Some employment recruiters of the world’s first and largest specialized financial staffing firm, Robert Half International (RHI), which started in 1948, were paraphrased on CBS News Radio 88AM, stating they do not add anyone to their LinkedIn networking page www.Linkedin.com unless they met them in-person first. As mentioned in previous Internet In Bloom columns, inperson contact is crucial for finding employment, regardless of the technological advances of the Internet. A popular RHI Web site for business jobseekers seeking temporary placement is www.Accountemps.com. Temping may lead to full-time employment as well as free training in the latest office related software clients are using, and therefore should be taken seriously. In the past few decades RHI has grown from a multi-million dollar company to a multi-billion dollar one.

Moreover, are you willing to work unorthodox hours? Entrepreneurs do it daily. Are you a fit, friendly, altruist? Why not contact a health club that is open twenty-four hours a day such as www.24hourfitness.com or www.Planetfitness.com? The Planet Fitness club near my college is always busy.

Furthermore, did you know that if you are a college freshman you may be eligible for a $2,000 student loan with no interest? See www.Billraskob.org for details. If you are the child of a military officer you may be eligible for a $5,500 student loan with no interest. Visit www.MOAA.org for information.

Like to quit smoking or know anyone you would like to convince to quit? Examine www.Nycsmokefree.org and www.Nysmokefree.org for ways to learn more. The money you save alone makes quitting smoking a gold mine.

How would you like to improve your knowledge in a variety of topics for free while feeding the hungry? The United Nations World Food Program enables you to do just that online at http://Freerice.org.

Did you know there are about 43,000 homeless people, including families in New York City? If you need shelter or would like to volunteer to help the homeless, please see www.Nyc.gov/dhs for details about the NYC Department of Homeless Services.

To end on a lighter note, here is an application every smartphone user should have: Fake Phone Call. The URL is enormous so go to www.Google.com or your favorite search engine and search for “Free Fake Phone Call App.” Click the appropriate link depending on your smartphone platform, such as Android or iPhone and download an app that will help you escape boring meetings or endless talkers in seconds. Just open the software, select the timer for the fake call and your phone will ring at that time setting. Five seconds works well for me.

Ted J. Bloom, MLS., MSEd., CPL., has been a published columnist in New York since 1999. A college librarian in Downtown Brooklyn and Manhattan with two graduate degrees, some of his credentials include, creating and running a career preparation computer lab for atrisk youth through the U.S. Department of Labor, as well as being a SUNY Communications Instructor and a YMCA Director.