males involved in fatalities per million jumped to 3.90 while females in the same age group were involved in only 1.96 fatalities per million miles driven. It’s no surprise that insurance for teenagers is often cost prohibitive for boys and girls.

Continue reading this article by By Ellen Voie Chairwoman-Women In Trucking at CareersinGear.com

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Charleston JobSpot

Being a Leader, Even at an Entry Level Job

Hire a Wiser Worker

Guide 2 Careers Series: Amusement Park Ride Attendant / Manager

Healthcare Jobs in the Carolinas

Guide 2 Careers Series: Housekeepers, Janitors and Building Cleaners

CareersinGear: Female Driven - Women in Trucking

Sponsored: Nursing Open House / Career Fair

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