It Might Be A Crazy Life, But It's My Life!

It's been a while since I've been on here, and to say the least, life has been INSANE, so I'm here to catch you up.

As some of you know, I'm currently unemployed, due to being let go from JSP. Things ended VERY tacky, I knew I was being lied to, so I was expecting to be let go. When that day came, I was more relieved than anything, because it finally happened and I was no longer questioning when.

When I was let go, I had just started my course with NFPT to get my personal training certification. It's taken me a little longer than I had hoped, but I'm finally done with the course and am scheduled to test for my certification on Thursday.

The week before last I worked a camp for Waters Edge Encampment, I had a little bit of down time before camp started, so I decided to send out a few applications for training positions. I got some calls the next day, and was able to schedule 2 interviews for the next Monday. Both interviews were with 24 Hour Fitness, one was with the Willowbrook location, and the other one was down the street.

Had my first interview at 11am, and that was the most awkward interview I've ever been to in my life! First, when I get there, they tell me that the guy cancelled my interview, but since I was there, the would see if one of the other managers could interview me. A few minutes later, my original interviewer walks in with the statement "Oh. I don't think I cancelled that one." (*That didn't give me a whole lot of confidence in how the interview would go*)

We sit down in his office, he asks me 2 questions, then says "well that's all the questions I have, do you have any?" Then was completely incapable of answering any of my questions.

So with that interview taking a whole 10 minutes, if that, I had PLENTY of time until my 1pm interview. So I decided to head over to the other location to see if I could interview a little earlier, or if I needed to go kill some time. They gave me a packet to fill out, and were able to interview my a little before my scheduled time.

That interview went MUCH better, me and the manager seemed to click, and he was able to answer any question I could come up with. At the end of the interview, the manager told me that he really liked me and that his only reservations were that I'm newer to training, and that that club is an older clientele and he's not sure how well they would accept a younger trainer. And that if he couldn't fit me in at that location, that he would recommend me to another location.

Well I got a call this morning, from that manager, saying that as soon as I pass my certification test on Thursday, that I have a job waiting for me!

And to top it off, me and Austin started volunteering with Needham Fire Department (btw: check out their SWEET trucks!) and we get to pick up our training gear tonight! I've already been warned that the purpose for that gear is for the training scenarios, so it's not the stuff that's issued to the firefighters, but I'm still about as excited as a kid going to Disney World! lol

Tips For Running a Successful Business

I know I usually entertain you with interview and resume tips, but due to some recent events, I thought I might enlighten you with some tips to running a successful business. You all know the make more money than you spend part, but I figured I'd toss in some that some people seem to struggle with.

• The golden rule. Treat your employees the way you want to be treated.
• Take responsibility for your actions. Your employees will respect you a lot more if you own up to what you did than if you blame someone else.
• There will be times in which you find that you may have to let someone go, meeting with them and telling them in person would be the best way to handle this. Over the phone is acceptable, but not preferable. However, telling a person via text message is in no way acceptable and only sends the message that you're a weasel and need to grow a pair.
• Finally, keep in mind that what goes around comes around. If you treat your employees like crap, it won't be long until you find yourself out of business and looking for a job yourself.

Interview Tips Continued:

I had a feeling the last round of suggestions wouldn't be the last that I had the joy of passing on to you, I just didn't expect some of these this time around. You might want to use the restroom before reading these suggestions as I am not responsible for you wetting yourself. Keep in mind that these are not made up and actually happened in our office. Now sit back, relax, and prepare to laugh.

* No matter how attractive you find the receptionist, don't ask her out on a date. (refer back to the last round of tips for reasons why)

* Being early to the interview makes a good impression. Walking in the door right on time out of breath because you obviously had to sprint up the stairs to be on time, not so much.

* If you have trouble finding the place, call the office, they can probably help you find the place. Arriving 15 minutes late for the interview because you got lost and didn't bother to call reduces your chance of being hired.

* It is not appropriate to wear a ball cap to your interview. Even though you are wearing a suit, topping it off with a ball cap isn't considered "business professional"

* There is a good chance that your interviewer will ask you for your resume (especially if they asked you to bring one with you), it is suggested that you have your resume in your hand, or maybe even in a folder to keep it free of wrinkles. Folded up in your pocket, not so much.

* Ladies: If you decide to wear a low-cut shirt for your interview, I'd suggest wearing a cami under it. The only exception to this tip is if you are interviewing to be a stripper or something along those lines. Otherwise, cover the girls.

* Keep in mind that most employers drug test. With that said, walking in smelling of weed, doesn't give the impression that you'll pass that test.

* This tip is a good interview tip, but should also be observed in day to day life. Instead of bathing in cologne, just bathe. And deodorant is not optional, especially in Houston.

Due to the fact that I found these tips too important to hold onto for a long time, I didn't have as much time to gather them. As much as I hope people will take note of these tips and use some common sense, I highly doubt this will be the last round of tips. Until next time, stay smart, or at least try to.

Male or Female?

Many romance Languages (Italian, Spanish, French) give even inanimate objects a gender. In French, for example, this determines whether you use "la" or "le" in front of the noun. If English designated things as either male or female, here are a few of our recommendations...

• COPIER: Female, because once turned off, it takes a while to warm up. Because it is an effective reproductive device when the right buttons are pushed. Because it can wreak havoc when the wrong buttons are pushed.
• HAMMER: Male, because it hasn't evolved much over the last 5,000 years, but it's handy to have around.
• HOT AIR BALLOON: Male, because to get it to go anywhere you have to light a fire under it... and, of course, there's the hot air part.
• HOURGLASS: Female, because over time, the weight shifts to the bottom.
• KIDNEYS: Female, because they always go to the bathroom in pairs.
• REMOTE CONTROL: Female... Ha! You thought I'd say male. But consider � it gives a man pleasure. He'd be lost without it. Lastly while he doesn't always know the right buttons to push, he keeps trying.
• SHOES: Male, because it is usually unpolished, with its tongue hanging out.
• SPONGES: Female, because they are soft and squeezable and retain water.
• SUBWAY: Male, because it uses the same old lines to pick people up.
• SWISS ARMY KNIFE: Male, because even though it appears useful for a wide variety of work, it spends most of its time just opening bottles.
• TIRES: Male, because it goes bald and often is over inflated.
• WEB PAGE: Female, because it is always getting hit on.
• ZIPLOC BAGS: Male, because they hold everything in, but you can always see right through them.

Tips For Those Seeking Employment:

As some of you know, I work for a marketing firm and am currently doing a lot of our administrative work. So I'm in charge reviewing resumes, booking interviews, etc. I've enlightened the facebook world with several of my tips and thought I would also put them here in case anybody ever needs to refer back to them. These are not listed in order of importance, but instead just the order in which they came to us:

• When returning the call of your potential employer, don't assume that they automatically know who you are. Keep in mind that there is a good chance that you're not the only message they've left.


• When you've applied for jobs and receive a call from a number that is not stored in your phone "Yo, it's yo homeboy" is not an appropriate way to answer the phone, keep in mind that you only have one chance to make a first impression and that was it.


• When you are on a phone interview and your potential employer asks "What is your biggest strength?" appropriate answers would not include things like "Gatorade," "My abs," "I can out drink anybody I know," or anything else along those lines. There is a good chance that they're asking about characteristics which would include things like communication, leadership, or things along those lines.


• If you feel the need to address your cover letter to the company or human resources director, make sure you put the correct name and spelling. If you miss that, you better hope that you didn't put anything along the lines of "great attention to detail" within your resume.


• When on a phone interview don't relay your interview questions to your friend in the background hoping that they'll come up with a good answer. PS: we can hear you asking them


• On your resume if you attended college, put the college you attended on your resume, and it is also acceptable if you would like to put the high school you graduated from. However, it is not necessary to list every school you attended back to elementary school.


• When applying for jobs, you may want to consider removing the ringback tone from your phone. Keeping in mind that you only get one chance to make a first impression, and your potential employer hearing songs like "Get Drunk and Be Somebody" or anything that contains curse words, is probably not going to be the best first impression.


• Though this tip seems very basic, it seems to be the one that people struggle with the most: put a phone number on your resume. Keeping in mind that having a working number on your resume is more effective than a non-working number. How do you expect your potential employer to contact you if you don't put a working phone number on your resume?


• To elaborate on the previous tip, it is not suggested to put the phone number of an angry ex-roommate as your call back number. Keeping in mind that they are angry at you and are not afraid to tell your potential employer how you wronged them and all the reasons why you should not be hired. May I suggest either getting your own phone or putting the number of someone who is slightly happier with you?


• This tip also seems very basic, but it also seems to be one that people struggle with: read the job posting before applying for the job, or at minimum, read the title. Employers are not out there to trick you into applying for their position (they don't want their time wasted). Employers usually post hints throughout the ad about what the job is, some employers are really nice and even put the hints in the title of the ad such as "Entry Level Marketing Position." Though this title does not inform you of details such as what kind of marketing, what products, etc. it does tell you that the position is marketing and is entry level. If you are either (a) not looking for a marketing position, or (b) don't want to start entry level, just ignore this ad and move on to the next one. Do not, I repeat DO NOT apply for the job and say "EWW! I don't want marketing!" when the potential employer calls to schedule you for an interview. Keep in mind that technology is advancing quickly and it will soon be possible for that potential employer to reach through the phone and smack you up side your head. Consider yourself blessed that you were given this tip before technology reached that point.


• When creating your resume, it should not resemble a personal ad. There is no need to include the fact that you enjoy domestic chores or long walks on the beach. Keep in mind, your primary mission should be to find a job, not a spouse.


• And on that note I will leave you with an example of an inappropriate resume/cover letter/who knows what. Keep in mind that we didn't not make this up, did not put anyone up to this, and and actually received this email. The only edits made were removing the name and email address: Hi i am J___ S___ got your email address from craigslist, I am a female..I Live in califonia.I am 5"9, a white buisness woman, a Good devoted christian woman and also a Caring and Loving woman. I'm really looking for Someone Honest,Caring,Romantic,Kind,Posses Great Sense of Humour,Understanding,Intelligent,Respectful and Trust Worthy..WOW.
I would like someone that will love and respect me for who I am, that likes to hold my hand and surprize me with a little kiss when I least expect it,or give me a wink from across the room to let me know he's thinking about me or give me a call just to let me know he's thinking about me... Because I will be doing the same.
I like fishing,camping,reading,going to the movies,hanging around with friends,cracking jokes,listening to music,dancing, and also spending time with someone intresting
I would love someone who is fun to be around, likes to laugh, joke around, enjoy being outdoors going for long romantic walks, enjoys looking at the stars at night, and watching the sun set and rise over the ocean. I am looking for someone that enjoys the simple things in life, just as I do. I would like to meet someone special that I can grow old with, and that we can always look into each other's eyes and know that the love between us is just as wonderful and exciting as the day we met
I want to love a man for who he is, to spoil him, and love him, and let him know just how much he means to me, by the little things I do or say to make him feel special. While at the same time he treats me in the same way....with love and respect.
I am a person who looks beyond what may be the obvious. Character is worth more than flashiness. I am a person who appreciates honesty and a great sense of humor. I love to laugh and to enjoy the simple things in life. I would appreciate a person who has a good sense of who he is and a sense of direction about where he wants to be. I can appreciate a man who sees a woman as a friend and a partner. I love old movies and old
songs. I love jazz and the arts. I know that men and women all have an inner child within and that is why I would appreciate days filled with fun and laughter. I respect and adhere to taking care of business in
life--family, work, community, etc
I was born and Raised in spain,Now in Usa, I am Single ,I have no Kids I am a woman of High Moral Integrity,caring,loving easygoing.funloving open minded woman,Honest,God Fearing and Supportive You are free to add me to your Yahoo chat List so that we can chat or send me a mail at (_______@yahoo.com)
No One Knows where the Right One Lives.
I hope to hear from you soon

Though I doubt this will be the last of the interview/resume tips, I think that's enough for now. Until the next round, stay smart, or at least try to.

My world is expanding as my butt is shrinking!

As some of you know, I've been working out like crazy to hit some major goals, I just thought I'd take a second to show some of my progress.

Crossing Off The Bucket List - Skydiving

On January 8, 2011, Jon and I marked skydiving off our bucket lists!

And I'm free! Free fallin'!

Just hanging out

Back on the ground. That was awesome!

Yup, we even got certificates. lol