STARS: Nailing that Amazon leadership job

My mind and heart are definitely consumed on finding effective solutions to dealing with police brutality. This will be a deep focus of mine. 

First, I'm going to provide some help to my fellow Amazonians who desire to move to the next level of leadership whether it be Process Assistant, TOM team, HR or even in Learning as a Trainer or Coordinator.  

Disclaimer" I have only been through the process and am still going to the process as I try to move up another level. I am not an interview facilitator nor have I been through the "Making Effective Hiring Decisions" seminar. I will discuss who to go to directly far as that route. 

Identify the job you want at the specific facility. Import your resume via flash drive and while you're on site within the Amazon network on the AtoZ (Hub). Go to Resources, JobFinder and type in the site code for the site you want to apply at. Look at all of the various jobs and apply for the ones you want. You can have up to four active jobs at once. 

You will need to learn the STAR method Situation, Task, Action, Results). There are resources in your local HR office, Career Choice center, and even YouTube. One video that really helped me was "Amazon STAR Interview" method. This video outlines exactly how to put together stories from your Amazon career and even outside work experience. It also details how to tie these experiences in with the STAR method and the Amazon leadership principles.

You want the STAR method to flow like you're telling a story, with really specific details and even numbers. You can request a mock interview from your AM or one of the Ops or Senior Ops managers at your site or other sites. They have to interview folks regularly, and they can give you honest, unbiased feedback to help out with your interview.

I will also say practice in front of a mirror, in front of a spouse or significant other and even record yourself. Have your questions and answers written out. I have about two scenarios for each leadership principle and I update those regularly.  To my folks already in a T3 role and going for another role or higher, it's uncanny how many different stories you can develop just from a single shift or week. 

Therefore, go for it, put in the work, put yourself out there and nail the interview. I want to see everyone succeed. Amazon may not have the best reputation overall but there are people that want to see you excel also. I'm living proof. 

STARS: Mailing Money Orders and ensuring their destination

Some of you know I handle my incarcerated uncle's money and am his power of attorney. I am also my mother's although it isn't official. If you're tracking, that's 4 accounts I watch (counting my major two). 

I almost messed up big time this month with my uncle but I made it right and everything ended up well. 

I correctly address and stamp a bunch of envelopes, as far as six months out. I even write the check out the day before so I can cash it the day following. 

I take the cash and then go to the USPS office and get my money order. I keep the receipt in a safe place until I confirm that my uncle has his money. 

I subscribed to the USPS digest about two months ago. This lets me know what is supposed to be coming to my mailbox. It is usually that day but I learned that if it's a return to sender case, it may be up to two weeks before you receive the letter.  That's why I found it better to have the address correct the first time down to the number and even send the money order early to have a larger window. 

I then receive verbal confirmation that the money order is received and I can discard the receipt if desired. I then prepare for the next month. 

STARS: Slowly Reentering the World

The pandemic still goes on but there is light now at the end of the tunnel. Locally and nationally, places and businesses are starting to open up. Some are doing it all at once. Others are doing it in waves and with restrictions.  One will have to assess how the viruses is still spreading and as weather continues to get hotter, how they should proceed. 

I will continue to go to work and to the grocery store as long as my health allows me to. I will continue to practice social distancing and wearing a mask and even gloves in some instances. An ounce of prevention is still a pound of cure. 

I will wait a week or two for crowds to die down each time a business reopens, such as indoor dining or a cafe. Some places will have restrictions but I am in no hurry to simply get more sick. I have tracked certain areas and have seen the positives and negatives. There are business owners that honestly don't care about CDC guidelines; they simply want to make money and recoup lost income. 

Finally, I plan to avoid any large crowds for a while. I will utilize my judgment as to how many people I should be around and increase that number over time. I saw many crowds gathering this past weekend. That is not the wise decision just yet. Everyone has to realize how we got into this and what is going to keep us out of this. A relapse could be way worse.

I know every restriction will not last and stick. However, I plan on doing my part and will stay away from those that aren't..