Health Kit-

 

     You are what you eat.  To a large extent, what you consume, or don’t consume, determines how you feel.  Food determines your power or energy and even impacts how you act.  Since the body is made up of mostly water, be sure to drink a lot of it 10 glasses a day or more and flush the body of toxins on a regular basis.  Nutrition, exercise, and stress from the environment contribute to the quality of health/life you experience.  Proper breathing, dental hygiene, rest and relaxation are essential to good health.  Health maintenance is important in disease prevention and the quality of care you exercise is a factor in the quality and possibly the length of your life. Try to laugh and engage in activities to give yourself happy experiences and good memories.

Sustainable Behavior

     Sustainable behaviors are behaviors that don’t restrict development or impose harm.

Sustainable behaviors permit the natural progression of life without adversely interrupting or adversely altering healthy development.  Terratogens are substances or gasses such as drugs and toxins.  Taking drugs for recreational use is a dangerous abnormal behavior because it can lead to harm intended or not.  The intentional sale of drugs by people that are not responsible for or knowledgeable of the drugs effects is harmful and potentially deadly.  The sale and distribution of drugs known to be harmful is a form of mass madness (socially tolerated or reinforced) and it is not a sustainable behavior because it weakens the life of the host and it even damages genetic material weakening the species in some cases.  Alternatives exist to reach more harmonic or euphoric states naturally, but the knowledge and practices are lesser known and at times less readily available, accepted or appreciated.  The interest of youth to do what is considered bad, out of natural tendencies and learned tendencies to rebel against authority and their ignorance makes the problem of drugs more severe.  The addictive nature of the substances themselves has turned the problem into an epidemic world-wide.  The transition to more sustainable behaviors begins with the leadership taking steps to reverse trends, tighten controls of harmful materials and substances, reducing exposures, replacing materials, inventing safer manufacturing processes, phasing out inefficient methods and toxic materials and re-structuring economies and social institutions to become more congruent with new improved models that are congruent with providing opportunities for healthier expression, even healthier destructive expressions.  Such demonstrations are imperative to survival and the general safety and welfare of life.

Leadership

     One of the first steps to becoming a leader is to be a follower. I asked this question to two young people.  What is one of the first steps to becoming a leader?  The first one said, “to have followers.”  The second one said, “to follow.”  Both are necessary, but we start out following others until the point when we can branch out on our own.  When we walk solo and provide productive, helpful or unique demonstrations we become leaders, if even for a moment.  Everyone that is around someone younger than they are is a role model, and to that extent we are all leaders and it is important what we do, how we do it and when we do what we do. This phenomenon can be explained by both the need for acceptance and by the fact that learning occurs through observation and modeling.

“It is not how many toys you carry around, it is whether you play well that matters!” RJ

Increased Skills = Increased opportunity

 

Education = Force fields (interests) gravitate.  Generally speaking, the more you learn, the more you earn! 

 (Life)Time Management Tool by Robert Jackson

 

1.      Step one brainstorm goals & dreams process. Make one plan for short term and one for long term. The short term plan should be realistic and the long term can be more dreamlike within reason. 

2.   Establish bare minimum goals for safety and welfare as foundation and add spice to your life with complimentary goals.  Review your goals with a mentor.  Each goal and each plan to reach each goal should involve listing all the available options and the pro’s and con’s of each potential goal and plan of action.  The selection of one course over the other should be based on a decision made that will likely increase success and your overall wellbeing.  

3.   Re-evaluate and make needed changes ever year.  

Hobbies, Education, Career, Relationships, Personal Physical and mental health

are all important to be independent and successful. 

List pro’s and con’s for each goal you set.

If goal is sustained by you and your mentor move to consider possible steps.

The steps planned to reach the goal are listed as measurable progress points with projected dates.  Also try to list all available options for steps and consider pro’s and con’s of the steps to make sure your selecting the best pathway to increase success rates.

1.)

2.)

3.)

Did you list the pros and cons of the steps?  Did you use your support system to select the best goals and plans?  Are you following through on your commitment and adequately investing in yourself?  What needs work to help you improve?   

Chart the outcomes and reward yourself for a job well done!!!

Section 2

Getting Organized to Accurately Target and Approach Employers

Tracking contacts

     Job seekers should track application submissions and make notes indicating call back times, appointment times, procedural notes or special instructions for each potential employer.  This is important because it helps you keep track of where you’re at in the process with targeted employers and prevents duplicating your efforts. 

     Your boundaries should be defined in terms of what regions and conditions you need or want.  For example, you need to track how you learned of the position and the dates you mailed or delivered your resume.  You need to record your follow up attempts to make sure your resume was received.  You need to schedule your interview correctly, and you need to record your thank you note mail date.  Finally you need to record the outcome of the interviews.  For every rejection, try to get clarification on the reason so that you can identify areas of your presentation that may need to be improved.

Analyzing ads

      Look closely at job announcements and try to make sure you have the skills required to perform the job.  The closer the match between the employer needs and your skills, the greater the chance you will get the job.  Also if you’re concentrated on applying for jobs you qualify for, you will experience less rejection.        

References

     Credibility is a major factor when faced with a hiring decision.  If you send a recent written reference along with your application, it could place you ahead in the game.  It is important that it comes from someone reputable and that it relates to the position you are applying for. 

     References don’t come from friends, parents, or relatives.  They come from people that have a professional relationship with you like counselors, teachers, employers, supervisors and coaches.  In general, a reference should be no more than a few paragraphs long.  References should include the context of your relationship, illustrate your strengths, your accomplishments, and convey how your attitude, motivation, abilities and past performance could be relevant to the specific job that you are applying for.  A reference should not contain spelling errors or grammatical errors.  The reference should be typed on company letterhead and conform to general business writing standards.  It is important that the reference speaks to your unique qualities.  The sample reference below is designed to provide reference writers and job seekers with some useful ideas. 

Tip: Volunteering in your community is one way to earn a reference if you don’t have any previous work experience, or if you need a current reference.  It also helps show your motivation.  Rather than have gaps in your employment history, it helps to show you stayed active in the community.    

Employment Reference Sample

(Address from)

                                                                                                            (Address to)

(date)

Re: Reference for __________________.

To Whom It May Concern,

     I have known and worked with  ___________since _________. I have learned that ____________ is a very dedicated student or worker.  S\he is a reliable, dependable team player whom is very sincere as demonstrated by “provide a tangible example here”.  __________ is well appreciated among her peers, fellow staff and clients.  S\he has demonstrated an ability to accomplish, adapt, learn, or cope with exceptional challenges presented in this work environment.  For example, (elaborate with something concrete here.)

After speaking with _______about her future goals and reviewing her academic records, I find no difficulty in recommending her for any opportunity for which she may qualify.  I am confident ____________ will continue to succeed at whatever s\he applies him or her self to.  Thank you for considering _____________ among your candidates.

Cordially,

__________________(Signature)

Name, Title

Phone number

Other sample phrases:

·        Demonstrates a considerable amount of flexibility and endurance.

·        Possesses the ability to handle multiple tasks.

·        Follows directions and is well organized.

·        Skillful in setting priorities to complete assigned tasks with precision and speed.

·        Ability to work well in a group or independently.

     It is important that the reference provider be prepared to illustrate why they make statements in resumes, interviews, or cover letters.  It is helpful to include specific examples to anchor important statements.  Qualifying statements made in cover letters can also be helpful in clarifying where potential matches in employment exist.

Tips for more productive job searches

·         Utilize existing potential benefits and services at the Employment Development Department, local Private Industry Councils, local Workforce Development & Investment Boards, and the Department of Labor.  Also utilize services of local non-profits or other City agencies as needed. 

·         Seek mentors to help you identify or overcome any obstacles or barriers if you have any.

·         Have a master copy and extra copies of resumes and other important job search documents on hand.  Tailor the resume and the cover letter to the position.  Show the employer in a concise manner how you are a match for their needs.

·         Network and follow up on leads.

·         Make a list of your hobbies and activities, and then look for transferable and specific skills valued by the employer to bring those to their attention.

·         Make a Long-term and short-term career plan.

·         Research jobs that may use your existing skills.

·         Research skills you may need on the job and take steps to gain or sharpen and highlight those skills once attained.

·         Keep track of employers you have contacted and outcomes.

·         Don’t just use the internet.

·         Seek additional training.

·         Prepare a list of special accomplishments.  Make points that will help distinguish you from other applicants.

·         Be confident and positive.

·         When an interviewer greets you, shake hands and thank the person meeting with you.

·         Always carry your work history and original references with you, but understand in advance some hiring procedures involve you hitting certain minimum qualifying answers.  Some hiring processes exclude the documentation you may be prepared to share.

·         Provide complete information on prior employers, addresses, supervisors and telephone numbers to be able to complete an entire job application.

·         Follow all instructions to complete the application.

·         Practice interviewing. Prepare responses in advance.

·         Consider broadening geographic parameters, lowering salary requirements or making other compromises if needed. Keep in mind it is not uncommon for a job search to last six months.

·         Consider temporary jobs and professional search firms to locate jobs.

·         Join associations affiliated with your field to expand your network.

·         Volunteer for community service work. (Volunteermatch.org)

·         Use action statements that demonstrate to an employer that you can already perform the job.

·         On resumes, emphasize the future not the past.  Drop off tasks you never wish to perform again, if any. 

·         Having a good education and developing skills that are in demand increases your potential earnings.

·         Explain gaps in your work history in your cover letter if you have any.

·         Job objectives should match job announcements and be specific, clear, and concise.

·         If you’re new to the work force do internet searches on employer expectations and survey what is generally expected of you in advance in a given field.

·         To find out about unions and apprenticeships in California visit www.calapprenticeship.org

·         To find out about colleges, internships, financial aid and student loans visit thejobnetwork.net

·         Establish a savings account and make realistic budget plans and decisions to make it through a period of unemployment, which can last for 6 months to a year in the current job-market. 

 Applications

     Applications are a small test in your ability to follow directions, observe your handwriting, and also help companies conform to an array of anti-discrimination laws and to adhere with internal company policies aimed at helping the employer locate the best qualified applicant for a job. 

     Often there are questions on the application that are not answered in your resume or cover letters.  Follow the instructions on the applications.  All the questions are worth answering if you want the job. Answer questions as fully and as accurately as you can.  Sometimes there are supplemental applications and optional demographics questions.  Employers appreciate your cooperation in supplying accurate data and conforming to their hiring processes.  If you run into a question you think it is discriminatory in an unjustified or illegal manner, then, in California, you can report it to the Department of Fair Employment and Housing or The Equal Opportunity Commission. However, on the spot, you need to be prepared to diplomatically educate the employer, politely refuse, or comply in a way that does not reinforce adverse discrimination which could cost you the job opportunity.  Some applicants will overlook such violations and attempt to educate the employer later in ways that may not directly expose them as the source of a complaint requiring correctional actions.  While there are some protections in place for whistleblowers, history shows a need not to overly rely on weak and sometimes ideal, but often impractical laws that have the appearance of enforcing certain rights. 

     More often than not, the limit of oppression and victimization is set by apathy and the tolerance levels of those being abused and those witnessing such abuses.  Thus, when picking work environments, it is a good idea to try and assess the relative health of an organization.  Workers should be braced for the fact that with alarmingly high numbers of abnormal behaviors and mental health challenges are prevalent in most cultures and many challenges are to be expected regardless of the particular field one chooses.  However, one might reasonably assume that some professions show overall greater or lesser degrees of awareness and or certain types of reasoning, or abilities to empathize based on the characteristics of personalities predominantly found within certain fields or workforce classifications.  Trends like suicide rates among job classifications often correlate to stress levels and lifestyles common in those classifications.  Correlations between personality types and statistics in common workforce criminal activities can also help you make more informed decisions about setting your preference levels for the types of environments you might perform well in.              

     Fill out an application, photocopy it and put it in your job search file.  When you are asked to complete an application, you can copy the information into the new application and save some time.  Make a copy of completed applications in the event it gets lost and make sure you carry an extra copy to your interview along with your resume and references.     

Cover letters

     A resume without a cover letter is like a bed without a blanket.  The purpose of the cover letter is to introduce yourself and in very few words inform the employer why you’re a potentially good fit.  Expressing your interests, demonstrating your ability and pointing out one or two examples to help the employer understand the potential match is recommended.  However, the cover letter should not be more than two or three short paragraphs.  It should include a schedule of availability for scheduling interviews and your current contact information.  That will help interviewers schedule you for a time that works well for you and it shows confidence and courtesy. 

    If you have a name to address the cover letter to, use it.  Otherwise, address it to Dear Human Resources Personnel or Dear Hiring Manager.  Below is a sample cover letter.

Name

Address

Phone