Employment Tips

Conducting a casino job search is very similar to conducting any other type of job search. The first thing you need to do is determine what kind of work you are looking for and where you would like to work.

Many casinos are located in Las Vegas or Atlantic City, but these are not the only places where you can find casino work. If you have the freedom to relocate to take a casino job, this means that you can consider more opportunities, but you may be able to find work at a location near you, too.

Once you have an idea of what type of work you are interested in and where you would like to work, you need to make sure your resume is up to date. Even if you have spent some time on it recently, take another look to see where you can make a point of mentioning any hospitality or customer service experience you have.

Casinos are looking for staff members who are interested in providing exemplary customer service, and who are comfortable interacting with guests from many types of backgrounds. No two days working at a casino will be the same, and it takes a certain kind of person to be as polite at the end of a shift as when they arrived for work.

The Internet can be a wonderful tool for job seekers. If there is a specific casino you are interested in, you can surf over to that company’s web site to see available positions. You will either be asked to submit an online form or to apply by e-mail.

Do make a point of applying for a job in the way the prospective employer specifies. Being able to follow instructions is an important part of working in a casino and failure to do so may mean that your application will not be considered.

Another option when looking for casino work online is to check one of the major job boards, such as Monster. To get an idea of what positions are available, simply type the word “casino” into the search box and press “Enter.” You also have the option of searching for a specific job title using the word “casino” as a keyword. These sites will also let you narrow your search to a certain location so you are not seeing search results outside of your target area.

An employment agency may be able to help you find work at a casino as well. Since the agency screens applicants before sending them on to an interview with the employer, you may find it easier to get hired by using this method. Consider working for a casino through an agency on a temporary basis; this gives you the chance to show the casino management what you can do, and it also gives you the opportunity to decide whether that is the right working environment for you.

When it comes to looking for work, at a casino or in any other industry, don’t discount the value of good, old-fashioned networking. Tell everyone you know that you are interested in getting a job at a casino and what kind of work you are looking for. If anyone gives you a tip about somewhere you should be looking, make a point of following up on it quickly. If you wait too long, you may find the position you are interested in is already filled.

There are many ways to search for work in a casino. Why don’t you try a combination of techniques to increase your chances of being hired?



By: Lisa Jenkins

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Like a resume, a good cover letter can make all the difference. First impressions count. Your cover letter is designed to complement your resume in selling your professional background and experience to the employer so you can be seen and interviewed. It formally introduces you and quickly tells your story.

A well written cover letter is crucial to getting attention and I have now made the writing tips available online for no charge through our website: www.sequencestaffing.com. The vast majority of cover letters are poorly written and can cost the job seeker that all important career opportunity.

The cover letter allows you to tailor-make your presentation to the specific job and employer by highlighting critical information from your resume and from your professional background that’s important for the employer to see and to know about. This is your opportunity to underscore the key achievements in your career that match up with the employer’s needs and help you land the job interview.

Job seekers would gain more interviews by customizing their resume and cover letter to address the specific skills each employer is seeking. The employer is always more interested in their needs than yours, so ask yourself what would make you the perfect candidate for this job. Try to find out what they really need and want; then write your cover letter to address these points. I also suggest reviewing the job description or ad for key words and including them in the cover letter.

Of course, at Sequence we also offer our professional cover letter and resume writing services. If you prefer professional assistance, we can help you. Our team of professionally skilled writers will make your cover letter and resume standout in the crowd and will help you get that critical interview.

What makes Sequence standout among other employment job sites offering similar services is our in-depth knowledge of the construction, environmental and light industrial industries, giving us the leading edge in offering cover letter writing tips for those industries. Other leading sites, Monster.com, Hotjobs.yahoo.com and Caljobs.ca.gov don’t have the industry-specific expertise of Sequence.

Sequence, a premier executive search and staffing firm for the construction, environmental and light industrial industries, is dedicated to supporting the core industries responsible for building and maintaining the nation’s infrastructure, natural resources and environment by recruiting and placing field, management and executive-level personnel in temporary, temp-to-permanent and direct-hire positions. For more information, go to: www.sequencestaffing.com.



By: Craig Travis

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So you want to further your career and go for a manager job or something of the same level. That’s great – ambition is always good.

First, make sure your job resume is in good order. You can hire a professional resume writer if you want a great presentation or study some online resume writing tips if you want to have full control over your CV.

Once your resume is out there, the next thing you should do is prepare for possible interviews. Here’s where a little career planning is in order and so here we present not just a few but TWELVE job tips you should know before you face your interviewer for that manager job.

Job Interview Tip #1 – Know the Company.

It is good business etiquette to know as much as you can about the organization to which you’re applying. If you are quizzed about the company’s history it’s paramount you know something about them to prove you’re serious about work for them. Your manager job description will be tough to live up to if you know nothing about the people with which you want to work.

Job Interview Tip #2 – Prepare for Questions.

Our second interview tip is crucial. Be prepared to answer questions about the company and about yourself. There’s nothing more awkward than being stumped, flustered, and speechless. Avoid saying “Uhh” or “Ahhh” too much. Answer confidently by being knowledgeable about yourself, your goals, your skills, your achievements and what you can bring to the table.

Job Interview Tip #3 – Prepare Your own Questions.

Employers are impressed if you ask good, intelligent questions. Ask about work processes, quality control, common challenges within the company, and others. Demonstrate that you really want to understand the nature of your work so that you can function better in the organization.

Job Interview Tip #4 – Look Good.

You must be well groomed when showing up for an interview. Get a haircut if you need one; buy a new suit if your old one looks too tatty. Take a bath (heaven forbid you don’t!) and iron your clothes. If you’re a woman, wear moderate make-up, make sure your nails are manicured, and tone down the perfume. You don’t want to make the interviewer choke as he/she takes a whiff of your scent!

Job Interview Tip #5 – Be Punctual.

Tardiness is bad and will immediately put a damper on things. Leave early so you will get to the office early. Don’t waste your interviewer’s time by showing up late. If you really want that manager job, you must demonstrate responsibility and be determined to keep appointments.

Job Interview Tip #6 – Shake Hands Firmly.

A good handshake shows you are confident and willing to engage. Always make eye contact when shaking hands; this coordination can accomplish much in establishing positive vibes.

Job Interview Tip #7 – Don’t Overdo It.

Avoid unnecessary body movement; don’t fidget. Keep still and punctuate your points with limited hand gestures. Don’t ever point your fingers, especially at the person talking to you.

Job Interview Tip #8 – RELAX!

Many people panic at interviews and start biting their nails, toying endlessly with their wedding ring, drumming their fingers, or jiggling their legs. Stay calm, breathe deeply, and think of happy memories. Don’t worry yourself sick about something that can be dealt with positively if you just take time to relax.

Job Interview Tip #9 – Listen Closely.

Pay attention to what is being said. Maintain eye contact, especially when it’s obvious your interviewer is making an important point. Focus on the discussion at hand and keep your ears peeled for important details. If you mishear a word, don’t be afraid to clarify rather than pretend you understood what was said.

Job Interview Tip #10 – Communicate Clearly.

Speak clearly and choose your words carefully. You may want to make a humorous comment but what if it backfires? Also, don’t be obscure – use words and ideas that make sense and can be easily understood. Avoid being superfluous.

Job Interview Tip #11 – Don’t Ever Talk Negatively. About Your Current/Previous Employer.

This is very important – don’t be negative, especially when it comes to your previous employers or colleagues. It will only show that you have a tendency to bad-mouth other people and that’s not something to advertise when gunning for a manager job. Always be positive and enthusiastic.

Job Interview Tip #12 – SMILE!

Smiling is important so pay a tremendous amount of attention to your teeth. Make sure they’re immaculate and presentable. If you have discolored teeth (and most of us do), try a good tooth whitening product. There is a whole range of home tooth bleaching products to choose from that are effective and inexpensive; teeth trays are highly recommended.

You may not realize it but teeth bleaching is a powerful way to capture a person’s attention and admiration – and could very well lead to that manager job you so highly covet.



By: Ashley Truitt

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This time of year, now through the first quarter of next year, you will see articles offering year-end tax planning tips. Tax planning tips can increase income in future years, so be careful. Many tax tips often involve accelerating deductions, deferring income, or last-minute charitable deductions (the first three following tips).

For example you may be compelled to make a large charitable contribution this year by December 31st. However if you could be in a higher tax bracket next year because your income is going up because of a substantial raise or bonus, you would have been better off to make the contribution next year. Some may say this is heartless, but I say just the reverse. If you pay less in taxes because of good planning, your will be better off financially and able to give more in the future.

If you have volatile income, before you use the tax savings tips here and in other articles, you may want to run projections for this year and next. A good accountant will run these calculations for you, but understand that tax law changes from year to year and from one administration to the next can often make predicting tricky.

1. Defer income

If you are able to defer income, such as commissions and bonuses until next year, you might be able to pay lower income taxes this year. However, you must consider what your income and taxes will be next year to be sure that you are not actually increasing your taxes.

2. Accelerating deductions

Accelerating major deductions such as state income taxes, property taxes, and mortgage interest may help anyone, especially during a high-income year. If you don’t think your personal income tax bracket will be higher next year, and you’re not affected by the alternative minimum tax, you can make state and/or local tax payments before the end of this year so you can take a deduction this year.

3. Charitable Contributions

Consider making chartable deductions before the end of the year to receive a deduction. You must make the contribution by 12/31/2007.

Donate appreciated property such as real estate or stock instead of the proceeds of the sale. You may be able to receive a deduction for the value of the contribution without paying tax on the growth portion resulting from a sale, then a gift. If you intend to transfer appreciated property, begin early since it will take several weeks to make the change.

4. Alternative minimum tax traps

Many people face large AMT bills compared to previous years. Be warned if you have larger than usual medical expenses, non-federal income and real estate taxes, or miscellaneous itemized deductions; or if you have exercised large stock options, to name a few.

Year-end tax planning strategies can backfire under AMT. Be very careful accelerating some deductions and exercising stock options at year end. See a tax professional for information on your specific tax situation.

5. Be careful when investing new money in mutual funds at the end of the year

Call the mutual fund and find out when the distribution date is. You may want to purchase after the distribution date to avoid owing taxes on fund shares that you owned only for a short period of time and had little to no gain.

6. Contribute the maximum to retirement accounts

Contribute the maximum allowable to employer-sponsored defined contribution retirement plans, such as profit sharing, 401(k), 403(b) and 457(b) plans. This not only provides an excellent tax deduction, but it also helps you to plan for your future retirement.

You may want to contribute to an IRA; up to $2,000 is fully deductible if you did not participate in a company-sponsored retirement plan or if your income falls below certain levels.

If you are self-employed, you can contribute more to a pension plan than into an IRA. You have until December 31 to set up the plan.

7. Investment Losses

If your investment portfolio has stock that has depreciated in value and is worth less than when you originally purchased it, you may want to consider selling it. You may be able to use that loss to offset capital gains and ordinary income.

Be careful though; investment decisions should not just be for tax purposes. Make sure that you do your research before selling any investment. Some people react too quickly when investments lose value; others sometimes hold on too long. If you decide to sell and invest in something new, make sure that you examine your portfolio to ensure that you have the right mix of investments to match your investment profile, risk propensity and asset allocation model.

8. Save for College

Consider contributing to your child’s college savings into a 529 plan. The contributions are not deductible on your Federal return, but parents may be able to write off contributions up to a certain dollar amount on their state income tax return. Log on to SavingforCollege.com to find out information about your state.

9. Home Improvements

Here is a great deal. How about saving energy and the environment, lower utility bills, increase the value of your home and save on taxes  all at once. Projects for the home’s shell (insulation, windows, sealing) and heating and cooling may qualify for a one time tax credit of $500. However you are running out of time, since they must be in place by the end of 2007. So while crawling around your attic looking for ornaments, think of adding insulation. If you made home improvements over the last couple of years, be sure to dig up your records; you may already be eligible.

Before moving forward on one of these projects, make sure that you get full information about these and other energy efficient tax incentives from The Tax Incentives Assistance Project at http://www.energytaxincentives.org/. There you will find more information about Home Shell and Heating & Cooling as well as Hybrid Passenger Vehicles and Solar Energy Systems.

10. If self-employed, buy equipment and supplies

Have you been putting off buying needed business equipment and supplies, or do you know that you will soon need them? Now may be the time to invest in your business and save taxes as well. Business tax can be complex; therefore it may be wise to first call your accountant prior to large purchases.

11. Give gifts to children

When you give to friends and family, it is usually not taxable to the recipient or the giver. Many people do not realize though if that gift exceeds $12,000 per person it is taxable to the giver, and at a high rate. Therefore, if you intend to give anyone more than that amount, you could give some this year and some next. The second tip is that you and your spouse can both give $12,000 per person, doubling the amount not subject to tax. Be sure to consult your legal and tax advisor prior to making all gifts.



By: Kent Irwin

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If you are in direct sales, it is extremely important that you grow a healthy downline. Not only are you building a relationship with your customers through sales, but you should build a healthy relationship with your sales team. Here are 7 tips to generating a strong downline and keeping your direct sales business growing every day.

TIP #1: GET PERSONAL Your downline wants to know who they are working so hard for. Send a monthly newsletter will sales tips, monthly numbers, top salesperson, etc. Offer a free forum or chat group to your team so everyone can share ideas and offer support to one another.

TIP #2: BE AVAILABLE Schedule time to speak with your sales team often. Constant contact will show them that you care. This gives your team a chance to share their concerns, thoughts and ideas with you. It also allows them the opportunity to ask questions.

TIP #3: HOLD A CONTEST Offer prizes or free services to new recruits. Offer special discounts or coupons to the team member who recruits the most new partners.

TIP #4: WRITE ARTICLES Article marketing provides an avenue for free web site traffic. Write five articles, linking to a web site where your products are sold, then submit them to various free article directories.

TIP #5: EDUCATE YOUR TEAM Provide your current sales team with powerful information about your business and products. By educating your sales team, you will create an aura of excitement. This excitement pushes your team to recruit their acquaintances into this wonderful opportunity for self-based employment.

TIP #6: LOSE YOUR MIND Sometimes the silliest ideas are the ones that often get noticed in sales. If you’ve been playing it safe, get crazy with promoting your business. Print fliers, bookmarks, calling cards, booklets, etc. Go door-to-door and promote your business and sales opportunity. Focus only on promoting awareness of your business instead of sales.

TIP #7: DON’T STOP It has been said many times that for every 9 “no’s” you get, you’ll get one “yes.” Don’t stop promoting recruits, regardless of how many “no’s” you’ve had this far. Eventually someone will say, “Yes!” Sometimes the squeakiest wheel is the one that gets oiled!



By: Stefanie Fauquet

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Going through an interview session with the younger generation can certainly present an entirely different set of problems for baby boomers. However, there’s no need for older job seekers to get disheartened so easily. In addition to older employees having more job experience, there is also the Federal Age Discrimination in Employment Act.

According to the Act, any kind of employment discrimination against those over 40 is illegal. Listed below are a few common interview questions based on age – and some helpful tips on how to answer or avoid them tactfully.

Addressing Retirement Issues

Questions relating to your retirement or future career plans are usually asked to candidates to determine whether the job will be used as a bridge to fill in retirement gaps. The question “what are your expectations from the job a few years down the line” is another way of asking the same question.

No matter how the interviewer puts the question, be sure that you tackle it gracefully. While it would be better to discuss the retirement issue honestly, you also need to convince the interviewer that you are looking forward to long term employment.

Salary Requirements

Although this is a tough question that definitely arises at every interview, dealing with salary issues will require skillful negotiation on your part. This question can prove to be even more difficult for older candidates with years, even decades, of expertise and experience to answer. However, in order to avoid your former income from working against you, you should make every attempt to reply in a firm but cool tone.

At first try giving a noncommittal answer – but if probed further, give a salary range. Generally, you should refrain from stating exact figures regarding your salary requirements. And, you should always let the employer give the first number.

Needless to say, do some research on the position and its salary before attending the interview.

Dealing with Competence Issues

Even though the interviewer will not (or should not) ask questions related to your health, efficiency and mental capacity directly, you will almost certainly be asked variations of these questions. For example, employers may ask if you will be able to cope with fast paced working conditions or if you are OK with working late.

Take this in a positive light and use this opportunity to reveal your skills, qualities, and enthusiasm to the interviewer with the help of the STAR technique (Situation, Task, Action and Result).

Such questions also reveal details about the demands, working hours and expectations of the job.

Questions Related To Experience and Qualifications

Mature candidates often find themselves struggling to answer over-qualification questions. Questions asked may include asking why you are applying for a particular job when your qualifications and experience can secure you a better position. Knowing this, you should include only 10-15 years of experience in your resume. This is particularly true for older jobseekers with 20 years’ or more experience.

When answering questions like these, stress your strengths and career achievements. Other questions that are probed in order to find out about your age can be refused, since they are illegal. However, do so in a manner that is not offensive to the interviewer.



By: Tony Jacowski

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