Money Management - Employment
Successful recovery involves gainful employment. Not only does a job increase your legitimate income so you can support yourself, it improves your mood. Whether you’ve been fired or quit a job due to your addiction, following rehab you have an opportunity for a fresh start. Being financially responsible entails having a steady income so you can handle your bills without adding undue stress to your life. A major contributor to stress is unemployment. Go to a Michigan Works Office today to find job leads. Use the web address at http://www.michiganworks.org/about-michigan-works/ to find a location near you to get the help you need. Frequent your local library to use their computers to research information concerning job openings, resume writing and for looking up specific company web sites. Also look for the weekly, free and local Employment Guide available at the unemployment office, community library or local convenience store.
Another stressor related to employment is transportation. Think about where you live in comparison to the job you want so you can plan for how much time and money it will cost you to get to and from work. Do the math to see the costs associated with paying for a monthly bus pass or for budgeting all the costs associated with having a car. You must be absolutely sure that you have the transportation option necessary to get to and from your job under any and all circumstances.
Once you have been selected for an interview, it’s important to make a good first impression. It’s been said that it takes interviewers less than a second to form their initial impression (Wargo, E., (2006)). An interviewer wants to see:
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If you appeared at the interview at or before the scheduled time and do not appear stressed, distracted or exhausted.
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If you used a firm handshake; use direct eye contact; have appropriate facial expressions and body language.
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If you are relaxed yet respectful.
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If you are neat, clean and dressed appropriately.
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If your attitude and confidence match up with what your resume outlined as your work experience.
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If you remembered the interviewers name and expressed appreciation for their time and consideration.
When you make a good first impression, you set the tone for the interview. The Human Resource professional will take the rest of the interview looking for answers that confirm his or her positive (or negative) expectations of you. Decide ahead of time both what you will wear and what you will say during an interview. Be prepared for an interview by rehearsing answers to interview questions.
Mock interview questions
Why are you looking for a new job?
How long have you been looking?
What is the longest period you have gone without a job and what was the reason?
If you had only three words to describe yourself what would they be?
If I called your last boss and asked what area you need to improve on, what would s/he say?
What do you know about our company and why did you decide to apply here?
What is it about this opportunity that most excites you?
What concerns or hesitations do you have about this opportunity?
Why should we hire you? What can you offer us that someone else can’t?
Do you have any specific minimum wage you need to make?
What day’s and time frames are you available to work? Can you work on Sunday’s, if so during what times?
Tell me about your cash handling (or inventory) experience?
Describe a problem you had to deal with that involved money.
Tell me about about a typical customer complaint that occurred in any one of your jobs.
Did you feel the complaint could have been avoided and, if so, how?
We can sometimes identify a small problem and fix it before it becomes a major problem.
Can you tell me about a time you have done this?
Have you ever been responsible for performing a supervisory or group leader role? Please describe.