You can get a job!

MLM stands for multi-level marketing and to some people, that’s a dirty word. In fact, in my opinion, MLM just sucks! But I recently came across an opportunity in MLM that I couldn’t pass up.

This one does not require you to buy and store thousands of dollars in product. It also doesn’t cost a lot to join.

In addition, this opportunity is in energy deregulation, meaning it’s a ground floor opportunity that will last forever.

Finally, the best part is that this company encourages you, and pays you well to bring in actual customers, and not just more suckers in your downline. Of course, you do get paid for building your “organization,” but you are also very well rewarded for gathering real customers.

You can see more about the consumer side of this business at: Ambit Natural Gas Illinois

You can learn about the deregulation of energy services in Illinois, Texas and New York here

Feel free to contact me here with any questions. t1brokerhousevp@gmail.com

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I’ve been accused of giving out simple, obvious information on this blog. Well, guess what? Here’s more simple and obvious information that several of my applicants this year have not understood or thought about:

If you smoke, you are making a bad first and lasting impression on the employer. You are hurting your chances in the interview process.

I am not being mean here, I am being honest. If you are a smoker, your jackets and clothing emit a terrible sour smell of smoke that turns people off! I had a guy come in today and I had to hurry the interview because of the smoke smell coming off of him. Sadly, he seemed to have a good resume and decent communication skills, but my only thought was, “If this smell is bothering me this badly, how will potential clients react during a sales call?”

If you are a smoker, you should be sure that on the day of your interview you do the following things:

I shouldn’t need to tell people these things, but it happens way too often. Remember, you are trying to get a job by marketing yourself. Marketing yourself is like marketing a house for sale.

Bad smell in house means: NO SALE

Bad smell on interview day means: NO JOB

It’s that simple, any questions?

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In a previous article I spoke about ”How Your Email Address Can Stop You From Getting an Interview.” But have you thought about the impression your voice mail or answering machine makes on the employer?

So you’ve found a job opening that seems perfect. The pay is right, the location is prime and the hours work well with your schedule. You’ve sent in your shining, clean resume and are awaiting that call for a phone screening and interview time. But you are busy and can’t always pick up your cell or home phone. This means that your perspective employer will probably need to leave you a voice mail message. Just what impression are you leaving him or her?

Friends, this is one of those times when you want to be plain and beige! (read this article to learn about “Job Search, When to be Beige, and When to be Bright“). Don’t get me wrong here: I think it’s cool that you can rap alongside Snoop Dogg and hit every word while giving a “shout out” to your “shorties” on your voice message, but your new boss may find it childish and sophomoric. He or she may decide on the spot that you are not right for the job.

I also think your tough-guy-smooth voice sounds really cool, but is this the impression you want to make on your new manager? What I’m trying to tell you is that while you are in a job hunt, make all of your voice mail and answering machine messages plain and professional… I’m sure your “shorties” will understand.

A very basic and unassuming message would be something like, “You have reached John Jones; Your call is important to me, so please leave a message with your name and number. I check my voice mail often and will return your call promptly, thank you.”

When you leave this greeting, be sure to speak clearly. It is best to use a traditional land line phone to record the message to avoid any flutter or word-dropping.

I also recommend you leave an actual voice greeting and NOT the generic computer generated voice message that merely reads back the phone number. I do not like this greeting during a job search because it could leave the employer wondering if he actually reached the correct person. Also, if your message is professional and clear using your own voice, you will be leaving a good impression on the manager! (When I hire sales reps, I can tell immediately if they will be good based on their voice recording!)

Finally, in the case that you are using a home phone as your contact number: Once you have a professional voice mail message, be sure to alert other members of the household as to the job search. Believe it or not, I’ve attempted to reach applicants via phone and their parents or relatives will lie and say they are not there because they automatically assume that I am a telemarketer trying to sell something!

In conclusion I will leave you with this: Over the past 10 years I have conducted thousands of phone screenings looking for new employees.As I look back, I wonder how many of them may have made excellent employees, but I never called them back because their voice mail message made them sound undesireable, or because their family members were rude to me and wouldn’t even let me speak to them?

Simple things are what make the difference in getting your dream job, and serving cold french fries and flipping burgers!

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I just completed an article that I refer to on this blog as a “foundation article” that gives my opinions on standing out to your perspective employer. There are times when that is a good thing, and times when it could jeopardize your chances for getting hired.

For now, you need to read it and get a feel for the terminology I use because I will refer to it often. It is so important, that I have given it a separate page on the blog so it remains at the top and doesn’t get buried in the archives.

Check it out: : “Beige or Bright”

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You and I know that you are a superior employee . We know that you show up everyday on time and go above and beyond in everything you accomplish; you are a supervisor’s dream… but… when sending in your resume for that new position you’re seeking, you never even get a called for a phone screen or interview; …why? (This tip should resonate with anyone looking for a job or hiring perspective applicants.) 

I do most of my recruiting through online means, and require applicants email a resume and cover letter to me for review prior to phone screening and actual interviews. I think a lot of employers do this because it is quick and easy, and is most times, linked right in with CareerBuilder or another online recruiting website.

With that in mind, here’s a tip for you job seekers: Your email address makes an impression, so make it professional. There are times when you want to stand out to your perspective employer, but your email address is NOT one of them!

Here are some examples of applicant email addresses that I have received over the years: (last part changed to protect the foolish! )

pimpstockings @ asdf . com

bigtuna19 @ asdf .com 

screwedup @ asdf.com

legalizethis @ asdf.com

yourmomsamilf @ asdf.com

sexyhotlilmaiden @ asdf.com

mrballs @ asdf.com

batmanundercover @ asdf.com

suckonthis1979 @ asdf.com

eatmebeeotch @ asdf.com

lilpartier @ asdf.com

bustamovie @ asdf.com

gogogettayo @ asdf.com

These are just a few. Keep in mind, I am hiring people who will represent my company to the public. I also want someone who will be able to get along with my current employees and managers… I think a guy with an email address like “suckonthis1979″ might have some sort of talent, but I certainly wouldn’t want him around my secretary now would I?

I realize the examples above are quite extreme, but your email address can also create other types of impressions that could be negative. Let’s pretend that your name is John Jackson. If you use an email address of: MrJackson@ asdf.com you might also make an unfavorable impression about yourself. Someone seeing that could think you are snobbish or too formal.

“Just who does this guy think he is referring to himself as ‘Mr’ in his email address,” is what some employers might think.

I realize that this may be nit-picking, but remember, you are applying for the job and your main goal is to get the interview. Anything up until that time is window-dressing. I want you to think “beige” when you choose and email address. “Beige” is a non-offensive color. It does not turn anyone off. It is just plain. That’s how your email address should be. There will be time later for you to show off all your bright and extravagant talents, but for now, when it comes to an email address, let’s just be beige so we can appeal to the biggest segment of the market. Got it?

So, if your name is John Jackson, I would recommend an email address of JohnJackson @ asdf.com. That is very simple and beige. If you can’t get your exact name like that in a Yahoo or Gmail account, then add something non-descript to it like JohnJackson1 @ asdf.com.  Whatever you do, DO NOT use your birth year in the email address as that can also hurt your chances and conjure a negative image to the perspective employer.

I know that some of this sounds discriminatory or petty, but remember, you want the job. That is our main goal here and it starts with a plain-Jane email address that is used to deliver that all important shining resume!

Your comments are welcome.

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