Cover Letters - They're Just That Important

UGH!! Job hunting... Those things can be the worst thing ever, can't they? (At least until something even worse comes rolling by in a manner akin to Steam's sale train.) There are many important things one must know about job hunting, should they wish to--you know--actually be employed...

Now, I'm not claiming to be an expert in the job hunting business. I, sadly, don't have enough motivation to make it my full-time life, so I do that thing called getting in and advancing within. I swear to you, that's a real thing. My mum's all like, *GLARE* GET A JOB YOU BUM if I don't have a job (that is really me extremely paraphrasing for your entertainment...there's usually a lengthy discussion on the values of employment) so I get a job. And the Gross family has this whole don't give up thing, so giving up isn't my thing by nature (although adopting the lifestyle and maintaining it are two entirely different stories). And I'm not a job expert who learned to be a job expert so that they could help others get jobs either...

But I have had my fair share of job hunts in the past, and over the years I feel I have a little bit of insight to share. Additionally, I had to learn a few things when I was previously working in management so that I could hire people to work for me.

Here are a few things, listed in a nice bulleted manner, for your perusal that may help you should you need to find a home in that shady alley known as the Work Force.

• Proper attire - comes in handy when displaying the fact that you're ready to join the work force. It is true that some places don't actually care what you wear, however, being properly attired can speak volumes of you without you trying. 

• For a factory job interview working on the factory side of the business, try considering a more casual yet still somewhat dressy appeal such as a polo shirt and black slacks. Yes, you may end up in torn jeans (or being interviewed by that person who just wants to stuff you at an assembly line as soon as they can, like I was) but you may also end up interviewing with a person from the office who is looking for those subtle hints that you're ready to work. 
• For an office job or something in customer service, try considering a dressier bit of attire. You don't need to wear a tuxedo (unless you're applying as a tuxedo wearing mannequin) but it's better to wear a blouse and skirt or pants, or a dress shirt, tie, and slacks and then inquire on the dress code after you have the job. 
• And for the sake of your job hunt, try caring what you look like as you pick up, fill out, and drop off your application. If you see a receptionist or clerk, don't be a jerk to them. They will remember your attitude, and luckily for those in the hiring business, it is frequently a good excuse not to hire someone because, "They don't have the right fit for the team." It is more than acceptable to refuse to hire someone because there is someone out there that will suit the company more than you, should you fail to remember your manners. These people are ones you want to be your coworkers, and if you can't play well in the sandbox, then you're not going to get to play in it.
• PLEASE CLEAN YOURSELF. I can't say this enough. Good hygiene practices are all kinds of promoted. From the government, to doctors, to big vaccine companies, it is so promoted. Here's an example guide to help you get started on which practices to put in your daily routine.

• Attitude - This is incredibly important. Always remember to bring your manners with you when you push back the sheets and crawl out of bed onto the chilly floor in the morning. Always remember to smile like you mean it, and when job hunting especially, do not rely on, "Oh, sometimes I get a bit cynical," to pull you through the day. When your attitude turns to baditude, it's going to bring everyone around you down. 

• Resume - Yes, you need this. Yes, it must look good no matter what job you apply for. No, you cannot expect to be taken seriously if you use the wrong font, or think its cute to do your resume in crayon and then drench your resume in some kind of eu de cologne because you won't be taken seriously and it isn't cute. Yes, it is worth mentioning. No, not everyone knows these things. I've had all manner of crazy resumes during my time in management, from ones that used a new font for every single line to the aforementioned crayon resume. The resume is just as important, if not more so, than your attire. It should be edited far more than I have done this blog post. For a place where you can find editors, visit oDesk. You will have to do some weeding to find the person to edit for you, but I highly recommend trying to get someone with actual schooling on editing. There are people there who claim to be, "As good as anyone with traditional schooling experience" but if you don't want an editor with a background, then you might as well edit it yourself. In order to hire, you need to sign up to be a client but it's very easy to do. 

• THE Application - I really emphasize the right there, and for good reason. Many times I had people come in and give me applications that weren't even from my place of employment. Don't you think that showed me how attentive to details they were? It's also important to completely, accurately, and legibly fill the application out. The application is your second step in the door, with the first being picking up the application and being not-a-jerk to the clerk. If you can't pay attention to details to fill out one form, will your prospective employer buy into that stuff you're selling about how good you are with details or how you're always completing what you started before moving on to the next task? Do yourself a favor and take your time with the application. Try to avoid having to ask for a second application. It costs the company money to get applications printed, and it displays your nervous propensity for making mistakes. Even if you don't always make mistakes, that is what it might look like. If you fill your application out online, you still want to take your time. And always, always, be accurate on this form. Inaccuracies will get you stuck at the bottom of the pile. If you don't have all the information on the application either, you will go to the bottom of the pile because typically you won't find an employer with a stack of 50 to 500 applications bothering to give you a call just so they can get the important information they already asked for.

• Cover letter - Some jobs don't require these, but just in case, why not assume that they do and just put one together? Ask A Manager blogger Alison Green provides an article here showing an inspirational example of a cover letter. Note, she apparently has found out that people took bits and pieces of it as their own already and were disqualified for the job because of this. Why? Because that person showed a unique skill not desired in the work force: plagiarism. A hard word to spell, but an easy thing to do. Take the hard road and do your own cover letter. And if the company didn't really require it but you did it anyway, that will show them that you take initiative, and can--if done right--really put you ahead of the pile.

So, I hope all of this has inspired you. Now, I will write a cover letter myself.
↓ See below. By the way, it is not a recommended cover letter. But if you choose to plagiarize it, could you at least source your material? It might help me increase my readership. ↓

Dear Mr Regional Manager,

I will not bore you with the impressive details of how I work all the jobs available in my current town. Somehow that would feel very narcissistic, and much akin to bragging. I will instead sum up the resume recap by saying, "If the pen truly is mightier than the sword, then the smartphone calendar is the greatest time manipulation device since the TARDIS." 

I could also make a hilarious joke that I manage all my jobs by having 3 arms, four legs, and a clone who sleeps for me, however lying is not recommended in a cover letter so I will admit we never sleep.

Instead, I would like the chance to address the more important question undoubtedly on your mind, regarding my expanse outside the book industry. Let me just say that the closing of the bookstore I managed was felt greatly by the entire community of my town. However, I personally went as far from the book industry as any other addict at your local Book-Aholics Anonymous Meetings. When the bookstore announced it would be closing, I began informing my regular customers to let me know if they needed books. Most of these regulars were older ladies and gents who still thought the internet and credit/debit cards were a trend that would die out and when it did the bookstore would return. Little did they know...

So I have become the go-to-girl for book dealing in my town like a drug addict with business sense may join the dealing trade. Without a bookstore here, it's almost like it's black market, isn't it? 

Apart from that, I also joined that much loved, yet oh-so-mysterious world of publishers and writers. So, I do not think I would not be up to the task of becoming an asset to your business. The truth is that my previous company owner offered me the opportunity to find other work with them, but my town is one of those that grows on you, like fungus on feet, or mold on bread. You have no idea what's going on until suddenly you do. 

Bearing the above mentioned in mind, I will concur that I would--in fact--be an asset to your business should you take me on. My hours would be very limited to occasional factory holidays and shut-downs. On the plus side, perhaps having an In-House Author who frequently shows up to work would be a great promotional tool to draw people into your store?

I am always full of ideas. One thing my previous boss said when she was informing me the store would close was that she wished I had come sooner as many of my ideas would have not only extended the life of the business, but also saved it from having to close at all. Granted, this could have all been said in a very placating manner, as an apology of sorts, for me being weeks away from the lengthy unemployment lines. 

That being said, I am not out to horn in on Miss Manager's job. I am merely trying to paint a verbal selfie of my usefulness. So to further detail the image, please view the neatly bulleted list below on my skills. 

→Fully trained in computers, including but not limited to clicking, double clicking, mice, e-mail, internet, inserting cute symbols like arrows when an ordinary bullet would suffice... I could go on...

→changing the die on a Verson Punch Press... this gives me a load of empathy toward my fellow blue collar workers and allows me to seem more human than your ordinary customer service person. 

→Speech... this skill, when properly employed, allows the user to ingratiate themselves into the good graces of customers in a number of situations including but not limited to: helping find a desired product, or diffusing a particularly bad situation expediently and retaining customers after the fact.

→handing change back... this rare and effusive skill does exist in nature. Anyone can learn cash handling but many decide to leave it at that. I believe I have perfected the art of handing change back by giving customers coin first followed by paper money, which effectively lowers the percentage of inefficient line delays due to dropped money. 

→a +9 to my register skill... Customer service is difficult to master and even just level up in. This is because of the many different stats that must level within the field before a proper level is achieved. A +9 means I know how to avoid cash fraud from customers.

→Wisdom... My wisdom is also quite high, allowing me to know when to take action and when not to. While I cannot claim to be near the level of the Fortune Cookie, I do know my way around some retail situations. Luckily my Intelligence and Wisdom stats work well in tandem, allowing me to always attend an occasion appropriately equipped. Unfortunately with such high stats in all these other areas, my Luck stat has remained slightly low. Not to worry, as we all need areas to improve upon. 

In conclusion, I would like to say that all the above mentioned should be taken as a very high indication that I would suit your company very well. I hope you will consider my impeccable application and resume, appropriate attire and hairstyle, and my friendly attitude to fill your needed position on the team. 

 Thank you for your time and consideration,
Jaimie Gross

©2014 Jaimie Gross ☺

Publish A Book... Make millions

I've always wanted to publish a book. I've been writing since I could draw squigglies (very poorly - but still, they were my squiggly lines, and of course they looked like whatever I said they looked like). I think my earliest memory of writing was out on the porch one day of the little green house we used to live in. I had a notebook and a box of crayons (I still favor crayons for my artwork). I turned to my dad and I said, "I wrote a book, daddy. Want to read it?" 

And of course, my dad took the notebook and said, "I can't read." I wasn't a brilliant child at that point, so there were no words to the story. (I like to think I'm brilliant now, but that is debatable.)

I told him, "That's okay. I made it pictures for you. I'll read it to you." And I read him the story about a strawberry man superhero.

And of course at the end of a story filled with potential paradoxes and conspicuous coincidences, my dad grabbed another beer and told me, "You'll be a best selling author one day. And then you can take care of me." And he kissed the top of my head and went to do whatever it was that my dad had to do out in the garage. 

It's been more than two decades now, and I have made it to being a published author. You can see my book in print. It has a nice cover--exactly the cover I dreamed up when I decided I wanted to publish that particular story, even. ("My Life As Your Sister" cover Courtesy of Eric Baierl for the photography and Jeff Chen for the cover design. Thank you, guys! I give you public displays of affection ((hugs)) through cyberspace!)

But for as much as I would love to be a millionaire for publishing a book, simply getting your book out to a printer won't put money in your pocket unless you're that one person. I don't even know who that person is, but I would love to know them. Maybe they're a fictional character - I don't know. 

What I do know is there is a list of things that publishing does for you, and I'd like to share a few...!

• Publish a book... make millions of dollars of mistakes with editing
• Publish a book... make millions of dollars of design corrections
• Publish a book... make millions of dollars of personal contacts as you try to get the word out
• Publish a book... make millions of dollars of illustrations to go with and then decide to hire an illustrator, photographer, etcetera, because your stick figures are not going to cut it
• Publish a book... make millions of dollars of calculations on how to earn back all that you spent in design, editing, proofreading, illustrating, and printing costs

It's a silly little list, and I figured why not share it? Do you have any thoughts or additions to this list? Feel free to add it in the comments below! I'd love to hear them. Alternatively, I'd also love to hear your earliest memory of writing or reading, so go ahead and comment! Please, share this if you liked it.

Remember The Day When - 9-1-1

It seems to me like in this modern day, memes and other captioned photos have taken the place of genuine feeling. Why do I bring this up? Memes are imitations, mock-ups, of human behavior and passed between one person and another through social mediums so often that they clog up our news feeds. Memes, emoticons, and text-talk such as omg and lol have taken the place of even how writers display written feelings. Without a smilie or an lol on things that can be construed as serious, readers might take something the wrong way.

But today, of all days, pictures of the twin towers captioned in "Remember 9/11" or "Never forget 9/11" float around the internet because for one day out of the year, we as Americans are reminded of what happened on 9/11/2001. Sort-of.

But what are we trying to indicate with the trail of 9/11 photos that we post or share because - oh, someone else shared it, and well, I don't want to be the only one not to share it too as if I don't remember what happened. What are we saying we should remember? What do we want others not to forget? What is 9/11/2001?

It has been 13 years today since 9/11 happened which means there is already a generation of young adults who spread these photos around and yet, there is no guarantee they truly understand what it means. I can't claim to know either, and I was fifteen when the first plane hit the North tower.

There's a saying that you won't ever forget what you're doing when something so awful occurs. I was in history class with Mr. Owens when the first plane hit the twin towers and we watched it hit the tower again, and again, and again on the news for the remainder of the day in every single class.

No one understood why it was happening... How could we? We were a bunch of fifteen year olds barely able to contain ourselves as we watched the South tower collapse on television, and then the North tower. For the first time in American flight history, every flight was grounded or detoured away from the United States.

9/11 is a time in American history when four Boeing 757 airplanes were hijacked and three of these planes were flown into high-target areas. The fourth plane, Flight 93, was crashed into a field in Pennsylvania when passengers tried to re-take the plane. Of the other three, Flight 77 was flown into the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. Flight 11 crashed into the North tower, and Flight 175 hit the South tower of the World Trade Center.

TV Drama shows depict America under attack many times, with the bad guy's plot always being thwarted by the main character - Gibbs from NCIS, or Jack Bauer from 24, or whichever show you might be watching. Does this desensitize us from the occurrence of terrorism? It might. Or it might not. But when 9/11 occurred, it struck fear into the hearts of not just Americans, but people all over the world. It left scars, because of the fear we felt.

What is 9/11? It is a subject of debate. It is a very controversial topic. It is a ghost spoken of in hushed tones, for fear of it returning. And 9/11 is a divide in the American people now, which is why it became so controversial, like speaking of politics or religion in America. We are so torn by what happened and the truth of it as we see it, that we are separated.

The very fear of what happened that day managed to unite America and its allies in a fight that seemed impossible to win, yet we were incapable of ignoring. Soldiers were sent to fight a war on terror and when enough time had passed for some of these wounds from the attacks on 9/11 to heal, we became a divided people again.

Some claimed it was a conspiracy formulated by the government, and that the war on terror was completely fabricated. On the other side, people believed that it wasn't a government conspiracy and that the war on terror was exactly what it was called.

While the war waged on, politics used it for their advantage to get into power, or retain their power. The deaths of those on 9/11 became trodden on in the aftermath of politics, and eventually, our soldiers would suffer as the people they served in the military for would turn their backs on them. While our politicians sit in cushioned seats, serving their extended terms at hundreds of thousands of dollars each year, those soldiers got paid pittances to get shot at and fight the war on terror we sent them to fight. And so many Americans decided to stop supporting the troops because that would end the war faster, wouldn't it? Except it didn't. Soldiers can't exactly decide, Oh, sorry, person-trying-to-shoot-me, but can we call a truce? Only, those people back home changed their minds about supporting me. Care for a lemon drop?

And of course the enemy would reply, Oh, sure. Lovely day, isn't it? Thanks for the lemon drop. You know, they used to make these so much better when I was a kid.

It doesn't work that way. So, finally, what did happen to 9/11?

9/11 shook the world, not just America. 9/11 sent a message to everyone in the world that said You aren't safe. That is why fear gripped us and the war on terror was born. We wanted to make the world safer. Our good intentions may or may not have been well-executed, but this is how I view 9/11. A nightmare struck down upon humanity, not just America. Many things were born out of that nightmare.

But how will we know what we're supposed to remember... when the topic of discussion itself is so controversial that no one will speak openly of it for fear of having a different viewpoint?

I welcome any discussions, alternative viewpoints, recollections, regarding this matter in the comments below. I know that all of this is a bit rambling. Please feel free to share this or any of my blog posts.

Shop Ripon, Wisconsin - Watson Street Tea & Treats

Welcome back, readers!

Today's topic is to tell you about a shop in downtown Ripon, Wisconsin, USA where I live.

Watson Street Tea & Treats is a cozy little shop owned and operated by Kim and Ken Bahr. Kim and Ken just celebrated their second anniversary for the tea shop to be open, so I am writing this as a sort of celebratory piece.

What is Watson Street Tea & Treats? Let me tell you... Watson Street Tea & Treats is a shop with a lot of variety. When you walk in to the shop at 208 Watson Street, Ripon, Wisconsin, you first feel contentment as you smell many delicious things.

One thing to note is that Kim and Ken do all their own cooking, so the treats are always fresh and delicious. Depending on the time of day, you might end up smelling different things--for instance, the yummy, fresh, hot popcorn, or the warm scent of fresh caramelized cashews, pecans, or almonds. Of course, that is dependent on whether or not the smell of tea cookies or various flavored popcorns don't get at your scent machine first!

Kim makes fudge in different flavors, some with nuts and others without. And that is not to forget the fact that the handmade truffles can make even the most stoic of personalities crack a smile. The handmade caramels and caramel cashew bars are also great snacks.

The only downside here is that because all the food is made fresh on-site, I can only give you an idea of what is available, or can be available. Some days, one thing or another might be out-of-stock. That's a very small downside in comparison to being able to know where your food is being made, and who is making it. Still, don't let that tiny thing stop you from going. There are always snacks available, even if flavors and quantity might differ daily, weekly, or seasonally.

If you need a large quantity of something for a party or event, Kim takes orders ahead of time and can ensure the snacks you want are available for you. It just takes a call, which is easily done.

Other than snack foods (which obviously have my heart - I'm a snack fan!) the tea shop is not called the "tea shop" for nothing. Watson Street Tea & Treats carries more than 100 varieties of tea. Many of these, if not all of them, can be made into iced tea. They carry the following types of tea: Black, Green, White, Dark, Oolong, Pu'ehr, and Herbals. There is truly a tea for everyone, no matter how much you think you are a coffee drinker. So I do highly recommend you come in and ask them to help you find a tea that suits you.

They typically keep between one and three teas iced for you to order an iced tea to-go quickly, but if you have time to wait, they can make any flavor of tea as an iced. You should keep in mind it takes between five and fifteen minutes to make an iced tea that is not already the flavor of the day, but it isn't a problem at all. All flavors are readily available as a hot to-go cup much faster than it takes for a coffee shop to make you a cup of coffee.

In addition to providing you with quality grade bulk tea, Watson Street Tea & Treats also has an assortment of good quality spices on hand for sale. Whether you are looking for good sea salt, or a good rub or seasoning for your choice of meat, I recommend checking out their selection. Both the tea and the spices are available in "sample sniffing cans/jars" so you can smell them - obviously. It makes a difference to be able to smell a spice or a tea first to see if you might like it.

My favorite spice is the Kortinje Cinnamon they carry because it blends great with sugar to put on rice, oats, and bread! I also like to make cinnamon-sugar chicken breast strips with it. Small, fingersize pieces of chicken breast meat coated with the cinnamon-sugar blend, and cooked until finished... it is great hot, but also great after the left-overs have been refrigerated.

What else does the tea shop carry? I guess I'll just have to post again about it later... I don't want to overwhelm you with the shop's awesomeness! But feel free to check them out in downtown Ripon, or on their website. Their website doesn't have as much as their physical location has available, but don't hesitate to keep checking back, or contact them directly.

Contact them at the following methods: 

Watson Street Tea & Treats

208 Watson Street

Ripon, Wisconsin, 54971
920-748-2085

Hours 

** Subject to change on a seasonal basis **
(Summer):
Sunday: CLOSED
Mon thru Fri: 11 am - 5:30 pm
Sat: 10 am - 5 pm

Jeff Chen - An Australian Illustrator

Well, hello everyone. 

Again. It's been - what - a whole two minutes since I published my last post? Either you're a demanding audience, or sometimes my brain actually functions properly. Somehow, I feel it is the latter, not the former. !!!

Anyway, on to the post! 

While looking at my illustrator's deviant for the link to plug in my last blog post and credit him, I noticed something new and felt like it would be awesome if I just plugged that in here so that you all could hear about it. 

Jeff Chen is an Australian freelance graphic artist who draws the illustrations for my children's books. (He's about to start on the second project for me in October when Doll In The Window is published.) He's pretty good at what he does and now he's opened up to commissions over at deviantart.com. 

Here's a few examples of what he has done for me: 

So, if you are interested in some artwork done by Jeff Chen, head on over to his deviantart. 

Here is a breakdown of what he charges (according to his deviant as of 9/10/14, I'll try to keep this updated but please understand that prices are subject to change):

"character line work (half body) - $10
character colored (half body) - $15
character full body - $12
character full body colored - $20
Backgrounds are extra $30
additional characters are $10 (each)
If there's something special I can work it out for you "

Additionally, if you don't have a commission you would like him to draw but you like his work, he's starting to sell it on society6, so you can get fully-ready work there! 

So, in summary, if you want any commissions from Jeff Chen, go to his DeviantArt page here
If you want to buy something of his that is already done, go to his society6 page here

Give him a look, because he does great work! 

Jeff hails from Sydney, Australia and enjoys risking his life in the ocean with sharks (swimming, and such nonsense!), public displays of bravery (performing musically in front of people), and arranging multiple colors and line styles on various art-crafting mediums (illustrating better than my stick figures of awesome, although recently I graduated to marshmellow men of awesome). He probably approves of animals since he - you know - fights sharks in the dangerously large ocean. He accepts messages on DeviantArt regarding commissions or even just conversation. 

Coming Soon in October 2014 - The Doll In The Window

Hello again!! I'm glad to see you came back. There's a bit of news!

The Doll In The Window cover-art,
Story by Jaimie Gross
Illustrated by Jeff Chen
(Cover subject to change)

My next book is a children's book!

The Doll In The Window is a story about - obviously - a little doll who sits in a window of a store and longs for a home. It is appropriate for children of all ages, but an especially great gift for children who are learning to read.

There will be three available versions of this book...

The first is a full-color dust-jacket hardcover book. This version will make a great holiday (or collector's) book.

The second is a black-and-white casebound hardcover book. This version will be less expensive than the full-color version and will be more durable for children since young kids don't always know just how to handle a dust-jacket covered book.

The third version is going to be a downloadable, printable coloring book, made available through etsy.com. It will be far cheaper than either of the other books, and possibly more fun for children because who wants to read when you can take a crayon to the book?

As more release information becomes available for each book, I will of course give you all an update! But as of this moment, these are scheduled to be available sometime in October.

More to come, so keep checking back! Thanks for reading, and let me know what you think in the comments. Story suggestions are accepted.