Professional Job Search

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A hammer and a bed

My sister, Debra, and her oldest daughter have gone on missionary trips to Honduras for the past two summers. They look forward to it... even though they will work for hours in the sweltering heat building houses for people they hardly know.

This past summer, my neice spent 3 weeks working side-by-side with people from all over North America in an effort to make a difference in the lives of a handful of people who live on a hill in a distant land that most folks don't spend much time thinking about. My sister could only take 2 weeks of vacation, so she couldn't spend as much time there as my neice, but since she cries nearly every day she's there, it's probably for the best.

You see, Honduras is not a particular pleasant place to live. Families live in conditions that most of us would find impossible to comprehend. Debra has seen children literally dig in a dump for scraps of food. In a way, I'm glad I have not gone on one of these missionary trips as I fear my heart would be left there. How could one watch a child digging for scraps of food and not be touched forever?

Before Debra left this past summer, I asked her to do me a favor. I asked her to use the money she'd otherwise spend on my birthday present to purchase something that she could take down with her to Honduras.

She bought a hammer.

It's such a small thing, really. A hammer. But put it in the hands of a seventeen year old and add a handful of nails and a few pieces of wood, and before long, you have part of a roof.

That roof covers the bodies of people just like you and me. They deserve to have shelter - a place to call home.

Unfortunately, many of the children in the area where this mission is are not taken care of by their own families. I read a newsletter last month by the lady who runs this mission area and she reported that some [children] have been abused, raped and neglected. They run the streets at such tender ages it tugs at the heart. One young girl, aged 10, has been repeatedly raped and abused. She is mentally disabled and has no home. Her 6 year old sister tries to care for her, but she, too, has been horribly neglected - and likely sexually abused, too.

This Christmas, I have asked my parents and my in-laws to forego presents for me and send the money to this mission. The mission will purchase beds for a shelter that was built earlier this summer for children just like the ones mentioned above. What may be donated may not be enough to buy a lot of beds - or perhaps even one bed - but it's a start. This holiday season, my list of wants is inconsequential.

There isn't anything I need that trumps a bed for a child.

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If you want to help a child in need, please send your contributions here:

Casa de Esperanza
P.O. Box 9222
Columbus, MS 39705

The newsletter I receive is sent by Terri Tindall. You can put your contributions to her attention.

_____________________________________________________

Making a Difference

Last April, I made a decision that has impacted my life in a way I didn't think was possible. I'm not even sure I gave much thought to the amount of time it would take or the number of phone calls/emails I would receive on a consisent basis. At the time, I simply knew it was a job that needed to be done and I was fairly certain that no one else would want to do it.

Even though I have lost plenty of sleep worrying and balled my hands into fists over the many frustrations, I do not regret one single moment of the time I've spent being the band booster president of my daughter's high school band.

This is from one of the band students:

Michele Wisniewski:

"Through the years I have come to comprehend that band isn't just an elective, it's a state of mind; everything from playing till I can't feel my jaw to the sweaty brine that gradually dribbles down my brow symbolizing the end of a practice. One may ask why anyone could take pleasure in doing such a thing, but they would understand instantaneously if they could sense the thrill, the sheer pleasure one gets as they feel the rubber pellets underfoot that mark the beginning of halftime. Being in band has brought immense opportunities into my life and shall surely enrich it for years to come."

Being where I am, right now, makes a difference in the lives of over 170 students. Most of them don't even know my name. To them, I'm just another "band mom" - but it's a name I wear proudly - because what I do day-in and day-out matters to these kids.

I'm only one band mom in a sea of dozens who perform a variety of duties at each event. We work together to make sure the students have everything they need - from a meal before a performance to plumes in their hats. It is a coordinated effort that offers each student the best opportunity to play well, to enjoy themselves, and to succeed.

Life is about choices - a series of choices - that allow us to help others in little ways and sometimes in big ways. Every choice is important. Every choice can make a difference.

Never, ever, pass up an opportunity to do something nice for someone else.

What I have found is that the choice I made last April has given me some lovely benefits, too. I feel good about what I am doing. I have made some friends I cherish. I feel more pride than ever in watching the band perform.

Make a difference in someone else's life and you'll make a wonderful difference in your own as well.

If you are interested, our band needs some assistance in purchasing new equipment. We keep growing. ;)

There is no cost to you in any way. Just as you make your on-line purchases, do so through the site below and the companies that participate will make a donation to our band.

It's painless - and it makes a big difference in the lives of a lot of young people.

Shop Now to Support
Mighty Hawk Band Boosters

Give voice to your thoughts.

We have a cat in our house. His name is Jake and he's been with us for more than 13 years. He's not so much a cat as he is a furry pillow with feet, moving from room to room, decorating the carpet, back of a loveseat, dining room chair or cedar chest. He doesn't really play very often, but he does "meow" from time to time. Like a newborn baby, his cries sound pretty much the same, so it's up to me to figure out what he wants. Is he out of food or water? Does he want some affection? Would he like to go in the backyard?

When a little one comes into this world, there is really only one means of communication. The problem is that you can't always discern if the cries are for hunger, affection, sickness or wetness. It's trial and error until those cries become more distinguishable (mad vs. hungry).

Many people suffer from the same unfortunate problem, even as adults. Oh, it's not about the "cry" so to speak, rather their lack of REAL communication. I know far too many people who lack the ability (or perhaps desire) to truly communicate their wants, needs, desires and hopes to others. And it's so unfortunate. How sad it is to see so many precious people keeping so much bottled up inside.

Words can accomplish many things. They reflect thought, emotion or information. When I talk to someone, I want to KNOW them. I want to FEEL what they feel. I want to learn from them. Otherwise, what is the point of talking to each other?

Of course it is easy to understand why so many people don't want to open themselves up to others. When I was student teaching, I even saw it in the little ones. It's all about fear. No one wants to put themselves on the line if they might be rejected or laughed at. (I did a great lesson on this, though, and it helped a lot. I'll have to post here about "The Dot" by Peter H. Reynolds sometime.)

On the other hand, much of our ability to overcome such fear is our belief in our own self-worth. A tremendous number of people suffer from low self-esteem or low self-confidence. I have had to work on this myself at times - and it's not easy - but the rewards are extraordinary. (Note: I also need to post about keeping track of successes.)

One quote, and I cannot remember to whom to attribute it is: "The criticism that hurts the most is the one that echoes my own self-condemnation." So, if my youngest child says, "Mom, you're getting fat." and I feel like a slug, it's because I already have that thought running around in my mind. If I felt and looked great and she told me that, I'd say to her, "You need glasses. I look awesome."

Kids are great at telling the truth, aren't they? When I was student teaching, I went to class one time with my hair naturally dried and it was very, very wavy. One of the boys said, "Mrs. Vaughan, your hair is messy." I said, "It's not messy. It's the natural look. I'm starting a new trend." He blinked twice and accepted it. ;)

The thing is, we have to be free to be ourselves, to express ourselves, to believe in ourselves. I can't harbor self-doubt just because some elementary school boy thinks my hair looks like a wreck. Nor can I (or should I) allow anyone to make me feel like my thoughts or words aren't worth speaking.

Nor should you.

Give voice to your thoughts. Share your feelings with others. Communicate. And listen to others when they express themselves.

The world will be a richer place.

Looking Ahead

It isn't even Thanksgiving yet and I am already looking ahead to Christmas. It is, by far, my favoriate of all holidays. Seeing our neighbor's houses all lit up, listening to Bing Crosby and Harry Connick, Jr.... mmmmmmmmm. I love it. Give me some warm cider and a quilt and my life is complete. ;)

Of course, I don't often slow down for that long - not enough to really enjoy it. But, it sounds good and it's something I can strive for. I am, by nature, a body in motion. It is actually very hard for me to relax... to sit still... to just ... BE.

Back to my thoughts on Christmas...

My daughters and I are going to do something a little different this Christmas. Instead of putting every ornament we own on the tree and praising God that it doesn't fall over, we are going to make all of our ornaments and garland this year. I have actually started to hand-crochet a red garland and my youngest, Kaley, is going to work on another chain. We are going to make ornaments out of yarn, dough, gingerbread, paper and anything else we can put our hands on.

I want to feel the hope and joy that IS Christmas. I want to touch my children with time, love, warmth and simplicity. I want to give them happiness and the wonder of creativity.

Each year, when we decorate our tree, I play Christmas music. We sing along and add our ornaments, reflecting on which one came from where and who gave us what... Each year ties us closer together just as it reminds us of our ties to the past. We have several strings of garland from my Dad's mom (the girls' great-grandmother). I have ornaments that my aunt gave me when I was a child.

There should be more meaning in the things we do every day. We exist, but we often do not LIVE. When we can tie our actions to specific goals, such as improving relationships, enhancing our minds, doing for others... then we become more real, more alive.

This Christmas, when we put the ornaments on the tree, we won't be thinking so much of the past as we will the "here and now". But we will be building memories for the future. We will always remember this Christmas as the "homemade tree holiday".

I look forward to looking back.

~Carla

Wearing Blinders

Do you ever feel like you are walking around wearing blinders? There is so much going on around us, and yet, we tune out those things we aren't interested in so that we can focus on the things we care about most. It's a way of filtering out some of our environment. I think it's a means of self-protection and even self-preservation.

Sure, I paid attention to the elections and upheld my Constitutional Right to vote. I just didn't get bogged down with the day-to-day diatribes from the various parties or even the media for that matter. I voted based on my own beliefs and not on what the media presented in their hyped, ratings-obsessed rantings.

My husband and I voted early. We took our youngest daughter with us as she was out of school. She saw the process and I even let her press the screen to select the choices for me. When I was done, I let her press the VOTE button at the top of the machine.

As a family, we talked about voting and why it's important. It's a right. It's an honor. It's a privilege that many people do not enjoy. Our country, even in it's worst state of immorality, corruption and divisiveness is still our home. It's up to each of us as citizens to make it a better place.

And yet, we filter out what we don't want to hear or see. Those blinders come in handy, don't they? And so America declines... and will continue to do so until we learn to distinguish between needs and wants, wants and rights, rights and entitlements, and TRUTH.

~Carla Vaughan

Professional Conduct on the Job

Professional conduct starts before you enter the employer's door. It starts before you begin to look for a job. It starts with you – your attitude.

How you interact with other people can make the difference between enjoying your work or hating it. There are some basic tenets of conduct on the job that will provide you with a basis for behavior. Here are three for your perusal.

First, remain calm in all circumstances. No one likes a hot-head and people who lose their tempers show a distinct lack of self-control. Respecting the needs of others and allowing for discussions of all kinds – even when it isn’t the best situation in your eyes – shows true character and a willingness to work with others. Employers are always looking for people who can mediate and work their way through difficult situations.

Second, keep your personal life at home and your professional life at work. We all go through struggles. No one is immune to pain, anger or sorrow. It makes life more bearable for everyone if separating the personal from the professional can be accomplished, though. If you need to work through something that is going on at home, then take some time off from work. Otherwise, your productivity decreases and your ability to maintain positive relationships on the job suffers.

Last, give your job 100% of your attention. Very few people actually do this, but it can make a tremendous difference in your advancement potential. If you gave just 10% more than anyone else in your department on a consistent basis, your productivity would be evident in a very short period of time and you would rise above your peers. Get rid of anything that wastes your time, such as the internet, cell phones or checking email 15 times per day if it isn’t essential to your job responsibilities.

Professional conduct on the job means many things, but it all boils down to treating others the way you would like to be treated and doing the very best job you are capable of doing.

It can make the difference between getting hired or not getting hired (in a job-search setting). It can make the difference between getting promoted or not getting promoted within an employment setting.

Make the most of your employment opportunities. Excel at everything you do by devoting yourself fully to the tasks and responsibilities that present themselves to you. That not only includes work-related duties, but also getting along well with the people you interact with each day.

Your co-workers will notice and your boss will too.



Written by Carla Vaughan, Owner of Professional-Resume-Example.com

Professional-Resume-Example.com is a web site devoted to assisting candidates in the job-search process. Carla holds a B.S. in Business from Southern Illinois University and has authored several books.