Jaimie Hall-Bruzenak

Great Expectations - Do You Need an Attitude Adjustment?

Why can two Workampers (or two couples) work at the same place, for the same employer, yet have very different experiences? Assuming they all have the skills to do their jobs, expectations and attitude make the difference.

We can get in trouble by thinking that things will go according to our expectations even when a Workamper employer spells out the job and answers your questions during the interview.

Empowering Your Resume — A Key Tool in Your Marketing Toolkit

An important part of your marketing toolkit is your resume. A resume is a one-ish-page summary of what you have to offer the employer. Its purpose is to get you a job interview. You want to highlight your skills, abilities, and experience that will attract the employer’s attention.

A Summer to Remember

Paul Holt remembers the summer he and Joan Carter spent in Colorado.

In the summer of 2002, Paul Holt and Joan Carter Workamped at the KOA in Ouray, Colorado. They have many memories of their summer, both working and exploring the area.

 

2005 Arizona Volunteers of the Year

Jess and Vicki Jane Norris were named the Arizona Volunteers of the Year for 2005. They spent the season volunteering at Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park in Superior.

Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park in Arizona has recruited park hosts via Workamper News and Workamper.com for most of the past decade and with excellent results. Jess and Vicki Jane are one couple of many who have been recruited through Workamper News.

Here is their story:

Tips for Interviewing by Telephone

An employer’s hiring decision is certainly based on qualifications, but in addition, many are looking for attitude. Through our voice and body language, we may be conveying a different message to employers than is true about us. “Body language and facial expressions can send signals that you have no energy, can’t focus or just don’t care. Regardless of your stellar qualifications and positive words, you’re not likely to get a job offer, career experts say.” (Arizona Republic August 24, 2003.) How you say it is as important as what you say.

Abstract: 

Though your resumé is what gets you noticed by an employer, it is the interview that is the real cruncher. It is the interview where you sell yourself as the best candidate or you fall to the bottom of the pile.

Spruce Up Your Resume with Action Words

Words have power. The choice of words makes all the difference in what the reader pictures in his mind. Remember this when you write your resumé or complete an application. You can help the employer see your knowledge and value by using action words and descriptions. These two examples illustrate this principle.

Example one: Read both statements, both of which could appear either in a résumé or on an application. Which applicant would you hire to be in charge of the office at your RV park?

Abstract: 

Is your resumé as effective as it could be? Do your applications result in interviews and job offers? A few changes could pay off in big results.

Sandy's Mom's AA Resume

Here is an example of an Awesome Applicants resumé that is working.

On the Forums site, there was a request for more information about writing an effective Awesome Applicants resumé. Workampers asked to see forums user SandysMom's resumé. They agreed and so here it is. (SandysMom is Jim and Kathy's Forums username.)

Resumes: The Employer's View

Carol, a workamper for several years, recently accepted a management position at an RV park with her husband. This put her in the position of having to hire Workampers. She requested resumés. Was she surprised! Are you making any of these mistakes?

Your resumé is often the first contact an employer has with you. Like any first impression it is hard to change. Your resumé may be giving employers the wrong impression. These are a few of the things Carol found:

Abstract: 

Your resumé is your first impression. What sort of impression are you giving?

Opportunities Can Be Found Most Anywhere

You just don’t know when you’ll encounter a unique work opportunity. This place hasn’t hired workampers yet but it could be a fun place to work.

Low Overhead or "I Shoulda Asked..."

When a Workamper couple showed up for work at the Port of Cascade Locks, Oregon, they found that their 13-foot high RV wouldn't fit under the 12-foot bridge crossing the road to the job site. The would-be-employer kindly assisted in finding another Workamping situation for the couple and their too-tall RV, by helping them secure a position (without the clearance problem), with a U.S. Forest Service site nearby. Now, the Port of Cascade Locks "help wanted" ad reads, " Workamper needed. Must have RV (under 12' high).

Abstract: 

A bridge too low cost a Workamper couple a job recently in Oregon. If only they had asked...

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