Another year has passed......

Yes, today is the 31st of December. 2008 will officially end in just over 10 hours. What kind of year has it been? For many it has been a roller coaster, based on the economy, the job market, the credit crunch, the election.
But the year is over, and nothing we can say or do will ever change it. People worry over too many things. They worry over things over which they have no control, or what ifs. This usually leads to more stomach issues than any thing else Time to move forward. Look at 2009 as a fresh start, a new beginning.
Maybe a new start in a new city? With job.travel, there are opportunities in a multiple of career paths. With the new Directory pages, information is provided for possible re-location. Best wishes in the new year from the job.travel staff.

More Reflections on the Past.....

Besides the past year, people look back over their lives, both personal and career-wise. Some people regret what they have done with either, but that is the incorrect way to look at it. Whether right or wrong, experiences shape the person we are today. I was once told the things to regret are the things we did not do.
My father was a very successful business man. Before he retired it was a 5 bedroom, 3.5 bath home, pool in the yard, nice cars, yearly vacations. I decided to change careers and go to cooking school after he retired. Then he told me that if had the chance he would have played professional baseball. He had been offered a position on the Pittsburg Pirates, but he had a stay at home wife and five children to feed. There was no way he could afford his family on the baseball player's salary back then. So he remained in the business world.
So, if things have not gone exactly as planned, maybe a new career is in store for the new year. People possess many talents and abilities that can be applied to a job they have never considered. Try job.travel for that new start. The past has happened, and cannot be changed, the future is ours to sit back and accept of take a chance and change our path.

Another Year Draws to a Close.....

Here it is the last week of 2008. Amazing how fast time flies. This morning I reminded my boss that it was one year ago that sh rehired me to my old position. Seems like only last month.
Lots has ensued in the past twelve months. The company has downsized due to the decision not to be a branded vacation wholesaler. This move will allow Future Vacations to operate more easily. With the brand contracts, the company was restricted in operations, even within our own brand. Now we can offer cruises and all the necessary side items like flights, hotels, and transfers. Previously the brands had separate cruise operations that we could not infringe on. Currently software is being researched to book everything in one convenient package.
With the downsizing of the company, some employees were thrust into the reality of today's economic times. Even with companies experiencing a downtown, there are still jobs out there for people willing to work. Job.travel has plenty to offer across the country at all levels of experience. Maybe a 're-inventing' may be necessary, and altering a resume to stress particular talents will be needed. Sometimes getting laid off is the start of a whole new career. In fact, that is how I switched from food service to travel, and I enjoy it immensely.

Christmas Eve in the city....

Here it is the end of the work day on 24 Dec. The office is VERY casual mode here. Our boss has been out chatting with all the people on the floor. We were talking of Christmas past and the traditions we all had growing up. Larry pulled up his family's website and let us see his family at Christmas, there are 11 children. YIKES!!
It seems that at the holidays people reflect back over the year and and those previous. It can be both happy and sad events, but that is what shaped the people we are today. Currently I am wearing a Santa hat that has large spiral with a pompom on the end instead of the traditional version. I was told it fits me perfectly.
As stated in a previous posting the president has given everyone an extra day of vacation on Friday. Those that are required to work will receive double pay. In addition, all the employees got a $25 gift card with their checks, and we had hot cocoa and cookies on Monday compliments of the executive staff. Small gestures go a long way to boost morale in these current economic times.
So if looking back on the year makes you think of a change for the new year. Check out the opportunities on job.travel. The next year your memories will be of a fun work environment. Happy Holidays from the job.travel team.

Holiday Cheer

Well, it is two days before Christmas and the second full day of Chanukah, and it was 80 degrees. Not quite conducive to the Norman Rockwell type of Christmas of which people think.
This year will be a low key holiday. Just a few gifts exchanged with my roommate, I have already shipped gifts to my brothers. Since our cruise was only two weeks ago, that was part of the gift swap.
In this time of a trouble economy, maybe the best gift you can give is a warm heartfelt smile, or quality time with your family. My boss spent the weekend in Orlando with her family and had a wonderful time. It will be something they will always have.
Even with jobs being lost, there are still employment possibilities out there. Check out job.travel. Opportunities are endless in the hospitality field.

'Tis the Season

Living in South Florida there are a variety of events and attractions. This being the last weekend before Christmas and Chanukah, the holiday theme is prevalent. Last week at a friend's open house my roommate and I met a man that sings for the Miami Gay Men's Chorus. So we decided to attend the final performance of the Holiday show.
We purchased our tickets on line at the Colony Theater on Lincoln Rad in South Beach. After my roommate returned from church, we drove the 45 minutes to South Beach. We had a nice lunch at one of our favorite places, wandered around some, bought calender and then went to the theater. Lincoln Road is a closed to traffic pedestrian mall lined with shops, bars and restaurants, most of which offer outside seating. It is very European in feel with multiple languages spoken at neighboring tables.
The Colony Theater is an old theater with a steep slope to the floor. We were fairly high but had a great view and the acoustics were great. The show was very entertaining and never got draggy or boring. Well, okay, maybe there was some drag to it. It was an enjoyable afternoon.
I mentioned the Gay Men's Chorus of Miami to illustrate that when traveling, there is more to do then just lay on a beach and bar hop. The professional agents at Damron Vacations can help book your trip and also provide reference websites to complete your vacation experience.

First week is over

Yes, I have made it through my first week after my vacation. It was not as bad as expected. There was not pile of uncompleted work on my desk, no voice mails that should have been handled, and very few emails. So the transition back to the real world was not too bad.
Of course, it is now time to start planning next years vacation. Since I will be here for a full year, I will get three weeks of vacation time as compared to the two this year. There is a very nice 14 night cruise from Buenos Aries to Santiago that looks interesting. That would be in December. I would like to get to Europe again, so who knows which will happen. Future Vacations, Damron Vacations, and Discovery Future Vacations will be a source for finding the perfect trip, whether it is a week in Paris or the South America cruise. The options are endless.

Birthday Cake

Today was my supervisor's birthday, so in the time honored tradition of celebrating, we had cake this afternoon. Today he turned 47 or 23 1/2 twice as he likes to put it. Though 50 is the new 30, or something like that. In February, he will celebrate his 22nd anniversary with the company. That is a long time. And he is not the only 20 plus employee, there are quite a few here. That tells a lot about the company, the management team must be doing something right. In the course of various C.E.O.s there have been great ones and some not so great as I have been told.
Right now we have one of the great ones. Nick is very visible on the reservation's floor. He stops by and chats, and makes himself available to any employee that needs him. Plus the additional day off next Friday is greatly appreciated. So if you need to find a place that treats its employees well, try job.travel, there are plenty of opportunities across the country
With the long weekend I might head down to Key West for Friday night. Just a quick little get away. I'll check out Damron Vacations and Future Vacations to check out any last minute deals. With it only a 4 hour drive, it is a nice little trip. The other option is Orlando, but that will be crowded with families on holiday break, so probably not the best place to be. Key West will be busy also, but with a different group of people, much less children.

Long Weekends and Team work

With Christmas falling on a Thursday this year, it makes for a strange work week. Two full days, one leave early, one off, and back to regular for one last day and then the weekend. As a result, our executive team has decided to close the office on Friday. This will allow some of the staff a 4 day holiday weekend. The reservations department will return to normal on Saturday, or at least as normal as they can be. I can say that since I used to be part of the group. Thank you executive team.
On a visit to my old desk earlier today, I was asked by a co-worker about hotels in Rome. She was dealing with a prospective client for Damron Vacations, and needed some insight. I love Rome and have been three times in the past three years. I got out my guide book and maps to help determine the best hotel for her clients needs. I recommended a hotel for the first few nights since it is trendy and favored by stars and starlets. Never know who will be in Rome for the holidays. The second hotel she had selected was one that I have actually stayed in on my second trip to Rome. It is convenient to the train terminal, easy to get to the airport, and the section of town the client wanted. Hopefully by pitching in with my knowledge, the sale will go through.
With the economy in its current situation, people need to lend a hand, even if it falls outside the scope of their duties. No company will be able to survive with 'it's not my job' attitude these days. Team work goes along way in boosting morale.
So if your work where co-workers are reluctant to help, maybe it is time for a new work environment. Try job.travel, it's a new website for employment in the hospitality and travel industry. It covers a wide range of career paths and opportunities. And if you sudden find yourself faced with a loooonnnnnggg weekend, why not go somewhere? Future Vacations, Damron Vacations, and Discovery Future Vacations have some great last minute packages available, some with discounts up to $600!! And once you are all booked, don't forget about 2go.travel to keep track of your reservations and experiences.

Ho! Ho! Ho!

Well the Holiday Season is upon us. Christmas. Kwanzaa, and Hanukkah are right around the corner, Ramadan was back in September. All of these are festivals of light and new beginnings. It is a time when families usually get together to share happy times. It seems that cares seem to be less important once families gather. Of course, there is always one person that wants to bring down the spirit.
My memories of Christmas as a child involve a cardboard fireplace that was kept in the basement and reassembled for the holiday, and pajamas with feet, remember I grew up in New Jersey. Times have changed. As a child out Christmas tree would go up around the 22nd of December and come down after the first week of January. This based on the 12 Days of Christmas come after the holiday leading up to the Epiphany, the day the Magi arrived in Bethlehem. Now it seems that trees go up on the day after Thanksgiving, and come down either the afternoon of the 25th or the 26th. Seems to be tied more to the commercial aspects of the holiday than the significance.
With the economy in its current state, Christmas is going to be much more low key around the country than in the recent past. But is that really a bad thing? Isn't the holiday season more about togetherness than the price of gifts? Perhaps a family vacation is a better idea? Memories last a lot longer than gifts, and with on line picture galleries, photos can be shared with those that could not make the trip. Try Future Vacations, Damron Vacations, or Discovery Future Vacations for a last minute escape. I might only be for the long Christmas weekend, and taking the family car instead of flying. But it will still be a holiday to look back on and reminisce on long after the video game, iPod, or cell phone has been sold in a garage sale.
Have a Happy Holiday Season from the staff at job.travel.

Back to Reality

Yes, it is over. The highly anticipated cruise is a thing of the past. Nothing left but memories, pictures and a credit card balance. Overall, it was wonderful. There were a few showers along the way, but being tropical in nature, they were over as quick as they started. Only one day was rainy and it was a day at sea, so not interruption of shore excursions.
This year we had a balcony cabin. It was fairly mid-ship and the first level of balconies. It was a nice room and I liked going out and watching the sea go by. Last year we had been upgraded to a suite, which was much larger. The food was wonderful, though Celebrity Cruise line is known for its menus.
Since I am a past guest aboard Celebrity, I was invited to the Captain's Club reception. I did get to meet the captain, the financial officer and the director of human resources. And being prepared, I did give him my card for job.travel, and explained the great cost saving it would provide.
Of the various ports of call, the Panama Canal was my favorite. Our excursion took us to the Gatun Locks, just as a ship was being raised to Gatun Lake from the Atlantic side. The little trains guided the ship from the second lock to the third. After it was in position, the gates closed and water was pumped in to raise the ship to the level of the lake. I found out that during the morning, ships enter Gatun Lake from both ends, and around mid-day, the directions switch and vessels exit the lake into either ocean. Cruise ships pay the highest toll, since they can 'jump line' to make their schedules.
We are already in the planning stages of next year's cruise. It will probably be Buenos Aries to Santiago with a swing by Antarctica, in December, so twelve months of waiting and saving. Remember, Future Vacations, Discovery Future Vacations and Damron Vacations offer all the major cruise lines and some small niche lines too. So if planning a big family reunion, or just a quick get away, check us out for some great deals.

Should I .travel, or .com

In the ever changing world we live in, nothing stays the same from day to day. Computers get faster, cell phones do more, cars have better performance. In the world of computer domains, the original five were .com, .edu, .mil, .org and .int.
Now additional domains are available, with more to be launched in the future. With the original domains, most businesses were lumped into the .com domain. Everything from the florist on the corner to Exxon-Mobil. So there is not much differentiation for different industries.
Then the .travel domain was registered. It is strictly for the travel industry, no florists or dentists. The companies purchasing the .travel domain are screened to verify they are eligible. This is usually accomplished through review of their websites.
So if you are a business owner in the travel industry, why not break out of the .com mold. Contact the trained staff at .travel and enter the new realm of the internet.

Post Thanksgiving blahs

Well the leftovers are showing up for lunch today. There are a handful of people here,though not many. The phones are slow, but most people are in a good mood. We have jobs to go to and a wonderful work environment. One where the president of the company knows your name and will stop at you desk just to talk. Of course, everyone is hoping he comes by soon and tells us all to go home.
Yesterday was a quiet day for me, just hung out at home and cooked a nice lunch. Was only a turkey breast and side dishes. Since the cruise leaves on Monday, did not want a bunch of leftovers. Yes it has been a long time coming, and it is finally here. I have always loved travel, but never really thought of working in the field until a few years ago.
I did interview with Piedmont Airlines like 25 yrs ago, but did not get hired. Then I went on to my accounting career which led to my culinary and how here I am in travel. Guess I have come full circle, maybe I should have stuck it out way back then. But then I would have missed out on some wonderful memories and people.
So if you are interested in a career in the travel and hospitality industry, try job.travel. Whether you are fresh out of college, or been in the work force for 25 years, there are career opportunities for everyone.

Here comes the bride.....

The perfect person has been found, the question has been popped, the correct answer was received, now the planning begins. Where is the perfect place for a wedding? The place of worship you have attended since birth? A wedding chapel in Las Vegas? A plantation house that has been restored? The mountains? How about a lush tropical garden on a beachfront resort on Jamaica?
The backdrop is exotic plant, the aroma of ginger floating though the assembled guests. The blue of the Caribbean accentuating the white of the bride's gown. Sound like a wedding to remember? It is easier than most people think. The trained professionals at Caribbean Weddings can make dreams come true. From small intimate weddings on a remote beach, to large more formal events at an all-inclusive resort.
The details are all handled for family and friends flying in from around the country. Hotel rooms and transfers are arranged. Just make sure you have your toothbrush and your passport. The rest can be taken care of by our staff. The only thing left is the I Dos.

Flight #459 to Peoria is now boarding............

Yes, it is the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. Every airport is jammed with passengers and major interstates are clogged with travelers. Today is historically the busiest travel day of the year. People on business trips are heading home to be with family, people are traveling to hometowns, and some are just trying to get out of town for the long weekend.
I will be staying put for the weekend, maybe the fact that I have to work on Friday, and leave on my cruise Monday have something to do with it. Since I moved away from my family when I was in my mid 20's I always had to travel in the past. Living in Atlanta, one year it took me 2 hours to go approximately 10 miles on my trip to Charlotte. Of course my parents were always, why not leave earlier? But having been retired for several years I guess they forgot if you don't work you don't get paid.
A few of my coworkers will be leaving today to head home, my boss left yesterday for her in laws, and one will be driving tomorrow morning. That's one way of not having to do any cooking, cleaning, or setting up. Hmmmmm, not a bad idea.
There are several events going on in the area this weekend. There is a big softball tournament that will attract teams from across the country. So there has be an influx of several hundred people, both the teams, and their fan base. It wouldn't be right to let the team go without supporters, and besides, Detroit is a bit chilly this time of year. And Ft Lauderdale is mid 70s and sunny.
So if you need to get away to support your local softball team, visit family, or just get away, try Future Vacations, Damron Vacations, and Discovery Future Vacations. Great deals for hundreds of destinations and budgets. There are some FANTASTIC deals on cruise now, especially if you live near a cruise port. Prices as low as $99 per person for a three night Bahamas cruise.
And once you have all you plans made, keep track with 2go.travel. A wonderful system of keeping track from you mobile device.

Communication

In this day of messenger, texting, and emails, have we lost the ability to communicate? Everywhere you go there are people typing away on there cellphones, iPhones or blackberries. Sending texts and emails back and forth. But are they communicating or just filling time not to be bored?
There is an orange juice commercial that I think is SO true. There is an 'orange grower' standing on his 'orange box' and giving advice. My favorites are the view from your front porch is better than from your sofa, and a walk in an orange grove is better that a psychiatrist's couch. It tells me that people are too busy trying to stay connected that they have become disconnected with life.
I have a cell phone, but have never used up anywhere near my monthly minutes. It does not have a texting option on the plan, so I actually talk to someone when I use it. I have no urge to get anything fancier that will do almost anything my laptop will do.
When I lived in Virginia Beach, my place was about 9 blocks from the boardwalk. My favorite thing to do was ride my bicycle up and down at night. There was always a nice breeze, stars, and the sound of waves. I missed most of the hot shows and coworkers thought I was unusual. But I found it very relaxing. Helped to relieve stress built up during the day at work.
Stress at work can be a daunting item. It seems that communication would be a great way to reduce stressful situations. In that respect, out BIG boss is great. With the changes that have occurred in the past year, the employees have been kept updated on the events BEFORE the rumor mill got involved.
Though I have had experiences where questions are asked and answered, but the answers were just the standard ones. The person being asked did not want to bother thinking of the correct answer, just the easiest. This can lead to misunderstandings and mistakes. It also leads to the old adage, there's not enough time to do it right, but always enough to do it over. When a little more thought on the front end, would have lead to less work on the back end.
So if your place of employment is more of the second type, maybe a vacation is needed. A quick get away to a warm beach, a few nights in the Big Apple, or maybe a small town on a river in Georgia, where there is no cell phone access. Check out Future Vacations, Discovery Future Vacations or Damron Vacations. All offer great deals to over 340 locations.
If you want to work at a place like here with lots of communication up and down the organization chart, try Job.travel. Lots of jobs in lots of places. Maybe you can find one near a beach where you can ride your bicycle to relieve any stress from the day. Fresh air and being outside is a great way to clear one's head and breathe deep.

Appreciation

I wrote my last post on Friday morning and left out something VERY important. On Friday we had the company Holiday Luncheon. As I had written earlier in the week it was a free lunch for the employees. The food was served by the executive team of the company. A senior vice president was serving the turkey, hmmmmm was that planned? The president was serving the sweet potato casserole. It was the company's way of showing appreciation for all the hard work of ALL the employees. The past six months have been full of changes, adding some products, eliminating others. Morale was as volatile as the stock market is.
There are many companies that fall down in the respect to showing what the employees mean. This has a profound effect on the morale in the office. Your job becomes just that, a job. Nothing more, nothing less. It provides a paycheck and not more. Even though it was just a free lunch, the big bosses took time to serve it, and it brought most of the employees together at one time. Of course the lunch room got kind of crowded.
My roommate will be receiving a bonus from his employer. And as we all know cash is REALLY appreciated. In the past his boss told him to go out and eat and bring her the receipt. Small things go a long way to making people feel like they are not just a cog on a wheel.
So if you need to get out of a position where it is not pleasant or you feel like your boss does not appreciate your efforts, check out job.travel. There are endless possibilities.

Another week gone

It is Friday afternoon again, the beginning of the weekend. But that also means that five days of my life have gone never to be replaced or relived. Looking back, it was a good week overall. I had a long time friend visit, he was on a business trip an managed an extra day to stop in. Even though I live in one of the most touristy cities in the country, not many people visit. Hmmmm, I make good breakfasts.
I guess most of my friends have settled into a day routine that turns into a weekly then monthly. When I was an accountant I could tell the day of the month by what tasks I had to perform. Was it closing entries? reports? reconciliations? inventories? So I can understand, through in a spouse a child or two, and then jumping on a plane for a quick get away is no longer easy, or inexpensive when it means multiple plane tickets and meals in restaurants. Though with the price of gas declining, and hotels offering discount, a vacation might be in reach. Instead of a new ipod for Christmas or cell phone, just because they have new features, why not a family vacation?
The ipod of phone will be long forgotten, but the memories of the year we flew to Florida for the holidays will be cherished for a long time. Check out the deals on Future Vacations, Discovery Future Vacations or Damron Vacations. There are all sorts of options to make family memories that might fade, but will last more than something purchased and placed under the tree. And once you are booked, you can use the old iPhone to keep track by using 2go.travel, it can last one more year.
And if your life has gotten too routine, maybe a change of careers is in order,or just the location. Job.travel offers a wide spectrum of opportunities all across the country. So maybe after that surprise vacation, or that trip home, maybe you would like to start fresh, or maybe return to your roots, check out the web site, you might find just what you have always been looking for.

Teamwork is not for loners......

In the fast paced work we currently live and work in, the phrase 'it's not my job' does not work. If something needs to get accomplished, then team members need to pitch in and get it done. If a project is going to be delayed because someone is off, then a substitute need to step in.
Recently, a check needed to be sent to a new vendor. My supervisor was informed that the person that sets up new vendors was off for the week and it will be processed then. This was not acceptable to my boss. When the person returned from vacation, everyone was cross-trained on setting up vendors. A company cannot come to a stop just because someone is on vacation.
I have done a lot of things in my professional career, so have many talents. So as my company reorganized I was transferred to a totally new position. Currently I am on the team that is developing the website job.travel. Something that I never expected to be doing in my life. But, it is good training for future projects. My company is a large travel wholesaler, with all sorts of careers. From the reservation agents(my former position) to accountants, to web designers and salespeople. So don't discount the travel and hospitality industry for a rewarding career. Checkout job.travel and get a new career started.

Mid Week Lull

Today is Wednesday. That wonderful middle of the work week 'hump day'. It means only one more day of ironing, since Friday is casual and I don't mind a few wrinkles. And it was announced today that the company is having a Thanksgiving luncheon on Friday. YEAH!!! Free food. I heard last year the food had to be heated up in the microwaves and it was a little stressful. I hope they learned, and the food will be hot. A few years ago, the luncheon was $5 to attend,but I guess that has changed. It is nice to feel appreciated.
One of my coworkers flies to Ohio on Friday, so he will miss out. It is part of that 'holiday' pilgrimage. His family is up there so the whole family is heading north. His mother in law is also going with them. Of course the airline canceled their original flight and put them on a connecting flight. Traveling with 2 children, he called and was put on the other non-stop. So now there is now stop, but the plane is full and there are no seats together. Hopefully they can get some people to move, since the oldest child is only 7. I'm sure it will be a good trip.
My boss went to travel school and then moved to South Florida. He had been here on vacation and knew he wanted to live here. He has worked for the company for almost 22 years. I don't think I've done anything for 22 years. If you want to find a position that will last 22 years, try job.travel. There are lots of possibilities and opportunities in the travel and hospitality field.

The Excitment Builds

Two weeks from today is my cruise. It seems to be taking a long time to finally get here. I think we booked it back in like April. All the shore excursions are booked. The people traveling with us are excited, but then any reason to get out of Jackson, MS would be exciting. Over the weekend I got a new tuxedo, seems the one that I had shrunk terribly while hanging in the closet. I hate when clothes do that. The ties were returned when a nearby store had black silk ties for $12.99 each, as opposed to over $90 for the two from the men' store where the tuxedo was purchased. I even got my haircut so I will be able to get it under control by time we set sail.
With the cruise leaving on the Monday after the Thanksgiving holiday, I will not see some coworkers for three weeks. Though I may work the morning the cruise departs for a few hours. Will be easier than just sitting around waiting, and the office is within site of the cruise terminal. The past two cruises have been from Rome and Barcelona, so lots to do in those cities before departure. And with Rome, the port is about an hour away from town, so we took the train, made the cruise more of an adventure. My roommate had wanted to get a shuttle, but they were $170 per person round trip, the trains and cab from the station was only $80 total for both.
So if traveling is in your blood, try job.travel for a new employment opportunity. There are employee discounts which makes travel more affordable. And even if your hotel is in Des Moines, the benefits usually are chain wide.

Adult Beverage Time

Yes, it is that time of the week, Friday afternoon after 5:00. Just a few more minutes before the weekend officially starts. There is a promotion tonight by the city of Ft Lauderdale Get Downtown. It encompasses closed of streets, free samples from 30 of the top restaurants, and beverages to keep cool(it was 83 here today). There is a $20 cover charge to attend, but I think the beverages are an additional cost. It is to promote people to enjoy the downtown atmosphere, bars and restaurants. With the building of several large condo towers, Ft Lauderdale does have a population that does live in downtown.
I will forgo the downtown crowd and head to one of my usual places. It is not quite as trendy, but is air conditioned. Plus there are very good specials. And it it closer to my home.
Since it is still slow season, tonight's event will bring people to downtown to boost business. On Las Olas, our version of Rodeo Drive, there are many fine restaurants. One is listed as one of the top 100 in the country and the owner was on an IRON CHEF episode. I have eaten there once and the food is very good and creative. Then there is also Himmershee Village which is the original downtown. The street is lined with many small establishments, most with happy hour specials, and others with intriguing menus. Another fine option for a Friday night in Ft Lauderdale.
With all the nightlife for the office workers, it is a busy night of work for the people in the establishments. From the bussers picking up plates and glasses, to waitresses and hostess, to the kitchen staff and managers. Even a small restaurant will have a good sized staff on hand. Job.travel is a great way for these people to find a new position. And it is also great for people trying to get into the travel and hospitality field. Remember the industry does encompass most career paths.

Holiday Angst

It is now the second week of November, where has the year gone. I seems like last week I came back to my old employer, which was on 07JAN. sigh. I remember lots of things I have done and places I have traveled, two trips to Orlando (LOVE the Safari ride), and a quickie to Key West for the 4th of July. There have been numerous trips to South Beach for lunch and a stroll on Lincoln Rd. I think that covers most of the adventures.
Now the holidays are upon us. Most of my coworkers are married with children and families, and are discussing their plans for Thanksgiving and Christmas. My supervisor and his family are flying to Ohio next Friday to be with his mom. My boss is heading to Georgia to be with her in laws. Another team member just got back from seeing her family in Israel.
I have no real plans for either. Since I am new on the totem pole I don't have much vacation time to use. My upcoming cruise will use all of what I have for the year. My family is sprinkled around Charlotte, NC and Memphis, TN. It is just the brothers now and it seems strange having a holiday meal without parents. Plus they have their own families and in laws. And I always had to travel for the holidays, which gets VERY old, VERY quick. If it was a flight the airport would be jammed, driving would be bumper to bumper traffic. So staying home does have its benefits. Last year dinner was at a restaurant and was not the most fun, and NO leftovers!!!
So this year it will be a turkey breast and all trimmings.
Next year the plans are for a possible cruise from Rio to Buenos Aries. That would cover the period from Christmas to New Years. Which is good since I'm not much of a New Year's person. It's the one night a year to stay up late, and HAVE to have fun. Whoopee!!! Future Vacations, Damron Vacations and Discovery Future Vacations all offer cruises as an option. Plus packaging a few nights pre-, post-, or both in a hotel is very easy. The knowledgeable agents can plan it all with transfers included.
So if you are a holiday 'orphan', think about a nice trip to a far off place. Maybe one that people don't eat turkey on the 4th Thursday of November.

Keeping track

Now that I have been discussing the benefits of job.travel, Future Vacations, Discovery Future Vacations, Damron Vacations and 2go.travel, now it's time to see if any one notices me. After a little research, I found a program that will keep track of hits on my blog. It was quite easy to install and hopefully I will not be discouraged by the results.
Like anyone else, encouragement and praise always makes a job more enjoyable. Some bosses seem to never pass it out, especially when well deserved. And these are usually the same ones to criticize for any reason. The management here is great with passing out praise for jobs well done. Just last week there was a little ceremony for two employees celebrating their 25 years of service with the company, and this is not the first one I have attended this year. In fact, the four people that sit near me have 90 years of service combined. That speaks volumes about a company.
So if you are in a position with little recognition, maybe it is time for a change. Try job.travel, it offers positions across many career fields in all areas of the country. So if you are not satisfied, life is too short to be unhappy. make a change to improve your life.

One more step

Like the old saying goes, Rome wasn't built in a day, developing a website takes awhile and many steps until it reaches totality. Currently we are working on slash pages. We call them that since we are not computer programmers that probably have a highly technical term for them. The slash pages will for both cities and industries. Examples being job.travel/Miami, or job.travel/airline. See where we go the name?
With the location pages, those are my responsibility, information is provided to help people research a new city. There is information about population, demographics based on age, wages for the area, housing costs, and weather. There are also RSS feeds for news and events. This will give an idea of a city while performing a job search. It will make it easier since it is all linked through one starting point.
The industry segment will be focused on the career field and not so much individual cities. It will feature feeds on changes in the industry, wages and availability. This would be a good research tool for people entering a career to see where it can take them. I
Both the slash pages will also feature job opportunities, either by area or industry. So stop back often to job.travel to see the improvements.

Monday, Monday.....

Yes, the weekend was over faster than it seemed possible. I think Saturday and Sunday have less hours in them. But at least I have a job in today's economy and I like it. Job satisfaction is high on my list of necessary items. I spend ALOT of my waking hours in the office, so being happy is important.
There are a variety of personalities, and varied places of origin, I think the South African and woman from Singapore are the farthest from home. But the various backgrounds provide for different views on all sorts of issues. The leadership is wonderful here also.
The big bosses say hello, and keep the staff posted on major developments as they occur. This cuts down on the rumors that usually run around offices. Plus, I think it does help morale when the information is provided by a reliable source.
So if you are not happy at your current employer, consider job.travel in your search. The jobs posted range through almost all career paths and across the country. Life is too short to not be happy at work, it ruins the free time available, since you know work is waiting.

Finally Friday!!!!

After quite an eventful week, Friday is finally here, and its payday too. The week started off with the last of the political smear commercials, then the election, not it has finally gotten to where actual news events make it onto news programs. Now it is why one side lost and the other won, and the selection of the new staff. I'm not one of those political junkies, but someone that campaigned on change, why is he choosing career politicians? But that is all on that subject.
It is fall in South Florida. That translates to warm sunny days with little humidity and a nice breeze. Of course there is Paloma wandering around to the south, but she is supposed to head north-east across Cuba, haven't then had enough?, and miss the mainland. On a major news service, it reported a MAJOR blizzard in the northern plains, up to 4 feet of snow. YIKES!!! I like snow, as long as it goes away after a few days. To me there is nothing quite as peaceful as walking in a snowstorm. It just seems that the world is hushed and calm. It has been years since I have seen that much snow, but I hope to fly to Fairbanks so I can see the Northern Lights, one of my 'to do' things.
Most people have things that they really want to do, see or experience in their life. Of course I would love a nice round the world cruise, but until LOTTO pays off, that is going to be a pipe-dream. Though there are lots of more attainable items on my list. There is Buenos Aries and Rio in South America, South Africa, Morocco, and Australia to name a few of the places I would like to see. Carnival in Rio has always had a special draw for me and the running of the bulls in Pamplona. Though some of these trips are on the expensive side, with careful planning and utilizing a good travel wholesaler like Future Vacations, Discovery Future Vacations and Damron Vacations, the experienced staff can help find the best possible price to make your travel experience complete. Once the reservation is confirmed, forward the email to your 2go.travel account and all the confirmation numbers will be right at your finger tips on your mobile device. No more fumbling through a folder of papers for your information.

Looking forward to time off

In just over three weeks I will be on vacation. An 11 night cruise of the Caribbean. I will visit Grand Cayman, Columbia, the Panama Canal, Costa Rica and Cozumel. I have never been to any of these places, closest would be Cancun, and never been to South America at all. I am so looking forward to doing not much of anything.
I like going on cruises, I have done both the Eastern and Western Mediterranean. Those were the last two vacations. The Eastern was in an inside cabin and was my first cruise. I had a great time. The Western was in a suite, I was selling cruises at the time and the sales representative upgraded me 3 days before I sailed. My boss said it was because I did a favor for a client. They had sailed on the same line in the summer and had left a bag at the port for Rome. I made arrangements to pick it up for them to bring back with me and save then several hundred dollars. I guess good deeds do get rewarded.
The previous years I had been to Rome and Paris staying in hotels. When I win the LOTTO, I will buy a place in Rome. It seems that vacation places have always been places where I have wanted to live. It started way back when in the mid 80s when I visited friends in Virginia Beach, Within a year I was living and working there. In the late 90s between jobs I visited Ft Lauderdale, I had been before on short stays, but after being here a week, I wanted to live here. That came true in 2001.
Of course back when I moved to Virginia Beach, I used a headhunter to find a position since the internet was still a novelty. My move to Ft Lauderdale was facilitated through a transfer. Though after getting laid off I used a web based employment site to obtain a new position. Of course if job.travel had been around then, I'm sure my search would have been shorter with less unsuitable jobs being sent to me.
So when you get back from that next wonderful trip and would like to explore employment options, check out job.travel, the possibilites are endless.

Brand new start

Now that the dust has settled from the elections. Some people happy, some sad, life will go on. Only time will tell. So time to get back to the reality of daily life. Back to work and dreams of time off and long weekends. With the holidays rapidly approaching,wasn't it just Easter?,some of the busiest travel days are ahead. People will be heading home to visit family, others will be trying to escape Aunt Molly's dry stuffing. Booking options are plentiful these days.
Some of my favorites are Future Vacations, Discovery Future Vacations and Damron Vacations. These sites offer a multitude of options, from simple flight and car, to exotic cruises with hotel stays before and after. The links are provided to the left. With the recent economic conditions, some airlines have reduced some fares to fill seats. So that quick get away might be possible to a warm sunny beach, or a snow filled valley. Once you have booked your trip, 2go.travel can keep track of your reservations with the convenience of access though you mobile device.
And with the new presidency, maybe a new career is also in order? Once you have returned from your trip, maybe you want to move there. That's how I ended up in Ft Lauderdale. Check out job.travel, we offer jobs across the country in the travel and hospitality industry. And remember, the industry ranges from the front desk clerks and waiters to accountants and human resources to senior executives. This is an industry that has options for many career paths.

Finally here

After what seems like 10 years of campaigning, election day has finally arrived. Living in south Florida, there have been early voting polls open for the past two weeks, all 17 in Broward County. Lines were usually at least an hour and up to three depending on the location and time you went. So far 38% of registered voters have already cast their ballot through early voting or absentee. I will head out this evening after work. My polling place is across the street from my condo, so it is very easy.
The past few days have been awful with the political commercials. It was back and forth between both parties taking jabs at the other's candidates. The truth is most are out for their own self, nevermind the public. I think we should start a campaign to get politicians OUT of Washington. With everyone spouting change, the only way to do it is get a whole new set of congressmen.
So along with a new soon to be president, why not look for a new career? Job.travel is a new site that can help get you into the travel and hospitality industry. Remember, it is always free for job seekers, and great savings for employers.

AHOY Matey!!!!

This being the last few days of October, it could mean only one thing in Ft Lauderdale......BOAT SHOW!! While children, some not so young, are putting the finishing touched on their Halloween costumes, sales representatives and suppliers are doing last minute inspections of their wares.
The Ft Lauderdale Boat Show is the largest in water show of its kind in the world. The products for sale range from small run-a-bouts to large custom built mega-yachts. On a drive last weekend over the bridge closest to the show area, all the marina slips were empty. Rental of space in that area is like a condo hotel situation. In a condo hotel, you cannot have your week over major holidays, and in the marina, you can't have it Boat Show week. So therefore all the regulars have to move out for a week.
This weekend, the view from the Las Olas bridge will be of dozens of multi-million dollar toys. It is quite a view. Gleaming yachts with various color hulls and superstructures, but most tending to be white. Some have 'tender's on board bigger than most family's boat, jet-ski platforms, and all sorts of additional toys stored for pleasure.
The average person can purchase a ticket and attend the event which also has inside display space in the Convention Center. It is like a toy store for adults. People walk around and dream of a new fishing boat with a tuna tower, or upgrading to a larger size of their current model. The smaller mass produced boats are generally open for public inspection, while the custom built models are by appointment only. These are usually privately owned that are rented back by the manufacturer for the week. Only people with serious intentions and bank accounts get on these.
The boating/yachting industry is an integral part of Ft Lauderdale's economy, its nickname is the Venice of the United States. Positions for marinas are available on job.travel, along with ones on the large cruise lines that make Port Everglades home. So if you have answered the age old calling to work near the sea, check out job.travel.

Moving on up.......

Change is good. I have started working on a new area of the job.travel site. In the near future, job.travel will offer informational pages on cities with job opportunities, eventually to cover most areas of the United States.
The information will include facts on population, weather, basics on housing. the composition of the the employment environment. This will enable job seekers to perform some basic research in case of relocating to a different part of the country. Also included will be feeds for current weather, events and top news stories. And most importantly, jobs available from the main job.travel site.

BRRRRRRR

Well, here it is the last week of October and autumn is making an appearance. The first of two cold fronts passed through yesterday and the second will be sometime today. It was overcast yesterday but not very humid and today is bright sunshine with a nice breeze.
This morning on the news during the weather section, the meteorologist told the audience to bring in pets and plants ahead of tonight's temperature drop, it will be approximately 59 at the coast and 52 inland. brrrrrrrrr! Tomorrow at work people will be in long sleeves with sweaters AND jackets to ward off the frigid temperatures. Okay I admit that the normal low for this time of year is 71, but don't really think that 59 is all that cold, considering it snowed a few weeks ago in Montana.
Winter in Ft Lauderdale was one of the reasons I moved here. The nightly lows are around 60 and highs in the mid to upper 70's with very little humidity and a water temperature around 70. I'm getting too old for real winter with cold, wind and drizzle. From here I can fly to visit family and winter if I really miss a nice ice storm.
So if you are ready to move based on trying to escape winter, or maybe to find it, check out job.travel. Remember hospitality and travel jobs are worldwide.

On the Road again....

Today the job.travel team attended a job fair in the Ft. Lauderdale suburb of Davie, which at one time was the leading producer of tomatoes in the United States, but I digress. The event was held at a large catering center in a very nice ballroom. I would estimate there were around 20 exhibitors attending. These ranged from colleges, to companies, to providers of tools to obtain positions. These being job.travel and the state of Florida's Workforce One.
In attendance were an estimated 1150 people per the organizers of the event. The crowd ranged through all ages and professional levels. Some seemed very interested in the offerings and others seemed more concerned in picking up pens and other promotional items. A large home improvement chain was present with orange tote bags that made collecting material easier.
With job.travel being located next to the Workforce One booth, we were well positioned. Our neighboring booth helps jobseekers with all aspects of the search. Workshops on resume writing, interview techniques and dressing the part. In talking to their staff, the two websites will get linked to provide additional resources for job seekers.

Internet restrictions

As with any company, there is always the upgrading of equipment, much like websites. Lately our computer department has added new servers to our system. Along with new hardware, come new restrictions on website accessibility. There will always be blocks on certain sites that have 'questionable' social value. But some sites kind of get dragged into the NO VIEW zone based solely on letter combinations. So, emails have to be sent to the administrator to add the legitimate sites. In fact, this site was deemed 'not appropriate' for viewing, until I explained my blog was work related.
In talking with the administrator, I found out that people were circumventing the system by using internet proxy passwords. These allow people to bypass the restrictions and view blocked websites. This tells me that come people have too much free time at work and might need additional work. There is a warning screen that pops up when you enter a restricted site. It is a black background with red writing and WARNING that flashes. It kind of brings to mind the robot in Lost in Space, DANGER!DANGER! Will Robinson!!
With the new servers, our system will work faster for out valued clients, which is always good. So if you need a vacation package, try www.FutureVacations.travel, or for a new job, www.job.travel.

T.G.I.F.!!!!!

I do not care how much you may like your job or how rewarding it is, everyone LOVES Friday afternoon. Some people have plans at a favorite 'watering hole', others may have a date, and some just look forward to sleeping in on Saturday morning. Though as I have grown older, sleeping in means 8:00am, if I get up at 9:30, I feel half the day is gone.
It seems that people are more relaxed on Fridays. Here at my office it is 'casual' dress, which means blue jeans. Though some of the single women seem to put more thought into their Friday outfits then weekday attire. I will wear blue jeans and one of my regular shirts. Though my jeans cost more than my khakis do, hmmm. One former coworker would come in wearing old jeans and t-shirt, to me it was more like sloppy Friday as opposed to casual.
Another nice thing is payday is on Friday, and we all like those. It seems that Friday is the day to go out to lunch. Since the office is in downtown there are several options nearby. Also the New river is only 4 blocks away with benches and gazebos if you want to take your brown bag lunch outside. Now that fall has finally arrived, the humidity is lower and so is the daytime high.
So if you have thought about relocating, try www.job.travel, we are headquartered in one of the largest resort cities in the country with LOTS of possibilities.

Alpha, beta, gamma........

Improvement is VERY important in today's business world. Being stagnant will leave you behind as quickly as lead shoes. With the electronic age, websites are constantly upgrading features and appearance. Just yesterday I noticed my local newspaper unveiled a new format. Article 'groups' were moved to different areas, and turquoise was used to delineate the sections. It looks very nice.
With the job.travel site, the new beta version will be launched soon. I has a more relaxed feel and new features. This will make for a better experience for both employer and job seeker. After all, if a website is not easy to navigate and use, then it will not be popular.

Good Work Environment

Being happy at work seems to be elusive to some people. Is it their attitude? The boss's? Company policies? For whatever reason, it is not a good situation. Considering that people spend the vast majority of the week at work, only place that comes close is sleeping.
If it is a personal attitude problem, then the source needs to be determined. Is the position underpaid? lack of a challenge? Outside influences? If it is from outside influences, you should not let them effect the work atmosphere. In a personality test, it was determined I was an 'influencer'. This meant that my mood would influence that of my coworkers and staff. I made a conscientious effort to be in a good mood when I entered work. Plus, everyone has something in their lives, and really don't need another person's issues drag them down.
Working for an unpleasant boss is not the ideal situation either. It is amazing that some people get promoted or hired into management positions. Though profit and efficiency is rewarded more than for morale. But studies have shown, that happy employees that like the boss are more productive.
Company policies are decided long before most people are hired. Some have been in place for decades and have not evolved with the work force. Having to wear uniforms was the rule at my company 20 years ago. Uniforms have their place, especially in areas where public interaction is common. The reservations floor here is a call center and only interaction is over the phone line. The uniform rule eventually was replaced with business casual and blue jeans on Friday. Not having to wear pantyhose or ties is a definite plus. But then, people started to abuse the 'business casual' and there was a minor crackdown on interpretation of the rules.
We are lucky here. Our boss is great. She walks out on the floor and talks to all her employees, and knows them by name. She eats in the break room with the rest of the people. The big boss is just as good. He comes down and talks and tells jokes. A former boss would slam her door and 'shush' us if we made too much noise. No one really misses she who shall remain nameless.
So if work is not an enjoyable part of your life, maybe a change is needed. There are lots of possibilities out there. One new place is www.job.travel. Remember the travel/hospitality field is varied and employs most professions.

Unusual jobs

In my circle of coworkers we did an informal poll of the most unusual jobs that we have had. Quite a wide variety of experiences in such a small group.
My most unusual job was being a librarian while in college. What makes the librarian position unusual is that I'm am not a quiet kind of guy. My boss made the comment that I have problems being quiet for more than 5 minutes. Another asked if there was training on how to 'shush' people. Of course I was in the Math/Science Library so most of the people were writing a thesis and was quiet to start off with, nothing like the Undergraduate Library across campus. That place was busier than most bars on Franklin St.
My boss volunteered she worked at a local grocery store chain in the bakery department. It lasted one hour. She did not like the hair net AT ALL. Her boss paid her cash so as to not have to spend the time to enter her in the system then delete her. That probably would have taken longer than she worked.
Another coworker held a multitude of jobs while in high school and shortly thereafter, mainly since they were all part time positions. We came to the decision that working at the funeral home was the most unusual. He started out parking cars for the services, he was VERY busy in the winter since Ohio is not known for pleasant winter weather. He was given more responsibility as time passed and eventually was picking up 'clients' at the airport in the hearse, and actually moving them.
Lastly, we have picking apples and pears in the Pacific northwest. Having recently arrived from Israel, one coworker and her husband to be decided to explore the United States. Their original plan was to work in the fishing industry in Alaska, but that changed. They met up with a few more expats and went on a job hunt together. They were hired, all 6, at the first orchard they stopped. Picking apples must be done gently, since bruises will only worsen during shipping. The individual fruits are picked and placed in the container. Of course this is a slow process and way to make money. Her 'companions' decided that shaking the tree and picking the fruit off the ground was faster and easier. Only problem is, great way to get fired, and not just by the first orchard, but any subsequent groves once they found out. My coworker and her husband decided to part company with their fellow pickers and headed down to Los Angeles.
The positions mentioned are not truly 'unusual' jobs, and this is not meant to offend anyone. It is if you met the people involved, you would understand.

Slow periods

With the current economic situation, people are re-assessing their spending habits. Now that LARGE SUV that can seat 8 and pull your house if it was on wheels might not have been the best decision when buying the last family car since you only have two children and have never even thought of driving off road. Take out or delivered meals five times a week are taking a large bite out of the budget these days too. A few years ago it was no problem, just refinance the house to pay the credit cards off and the car, wait two months and start the cycle all over.
I grew up in middle class suburbia. Dad went to work and mom stayed home to take care of the family. The family income was sufficient for all the needs and some luxuries. The yearly family vacation was at least one week at the beach, while in NJ it was in a rented apartment in a large beach house. Once we moved to NC, it was in a hotel on the beach, but still within the family budget. Mom cooked each night and we all sat down together as a family. Our clothes came from Sears or JC Penny, and there were two cars, both station wagons, in the driveway even though 5 people drove.
Today, people seem to think that a morning Starbucks, lunch out and some sort of meal picked up or delivered in the norm. Coworkers complain about low commissions yet stop buy to buy coffee on their way in, free coffee here at work. Then there is the $6-7 lunch each day. I might treat myself to lunch on Friday, but I pack my lunch the rest of the time. I cook on Sunday afternoon for the week, sometimes I cook on Wednesday if running low. Dinner is usually something light.
I have been sharing recipes and cooking secrets with one of my coworkers. She is a single mom and would make most of her meals out of a package. First item she learned about was sauteed spinach. She never realized how easy it was and how much better it tasted. It is now a staple on her menu. Then came Sweet Chili Sauce on chicken, her boys loved it and she never has leftovers. Last week she combined the sauteed spinach with boneless chicken to produce stuffed chicken breasts. Now she is eating items previously purchased, but since homemade, much healthier and less expensive.
In these times of cutting back a little organization, and watching grocery store ads, families can still survive. Maybe cutting back will include not buying a new car every two years, or $100 athletic shoes(sneakers in my day) every time a sports star comes out with a new model. And maybe a new car when your child turns 16 will have to wait. They can drive mom's used one after hers is replaced.

It does work

There is now tangible proof that the job.travel website does produce results. A separate part of my company posted a job on job.travel the end of last week. On Tuesday, yesterday, the contact person received a resume from an applicant. It is nice to see that people are taking the website as a legitimate source for job search.
The current webpage is the 'alpha' version and the 'beta' will be launched soon. It will have a more intuitive feel to it and easier to navigate. Also the new version will offer a great subscription rate of free for the rest of 2008, and $99 each for 2009 and 2010. This rate includes unlimited postings and resume searches. Of course, job.travel is always free for job seekers.
The web site has great search features for both the seeker and employer. Seekers can search by zip code, city, state, position, or by specific company. Employers can also seek by experience and education levels. Though I do recommend not getting too detailed in searches, since this may eliminate the perfect job or candidate. Remember, not all people will describe a job using the same 'buzz' or key words.
Once a satisfactory position or candidate is located, job.travel will send out alerts. These alerts can be sent to an email address or a mobile phone or both, you choose. Jobs or candidates can also be saved for more exploration if you are in a rush, that way a subsequent search will not be needed.

Making yourself known

Since job.travel is a new website, the BIG push is to get people to the website. The well established mega site had a bit of a 'leg up'. One was developed by a recruiter with an active data base of employers and searchers. The other was developed in conjunction with several newspaper publishing companies, so they had the employers already and searchers knew to browse the want ads. Being the 'new kid' can be a bit lonely and daunting. So how do you get recognized?
We started out calling vendors that are part of the large vacation wholesaler that we are associated with. Unfortunately, our buyers, know their buyers, not their human resource departments. We still called and sent emails to hopefully get noticed. It worked for a few. Emails and calls were also made to employers that were on the other websites if the information was provided. A few more postings. 'Knocking on doors' garnered a few more postings.
Then for the personal meetings. For job seekers we had booths at job fairs to get resumes posted. Various trade shows were attended in the hospitality field were attended. We also joined the local Convention & Visitor Bureau Chapters. These chapters have monthly meetings for members to attend and network.
Now for the social networking angle. One local organization has monthly luncheons, a happy hour social and various other functions. Two weeks ago a coworker and I attended one of the after work functions, it was only a few blocks from work. We passed out a few cards and collected a few. The attendees were from a variety of fields, though the sponsor told us that several large hotels and restaurants are active in the group.
Today was the 'power' lunch at a downtown hotel. I assembled some information including my card an a nifty pen and set off. I was very early and distributed the material on the chairs and then walked over to the socializing room. Name tags were provided and made it easy since company names were also listed. The group was varied, but I only recognized a few people from the previous social. I did get a chance to pass my card on to the catering manager who said he would let human resources know the rates.
Since my web-page is not a 'stand alone' entity, I did some networking for other areas of the corporation. There was a local business journal representative, that would be a good way to get out name out in print. There is also an awards dinner in the next few weeks with a silent auction, a way to get the vacation branch of the company out there.

Makes one wonder

Having worked at a variety of jobs, it amazes me that there is always one person that hates their job. And it is just not a minimum wage person. I have known executives that do not like their jobs. And usually these people cannot wait to tell coworkers the reason for their displeasure. I think that by sharing their bad disposition, they can bring other people into the same line of thinking.
My question is: if you do not like what you are doing, or where you are working, why not change? This is country is not a regime where you will work at your assigned job no matter what. We are free in this country to change companies, careers and cities where we live.
I was an accountant and found it not very stimulating and rather dull. Yes it paid well, but enjoying life is more than a big bank account and a new car. But then the current economy situation kind of shows what 'successful' people can do with a good credit rating. In a previous post, I related my career change to food service and several major relocations.
With the internet, looking for new career options is much easier and can be done without your current employer aware of it. Maybe you like your profession, but it the industry that is dull. When most people think of hospitality and travel, they picture hotel clerks, housekeeper, bartenders and restaurant staff. But a large hotel is similar to a manufacturing plant. There are office workers( front desk, operators, accountants)and the 'plant workers'( maintenance, housekeepers, food outlet staff). There are managers and staff employees. At corporate headquarters, it is the same as any large operation, with presidents, vice presidents, executive level and the general staff.
So if you are not satisfied with your current situation, consider changing fields and check out job.travel. The hospitality and travel industry may surprise you with the opportunities offered.

New ways and opportunities

In an ever changing world, new ideas and methods are always being introduced, and old ones are retired. This is most noticeable with the advent of home computers and the internet. As recently as 20 years ago, very few people had a computer at home and the internet was something in science fiction. When I worked for the packaging company in Memphis, a new 'main-frame' computer was purchased from IBM. It was about 4 feet tall, 3 feet long and 2 feet wide, the price about $250,000. It was not quite as powerful as my $375 laptop I bought on sale two years ago. Of course, my laptop is archaic now.
Most people turn to the internet as a source for information and entertainment. From various chat websites to on-line encyclopedias, access is as fast as your internet provider. Research is done on major purchases, used to locate a new house, decide on vacation destinations, manage investments, and search for new employment opportunities.
On the last topic there are LOTS of places to search for a new job. Local newspapers have classified sections, there area few MEGA employment sites and then a few niche sites specializing in specific areas of employment. While the MEGA sites do offer plenty of opportunities and exposure, they can become overwhelming. The jobs run from landscapers to automotive to hospital staff to the technology sector.
With job.travel, the employment opportunities are in the travel and hospitality sector only. So no sorting through unrelated fields and industries to locate a new position. The registration for a job seeker is quick and easy, uploading a current resume is a snap. No resume? There is an on-line tool that helps you create one for employers to read. In the Career Center portion of the website, advice on all aspects of the job hunt is provided, all the way to accepting an offer. Best of all, it is FREE for seekers. The rates for the employers are much more reasonable than the other sites, starting at less than a regular latte!

Back away from the adding machine.........

After working for the specialty chemical company, I changed careers. I enrolled in culinary school. I had always liked to cook so decided that food should be my life. Since I already had a degree from UNC, I just went for an associate's degree in Occupational Science. Through a friend I got a job at the Omni Hotel in downtown Norfolk in the banquet department as a server. I absolutely enjoyed the job. Basically set up for a party, work at it, then clean up and go home. Most were happy occasions, like weddings, graduations, major birthdays. And some business meetings. This was the area I would spend most of my following years of employment. During the summer I would also wait tables at an oceanfront restaurant in a hotel. This got me through my two years of school.
After graduation, I decided to move to Atlanta. The internet was gaining in popularity and I found the employment section on line. I went to work in a hotel running the restaurant and bar. While an enjoyable job, it did not pay enough and I went to work for a large caterer through a friend's recommendation. Another fun job, though definitely more work since it was all 'off-site' events. Which translates to load a truck, unload, set up, work the party, clean up, load, unload and put away. Getting home after 2am was not unusual, and during the holiday season, 36 hours in a weekend was normal.
After a 'Spring Dance' pre-party at one of the regular customers, I was approached by a vice president of an international food service company. One of his accounts Emory University, needed a catering manager and would I be interested. I think I started three weeks later. Same type of work but only on the campus, so MUCH less travel to sites.
Working in catering you meet a variety of people, from former presidents, world leaders, film stars, and one of the wealthiest people in the country, known for his investments, not his computers. All were very polite and friendly.
I eventually made it to Ft. Lauderdale after a brief stop in Savannah. I was still working for a large food service company in the business dining division. Which means VERY few weekends at all, and home by 5 usually. Things were going real well until the company decided to start out-sourcing the operations and two cafeterias and a cater manager were not needed. As the result of down-sizing, I was laid off.
But this being the new millennium, there was now LOTS of possibilities to find employment. I did not even have to go anywhere to file for unemployment, I did it from home on my computer. I signed up on the BIG sites and a niche site also. While I found several opportunities, I ended up making a connection through a social networking site, at a large travel wholesaler. For years I sold vacation packages to both travel agents and the general public. Very enjoyable since people are in a good mood when planning a vacation to Europe, Disney, or Hawaii.

Moving On........

After the 'learning' experience of my first job, I obtained a position as the Accounts Payable/Receivable Supervisor at a flexible packaging company in Memphis. It was very fascinating since most people don't think where the potato chip bag comes from. Well a lot come from Memphis. There are lots of types of plastics, papers and foils that are used. Some prevent UV rays, some are for oxygen, extruded layers of color add dimension to the printing. One benefit was the availability of snacks in the office. At one point I was in charge of efficiency of the plants and machines, and was located in the old plant where the lab was located. So, as a result, new products would be developed and shipped off to be filled by the food manufacturer and returned for tests. Of course the test were on the packaging not the food item, as a result afternoon snacks.
Having not grown up in Memphis, I was not very fond of living there. HOT in the summer, dreary in the winter. After three years of work, and the final payment on my car, I packed up and moved to Virginia Beach. The ocean was always one of my favorite places to go. I had friends that lived there and let me stay with them until I got a job. This is still pre-internet so I went the 'recruiter' path. Before the actual interview, my recruiter gave me pointers on what to stress and recommended a library visit to research the company's products. I started work as an accountant for a large international cement/concrete products company as cost accountant for the aggregate division. I never realized how much money was in sand, gravel and stone. I learned that cement is a base that when combined with a small aggregate, sand, was mortar, and a large aggregate, gravel or crushed stone, was concrete.
With a decrease in military spending in the early 90's the building supplies business started to decrease. I again used my recruiter to work at a specialty chemical company. There I learned there is an additive made for ink that makes it stick to paper better. I've never had a issue with ink sticking to anything, especially my fingers or shirt. With this job I was exposed to 'networking'. All the accounting staff was encouraged to join Institute of Management Accountants, which was fine since the company paid the dues and for the meals. There were monthly dinner meetings with a speaker and a social time before hand. Was a great way to meet people for possible future jobs. But this would be the last in my accounting phase.

The Real World

Graduation came in May of 1982. Out in the real world, with a degree. Well, not actually. I had rented an apartment for my senior year and still had a few months left on my lease, so I stayed until August. During my post graduation 'vacation', I took additional accounting classes to help with my business degree. But the most exciting thing was learning to sky-dive. Of course when you are 22, you are invincible, and heal quickly. It was a fun summer, but it had to end and I moved back to Memphis in August.
Way back in 1982 we were in a small recession and entry level jobs were scarce, so a few more classes at night at Memphis State. Back in the day, there was no internet and job posting websites, just the Sunday paper, word of mouth and trips to Kinkos to get resumes printed and have matching envelopes. I usually went with a light smoke gray to stand out from all the ecru. Through diligence with the Sunday want ads I got an interview with an auto parts chain. Some things happened that day that should have warned me. I was driving my '69 VW to the interview, when at a light I shifted into 1st, and a BIG cloud of blue smoke enveloped the car and it made a strange noise. I pulled it into a parking lot and left it. So now it was 30 minutes til my interview, and I'm on foot. Luckily this all happened 2 blocks from my brother's house. I woke him up(he worked nights) and drove his car. After a brief interview and basic accounting test I got the position. YEAH!!!
The first Monday, my father wakes me up with.....only 55 more years of work.UGGHH! I was a staff accountant for the auto parts stores replacing a guy that was promoted to a new position that required LOTS of travel. He trained me on my duties and a few weeks later, he left. Within two weeks he was back. Maybe it was the fact he was still recently married and had a 3 month old child. His wife did not like him gone 3 or 4 nights a week. So now there are two of us with one job, with me being the 'newbie'. That meant I do all the work and he gets paid anyway.
This was not the best of situations. Add to it the accounting supervisor had been an English teacher, and the Controller did not go to college. Though the most interesting part of the office culture was the 5:00 Happy Hour. The old mail room was used as a liquor cabinet in the mail slots. This was possible since the accounting office was 5 miles from the headquarters and no one ever visited.
Needless to say, this job lasted about 6 months. I guess my old VW knew what was in-store and tried to warn me. At my exit interview the human resource representative came to our location. I gave standard answers to why I wanted to leave after only six months, too far to drive, etc. Then I told the person to go make a copy for me, and told them where the copier was in the mail room. It took quite awhile for them to get back after they noticed the bar set up in there. When he finally returned I was told to use him as a reference and not the accounting department staff. Was a stressful 6 moths, but it was a good learning experience

First Job

I remember getting my first job in high school. I was a Junior at a Catholic school, and it was Spring. Every year the school had 'Spring Fling' where normal classes were canceled and basically a week of fields trips was substituted. I don't know if it is still offered,but I would guess not with the way society has gotten. But back to my job. One of the 'Spring Fling' offerings was a trip to either a Spanish or French speaking country. Since I had taken Spanish, I wanted to go for my Senior year.
The cost of the trip was going to be about $600 plus additional for gifts. So while walking in the mall, I saw a shop was opening selling bagels and frozen yogurt. This was WAY before either one became so popular, it was 1977. I called the number and interviewed and got the job. I was working afternoons and Saturdays for minimum wage, I think it was like $2.65/hour. During the summer I worked mornings.
I started off cleaning up the bakery after the production was completed for the day. On Saturdays I also helped to make the bagels. Once school was over I started going in at 6am and helped with the baking. The bakery was in a small warehouse district and it was not air-conditioned. So you can imagine how hot and humid it got, since the first step in making bagels was boiling them.
I also got to deliver the bagels to our shop and few others around town since we were the only ones that made fresh bagels. Eventually we got in a few grocery stores too. During the Jewish holidays, we would also make challah. That is where I learned to braid a loaf using 6 strands.
This job lasted until I went off to college so I would guess about 18 months. I easily supplied the required money to get my passport, go to Spain, buy souvenirs, and go out after football games. So I guess this was the start of my love of international travel and my culinary degree.

Life's Changes

In the course of most people's careers, changing jobs is common. It can be from finding a better opportunity, deciding to relocate, getting fired or even laid off. Most of mine have been from deciding to relocate, guess that explains why I have lived in four states since I graduated from college. But now I am settled in Ft. Lauderdale and will stay here until I win LOTTO and move to Rome, but that is another post.
I have a friend that worked for the same company for over 21 years only to get laid off. Having not searched for a job or interviewed in that long, he had no idea where to start. First thing he did decide was to move away from Alabama and start a new phase of his life where he wanted to be. Then came the job search.
Using his computer he produced a variety of resumes emphasizing different aspects of his experience and education, from his engineering degree to his MBA. This allowed him to respond to ads with a resume which met the requirements needed. By modifying his resumes weekly, it would always surface to the top of searches. Eventually, he obtained a position that satisfies him. Because of his work experience he used the 'mega' sites that post jobs from mechanic to hair stylists to nuclear engineers.
With job.travel, the scope is limited to the hospitality/travel fields, which eliminates many jobs the searcher is not interested in. There is the ability to store several versions of your resume. This allows you the opportunity to match the position's requirements. Remember, fabricating experience is not acceptable on any resume. The variations in your resume could be stressing managerial experience, operations, or maybe financial aspects of past employment. Always be honest with your experience, and you will have no problems.

Success

After MANY attempts, I have finally succeeded in uploading my websites logo. I tried googlesites, photobucket, straight from my computer, but finally got it to work using a 'hypersnap' of the new home page. I guess perseverance does pay off in the end. The logo displayed is from the 'beta' version of the website which will roll out in early October. It has a more polished look and easier to operate.

Once the new version rolls out, the various pricing plans will be offered, the Silver or Gold. Both allow unlimited postings, but the silver limits the number that can be active at one time. They are very competitive in pricing, with the Silver Plan starting at less than $2/day. That is less than your daily latte.

Getting Started.....

New to this whole blogging thing, never even kept a diary as a child. Guess a first time for everything.

I have recently started work for a new employment website, job.travel. It is for employment in the travel/hospitality fields. Currently, since we just started in July, we are concentrating on just Florida. Eventually will go national and international. It is always free for job seekers and very reasonable rates for employers.

I also am a part of FutureVacations.com. It is a great site that offers packages with almost 20 air carriers and include hotels, cars, even cruises. Makes it easy for a total vacation experience booked through one company instead of trying to piece it together like a jigsaw puzzle as with discount websites. We offer destinations in the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, Europe, South America and more. And the best part, we have agents that can help you plan you trip and a real live customer service department to help with any issues, not just an email address.