CAREER TIPS FOR THE REAL WORLD !

How to find a job in this tough economy?

2011-01-31T10:41:00.000-08:00

How to find a job in this tough economy?

Finding a job in a booming economy is easier than the economy that we are in today. When things look down and no one seems to be hiring that is when you need to take a harder look at your options, your training and try to reinvent yourself in 3 ways.

1. Try to take the classes or courses that will enhance your resume
2. Try to connect with as many colleagues and former employers not only though networking sites but in person
3. Look for jobs in the most unconventional places like Twitter and Corporate Facebook pages.

You will be surprised as to the difference you will make in the way you feel and the results you will get when you do all three.

Here are a couple of links that will help you do just that

10 Top ideas to get a job in this lousy economy
Books on jobs in a bad economy

The most effective way to get a job in this economy

2009-03-24T22:44:00.000-07:00

Abridged: Today MSNBC

LOS ANGELES, CA -- Lost your job? Join the club. Better yet, join the party. As unemployment numbers hit historic highs, "pink slip" parties are popping up in big cities around the country. Hundreds of axed employees are going to happy hour meet-and-greets, where one can enjoy a drink and discuss career prospects with eager recruiters.

People are finding creative ways to stand out above the pack. In order to get a job in this economy, people have to get out there. And while there are no guarantees of gaining anything more than good conversations and a few contacts, some pink slip attendees have had success in finding new employment. Pink slip parties offer those on the prowl for jobs a chance to share information among themselves.

"If you take your network and compare it to the network of a total group, you get access to more people - if you can help each other, it's a win for everyone," said John Challenger, CEO of outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas. Pink slip parties are just one extension of social networking. Whether online or in person at networking events, many agree that these one-on-one connections have stood the test of time as the most effective way to get a job.

2 Very Important Tips For Starting A Business in Your Home

2009-01-23T09:31:00.000-08:00

For more and more people, home is not only where the family is - it's where the business is! I have ben doing business for the past 12 years from home and I love the flexibility and convenience. During the last 20 years, large numbers of people have chosen to market their skills and talents from home. Recent studies estimate that as many as 20 percent of new small business enterprises are operated out of the home, and this trend is growing. Many home-based businesses are even started on a part-time basis and then expand into full-time businesses as the market for the business develops and grows.

Why a home based business?

People are attracted to home based businesses for many different reasons.

They include:

Experiencing the personal satisfaction of making their own decisions
Expressing their own ideas and being their own boss.

Those starting home-based businesses come from many different groups, such as homemakers, single parents, youth, dislocated workers, hobbyists and people interested in adding to their incomes. The entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well even in this economy...actually especially in this economy.

First have a mission statement or vision for your business.
Make a business plan. Every business should have a business plan, including a home-based business.

The best place to get started with that is the Small Business Website.

http://www.sba.gov/

They have detailed instructions on how to get started in your state. With references to laws, policies and procedures.

Are you stuck for words and ideas for your resume?

2008-11-19T08:52:00.000-08:00

Are you stuck for words and ideas for your resume? Ever wonder when you are going to start on your resume? Well, here is a good site to get you started. It has a lot of free resume templates based on the job. One good book I would recommend is the Resume Magic: Trade Secrets of a Professional Resume Writer. It has a lot of very insightful tips and tricks, so that you can churn out a great looking resume.

Writing an exciting resume that catches the attention of hiring managers is not an easy task. Employers are looking for capabilities and concrete examples of skills and abilities such as organizational leadership and involvement, a strong work ethic and a sense of commitment. Be detailed when describing your accomplishments. If you have had internships, summer jobs or academic accomplishments, make sure to include this experience on the resume. It may seem as if it is not important but its exactly the opposite.

Another favorite book of mine is Resumes For Dummies The Dummies series, as much as it is simple it can bring to light the many small details that you can take for granted. The Resume Handbook: How to Write Outstanding Resumes and Cover Letters for Every Situation is yet another good read. It can help you to get your resume up to par so that once in the hands of interested employers you will get immediate feedback and interviews.

The One Question Your Resume Must Answer

2008-10-29T08:17:00.000-07:00

I found this article by Joe Turner very interesting. He says "Hiring managers are looking for one element that will make them stand up and take notice of a candidate. That one element is a strong benefit to the employer. When you provide an employer benefit, you speak their language. They want to know more. Unfortunately, too many resumes lack this."

Yes, we are told to talk about ourselves when we write a resume but the "how-to" is definite noticed in the example that Joe outlines below.

-----------------

Two Approaches

Here is an example. Suppose you have the skill: "Excellent oral and written communication skills."

How can we answer the question, "So What?" in the mind of the employer?

Here's how: Offer an example of how you've used these skills in your job to the benefit of your employer by writing an employer benefit bullet like this:

"Wrote and presented successful training program for 155 company new-hires, resulting in measurable gains in company's inventory efficiency over 12 month period."

The first example statement is a cliche. The second statement leaves no room for doubt: This candidate can communicate orally (in front of a group, no less) and in writing.

----------------

His article is a great eye opener for those who would want to tweak their resume for far better results in the work place.

As a recruiter, Joe Turner has spent the past 15 years finding and placing top candidates in some of the best jobs of their careers. Author of "Job Search Secrets Unlocked," Joe has interviewed on radio talk shows and offers free insider job search secrets at jobchangesecrets.com.

Here is the article in its entirety

http://hotjobs.yahoo.com/career-articles-the_one_question_your_resume_must_answer-477

The Brazen Careerist the blog that is about a different kind of carreer advice

2008-02-21T05:54:00.000-08:00

I love reading The Brazen Careerist the blog that is about a different kind of carreer advice. Written by Penelope Trunk. Besides this fabulous blog she has a book out called the BRAZEN CAREERIST. If you are looking for a job then this is one book I totally recommend.

Here is part of her interview on Amazon where you can find her awesome book.
Brazen Careerist: The New Rules for Success
Q: What makes your career advice different?
A: I explain why old advice - like pay your dues, climb the ladder, and don’t have gaps in your resume - is outdated and irrelevant in today’s workplace. I have a reputation for giving advice that is counterintuitive but effective, like take long lunches, ignore people who steal your ideas, and stop vying for a promotion. Both the New York Times and Business Week cited my writing as especially in tune with today’s new workplace.

Also, I am known for test-driving my advice before spewing it. In my personal life, I routinely (often awkwardly) demonstrate buzzwords before they buzz, like the quarterlife crisis, portfolio career, and shared-care parenting. My own career choices have been featured by Time magazine and the London Guardian as examples of the new issues people face at work today.
............................................................
So read her blog for some fresh new ideas for your job search. a good read !

3 TIPS for Writing or Re-writing your RESUME !

2008-02-10T12:28:00.000-08:00

If you are writing your resume for the first time or want to re-write your resume, there are a few good places to start. Yes, it is one of the most BORING things to do as you have to go back and recap your LIFE and put it neatly on paper or nowadays online.

Resume-Help.org says "Keep in mind, your resume is a marketing tool to get you in the company and in front of the decision maker. Once in, you will need to do the sales pitch, and close the deal. With that said, you don't need to go into detail about every accomplishment in your resume. Strive to be clear and concise, as the purpose is to generate enough interest in you to have an potential employer contact you for an interview."

3 TIPS for Writing or Re-writing your RESUME !

Open up a Word doc and start putting down JOBS and DATES ! It is important to be accurate.
Take the time before you start your resume to form a clear and obtainable objective.
For the first time Resume writer like a college graduate, Kate Lorenz of CareerBuilder.com has outlined "Seven Things to Know Before Writing Your First Résumé"

Making the web work for you...Work The WEB !

2008-01-24T10:52:00.000-08:00

In order to make the web work for you when you have lost your job or are thinking of quitting !
Make the web work for you by WORKING THE WEB ! Here are 3 points to ponder and work on !

Start a blog that "glorifies your skills" Toot your own horn, no one is going to do it for you cause you know yourself the best !
Use CraigsList for finding a job in your city, town. Look in the classifieds or make your own ad and show that your skills are available.
Use www.Ladders.com for professionals that are looking for executive positions. Make sure you look at the resume keyword list, which is like an SEO tagging of your resume. This will help your resume pass through the first level of approval, which is usually scanned by a computer.

Personal time management skills with To-Do Lists

2007-11-19T01:17:00.000-08:00

Personal time management skills are essential skills for effective people. People who use these techniques routinely are the highest achievers in all walks of life, from business to sport to public service. If you use these skills well, then you will be able to function exceptionally well, even under intense pressure.

One way to achieve this is with To-Do Lists

By keeping a To-Do List, you make sure that you capture all of the tasks you have to complete in one place. By prioritizing work, you plan the order in which you'll do things, so you can tell what needs your immediate attention, and what you can quietly forget about until much, much later. Start with the most important tasks at the top of the list, and the least important tasks at the bottom.

Here are 3 FREE online To-Do list tools

Orchestrate uses a unique method to help you organize your to do lists. Rather then simply allowing you to create a list, it lets you create multiple lists each with their own name.
Ta-da List, is a to do list and nothing more. It’s clean and simple, gets right to the point, and only provides feature that you actually need.
Remember the Milk is a more feature packed task management solution. It allows you to organize your tasks into tabs and tags, make time specific tasks with automatic reminders and repeat intervals, and even has collaborative features.

Are you TWITTERING? You should if you want to network and find a job!

2007-11-16T03:18:00.000-08:00

Tired of the online resume posts ? Cant find anyone to talk to to get yourself in a new job...then its time to TWITTER yourself into a new job.

What is TWITTER ? Twitter is a mini-blogging application that you can use to send quick messages out to friends, family and anyone on the web and via cell phones.

You can use Twitter to communicate "What you are doing", "Where you are headed" etc. Great place to promote products, share your ideas - quick and easy. In this day and age of "way-too-much-info" you want quick and easy spurts of info to keep you connected. So twitter about yourself and someone will find you....instead of the traditional - other way around.

Is an image consulting business right for you?

2007-11-07T07:56:00.000-08:00

Ok so you have spent all your time learning how to impress others. Well you have all those tips under your belt. And you still cant find a job....

Well, good looking ! Why not make a career out of being an " Image Consultant"

Article from http://www.atotalwaste.com/getajob/imageconsultant.html

You might have seen them while watching TV shows such as Extreme Makeover, Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, or What Not to Wear. Or you might have heard that Martha Stewart should have used them to give her advice on how to look sympathetic to a jury.

We’re talking about Image Consultants, and they have one of the hottest new businesses today.
Also known by such titles as wardrobe consultant, fashion stylist, or makeover consultant, image consultants are paid to show people how to create a fabulous impression. They might recommend wearing different colors or new styles, go through closets to toss out clothing that isn’t working, shop for a new wardrobe, and put together incredible outfits. They might advise a change of hairstyle, makeup, or grooming.

However, image is more than physical appearance. In addition to how someone looks, we also form impressions based on how someone talks and behaves. So image consultants may also advise people on their vocal communication (voice, grammar, vocabulary, etc.), non-verbal communication (handshakes, posture, eye contact, etc.) and etiquette – from dining to cell phones.

Most image consultants also develop a network of strategic partners they can refer clients to, such as hair stylists, makeup artists, nutritionists, dentists, personal trainers, plastic surgeons, and voice coaches.

Image consultants offer the kind of advice that can help people land a job, get a promotion, find someone to love, or just feel good about themselves.

It’s no wonder they are so well rewarded, typically earning at least $50 per hour advising individuals how to present a better image. A particularly lucrative avenue is presenting training programs for corporations. Image consultants can earn thousands of dollars a day teaching seminars on dressing professionally (including dos and don’ts for casual Fridays), telephone etiquette for customer service staff, communication skills for new supervisors, and other topics.
TIP: If you are one of the rare few who think image doesn’t matter, try shopping at a fine store dressed in what you would normally wear to clean your basement or move furniture. Then visit the same store looking well-groomed and wearing your best suit. Chances are the staff will treat you quite differently!The first step to becoming an image consultant is to decide what kind of services you want to offer. You could specialize in wardrobe or fashion consulting, offer advice on communication skills and etiquette, or be a makeover consultant who gives feedback on “the whole package.”

The next step is to get some experience. While there are a variety of books and training programs you can use to quickly learn the basics, nothing beats hands on experience. Offer free makeovers for friends and family members who will agree to let you take “before and after” photos. You can then put the photos in a portfolio or on a web site to help you get paying clients.
There are many types of clients who use the services of image consultants, including: women who want a new look, job-seekers, corporate executives and their spouses, beauty pageant contestants, lawyers and their clients, cancer survivors, television personalities, transgender individuals, politicians, and singles seeking a partner.

“It is a great time to get into the field,” says celebrity image consultant Gloria Starr. A 20 year industry veteran who has helped shape the image of clients such as Destiny’s Child, 3M, and Celebrity Cruise Lines, she shares expert advice on how to get started in the FabJob How to Become an Image Consultant.

“This is the busiest time in my 20-plus years. People are looking for the edge in business,” says Starr. “Presenting themselves for success by dressing well and using appropriate business and dining skills opens the doors for greater recognition and success.”

Is an image consulting business right for you?

Skills that can help you succeed in this career are a strong visual sense as well as excellent communication skills. You must be able to diplomatically tell someone what they need to improve about their appearance.

Image consulting is a service business so it doesn’t require a large investment to get started.
You can start part-time while working at another job.
To be credible, you must have a professional image yourself.

Tapping into the 'hidden job market'

2007-10-02T08:55:00.000-07:00

If you're currently in the job market, here's the little known secret to tapping into the most lucrative, yet hidden jobs available.Even in this economy, there are still millions of great jobs out there. It's just that many of the best ones never make their way to the classifieds. Instead, they're taken by people who know about them before they're ever advertised.

Imagine how great it would be if you had thousands of friends who'd always tell you about unadvertised jobs that you're perfect for. As they say, it's not what you know it's who you know. The secret to getting the unadvertised jobs is to make friends out of really good recruiters. And not just a few, but LOTS of them.

Here's why, and how you do it:Recruiters, otherwise known as headhunters or search consultants, are hired by companies to find candidates to fill open positions. These jobs are often never advertised. But the secret of how to best use recruiters is to first realize that contrary to popular believe, you aren't their employer. They don't work for you in the traditional sense. They don't wake up and say, "I'm going to do everything I can to find "x" a job."This is an important fact that most job seekers don't understand. The key to maximizing recruiters is to understand the following:

Recruiters don't find jobs for people -- they find people for jobs. It's an important distinction to understand if you want to get a job through a recruiter. In other words, recruiters service the companies who will pay them today. And unless you're paying a recruiter out of your pocket today, don't expect them to canvas the world to find you a job. You'll only be disappointed.

Recruiters will be interested if a paying client has offered to pay them if they can find someone with your skills (or they believe they'll soon be asked to fill a position for a client who generally likes people with your skills). So to get the hidden jobs, you have to realize it's a numbers game and you must play it well by getting your resume to as many recruiters as you can, that specialize in people with your skills, in your field and in your geographic area.

You can search the Internet and find various lists of executive recruiters. However, they're not well organized, complete or easy to find. It might take you a great deal of time. It's never too late or too early to start networking with recruiters in your area who specialize in people like you.

Excerpt from : The Career News

Telling Good Stories...Are you good at that?

2007-09-27T11:44:00.000-07:00

Acing interviews is like being able to spin a great story about yourself to the big boss behind the desk. Making them believe in you and your abilities.

When someone says, "Tell me about yourself," they don't want to hear you rattle off a list of what you've done or what you've accomplished. Telling stories about yourself takes practice. So the length of your story will depened upon the time you have for the interview.

If you have only a few minutes, color your life in a way that the person listening to you will remember what you just said. Practice the answer to this very "STANDARD" yet very very important question numerous times before you go for any interview. Do it aloud and you will see how you sound to yourself.

I have been asked that many times...here is one of my many responses...

..well, I love to create and I have created a website for Indian Cuisine & Culture Made Easy in the United States, which has recipes, cultural tid-bits and a wealth of information on India. Also, since creativity is my passion, I create Elegant personal and corporate Gift Baskets that people love to give or get that are filled with some very yummy goodies.

Mind you I did write the "schpeel" down and altered it many times before it flowed as if it were not practiced. So sit down and write your "schpeel" and practice the story of your working life so far....interview related, and see how much easier your next interview is.

Fun Careers With An Information Technology Degree

2007-05-23T06:21:00.000-07:00

Note : This article caught my eye, as everyone wants a fun career, and nowadays this is realy really possible. With the technology boom and the infinite oportunities because of the new Web 2.o there are careers you would not have taken into consideration years ago. Enjoy !

Fun Careers With An Information Technology Degree
by: Andy West
Reprinted with permission : ArticleCity.com

Are you a technology junkie? Do you have all of the newest gizmos and the most modern cell phone? Do you shake with excitement and anticipation every time a new game system is released? Are you the one your friends call when they have problems with their new laptops?

If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, it is time put your love of technology into a fun and rewarding career. Don't you think it's time you received an information technology degree? An information technology degree will give you the opportunity to turn your hobby into an exciting career. Computer programming, network security, and network engineering are just the tip of the IT iceberg. With an associate's degree in information technology, a successful, not to mention fun filled, future is practically guaranteed.

So what are your options? Your career selection is almost limitless. There is an IT job for all individuals who want to have a fun career, as well as earn a substantial living. The career title Webmaster has a nice ring to it. The Internet is hotter than ever. Everyone wants to be online. Whether you own a small business, such as a pet boutique, looking to expand your clientele by advertising your unique wares online, or a huge international non profit association seeking to explain your mission statement in order to solicit more donations from the tech savvy crowd, you need a web site. As a Webmaster, you will always be in demand. This is why an information technology degree will guarantee you a gratifying career. It's really that simple. With an IT degree as an Internet Webmaster, you will be qualified to build, fix, and expand sites on the Web. Graphic designers are artists who use mostly computer technology to design marketing materials, magazine layouts, websites, logos for businesses, and much more.

So, as long as there are magazines, newspapers and web sites, graphic designers will be in demand. In fact, according to some researches, graphic designers are among the five design professionals that are anticipated to have the newest positions available through 2014. Some individuals are employed as graphic designers after receiving their bachelor's degree, but to receive the best paying, more technical jobs, an information technology degree is necessary. By attending a school that offers an IT track, you will receive all of the software certification necessary to become proficient graphic designer. Do you love playing video games? Why not use your imagination and skills to create your own games? With an IT associate's degree you could concentrate on designing your own video games. When you choose this field, your will be offered a well rounded curriculum that teaches the basics of artist design, project management, digital content creation as well as the more advanced courses in 3D modeling and character design. Imagine playing video games as a career. It is definitely possible when you assert yourself and earn your IT degree.

As fun and exciting as all of these fields of information technology are, earning your degree is hard work. You need to be dedicated to the world of IT because there are always going to be other people fighting for the same jobs you will be striving for. However, the IT world is expanding daily, and more and more jobs are becoming available. Be a part of the web and earn your information technology degree today.

About The Author
Andy West is a freelance writer for Virginia College. Virginia College offers many Information Technology Degree programs. Please visit Virginia College at http://www.vc.edu/site/department.cfm?deptID=2 to select the IT program that is right for you.

Office Romances become more common place

2007-05-02T08:25:00.000-07:00

Abridged: Knowledge@Wharton

In a study conducted by the Society of Human Resource professionals and the Wall Street Journal's CareerJournal.com, 40% of employees surveyed said they had had an office romance at some point in their careers -- a finding replicated by three other recent surveys conducted by private companies. One of those studies, by career website Vault.com, also reported that 19% of employees admitted to having office "trysts," with venues ranging from "the boss's office" to "in my car driving to meet a customer."

Funny video - Free Love Freeway - Office Romance

While that last finding might raise some eyebrows -- and prompt you to knock next time you open the supply closet -- the overarching frequency of office romance should not come as a surprise, says Deborah Keary, director of human resources at the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM). "The workplace is the new neighborhood. People spend an enormous amount of time in the office, and if romance is going to happen, it will happen there," she says.

Demographic trends feed the phenomenon, note Keary and others. With the average age of marriage increasing, young employees are more likely to be single. As women continue to join the workforce and rise through the ranks, they are more likely than ever to be working shoulder to shoulder with men. Employees have become more confident about pursuing office romance and less careful to some degree about concealing it. In fact, 76% of employees surveyed in a joint Lawyers.com/Glamour magazine survey, said workplace relationships were more common than they were 10 years earlier.

At Askmen.com Curt Smith writes
http://www.askmen.com/dating/curtsmith/getiton10.html

Young professionals often spend more time at the office than at home. Consequently, there are a lot of single men and women who don't have the time to meet new people. Naturally, they seek their potential partners within their surrounding environment -- the office. Single people feel that work is a natural place to meet new people. After all, you spend at least 40 hours a week there, with individuals of similar backgrounds and interests. Relationships with co-workers can be especially tempting because hard work doesn't leave much time for socializing.

The 6 Risks of Office Romances, by Karen Card
http://hr.blr.com/whitepapers.aspx?id=75365
Karen writes about the 6 risks of an office romance !
Good article !

Analyze your career !

2007-04-07T09:09:00.000-07:00

Try this webiste to analyze your career.....

Career Change? Do You Have a Job – Or a Career?

You have a job – but do you have a career? Are you happy with where that career track is taking you? Have you considered a career change?

If your answer to one or both questions was 'no' or 'yes, but...' or just 'well...' – welcome to the crowd.

A lot of us get through life with work that is 'good enough.' 'Good enough' work pays the bills. It provides security. It involves spending 40 hours a week or more on activities we don't mind, with people we like well enough. But 'good enough' work can't provide us with the pleasure and satisfaction we seek out of life.

Some of us even stay in jobs we hate. We feel trapped and unhappy but hesitate to try something else because we are afraid of being without income, or we don't think we can do any better, or we simply don't know what our options or even our preferences are. What many people don't realize is that career changes are becoming more and more popular as we are looking for better opportunities in the work place.

TOP 10 things your boss hates about YOU !

2007-04-02T15:53:00.000-07:00

This article hits the nail on the head when it lists the top ten reasons your boss would hate you. Do you know what they are?

Yup this one made the front page of DIGG !

Overworked, mistreated and underappreciated? Think you're the only one with a right to complain? Think again. Mira Katbamna reveals 10 things your boss hates about you !

In short they are.... but you HAVE TO READ THE ARTILCE to understand why !

Lateness
Lack of initiative
Too much initiative
Bitching and whining
Disloyalty
Lack of passion. Or interest
Trying to be their best friend
Petty lying
Childishness
Wanting their job

Dressing the Indian Working Woman !

2007-03-27T08:05:00.000-07:00

Dress up for success
By: Nirralee S.Mehta

The new millennium working Indian woman definitely needs to appear right, feel right & deliver right. With the incredible rise of MNC’s & working women in India, there definitely is a great need for a wardrobe makeover. The professionalism the women of today display in the office must translate in their dressing. What to wear for work, from where will I get it, why r women in west always dressed so chic…. Aren’t all these questions we ask ourselves very often? Yes, we do. Indian fashion world still needs more practicality, more stylizing, & of course more awareness.

What you wear to work is arguably the most important part of your wardrobe. You may think this sounds presumptuous and work should count more than your wardrobe, but it is a proven
scientific fact that your dressing can effect your career future. Your appearance can be the
difference between getting that promotion and being stuck in the same position forever.
Till now, corporate wear has not been addressed in India-no one has educated the new breed of
professionals on the appropriate look and style. Check out the following pointers to make sure
your work attire doesn't let you down. And as for the inspired shopping expedition that will follow reading this article, heed my advice-Think in term of outfits when you shop, and be practical.

Ask your self some questions:
• Do you have anything you can mix and match with it? Does it match your lifestyle?
• Will it be comfortable, nonchalant, and easy to wear?
• Is it machine wash or dry clean only?
• Is it of good quality? Quality counts, it is better to have four or five mix and match out fits
of quality, than 8 or 10 'steals.'
• Is the colour right for your skin tone?
• Is the fit proper to suit your body type?

Clothes Styles and Body Shapes
• Avoid high collar shirts, it shortens your neck.
• Tight tops with short sleeves and breast pocket are detracting from your figure. The torso
can be shortened or narrowed with seam lines, belts, bows, and collars.
• Avoid bold prints, animal prints, bold stripes, & bright colours.
• Play more with pastel shades, like, black, white, brown, beige.
• Do not forget to accessorize yourself with a scarf, a formal purse of the same pastel
colour plate, & most important of all that will give you a confidant look will be your shoes.
• When buying pants be sure they fit well. Flaws in figure are emphasized in a pair of pants
that may go unnoticed in a skirt.

Petite women.
Petite women need to keep clothes in line, slim narrow belts. A slight contrast in colors and fitted lines will flatter you endlessly. Also stay with fabrics that are soft and flowing that fits well. Over powering prints should be avoided.

Tall women.
Tall women can indulge in wide belts, avoid tight clothes and skirts that are to short or to long.
Tall women should play down their waist by wearing their blouses over the pants and skirts and
avoid tight belts.

Hip heavy triangle woman.
A hip heavy triangle and round full figured women can use clothes with vertical lines to make an
up and down illusion. V-necks and skirts with slits up the sides are also good. Clothes with small padded shoulders should be chosen . Too big pads will make you look like a foot ball player.
Wear long tops that go passed your hips. Choose jackets, tailored suits and shirtwaist dresses
with straight, classic cuts.

Hip heavy women should choose lighter colors on top, this brings eyes up. Wear dark stockings
and avoid patterns. Select vertical, fluid patterns and avoid bulky fabrics. Adopt the just below the knee look in dresses and skirts. Choose accessories close to the same color clothes you are
wearing including shoes. This gives your body an unbroken slimmer look. Avoid very wide
pinafore skirts. Stay with straight or Aline skirts.

Top heavy woman.
The top heavy body types need to choose long jackets without shoulder pads. Do not wear
blouses with fancy details and ruffles. Do not wear clingy fabrics on top, choose darker colors on
top. Do not wear tops that are to light. Tops with dolman or raglan sleeves and ones that fit loose and slims down to hug the hips and waist are good.

Wear pants or skirts that are pleated to bring the eye down. Choose thin materials like cotton, or cotton jersey. One color dressing will also be thinning. Flat shoes are best unless you are short,
then wear heels. If your legs are in good shape shorter hem lengths will draw attention away from your top.

Rectangular type woman.
The rectangular type can accentuate curves by wearing jackets or tops that hug the waist. Use
patterns in your tops or bottoms to add dimension. Round out the neckline with necklaces,
scarves and other accessories.

Style tips
• Know your body type; do not get carried away with the trends and go overboard for office
wear.
• Avoid chunky and flashy jewellery.
• Prefer high heels to flats.
• Prefer A-line or straight fit skirts to trousers.
• Be more feminine with the taste of clothes you select.
Following some of these tips should bring about a definite change in your personal style. Once
you start on the path to self-awareness in your dressing, you will feel a surge of confidence in
yourself. And the compliments coming your way won’t hurt either!
A
bout the author:
Nirralee Mehta, a fashionista from Mumbai went to London to study the art further, and has now returned to revolutionise the fashion industry in India. Studying in one of the most prestigious schools- The London University Of Fashion, which is right in the middle of the stylish districts of Bond & Oxford streets, was her dream come true. Having had numerous successful exhibitions in Mumbai between 2000-2002, and having designed for celebrities, she knew that as a designer she was accomplished.

www.fibre2fashion.com/industry-article

Top 7 Quotes for Leaders to Remember & Use

2007-03-26T12:51:00.000-07:00

I love to speak and do a lot of it for my classes, but it is important to grab the audience in the first few minutes of your speeh. And the best way to do this is by using a great quote !
Here is an article by : Kevin Kearns is President of Kearns Advantage

The Bible is a great place to find quotable wisdom. One of the things I like about the Bible is that it tells you to "think on these things." It does not say, "read this, say to yourself 'yeah, I like that' and then forget all about it in your life." My intention with these quotes is that you read them, remember them, and use them!

Teamwork: "Michael, if you can't pass you can't play" -Coach Dean Smith during Jordan's freshman year at UNC. Why I love it: it points out so clearly that even a superstar needs to work as a team player. Their great individual accomplishments mean little if they do not help the entire team succeed.

Leadership: "Leadership is not magnetic personality - that can just as well be a glib tongue. It is not 'making friends and influencing people' - that is flattery. Leadership is lifting a person's vision to higher sights, the raising of a person's performance to a higher standard, the building of a personality beyond its normal limitations" -Peter F. Drucker. Why I love it: isn't obvious?

Action!: "You can't build a reputation on what you are going to do" -Henry Ford. Why I love it: even the most talented people with the best ideas will not accomplish great things if they do not take action.

Normal: "The only normal people are the ones you don't know very well" -Joe Ancis. Why I love it: everyone, no matter how polished on the outside, has moments of fear and doubt. Nobody has it all together all of the time. The leaders you look at with admiration, deal with the same things as you.

Change: "Sometimes things change Daddy" -Maren Kearns (7 years old.) Why I love it: my daughter said this to me when I commented to her "but I thought you didn't like her very much." Her statement is true in the business world. Everything is the way it is until it isn't. Then it is another way. Be it lazy employees, poor performance - sometimes things change. In many cases, a leader like you can be the catalyst of a positive change!

Sincerity: "Always be sincere, even when you don't mean it" -Irene Peter. Why I love it: this quote reminds me to let things go. Even when I shouldn't, even when I am right and they are wrong, even when they did it on purpose. Letting things go means that I do it "sincerely." It does not mean that I let it go only on the outside while I do a really bad job of faking nice.

Gossip: "A rumor without a leg to stand on will get around some other way" -John Tudor. Why I love it: people often reinforce gossip with the belief that if there wasn't at least some truth in it, then it would not be spreading. This quote points out that gossip does not need truth to live. All it needs is a willing transport system. As a leader, you must set the example.

Kevin Kearns is President of Kearns Advantage, a leadership coaching company. Kearns Advantage has a proven track record of developing strong leaders. Kevin holds a Master of Science degree in Organization Development and is a member of the Coachville Graduate School of Coaching. Subscribe to Kevin’s free leadership newsletter at http://www.kearnsadvantage.com.

10 Majors That Didn't Exist 10 Years Ago

2007-03-23T06:59:00.000-07:00

Just like new career choices here are 10 new majors that have come into existence as society and technology has advanced. Bridget Kulla has done a great job highlighting them.....

by Bridget Kulla

Want to try something new? Really new? That list of majors in the course catalog isn't static. As technology advances and business evolves, fields of study that weren't imagined or that may have been limited to a few specialized classes emerge as full-blown majors. Check out these ten fields of study that hardly existed a decade ago:

1. New media

Online media is one of the fastest-growing areas of journalism. New media majors combine traditional journalism studies with courses on the design and management of digital media.

Some programs, such as the new media program at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, concentrate on computer skills and design of online media. Other programs, like the one at Indiana University/Purdue University, Indianapolis, integrate communications and digital skills.

2. Biotechnology

Biotechnology combines biology and technology to solve agricultural, food science, and medical issues. It is an interdisciplinary field and is often combined with a business degree, as in the joint degree program at Johns Hopkins University. Most biotechnology degrees are at the master's level, yet bachelor's degrees in biotechnology, such as the one at Delaware State University, are starting to emerge as this field becomes more in demand.

Related fields include bioinformatics and biomedical engineering.

3. Organic agriculture

The first organic agriculture program in the United States began at Washington State University (WSU) in 2006. Demand for those knowledgeable in organic agriculture is growing. "Large corporations increasingly are interested in meeting the nation's growing appetite for organic foods [and] are seeking employees who understand organic agriculture systems," says Dr. Cathy Perillo, coordinator of WSU's organic agriculture program, in a press release.

This major is not widespread, but other institutions are looking into adding an organic agriculture degree program, including the University of California, Davis. The University of Florida (an MSN Encarta advertiser) also launched an organic agriculture major in 2006.

4. Homeland security

New degree programs in homeland security have been established since the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Homeland security majors study everything from psychology to disaster relief and federal law to handling hazardous materials. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security offers scholarships and fellowships for homeland security majors and runs an intensive 18-month degree program at the Center for Homeland Defense and Security.

Homeland security education is expanding rapidly at community colleges. Close to 85 percent of students trained in homeland security-related fields graduate from community colleges, according to the American Association of Community Colleges.

5. E-business/e-marketing

This field focuses on buying, selling, and marketing items on the Internet and may also include communicating with customers, employees, and business partners. Demand for employees in this field is expected to grow faster than average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Degree programs in e-marketing are usually in universities' business schools and are more common at the graduate level. Some schools, such as the University of Akron, offer bachelor's programs in e-marketing, while others, like Missouri State University, offer a minor for business students.

6. Computer game design

Students playing video games in their dorm rooms can now avoid a lecture from their parents by majoring in computer game design. Computer game design programs were nearly nonexistent a decade ago. Today more than 150 colleges offer programs and courses in game design.

Some programs, such as the program in computer games development at DePaul University, focus on the programming of games while others, like the game art and design program at the Art Institute of Phoenix, concentrate on the visual design. Michigan State University is launching a Serious Game Design master's degree program in the fall of 2007 for students with "a desire to create and study games which change the world." The International Game Developers Association offers resources, including a scholarship, for students interested in game design.

7. Forensic accounting

The controversy surrounding recent corporate scandals has drawn attention to the expanding field of forensic accounting. While it has existed for many years, forensic accounting is now the fastest-growing field of accounting. Forensic accountants are like money detectives--they investigate suspected financial mishandling and assist in legal matters. Forensic accountants must have a broad understanding of business practices beyond standard accounting skills.

Bachelor's degrees in forensic accounting, like the program offered at Franklin University, are required for most careers in this field. Students can also earn a master's degree and post-graduate certificate through a program like the one at West Virginia University (an MSN Encarta advertiser).

8. Human computer interaction

Human computer interaction (HCI) majors focus on designing ways to improve human experiences and work practices with technology. HCI investigates the impact of technology on individuals and organizations. While courses in this field have been offered since the 1960s, degree programs in HCI have been growing. Human computer interaction majors are usually located in schools of computer science, but studies are multidisciplinary.

Most HCI programs are at the graduate level, such as the program at Iowa State University, but some, including the HCI program at the New Jersey Institute of Technology, have a bachelor's degree program.

9. Society and the environment

Society and environment majors study the interactions between society and the environment. Degree programs in this field go by slightly different names, like Indiana University's joint environmental science and public affairs degree and Columbia University's climate and society program. Students in these majors apply social science theories to environmental issues. Most programs are at the master's degree level, but programs such as the one at UC-Berkeley offer undergraduate degrees as well.

10. Nanotechnology

Developments in technology have made it possible to control matter at smaller and smaller levels. The field of nanotechnology works with systems at the molecular level and can be applied across many different disciplines, including physics, engineering, and chemistry. Interest in nanotechnology is growing and is being encouraged by the National Nanotechnology Initiative, organized in 1998. Most nanotechnology programs are at the graduate level, but several programs provide a background in nanotechnology studies, like the bachelor's program in nanosystems engineering at Louisiana Tech University.

Panel Interviews - An Intimidating Position To Be In !

2007-03-20T11:57:00.000-07:00

In a panel interview, two or more interviewers play off each other while taking turns asking you questions. A panel interview is appropriately nicknamed a "tag-team interview".

It's primarily to see how well you handle stress while facing a "firing squad". A panel interview also measures how you interact with different people, especially your future bosses, work peers, or both.This kind of interview is conducted by an interviewing panel that is made up of the supervisor and some members of the team. The interview panel can also consist of top level CEOs although this depends the kind of position you are applying for.

I had faced a Panel interview once in my career and it can be pretty intimidating. In fact it was a panel of 8 people. I am usually great with a bunch of people but, being starred down by 16 eyeballs was surely not fun, especially since I could not see everyone's reactions to my answers. At this point you have to go with your gut. Just be yourself, afterall the fit for the job has to be both ways !

You will be asked questions from all the panel members, sometimes the same question by different panel members. It is difficult to build the kind of connection with the interview panel as you can in a one on one interview.

You can buy time by asking your own questions. You should always remain calm and composed during a panel interview. Take a breath and even count to five (in your head), if you see the situation getting out of hand.

Bring a Cheat Sheet as it is a great way to relive the stress of remembering all the dates, names etc. Your interviewing “cheat sheet” should focus on key assets you’ll bring to the position.

Take Names and Use Them as people like to hear their name during a conversation. It’s important to know who is interviewing you, so ask their names and write them down within your notes — in order of where each is seated. Don’t be afraid to use their names or ask questions throughout the process.

Top 7 Ways To Use Your Intuition Within Your Job by Dan Knapp

2007-03-15T07:11:00.000-07:00

Human beings come equipped with an intuitive sense. Many people ignore or reject the intuitive sense and their lives lack for the bounty it can provide.

Our world requires you to make decisions fast and you have little room for error. At the same time, you don't have many of the facts you need to decide as well as you would like. Yet, some people thrive while others flounder. Why? In many cases, using your intuitive ability makes the difference in mastering the real world.

Intuitive ability comes with the human condition. As with mathematics, chess, golf or cooking, the more you use your intuitive talent, the more skill with it you develop. As with gravity, you can claim it doesn't exist but violate it at your peril.

In this Top 7 list, you will learn seven basic applications for intuitive capacity and two basic ways to approach the development and use of your intuitive ability.

Part I - Environmental Scan

In this part you will specifically define what you want. The act of specific definition will tune your senses to detect your targets easier and quicker:

Information. Examples: marketing ideas, process improvements, demographics of your target market, accounts payable, accounts receivable, threats to your business.

Customers. Examples: clusters of your target market, changing needs, different applications of your product or service.

Opportunities. Examples: franchising opportunities, new products to bring to market, new customer problems, investment vehicles.

Once identified, preferably in writing, you will notice your information, customers or opportunities in circumstances where in the past you would have missed them. Once you notice, make note and take action. You will find the information, customers and opportunities quite tailored to your needs.

Part II - Dealing with Uncertainty

When you encounter uncertainty, your first step usually consists of imposing logic and deterministic techniques to select the most rational solution. Good as far as it goes. Your challenge is that in looking at options, you become mesmerized by their intended results.

Along with intended results, every decision made also falls victim of the law of unintended results. These are results, both good or bad, but unanticipated, that come from your decision.

Your intuitive ability allows you to select options based upon the combination of the intended and the unintended results. Of course, this assumption requires a leap of faith. Start with low risk opportunities to apply your intuitive ability and learn to trust it before betting the farm on a major decision. At the same time, check your current decisions with our intuitive skills and, if you see a conflict, try to resolve the conflict before committing resources. You must first learn to recognize your intuitive input and second you must develop the confidence in yourself to respond with your intuitive input.

Remember when you had a decision to make and all the facts supported a course of action? Deep down you had a feeling that the decision, although rational, was wrong. Did you go with your "gut feel" and later find the almost-chosen option would have been a disaster. Or, did you ignore the gut feel and encounter the disaster?

In each of the following applications, the system works the same. First, ask yourself if you have enough options! If you think you need more options, insist on obtaining more before committing to any course of action. Second, step away from the heat of the moment and ask yourself which option would really be best for you. Your first reaction is the right answer!

Decision making. Are you deciding a yes-no issue; a choice between two options; a choice among three or more options; or a choice where there are no clear options? Once you structure your decision and identify proposed courses of action, ask yourself which one really would work best. Go with that choice.

Problem anticipation. Ask yourself what can possibly happen. Once you have a slate of possibilities, ask yourself which one(s) really poses a serious threat. Take precautions against that threat.

Reading people. When conversing, what do you think about what the other person is saying? Keep in mind, they may be entirely sincere - just wrong. Reading body language helps detect lies, intuition detects honest mistakes. Use your intuition to ask additional questions or ask the other person to clarify their points. If a question comes to mind, immediately ask it. If the point seems vague, immediately ask for clarification.

Setting priorities. Yes, you can set relative priorities using whatever system works for you; but did you get the priorities right? When you set your relative priorities, ask yourself if you need to make adjustments. Go with the revisions your intuition feeds to you.

Intuition works for you, just learn to receive the message and take action on that message.
Dan Knapp, Personal & Professional Coach. Visit Dan's Web page www.danknapp.com for schedule of free teleclasses, subscribe to the free monthly newsletter "Tips from the Coach," read articles and complete mini-courses in personal development. Email dan@danknapp.com for direct contact.

Dan Knapp
Personal and Professional Coach
Achieve Your Goals - Grow Your Business
Dan@danknapp.com www.danknapp.com
407 679-9134 Orlando, FL

Source: http://Top7Business.com/?expert=Dan-Knapp

What You Should Know - How to Write that Cover Letter. Improve Your Chances of Getting the Interview

2007-03-13T05:28:00.000-07:00

by Niall Kennedy

Nearly all job seekers are well aware of the importance of a resume when applying for a professional opinion, but few realize the vital role that an accompanying cover letter plays in the selection process. In fact, your cover letter is just as important to your job search as is your resume.

Consider this: recruiters and managers often receive dozens, if not hundreds, of applicants for every one available position. With so many applicants to review, interviewers do not have much time to determine if you are qualified for the job. In fact, a recruiter typically spends between one and two minutes quickly glancing over a resume, hardly enough to thoroughly investigate if your skills set and experience is a good match for the position.

This is why a cover letter is such a critical tool to the job seeking process. The purpose of a cover letter is to clearly express your interest in and qualifications for a position to a prospective employer. So while the resume is a generic advertisement, your cover letter tailors your application to each specific job. By condensing your resume into key points and drawing the recruiter's attention to the most relevant areas of your experience, you are assisting the recruiter in matching up your qualifications to that of the open position. And by taking the guesswork out of your resume, you greatly increase your chances of getting a call for an interview.

A cover letter has to "sell" your qualifications to a complete stranger and convince them that you are worthy of an in-person meeting. Therefore, as you can imagine, it is not an easy document to write. There are several guidelines, though, that should assist you in the cover letter development process.

Typically a cover letter is less than one page in length and has four main sections:

the introduction
a highlight of your qualifications
a summary of why you are interested in the position
and a concluding follow-up.

Before you start listing a litany of skills, though, it's important to do some research on the company and the position for which you are applying to give you a better understanding of the company's products or services, history, values, and target customer market. This will help give you a better idea of what recruiters are likely to be seeking in a candidate, and allow you to tailor your cover letter to specifically address those areas.

Part 1 - The Introduction:

Your cover letter should be addressed to the hiring manager, whenever possible. Specifically mention the position(s) that you are seeking. Let the recruiter know how you heard about the position. If you saw the position advertised or were referred by someone, be sure to include this information. Grab the reader's attention and stimulate their interest in you right away!!

Part 2 - Summary of your Qualifications:

Highlight your strongest qualifications for the position you are seeking. Be sure to limit your qualifications to only those that are the most relevant to the position. Show, rather than simply tell, the manager your qualifications by including specific, credible examples from your experience.

Quantify these qualifications whenever possible by focusing on pertinent figures, projects, awards, and equipment/software/tools you've used that are relevant to the job you want. For example, rather than highlighting your "excellent customer service skills" indicates that you "achieved a 98% customer satisfaction rating" or "increased department sales by 25% in the first quarter".

Part 3 - Why you are Interested in the Position:

Let the recruiter know why you want to work at their company. What is it about the company that appeals to you? Why does this particular position appeal to you? Indicate why you are a good fit for the company. How will be an asset to the team?

Part 4 - Conclusion and Follow-up:

Refer employers to your enclosed resume so that they can review your qualifications in further detail. Request a personal interview or meeting with the hiring manager. Indicate how the recruiter should contact you. Be sure to provide a working phone number or e-mail address. Set a time to follow up. For example indicate that you "will call to follow up on Monday afternoon".

Thank the reader for his or her time.

One final note: your cover letter is the first impression that recruiters will get of you. A strong focused cover letter can convey a powerful, positive first impression. A weak non-focused letter, though, can kill any interest a recruiter may have in your qualifications, regardless of how strong of a fit you may be for the position. Be sure that you proofread carefully for grammatical and typographical errors before sending any correspondence.

Source : http://www.valuablecontent.com/

Websites
Cuisine Cuisine.com, LLC
Food is Culture . . . Culture is Food !
Elegantly Expressed Gift Baskets
Memorable Gifts . . . Lasting Impressions !

Blogs
Musings About People, Places & Things Intriguing
CuisineCuisine.com's BlogoRama
Life In Digital Pixels
Career Tips N Tricks
The Gift Gazette

Shops
Bazaar! Bazaar! Indian Gift Shop
Indian Gift Baskets, Indian Cookbooks & Indian Spices

5 Strategies from Dave Lorenzo for "Effective Interviewing"

2007-03-09T05:47:00.000-08:00

Dave Lorenzo is a business coach and he has some great tips.
In his article for "Effective Interviewing" he highlights 5 strategies that will help you land the job.

------------------------------

For those of you who are unhappy in your current positions and looking for employment elsewhere, I applaud you for refusing to settle for work that does not reward and satisfy you. After applying for a job and getting called for an interview, you have an excellent shot at landing the position. The following strategies will help you ace any interview:

Relax
Be specific.
Don’t talk about yourself.
Be positive.
Ask questions.

http://careerintensity.com/blog/2006/07/13/effective-interviewing/trackback/

Websites

Cuisine Cuisine.com, LLC
Food is Culture . . . Culture is Food !
Elegantly Expressed Gift Baskets
Memorable Gifts . . . Lasting Impressions !

Blogs

Musings About People, Places & Things Intriguing
CuisineCuisine.com's BlogoRama
Life In Digital Pixels
Career Tips N Tricks
The Gift Gazette

Shops

Bazaar! Bazaar! Indian Gift Shop
Indian Gift Baskets, Indian Cookbooks & Indian Spices

Saying "Thank You" after the Interview

2007-03-07T10:12:00.000-08:00

Following an interview, promptly, which would be no later than within 2 business days, write the interviewer a letter expressing appreciation and thanks for the interview. The purpose of this letter is to:

•Show appreciation for the employer's interest in you.
•Reiterate your interest in the position and in the organization.
•Review or remind the employer about your qualifications for the position. If you thought of something you forgot to mention in the interview, mention it in your follow-up / thank-you letter.
•Demonstrate that you have good manners and know to write a thank-you letter.
•Follow up with any information the employer may have asked you to provide after the interview.

Here is a simple format

Dear _______,

Thank you very much for the interview today. In reviewing the opportunity with [name of company], I am most eager to start. In closing, let me say that no matter how many people you interview, what their education or experience is, you won’t find anyone who wants to work for you more than I do.

Very truly yours,

[your name]

DoSomething.org & The BRICK Awards !

2007-03-04T07:04:00.000-08:00

Ok so you have a good job and your career is going swell. So how about you turn your efforts to doing something good.

DoSomething.org is a community of people wanting to make a change in the world. Their website is a community where young people learn, listen, speak, vote, volunteer, ask, and take action to make the world a better place. Currently, only 23% of this generation actively volunteers. Our hope is to create a do something generation: a world where more than 51% of young people are involved with community action.

This website gives people like you and me a place to connect, a place to be inspired, be supported, be celebrated. They have harnessed the connectivity of the Internet to help young people change the world. They believe that young people have the power to make a difference. It is their aim to inspire, support and celebrate a generation of do-ers: people who see the need to do something, believe in their ability to get it done, and then take action.

They are giving out the BRICK AWARDS on the CW on April 12th 2007

You can vote : on which of these world-changers deserves a 2007 Golden BRICK Award® and an extra $15,000 for their cause.

There are 12 Finalists in 4 Categories

Global Impact

Ruth DeGolia - Links Latin America's most rural and economically disadvantaged women's cooperatives to the US market.
Kimmie Weeks - Survivor of the Liberian Civil War who vowed to help children in war torn countries.
Cheryl Perera -Put herself on the line by posing as a decoy to catch a pedophile in Sri Lanka.

Education & Environment

Ashley Rhodes-Courter - Raises awareness about poor conditions in foster care
William Hwang -Teaches underpriveleged student Science, Technology, Engineering, Math (STEM).
Kelly Voigt - Safety advocate who has reached thousands of kids.

Health

David Fajgenbaum - Started a network of students to support each other through times of bereavement.
Jennifer Staple - Bringing vision and curbing preventable eye disease worlwide
Jennifer Zwilling -Is an advocate for understanding and acceptance.

Community Building

Divine Bradley - Converted his home into a community center, giving kids in tough neighborhoods an alternative to crime.
Hannah Taylor - Speaks out all over Canada about homeless people and how to help them.
Jacob Komar - Obtains discarded computers, teaches prison inmates how to refurbish them and distributes them to local needy.

Vote for them : http://advision.webevents.yahoo.com/brickawards/

http://www.brickawards.com
http://www.dosomething.org

Have you tried getting paid for blog reviews?

2007-02-28T07:58:00.000-08:00

Unheard of this a year ago, there are web sites, out there right now, that facilitate payments to bloggers to post reviews. Welcome to the new wave of making money on the web. Anyone with great writing talents can become : Reviewer and GET PAID !

These sites that match bloggers with advertisers are growing in number. Among the better known are

PayPerPost.com
Review Me.com.
SponsoredReviews.com, a product of 360 Enterprises, will make its debut soon.

Word-Of-Mouth has a proven record of being the BEST kind of advertising there is ! These new sites broker payments to bloggers to review products in their posts. The bloggers are required to disclose that they are getting paid to post the reviews. None of the sites allows marketers to review copy before it is posted.

Trying to find the best on the web is liek looking for a pin in a haystack, so blog reviews are seen as a way for advertisers to monetize their Web site traffic, generate viral marketing and get some much-needed feedback on how their products are faring in the marketplace.

ReviewMe, which debuted in November, currently has in its network 5,500 bloggers, who have written approximately 750 paid reviews. Advertisers browse ReviewMe.com's marketplace of blogs and purchase reviews from what they deem relevant bloggers. The bloggers must write a minimum of 200 words per review. They get paid $40 to $500 per post. Once a review is completed, ReviewMe.com splits the revenue equally with the blogger.

PayPerPost has in its network 14,000 bloggers, including "high-traffic bloggers and low-end, smaller audiences from social networks," according to Ted Murphy, founder and CEO. "Our focus is on real people who don't necessarily blog for a living but are passionate about a particular subject." PayPerPost's bloggers concentrate on technology, marketing, health care, entertainment and finance.

So hone your writting skills and start blogging about something you are passionate about ! Then get paid for doing it !

Payday Loans = Costly Cash warns the FTC

2007-02-21T07:18:00.000-08:00

This article by the Federal Trade Commission warns against Payday Loans ....

"I just need enough cash to tide me over until payday."

"GET CASH UNTIL PAYDAY! . . . $100 OR MORE . . . FAST."

The ads are on the radio, television, the Internet, even in the mail. They refer to payday loans - which come at a very high price.

Check cashers, finance companies and others are making small, short-term, high-rate loans that go by a variety of names: payday loans, cash advance loans, check advance loans, post-dated check loans or deferred deposit check loans.

Usually, a borrower writes a personal check payable to the lender for the amount he or she wishes to borrow plus a fee. The company gives the borrower the amount of the check minus the fee. Fees charged for payday loans are usually a percentage of the face value of the check or a fee charged per amount borrowed - say, for every $50 or $100 loaned. And, if you extend or "roll-over" the loan - say for another two weeks - you will pay the fees for each extension.

Under the Truth in Lending Act, the cost of payday loans - like other types of credit - must be disclosed. Among other information, you must receive, in writing, the finance charge (a dollar amount) and the annual percentage rate or APR (the cost of credit on a yearly basis).

A cash advance loan secured by a personal check - such as a payday loan - is very expensive credit. Let's say you write a personal check for $115 to borrow $100 for up to 14 days. The check casher or payday lender agrees to hold the check until your next payday. At that time, depending on the particular plan, the lender deposits the check, you redeem the check by paying the $115 in cash, or you roll-over the check by paying a fee to extend the loan for another two weeks. In this example, the cost of the initial loan is a $15 finance charge and 391 percent APR. If you roll-over the loan three times, the finance charge would climb to $60 to borrow $100.

Alternatives to Payday Loans

There are other options. Consider the possibilities before choosing a payday loan:
When you need credit, shop carefully. Compare offers. Look for the credit offer with the lowest APR - consider a small loan from your credit union or small loan company, an advance on pay from your employer, or a loan from family or friends. A cash advance on a credit card also may be a possibility, but it may have a higher interest rate than your other sources of funds: find out the terms before you decide. Also, a local community-based organization may make small business loans to individuals.

Compare the APR and the finance charge (which includes loan fees, interest and other types of credit costs) of credit offers to get the lowest cost.

Ask your creditors for more time to pay your bills. Find out what they will charge for that service - as a late charge, an additional finance charge or a higher interest rate.

Make a realistic budget, and figure your monthly and daily expenditures. Avoid unnecessary purchases - even small daily items. Their costs add up. Also, build some savings - even small deposits can help - to avoid borrowing for emergencies, unexpected expenses or other items. For example, by putting the amount of the fee that would be paid on a typical $300 payday loan in a savings account for six months, you would have extra dollars available. This can give you a buffer against financial emergencies.

Find out if you have, or can get, overdraft protection on your checking account. If you are regularly using most or all of the funds in your account and if you make a mistake in your checking (or savings) account ledger or records, overdraft protection can help protect you from further credit problems. Find out the terms of overdraft protection.

If you need help working out a debt repayment plan with creditors or developing a budget, contact your local consumer credit counseling service. There are non-profit groups in every state that offer credit guidance to consumers. These services are available at little or no cost. Also, check with your employer, credit union or housing authority for no- or low-cost credit counseling programs.

If you decide you must use a payday loan, borrow only as much as you can afford to pay with your next paycheck and still have enough to make it to the next payday.

To Complain/For More InformationIf you believe a lender has violated the Truth in Lending Act, file a complaint with the FTC.

The FTC works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop, and avoid them.

To file a complaint or to get free information on consumer issues, visit www.ftc.gov or call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357); TTY: 1-866-653-4261. The FTC enters Internet, telemarketing, identity theft, and other fraud-related complaints into Consumer Sentinel, a secure, online database available to hundreds of civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad.

Getting Noticed On The Web !

2007-02-16T08:06:00.000-08:00

This article written by Jason Goldberg of Jobster.com makes a lot of sense.
The ways of getting a job have changed. You need to change your ways of looking for one.

Jason writes some tips and tricks for harnessing these new web 2.0 technologies to get a leg up in your job search:

Turn to the new breed of Meta Job Search Engines.

Overwhelmed by the number of job boards to choose from and by the hundreds of corporate employment sites to keep track of? New sites like Jobster.com, Indeed.com, and Simplyhired.com take the hassle out of searching for your next job by providing one-stop-searching across most of the major job sites. Think of these sites as “Google for jobs.” Conduct one search and get results from many job sites and employers. Jobster and Indeed also search jobs directly from many employers, which is helpful as many leading employers are scaling back their job board budgets and shifting their focus instead towards promoting their own employment sites. Jobster now searches more than 5 times the number of jobs as the largest job board.

Make Use of Referrals and Social Networks to Get Noticed.

Mark Mehler from CareerXroads points out that a referred candidate has a 35 to 1 chance of getting hired vs. 500 to 1 for the typical candidates. That’s because with so many resumes coming in to companies every day, most employers rely on referrals as a way to spot great candidates. New sites such as Jobster and LinkedIn include “social networking” technology which can help you identify which of your contacts may know people at the companies you want to work at. Jobster goes a step further and can help you request a referral directly into the hiring team at many employers. Jobster also has a feature called “My Jobster,” which enables you to keep tabs on jobs that you can get referred for via the people you know and the people they know.

Sign up for e-Mail Alerts and RSS Feeds.

Tired of searching and searching and searching? e-Mail Alerts and RSS Feeds enable you to have jobs delivered to you instead. Leading job sites now enable you to receive daily email alerts about the latest jobs which meet your specific search criteria. The meta search engines, Jobster, Indeed, and Simplyhired, provide customizable alerts spanning millions of jobs from thousands of employers and job sites. Subscribe to RSS feeds and get live feeds of jobs as they are posted. Jobster also has a feature called, “insider alerts” which provides email alerts of jobs that you can get referred for.

Know where the Jobs Are.

If you want to land your dream job, you need to know where it is available. Several sites are now adding interactive mapping features so that you can see what jobs are being posted where and when. Indeed.com provides a map showing where the highest concentration of job postings are. Jobster.com offers two interactive maps: one which shows live job searches as they are conducted in real-time, and another which displays on a Google local map where the jobs are nearest to your search area.

Read Blogs.

According to a leading blog search engine, Technorati, there are now more than 14 million web logs or “blogs” and 88,000 new blogs are created daily. Blogs are written by citizen journalists who desire to share their opinions and expertise on specific topics with the broader internet audience. Many employers are turning to blogs to find candidates for their jobs. Increasingly, employers are advertising their positions on blogs, as they recognize that the individuals reading blogs on specific topics are most likely to be interested in working at companies who are pursuing related initiatives. At Microsoft, for instance, more than 2000 employees write blogs about topics pertinent to their work; now Microsoft is using those blogs to develop a dialogue with potential hires.

Write a Blog.

A common complaint from employers is that resumes don’t tell the full story about an individual’s interests and accomplishments. Write a blog and help potential employers learn about the “real you.” Express yourself freely, but don’t write anything that might be construed as potentially embarrassing or overly controversial. Google offers a free blogging service for beginners called “Blogger.” Moveabletypes’s “Typepad” is also very popular for novice bloggers. I’ve also found wordpress to be quite simple to get started on, albeit a bit less polished than typepad.

Maintain an Online Professional Profile.

Another great way to introduce yourself to employers is by maintaining an online professional profile. These profiles typically go beyond basic resumes to introduce your professional experience and accomplishments. Create a public profile on Jobster and have select employers find you. Or, join LinkedIn and establish your profile in the LinkedIn network. Zoominfo is a search engine used by many recruiting organization for mid-level and senior managers; if you are looking for a mid-level position, it is advised that you update your Zoominfo profile as well.

Join an Online Group.

Associations and affinity groups are often a great source of information about job openings. Whether it’s your fraternity or sorority, your bowling team, or a trade association, networking within your groups can help you learn about and get noticed for great opportunities. Jobster enables members to create and join online groups to share jobs and job search tips amongst people with like interests. Sites like The Facebook for college students can also be helpful.

Dress for Success Career Books

2007-02-13T08:18:00.000-08:00

First impressions are critical. In fact you are assessed within 15 seconds of your interview by your potential employer. Should you be judged by what you wear? Perhaps not, but the reality is, of course, that you are judged.

How should you dress?

Dressing conservatively is always the safest route, but you should also try and do a little investigating of your prospective employer so that what you wear to the interview makes you look as though you fit in with the organization. If you overdress (which is rare but can happen) or underdress (the more likely scenario), the potential employer may feel that you don't care enough about the job.

How do you find out what is the proper dress for a given company?

You can call the Human Resources office where you are interviewing and simply ask. Or, you could visit the company's office to retrieve an application or other company information and observe the attire current employees are wearing -- though make sure you are not there on a "casual day" and misinterpret the dress code.

Finally, do you need to run out and spend a lot of money on clothes for interviewing?

No, but you should make sure you have at least two professional sets of attire. You'll need more than that, but depending on your current financial condition, two is enough to get started and you can buy more once you have the job or have more financial resources

Hints for Dress for Success for Men and Women

Attention to details is crucial, so here are some tips for both men and women.
Make sure you have:

clean and polished conservative dress shoes
well-groomed hairstyle
cleaned and trimmed fingernails
minimal cologne or perfume
no visible body piercing beyond conservative ear piercings for women
well-brushed teeth and fresh breath
no gum, candy, or other objects in your mouth
minimal jewelry
no body odor

Finally, check your attire in the rest room just before your interview for a final check of your appearance -- to make sure your tie is straight, your hair is combed, etc.

Here are some books I would recommend

Buff and Polish: A Practical Guide to Enhance Your Professional Image and Communication Style , by Kathyrn J. Volin (Pentagon).
How to Gain the Professional Edge: Achieve the Personal and Professional Image You Want, by Susan Morem (Ferguson).
New Women's Dress for Success, by John T. Molloy (Warner).
Attention to Detail: A Woman's Guide to Professional Appearance and Conduct, by Clinton Greenleaf and Stefani Schaefer (Greenleaf Enterprises).
Casual Power: How to Power Up Your Nonverbal Communication & Dress Down for Success, by Sherry Maysonave (Bright Books).
First Five Minutes: How to Make a Great First Impression in Any Business Situation , by Mary Mitchell, with John Corr (Wiley).
Looking Good: A Comprehensive Guide to Wardrobe Planning, Color & Personal Style Development, by Nancy Nix-Rice and Pati Palmer (Palmer Pletsch).
Your Executive Image: The Art of Self-Packaging for Men and Women, by Victoria A. Seitz (Adams).

Researching New Careers with Skill Matching

2007-02-12T07:23:00.000-08:00

Once you've discovered (or rediscovered) your passion, spend some time researching the types of careers that center around your passions.

Don't worry if you're feeling a bit unsure or insecure -- it's a natural part of the career change process. How much research you do also partly depends on how much of a change you're making; for example, changing from a teacher to a corporate trainer versus switching from a nurse to a Web designer.

You can find some great career information and a skills-matching service at O*NET Online from the U.S. Department of Labor. The O*NET system serves as the nation's primary source of occupational information, providing comprehensive information on key attributes and characteristics of workers and occupations. It also has some great questionnaires that can be used by employers as well as someone trying to find a job. So explore the site and take advantage of all the free resources.

Free Online Classes - Small Business Administration

2007-02-07T07:25:00.000-08:00

Have you ever wanted to start your own business? There are many opportunities in the market place for that. But in order to understand where you are, what you want to do and where you want to go with your ideas, you must have a plan...of sorts.

The SBA or the US Small Business Association is one of the best places to start, research and grow your ideas.

About the SBA

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) was created in 1953 as an independent agency of the federal government to aid, counsel, assist and protect the interests of small business concerns, to preserve free competitive enterprise and to maintain and strengthen the overall economy of our nation.

We recognize that small business is critical to our economic recovery and strength, to building America's future, and to helping the United States compete in today's global marketplace. Although SBA has grown and evolved in the years since it was established in 1953, the bottom line mission remains the same. The SBA helps Americans start, build and grow businesses. Through an extensive network of field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations, SBA delivers its services to people throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, the U. S. Virgin Islands and Guam.

The SBA offers free courses online. Take advantage of the many high quality links that they have and make an informed decision for your future.

FREE ONLINE COURSES will take you to the websites outside the SBA. Some of them are offered by trustworthy institutes/businesses like the Trump University, Constant Contact and more.

100 Best Companies to Work For 2007 - Fortune Magazine !

2007-02-06T10:25:00.000-08:00

YES ! Google makes its debut in the number one position on FORTUNE's 10th annual "100 Best Companies to Work For" list. I am of course a fan of Google as it exemplifies all the principles, values and ethics that I hold dear.

"The 100 Best Companies to Work For" list is compiled for FORTUNE by Robert Levering and Milton Moskowitz of the Great Place to Work Institute in San Francisco. Any company that is at least seven years old with more than 1,000 U.S. Employees is eligible. The deadline for applying for next year's list is March 31, 2007; for an online nomination form, go to www.greatplacetowork.com.

1 Google
2 Genentech
3 Wegmans Food Markets
4 Container Store
5 Whole Foods Market
6 Network Appliance
7 S.C. Johnson & Son
8 Boston Consulting Grp.
9 Methodist Hospital Sys.
10 W.L. Gore & Associates
11 Cisco Systems
12 David Weekley Homes
13 Nugget Market
14 Qualcomm
15 American Century Invest.
16 Starbucks Coffee
17 Quicken Loans
18 Station Casinos
19 Alston & Bird
20 QuikTrip
21 Griffin Hospital
22 Valero Energy
23 Vision Service Plan
24 Nordstrom
25 Ernst & Young
26 Arnold & Porter
27 Recreational Equip. (REI)
28 Kimley-Horn & Assoc.
29 Edward Jones
30 Russell Investment Grp.
31 Adobe Systems
32 Plante & Moran
33 Intuit
34 Umpqua Bank
35 Children's Healthcare of Atlanta
36 Goldman Sachs
37 Northwest Community Hospital
38 Robert W. Baird
39 J.M. Smucker
40 Amgen
41 JM Family Enterprises
42 PCL Construction
43 Genzyme
44 Yahoo
45 Bain & Co.
46 First Horizon National
47 American Fidelity Assur.
48 SAS Institute
49 Nixon Peabody
50 Microsoft
51 Stew Leonard's
52 OhioHealth
53 Four Seasons Hotels
54 Baptist Health Care
55 Dow Corning
56 Granite Construction
57 Publix Super Markets
58 PricewaterhouseCoopers
59 Pella
60 MITRE
61 SRA International
62 Mayo Clinic
63 Booz Allen Hamilton
64 Perkins Coie
65 Alcon Laboratories
66 Jones Lang LaSalle
67 HomeBanc Mortgage
68 Procter & Gamble
69 Nike
70 Paychex
71 AstraZeneca
72 Medtronic
73 Aflac
74 American Express
75 Quad/Graphics
76 Deloitte & Touche USA
77 Principal Financial Grp.
78 Timberland
79 TDIndustries
80 Lehigh Valley Hospital & Health Ntwrk.
81 Baptist Health S. Florida
82 CDW 3
83 EOG Resources
84 Capital One Financial
85 Standard Pacific
86 National Instruments
87 Texas Instruments
88 CarMax
89 Marriott International
90 Men's Wearhouse
91 Memorial Health
92 Bright Horizons
93 Milliken
94 Bingham McCutchen
95 Vanguard
96 IKEA North America
97 KPMG
98 Synovus
99 A.G. Edwards
100 Stanley

Milton Moskowitz and Robert Levering write :

While many commentators long for the workplace of old --- with fully paid health care, generous pensions, and lifetime job security --- from our ringside seat as compilers of the "100 Best" list for the past decade, we've seen that for many lucky employees, the workplace has never been better. Today's workplace is better in these respects:

It's more flexible.
It's more of a learning environment.
It's more diverse in terms of female and minority representation.
It's more supportive of employees raising a family.
It's more democratic in terms of employee stock ownership.
It's more open in terms of communication upwards and downwards.
It's more fun: parties and celebrations galore.

For your company to be considered for the list to be published in January 2008, you can submit your nomination form by March 31, 2007. Link

Top 10 Websites To Find Your Next Job

2007-02-02T10:02:00.000-08:00

Beyond.com - Sign up today and receive all these free tools: search over 250,000 jobs nationwide, job search alerts via email, resume cross-posting, industry specific career videos, library of career related articles and tips, career and personality test, career evaluation, personal portfolio, and industry magazines.

Career Builder - CareerBuilder.com is the fastest-growing recruitment and career-advancement source for employers, recruiters and job seekers.

CareerSite.com - Create an anonymous profile - market yourself while remaining in complete control of contact information and resume disclosure. Receive automatic notification of matching jobs. Match jobs to your profile with one click. Apply to jobs online and forward your resume online.

College Recruiter - CollegeRecruiter.com gives you all the tools you need as a job seeker to perfect your resume, build a portfolio and market yourself to prospective employers.

GlobalCareerCenter.com - See the world. Make a Difference. and start from just one place. International Jobs at Global Career Center.com

Yahoo Hot Jobs - Yahoo! HotJobs' tools and advice put job seekers in control of their careers and make it easier and more cost-effective for employers and staffing firms to find qualified candidates.

HotResumes.com - Take positive control of your job search! Click on the "Job Search" tab on the menu to search jobs all over the country.

Job.com - Founded in 2001, Job.com enables employers to connect with potential employees through the use of its online job board and resume database.

Monster.com - Whether you're thinking about a new job, new career, a new city or a new direction... Monster helps you explore the possibilities and find the opportunities that are right for you.

WorkTree - A unique job portal linking you to the thousands of job sites & resources on the Internet. They take the pain out of the search process. Thousands of job sites and career resources have been pre-researched and indexed to save you hours if not days with new information added daily! More importantly, many of the resources listed in our website can't be easily found through the traditional search engines.

Job Search Tips on Google by Kevin from GetHiredNow.tv

2007-02-01T12:37:00.000-08:00

Here's a way to find more job openings using Google.
Type in search strings like these to drill down and get better job leads:
accounting jobs minneapolis
accounting assistant minneapolis
accounting assistant minneapolis send resume
accounting assistant 55408
send resume

More job search tips at GetHiredNow.TV

Why People in Your Dream Career Might Discourage You

2007-01-31T13:42:00.000-08:00

There are a number of ways to get the scoop from industry insiders about how to break into their career including: joining professional associations, attending networking events, going on information interviews, or asking for advice on Internet message boards. However, if you are hoping that everyone who works in the industry will welcome you and be willing to help, you may be disappointed. Instead of getting fabulous career advice or job leads, you may be left feeling discouraged about the career and thinking you should consider doing something else with your life. Think again. If you are left feeling less than excited about a career after speaking with someone working in it, you are probably talking to the wrong person. Here are some reasons an industry expert may not be helpful to newcomers:

They want to feel special

Many successful people got where they are today because of their talent and effort. When asked how they did it, however, their story may sound like the one that parents used to tell about walking in the snow for miles every day to get to school and home again - uphill both ways. In other words, they make it sound much more difficult than it is. And while it's possible it really was difficult for someone else, you might have what it takes to achieve success in your chosen career more quickly. Few people will tell others that it's easy to break into their career or that almost anyone with determination can do it, even if that's true. By saying that it takes a rare ability or many years to succeed in a career, someone who is already working in that career validates themself and what they have achieved. Keep this in mind when speaking with someone working in the career, and don't say you hope to get a job like theirs right away. If you acknowledge their success and show respect for their achievements they may be more willing to assist you.

They are struggling

Someone who is struggling in a career may have spent years in the profession without achieving the kind of success they had hoped for. This type of person may try to "help" you by pointing out the "reality" of the profession you want to work in. They will tell you that at least 80% of those who enter their field will drop out or never achieve great success. But that's true for the vast majority of careers. In a recent issue of Harvard Magazine, it was reported that the average person will have six different careers in their lifetime, which means the average person will leave five careers. Why let that stop you from following your heart now? Another reality is that virtually every career - from acting to real estate - has only a few people who reach the top. It is insulting for someone to assume you will not be one of the successful ones. However, someone who has not made it to the top themself after years of struggle simply may not be able to see how a newcomer can. If you can overlook their discouraging attitude, this person may actually be able to help by filling you in on industry jargon, types of employers, and other career information. Just don't waste your time trying to convince them that you will succeed where they haven't.

They have a scarcity consciousness

People with a scarcity consciousness believe there will be less work for them if more people enter the profession. They see newcomers as potential competitors and will do what they can to discourage others from entering the field. The moderator of a message board for one career said in response to our recent posting that if everyone who wanted to enter the career actually did so, "it would stop being a fab job for everyone else as there would be very few who could ever make a living doing this." Fortunately, there are people in every industry who have not only achieved success, but are willing to help others do the same. As Mark Twain said, "Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great ones make you feel that you, too, can become great."

I think this article makes you realize that ll the advice out there may not really be helpful.....especially if it is coming from a person who wants to climb the same ladder you are !

Learn about yourself by taking a personality tests

2007-01-30T09:01:00.000-08:00

Considering a career change? If so, you might want to take a test or two to determine what career is the best fit for your type of personality. Some tests are free others have a fee. But if you are serious this might be a good start to finding out about yourself.

The top-rated career tests, like the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, the Keirsey Temperament Sorter and the Strong Interest Inventory are available online.

Myers-Briggs Type Indicator
http://www.humanmetrics.com/cgi-win/JTypes2.asp

The Keirsey Temperament Sorter (KTS) is a self-assessed personality questionnaire designed to help people better understand themselves, first introduced in the book Please Understand Me. KTS is closely associated with the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI); however, there are significant practical and theoretical differences between the two personality questionnaires and their associated different descriptions.

http://www.okcupid.com/tests/take?testid=10802373878010974519

There are fees for some of these tests, but, there are also a variety of quick, simple tests like Color Quiz from http://www.colorquiz.com that offer instant results and doesn't cost you a penny.

LiveCareer.com is also a good one and it's easy to use. There are a series of questions that asks you to select what you like the most and least amongst 3 things. When you're done you'll instantly be provided with a great deal of insight on yourself and the environments you thrive in, as well as the kind of jobs, careers and activities you're suited for. You might be surprised. It's fun, incredibly accurate and no-cost to you. Give LiveCareer.com a try today.

Also try Monstor.com's Your Perfect Career Quiz
http://tools.monster.com/perfectcareer/

What motivates someone to buy something?

2007-01-25T11:40:00.000-08:00

If you are in Sales then that is something you ask yours self everyday.
Yes, you are trained by your company and are a real good talker.

However traditional sales people force feed their own reasons and do not focus on uncovering what the prospect is trying to overcome, improve or eliminate by buying sooner, rather than later. Prospects really do not want to think about anything, they actually want time to "compare". Compare your features and benefits with that of their current vendor or other competitors trying to get in on that business.

Quite often in the eyes of the prospect your features and benefits are not much different from their current vendor or others competing in your field. Hence price becomes a front end and back end obstacle as they focus on YOUR reasons (features and benefits), not their problems and negative effects that are already costing them time, energy and money by not using your product or service.

So the simple trick to to LISTEN first and reiterate what the customer just said. Listen and then suggest ways to make LIFE EASIER for that particular problem !

You will be the best sales person. Don't forget to close the sale ! i.e Asking for the Money and their commitment to buy.

Are you being listened to at work?

2007-01-19T13:37:00.000-08:00

You are at a meeting to discuss ideas for implementing a new program in your department. After some discussion, you tentatively throw out an idea to the group. It is ignored.
Ten minutes later, one of your co-workers says “Hey, here’s an idea ...” and restates your suggestion almost word for word.

This time, “your” idea is met with a chorus of “Great idea!” from your colleagues.
If this has ever happened to you, you are not alone.

Dr. Sonia Herasymowich, Ph.D., a university instructor and consultant on mental diversity, says one reason ideas are sometimes not acknowledged the first time they are stated is because of differences in thinking styles.

Right-brained thinkers (most of whom are women) tend to be intuitive. They may jump to a conclusion and express it before their left-brained colleagues (most of whom are men) have arrived at the same conclusion. It is only after the discussion has logically led to the idea that it is likely to be embraced by the left-brained thinkers.

Dr. Sonia, as she is known to her clients and students, suggests that right-brained thinkers can get credit for an idea by writing it down on a flipchart or white board immediately after expressing it. While the group continues its discussion, the right-brained thinker can be working backwards, writing the steps leading up to the idea.

“At some point, the group will look up and say ‘oh great, you’re writing it down’,” says Dr. Sonia. “At the very least you will be seen as someone who has helped the team reach its conclusion.”
Whether or not your ideas are listened to may also depend on how clearly you express them.
In her book Talking From 9 to 5, Deborah Tannen, Ph.D., reports that when it comes to communicating in the workplace, employees who get heard at meetings tend to be those who speak more directly, more loudly, and at greater length than their co-workers.

Trying to be polite may backfire. Says Tannen, “Many people try to avoid seeming presumptuous by prefacing their statements with a disclaimer such as, ‘I don’t know if this will work, but ...’ or ‘You’ve probably already thought of this, but ...’.” Such disclaimers may result in the rest of the communication being ignored.

However, simply telling employees to speak up is not the answer to ensuring everyone’s contributions are heard. Some employees may need time to reflect before speaking, while others may not speak up at all for fear of looking foolish.

Companies that want to take advantage of contributions from all their employees need to teach their managers and group leaders to foster communications.

Says Tannen, “The most important point is for managers to become skilled at observing group process and noticing the role that each group member takes.” The group leader can then give credit where it is due and encourage greater participation from all.

Going around the table and asking everyone to state their opinion is one way to encourage greater participation. However, participants are often influenced by what has been said before them and may not risk disagreeing with someone higher up in the organization.

A better idea, therefore, is to invite employees to submit their opinions in writing either before or at the meeting.

Another option is the Japanese practice of "nemawashi" in which a facilitator meets one-on-one with participants before the meeting. The facilitator can then make a presentation which includes the variety of opinions, thereby ensuring that everyone’s opinion is taken into account and saving face for those whose suggestions are not followed.

To elicit ideas from those who need time to reflect after the meeting, Dr. Sonia suggests managers conclude with a comment such as “If anyone has any more ideas before tomorrow morning, put them in writing and leave them on my desk.”

Companies that follow such practices may be rewarded with ideas and innovations well beyond those expressed during the meeting itself.

Source : www.atotalwaste.com

Top 10 Business Buzzwords

2007-01-17T08:14:00.000-08:00

Wondering about the new office phrases? This article by by Megan Aemmer is great...
I learnt a few words that I would have never known.

Whether you office from home or home from office, you've probably heard some of these best-of-breed words and phrases unleashed at you and wondered what exactly your boss or coworker was talking about. Whether humorous or just plain annoying, you'll probably hear some of these dynamic phrases from time to time. This list will help you translate, and maybe even re purpose a few words to grow your own business buzz vocabulary.

Drive: No, it doesn't refer to your daily commute. Drive is a multipurpose buzz word, overused in such phrases as "drive out cost," "drive the project," and "drive the organization." Last I checked, costs, projects, and organizations don't typically have wheels and a chassis.

Incent: A nonword that is often used in business as a verb. Instead of creating incentives, management types may try to incent their team to sell more by offering--you guessed it--incentives. Some other commonly verbed words: office (She likes to office from home), text (Hey, text me the address), google (I googled him before the first date).

Delayering: A newer, more PC term for rightsizing, a.k.a. downsizing. Potato, potahto. It's still a layoff.

Narcissurfing: If your coworker is late to a meeting again, it's probably because he's been narcissurfing all morning. That is, googling yourself to see where, when, and how often you show up on the Internet.

Deep dive: If someone asks you to deep dive (or drill down), they're asking for in-depth information or discussion on a subject. "I did a deep dive on the Chinese market, and I don't think we'll be able to move product there. But I'll drill down on Brazil and see what sell-through potential there may be."

Bleeding edge: The "cutting edge" is so passé. Even better is the bleeding edge. "The program Johnson's working on is bleeding edge. The concept is so new even he's not sure what the product will do yet."

Offline: To take something offline is to discuss something in person or on the phone, rather than via e-mail or instant message conversation. This phrase usually crops up when an e-mail trail gets excessively long and/or involves more people than necessary to solve the issue at hand. Also used in meetings: "We'll deal with that offline, when this meeting's over."

Ping: To get someone's attention, ping them via e-mail or IM. "Hey, ping me when you hear back from her about the London conference." Back in the pre-Internet era, "ping" referred to the sound of a submarine's sonar.

Al desko: To save time, I often dine al desko, usually after five minutes of microwaiting. (In other words, I eat at my desk after heating up lunch in the microwave.)

Defrag: It used to mean rearranging data files on a hard disk, but defrag can also mean "to relax." After a rough day of officing, you may want to defrag in front of the TV.

5 Items to NEVER Put in Your Resume

2007-01-11T08:47:00.000-08:00

5 Items to NEVER Put in Your Resume

We've all read articles about what to put in your resume, but not about things you should NEVER put in your resume. So, double check that resume of yours and remove any of the following from our list of 5 items to NEVER include in your resume. While many of these item may be harmless in reality, if they are posted to the Internet and fall into the wrong hands they could be devastating to your life!

1. NEVER PUT YOUR REFERENCES IN YOUR RESUME. Instead, try something like "Professional References Available Upon Request." References are very valuable to you during your job search, and you don't want an HR dept calling them even before they have called you!!

2. NEVER SHOULD YOUR RESUME CONTAIN A PERSONAL INFORMATION OR A PHOTOGRAPH. The Internet and e-mailed resumes makes it very easy to now include your picture with your resume. DON'T!! Companies legally cannot consider your picture in determining if you are to be interviewed, or hired. This would be a violation of most EOE laws. Many companies won't even consider resumes that are submitted with a picture to ensure that they are in compliance with EOE.

3. NEVER PUT YOUR SALARY EXPECTATIONS OR SALARY HISTORY Salary expectations or history - even if you're applying to a job that asks for it, don't list it.

4. CUTESY GIMMICKS - Employers won't take you seriously

5. REASONS FOR LEAVING YOUR PREVIOUS JOB

While there are more do's and dont's about resume writing, these few tips should provide some guidelines for making your resume posting online experience safer and more productive.

Are Online Degrees Real?

2007-01-10T12:58:00.000-08:00

Drive by any major city and you might see a University Of Phoenix sign. I have always wondered about online degrees. I almost took one, a few years ago but afterward opted to take the class in the local community college. It was a web/html class...quite a few years ago.

But I am looking forward to taking an online class in the future.
OK here is her article.

by Jennifer Mulrean really

Jennifer Mulrean is a writer on MSN Money. She has written articles for the Seattle Times, the Los Angeles Times, and In Style magazine.

Every day, students around the world are booting up, logging on, and signing in to their virtual classrooms.

According to the National Center for Educational Statistics, there were an estimated 2.9 million students enrolled in U.S. college-level, credit-granting distance education classes during the 2000-2001 school year. And a full 90 percent of the schools with distance-education offerings primarily delivered them through the Internet.

It's easy to see why. Online learning removes geographic limitations, as well as scheduling conflicts such as family or work commitments, that can make attending a brick-and-mortar school difficult or downright impossible. But for many prospective students, questions still linger: How does it work? Will I be lonely? Do I have to be a computer geek? And the biggest doozie of them all: Are online degrees real?

Avoiding degrees-r-usThe short answer, of course, is yes. There are plenty of legitimate online programs that offer everything from undergraduate degrees in engineering to MBAs and Ph.Ds. But the perception of legitimacy is challenged by a number of things, not the least of which are spam offers for fake university degrees. These are from so-called "diploma mills," which churn out as many degrees as they have paying customers--not students. Among the other challenges: the relative newness of the medium and a lack of knowledge about what online learning really entails.

"One thing we had to overcome was that in the minds of a lot of people, it was kind of equivalent to correspondence courses that put content on the Web, but students were pretty much doing it alone," says Brian Mueller, CEO of University of Phoenix Online. The perception, he says, "was that it was a lonely, isolated, content-driven experience."

To combat this, the University of Phoenix and other accredited online schools have modeled their online programs to have small, instructor-led groups with participation requirements and a great deal of interaction between students, and between students and teachers. At University of Phoenix Online, participation in class discussions is required five out of seven days.

"We provide a great deal of interaction with other students, a great deal of access to faculty, and a great deal of access to resources, such as our online library," Mueller says. "Any resistance that's still out there is dissipated when those three aspects are delivered."

And it seems to work: According to Mueller, about 86,000 students are currently enrolled in the University of Phoenix's online program. What's more, employers pay at least part of the tuition for some 50 to 60 percent of those students.

How to vet online programs

But just like offline schools, not all online programs are created equal. Nor are they all as well-known as the University of Phoenix, which launched its online program way back in 1989. To make sure you're not wasting time, money, and brainpower on a poor-quality or useless degree, you need to do due diligence before you enroll.

Probably the most important thing to look for is accreditation. Besides simply checking that a school is accredited, you also need to verify that the accrediting agency is recognized by either the U.S. Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), which maintains an easily searchable database of institutions accredited by recognized accrediting organizations.

"The key issue here is that it isn't the delivery system that determines if a program is any good," says Alan Contreras of Oregon's Office of Degree Authorization. He should know. The ODA is in charge of investigating the use of bogus degrees in Oregon.

"Oregon is one of four or five states that has a law that says if you have a degree from an unaccredited institution, it is a crime to use that degree as a credential," says Contreras. While many people know to look for accreditation, Contreras says they don't often check on whether the accreditation itself is legitimate and federally recognized. "You'll see accreditation from the 'Worldwide Association of Great Schools,'" he says. "People don't check beyond that and that's where they get into trouble."

Once you've determined the accreditation, spend some time comparing schools and evaluating their reputations. Call graduate schools and prospective employers to see if they're familiar with the program, and if so, what they think of it. A lack of familiarity with a program doesn't mean it won't be accepted, but they may want to contact the school for more information. You can also post messages in online newsgroups to see if anyone has taken classes in the program.

How to spot a diploma mill

Contreras, of Oregon's Office of Degree Authorization, provided the following tips for spotting and avoiding diploma mills:

1. Avoid schools without federally recognized accreditation.
2. Avoid schools that don't require any coursework in exchange for a degree.
3. Look for the school's contact information. It should include a phone number and a physical address where they can be contacted.
Also, try reaching the school at the posted phone number and address. Can you reach a real person who can answer your questions?

The Better Business Bureau further recommends avoiding schools where you pay on a per-degree basis or you can negotiate your grade point average, and being wary of schools with names that sound similar to legitimate, well-known institutions. Also, you can check the ODA site for a list of schools from which degrees are essentially invalid in Oregon. It's a mix of degree mills and schools that are "hard to classify." The list is by no means complete, but is a good place to get started.

Ten easy ways to address stress at work...

2007-01-05T07:41:00.000-08:00

Take deep breaths.

Take a walk, escape from your environment.

Say no to what you don't have time for or what isn't interesting.

Leave work early (or at least on time)

Relax your demands on yourself a bit ‚ most of us expect too much of ourselves.

Ask questions and communicate with co-workers about non work things.

Do unpleasant tasks in the morning to get them over with.

Simplify things whenever possible. Look at large, overwhelming projects as a series of steps you complete one at a time.

Let yourself laugh, especially when you feel grumpiest.

Live in the present--don't spend time worrying about how much better things were in the past or what might happen in the future.

Most people who are able to manage stress have perfected the art of living in the "now".

10 New Year's Resolutions for Entry-Level Workers

2007-01-04T08:22:00.000-08:00

This article applies to everyone who wants change. Apart form the norm the tips are realistic and I feel that if you can use even one of these tips it will make a huge difference in your outlook at work.

Enjoy !

by Peter VogtMonsterTRAK Career CoachArticle provided by MonsterTRAK

The dawn of a new year can be depressing if you focus on all the things you could or should have done the last 12 months. But if you look to the future, you can turn things around, especially if you are just starting your post-college career.

How? By making a few career-related New Year's resolutions and committing yourself to achieving them in the next 12 months.

Need some ideas? Feel free to borrow one or more of these:

1. Ask more questions.

I will acknowledge that my college degree, while valuable, hasn't taught me everything I need to know to be successful in the world of work. If I don't understand something, I'll say so--and then ask my more experienced colleagues for guidance. This will earn me my colleagues' admiration by demonstrating my curiosity and willingness to say, "I don't know, but I'm willing to learn."

2. Reach out to colleagues I don't know.

I won't wait for people I don't know to welcome me to the organization--I'll seek them out and introduce myself. This will show self-confidence, approachability, and respect for others, which in turn will help earn my colleagues' respect.

3. Find a mentor.

I'll establish a collaborative relationship with a more seasoned professional in my field who can be a sounding board and support my career development, providing me the benefit of new career wisdom.

4. Document my successes.

I'll create a spot such as a box, folder, or file drawer where I can store proof of my professional activities and achievements, such as brochures I've written, budgets I've developed, or educational plans I've created for clients. This will give me organized evidence of my accomplishments for both future employers and myself.

5. Learn a new job-related skill.

I'll pick a skill area like writing, developing Web sites, or presenting to large groups and work on it by taking a course at a nearby college or university or through a local community education program to build on an existing strength or learn how to better manage a weakness.

6. Volunteer to work on a challenging project.

I'll look for or create a way to push slightly outside my professional comfort zone to gain new skills as well as the experience to help me climb the ladder within my current organization or advance elsewhere.

7. Build expertise in my field.

I'll read industry publications and attend professional conferences when time and money allow, expanding my knowledge base and demonstrating my ongoing commitment to my chosen field.

8. Expand my network.

I'll get involved in at least one professional association to meet people outside my own organization. I'll also set up periodic meetings with fellow professionals in my area to learn about what they do and how. This will help me become better acquainted with more people in my industry and help them get to know me so I can get (and give) career assistance when I need it.

9. Spot solutions as well as problems.

I'll go to my colleagues and superiors not just to air concerns, but also to propose ways to effectively address them. I'll cultivate a reputation as someone who both sees and solves problems.

10. Get a life.

I'll revive a favorite pastime or pursue a new one so my entire identity isn't built around my career. This will give me the type of work/life balance that will make this coming year a great one, both professionally and personally.

10 Steps To Becoming A Celebrity Assistant

2006-12-19T06:06:00.000-08:00

Ok so how about exploring some new ideas for your career.
Forget the regular 9-5 jobs. I was reading the other day about unique career paths and came across this fabulous article and I thought I would share it with you.
------------------------------

Celebrity personal assistant's can make upto $100,000 per year, and enjoy an incredible lifestyle that most people can only dream about. In return for screening fan mail, answering phones, and planning parties, celebrity personal assistants are allowed to enter an exclusive world and live like a star.

After all, celebrities need to buy groceries and schedule doctor's appointments just like everyone else, but unlike everyone else they also have movie shoots, important meetings, and volumes of phone calls to make. The personal assistant makes sure that everything gets done, allowing the celebrity to enjoy a semi-private life. A good "CPA" functions as coordinator, accountant, and just about anything else that a famous person might require. They offer organization and peace of mind to those who need it the most.

CPA perks often include tickets to sold out concerts, first-class air travel, expensive gifts, and great gossip about what other celebrities are really like. Does this sound like a great day at work to you? If so, here are 10 steps to breaking into this growing field of employment, based on the fabjob.com How to Become a Celebrity Personal Assistant.

1. Choose a Type of Celebrity

Actors and rock stars are not the only ones who need personal assistants. You could decide to assist professional athletes, politicians, directors, bestselling authors, wealthy families, motivational speakers, dot-com millionaires… basically anyone with enough money can hire someone to be a personal assistant. It's probably best to work for someone in a field you're interested in, because the more you know, the more you have to offer. Potential employers will find you more appealing as a new hire.

2. Develop Your Skills

CPAs need to know a little bit about everything, and know where to find out more. Celebrities are currently looking for Internet-savvy, technologically competent employees who can show them how to transfer information from their palm pilot to the computer, send an e-greeting to Mom, or keep track of their personal finances.

Most celebrities are also interested in your typing skills, etiquette knowledge, and party planning or gift buying ability. Above all, celebrities need to know that you will not reveal their intimate secrets to the National Enquirer, so make sure you get used to practicing the art of discretion as well.

3. Get Some Training

There is currently no formal long-term education program to become a personal assistant, but you can develop many of the necessary skills in related programs, such as computer courses, household management courses (for butlers and household managers) and event planning courses offered by community colleges.

4. Get Some Experience

One great way to learn the skills of being a celebrity personal assistant is to be a non-celebrity PA first. You may even discover that being a personal assistant to a non-celebrity is more your speed if you really enjoy organizing but don’t like the stress of the celebrity lifestyle.

5. Find a Job Opening

Networking is an important first step: let everyone know that you are a CPA who is looking for work. Think about all of the people you know, family and friends alike. In that vast network, is there anyone who is closer to a celebrity than you are? You can also meet celebrities through volunteering, working as a production assistant on a movie set, and job listings.

6. Contact a Celebrity

Although you may not speak with the celebrities themselves, you can usually get in touch with their publicist, agent or even their current personal assistant. Even if they aren't looking for an assistant immediately, they may have an opening in the future or know someone who does. There are many books and websites available that list addresses and contact information for celebrities.

7. Avoid Common Mistakes

It would be great if you could just strike up a conversation with someone like an agent and get an immediate referral to a celebrity. However, most people who are starting out don’t find it easy to say the right things off the top of their head. This is when having a script can be a tremendous help. A script is simply an outline of what you want to say. To sound like a professional avoid disclosing too much personal information about yourself, sounding too eager, or mentioning that you are hoping to launch your own showbiz career. Instead, focus on what you have to offer the celebrity.

8. Join an Agency

Most CPAs agree that this is a great inroad into the industry. Once you’ve located one (more than a dozen agencies are listed in the fabjob.com How to Become a Celebrity Personal Assistant), send a brief email query asking who you should contact about becoming a CPA for one of their clients. Sign up with as many agencies as possible.

9. Ace the Interview

According to Jonathan Holiff, former personal assistant to several celebrities, "Assuming you have the skills and the temperament, it really comes down to a personality match." You will more than likely have to go through a number of interviews before you get to meet your celebrity. Don’t let it faze you; just be honest and direct with everyone you meet. And when you meet your celebrity? Don't gush. Concentrate on being professional and establishing an immediate rapport with them.

10. Join Professional Organizations

There are professional organizations that assist celebrity personal assistants with their career development. Once you start working as a CPA, you will be able to join these organizations and they will become an invaluable source of support and information.

FabJob.com publishes e-books that can help you break into a "fab" job. Visit www.fabjob.com for information.

Purdue University's OWL or Online Writing Lab - Great resource

2006-12-13T10:03:00.000-08:00

Purdue University's OWL (Online Writing Lab) offers a wonderful resource. Don't sabotage your job search with grammatical and/or spelling errors in your resume, cover letter, and other correspondence. Brush up on your knowledge here. It is a great resource. I have used it for my kids and its all worth it. Very easy to navigate.

Here is what they say..........

In this section of our site, we offer you handouts and exercises on grammar, spelling, and punctuation. We also have PowerPoint presentations related to grammar, and we have an entire section of handouts and resources for English as a Second Language learners that might also prove useful.

We now have printer friendly versions and Adobe PDF versions of all of these handouts available. Visit our printer-friendly grammar, spelling, and punctuation index to download and print any of these handouts, or click on the link on any of the handouts to visit the printer-friendly version.

Not hiring: pretending you didn't get their resumes is no way to deal with rejection. Applicants need to know when it's over - Staff Smarts

2006-12-11T09:49:00.000-08:00

ANOTHER WEEK, ANOTHER HIRING DECISION !

For growing companies, finding the perfect person for a job is just another thing to check off the to-do list. If one resume doesn't look good, keep rifling through the stack. You have plenty to choose from, and you only have to call the best people. The rest should get the hint when the phone doesn't ring.

But for unemployed job seekers on the other side of the fence, applying to your company is a serious endeavor. Ignore them, and you could be encouraging some desperate job seekers to become what Carole Martin, an interview coach in Danville, California, and the interview expert for Monster.com, calls "Tasmanian devils": overly aggressive job "stalkers" who hound you with calls and e-mails, or stop by the office hoping for some face time to find out where they stand.
These applicants don't know when to quit, says Martin. "They're thinking 'If I call just one more time, they'll take my call.'" Add to this a cultural message that tells applicants to be aggressive and persistent with employers, and you can end up becoming the hunted if you don't know how to handle the situation.

Hello, Goodbye

In this fragile hiring climate, some applicants are mistaking professional courtesy and friendliness--in the form of "We'll call you"--as a sign you like them, says Martin.
It's crucial for you to give firm messages instead of mixed signals. If a candidate is not in your top 10 percent and won't be interviewed, say so. If you won't be hiring this person but want to keep the resume on file for future openings, let the applicant know. "You have to close the door," Martin says.

Of course, doing it is the hard part. Brian Barth, CEO of SideStep, a 21-employee online travel search company in the Silicon Valley with annual sales topping $3.5 million, hears a few times a week from aggressive job hunters and recruiters who contact him directly rather than going to the company's Web site, which lists job openings, accepts resumes, and generates an automated e-mail response letting applicants know their applications have been received. "We prefer that people send their resumes to our e-mail address," says Barth, 36. "Some people don't want to follow the process."

Barth forwards the unsolicited messages to his HR person, who screens up to 25 new resumes every day. With such volume, getting back to people who won't be interviewed is impossible for one person to do, Barth says. But if a rejected applicant follows up after a job has been filled, the company tries to offer closure. "When you're clear with people, you don't have a problem," he says.

Take some simple steps today to make the rejection process easier for everyone involved. Start by minimizing the things you don't need to do. A lot of small employers interview every person who applies, a mistake because it only encourages applicants while making it harder to get back to all of them. Instead, select the top 10 percent of the resumes for phone screenings and narrow this field even further for in-person interviews.

Also, limit "mercy interviews"--interviewing friends of friends--which can easily lead to unreasonable expectations. If you feel obligated to speak with someone who doesn't seem right for the job, set it up as an informational interview where you answer basic questions about your company and your industry, but make it clear that it's not a hiring situation, says Patrick J. Lennahan, principal consultant of P.J. Lennahan & Associates, a career consulting firm in Portsmouth, Rhode Island. That way, you fulfill an obligation without leading the person on. "Don't build up people's hopes if there's no opportunity there," he says.

If you're deluged with applications, consider bringing in an extra person for a few hours a week during a hiring phase to send out rejections and arrange interviews. Also think about setting up separate voice mail and e-mail boxes for applicants so their inquiries are easier to track. While a stock e-mail reply isn't as nice as a letter or a phone call, it's a cheap and easy way of letting applicants know they didn't make the cut.

Good Impressions

Of course, a form letter rejection won't be enough for the occasional applicant. What should you do with someone who calls wanting to know why they were rejected? In many cases, employers aren't getting back to people they've rejected because they're worried about potential legal liabilities. Take the time to resolve the issue, but keep the conversation away from specific information that can get you into trouble, such as a personality fit. "Say 'We found someone with more skills and experience,'" says Martin.

Furthermore, letting applicants know where they stand is a good public relations move on your part. The people you come in contact with during your hiring efforts are more than just job seekers; they're also potential consumers who will run and tell their friends how your company treated them. Besides, it's a small world out there, and the applicant you ignore today could someday end up working for your main competitor or biggest client tomorrow.

Whatever interaction you have with [applicants] is going to bespeak your reputation," Lennahan says. "You've got to make a good impression."

Written by CHRIS PENTTILA
Freelance journalist, NC
chris@sitting-duck.com.

Know Your Worth ! Find out how much you should get paid !

2006-12-06T08:30:00.000-08:00

Never underestimate yourself. Your experiences and education make you what you are. So how much is all of you worth. Here are 3 great sites to find out just that.

Salary.com had a wide range of job descriptions.
SalaryExpert.com, I found was a little better as it asked you relevant questions. Made sense. It gives you a Salary Report Summary at the end of it all.
Monster.com has a great salary calculator.

Try them all to see what you get.

Manager Tools - Website & Podcast

2006-11-30T09:59:00.000-08:00

I found this podcast by browsing on Podzinger.com This podcast is managed by Mark and Mike. They have great tools for managers and to-be managers. So if you are on that path this is a great podcast to listen to. Also, I think this is has a great conversational quality and that they give "real-life" tips for managers. So try them and see if they can help you.

This is what they say :

Manager Tools is a weekly podcast focused on helping you become a more effective manager and leader. Each week we’ll be talking about new tools and easy techniques you can use to help achieve your management and career objectives. If you’re tired of a lot of management theory and would rather learn specific actions you can take TODAY to improve your management performance, we think you’ll enjoy the manager tools podcast.

5 Must-Have Books that they recommend

They love Peter Drucker books - which are awesome.

Why should I hire you ?

2006-11-28T20:53:00.000-08:00

By Mariette Durack Edwards

The other day I was speaking with a young fellow who had been laid off from his job at a large consulting firm. His education and work experience were exceptional so I was surprised to learn he had been out of work for eight months. "Why so long?" I asked him. He launched into a list of things he couldn't do, experience he didn't have, and technology he didn't know. All of these deficiencies plus "the economy" were why he was still looking for a job. It wasn't until I asked him what he wanted to do in his next job that a glimmer of passion entered his voice.

Being out of work for an extended period is certain to erode even the most confident job-seeker. That's why it's so important that you stay focused on your strengths and how your special qualities, skills and abilities can benefit a potential employer. Remember you are the only person in the world who knows everything about what you know!

Here are a few suggestions to help you stay on track with your job-search.

Never argue for your limitations

It's easy to start thinking in terms of what's missing if you've been out of work for a long time but arguing for your limitations will never bring you the work you seek. Focus instead on how you can position your unique skills and abilities to support a potential employer's goals. Pay particular attention to the things that are so easy for you that they seem unimportant.Fill in the gapsBrag about your efforts instead of shining a spotlight on what you don't have.

Think of yourself in terms of results

People buy solutions. A client who is a voice-over talent left this message recently for a customer she wanted to win back. "Hello, Bill. This is Jane Doe. I was the voice of Top Notch News during the three or four years when the network had its highest ratings. How can I help you regain that position? Call me at ..." She got a request to submit her demo reel the next day. How will hiring you move others closer to their goals?

Ask good questions

Craft a series of questions that are open ended, thought provoking and position you in terms of results. Avoid directive questions that signal the answer you are looking for or require a yes/no response. Ask yourself, "What are the biggest questions I can ask in response to this opportunity?" For example, "What are the organization's most important goals?" "How do you see this position impacting on the achievement of those goals?" "If I were offered the opportunity to work with your organization, what would you like me to accomplish in my first 90 days?"

Learn the art of selling

True selling is actually a wonderful process of learning about others and listening for an opportunity to serve through what you offer. It is the single most important tool in your job-search kit.

Here is the PDF form of the Article

Mariette Durack Edwards is a business and personal coach, consultant, speaker, and writer. Her latest book is The Way Things Work: 25 Must-Know Principles for Making Dreams Come True. Mariette can be reached via her Website. http://www.starmakercoaching.com/

Happy Thanksgiving & A Poem ~ In My Dreams !

2006-11-23T08:08:00.000-08:00

In My Dreams
by Steven Robert Heine.

In my dreams
all wrongs are righted,
all sins are forgiven
all wounds are healed.

In my dreams
all lost friends are found
all loved ones are united
all pain is forgotten.

In my dreams
laughter replaces anger
smiles replace frowns
and love replaces hate and fear..

But then I awaken
and I realize that I cannot fix
everything that is broken in the World.
And I decide to try to make it just
a little better somehow.

State Employment Offices - Unemployment Benefits

2006-11-21T00:54:00.000-08:00

Unemployment Benefits

If you lost your job and have a question about unemployment benefits, your local state Employment Office is where you get your questions answered and register to receive benefits. Make this state office your first stop the day after you lose your job - they have many resources and help for you in your job search. These offices provide support for both job seekers and employers. Each state employment office is named and organized differently from the others, but the essential services are the same.

State Employment Offices
AlabamaDept. of Industrial Relations
AlaskaDept. of Labor & Workforce Development
ArkansasEmployment Security Dept.
ArizonaEmployment Security Admin.
CaliforniaEmployment Development Dept.
ColoradoDept. of Labor and Employment
ConnecticutDept. of Labor
District of ColumbiaDept. of Employment Services
DelawareDelaware Dept. of Labor
FloridaAgency for Workforce Innovation
GeorgiaGeorgia Dept. of Labor
HawaiiDept. of Labor and Industrial Relations
IdahoIdaho Dept. of Labor
IllinoisDept. of Employment Security
IndianaDept. of Workforce Development
IowaIowa Workforce Development
KansasKansas Deptartment of Labor
KentuckyOffice of Employment and Training
LouisianaLouisiana Dept. of Labor
MaineMaine Dept. of Labor
MarylandDivision of Employment and Training
MassachusettsDepartment of Workforce Development
MichiganMichigan Career Portal
MinnesotaMinnesota Workforce Center
MississippiDepartment of Employment Security
MissouriDepartment of Labor & Industrial Relations
MontanaDept. of Labor and Industry
NebraskaNebraska Dept. of Labor
NevadaDept. of Employment Training and Rehabilitation
New HampshireEmployment Security
New JerseyWork Force New Jersey
New MexicoNew Mexico Dept. of Labor
New YorkNew York Dept. of Labor
North CarolinaN.C. Employment Security Commission
North DakotaNorth Dakota Job Service
OhioDept. of Job and Family Services
OklahomaEmployment Security Commission
OregonOregon Employment Dept.
PennsylvaniaPenn. Dept. of Labor and Industry
Rhode IslandRI Dept. of Labor and Training
South CarolinaSC Employment Security Commission
South DakotaSouth Dakota Dept. of Labor
TennesseeDept. of Labor & Workforce Development
TexasTexas Workforce Commission
UtahDept. of Workforce Services
VermontDept. of Employment & Training
VirginiaVirginia Employment Commission
WashingtonState Employment Security
West VirginiaBureau of Employment Programs
WyomingWyoming Dept. of Employment

JobStar.org - A website which offers job search information and community resources.

2006-11-17T06:41:00.000-08:00

If you've been laid off at least once, try a pro-active, rather than a re-active, approach in your next job search. But finding a job is a job in itself. There are so many places to look. As I have said before yes networking works but there is a Hidden Job Market - What is it?

I came accross a great site - JobStar.org
I usually like to check out the sites and really see if they are useful as there is way too much info on the web nowadays.

Anyway, JobStar is a California based website which offers job search information and community resources for California. (only certain counties) Mary-Ellen Mort, M. L. S. is the Project Director & Webmaster. Although the site targets CA I think it has very useful information that can be used anywhere.

Here are 3 Articles I found that will help the job seeker.

Step-by-Step Plan for Using the Internet to Go "Beyond the Want Ads" has 6 steps that will help you plan better. They are 1. Focus on your selling points. 2. Focus on one position and one target industry. 3.Develop a custom list of targeted employers. 4. Use your network. 5. Make contact with the employer. 6.Get help

INDUSTRY RESEARCH - Tips on Industry trends, areas of growth, leading companies, companies in your geographic area, "insider" tips on skills in demand, products or services in greatest demand, new technologies.

COMPANY RESEARCH - Lists resources to keep up with the latest news about the company you are interested in.

The Definitive Guide to Wireless Hotspots

2006-11-08T09:17:00.000-08:00

This is an excerpt from the article on the SmallBizResource (SBR) website.

I was wary about using hotspots but this guide helped me understand the basics.

"You have to leave the office, but you're waiting for a crucial and time-sensitive email from a client. You could wait a few hours until you return to get your email, or you could drop into a coffee shop, enjoy a cuppa joe and check your messages from the road.

If you're not already a hotspot user, this guide will show you how to start reaping the benefits of the abundant wireless opportunities that exist in more and more public places every day." Link

SlideShare is a free service for sharing presentations and slideshows

2006-11-05T04:44:00.000-08:00

SlideShare lets you upload, tag, and embed your presentations on any web site.

You can upload your PowerPoint and OpenOffice presentations, tag them, embed them into your blog or website, browse others' presentations, and comment on individual slides. It's a great way to share your ideas with others, or to learn from other people. And it's free.

After you upload a slideshow, you can view the small version or go fullscreen (which looks really good), clicking through slides one at a time. Looks like a great tool share presentations.

Slideshare is the work of Uzanto - a small startup based in Mountain View, CA and New Delhi, India. There is more on their FAQ page

WhoToTalkTo.com - Personal Job Referral Exchange Website !

2006-11-01T16:59:00.000-08:00

The first personal job referral exchange.Your last job could be the key to finding your next job...

I really like this. It is only with personal references that most jobs are secured. This is a great way to link with and actually make connections. I talk about "networking" all the time. What a neat way this is. Now only spreading the word about this site will get the ball rolling.

When you join the site, they ask you to contribute at least one job referral to gain access to their network. So if you know of a job or can get someone refered to a job you put that in. The more you refer the more points you earn. You should really read more on their website. http://www.whototalkto.com/

What To Do Before and After You Lose a Job

2006-10-31T04:05:00.000-08:00

Penelope S. Tzougros, Ph.D., ChFC, CLU explains it well as she brings up points that you might take for granted and may have ignored as part of living.

"No matter how secure you think your job is, every once in a while you should conduct a "fire drill" and go over your own safe exit strategy. Don't wait for rumors about lay off at your company. Be aware of the conditions of other companies in your industry and your state. Here are some ABC's for staying flexible like the trees that make it through storms.

These make perfect sense.

Asses your job skills
Asses your strengths
Acknowledge your deficiencies
Figure out which ones could get you fired
Decide what to fix

I think it is easy to criticize oneself as we think we are perfect. I love "constructive criticism" but its hard to acknowledge your weaknesses...forget working on them :) But it sure becomes critical when you have a family to feed. So its best to follow the advice given by the experts in the field like Ms. Tzougros.

She also says that "Be aware of your spending habits. Before any crisis hits, you should know how much money you really need to live on. That must include saving for days when you have no work, and paying on your debts."

I think we should all do this - "Don't carry more credit card debt than you can pay off in three months."

When she mentions about staying connected with people I have seen that it REALLY WORKS. What works is to "NEVER BURN BRIDGES"....however much you feel that you want to get back after you have been let go...don't go around saying bad stuff about the people or company...remember if you were let go it was no a "good fit" for both.

I think this article is a good read. Link
Copyright ©2003 Wealthy Choices

"The pen is mightier than a sword" - Resume Templates

2006-10-28T04:10:00.000-07:00

"The pen is mightier than a sword", they say, so if you in the "battle" of finding a job start clicking on the keyboard to "write" the best resume there is. A well-crafted, custom-tailored resume can help you land the job of your choice. Writing a great resume does not necessarily mean you should follow a specific resume format. Every resume is a one-of-a-kind marketing communication. It should be appropriate to your situation and do exactly what you want it to do.
A resume is a tool with one specific purpose: to win an interview.

Stuck ? Its hard to start especially if you have not worked on one for a while. There are many Resume Templates out there. Here are a 3 resources.

Quickstart Resume Templates by CollegeGrad.com has over 200 templates. I downloaded a few and found them very impressive. You have to agree to the terms and conditions and then you are able to download the template of your choice.
At JobBankUSA.com I found several resumes which were industry specific. Scroll down once you are on the page to see the list.
At ResumeTemplates.org I found an impressive number of high level job resumes as well as resumes for a disk jockey, camera operator etc. I think its a well managed site and has many helpful links.

Body Language & What do the signs mean?

2006-10-26T09:08:00.000-07:00

This article written by Bud Smith tells you how to make body language work for you. Keep in mind that these are subtle yet strong indicators. So the next time you are conversing with your colleagues....not only observe them but also try and conscientiously improve on your body language.

Body language is fascinating. People rarely recognize how much information they give off and how noticeable it is to the human eye. Even to the untrained human eye. It is said that no less that 50 percent of information on a person's character, impact and credibility is conveyed through no verbal communication.
The following is a list of some common body postures and states the persons position.

Arms crossed: Defensive and cautious.
Resting chin on palm: Critical, cynical and negative towards the other person.
Dropping eyeglasses onto the lower bridge of the nose and peering over them: Causes negative reactions in others.
Slowly and deliberately taking off glasses and carefully cleaning the lens: The person wants to pause and think before raising opposition or asking for clarification.
Pinching bridge of the nose: Communicates great thought and concern.
Nose-rubbing or nose-touching: A sign of doubt, it often reveals a negative reaction.
Rubbing around ears: Performed while weighing an answer, commonly coupled with 'well, I don't know'.
Resting feet on a desk or chair: Gestures of territorial hegemony.
Swaying back: Weak ego.
Retracted shoulders: Suppressed anger.
Direct Eye Contact: Interested, likes you
Smiling Eyes: Is comfortable
Relaxed Brow: Comfortable
Limited or No Eye Contact : Lying, uninterested, too confined, uncomfortable, distracted
Tension in Brow : Confusion, tension, fear
Shoulders hunched forward : Lacking interest or feeling inferior
Rigid Body Posture : Anxious, uptight
Crossed arms : Can be just cold, protecting the body, or defensive
Tapping Fingers : Agitated, anxious, bored
Fidgeting with hands or objects (i.e., pen) : Bored or has something to say
Leaning forward : Interested
Fingers Interlocked placed behind the head leaving elbows open and armpits exposed : Very open to ideas, comfortable
Mirroring you : Likes you and wants to be friendly
Still : More interested in what you are saying than anything
Eyes open slightly more than usual: Gives people the impression that they are welcome.
Breath faster: Nervous or angry
Inhaling loudly and shortly: Wants to interrupt a speaking person
Loud sigh: Understand the thing that is being told.
Twisting the feet continuously : A person is nervous or concerned, but can also mean that a person is stressed or angry and that he don't want to show that to everybody.
Legs wide apart or Sitting straddle-legged: Shows that a person is feeling safe, and is self - confident. Can also show leadership.
A big smile that goes on longer and disappears slower.: Unreal or fake smile
Crossed legs with highest foot in the direction of the speaker.: Relaxed and self-confident and they are listening very carefully.
Rapidly nodding your head : Shows impatient and eager to add something to the conversation
Slowly nodding: Shows interest and that they are validating the comments of the interviewer, and this subtly encourages him to continue.
Dangling the loose shoe from the toes : Signals physical attraction
Rubbing your collar: Nerves
Adjusting your tie: Insecurity
Pressed Lips: Pressed lips convey disagreement and disapproval. It communicates a desire to end the discussion. A raised chin implies aggression that may be acted on if the conversation is not ended.
Pursed Lips: This is also a sign of disapproval. It indicates that the person has fixed views that cannot be changed. This usually reveals an arrogant and superficial character.
Biting the Lips: The person expresses embarrassment when he bites his lips. He also communicates a lack of self-confidence.

Reading Hand Signals

People have been granted with two hands: the left and the right hand. The left has been dubbed as the "emotional hand" since an imaginary line can be drawn from the third finger leading directly to the heart. This is why the wedding ring is placed on this finger. The right hand, literally on the other hand. has been named the "proper hand" since it is with this hand that people communicate a blocking or stopping signal.

Open Hands: Open hands may be demonstrated by showing the palm of one's hand, especially in a conversation or an argument.. This expresses a trust in other and an interest in their opinions. It also offers an opinion and invites the sharing of the other person's view.
Covered Hands: This is expressed by raising the back of one or both hands against others. This indicates the setting up of barriers or the keeping of distance. It is an act of concealing feelings and covering insecurity
Clinging Hands: Those who cling to objects, such as handbags. files or tables. show a need for support. This action conveys confusion or insecurity. It expresses fear and difficulty in coping with the current situation.
Twisted Hands ( crossing both hands then clasping the palms together) : Expression of a complex personality. It may indicate a difficult emotional life. The way the palms are held together conveys a need to hide something.
Clasping the hands : indicates defence.
Shrugged shoulders: You can recognize stressed shoulders by the fact that they are a bit shrugged, which does make the head look smaller. The meaning of the signal comes from crouching in dangerous situations.The meaning of this posing depends on the combination. In combination with big eyes it means that someone is concerned about something that is going to happen. In combination with a face that is turned away it means that the person wants to be left alone. An introvert person has nearly always those stressed shoulders.
Difference in level of both shoulders: By most of the people the left and the right shoulder are of the same height. When they are not, it often means that someone is doubting about what he is going to do. With this movement we simulate (unconscious) that we are weighing the possibilities. Sometimes when someone makes this movement, his head will move a little like he is looking above.
Crossed arms: There are a lot of different explanations of the meaning of crossed arms. When someone has crossed arms and he is shaking his head it means that he does not agree with you. But he can also cross his arms when he is frightened, then his arms give him some protection. Another option is that he is feeling cold and he is trying to hold his body-warmth with him. When someone is sitting in a chair with his arms crossed, it indicates that the person is relaxed.
Making a fist from your hands: A fist is a sign for aggression. It comes from hitting someone. But it is seldom used with a threatening meaning. Most of the time it is used to indicate that you are angry or irritated.
Holding the hand before the mouth: Holding a hand before your mouth means that you are hiding something. In western countries it is impolite to belch or to hiccup. So someone can hold his hand before his mouth to hide that he is hiccuping. When someone puts his hand before his mouth when he is talking it indicates that he is saying something or has said something that he did not want to say.
Making the eyes look larger: The meaning of making the eyes look larger can be that someone is astonished. In that case he opens his mouth a little. It can also mean that he is happy or that he likes the thing that is talked about. And because it means that you like something, you can use it on purpose. It pleases people when you have your eyes opened a bit further.
When people open their eyes a bit further it can also mean that they are unhappily surprised. Then they will frown their eyebrows.
Raising the eyebrows: Raising the eyebrows shortly means that people are surprised. They raise their eyebrows to allow them to look better. But it can also mean that somebody is looking at you, and that he likes you.
Raised forehead: A raised forehead often means that someone is remembering something he has seen. This often happens very quickly. It can also be a sign of a certain emotion. It is a biological reflex that you raise your forehead a little when you are crying so the tears can move easier.
Pursed lips: When somebody purses his lips it means that he has to make a decision and is thinking about that. Sometimes he also moves his lips, like he is saying the possibilities. When somebody purses his lips, he often looks a bit upward.
Firm Handshake: The strong, firm handshake usually is given by a person who is sure and confident of themselves.
Weak hand shake: People who give these types of handshakes are either nervous, shy, insecure, or afraid of interaction with other people.
Cleared your throat: Nervousness.
Bitten your fingernails: Nervousness.
Wring your hands: Nervousness.
Paced the floor: Nervousness.
A person is bouncing their legs and their arms are crossed over or their torso is slumped: Closed off

Written by Bud Smith, a co-webmaster of http://www.infoweb.co.nz/. Infoweb is the place to go for information on musical instruments and creating websites.

Are business cards really necessary in this information age?

2006-10-22T05:03:00.000-07:00

Are business cards really necessary in this information age? You better believe they are. There is simply no substitute for getting out there and networking during your job search. Handing out your business card is a great way to keep them remembering you.

As you make your way through the hordes of people at career fairs and trade shows or have meetings with various executives, HR staff and other career contacts you may have, you must always carry a fresh supply of business cards to hand out when the time is right.

There's nothing worse than making a great contact, searching for a pen and writing your number on a napkin - that they're sure to lose. Personal business cards project an image of professionalism and leave a lasting impression.

If you think that creating a personal business card is time consuming, expensive and you must have a design background and creative flair, think again. I have designed a lot of my cards from

VistaPrint. They offer complimentary business cards and have lots of pre-made designs to choose from. You just pay a small shipping and handling fee.

Sink Or Swim by Milo & Thuy Sindell

2006-10-20T05:06:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I come across a book that really intrigues me. This one - SINK OR SWIM by Milo Sindell, Thuy Sindell really hit home. Some of my friends whose kids are about to enter the work place are full of enthusiasm but no real step-by-step guidance. After reading this book I thought I would share it with the newbies in the job market and with all of you who want to make that transition to a new one. It is one of the best resources for 10 bucks !

I have already kept it in my library for my daughter who will need this soon. I am a believer that "Forewarned is Forearmed" Some of the things highlighted in this book that I liked are the week-by-week resource to help you find and keep the job. Learning about and having the right tools under your belt makes all the difference. Most of all I loved their writing style. It is casual and yet goal oriented.

The 5 Sink or Swim skills that they highlight in the book you probably have heard or read about them in your career. But let me tell you they have really made the "job", of finding and keeping a job very.... strategic. Here ae their 5 Sink or Swim Skills.

Goal Setting
Time Management
Knowledge Management
Team Player
Professional Image

Just like Milo said " Whether you are fresh on the job or a more experienced work force veteran, Sink or Swim offers you the resources and a week-by-week guide for how to apply each skill."

J. Levitt of CA writes "At last, a practical step-by-step manual for mastering the new job. Writing with energy, style, and conciseness, the authors have come up with a first rate guide for making a splash (pun intended) at your new company. Their advice is broken up into bite-sized pieces: a really doable action plan for each week of the first 3 months on the job. I wish someone had given me something like this when I was first starting out; however, I'm planning on using it the next time I change jobs. It really ought to be handed out in new hire orientations; it would be good both for the company and the newbie."

Negotiation Tips from a Professional Mediator - by Kim Lankford

2006-10-18T07:28:00.000-07:00

I have liked reading articles written by an industry expert Kim Lankford.

She has been writing about money for more than 10 years. Her articles have appeared in Kiplinger's Personal Finance magazine, the Boston Globe, Reader's Digest, Bloomberg Wealth Manager, and Yahoo! Finance, MSN Money and Kiplinger.com, where she writes the popular "Ask Kim" column.

This is what she says about "Negotiation Tips from a Professional Mediator"

Good negotiation skills have a huge impact on your career -- whether you're a salesperson making deals or an entry-level employee trying to get good assignments or cube neighbors to quiet down.

In this article she points out how to be a good negotiator. Sometimes I use these tactics to get things done by my kids. ! Here she talks to Tammy Lenski, a professional mediator who helps universities and businesses nationwide with conflict management.

Tammy Lenski's tips are very insightful.

Tactic Is Dictated by Situation
Ask Good Questions
Deal with Issues Up Front
Do the Right Kind of Homework

Believe me these tactics can be useful in any kind of negotiating !

E-Business Opportunities - Starting out on Ebay !

2006-10-16T12:14:00.000-07:00

There are tons of opportunities on the web to start new businesses. An online business is not so different from a "brick and mortar" business model. For your start-up venture; the same principles apply.

If its a product you want to sell, Ebay is a great starting point.

Set aside several hours to browse around the site. Click on all the different buttons to access and learn about eBay's various features. Read the news announcements, check out the help pages, surf the discussion boards, take the online guided tours, and study the listings. A great place to begin is with the eBay Learning Center, which offers free audio tours and online courses.

Learn all about eBay University They have sessions that are held across the country 30 weekends a year. One of those sessions of eBay University is likely to come to an area near you. eBay is a huge site, but it's well-organized and easy to navigate. Take the time to get familiar with it before you get started, when you're not under any pressure to buy or sell.

There are many Seller Forums on Ebay that you can participate in. Once you're familiar with ebay, you can start planning your business on eBay. Decide if your goal is a full-time operation or something you can do part time. Start with partime and don't be discouraged if you do not sell your product at first. There are many veterans of Ebay, so if you are just starting out then you have a lot to learn.

Career Planning Tips

2006-10-14T03:25:00.000-07:00

The time has come for back to basics and candid and honest behavior in business. The days for the "stuffed shirt syndrome" are gone. Blogs have made this possible. Employers are looking for real people.

Here are 5 tips to planning your career

"Do what you like and the money will follow." If you do something you like, you know you will take interest and try to be the best at it.

"Planning is key". Planning your next move and keeping your ears and eyes open will make all the difference.

"Big brother is watching". Remember you are being watched all the time at your work place. So if you are aiming at the manager's position, start taking that role in your mind and dress for success.

"Research and conclude". The more research you do about your next career move, the more likely you are to end up in the right place. One advantage of having been in a job you dislike is that you know what to avoid.

"Effective time management is an art form". Spending quality time on your next career move is essential. So if you are surfing the net make a word doc and start putting all your findings in one place. And PRINT IT ! The next time you want to find that great resouce, and in case the internet is down you have the list of important things right in your hand.

Carrer choices expand with knowledge - Free Online Resource

2006-10-13T06:31:00.000-07:00

As you all know knowledge is power. If you feel you are stuck in a rut, taking an evening class at a local college. Pursue a new career or enhance your existing skills! Match your skills to the programs that are offered in the local college.

Nowadays all colleges have both online and local classes. Whether you would like to get a Professional Certificate, Associate's Degree, Bachelor's Degree or Master's Degree they will be able to help you pinpoint the best classes that meet your interests.

Another way to learn is by reading the free online tutorials. One of the best sources for FREE EDUCATION ONLINE is http://www.free-ed.net/free-ed/
There are tutorials and small lesson plans. The courses, tutorials, and skill-building activities are made for today's most important vocational and academic disciplines.

Is starting your own business bugging you?

2006-10-11T04:46:00.000-07:00

Starting a business can be an exciting venture offering many rewards. However, you must be prepared and you must understand the basics. So while you still have that steady income, take the opportunity to read and learn about the opprtunities that exist out there.

You can

Sell your product
Sell other people's products
Drop Ship
Offer your experise and services

and more. All of the above can be achieved via the internet. Set up a website and go. first, you must choose and register a domain name. Keep your domain name simple. Because you would like as many people as possible to visit your site, use good judgment and pick a name that is easy to remember. Next, you must choose a web hosting company to host your site for you. Hosting prices vary from $10/month on up depending on the nature of your site and the amount of traffic you expect; extremely popular sites can expect to pay for a more expensive plan, or to pay extra bandwidth charges.

If you are going to build your Web site yourself, you might find that HTML (hypertext markup language) editors and WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) composers, such as the Microsoft FrontPage Web site creation and management tool, are extremely helpful. WYSIWYG editors let you create your site's look and feel while they create the HTML code for you.

Or go for the free sites with free hosting. The 2 that people use most are Yahoo Geocities and Bravenet

5 Blogs for Job Search and Career Advice For Today !

2006-10-10T09:25:00.000-07:00

With blogs becoming part of our daily lives here are a few blogs that make it on my top list.

Ask Career Directions
A service to assist job seekers in finding the best possible career opportunity - Career Directions

Career Chaos
Mastering a Career Change - Meg Montford

Career Bright
California Career Coach - Shweta Khare

Find A Job Today
Resume and Job Hunting Advice - Otis Collier

Being Bold Blog
Be bold! Take charge of your career - Ian Christie

My 2 cents.....
Always keep up with what is going on in your industry
Keep up with your industry leaders and learn from them how they got where they are
Did you hear me say....Network ! Network ! Network !

Mastering the Buisiness Lingo !

2006-10-04T07:50:00.000-07:00

Learn the language of business. One of the tools that you have when you interview is your grasp of the English language. It does not matter what you have studied and where you have come from, it does, as a matter of fact - matter how intelligently you speak and converse.

Words do matter. Sometimes we hear what "we" want.
Haven't we all done that with songs we hear on the radio ? :)

Using the correct business language will show how much you know and how you can be an asset to the company you are trying to join. Here are a couple of great resources to brush up on your business lingo.

So get familiar with the terms and start using them.

Did You Know ?

2006-10-01T19:11:00.000-07:00

DID YOU KNOW....
According to a recent poll conducted by Salary.com the job of a FIRE FIGHTER was the sexiest job ! These hot hunks lit up the polls.

Working the Network !

2006-10-01T18:44:00.000-07:00

Not all jobs are posted in newspapers or online. So how do you ...
1. Find out about these job openings
2. How do you apply for the jobs that are not advertised anywhere

Well the answer is simple. Network Network Network !
Its a matter of letting everyone you know what you do and that you are looking for a new opportunity. You will be surprised with the responses.

Don't limit yourself to business contacts.
Here is a list of people you can talk to :

Family friends
Local politicians
Relatives
Journalists
Neighbors
Business executives
Professors
Non-profit directors
Alumni
Your physician
Former employees
Your hair dresser
Former co-workers
Prominent community members
Public relations officials
Members of professional organizations

Now you ask where are you going to find these people
Well start with these places

Local alumni association
Conventions
Class reunions
Club meetings
Cocktail parties
Neighborhood parties
Internet list-servers
Fundraisers
Volunteer opportunities
Business conferences
Continuing education classes

Make every opportunity count. Treat each meeting like a mini interview.

Make an impression that sticks !

10 Steps To A Successful Interview

2006-09-30T12:11:00.000-07:00

Arrive on time.
Introduce yourself in a courteous manner.
Read company materials while you wait.
Have a firm handshake.
Listen.
Use body language to show interest.
Smile, nod, give nonverbal feedback to the interviewer.
Ask about the next step in the process.
Thank the interviewer.
Write a thank-you letter to anyone you have spoken to.

I hav found that although this sounds simple it is important to think about these things before hand.

Questions You Should Ask in Your Job Interview

2006-09-30T12:05:00.000-07:00

Always prepare questions to ask.

Having no questions prepared sends the message that you have not been thinking about the job.

Avoid asking questions that are clearly answered on the employer's web site and/or in any literature provided by the employer to you in advance. This would simply reveal that you did not prepare for the interview, and you are wasting the employer's time by asking these questions. Never ask about salary and benefits issues until those subjects are raised by the employer.

Remember that an interview is a two-way conversation. For you, the interview has two purposes: One, to sell yourself, and two, to evaluate the position. After asking questions, the interviewer usually invites you to ask questions.

By asking informed questions, such as the following, you not only gain knowledge about the potential employer, but you also make a good impression:

What is the size of the division, sales volume, earnings?
Does the company plan to expand? What are the company's strengths and weaknesses compared to its competition?
What are the significant trends in the industry?
Could you explain your organizational structure?
Can you discuss your take on the company’s corporate culture? What are the company’s values?
How would you characterize the management philosophy of this organization?
Are any acquisitions, divestitures, or proxy fights on the horizon?
What do you think is the greatest opportunity facing the organization in the near future? The biggest threat?
How will my leadership responsibilities and performance be measured? And by whom? How often?
Would there be opportunities for advancement, and, how long before I might be considered for one?
What qualities do you prize the most in those that report directly to you?
How does the organization rank within its field?
What is the reputation of the department (or facility) to which I am applying?
How is this department (or facility) perceived within the organization (or corporation)?
What have been its goals in the last year, and, did it meet them?
What would be the goals of the department (or facility) in the coming year?
Do you think those are aggressive or conservative goals? Who set them?
What problems or difficulties are present in the department (or facility) now?
What are the most important problems to solve first?
What will be the greatest challenge in the job?
What are the greatest strengths of this department and company?
What would you expect me to accomplish in this job?
What is your management style?
How often would we meet together?
What responsibilities have the highest priority?
Can you describe a typical day for someone in this position?
How might these responsibilities and priorities change?
How much time should be devoted to each area of responsibility?
What qualifications are you looking for in the person who fills this job?
What are some examples of the achievements of others who have been in this position?
How many people have held this job in the last five years? Where are they now?
Why isn't this job being filled from within?
What is the history of this position?
What are the traits and skills of people who are the most successful within the organization?
If this position is offered to me, why should I accept it?
Why did you come to work here? What keeps you here?
What do you see in my personality, work history or skill set that attracts you to me?
How soon do you expect to make a decision?
If I am offered the position, how soon will you need my response?

When the position involves management of other employees, you may also wish to ask some of these questions:

How much authority will I have in running the department (or facility) ?
Are there any difficult personalities on the staff?
Have you already identified staff or staffs that should be let go or transferred?
Have you already identified staff members that are stars and are in line for promotion?
How many employees would I supervise?
What condition is morale in, and why?
May I see an organizational chart?

Finally, you may want to discuss issues of compensation.

Following are some suggestions for questions pertaining to salary and benefits packages:

What are the benefits and perks?
What is the salary range?
What is my earnings potential in 1, 3, 5, and 10 years?

If commissions are involved, ask about the median salary of a person holding a position comparable to that which you are seeking.

Article by Pam Pohly http://www.pohly.com/

Handling a Meal Successfully During Your Job Interview

2006-09-30T11:44:00.000-07:00

A meal can be very important to your job search success!

Most employers have busy schedules and will arrange interviews during meal times. Sometimes, an applicant may share breakfast with one group, lunch with another and still another for dinner. All the while, the applicant is expected to answer questions well while the interviewers eat. You could be critically scrutinized on your table manners and conduct in addition to your answers to the interview questions.

Employers may want to see you in a more social situation to see how you conduct yourself, particularly if the job for which you are interviewing requires a certain standard of conduct with clients and superiors. Many times, meals are the only time that certain groups of workers can find to assemble together for an interview.

Tips for Interview Dining Etiquette:

Follow the lead of your host or hostess. You should wait for your interviewer to ask you to sit down before taking your seat. If he/she doesn't ask you to sit, wait for him/her to be seated, then sit. During the meal, sit up straight and keep your feet flat on the floor or cross your legs at the ankle. Crossing your legs during the meal can cause you to slouch, and looks too casual. As soon as everyone is seated, unfold your napkin and place it across your lap, folded, with the fold toward you. Do this discreetly. If you need to leave the table, place your napkin on your chair, folded loosely. Only after the meal is over should you place your napkin on the table to the left side of your plate (never on your plate!). You should not push your chair back and cross your legs until the meal is completely finished.

What to Eat & Drink During Interviews:

Here are some general tips on what to order. Let your interviewer order first and order a meal for yourself that is less expensive than his or hers. Pick a meal that is small and easy to eat. Try to steer away from sandwiches, shellfish, spaghetti, pizza or any other foods that are messy and may require a lot of handling. You want to eat quickly so that you can focus on your interviewer and answering questions. It is a good idea to drink water, tea or juice, steering away from alcohol, even if your interviewer has ordered alcohol. Even if the food you are served is not cooked correctly or not to your liking, never criticize or state a dislike for a food that is served to you. You could be evaluated for your grace in such situations.

How to Eat During Interviews:

Take small bites so that you can quickly finish chewing before speaking. Never speak with food in your mouth! You may not have much time to eat if you are being asked a lot of questions; remember that the main point of the meal is to interact and eating is secondary. Unless you are eating a sandwich (try not to order a sandwich), you should keep your left hand in your lap and bring it only to the table when operating a fork and knife together. Never rest your arms on the table.

More Tips for your Interview Meal:

Remember the purpose of the meal. While the interviewer may engage in more casual conversation during a meal, remember that this is still an interview. You will be evaluated on this meeting. Be prepared at any moment for the interviewer to ask serious questions - you will want to be as thoughtful and concise in your answers at a meal as you would sitting in front of the interviewer's desk. Typically in an interview, you are the guest and so the meal is paid for by the company. Your host will most likely pick up the check so you won't have to deal with it.

Remember to thank your host for the meal at its conclusion. A thank you note will be a nice touch as well.

Article by : Pam Pohly Associates http://www.pohly.com/

Asking for a raise - HOW, WHEN & HOW MUCH ?

2006-09-30T09:42:00.000-07:00

You've been working at a place for a while and proving your worth, and it's dawned on you that you should ask your boss for a raise. There are right ways to do this and wrong ways. Here are some things to consider.The first thing you must ask yourself is do you deserve a raise? Are you an asset to the company? Have you increased profit turnovers? If you have answered yes to these than you definitely deserve a pay rise.

Stay positive

Make sure you come up with a good reason for asking for a raise. Perhaps you're working harder than everyone else. Maybe you're bringing in more money than others. A good reason for a raise does not include the reason that "you've been there a long time." While time of service is important, you need to prove your worth.

Timing

Think carefully first about when the best time is to approach your boss. You don't want to ask for money the day after your company is going through some downsizing. Wait for good news. If you've recently had a run-in with your supervisor for one reason or another, now is not the right time, either. You want to be asking for a raise when conditions are right both for your particular situation and for the situation of your company. Try to strike at a time when profits are up, or just after you've finished a major project that made the department look good.

Approaching the subject

Have a basic plan ready. Focus on all your accomplishments, any new business that you have brought to the company, how you've made your department and, ideally, your boss, shine. Have you put in a lot of over time? (we don`t mean the week before you are about to be asking for a raise).

Important Your raises and promotions will come more quickly if actually have a good track record and you've put in long hours and shown the creativity that fuel raises.

The question of money

Take your time and do your research before you even think of asking for a raise. The worse thing you can do is ask for an unrealistic pay rise or worse still not know how much to ask for.Do your researchResearch salary information. Find out how much other people in your position would or do make. Know how much you should be paid. If you can take any kind of documentation or maybe even a quote in with you when you approach your boss for a raise, that may prove helpful.

Tips

Check newspaper ads, the Internet or even the local Chamber of Commerce, as well as simply talking to people to find out how much you deserve to be earning.

Don`t sound desperateYou are asking for a raise so you think you deserve one. But what ever you do don`t sound desperate. Be aggressive. When you talk with your boss about a raise, talk as if you absolutely, undoubtedly deserve the raise. Above all, never talk about any debts that you have this will make you come across unprofessional.

Most important Don't use an ultimatum, unless you're prepared to follow through. If you are going to say you'll quit if you don't get the raise, be prepared to quit.

7 Frequently Asked Questions in an interview

2006-09-30T09:34:00.000-07:00

Well all of us know the basics to attend the interview. Like Dress well; Shined shoes; Crisp shirt; No bulky brief cases; Cell phone turned OFF; Arrive 15 minutes before the start of the interview; Have copies of your resume with you; Hair combed; Not too much perfume or cologne; Simple jewelry.

Once you are in the interview room then, you got to look at the interviewer in the eyes, smile, and with a FIRM handshake, tell them how happy you are to be there. Once you start talking to the interviewer, keep your physical gestures minimal. I have tried to bring up a set of 7 ( its my lucky number) very Frequently Asked Questions and sample answers for them.

1. How would you describe yourself? / Tell me about yourself ?

This is the most frequently asked or should I put it as, the first question that any interviewer would ask the candidate. The interviewer prefers to know about you from your perspective. Need not give personal details, until or unless asked for. Start with describing what you want to become? Your previous work experience if any, your academic background to support your job? What are your strengths? What will be your contributions to the company? Etc.,Sample replyMy background to date has been centered on preparing myself to become the very best Recruiting consultant. Let me tell you specifically how I've prepared myself. I am a graduate in MBA (HR) from the prestigious university.... My past experiences have been in Technical Consulting Company and Internal recruiter for a leading blue chip company. Both aspects have prepared me well for this career…

2. What are your strengths?

This seems to be a easy question to be answered, right? Assure that you do not miss out pointing the strengths that will present you to be the best fit for the position applied.So to know what your skills are first assess your skills, and you will identify your strengths. This is an exercise worth doing before any interview. Make a list of your skills, dividing them into three categories:

a. Knowledge based skills: Acquired from education and experience (e.g., computer skills, languages, degrees, training and technical ability).b. Transferable skills: Your portable skills that you take from job to job (e.g., communication and people skills, analytical problem solving and planning skills).c. Personal traits: Your unique qualities (e.g., dependable, flexible, friendly, hard working, expressive, formal, punctual and being a team player).

When you complete this list, choose three to five of those strengths that match what the employer is seeking in the job posting. Make sure you can give specific examples to demonstrate why you say that is your strength if probed further. Sample replyI am technically very strong in Java, XML, etc.I posses good written and oral communication, have participated in various debate competitions and won awardsI have the ability to identify potential problem areas, skill to solve them and produce result.Team member to the core and have the ability to lead the team.

3. What are your weaknesses?

Probably the most dreaded part of the question. Everyone has weaknesses, but who wants to admit them, especially in an interview?. The best way to handle this question is to minimize the trait and emphasize the positive. Select a trait and come up with a solution to overcome your weakness. Stay away from personal qualities and concentrate more on professional traits.
Sample reply"I pride myself on being a 'big picture' guy. I have to admit I sometimes miss small details, but I always make sure I have someone who is detail-oriented on my team."

4. How do you handle pressure?

To survive in this competitive world we need to develop the ability to handle pressure. Firstly give your view on stress and then explain a situation where you handled pressure well.
Sample replyStress is very important to me. With stress, I do the best possible job. The appropriate way to deal with stress is to make sure I have the correct balance between good stress and bad stress. I need good stress to stay motivated and productive. Then give an example of a time when you handled stress with ease.

5. What do you expect to be doing in five years?

Wow this is a 90% sure question that I end up answering in almost all the interviews I attend. I remember having given some bizarre answers to this question. Once I told my interviewer that I would like to be in his position in this company in next five years, which brought a smirk on the otherwise dreary interviewer. Always think BIG here, tell him that you have always wanted to climb up the career ladder at good pace and you would be in a senior or Top management level, provided there are opportunities for growth prospect in the company.

Sample responseAlthough it is hard to predict the future, I sincerely believe that I will become a very good Recruitment Manager. I believe that my abilities will allow me to excel to the point that I can emerge as an entrepreneur and may even end up opening my consulting company. My ultimate goal continues to be, and will always be to be the best at whatever level I am working.

6. Evaluate your ability to handle conflict?

Honestly I know, I have not had any conflicts in my career. But then the interviewer will not accept my answer if end up telling the truth. So I have to weave a story to convince him that I do have the ability to handle conflict with ease, if any would arise in future. You need to provide couple of points that can convince the interviewer that you have skills to solve problems and conflicts.Sample responseI am good at handling conflict.

Working in a team, there are times when members of a team have difference of opinion. Being a good listener, I make sure that the member is given opportunity to defend his opinion. My decision-making skill helps me to hanle the conflict and solve the problem. I would always make sure that I fully explained the situation, the policies behind my decision, and why those policies exist. Usually by the end of the conversation, the person could see the other side of the situation.

7. Given the investment our company will make in hiring and training you, can you give us a reason to hire you?

You can always expect this question to be fired, if you attend an interview at some MNC’s. They invest to hire and train you, if selected. So they demand to hear the answer from you as to why should they hire ‘you’?

Sample responseI sincerely believe that I'm the best person for the job. Not only do I have the ability, but also bring an additional quality that makes me the very best person for the job, my attitude for excellence. Not just giving lip service to excellence, but putting every part of myself into achieving it. I think my leadership awards from my college, and my management positions are the result of possessing the qualities you're looking for in an employee for this position.
These are some of the very frequent questions i have confronted in various interviews I attended.

By Bindu Vijayakumar http://writeurresume.blogspot.com/

Job Interviewing Tips - The Steps to a Successful Job Interview

2006-09-30T08:03:00.000-07:00

Prepare for your next interview by following these steps to a successful job interview:

Preparation is Key

When preparing for an interview, take the time to research the company and industry before hand. This shows that you are resourceful and have a genuine interest in the position. You can utilize the internet to learn about their product and services, history, mission statements, etc.
If possible, drive by the company the day before - getting lost can make you late for the interview, in addition to making you nervous and anxious. Make sure to take with you names, addresses, and dates of employment from previous employers along with extra copies of your resume. Make sure to fill out the application completely - do not write "see resume."

First Impressions

It is important that you reflect a positive attitude - do not dread the interview. Believe in yourself and your abilities. Take a deep breath and relax. Remember the interview is not an interrogation - it is an opportunity to present your work history and personality as it relates to the position. Remember that professional dress is key. For women, a nice blouse, blazer and skirt/slacks are suitable. For men, a dress shirt, tie, blazer and slacks are appropriate.

Arrive 10 minutes early, and be positive and friendly to the receptionist and other people in the office. They could be your future co-workers. Never chew gum or smoke before, during, or after an interview, even if offered. When you are introduced to the interviewer stand up straight and give a firm handshake.

The Interview

Let the interviewer set the tone and pace of the interview but not necessarily control the interview. It is your responsibility to express to the interviewer your qualifications, work history and why you are the best person for the job. Sell yourself! Answer the interviewer's questions directly, but give details.

Example:

Q: Have you worked on MSWord?
A: Yes, I have used MSWord for the last 3 years and I am very comfortable with it.
Make sure to relate your answers to the position you are applying for.

Example:

If you are interviewing for a customer service position, talk about your experience dealing with people and problem solving.
Remember to never offer personal information (unless directly related to the job) or talk negatively about previous employers.

The Closing

At the end of the interview, be ready to ask some questions. You need to show your interest in the company & position. We suggest that you do not ask questions related to salary or benefits - they are not appropriate at this time.

Sample Questions:

Why is this position open?
Please describe the personality that fits this description.
Please describe a typical workday.
If you are interested in the position, be sure to let the interviewer know, even if they don't ask. Say - "I appreciate the time you have given me and I am highly interested in joining your company.

What is the next step?

Always send a hand written thank you note as soon as possible (if you met with more than one person, send one to each person individually). Include again that you appreciate their time and why you feel you would be the best person for the job. Be short and simple. If you haven't heard from them within a week, call to politely inquire. Do not call too often, as you do not want to pester them, but do call to express interest.

Always remember to be yourself and answer all questions honestly

You should feel confident that no matter what the outcome may be, you presented yourself to the best of your abilities. If one job doesn't come through, it probably wasn't the right one for you and there is another out there that is!

Source : OCjobSite.com.