Kay Williams

Hello Everyone,

Well I know that many of you have used this blog of mine to assist and prepare yourself for interviews. I found out just recently that my position was eliminated, my husband also was let go from his company. So here we are both out of work, is it scary? Hell yes...what are the odds of something like this happening? But all you can do is keep your head up and just continue to move forward. We are both Recruiters and how ironic is that...we help people find careers and here we are looking for work at the same time...So we will too be utilizing many of the areas and things that I have once shared with you. We are in a very tough time, but we will pull through this, we have no choice but to move forward and to persevere! This blog will stay up and I will continue to post things here, feel free to utilize this to contact me...I wish you all continued success in your job searches too. Let's see what chapter we will start in our lives now!

Kay Williams

"Handicapped" A BAD WORD?

The controversy of the word Handicapped, do some searching and see what you find.

The word handicapped should never be used as it derives from the practice of paraplegic World War II veterans holding their caps out begging. It comes from the phrase hand i' cap or hand in the cap.
Respect our War Veterans and use the word Disabled

This is what some say but is it True?

A Mothers Love...Old Folk Stories

Over the last few weeks, I have found myself sharing this old story...This was a story my mother shared with me many years ago as I had my children and I never forgot it!
As we share lifes lessons with our children this is one to share!

There was a young man who had fallen in Love with a beautiful women...she had many suitors!

This young man expressing his deep Love for her had said "I would do anything in the world to prove my Love to you" I want to make you mine, tell me how I can make this happen, I would be the happiest man on earth.

So...this beautiful women said to the young man, "if this is so, then to prove how much you love me, I want you to bring me back the Heart of your mother!"

The young man was so troubled by this, but he loved this women so much that he did not see how else to win her love...

He had gone and killed his mother and took her heart in his hands and began to walk back to find his true love, as he was walking, he tripped and fell...

At that moment, he heard his mothers heart say "My dearest Son...are you Hurt?"

The Moral: No matter what, a mothers love is so strong, it never dies for her children!

Randy Pausch Last Lecture: Achieving Your Childhood Dreams

This is a Must watch...I know that it's a little long, but it's not long in perspective...this man is no longer with us on earth, he has passed, but he left his mark on the world...His name is RANDY PAUSCH...



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ji5_MqicxSo

interviewing

Getting ready to interview? Well jump on the Net and start doing your searching...

First and foremost do the research on the company that you are interviewing with, if asked in an interview "What do you know about us and why do you want to work for our company?" You can give them factual info on there company! Makes a great impression, Tell them that they are a company you've targeted as wanting to work for...Wow sounds like you know what you want!

Doing a Competency Interview? Google Competency Interviews
Doing an interview for a Executive Chef position? Google how to interview for an Executive Chef
Google, questions to ask in an interview!, or final interview or what ever you are interviewing for.

Role play as if you were the person who was interviewing for this position. You'll start to improve how you present your skills and feel more comfortable when you are being interviewed.

When asked what your salary is, tell them what you are making break it down Base and Bonus, don't role it all into one lump. You don't want to state a figure way to high, compare Apples to Apples!
When asked what your looking for, respond, "I know you will make a fair offer based on this position" Don't state a figure as you may come in lower then what they anticipated or higher and your ruled out!

It's a fact that if you spend the time to prepare for your interviews, you will do much better!

Here are a few videos to watch that may help you!

http://youtube.com/watch?v=JYqI0mAp2AY

http://youtube.com/watch?v=-zIQruPEDmg

http://youtube.com/watch?v=cCQdloL8HV0

Not getting a lot of response to positions you have posted/applied for? Look at your resume, could you need to fine tune it? You'll know when the phone starts to ring...

http://youtube.com/watch?v=LH6XPn_3LUo

http://youtube.com/watch?v=djhv4N4Zbbo

Good Luck!

Take a moment of your day and view this

Take a moment and watch this video...This is my world, my son is in the US Army Infantry!


http://s259.photobucket.com/albums/hh289/Impish_Dragon/?action=view&current=Untitled.flv

Job Search Widget

Let a career find YOU with a job search Widget


The job search Widget delivers the most recent career options right to your desktop. Set your Widget to find openings in the state of your choice and reveal the most recent updates hourly, daily or any time that works for you.

All you need to do to get started is:
1. Visit <http://widgets.yahoo.com/download/> and click Get Started Now to download Yahoo! software.
2. Download the Job Search Widget Here.


If you are ready for a new position, a promotion or if you are looking to relocate, let our Widget find the right opportunity for you.

Stop surfing to find your dream job. Let it find you!

Give Thanks

Please take the time to view this video...having a Son in the Army ready to deploy in August, I have been with him when people have come up and Thanked him, he says it makes what he's doing so worth it at that moment and I have to say that it makes me so proud to be his Mother and to stand next to him...He is MY HERO!

God Bless all our Men & Women in the service! and the ones who are now Veterans too!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNsCCOczSrw

Bring them all the way Home

Bringing our Troops all the way home...

Post Tramatic Stress Disorder

This is a real issue...Take the time and gain the knowledge! it's the least that we can do for what they do for us and our freedom!


My Son Elias A. Kostakis Currently training and ready to Deploy Aug. 2008
God Keep him Safe and Bring him back home to us...

http://yourtotalhealth.ivillage.com/post-traumatic-stress-disorder.html?pageNum=1

http://www.aboutstressmanagement.com/stressrelief/anxiety-and-tension/stress-disorders/post-tramatic-stress-isorder.htm


http://www.revolutionhealth.com/conditions/mental-behavioral-health/ptsd-post-traumatic-stress-disorder/ptsd-post-traumatic-stress-disorder?section=section_01&s_kwcid=ContentNetwork986143434

A Friend Emailed this to me and It touched me so much, I'm sharing with you....

There is a God in the Post Office.

This is one of the kindest things I've ever experienced. I have no way to know who sent it, but there is a beautiful soul working in the dead letter office of the US postal service. Our 14 year old dog, Abbey, died last month. The day after she died, my 4 year old daughter Meredith was crying and talking about how much she missed Abbey. She asked if we could write a letter to God so that when Abbey got to heaven, God would recognize her. I told her that I thought we could so she dictated these words:

Dear God,

Will you please take care of my dog? She died yesterday and is with you in heaven. I miss her very much. I am happy that you let me have her as my dog even though she got sick.I hope you will play with her. She likes to play with balls and to swim. I am sending a picture of her so when you see her. You will know that she is my dog. I really miss her.

Love, Meredith.

We put the letter in an envelope with a picture of Abbey and Meredith and addressed it to God/Heaven. We put our return address on it. Then Meredith pasted several stamps on the front of the envelope because she said it would take lots of stamps to get the letter all the way to heaven. That afternoon she dropped it into the letter box at the post office. A few days later, she asked if God had gotten the letter yet. I told her that I thought He had.

Yesterday, there was a package wrapped in gold paper on our front porch addressed, 'To Meredith , 'in an unfamiliar hand. Meredith opened it. Inside was a book by Mr. Rogers called, 'When a Pet Dies.' Taped to the inside front cover was the letter we had written to God in its opened envelope. On the opposite page was the picture of Abbey & Meredith and this note:Dear Meredith,Abbey arrived safely in heaven.Having the picture was a big help. I recognized Abbey right away.Abbey isn't sick anymore. Her spirit is here with me just like it stays in your heart. Abbey loved being your dog. Since we don't need our bodies in heaven, I don't have any pockets to keep your picture in, so I am sending it back to you in this little book for you to keep and have something to remember Abbey by.Thank you for the beautiful letter and thank your mother for helping you write it and sending it to me. What a wonderful mother you have. I picked her especially for you.I send my blessings every day and remember that I love you very much.By the way, I'm easy to find, I am wherever there is love.

Love,God

If you knew you were dying...

This is a must see video clip...a friend sent this to me and I watched as I got the tissues out!

You will find that it will humble you and make you stop and think of your life. I try to live my life with the Motto of pay it forward, I try to help each person that I come in contact with either by a word of encouragement or guidance in how to interview well and make an impression. At the end of the day all we have are our good deeds...

My very best friend in the world who I've known for over 35 years got in a car accident in November of 07 and unfortunately her husband did not make it, she never got to say "Good Bye" or "I Love You"...She is my Tigger (video clip) I Share her pain everyday and all I can say to her is "I Love You & I'm here for you!"


Make each day count and try to help everyone that you come in contact with... Pay it forward!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=roRGBqGgbqY

Counter Offers

Counter Offers

For those who haven't had the pleasure of experiencing a counter offer, it is one of the most common scenarios played out today to keep an existing employee from leaving for a new employer. Counter offers come in all shapes and sizes - ranging from offers of more money to title promotions, to leased cars and other benefits.
The idea is basic: companies entice departing employees by offering ups and extras. They often tempt the individual with an offer of a promotion, or prey upon their insecurity (ex. fear of the unknown, feelings of guilt, etc.) by making a more emotional appeal. The conversation can open with anything from, "How much will it take to get you to stay?" to "We haven't given you the recognition you deserve, please give us another chance." The present employer will then come up with promises that are seemingly lined with gold. Are they? And furthermore, should employers use them?
In a survey done by the Wall Street Journal, over 50 percent of individuals receiving counter-offers after turning in their resignations accepted them. Within eighteen months, 93 percent of those accepting counter offers had left, some voluntarily and some fired. All of the remaining 7 percent were actively seeking new employment. All in all, the reasons the employee had for searching for new employment in the first place do not go away just because they received more money or a promotion.
Given these alarming statistics, many companies have policies against making counter offers. A national survey recently conducted by The HR Team, Inc. of human resources executives (at companies with more than 50 employees) found that less than 20 percent of respondents even make counter offers. For the minority that does make counter offers, the criteria is dependent upon: the employee's contribution to the company, the value of the employee, the skills of the employee, the position, and the employee's previous performance.
KEEP RESIGNATIONS SHORT, SIMPLE AND POSITIVE

Leave your employer on a positive note. Your moving on does not have to be a time for long faces. After all, you have just won an opportunity to advance, an opportunity for which you owe your employer sincere thanks. Thank your colleagues, too, for their help in preparing you to move onward and upward.

If you have given your best to the job, you will be missed – especially by those inconvenienced by your leaving! Let them know that you intend to assist them in whatever ways you can. By showing your boss and firm due respect, you encourage future support you may someday need.

When you resign, keep your conversations simple and concise. The more you say, the more questions you may have to answer. Avoid lengthy discussion about your new opportunity with your old employer. Typically, your resignation creates extra work for others.

Chances are, your boss will be caught off-guard by your resignation, and will not be able to listen clearly to your explanations due to concerns about the sudden challenge your leaving presents. Because your boss is losing as valued employee, he or she may express negative opinions about your new firm or position. This will only confuse you. You may find yourself having to justify your personal goals and decisions or absorb the personal frustrations of others. If you’re dealing with volatile or vindictive personalities, it may be best to avoid revealing where you will be going.

If you feel you may face a hostile atmosphere, resign at the end of your workday so that you are no longer on company time and are in control of your schedule. Try to schedule any discussions for the following morning when everyone can face your departure after time to absorb and reflect on the news. If you have to defend yourself at this first meeting, or if things begin to get out of control, ask to re-schedule the meeting for a more appropriate time.

Hope this information helps you in your steps toward your new Career change.

Dear Kay



It was a pleasure speaking to you in reference to my job application at Sodexho. You made me feel very comfortable and it was a pleasure speaking to you. I felt like I have known you for a long time. You have made the interview process an enjoyable one and people like you are what organizations need. Sodexho is very lucky to have you as part of their team. After speaking with you I had a positive feeling about our conversation. Again thank you for everything and hoping to talk to you in the near future.



Sincerely(Chico) F
February 12, 2008 3:55 PM

Dear Kay

It was a pleasure speaking to you in reference to my job application at Sodexho. You made me feel very comfortable and it was a pleasure speaking to you. I felt like I have known you for a long time. You have made the interview process an enjoyable one and people like you are what organizations need. Sodexho is very lucky to have you as part of their team. After speaking with you I had a positive feeling about our conversation. Again thank you for everything and hoping to talk to you in the near future.

Sincerely Aniello (Chico) Furino
February 12, 2008 3:55 PM

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Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is God's gift, that's why we call it the present

History:

1989 Game-winning RBI, official statistic dropped after 9 years of use NY Mets Keith Hernandez is the all-time leader with 129

This Day Jan 31 - Explorer 1
January 31st 2007 09:21
information extracted from Reference.com This day marks the day where the United States entered the Space Age with its first successful launch of a satellite into orbit, Explorer I. Explorer-I, officially name Satellite 1958 Alpha (and sometimes referred to as Explorer 1), was the first Earth satellite of the United States, having been launched at 10:48pm EST on January 31 (03:48 on 1 February in GMT), 1958, as part of the United States program for the International Geophysical Year. The satellite was launched from LC-26 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida on board a Juno I rocket.

Thank you

Hello Kay,

I wanted to take a moment to thank you for your time the other afternoon. I really enjoyed speaking with you. I appreciate all of your recommendations....you made the phone screening process very comfortable, plus you have a terrific sense of humor!!

Again my sincerest thanks for everything!!
Have a great weekend!!!

Regards,
A.T.

Hi Kay!

Building that playground seems so long ago, but it was great to see it all over again. To make a long story short, the assistant principal asked me for help with the project. She originally just wanted to see if we could provide food for the event. Then she needed volunteers. So I arranged for a full breakfast and lunch service to be provided by Sodexho and Preferred Meals. When Mrs. B* needed people, I started recruiting Sodexho folks, vendors, and colleges. We had about 200 Sodexho folks volunteer from school services, campus services, and facilities services. We had Sodexho vendors volunteer as well. I was asked to be a team captain and recruited 2 other Sodexho managers as well. The day before all the voluteers came to build the playground, we had a prep day, which Sodexho provided the food as well. But we basically dug up the whole concrete. It was one of the best experiences of my life. Its always great to give back to the community and help re-build New Orleans. I think the most rewarding part of my job is helping the New Orleans Recovery School re-build. We've build other playgrounds since then at other schools we service food to. We donate time and food to the Kaboom projects at our schools. I hope all is well with you. Once again, thanks for giving me that chance to make every day a better day. To think, I almost left Sodexho.

Below is the link of the show
http://bventertainment.go.com/tv/buenavista/regisandkelly/special/neworleans/project-playground.html

VC Area Manager
Sodexho School Services

Hi Kay,

I don't know if you remember me or not, but you helped me get a managers job with the New Orleans School Services back in September 2006. I just wanted to thank you for all your help and persistence. I have wanted to stop and thank you so many times, and have always gotten side tracked. But I am so thankful that you took the time to help me stay with the Sodexho Organization. The last 9 months have been so challenging but so exciting. Staying with Sodexho is one of the best decisions I could have made. Thank you for truly making my day a better day.


V C
Area Manager
Sodexho School Services

Thank you

Kay,

Thank you so very much for the time you spent with me today.
You have an amazing capacity for making people feel comfortable in speaking with you, and I certainly appreciate that.
I have never spoken with anyone who has made this process as enjoyable as you did today, and the amount of information you have given has been amazing. I know of no one willing to do that.
I had to write and let you know how much I appreciated speaking with you today, as well as to let you know that I have received the information you were kind enough to send.

I hope your holiday is filled with wonderful moments and special people!

Denise A

This was sent to Corp. HR from a candidate that I interviewed, this makes my job rewarding, knowing that someone cared and took the time to send a Thanks


Message:
To Whom It May Concern:

In recent months I've had the opportunity to switch roles in Human Resources from interviewer to interviewee. Some experiences have been enriching, others not so, but each experience has definitely assisted in forming my opinion on a particular organization and whether I myself would apply to, or refer a friend to, apply to a particular organization. As a former HR Generalist I spent countless hours advising applicants on skills to strengthen, resumes to edit, and interviewing skills to sharpen in an effort to assist them in becoming a part of my team. Some applicants heeded my advice and to their own praises were successful in their ventures, others not so much. My point being that throughout my career I have learned that being a professional and positive representative of an organization has not only a great affect on one's self and future but that of the many whose future you affect. I had the pleasant experience of speaking with a Ms. Kay Williams, Sr. Recruiter with Sodexho today. Together there was a very warm & endearing exchange of information where I felt that I learned how Sodexho has contributed to the professional success of her and others. I also learned how Sodexho could invest in my career-pathing goals & development. The best part about the experience was that although she was honest in advising that in the event this search not fulfill my future endeavors, that Sodexho offers so many opportunities. She was the complete on-boarding package of care, positivity, & optimism. In closing, what I can say is that being an HR professional, striving for personal & professional success is affected by those you meet along the way. What I'm hoping for in my future is that I continue to meet those that possess the nature and values of what Ms. Williams projected of herself & Sodexho.

Cheers, Desiree`