for work. Hire them. Dec. 16 (FRIDAY) Working 2011.pdf · Payables, Receivables, Reconciliations,...
1
Work Smarts Prepare for a group interview Before a job interview, it’s important to practice answering standard and infrequent questions. But what about preparing for a group interview? How do you stand out from others in the group? A group interview is when a group of candidates is interviewed at once by multiple interviewers. The in- terview will begin with a presentation about the company and the available positions. Take notes during the interview because several questions will be asked to determine which candidate is attentive and stands out. Candi- dates also are evaluated on many characteristics. The following tips will help you be prepared: n Interact with others in the group professionally. Don’t be ag- gressive or talk over them. n You might be asked to do a group exercise. This is your oppor- tunity to demonstrate leadership and teamwork skills. Listen to the ideas of the other group members, be motivational and organized, and demon- strate time management skills. n Don’t begin the exercise if you’re unsure of the instructions. The interviewers will deter- mine whether you are a natural leader or fol- lower from this exercise. n Interviewers often ask nonwork-related hypotheti- cal questions during a group interview. These are trick ques- tions used to ascertain personality characteristics. Do not offer a per- sonal opinion or experience. Do respond with corporate-friendly answers. n Group interviews test your ability to deal with competitive situations. The interviewers are looking for a self-confident candi- date who’s ready for unexpected hiccups. n Be persuasive in your an- swers. Interviewers like candidates who understand the company and position requirements. Do your research before the interview, so that your answers are convincing. n After the interview, send a follow-up letter to all interviewers, and call one on the telephone. Caree Eason is a recruiter, ré- sumé repair expert and director of community outreach for JobFair Giant.com. To learn more or re- quest her for speaking engagements, call 734-956-4550, email ceason@ jobfairgiant.com, or visit twitter. com/jobfairgiant. When home video games such as PlayStation and Nintendo debuted in the mid-1990s, who could have predicted that pinball and Pac Man would still be in hot demand decades later? Madison Heights-based Alpha Amusements, Michigan’s largest supplier of coin-operated amusement games, recognized the shift in the in- dustry and, sensing that traditional arcade amuse- ment always will occupy a significant place in the market, worked hard to diversify its offerings. This strategy paved the way to a thriving business, according to owner Bryan Scopel. Alpha Amusements owns and operates American Fun Centers in Oakland Mall, Genesee Valley Mall and the Cinemark theater complex at Universal Mall, and also sells and services game systems to restaurants, hockey rinks and bowling alleys. But a growing segment of its mar- ket belongs to sales of new and used arcade-quality games for the home rec room, meeting the demand from customers who love the thrill of the games they played, often as youngsters, in arcades. “If you like Xbox and Wii, usually you like all games, so there is a fairly good crossover,” Scopel says. He says he recognizes that holidays are a time people are looking to buy games for their homes, so it’s important to offer special deals for the season. To stay competitive, Scopel also has made special event rentals an important part of the busi- ness. Alpha Amusements rents games, jukeboxes and photobooths for events such as corporate and birthday parties, weddings and Bar and Bat Mitzvahs. “We have risen to the challenge by diversifying our business as much as possible,” he says. En- tertainment is a specialized industry, and success comes from a variety of important factors. Here, Scopel shares his top tips for success: z Be a well-oiled machine. “You have to be quick and efficient and well organized to work within a client’s often short window of time,” Scopel says. z Put customer service at the heart of all you do. Scopel knows a well-trained staff will make sure customers are happy, every time. “From the delivery guys to technicians to the office staff, our employees are trained to provide the very best service,” he says. z Remember the golden rule. “We make sure to put ourselves in the customers’ shoes and treat them just how we’d like to be treated, to provide the best possible experience from every part of our business,” Scopel says. Medical Sales Executive. Very experienced. Will exceed goals and projections. jwmjr@ wowway.com SOCIAL WORKER MSW- 30 years Social Services Experience/Mental Health. [email protected] Seasoned Administrative Assistant turned Pharmacy Tech seeking volunteer work, Pharma. debraburzynski@ ymail.com Quickbooks expert. Payables, Receivables, Reconciliations, Collections, Billing, Reports and Payroll. [email protected] Telecom Manager, back office pro, superior work ethic, top results. telecompro11@ yahoo.com 2011 CST Grad- Experienced (Local 4 Intern), Driven & Enthusiatic! Lhawatmeh@ yahoo.com Experienced Teacher Certified Special Education/ Math/English Creative and personable. LDTeacher@ Comcast.net Experienced executive in successful business turnarounds, start ups, growth shutdowns. [email protected] Country music singer. Multiple Hoedown perfor- mances. Let me entertain you. garyjpillow.com RETIRED Automotive Ser- vice Parts Analyst - Computer experience. Part-time wanted, Dependable. Cardzdoctor@ yahoo.com Plant/Project Engineer, experienced problem solver. Heat Treating, atmospheres, plating. courtney.fitzsimons@ yahoo.com Newswriter, trained in Radio, wants freelance work in news. [email protected] NEXT PAGE: GOOD COMPANY: Gleaners Community Food Bank of Southeastern Michigan COMING NEXT MONDAY: Mastering the art of networking SPECIAL ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT FROM THE DETROIT MEDIA PARTNERSHIP Working Get ahead. Get hired. Get inspired. Shore Mortgage is more than a job … it’s a career. Specializing in FHA/VA and conventional mortgage financing. Equal Housing Equal Opportunity Lender www.shoremortgage.com 800-678-6663 10-WORD RÉSUMÉS Brief introductions from fabulous Michiganders looking for work. Hire them. Sponsored by To place your 10-word résumé here, visit www.michigan. com/working Career Calendar THE BIG EVENT Dec. 16 (FRIDAY) Starting Your Own Business SPARK East, 215 W. Michigan Ave., Ypsilanti 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; $25 Learn how attitude impacts entre- preneurialism and what you need to do to create a marketing plan for your business. Receive one-on-one counseling with a business expert, and explore accounting, legal and franchise business plans. ALSO ON THE CALENDAR: Dec. 12 (MONDAY) Toastmasters – PMI-HVC Meetings 777 Building, 777 E. Eisenhower Pkwy., Ann Arbor Room LL10 6-7:30 p.m.; free www.pmi-hvc.org or email [email protected] host.biz Want to improve your public speaking skills? Toastmasters International will help you com- municate more effectively at its bi-monthly meetings. The meetings provide all participants an oppor- tunity to practice impromptu and prepared speeches, and learn to conduct a meeting, all while receiv- ing constructive feedback. Dec. 29 (THURSDAY) New Year, New Job! Career Fair Embassy Hotel, 28100 Franklin Road, Southfield 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; free www.jobfairgiant.com or 641-715-3900, ext. 50832 Meet with potential employers such as Roush, First Financial Delta, Beaumont and Chase. Receive a list of an additional 20 companies hiring. There will be an on-site Unemployment Insurance Agency representative available. Profes- sional attire required. GOT AN ITEM FOR CAREER CALENDAR? Email date, time, place, description, cost and contact info (MUST include phone number for verifica- tion) to micareercalendar @gmail.com. To feature your business on the Working pages, or for information about this supplement, call 586-977-7577. Good Company: Alpha Amusements Entertainment company plays well in homes and businesses, looks to expand Bryan Scopel is owner of Alpha Amusements, a family-owned business based in Madison Heights. The business services clients throughout southeast Michigan. z Alpha Amusements plans to hire additional staff within the year to supplement the installa- tion team and service depart- ment. z Learn more about Alpha Amusements, including their top products of 2011, at www.alpha- amusements.com or call them at 248-583-1000. Good to Know Paycheck The difference between good and bad debt Debt is a part of everyone’s life. Debt comes in two major catego- ries: good debt and bad debt. Let’s explore the right way to use debt, so it’s an enhancement rather than a detriment to your financial health. It’s incorrect to as- sume all debt is bad. There are many types of debt that are good for your credit and conse- quently help make certain financial transactions easier for you to obtain. A debt that contributes to you building a stronger financial picture is one worth having. Know the Difference Good debts are those such as a home mortgage and a debt related to obtaining a better education. A home mortgage allows you to create equity and have an enjoyable place to live. A student loan allows you to continue your education, enhanc- ing your job opportunities for a more secure financial future. A business loan can be a good debt. Borrowing and using a bank’s money enables you to leverage, meaning you’re using someone else’s money to make more money. This type of debt can improve your financial health and enable you to increase the value of your business, thus creating a better financial position. Bad debt is what gets people in financial trouble. Many times people do not recognize or under- stand what bad debt is and how it can negatively impact their credit rating and entire financial future. This is the type of debt that’s easy to accumulate and can be very dif- ficult to unwind. Debts that can be bad are such things as buying expensive clothes or automobiles, eating at fancy restaurants, and taking lavish vaca- tions. Credit card debt with high rates of interest can be bad if not repaid quickly. Enjoying the luxuries of life are fine if you can pay for them on a timely basis. Missing payments and accumulating late fees are a detri- ment to any credit report and can cause financial problems for years to come. Jeffrey I. Kopelman is the president and CEO of Main Street Bank in Bingham Farms, and has nearly three decades or experience in the banking and finance industry. Contact him at 248-530-2861 or [email protected] Caree Eason Jeffrey I. Kopelman KEYS FOR SUCCESS A dedicated staff with a thorough understanding of what’s trending in the game world is critical to success in the competi- tive industry, says Bryan Scopel, owner of Alpha Amusements in Madison Heights. “Our employees help to give us an edge against the competition by being knowledgeable and dedicated to providing ex- cellent customer service,” he says. Alpha Amusements service representatives liaise between clients and management to relay suggestions and feedback, making the company more responsive to customer and end-user needs. To meet growth, Alpha Amusements plans to hire additional staff within the year to supple- ment the installation team and service department. As a family-owned busi- ness small enough to truly feel like a family yet large enough to service a diverse client base throughout southeast Michigan, the 35 employees at Alpha Amusements must be trustworthy, reliable and talented in their roles. “To be successful at Alpha Amusements, it takes dedi- cation, attention to detail, the ability to multitask, great communication skills and dependability,” he says.
Transcript of for work. Hire them. Dec. 16 (FRIDAY) Working 2011.pdf · Payables, Receivables, Reconciliations,...
Work Smarts
Prepare for a group interview
Before a job interview, it’s important to practice answering standard and infrequent questions. But what about preparing for a group interview? How do you stand out from others in the group?
A group interview is when a group of candidates is interviewed at once by multiple interviewers. The in-terview will begin with a presentation about the company and the available positions. Take notes during the interview because several questions will be asked to determine which candidate is attentive and stands out. Candi-
dates also are evaluated on many characteristics. The following tips will help you be prepared:
n Interact with others in the group professionally. Don’t be ag-gressive or talk over them.
n You might be asked to do a group exercise. This is your oppor-tunity to demonstrate leadership and teamwork skills. Listen to the ideas of the other group members,
be motivational and organized, and demon-strate time management skills.
n Don’t begin the exercise if you’re unsure of the instructions. The interviewers will deter-mine whether you are a natural leader or fol-lower from this exercise.
n Interviewers often ask nonwork-related hypotheti-cal questions during a group interview. These are trick ques-tions used to ascertain personality
characteristics. Do not offer a per-sonal opinion or experience. Do respond with corporate-friendly answers.
n Group interviews test your ability to deal with competitive situations. The interviewers are looking for a self-confident candi-date who’s ready for unexpected hiccups.
n Be persuasive in your an-swers. Interviewers like candidates who understand the company and position requirements. Do your research before the interview, so that your answers are convincing.
n After the interview, send a follow-up letter to all interviewers, and call one on the telephone.
Caree Eason is a recruiter, ré-sumé repair expert and director of community outreach for JobFair Giant.com. To learn more or re-quest her for speaking engagements, call 734-956-4550, email [email protected], or visit twitter.com/jobfairgiant.
When home video games such as PlayStation and Nintendo debuted in the mid-1990s, who could have predicted that pinball and Pac Man would still be in hot demand decades later?
Madison Heights-based Alpha Amusements, Michigan’s largest supplier of coin-operated amusement games, recognized the shift in the in-dustry and, sensing that traditional arcade amuse-ment always will occupy a significant place in the market, worked hard to diversify its offerings. This strategy paved the way to a thriving business, according to owner Bryan Scopel.
Alpha Amusements owns and operates American Fun Centers in Oakland Mall, Genesee Valley Mall and the Cinemark theater complex at Universal Mall, and also sells and services game systems to restaurants, hockey rinks and bowling alleys.
But a growing segment of its mar-ket belongs to sales of new and used arcade-quality games for the home rec room, meeting the demand from customers who love the thrill of the games they played, often as youngsters, in arcades. “If you like Xbox and Wii, usually you like all games, so there is a fairly good crossover,” Scopel says.
He says he recognizes that holidays are a time people are looking to buy games for their homes, so it’s important to offer special deals for the season. To stay competitive, Scopel also has made special event rentals an important part of the busi-ness. Alpha Amusements rents games, jukeboxes
and photobooths for events such as corporate and birthday parties, weddings and Bar and Bat Mitzvahs.
“We have risen to the challenge by diversifying our business as much as possible,” he says. En-tertainment is a specialized industry, and success comes from a variety of important factors. Here, Scopel shares his top tips for success:
z Be a well-oiled machine. “You have to be quick and efficient and well organized to work within a client’s often short window of time,” Scopel says.
z Put customer service at the heart of all you do. Scopel knows a well-trained staff will make sure customers are happy, every time. “From the delivery guys to technicians to the office staff, our employees are trained to provide the very best service,” he says.
z Remember the golden rule. “We make sure to put ourselves in the customers’ shoes and treat them just how we’d like to be treated, to provide the best possible experience from every part of our business,” Scopel says.
Medical Sales Executive. Very experienced. Will exceed goals and projections. [email protected]
SOCIAL WORKER MSW- 30 years Social Services Experience/Mental [email protected]
Seasoned Administrative Assistant turned Pharmacy Tech seeking volunteer work, Pharma. [email protected]
Quickbooks expert. Payables, Receivables, Reconciliations, Collections, Billing, Reports and Payroll. [email protected]
Telecom Manager, back office pro, superior work ethic, top results. [email protected]
2011 CST Grad- Experienced (Local 4 Intern), Driven & Enthusiatic! [email protected]
Experienced TeacherCertified Special Education/Math/English Creative and personable. [email protected]
Experienced executive in successful business turnarounds, start ups, growth shutdowns. [email protected]
Country music singer. Multiple Hoedown perfor-mances. Let me entertain you. garyjpillow.com
RETIRED Automotive Ser-vice Parts Analyst - Computer experience. Part-time wanted, Dependable. [email protected]
Plant/Project Engineer, experienced problem solver. Heat Treating, atmospheres, plating. [email protected]
Newswriter, trained in Radio, wants freelance work in news. [email protected]
NEXT PAGE:
GOOD COMPANY:Gleaners Community Food Bank of Southeastern Michigan
COMING NEXT MONDAY: Mastering the art of networking
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT FROM THE DETROIT MEDIA PARTNERSHIP
Working Get ahead.Get hired.
Get inspired.
Shore Mortgage is more than a job … it’s a career. Specializing in FHA/VA and conventional mortgage financing.
Equal Housing Equal Opportunity Lender
www.shoremortgage.com 800-678-6663
10-WORD RÉSUMÉS
Brief introductions from fabulous
Michiganders looking for work. Hire them.
Sponsored by
To place your 10-word
résumé here, visit www.michigan.com/working
Career Calendar
THE BIG EVENTDec. 16 (FRIDAY)Starting Your Own BusinessSPARK East, 215 W. Michigan Ave., Ypsilanti9 a.m.-4 p.m.; $25Learn how attitude impacts entre-preneurialism and what you need to do to create a marketing plan for your business. Receive one-on-one counseling with a business expert, and explore accounting, legal and franchise business plans.
ALSO ON THE CALENDAR: Dec. 12 (MONDAY)Toastmasters – PMI-HVC Meetings777 Building, 777 E. Eisenhower Pkwy., Ann Arbor Room LL106-7:30 p.m.; freewww.pmi-hvc.org or email [email protected] host.bizWant to improve your public speaking skills? Toastmasters International will help you com-municate more effectively at its bi-monthly meetings. The meetings provide all participants an oppor-tunity to practice impromptu and prepared speeches, and learn to conduct a meeting, all while receiv-ing constructive feedback.
Dec. 29 (THURSDAY)New Year, New Job! Career FairEmbassy Hotel, 28100 Franklin Road, Southfield 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; freewww.jobfairgiant.com or 641-715-3900, ext. 50832Meet with potential employers such as Roush, First Financial Delta, Beaumont and Chase. Receive a list of an additional 20 companies hiring. There will be an on-site Unemployment Insurance Agency representative available. Profes-sional attire required.
GOT AN ITEM FOR CAREER CALENDAR? Email date, time, place, description, cost and contact info (MUST include phone number for verifica-tion) to micareercalendar @gmail.com.
To feature your business on the Working pages, or for information about this supplement, call 586-977-7577.
Good Company: Alpha Amusements
Entertainment company plays well in homes and businesses, looks to expand
Bryan Scopel is owner of Alpha Amusements, a family-owned business based in Madison Heights. The business services clients throughout southeast Michigan.
z Alpha Amusements plans to hire additional staff within the year to supplement the installa-tion team and service depart-ment.z Learn more about Alpha Amusements, including their top products of 2011, at www.alpha-amusements.com or call them at 248-583-1000.
Good to Know
Paycheck
The difference between good and bad debt
Debt is a part of everyone’s life. Debt comes in two major catego-ries: good debt and bad debt. Let’s explore the right way to use debt, so it’s an enhancement rather than a detriment to your financial health.
It’s incorrect to as-sume all debt is bad. There are many types of debt that are good for your credit and conse-quently help make certain financial transactions easier for you to obtain. A debt that contributes to you building a stronger financial picture is one worth having.
Know the Difference Good debts are those such as a
home mortgage and a debt related to obtaining a better education. A home mortgage allows you to create equity and have an enjoyable place to live.
A student loan allows you to continue your education, enhanc-ing your job opportunities for a more secure financial future.
A business loan can be a good debt. Borrowing and using a bank’s money enables you to leverage, meaning you’re using someone else’s money to make more money. This type of debt can improve your financial health and enable you to increase the value of your business, thus creating a better
financial position. Bad debt is what gets people
in financial trouble. Many times people do not recognize or under-
stand what bad debt is and how it can negatively impact their credit rating and entire financial future. This is the type of debt that’s easy to accumulate and can be very dif-ficult to unwind.
Debts that can be bad are such things as buying expensive clothes or automobiles, eating at fancy restaurants, and taking lavish vaca-tions. Credit card debt with high rates of interest can be bad if not repaid quickly.
Enjoying the luxuries of life are fine if you can pay for them on a timely basis. Missing payments and accumulating late fees are a detri-ment to any credit report and can cause financial problems for years to come.
Jeffrey I. Kopelman is the president and CEO of Main Street Bank in Bingham Farms, and has nearly three decades or experience in the banking and finance industry. Contact him at 248-530-2861 or [email protected]
Caree Eason Jeffrey I. Kopelman
KEYS FOR SUCCESSA dedicated staff with
a thorough understanding of what’s trending in the game world is critical to success in the competi-tive industry, says Bryan Scopel, owner of Alpha Amusements in Madison Heights. “Our employees
help to give us an edge against the competition by being knowledgeable and dedicated to providing ex-cellent customer service,” he says.
Alpha Amusements service representatives liaise between clients
and management to relay suggestions and feedback, making the company more responsive to customer and end-user needs. To meet growth, Alpha Amusements plans to hire additional staff within the year to supple-ment the installation team
and service department.As a family-owned busi-
ness small enough to truly feel like a family yet large enough to service a diverse client base throughout southeast Michigan, the 35 employees at Alpha Amusements must be
trustworthy, reliable and talented in their roles. “To be successful at Alpha Amusements, it takes dedi-cation, attention to detail, the ability to multitask, great communication skills and dependability,” he says.
