Archive: December 2005
They deck the halls to build business
Decking halls and trimming trees has been adding more jingle to workers' pockets this holiday season — and those in the Puget Sound area's Christmas-decoration business expect a sleigh-full of similar jobs again next season.
My First Job: Debra Lewis, 46th commander and district engineer
Current position: 46th Commander and District Engineer, Seattle District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Hey, ref! Need a job?
Mike Uppinghouse wasn't born with skin any thicker than most kids. But over the past two seasons working youth soccer matches — sometimes with irate coaches in his face and cutthroat parents behind his back — the 14-year-old Shoreline youth has built up his resistance to heckling, beefed up his self-confidence, and added some ink on his early résumé while earning about 20 bucks a game to boot.
My First Job: Gerard McGlynn, senior superintendent
Current position: Senior superintendent at Skanska USA Building, one of the largest general contractors in the Pacific Northwest.
My First Job: Bart Preecs, business development manager
Current position: Business Development Manager, Washburn Communication, a technology marketing company in Bellevue that offers marketing and related services for clients primarily in the technology industry.
Resume writing
The purpose of your resume is to make the reader want to interview you. Resumes should be informative, concise, consistent, and should highlight intriguing skills and experience. They should grab attention early and provide a concentrated, convincing argument that you perfectly match the position at hand.
References
References can have a significant impact on the final hiring decision. Be ready at a moment's notice to provide potential employers with at least three solid ones. Approach only your natural contacts, the people who would unquestionably offer a glowing report about you.
How to evaluate an offer
Just like an interview, a job offer can tell you a great deal about a potential employer. An offer can reveal how serious the employer is about the offer, how valuable you are to the company, and most importantly, whether you should make the move.
My First Job: Darran Littlefield, partner, Point B Solutions Group
Current position: Partner, Point B Solutions Group, a professional-services firm specializing in project leadership. Point B has practices in Seattle, Portland, Denver and Phoenix.
Networking to find a job
A few years ago, Kathy met Henry in a social setting. At the time, Henry had a small business that sounded relatively intriguing to Kathy. Out of habit, Kathy made a point of getting Henry's contact information at the end of the evening even though she was content in her job.
Interview brainteasers
You've heard of those brain teaser questions that may well come between you and a job someday. No matter how much you may prepare yourself for a job interview, you may never be completely ready when that interviewer asks you why manhole covers are round.
Interview basics
Despite the etiquette, formality, and inevitable fear factor, job interviews can actually be enjoyable as well as extremely informative. In an interview, where you and the prospective employer begin a mutual relationship based on observation and communication, you have just as much power as the interviewer.
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