lune 16. 2004_______________________________________ ï l | i ' ^JnrtlaitÒ (íDhsi'rllf T______ ___________________ PagcA7 special edition Cha/titM Ctone, gecotfd BPA retiree opens own business BY J aymee R. C uti T he P ortland O bserver Always keen to sharpen his skills, Martin is constantly training in the newest innovation with the Institute of Inspec tions Cleaning and Restoration, o f which he is a certified member. "I have many resources to assist me upon request such as the institute's online services and wholesale suppliers staff as well as other carpet cleaners,” he said. According to Martin, his supplies, re sources and knowledge have given him the tools to get the job done. Tocontact Martin, call 503-281 -3949. When Thomas Martin retired from Bonneville Power Administration, he be gan working for himself. Beginning a carpet and upholstery business had little in common with his former career as a revenue analyst, but he learned the trade and opened Martin Clean ing Service five years ago. He said he was just looking for som e thing to do to keep him busy. Today, he’s avai lable six days a week for spot and stain removal services to homes, buildings, vehicles, boats and recreational vehicles. He also specializes in pet odor treatment and baby-safe carpet cleaning. “I do quality work and my prices are reasonable,” said Martin. “And I ’ m timely to appointments.” Martin, a40-year-long resident of north east Portland, says most of his clients are midtown residents but he has approxi mately 10 percent of commercial clientele as well. Thomas Martin began a second career by starting his own business after retiring from the Bonneville Power Administration. Martin Clean ing Service now keeps him busy with both residential and commercial accounts. photo by M a r k W ashington / T he P ortland O bserver Job Interview Tips to Avoid Pitfalls Prospective employers share common pet peeves The first of some common inter viewing pet peeves is preparing for an interview like preparing for a date. Too much perfume is a terrible asking open-ended questions. If you don’t take the hint that this is the time to talk about yourself, then it may amount to a missed opportu when the interviewee rambles. Stay on topic, and wrap up your answers in two or three minutes. Look your i ntervie wer in the eyes. Avoiding your interviewer’s eyes Look your interviewer in during the whole interview makes Your worst job interview night you look untrustworthy. If you’re the eyes. Avoiding your mare could begin with you sitting too shy, focus on the "third eye,” across from the interviewer, feeling interviewer’s eyes during ju s t a b o v e an d b etw e en the I ike th i ngs are goi ng wel 1 when all of the whole interview makes interview er’s eyes. a sudden, you hit one o f the Most importantly,don’t lie. Little interviewer’s pet peeves. you look untrustworthy. lies, about salary, previous jobs or According to msn.com, the best leaving with no intention to follow way not to trigger an automatically idea and may evoke bad memories, nity, and a missed job. th ro u g h , are a w aste o f an negative response is to avoid the like the smell of an ex-girlfriend. Likewise, it’s also not good to interviewer’s time. Be completely common complaints of prospective A good interviewer will try to dominate the conversation by talk forthcoming or you’ll lose a job employers. draw your conversation out by ing too much. Usually, this occurs once you get caught. Class Helps Land Security Jobs Is it possible to launch a new career in one day? With Portland Community College, not only is it possible, it can lead to a future in one of the fastest-growing professional fields today: security. Instructor John Kai will lead Security Guard Certification Training this summer. Learn what the security field has to offer, criminal and civil is sues, human public relations, legal and ethical issues, fire detection, reporting, observa- tion techniques and more. Suc cessful students will earn their Oregon State Certification to obtain a security guard posi tion. This one-day class will be offered from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m„ either Saturday, June 26, or Saturday, Aug. 7, at PCC’s Central Portland Workforce Training Center, 1626 S.E. Water Ave. Cost is $59 For more information, con tact PCC Community Educa tion at 503-533-2707. COLLEGE President Branch talks with students about their career plans. Com plete Your Transfer D egree or Technical Training in: • • • • Business Healthcare Computers Technical Trades • • • Education The Arts Science Fields * R E W A R D IN G CAREERS 3 6 0 -9 9 2 -2 1 0 7 w w w .clark.edu 1800 E. McLoughlin Blvd., Vancouver, WA 98663-3598 Advertise with diversity in (O bscrurr Call 5O3-288-OO33 ads@portlandob server.com