Monday, February 25, 2008

How to Adjust to a New Job

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

Adjusting to a new job can be a daunting challenge, whether you took the new job by choice or out of necessity. Pretty soon, you'll know the new people, the new work, and the new place. Meanwhile, you can take some steps to make the transition smoother.

Steps

  1. Arrive on time or a little early the first day. Ask in advance when, where, and who you will meet. Confirm that somebody will be there to meet you when you arrive.
    • Obtain and bring the phone number of somebody who can let you in. Get any special instructions, too.
    • Be courteous and patient with the receptionist, if you meet with one on the way in. They can contact the right people and help point you in the right direction.
  2. Take care of the administrative stuff. Visit Human Resources, security, your manager, and anybody else you need to see to get started. Ask questions if you need to.
    • Fill out whatever paperwork is necessary and get it turned in promptly. Note that applications for insurance, retirement, or other benefits may need to be turned in within a certain amount of time after starting the job for them to be accepted. If you're not sure about policies, procedures, or deadlines, ask.
    • Obtain (or apply for) your badge, uniform, and any keys you will need. Make sure to get a temporary badge if your permanent one will take some time to arrive.
    • Attend any training or orientation.
    • Review the employee manual and any other matter you're asked to read.
    • Request business cards if they will be a part of your job.
  3. Get to know your colleagues. This could be the single most valuable way to ease the transition into a new job.
    • Learn names as much as possible. Introduce yourself and ask a few simple questions to start the conversation. Find out what people's roles are and how long they have been around, for a start.
    • Ask who to ask. If you're stuck on something, go to somebody you already met and ask where you should take a question.
    • Make friends. As you start to develop a professional rapport with some people, invite them to have coffee or lunch with you someday. Getting outside the workplace can do wonders for camaraderie.
  4. Learn your work area and, as appropriate, set it up.
    • If you share space or equipment with others, learn where it goes and how to care for it. You'll make a good impression by keeping things tidy and in working order.
    • Arrange your work space for your style. Do you use your telephone frequently? Put it within easy arm's reach. Are you right-handed? Leave yourself space to write on that side of your chair. Organize your desk for the way you work.
    • Adjust your chair for your size. Ask for any special accommodations you need.
    • Clean your workspace, especially if somebody else occupied it previously. Stay a little late the first day, if you need to. People eat, sneeze, and cough at their desks, and you're better off not starting a new job by calling in sick the second week.
    • Remove the clutter, if any was left behind.
    • Wipe down your desk with damp paper towels. Pre-moistened wipes or a mild spray cleaner will do a better job. Don't forget the mouse, mousepad, keyboard, the armrests of your chair, the telephone and doorknobs, since all these things get handled frequently.
    • Collect or request any supplies or equipment you will need to do your job.
    • Arrange and organize your workspace as you go, too. You may not know what to title file folders or binders until you get started doing your job, for instance.
  5. Get your computer, accounts, and passwords set up. The IT or IS department will usually help. Listen to their instructions and advice. Don't forget to ask for assistance installing a printer, if you need to.
  6. Learn enough about your voice mail system to initiate your mailbox, record an outgoing message, and set a password. Sometimes there are various internal and external messages to set up.
  7. Learn your new job. Depending on your job and your previous experience, it could take anywhere from weeks to years to master.
    • Ask plenty of questions at first. Everybody will understand that you are starting in a new place, and it will show that you're actively learning.
    • Establish goals and define your objectives. Do this jointly with your supervisor. You may see what needs doing, or he/she may tell you what needs to be done, or (most likely) a combination may occur. Your objectives may evolve as you settle in, but starting right away will give you direction when you most need it.
    • Listen carefully to instructions and advice that people offer.
    • Write things down. Use a notebook, calendar or planner to help keep track of all the new information that is coming your way. When somebody tells you where to go or who to see, make a note of it. It will help you remember what you need to do, and it will demonstrate that you are paying attention.
    • Repeat back instructions that you receive, in your own words. It's a good way to make sure that you understand things completely, and it will help you remember. You can begin, "Let me make sure I understand correctly here. You'd like me to..."
  8. Learn the building or other space where you will be working. Where is the printer? The restroom? The emergency exit? The cafeteria? If there's a map, take a good look at it.
  9. Talk to your boss. Even if it's not your favorite activity, communicating regularly with your boss is a good way to know if you're on the right track. Don't forget that you can ask questions, give a status report (verbally or in writing), and ask for feedback and recommendations.
  10. Jump in and start doing your work. Either you will figure out what you are doing or you will learn where you are stuck and what you need to ask. Instructions and advice may get you started, but doing is the best way to learn.

Tips

  • Don't underestimate the power of being new. Yes, you have a lot of work to do, and you'll need to establish a new reputation here, but you also bring a fresh perspective and you probably bring experience from other companies or jobs. Try to turn that into fresh energy, new ideas, and initiative that will make you stand out among your new colleagues.
  • Personalize your workspace a bit, if appropriate. A well-chosen knickknack can make a new office feel more familiar and serve as an ice-breaker with new colleagues.
  • In general, dress according to how others dress, whether that is jeans and sneakers or suits and ties. The exception is if your new role means seeing people that the others in your office don't. If you're part of the sales or executive team, for instance, dealing with customers or investors that the back-office crew doesn't see, dress accordingly.
    • Always dress professionally for the interview. If you're not sure, dress professionally for the first day and adjust your style after you've had time to look around.
    • Dress according to your duties. Whether you're climbing ladders to the roof, digging ditches, or sitting behind a desk, dress accordingly.
  • Get to know the area around your workplace, too. You don't have to do this the first day, but as you get comfortable, take a different route home. Ask coworkers about their favorite restaurants, or explore for yourself.
  • If your company culture and rules allow it, consider bringing your dog with you. Having your dog will make you feel more comfortable at your new job.

Warnings

  • Keep your conduct, dress, and manner professional, especially at first, until you have some feel for the atmosphere and culture in your new workplace.
  • Having lots of experience is great, but don't assume that your new company works the same way as your old company. Make the effort to learn what is different or new.
  • If you do choose to bring a pet to work, make sure no one has allergies. Also, make sure your dog is quiet and well-behaved. Having your animal jump up and leave paw prints on your boss while they're going into an asthma attack, for example, could make a poor impression.

Related wikiHows

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Friday, February 22, 2008

Step-by-step Gaming License Instructions

Preface

The two primary concerns of gaming license applicants are usually, "Will bad credit prevent me from getting a gaming license" and "Will an arrest prevent me from getting a gaming license?" In most cases the answer is "No." If bad credit and minor arrests prevented the approval of gaming licenses there would be no casinos.

As a gaming commission investigator once said, "If you didn't have bad credit, you wouldn't be American." Typical bad credit will not prevent you from getting a gaming license. Gaming license applications ask if the applicant has ever filed bankruptcy. If the answer is "yes" supporting documentation must be provided. So, even bankruptcy should not prevent an applicant from obtaining a license.

The type of bad credit that will prevent someone from being approved for a license is that which is the result of fraud, lying, cheating and stealing or defaulting on a student loan. Honesty is the issue.

Having a criminal record does not necessarily mean you will not get a license either. Some offenses which may cause the denial of a license do have time limits applied which vary and range from 1 year, to 3, 5 or 10 years, depending on the offense. The standards from jurisdiction to jurisdiction are similar, but, can have specific significant differences. It is highly likely that a felony record will mean no license. However, there are exceptions even to that general rule of thumb.

In Louisiana, You Probably Won't Get A License If RS 14:2 B Applies to You.

Usually, misdemeanors will not prevent the approval of a gaming license. Typically, what really matters is the nature of the offense. Any offense related to gaming/gambling, theft, fraud, larceny, perjury/lying, deception, forgery or conspiracy/organized crime will guarantee denial of the application.

If you have any doubt or concerns about your ability to obtain a gaming license you should contact the enforcement agency with whom you would be applying and explain your situation to an investigator before you even attempt to gather your background information. Don't worry, you will not be arrested for being honest about your situation, unless you are currently wanted by law enforcement.

Every case is handled on an individual basis. Exceptions to black and white rules do occur. Honesty and courtesy go a long way.

References

The Application

Print a copy of the Louisiana Non-Key Gaming Employee Permit Application, (other Gaming License Applications Available Online). Read the application instructions carefully before entering any information. Fill it out as complete and accurately as possible, according to the instructions. Louisiana applications must be completed in blue ink only. All jurisdictions require the use of either blue or black ink. No other color ink is ever appropriate.

DO NOT get your Louisiana license application notarized until after you get hired, but, before your licensing session with the State Police gaming commission.

DO NOT date or initial your Louisiana license application until your licensing session with the State Police gaming commission.

Any gaming license application is a sworn statement.

"Any false statement made in this application is a felony and is punishable by up to ten (10) years in prison or a fine of up to ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00), or both. Furthermore, failure to reveal requested information or the submission of false or misleading information may result in denial of this application."

The Louisiana application says to provide a recent photo, however, the gaming commission officer will take a digital picture of you during your gaming license session. For other state or Indian gaming license applications it is always better to have and not need, then to need and not have, photos and information.

Although no one should need to be told the obvious, experience dictates that it is necessary to warn applicants to always be nice and polite to those whose assistance you need to gather your application information records.

Gaming Commissions' Contact Information & License Applications Available Online

  1. California Gaming Control Commission
    • California Application for Initial Regular and Work Permit/ Temporary Work Permit
  2. Colorado Gaming Commission
    • Support Gaming License Application
  3. Delaware Gaming Control Board
    • Forms
  4. Indiana Gaming Commission
    • Occupational License Level 2 Form 46781
  5. Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission (IRGC)
    • License Application
  6. Louisiana Gaming Control Board
    • Non-Key Gaming Employee Permit Application
  7. Michigan Gaming Control Board
    • Occupational License Level 2 or 3 Application
  8. Mississippi Gaming Commission
    • Work Permit Application Packets
  9. Missouri Gaming Commission
    • License Level II Application Form
  10. Nevada Gaming Commission
    • Employee Registration Application
  11. New Jersey Casino Control Commission
    • Personal History Disclosure Form – 2A
  12. New Mexico Gaming Control Board
    • Work Permit Application
  13. South Dakota Gaming Commission
    • Support Employee License Application

Residence History

If you do not know your 10 years of residence history you can obtain it one of several ways or all.

First, your credit report will include addresses at which you received bills.

"You are entitled to receive one free credit report every 12 months from each of the nationwide consumer credit reporting companies – Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. This free credit report can be requested through this website [AnnualCreditReport.com], by phone [1-877-322-8228] or by mail."

You can also get a free copy of your credit report at FreeCreditReport.com.

Note:

"When you order your free report here, you will begin your free trial membership in Triple AdvantageSM Credit Monitoring. If you don't cancel your membership within the 7-day trial period, you will be billed $14.95 for each month that you continue your membership."

Second, you can get an Advanced Background Check at USSearch.com for $59.95 (view sample) or call 1-800-US-SEARCH (1-800-877-3272). US Search is offering FREE 1 hour rush delivery for phone orders. Internet orders have to pay a fee for 1 hour delivery. The Advanced Background Check includes a one state criminal background check. However, it is not guaranteed to be 100% accurate and a Louisiana criminal background check is not available at US Search. If you have lived in another state choose that state for your criminal background check. Some criminal background check is better than no criminal background check at all. Background information provided by US Search, including previous addresses, only goes back as far as 18 years of age.

Work History

If you do not know your 10 years of work history you can obtain an Itemized Statement of Earnings (Includes the names and addresses of employers) for $91.00, as of this writing, through the Social Security Administration. Use the Social Security Administration Office Locator to find an office near you. Some local offices will give it to you immediately in office. Unfortunately, other offices incorrectly tell you they cannot give you an Itemized Statement of Earnings and you must complete Form SSA-7050-F4 and mail it in to:

Social Security Administration
Division of Earnings Record Operations
P.O. Box 33003
Baltimore Maryland 21290-3003

"You should allow 4 months from the date that you submit form SSA-7050 for a response."

Always call the office you plan to visit to verify whether or not you need to bring Form SSA-7050-F4 with you and the current price of the statement.

Social Security at 1616 Joe Yenni in Kenner, LA, will give you your work history immediately, with a $35 check or money order. NO CASH.

Military Service

If you ever served in the military you will need to provide DD Form 214, Discharge Papers and Separation Documents. This is a process which takes time and therefore should be acted upon quickly.

Criminal, Investigatory and Civil Proceedings

Criminal Background

Read Page 6 carefully and provide all requested documentation.

If you have "ever been detained, issued a summons or citation, arrested, charged, indicted or forfeited bail for any criminal offense or violation for any reason whatsoever" you will need to supply supporting documentation. The sooner you start working on this information the better. Gathering criminal background documents is likely to be the most time consuming of all information required in any gaming license application.

Do not make the mistake to believe that your arrest was so long ago that the gaming commission won't find it or that they don't care because it was trivial. Where the application asks if you have "ever" been arrested it means ever. Failure to provide or withholding of requested information can result in at least postponing the approval of your license or result in arrest and/or fines of up to $10,000.00.

Contact the parish or county Clerk of Courts where the offense occurred and ask for certified court disposition papers. If disposition papers do not exist for whatever reason obtain something in writing proving your effort to obtain the required documents.

Civil Proceedings

If you have ever been to court or used an attorney for any reason you probably will need to "Attach certified copies of documents relating to each matter to this application."

Tax Clearance

Page 11 of the Louisiana Non-Key Gaming Employee Permit Application is a Louisiana Tax Clearance form which needs to be signed and stamped by the Louisiana Department of Revenue. It is a good idea to obtain your tax clearance sooner rather than later. If you are not able to be cleared it could take a significant amount of time to straighten out your tax issue.

In New Orleans, the Louisiana Department of Revenue office is located at 1555 Poydras St Suite 2100. Exit the elevator on the 21st floor and take a left.

In lieu of driving around trying to park on the street, the closest garage parking is available on Freret across from 1555 Poydras. The entrance to the garage looks as if you will be driving into the building.

Federal Tax Returns

If not for a new gaming license, you will need the last three years of your Federal income tax returns to renew your gaming license.

To find the local office nearest you visit the IRS' Contact My Local Office page.

Naturalization Papers

If you are a naturalized citizen you must bring a copy of your naturalization certificate.

Visiting The Office

In order to visit this office or to speak with an Immigration Information Officer, you must have an appointment scheduled by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, or you must schedule an INFOPASS appointment, on the USCIS web site.

PLEASE NOTE: This office is CLOSED on Fridays.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services office is located at:

Metairie Centre, Suite 300 (Third Floor)
2424 Edenborn Avenue
Metairie, LA 70001

Driving directions to 2424 Edenborn Avenue Metairie, LA.

USCIS Service and Office Locator

Summary

  1. Louisiana Non-Key Gaming Employee Permit Application
  2. Advanced Background Check at USSearch.com
  3. Social Security Administration
  4. DD Form 214, Discharge Papers and Separation Documents
  5. Louisiana Department of Revenue
  6. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

The new licensee often asks, "How long will it take to get a Louisiana Non-Key Gaming License?" Several factors can effect how long it takes, but, generally it takes from one to three weeks. However, in some cases it can take more than a month.

If there happens to be a larger than usual number of applications to process, that will obviously make it take longer. If your application is not filled out completely and accurately, with all required accompanying documentation, that will cause your license to take longer. An inaccurate application could also possibly cause your application to be denied. Even worse, you could be arrested and/or fined for providing misleading or false information.

The longer it takes you to gather the necessary information, the longer it will be before you start working.

Friday, February 15, 2008

Proper Attire Required

All students need to invest in at least one tuxedo shirt. It is industry standard to wear solid black pants and a white tux shirt during auditions. Your black pants should not be cotton as cotton fades and looks bad. The casino will provide you with uniform shirts, however, you will have to supply your own black pants. A standard wing tipped tuxedo shirt is exactly what you need.

Those students wishing to deal outside functions will have a greater need for a tuxedo shirt and a black bow tie. If you intend to deal parties it may be a good idea to have more than one shirt, just in case.

On the East Bank, New Orleans Tuxedos at 2408 David Dr Suite 3 [504-486-5309] in Metairie has tux shirts for $15 and black bow ties for $5.

You may also want to check with B.J., the poker instructor, for a bow tie.

New Orleans Tuxedo is not conveniently located for you search for another tuxedo shop.

You will also need nice black shoes. Plain black sneakers are generally allowed for comfort, but, they cannot be black basket ball shoes or any type of sneaker with any color other than black on them.

As with everything else you need to do, the sooner you do it the better.

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

FREE Adult Education

Jefferson Parish Adult Education Causeway Center

  • 3420 N Causeway Blvd · Suite C · Metairie, LA 70002 · 504.849.9036 Map of 3420 N Causeway Blvd · Suite C · Metairie, LA 70002

FREE GED Prep Classes Monday - Friday 8:30am to 3:00pm Closed holidays & JPSB workshop days

Registration Time Monday through Friday between 8:30am and 11:00am Three hour placement test will be administered after completing registration

Registration Requirements:

18-25 Year Old Students

  • DRIVER'S LICENSE or State ID (No School ID)
  • SOCIAL SECURITY CARD or letter from Social Security Office
  • BIRTH CERTIFICATE

Registration Requirements:

26 Plus

  • DRIVER'S LICENSE or State ID
  • SOCIAL SECURITY CARD or letter from Social Security Office

FREE Computer Literacy

Tuesday through Friday

8:30 - 11:00 (2.5 hours) or 11:30 - 2:00 (2.5 hours)

Microsoft Office Tutorials

  • Excel
  • Access
  • Outlook
  • Word
  • PowerPoint
  • Windows

Keyboarding

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