Want Prestigious Work?

What to Seek and What to Avoid

Let's admit it: We all need to feel special sometimes. Well, if you're a firefighter, scientist or teacher, you should.  After all, a new Harris poll indicates that plenty of Americans already think you are. 

U.S. adults, according to a recent survey by Harris Interactive, see firefighters, scientists and teachers as the most prestigious occupations while bankers, actors and real estate agents are the least prestigious occupations. The 2007 "Most Prestigious Occupations" poll measured the public perceptions of 23 professions.

Participants were asked to rank these professions as having "very great prestige," "considerable prestige," "some prestige," or "hardly any prestige at all."  They could also opt not to rank them or say they weren't sure. 

Sixty-one percent of adults consider firefighters to have "very great prestige," making this occupation the most prestigious on the list. Five other occupations were ranked as having "very great prestige" by over 50 percent of the adults surveyed: Scientists and teachers are considered very prestigious by 54 percent of adults, followed by doctors and military officers, who earn the prestige of 52 percent of Americans, and nurses, whom half of all adults consider very prestigious.

Among the least prestigious occupations are real estate brokers, actors and bankers.  Only 5 percent of survey participants ranked real estate brokers as very prestigious; 9 percent gave actors this label, followed by 10 percent for bankers.  Accountants, entertainers, stockbrokers,union leaders, journalists, business executives and athletes all also ranked low on the list: Less than 20 percent of adults consider any of the aforementioned occupations to have "very great prestige."

Consequently, five occupations are perceived to have "hardly any prestige at all" by at least a quarter of adults: stockbrokers (25 percent), union leaders (30 percent), entertainers (31 percent), real estate brokers (34 percent) and actors (38 percent).

Harris Interactive started conducting its "Most Prestigious Careers" survey in 1977 and included only 11 professions. The most significant change since the survey's inception is that, with the exception of teachers and clergy, the perceived prestige of every one of the original 11 occupations has actually decreased over the years. The most drastic drop occurred among scientists, lawyers and athletes, whose prestige dropped by 12 points, 14 points and 10 points, respectively.  Clergy members are considered prestigious by one percentage point more of the population than they were 30 years ago, while teachers' perceived prestige increased by 25 percent. 

Understandably, the year-to-year changes are less drastic.  Scientists' perceived prestige hasn't changed in the last year, and despite a significant jump from 1977, teachers' perceived prestige has increased by only two percentage points.  Bankers and athletes showed the most drastic drop in prestige: Both are down seven points from last year.  The profession that saw the biggest increase in prestige from 2006 was that of farmers, who rose five points.

While the survey measures the degree to which certain occupations are considered prestigious, it offers no indication as to why people consider certain occupations more prestigious than others.   For more information and to see the complete results of the survey, visitwww.harrisinteractive.com.

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By MaryLorenz,

Too Good to Be True? 6 Common Job Scams

Lured by convenience and seemingly easy money, more and more people are falling prey to job scams. Particularly vulnerable are people who want or need to work from home and those who are looking supplement their income. Those who fall victim can suffer serious consequences including debt collection and criminal charges. Work-at-home scams are varied and can be more difficult to detect. They come in many different forms and change regularly. To protect yourself, it's important to be aware of the various scams lurking and what to do if you suspect you discover one. 

Here are six of today's most common job scams:

1. Nigerian Check Cashing Scam
The Nigerian check cashing scam usually involves transferring funds internationally. The scam artist attempts to reassure the victim by offering apparently legal contracts, forged or false documents bearing company letterhead, false letters of credit, payment schedules and bank drafts. Once the scammer has obtained the victim's trust, checks, money orders or wire deposits are sent to the victim for "processing." The victim is asked to cash the check or money order (wire deposits will send the money directly to the victim's account) and send a percentage of the funds back to its origination. The need for the "middle man" is often explained as being a way around international fees or taxes. Once the funds are sent back to the scammers (usually the victim is told to keep a percentage for themselves, as payment for their services), the victim's bank or financial institution learns that the check/money order/wire transfer was fraudulent. The funds are then subtracted from the victim's account and he or she is made liable for the lost money.

2. Reshipping
Reshipping scams often begin with an employment offer, usually via e-mail. As with the Nigerian scam, these "employers" offer bogus contracts and other documentation to make them appear legitimate. Once the victim's trust has been obtained, packages are shipped to the victim's residence with instructions to reship the packages to another address. Once the package has been reshipped, the victim is "guilty" of receiving and shipping stolen property. This often leads to a visit from police, as the return address or shipping receipts lead back to the victim.

3. Envelope Stuffing Scams
These scams usually incorporate a "registration fee" which must be paid before work begins. Once this fee has been paid, the "employee" is asked to post an ad -- often the exact same ad that the "employee" responded to -- using his or her own contact info. Once the "employee" receives a response to their ad, he or she will stuff an envelope with information/instructions on how to get started and mail it to the new applicant. The victim is "paid" based on the number of responses received from the ad.

4. Medical Billing
Advertisements for these prepackaged businesses always contain an initial financial investment. The ad or solicitation explains that only a small percentage of medical claims are transmitted electronically and that the market for medical billing is wide open. In reality, the medical billing industry is fierce and revolves around several large and well-established firms. Because competition is so prevalent, few consumers who purchase medical billing business opportunities are able to locate clients to generate enough revenue to profit, and they usually can't even earn enough to recover their initial financial investment.

5. Work-at-Home Job Lists
These scams claim to sell lists of companies that are hiring for work-at-home positions. These lists are rarely updated and often yield a list of worthless leads.

6. Phishing
Phishing scams are cleverly hidden attempts to get your account information. These e-mails appear legitimate -- with professional-looking company logos and information -- and often claim that there is an urgent need for you to log into your account and verify personal information. If you receive one of these e-mails, check the destination URL on the provided link before attempting to login or submit any information; the links could actually lead the recipient to a false Web site. The victim may be asked to update their banking information or other sensitive information, which the site owner (aka scammer) will use for any number of illegal purposes.

Protect yourself
Before you send any money responding to job ads or completing job placement contracts, the Better Business Bureau offers the following tips to help job seekers avoid these types of scams:

·  Avoid job listings that use these descriptions: "package forwarding," "reshipping," "money transfers," "wiring funds" and "foreign agent agreements." These and similar phrases should raise a red flag.

·  Do not be fooled by official-sounding corporate names. Some scam artists operate under names that sound like those of long-standing, reputable firms.

·  Never forward or transfer money from any of your personal accounts on behalf of your employer. Also, be suspicious if you are asked to "wire" money to an employer. If a legitimate job requires you to make money transfers, the money should be withdrawn from the employer's business account, not yours.

·  Do not give out your personal financial information. A potential legitimate employer will not request your bank account, credit card or Paypal account number. Only provide your banking information if you are hired by a legitimate company and you choose to have your paycheck direct deposited.

·  Do not fax copies of your ID or Social Security number to someone you have never met. Credit checks and fake IDs can be obtained with this information. Only give these documents to your employer when you are physically at the place of employment.

·  If you have questions about the legitimacy of a job listing, contact your Better Business Bureau, your state or local consumer agency or the Federal Trade Commission.

By Michael Hargis

Tips for temp clerical workers

As of this winter before 2011, the news that the recession is over is shakey.  More companies are enjoying higher profits, but the news is still bleak on the street-level. Specifically, 80% of all new hires are temporaries.  But being a Temp is not a bad way to break into a company. 

Especially if you do a good job, and are asked to come back, or are offered a long upcoming Temp assignment.  This gives you time to decide if you really want to work for that company in a possible Perm job, as well as give that company time to decide if you'd be an asset to their team.  

Once companies feel more secure coming out of the recession, it's expected that they will start hiring more Perm workers, that can offer those companies more stability and depth of knowledge long-term.  As a good Temp, you could be their first choice to fill a Perm position.  This is a win-win situation, since you get to go Perm in a company you've already worked in, and the company doesn't have to waste time soliciting resumes and conducting interviews.

I worked numerous clerical Temp or Temp-to-Perm jobs in Los Angeles in the last century.  And all of my best jobs I got went Perm after I was repeatedly asked back for various Temp positions in those companies.  So let me offer you some Tips, of how to offer the best possible impression, and maximize your chances of being offered a Perm clerical position in a company you really like:

- First of all, sign up with as many Temp clerical agencies as you can.  You will probably have to apply in person.  Be upbeat and professional, and make a good impression.  Be sure you leave with a few assignment-slips, and the name and phone number of the person who will be receiving and sending out the assignments.

- Sign up with a variety of clerical Temp agencies, from just-clerical to special agencies (like for Legal or Medical, if you qualify).  And even mixed agencies, like Manpower, which offers clerical thru light industry jobs.  Some agencies will be non-producers for you, and you can stop calling them if they never give you an assignment in six months.  But doing a good job with other agencies' assignments, will boost both your reliability in the eyes of those agencies, and might get you slight but steady income raises.

- Don't just wait for an assignment!  Get up early and call each Temp agency right when they open, and ask if they have an assignment you can fill.  This persistance will pay off.  And, if you don't have a job for the next day, be sure and call all the agencies a half hour before they close, to see if they have any assignments for the next day.

- Dress to fit the company.  Even if the temp assignment says "Casual Dress", arriving in a nice dress or skirt outfit with suitable "day makeup" on the first day will make a nice impression.  Just make sure you wear professional but comfortable (not new) shoes, and not so much jewelry, scarves or hair clips that you can't perform your job tasks.  After that first day, and you've seen how others dress, you adjust your wardrobe accordingly.

- Plan to arrive 10-15 minutes early to a new Temp assignment, since you'll probably have to wait in Reception for someone to take you back to your Temp desk and give you instructions.  And be pleasant and positive with the Receptionist.  Let her initiate any conversation after "Hello", and don't be negative. Some companies will ask that Receptionist how you behaved, since they aren't looking for unhappy, grumbly, gossipy, preoccupied with personal problems, stuck-up or know-it-all employees, even temporarily.

- Smile at everyone and be pleasant, but don't come on too strong or overly-friendly, with a forced toothy smile as you lunge at every new employee to shake their hand.  Some employees may think that you are there only to try and steal their jobs, and others may get the impression that you might be a "run-everything" Control Freak type.

- Take a small briefcase or cloth bag to every temp job.  In it, keep pens and pencils, Post It notes, a small notepad, and lunch or snacks.  Noisily opening desk drawers, or bugging others for a pen or paper, makes you look unprepared and unprofessional.  Sit down at your Temp desk and take out your own pen and notebook to write down your initial instructions, if there isn't an Instruction sheet left by the temporarily-gone employee, or handed to you by the person setting you up.  You can go hunting for pen and paper and familiarize yourself with the desk, after you have received your instructions.

- If your Temp clerical position involves answering the phone, ask exactly how they want that phone answered.  Then write that exact Greeting on a Post It Note and attach it to the phone.  Your professionalism and polish by correctly answering that phone from the get-go will be noted.

- Attend to your tasks quickly and efficiently, but don't hesitate to ask for help if you get stuck.  Sometimes the employee closest to you may be the best first resource for help.  They may know the quirks of the machinery you are working on, or where the regular employee stores what in which computer or paper files.

- When you finish your tasks, ask your temporary supervisor what they have for you to do next.  If they seemed stressed trying to think of something for you to do, assure them you would be happy to help someone else, and return to your area.  If there are other clerical people nearby, casually ask if they have any tedious but simple tasks they've been putting off, that you could do.  This will make a very good impression on the other employees, and it will get back to Personnel.

- If you are totally stumped for something else to do, do NOT read a book or magazine, unless you've been told that it is OK to do so.  And don't gossip or be too nosey.   Instead, explore the computer, but avoid playing video games or accessing sensitive files.  Look around at any office equipment you are unfamiliar with, and ask someone who isn't busy to show you how to use it.  This way, the more office equipment you know how to use, you can add to your Temp applications and your resume.  As a last resort, when you have nothing to do, ask if you can take a Break or an early Lunch Period.

- Observe your surroundings.  Are people happy and challenged?  Or is everyone surly and unhappy?  Do the supervisors and managers appear capable, positive and willing to work with new employees?  Or are they just working their way up the corporate ladder, and are clearly careless or uninterested in their current job?  These are all things you need to consider if you are asked to go Perm at that company.

- On a Break or during a slow period, take out your small notebook and make some notes.  Put down the date, company, your temp "job", and the names of the supervisors/managers or other employees you interacted with.  Write down primarily all verbal instructions that you don't want to forget, if you get asked back.  "The CEO is Rick - never call him Richard." or "If the copier doesn't work, go find Joe Smith to fix it."  These are not-so-insignificant things you can review in your notebook if you get called back to that company.  And remembering these types of comments will make you look polished and professional, and truly interested in doing the best job you can.

- Do your best to stay out of office gossip.  Especially since the gossipers' motivations may be murky.  Plus, you may end up working for that "terrible" person, and end up liking him/her.  If you have to work with a grumbly-gossiper, listen politely but say little, neither agreeing nor disagreeing, since you do NOT want it getting around "Even the Temp agreed with me!".  Their rant about "the boss" may just mean they were bypassed for a promotion, got a smaller raise than they expected, or are having health or home problems that color their work environment too negatively.  You can offer helpful suggestions, but don't buy into their negativity.

- Leave as you arrived, on-time and smiling.  If you had a written Instruction sheet, ask the superviser/trainer if you can take it with you.  This will be a great refreasher-course if you get asked back, but you don't want to just walk out with something that contains "sensitive information".  (Make sure you fill out your temp slip, and get the correct person's signature.)  Be sure to quickly thank the people who helped you, including the Receptionist, on the way out.

- If it is dark, and/or you parked in an isolated location, don't hesitate to ask for a guy to walk you to your car.  Sometimes you can start asking around casually about 4PM, what males are also getting off at the same time as you, and if one of them is parked near your car.  You can call or locate that man, and quietly ask him if he wouldn't mind walking you to your car.  You don't want to come off "making demands" when you leave at 5-6PM, but your safety should be of concern to that company, as well as to you.

These Tips worked great for me, and I got some wonderful Perm jobs from companies that asked me back again and again as a Temp.  I truly hope they work as well for you and other clerical Temp workers!

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by Marilyn Martin