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Drug Testing Centers – Why Employers Want You to Visit One

May 5, 2011 / Michelle Burton

It’s a common misconception that employers only request drug tests before hiring individuals to operate heavy machinery or a vehicle. These days, many employers require a drug test, credit check, and/or a full background check before they’ll hire you. Employers aren’t interested in invading your privacy or putting your lifestyle choices under a microscope. What they are interested in is maintaining a drug-free work environment and there are plenty statistics to support this interest.

For starters, companies have a legal obligation to protect other employees from harm. Drug users are 3.6 times more likely to cause an accident at work. Next, companies also have a legal obligation to distance themselves from individuals that may put them in a position to support drug use, whether intentionally or not. Companies must also protect themselves from other issues such as high health care costs and worker’s compensation claims. When compared to drug-free co-workers, drug users are one-third less productive, they are 10 times more likely to call in sick, health care costs are three times higher, and they are more likely to file a worker’s compensation claim.

If an employer uses tax credits and federal grant money, it must comply with the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988. The Act states that any company that uses federal money or tax credits must maintain a drug-free workplace. So, if you take a drug test and it comes back positive, no matter how qualified you are for the position, the company cannot hire you, period.

Taking a Drug Test

If a company requires a drug test, they will likely send you to a drug testing center of their choice. They will provide a form for you to take to the drug testing center, but you can schedule your own appointment. After taking the test, the drug testing center will complete the form and send it to your potential employer. A positive result will help move the hiring process forward. A negative result will stop it in its tracks.

It’s important to note that some employers perform random drug testing. This means that even if you’ve been in a position for years and your record is clean, a positive result at any time can still cost you your job.

Your Career

4 Brands that Extend Themselves Past the Product

May 4, 2011 / admin

In today’s digital world, companies are finding more ways to reach past their product to directly interact with their customers. In years past, it was nearly impossible to really bond with customers, but with social media brands have more power than ever to communicate and connect with their clientele. Let’s take a look at four brands that are extending beyond their product through the power of social media.

The Reach Card

This is much more than a prepaid credit card. Sure, you’ll get the same great benefits that a prepaid card will give you, but the Reach Card on Facebook has really extended itself beyond its brand. The company has turned to Facebook as a way to share with its customers. You’ll find information about your card and how to improve your credit score. The Reach Card Facebook page is a good example of going beyond the product to connect with consumers.

Whole Foods Market

Here’s another example of a big brand reaching out to customers through Facebook. Whole Foods Market lets their customers know everything that is going on through social media. In fact, the company asks their Facebook fans for their opinions! Go ahead and recommend new podcasts, read and watch interesting information that is recommended by other fans and attend company events. You can do all of this from the Whole Foods Market Facebook page.

Ford

Yes, even Ford has figured how to effectively use Facebook to interact with customers. Have you seen the latest Focus commercials? All of these ads actually originated through Facebook. Ford shows videos of upcoming products, lets you contact Customer Service and even allows customers to find out how to “go green”…all through social media. Ford is one of those “old” companies that has found a way to be “new” by utilizing social media in a good way.

When it comes to brands making a presence, the use of social media is an absolute must. It’s not enough anymore for companies to make a couple of commercials or create a flyer and call it a day. Nowadays, it’s important for any brand – big or small – to have a way to connect and communicate directly with its customers. Facebook allows brands to know immediately what a customer wants and how to deliver it. This can only lead to greater brand loyalty and an increase in sales. After all, isn’t that what all brands really want?

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What are the Different Types of Insurance Jobs?

May 3, 2011 / Michelle Burton

Whether you’re an insurance sales agent or underwriter, you’ll likely work with all types of insurance from auto to life. Insurance sales agents are in the business of selling insurance. Also called “producers,” insurance sales agents sell life, property and casualty, disability, health, and long-term care. They work with businesses, families, and individuals to find the best policies to protect their property, lives, and health. Some insurance agents work with all types of insurance, while others specialize in one area.

Life insurance agents sell policies that pay beneficiaries when the policyholder dies. Health insurance agents sell health insurance policies that help cover the cost of medical care in the event of an accident, illness, or injury. Health insurance agents may also sell disability policies and dental insurance. Property and casualty insurance agents auto insurance to businesses and individuals, as well as property insurance policies that protect against loss due to theft, storms, fire, and vandalism.

Insurance sales agents have other tasks outside of selling. They provide financial planning services and advice on minimizing risk. They maintain records, prepare reports, generate new business, and settle insurance claims. Insurance sales agents work for one company. Independent insurance agents are brokers who work for several companies. Around 21 percent of insurance agents work for insurance carriers and 51 percent work for insurance agencies and brokerages. Twenty-two percent are self-employed.

Insurance underwriters calculate risk. They make the decision about who insurance companies should grant policies to and under what terms. Underwriters use advanced technology to analyze information provided by insurance applicants. This technology helps determine which types of risks are acceptable and won’t result in a loss. Once risk is established, underwriters prepare policies that cover the risks. Some companies are conservative in their underwriting activities while others are liberal. An insurance underwriter is expected to work under these guidelines, whether he agrees or not.

Qualifications for Insurance Jobs

To become an insurance sales agent, a college degree is preferred. Companies also prefer graduates that majored in economics, business, or finance. Some colleges offer insurance courses and others, such as Indiana State University and Ball State University, offer a bachelor’s degree in the field. Although a degree isn’t mandatory to become an insurance sales agent, a State-issued license is. Licensure requirements are determined on a state-by-state basis, but they require successful completion of insurance courses and a passing score on several exams.

Insurance sales agents average $45,430 per year (median). The middle 50 percent earn $33,070 to $68,730 per year. High earners average $113,930 per year. In addition to earning a good living as an insurance agent, job growth looks great. The industry expects to add 51,600 jobs over the next seven years, which is a 12 percent increase in job growth.

Becoming an Underwriter

Most companies prefer to hire college graduates for underwriting jobs. A degree in business administration or finance is preferred, but a bachelor’s degree in any field in addition to accounting and business law courses might get your foot in the door as well. Insurance underwriters average around $56,790 per year. The highest paid underwriters average around $99,940 per year. Although you can make a good living as an underwriter, job growth is down. The industry expects to lose 4,300 jobs over the next seven years.

For more information about insurance jobs, visit the Bureau of Labor Statistics at www.bls.gov.

Your Career, Your Compensation

Bringing the Small Business Feel to Corporate Offices

May 1, 2011 / admin

It’s felt by many that a small business generally has a more laid-back feel; that more people are comfortable in this type of environment. Because of this, there are many corporations that are starting to move toward having a small business feel. There are many ways to do this and you can easily bring the small business feel to your large corporation.

Casual Days

Have a casual Friday, or even a whole casual week every once in a while. This simple act can do a lot for employee morale, as well as helping everyone feel a little more comfortable. Many people get frustrated having to dress in business dress every day. Having a casual day can significantly increase the happiness that one feels in the office. Make sure that you do set guidelines for your casual day, so that it doesn’t get out of hand.

Celebrate Birthdays

Many big businesses today have done away with birthday celebrations all together. There are a variety of reasons for this, ranging from the cost to the thought that it is not professional to possible food allergies. If there is a possibility of food allergies, you can at least celebrate with birthday decorations. This will help the employees of your company to feel more welcome at their job, and more at ease through the year.

Pay for Lunch

You don’t need to buy your employees their lunch every day, but many smaller companies provide lunch to their employees at times, just because they want to. There doesn’t need to necessarily be a reason to bring in lunch. Everyone loves free food, and when you provide this to your employees, they will appreciate the company more. Even something as simple as bringing in donuts, or ordering pizza is usually greatly appreciated.

Allow Personalization

Most people spend a large portion of their lives at work. Because of this, it can become disheartening to work in a completely business and sterile environment. Allow some personalization at your employee’s cubicle or desk. It may not be appropriate to allow them to put all sorts of decorations everywhere, but even allowing family pictures is a huge step in the right direction.

All Work and no Play?

Of course you want things to get done. Unfortunately, if your employees feel like they will get in trouble if they do anything other than work, they will quickly get disheartened. Allowing for some conversation between employees, or team building activities will allow your employees to stay fresh. This will keep them on the job better than if you try to force work at all times.

Many people feel that small businesses are much more personal. They like feeling that they are understood, and seen as people, not just employees. Adding in these simple things to your corporate business can help improve company morale, and bring your business closer to the feel of a small business. What steps will you take to make people happier at work?

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The Coolest Jobs In Sports

April 29, 2011 / Staff

Being involved with sports, in any way, form or fashion, is probably the best job that anyone can have, and there is never a lack for things to do, or to talk about. If you can manage to luck into a job in any capacity, go for it, but here are the top three jobs we’d like to take in the wonderful, wacky world of sports.

The General Manager

Sure, it’s a lot of pressure, but can you imagine anything being as great as the job of general manager? You’re enlisted with boosting a team’s sportsbook odds, watching players develop throughout the years (providing you don’t get canned), and you get the best seats in the house for every game. With the growing popularity of fantasy sports, people obviously would love to be in charge of a team, and there is no one who would turn down the job of GM (unless it’s the Pittsburgh Pirates).

The Ballboys/Towelboys

This is for the youngsters, although we’re sure a few adults would love to take the job as well, and just because we listed it for the boys, the girls can get in on the action as well. How cool is that? Free tickets to the game, seats that your friends (and their parents) would drool over, and you get to meet your heroes on a daily basis. You’re likely to make a highlight reel if you’re a ballboy who misses a foul ball, but there are worse things that could happen in life.

The 12th Man/Utility Guy/Fourth-Line Player/Third-String Guy

Look, we’d all love to be the star, but sometimes, hard work can only take you so far. The guys (and girls) out of the spotlight are, in some cases, the guys (and girls) who keep the team together. Take Chicago’s Brian Scalabrine, for example. He has earned a steady paycheck in the NBA since 2001 by being a good teammate, a guy who realizes he’s not going to play much, so he contributes in other ways like cheering the team on, and he can also see something on the court that some may miss if they’re busy, you know, playing. It’s not a bad gig if you can land it.