A Message from Mary:

Top Ten Steps in the Job Search:

1. Prioritize - define what is important to you most. Discover who you are, where you would like to work and then how much money you need to make.

2. Create a List - Make a wish list of 3-5 companies you would like to work for. The right company will be one whose values mesh with yours.

3. Eliminate Limitations - Don't limit your wish list to Retail .

4. Do your Homework - Research each of your wish-list companies and even the prospective supervisor.

5. Know Yourself - jot down your strengths and weaknesses what differentiates you and makes you a good choice.

6. Be Positive - when updating your resume, keep it upbeat, shout out your accomplishments.

7. Chat it up - Keep an eye out for associations where executives from your wish-list companies will be speaking. Take advantage of these opportunities to introduce yourself.

8. Ask the Right Questions - Ask open ended questions, instead of asking if they have any openings, ask if you can schedule time to follow up with the right person to learn more about their company.

9. Express Yourself - if you are considering changing careers to a new industry this provides an excellent opportunity to demonstrate your abilities over a period of time.

10. Look Ahead - Your goal should be to position yourself for long term economic security rather than looking for positions that will simply pay the most short term.


Mary R Lauth

‘Twas the month before Christmas, we were happy, carefree!
We had no suspicion of what soon was to be.
Decorations were hung in the Center with care,
Cold winds and snowflakes swirled in the air.

The associates were working with no feeling of dread,
While visions of the Holidays danced in their heads.
Dwight in his office, Regina in hers too
Were just working as usual, they had so much to do!

When out in the lobby there arose such a clatter,
A stranger appeared—we wondered what was the matter.
In a meeting we gathered, still unaware
Of the fate that awaited us, all soon to share.

The words that were spoken at first didn’t ring,
While we heard what was said, it was too shocking a thing.
Then the meaning came through like a slap in the face—
In 60 days, they were closing this place.

There were tears, there was anger, confusion and fear.
This wasn’t the way we planned starting a New Year.
But we had to go on, make new plans, start anew,
In classes we focused on a great interview.

Out in the community we all dashed to apply,
Resumes in our hands, confidence in short supply.
The "family" bonds we’d enjoyed seemed to unravel
As out in the world we all started to travel.

Loss of friends hurt as much as the jobs we were losing,
The worst of it was that it wasn’t of our choosing.
But just when the situation seemed the most glum,
A new figure appeared who made all our hearts hum.

From the hat to the apron and that loveable nose,
We knew in an instant our dear Homer had chosen
To cheer us, to steer us, to encourage us and,
To remind us that real friends won’t slip from our hand.

Now out of the mist more figures came,
And he whistled and shouted and called them by name:
"Now, Gloria! Now, Mark! Now, Brian! Now, Dan!
Now, Kevin and Corey, On, Susan and Frank!
On, John, Gail and Wendee! Dash away all!

To the stores in Lake Zurich, Downers Grove and Geneva,
On to Elgin, Algonquin, Vernon Hills and Oswego!
On to what and wherever your life takes you next—
Don’t forget that you worked and you lived with the best!"

In his hands he had badges to remind us that we
Should hold on to the values of Arthur and Bernie.
As he gave us each one, fond memories came back
Of good times and laughter, there was never a lack!

And associates long gone who had shared in those days,
To Mary, Chad and Kristie, to Gil, Kelly and Gabe.
To Angelo and Lady Jane, to name a few more,
To Paul, Steve and Anna, you helped us for sure.

Oh, the list just goes on, the memories grow fonder,
Of what we have shared as our futures we ponder.
We know we are leaving, but we’re richer by far.
For the friendships and training, both way above par.

Then he aimed a chubby finger at a bright, distant star,
As he climbed back inside his puffy orange car.
And we heard him exclaim as a tear he did wipe,

"Happy Holidays to all, and to all a good life!"

Avoid the Top 10 Resume Mistakes:

1. Typos and Grammatical Errors
2. Lack of Specifics
3. Attempting One Size Fits All
4. Highlighting Duties Instead of Accomplishments
5. Going on Too Long or Cutting Things Too Short
6. A Bad Objective
7. No Action Verbs
8. Leaving Off Important Information
9. Visually Too Busy
10. Incorrect Contact Information

Check out the Monster.com link for the full article.

And Another Thing... (Read from the bottom up)

From: Mcgee, Maria
Sent: Wed 12/5/2007 11:24 AM
To: Sanders, Precious ; Home Services_Chicago_All
Subject: RE: My Recommendation

I KNOW EVERY ONE IS TIRED OF SEEING THIS MESSAGE BUT I CANT LEAVE OUT ANY ONE WHO MEANT SOMETHING TO MY TRAINING AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF EXPERIENCE MARY, JADA THANK YOU SO MUCH.

From: Mcgee, Maria
Sent: Wed 12/5/2007 12:07 PM
To: Mcgee, Maria ; Sanders, Precious; Home Services_Chicago_All
Subject: RE: My Recommendation

I COULD NEVER FORGET PAUL PETERSON AND KEVIN, DWIGHT, REGINA, LADY JANE THANKS SO MUCH
I LOVE YOU ALL
MARIA

From: Mcgee, Maria
Sent: Wed 12/5/2007 12:07 PM
To: Sanders, Precious; Home Services_Chicago_All
Subject: RE: My Recommendation

THANKS PRECIOUS YES IT HAS BEEN A PLEASURE WORKING WITH ALL OF YOU IN SALES OWA AND EXPEDITING. I LOVE ALL OF THE SUPERVISORS AND MODS- GLORIA , DAN , CORY BRIAN, MARK , MELANTHA (GAIL) LOL-JOHN WENDEE SUSAN, ALL OF IEA 23-30-59 SO MUCH HAS HAPPENED WHILE I HAVE BEEN WORKING HERE SOME FOR THE BEST SOME FOR THE WORST BUT IT WAS ALL EASIER KNOWING THAT I HAS SUPPORT FROM MY PLACE OF WORK. THE PEOPLE I SPEND MOST OF MY TIME WITH THANK YOU ALL FOR MAKING IT THAT MUCH EASIER TO COPE WITH EVERYDAY LIFE, LOVE ALL OF YOU AND I KNOW I'LL NEVER HAVE ANOTHER POSITION THAT I LOVE THIS MUCH. HAPPY HOLIDAYS HAPPY NEW YEAR AND EVERY ONE PLEASE HAVE A HAPPY LIFE.

MARIA

A Precious Moment...

From: Sanders, Precious
Sent: Tue 12/4/2007 4:09 PM
To: Home Services_Chicago_AllSubject
RE: My Recommendation

I've loved working with all of you guys. Not a day went by that I didn't appreciate your individuality. I doubt that I'll be able to find another group of people as bubbly, hard-working, fun-loving, and eccentric as this one. Our new supervisor, Kevin, has been amazing and I appreciate the leadership and guidance that he has given us. Frankie, tu eres mi hermano, and I've loved working with you also.

Everyone, from expediting, to sales, to order writing, to the taskers, IRA, and management, it has definitely been a great experience and I wish everyone the best of luck in their future endeavors.


Love ya!
Precious Starr Sanders

It's only a rumor... Until it's true...

Today was the the day we all thought might come but hoped would not. I can't say that I was shocked that the Chicago call center was closing but it took a minute for the news, that the Tampa center would close a well, to sink in.

The first thought I had was of the family feeling we have at work and how to keep that alive. The second thought I had was Blogger.

This blog is a simple attempt to stay in touch with all those people that I called my work family over the past years.

For anyone interested on posting on this site, Please email me.