How To Dress For An Interview Dress For Success

Writen by Carl Mueller

How to dress for an interview is a question that people often have when preparing for a job interview that they really want to win.

The interview dress code is fairly straight forward especially for "office" or professional-type jobs.

You really can't go wrong with wearing business attire.

For a man, this means a business suit. Not a blazer and different color pants, a two-piece suit. Choose an appropriate and matching tie. You really can't go wrong with a good suit (think neutral or business colors like navy blue, black or dark gray).

For a woman, this can also mean a business suit or perhaps other business attire ie. a tailored business outfit. Think conservative colors and also consider the time of year ie. you probably don't want to wear wool during the summer.

It really depends on the position and company you are applying for but a lot of it is common sense.

Don't forget your shoes either! Make sure your shoes are nicely shined and are clean. Nothing is worse than wearing a nice suit but forgetting what's below your ankles!

That includes your socks, too. No white socks with dress shoes, guys!

Finally, don't forget hygiene. It's best to avoid strong smelling cologne or perfume on the day of an interview. Men, don't forget to shave.

At the end of the day, dress for success and use common sense. If you have trouble figuring out what to wear, ask someone you know who can offer correct advice.

Your dress style is certainly somewhat dependent on your industry and level of position but you really can't go wrong with wearing business attire.

Remember that it's better to overdress than underdress. A business suit whether you're male or female is best for office/professional positions and helps to present a great first impression.

Carl Mueller is an Internet entrepreneur and professional recruiter who wants to help you find your dream career.

Free newsletter: Separate yourself from other job searchers by signing up for his free monthly newsletter: http://www.find-your-dream-career.com/dream-career-finder.html

Free 5-day course: Sign up for The Effective Career Planner, Carl's free 5-day course: http://www.find-your-dream-career.com/effective-career-planner.html

Please feel free to reprint this article in its entirety in your ezine or on your website but please don't change any of the content and ensure that you include the above bio that shows my website URLs.

7 Top Questions Job Candidates Should Ask

Writen by Tony Jacowski

Preparing for job interviews, candidates try to collect information to formulate their best answers to questions that are most likely going to be asked. Despite this extensive preparation, the actual interview could turn to be boring. Worse still, you could begin to sense the interview's failure. Unless you do something to turn the situation around, it is going to be a battle lost. So what better way to save the interview than by asking a few pertinent questions? (Hint: you should be doing this anyway!)

Top 7 Questions You Should Ask An Interviewer

The questions you ask should not just be for the sake of asking but they must demonstrate your interest in the position and the company. In addition, the more seriousness and earnestness with which you ask them the more they are impressed with your knowledge, intelligence and interest in their company. So, here is the list of top 7 questions you can ask interviewers whether or not you are caught in a catch-22 situation.

1. What Is The Immediate Key Result Area That The Company Is Looking From Me? This gives you more insight into what you must expect upon being hired. Since you will probably get a more informative answer than what the job advertisement said, you will probably get a better answer now. You will also be able to immediately concentrate on the key result area as you know how you are being judged.

2. Can You Perceive Me As Contributing To The Company? This is a point blank question asked without the intention to annoy the interviewer. It is very hard for them to avoid answering this one. Also it reveals where you stand so far as the interview is concerned. You have to ask this question, so that you can counter any potentially negative impressions that the interviewer has of you or your ability to contribute.

3. What Growth Opportunities The Company Can Provide Me? This gives the interviewer the message that you mean business and are not a pushover. It also reflects your career orientation – companies want to know that you aren't seeking a dead-end position. They want a mover and a shaker, not someone with limited or no ambition!

4. What Are The Evaluation Criteria? This is another straightforward question that tells you how you are going to be evaluated later and how it might affect your career growth. It also sheds light on the organizational structure.

5. Are There Other Responsibilities Not Mentioned In The Ad? Knowing the answer to this question will help you prepare for salary negotiations. If you don't ask this question, you will be devaluing yourself. Knowing your complete responsibilities beforehand not only paves the way for a good salary but will help you to avoid frustration later on.

6. Will The Company Sponsor Me For Training? The answer to this question will demonstrate management's commitment to adapt and reinvent themselves on a continuous basis by investing in human capital. Companies that are hiring six sigma professionals usually respond positively to this question. If a company isn't willing to do this, you should probably think twice about pursuing a career with them.

7. How Long Will You Take To Make Your Decision? You need to ask this question to demonstrate your interest in the job, but also to subtly let them know that you have other irons in the fire (i.e. – other job prospects). Never let an interviewer think that their company is your only employment option. This will limit your negotiation strength, plus it lets them know that they can take their time in deciding to hire you, because you have signaled that you aren't going anywhere!

Asking questions is not a big deal but how you ask them is. You must be mature enough to show you have class and your selection of questions really means that you mean business. Don't use questions to show off, use them to gain real insight into the company's inner workings.

Tony Jacowski is a quality analyst for The MBA Journal. Aveta Solutions – Six Sigma Online (http://www.sixsigmaonline.org) offers online six sigma training and certification classes for lean six sigma, black belts, green belts, and yellow belts.

The Need For Preemployment Drug Testing

Writen by Damian Sofsian

Employers have many reasons for requiring pre-employment drug testing. One of the most obvious reasons is that of safety. Those handling dangerous equipment or those who drive commercial vehicles have a greater chance of accidents or inflicting injury upon themselves or others if they are under the influence. Companies have a moral and legal obligation to ensure that their employees adhere to Federal work-safety guidelines, and pre-employment drug screenings can be an effective tool.

Insurance and health-related absences provide two more reasons for implementing pre-employment drug testing. More than 175 million Americans are enrolled in workplace group health insurance; with an average of a 30% increase in premiums in the last three years, pre-employment drug testing may be one way to cut down on costs. Studies have linked short- and long-term health problems with drug abuse. Drug abusers are more likely to develop respiratory problems and are generally more susceptible to illness. Employers often view drug abusers as irresponsible since many absences can be attributed to the after-effects of drug usage. Employee absences cost employers millions of dollars every year, and many human resource experts suggest that pre-employment drug testing can reduce these costs.

However, some groups argue that pre-employment drug testing is not an accurate way to detect the use of drugs while at work. Many drugs, such as marijuana, will remain detectable for up to three weeks after usage. Other drugs, such as cocaine, may only be present for a few days after consumption. It is often a difficult call for an employer to make but most simply make their decisions cautiously. They often view it as better to not hire someone who occasionally uses drugs than to take the risk of the person using before or during working hours.

According to the Small Business Administration, companies lose an average of $7,000 per drug-using employee per year. This figure is often enough to convince an employer to implement a standard of pre-employment drug testing. In any given year, it is estimated that nearly 50 million American workers are required to have a drug screening. Advances in medical testing have made it quick, easy and relatively inexpensive for employers who wish to use this screening process. Many employers view this is as a simple means of ensuring the well being of both their company and their customers.

Drug Testing Info provides detailed information about employee, random, high school, hair, and urine drug testing and drug testing kits. Drug Testing Info is the sister site of Prescription Drugs Addiction Web.

What You Should Never Put On Your Resume

Writen by Roger Clark

Liars Get Caught! What NOT to Put on Your Resume

"Everybody does it" as they say. Face it, the job market can be a very tough place to compete. If everyone inflates their experience then how can an honest person get a job?

Well, as tempting as it may be, you do NOT want to risk lying on your resume.

Whether it's personal information, job experience, or schooling - employers are finding new ways to sniff out liars and you don't want to be one of them.

PERSONAL INFORMATION

While some information may not be easily verified, information such as a criminal record, can be very costly to you in the event it is checked out. With sites like rapsheets.com you can never guarantee that an employer won't be able to find the information, even if your employer is hiring you for domestic work and is not a business.

JOB EXPERIENCE

Clearly this is not the place to boast about fake employment as you are going to list the businesses you worked for which may be contacted for verification. As this is the most likely area your interviewer will do a check on, avoid misrepresenting yourself at all costs.

EDUCATION

Think that nobody will notice if you slip in an education you don't really have? Perhaps you do have the skills, but you can't afford to claim education you can't provide proof of. EmployAct.com is a new service that will allow employers to have background checks - similar to criminal or credit checks - to verify your claim.

WHAT YOU SHOULD HAVE

With all that said and done, how can you create a resume that will highlight your skills and abilities without needing to lie?

Give yourself credit. Your skills in the workforce can be weighty indicators of your ability to work in a given job. You may not know what an employer is looking for. With many jobs that don't require a particular expertise, you many find that they are looking for people who are able to learn on the job. Proof that you have gained skills as a worker (or even a volunteer if you're just starting out) can be very valuable.

Be certain that you focus on skills. Expand your descriptions. Do not say 'I worked in an office', rather say 'I was responsible for answering the phones in a professional manner and directing calls to the proper departments. In a busy work environment I was able to multi-task by providing supportive administrative assistance to the head receptionist including maintaining a filing system, processing inter office memos, delivering documents in a timely manner, directing clients to their meeting appointments and providing relief reception. I was quickly able to learn the filing and switchboard systems as well as create good working relationships with fellow staff.'

As you can see from the above example, it is perfectly acceptable to elaborate on your skills, but do so in an honest and ethical manner. If you need help you can find software programs which will give you suggestions on wording depending on the position you are describing or you can hire someone who writes resumes to help you. Have confidence in keeping the job you are sure to get by doing it right the first time.

Roger Clark is senior editor at Top Career Resumes who provide free information to job seekers on all aspects of finding a new job and Medical Health News where you can find the most up-to-date advice and information on many medical, health and lifestyle topics.

What Investigative Reporting Entails

Writen by Paul W Wilson

The field of investigative reporting involves bringing to the fore facts and figure that affect human interests and fair governance. This means conducting in depth research, looking at public records, doing extensive interviews, as well as checking and rechecking of facts before publication. Whether print or television, investigative reporting is essentially "watchdog" reporting. This means reporting crimes, unfair practices, injustice, as well as other human interest aspects like environment, disease, and so on.

Investigative journalism can move public opinion and instill fear in those treading the wrong path. Slave trade, gun running, terrorist activities, drug trafficking, money laundering and so on are brought to the notice of the world by investigative journalism.

An investigative journalist must be unafraid, determined, patient, watchful, fair, as well as dog minded to be successful. The questions a journalist seeks answers to are: who is responsible for the wrong doing; what methods were employed; what are the consequences; what can be done to correct the wrong; can the wrongdoers be brought to book?

The keys are to dig up the first lead, tip, or hunch. Then sniff around for facts. Form an investigative hypothesis. Next, like a detective, gather evidence that will prove undeniably the hypothesis. This will involve interviews, documents, records, proofs, and intense paper work. Organize the information and write the report. Check facts, check chances of libel, and the laws. To be good at your work it is advantageous if you are familiar with the law, know the procedures, can conduct quick and accurate research, follow the money trail, and dig out facts.

Investigative journalism is a specialized field that uses journalism skills, curiosity, advanced research methods, and a determination to right wrongs. This field of journalism is what helps shape democracy and protects the lives of the innocent. Done correctly it can raise public opinion to such an extent that the way the world thinks and functions can be changed.

An investigative journalist must work within the confines of ethics written and unwritten and the laws. The work could include revealing scandals and tracing infringements of laws, rules, or morals. Bring to public notice the policies of governments, companies, and other organizations. And, institute social change by describing social, economic, political, and cultural trends.

To be effective in investigative journalism the journalist must have high standards of functioning and be above corruption. The principles of truthfulness, accuracy, objectivity, impartiality, fair play, and public accountability must be deeply ingrained in the mind and soul of the journalist. Since investigative journalism involves use of undercover sources and anonymous tips it is absolutely essential for the journalist to double check facts.

Investigative journalism is news with a difference. It is critical and in depth investigations to a happening or policy which will serve to prevent or correct a wrong, prevent crimes, save the planet from destruction, and shape the future of the world in more ways than one. It is reporting the unknown, the hidden, and so, the investigative journalist becomes the keeper or custodian of public conscience.

It is a field where a mere niggling thought or suspicion becomes an expose of wrong doings. It questions actions and decisions and brings to the limelight outrageous acts and in human actions. In simple terms an investigative journalist polices society in the larger interests of mankind.

Paul Wilson is a freelance writer for http://www.1888PressRelease.com, the premier website to Submit Free Press Release for any announcements including launching of new product or services, new website, announcing new hires, sponsoring a special event or seminar and more. He also freelances for the premier REVENUE SHARING discussion forum site http://www.1888Discuss.com

Job Search Lessons From Before The Super Bowl

Writen by Jeff Altman

Every year, football teams coming to training camp in August to prepare for their season, They will play 4 or 5 exhibition and 16 regular season games to determine which teams will meet in the playoffs in "one and done" elimination for the opportunity of playing in The Super Bowl. What lessons can we take from these athletes and their experiences that we can apply to job hunting?

First of all, being a great athlete is no guaranty of being successful. Professional sports are littered with great athletes who have never one a championship. As a result, it's important to remember to surround yourself with a great team. A team you can excel with and a coach (boss) who can be a good leader for you and others.

You will play the way you practice. Teams don't just "show up" on Sunday. They practice and practice hard in order to develop their skills within a system. They work hard to be victorious. How do you prepare for your job search? Do you just "show up" at the interview, "feel out" the interviewer, "wing it" and expect to win? Do you actually prepare yourself for interviewing with that particular opponent (interviewer) by learning about the firm? Have you ever Googled the name of the interviewer to find out about their background?

Each game has a certain number of plays you will be in for. Play hard on every down and execute your responsibilities at 100%.. Each interview will consist of a fixed number of questions. Some of them may seem stupid to you or repeat questions you've been asked on several other interviews. Your job is to execute the plays by answering questions with accuracy and with passion for what you do.

You won't be perfect on every play. You will even loose some important games. Great teams learn from their defeats. They practice in order to get better. They work hard to become excellent. They may lick their wounds for a while but they know there is a next play and next game in order to go to the playoffs. This kind of resilience is important for you as a job hunter.

After all, not every resume you'll send out will result in an interview, let alone a job. When you don't get a job you really want, do you collapse into a cocoon for a week or do you find out what went wrong and what was right in order to learn from the experience? Champions watch film of their games to analyze their performance. What do you do after an interview to review?

Take coaching. Some people interpret coaching as criticism. In some respects, that's tue. Being told how to improve is a criticism, but it is also a suggestion for how to be excellent (and for you managers, perpetual criticism without praise results in your staff tuning you out).

The poet, Rumi, writes:

Pray for a tough instructor to hear,and act and stay with you.

Don't get your opponent riled up. Being controversial draws attention to yourself and awakens the dragon. Dragons are always safer when they are asleep than when they are awakened. Don't gove the interviewers any reason to be critical of you.

Ah, yes, there's one more.

Your time as a champion is fleeting. Someone will always be there trying to take your crown. Enjoy every moment of life. Life is fleeting and one day, you'll die. When you look back, do you want to have regrets about how you've used your precious time on this planet or at the end, do you want to acknowledge that you've used all of your energy well

Jeff Altman

Concepts in Staffing

jeffaltman@cisny.com

© 2006 all rights reserved.

Jeff Altman, Managing Director with Concepts in Staffing, a New York search firm, has successfully assisted many corporations identify leaders and staff in technology, accounting, finance, sales, marketing and other disciplines as employees or consultants since 1971. He is a certified leader of the ManKind Project, a not for profit organization that assists men with life issues, and a practicing psychotherapist. For additional job hunting or hiring tips, go to http://www.sayhi.to/JeffAltman While you're there, sign up to receive a daily digest of jobs emailed to you as we learn of them and my free job searchzine, Head Hunt Your Own Job.

If you would like Jeff and his firm to assist you with hiring staff, or if you would like help with a strategic job change, send an email to him at jeffaltman@cisny.com (If you're looking for a new position, include your resume).

How To Hire The Ideal Ghostwriter

Writen by R. Sharp

As a webmaster, good writing skills are important to your online business. Unless you're involved in a get-rich-quick scheme a serious webmaster knows that running an online business involves a variety of written content for his site including, sales letters, press releases, articles, newsletters, blogs and more.

Since writing is crucial to your online image, you need to ensure that your content is not only unique, but is also grammatically correct and interesting. If your vocabulary is limited or you're writing in a second language or you have difficulty expressing your self in written form, you need to hire a ghostwriter to write your website content for you.

A ghostwriter is someone who is paid to write professionally for other people, however, their name will not appear on their work. Once payment is received, a ghostwriter relinquishes copyright of the written work and you are free to put your name on it, if you choose.

Often, ghostwriters are hired to write articles, newsletters, e-books, blogs, forum posts, speeches, proposals, novels, grants, resumes, manuals, memoirs, or most any kind of written work imaginable. Before hiring a ghostwriter, however, it's important to understand that there are different types of ghostwriters that are available.

There are ghostwriters who specialize in writing grants and proposals, while others may specialize in proofreading and editing. It's important to keep in mind, therefore, that not all ghostwriters can do all jobs. So, before deciding on a ghostwriter, you need to make sure that they can perform the job that you want them to do. The best way to do this is to ask for a writing sample of the type of writing that you would like them to produce for you. Asking for references of past clients for similar work as what you would like, should also be helpful.

In addition to carefully checking out a ghostwriter's specialization, you also need to check that he or she produces unique content and does not plagiarize. While there is no fail-safe way to guarantee that a writer won't plagiarize, a good way to check on this, again, is to discuss this issue with the ghostwriter's former clients.

Furthermore, to ensure the success of your project, you also want to hire a ghostwriter who understands the vision for your project exactly as you see it. If you feel that a writer doesn't quite understand what you're looking for, don't be afraid to keep looking until you find someone who does.

Trust is another important factor when selecting a ghostwriter. It's important that you trust and feel comfortable with the writer you choose. If you receive some information that makes you feel uncomfortable, from a former client of the ghostwriter or if something that a ghostwriter says doesn't add up, it best to find another writer for your project.

Lastly, an ideal ghostwriter is someone who will agree to sign a contract for their services. In fact, a ghostwriter who doesn't want to sign a contract with you is not someone you want to work with. There are many disreputable people who pose as professional writers on the Internet, so to protect yourself you will want to make sure you have a written agreement with the writer of your choice.

Finding the ideal ghostwriter is not always easy, however, it is attainable. With these simple reminders, it won't be long before you'll find the ideal ghostwriter that's just perfect for you.

Rent A Ghost Writer is a professional ghostwriting site that is a COMPLETELY FREE RESOURCE designed to connect freelance writers seeking writing jobs with clients seeking to hire ghost writers.

9 Tips On Creating A Professional Emailed Job Application

Writen by Angela Wu

With the advent of the Internet, many of us have the opportunity to apply for work through email.

However, just because this is the Internet and email is so fast and convenient, that does NOT mean you should give up professionalism and polish!

FIRST IMPRESSIONS COUNT. I recently looked over a few emailed applications, and let me tell you, it was an eye-opening experience! Here are a few examples of how *not* to do things...

• One person simply forwarded the job description to the hiring company. There was no explanatory letter, no name (just some garbled email address), no nothing. Why should a company want to hire someone who can't be bothered to make an effort?

• Several people got the name of the hiring party wrong. Some misspelled it, others substituted someone else's name.

• Spelling mistakes, typos, grammatical errors, and formatting problems like you wouldn't believe. One person said that her greatest strength was her attention to 'detal' (should have been 'DETAIL'); another said it was his responsibility to 'a tent to customers' ('ATTEND to customers').

It almost goes without saying that you should always follow the application instructions provided. If you're inquiring or applying for a job - regardless of whether it's online or in the 'real world' - there are certain rules of etiquette that apply:

1. GREET THE PERSON. Don't just barge in and start writing. A simple "Dear ___" is great.

2. CORRECTLY SPELL THE COMPANY NAME AND THAT OF THE HIRING MANAGER. If you don't know how to spell them, take a few seconds and find out.

3. INDICATE WHAT POSITION YOU'RE APPLYING FOR. Be specific; the company may be hiring for more than one job.

4. PROVIDE A BRIEF SUMMARY OF YOUR RELEVANT SKILLS. Keep it short and to the point.

5. CHECK YOUR SPELLING AND GRAMMAR. It takes just a few minutes. If you are not confident about doing this yourself, ask a friend or family member to check it over for you.

6. BE COURTEOUS! Don't make demands. Remember that the *only* thing the hiring manager sees is your email - he or she can't see your facial expressions or body language, so take extra care in the words you select and how you put them together.

7. FORMAT YOUR EMAIL TO 60 CHARACTERS PER LINE. Many email programs automatically 'word-wrap' somewhere between 60 and 70 characters. Add a hard return when you reach 60 characters on a line; this will ensure the company gets a nicely formatted application, just like you intended.

8. TELL THEM HOW TO CONTACT YOU. As the bare minimum, leave your phone number and email address.

9. AND FOR GOODNESS SAKES, TELL THEM YOUR *NAME*. This is so obvious it's painful, yet I've seen dozens of applications there are not signed. End your letter with 'Sincerely', 'Regards' or 'Yours Truly', and then sign your name.

Competition for home based jobs is fierce, and companies can afford to be choosy. Don't give them a reason to pass you by! Professionalism still counts - even on the web.

About The Author

Angela is the editor of Online Business Basics, a practical guide for eBusiness beginners. You can find OBB along with solid home business ideas, freelance and telecommuting job updates, free magazine subscriptions, and much more at eWorkingWomen, http://www.eworkingwomen.com/join.html. Come find out how you too can work from home!

The Power To Succeed

Writen by Neil Millar

It's amazing how we fool ourselves... while at the same time believing we are doing what's best.

Let me give you an example. I overheard a guy telling a group of friends, over drinks, how he had become fed-up with work. Guys being guys, they immediately started to come up with options to fix the problem – ideas like changing company and changing jobs. That was when the guy got all logical…

'Yeah, but I need to pay the mortgage and my kid's education and we've got a holiday planned for the Bahamas and…'

I interrupted. 'How much do you need?'

'A hundred grand a year,' he replied.

'What's more important,' I asked, 'your happiness or the money?'

Of course he said happiness. Then he got all logical again. 'But I can't be happy unless I can pay the mortgage and give my kids the best and have great holidays.'

'How many hours do you work?'

'Around fifty.'

'And how do you feel when you get home?'

'Tired.'

'What would your kids prefer, a father who is worn out for forty eight weeks of the year but has four weeks to entertain them per year or a dad who is a real Dad all year round?'

The conversation went on, me questioning, him justifying what he perceived as logic.

Yet it's not logic, is it? It's not logic to deny your heart's desire to change life when it's hurting you. The mortgage, the kid's education, the holidays are just stuff. And, like most people find after a heart attack or a divorce or an accident, is that this 'stuff' is not that important. What's important is something else…

Life!

The problem is we got "Conditioned Logic" – "logic" transferred to us by society: friends, family, schools, college, the media, religion etc. We took it all on and felt we had to behave in a "conditioned" way. The repetition of that conditioning is fine for a while, but when we end up doing something we don't love, each time we do it takes a little of the soul away. Let me put it another way.

What gives you the power to succeed is what you perceive to be logic. Real power is not necessarily doing what society dictates. Real power is often something else. It is that knowing that comes from nowhere to tell you, you must do something different.

It might seem logical to have the house, the car, the private education, the holiday, but is it powerful. What is powerful is, to say I am not happy and things must change; I'm not killing myself for forty-eight weeks just for four weeks of pleasure; I'm not excited by my work and I'm willing to live in a smaller home if it means I can have more peace, less stress and fall back in love with my partner.

It's not all about the stuff, is it? It's about happiness and love; happiness and love of your partner; happiness and love of your children and family; happiness and love of your work. If you have that then you have it all.

Now that's the power to succeed!

Does your current way of living support that?

Best wishes
Neil

Inspiration and thoughts that are often mind-bending can be found at Neil Millar's website http://www.neilmillar.net - you can also sign-up to his Life Purpose newsletter with Unstoppable Life and obtain a copy of one of his books FREE.

Business Dress For Women Making Impact

Writen by Sheila Dicks

Buying a suit can be an important investment when you are trying to improve your look for business or career advancement. Wearing a standard off-the rack suit for business or a job interview does not always mean success. Fit is very important. The outfit may be great but if it does not accentuate your positive features or is not the right color, you will not look as good as you can.

Start by determining your body type and then choose the suit that will look best on you. For instance, if you are a triangle shape you are smaller on top than bottom and will want to bring the eye across the shoulders to create the illusion of greater width at the shoulders. Choosing a business suit with horizontal lines can achieve this effect. Choosing the perfect pants, skirts, accessories and even shoes will depend on your body shape.

Some things to consider:

1. Spice a gray or black suit up with vibrant colors such as burgundy, blue, violet, rust, green etc. You need not look boring just because you are dressed in gray or black.

2. If you are applying for a position with a new company or are trying to look more professional in your present company, take a look at the company's dress code and what the other employees are wearing. Your outfit should not make you appear under or over dressed.

3. Give your business outfit more pizzazz by wearing scarves with different patterns and colors. Take into consideration your size; you body proportions and the features you are trying to accent.

4. Make sure your shoes are in good repair, complement your outfit, give your leg the desired effect and are stylish. Being stylish doesn't mean the latest fad but instead a look that is timeless.

5. Make sure that you buy items for your business wardrobe that coordinate well with each other, saving you money and time.

6. To make sure you have the look you desire buy a full-length mirror so you can always check yourself from head-to-toe before leaving home.

Sheila Dicks is an Image and Wardrobe consultant who teaches women how to dress to suit their body type and look fabulous. You can reach her at http://www.sheilasfashionsense.com to download her ebook, "Image Makeovers" and get "How to Build a Wardrobe" ebook free.

Be Aware To The Characteristic Of Your Interviewer

Writen by Arlene Tresmanio

I've observed that people who interview job candidates tend to enhance a certain individual distinction. If you can sense an interviewer's style and build rapport, you'll have confidence in specific information.

Here are the following characteristics:

Inattentive

There is a time that the interviewer isn't mentally present, maybe he/she is thinking of something more important or something happened before your interview that really bothered his/her mind. It's impossible to impress this kind of interviewer that is distracted of something. So to keep a good impression, smile and don't panic. Just give your best approach and offer him/her to reschedule. But be sure to address to him/her the important message and be prepared to the following interview.

Friendly

This is the type of interviewer that gives jokes, smiles and tells you to take an ease. But he/she aims for you to put in a relaxed stated where you unconsciously expose too much information (ones that can be detrimental to your career) about yourself. You should be kind and friendly but always remember that you shouldn't also get carried away. Stick with your goal.

Interrogator

This is a typical type of interviewer that seems not to show any emotion and inflicts tension to the applicants. The best thing you can do is stay calm, focus, show respect and confidence. This kind of interviewer observes how you can deal in this kind of scenario. And remember that most interrogator types of interviewers often became your best advocate throughout your interview process or even into the job.

Laser Beam

He/she only focuses on one topic. Like discussing about quotas, this style is for line managers. You should do is to fulfill his/her expectations to you. Satisfy his/her judgment and move on.

Shotgun

This is the type that wants to discuss anything. The questions are all over the place, you even don't have a vacant time because he/she is full of questions. This is where your anxious presentation really pays off, because you can involve your strengths to many distinct exposure of the job.

Silver bullet

Believes there's one magic question to ask -- and one magic response that determines whether you're right for the job. The Silver Bullet asks a few hasty questions about your skills. Then ask "off-the-wall" question, which he/she will ask questions you didn't expect. Even though these questions don't have a wrong answer he/she decides if it's yes or no. Simply answer every question and don't worry about your answers too much.

Alter Your Approach to the Interviewer

You step into a situation of power when you identify the interviewer's style and adjust your approach accordingly. As you prepare for the interview, ask yourself, "How might my answers be different for different interview styles?"

With a Laser Beam, for example, you might offer him a choice when you begin answering a question ("Would you like to talk about this aspect of the job or that one?"). An achievement story for a Friendly Interviewer might focus more on your teamwork skills, and the same story for an Interrogator Interviewer might begin by stating the results of your individual work. The more you show your emotional knowledge by understanding the interviewer's objective for that interview, the more likely he'll be to listen to you.

Arlene Tresmanio is an Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Specialist for OZ Free Online Job Search. For more Details of her work please visit Job Search

Get Off Your Butt And Out Of The Rut

Writen by Lorraine Pirihi

It's amazing to see so many people who are prepared to sacrifice their lives for the sake of their careers.

I'm sure you know of someone like that. They get up at the crack of dawn, drag their weary bodies out of the house and head off for another exciting day at work. Ten or twelve hours later they head home totally exhausted with all their energy sapped from their body.

They might make the effort to find out how the rest of their family's day has been, even read their children a bed-time story. Finally after having something to eat, taking a hot shower or bath, they then veg out on the couch. They immerse themselves in the newspaper (again) or watch the news or some mindless television show (if they don't fall asleep beforehand).

And this is a common scenario for many people who work for someone else! I can understand it if you own your own business where there's so much extra pressure riding on you, yet to sacrifice so much for someone else???

The Solicitor

I met Jerry at the gym. He was telling me that for the past two years he has been working at a legal firm in the city. An average day commenced at 8.00 a.m. and finished at 7.00 p.m. Working weekends was common. Lunch breaks and time off were unheard of. This was the culture instilled at his company! No wonder staff turnover was high!

Here was a young man, only 25 years old, absolutely stressed to the max.

He felt he was on a rollercoaster and couldn't get off.

Clearing the Clutter

Jerry was so entrenched in his situation he couldn't clearly see what he could do. He felt powerless so did nothing.

I suggested to Jerry he write a list of all the options open to him. Some of these were:

Speak to his boss and work out a compromise.

*Plan his working day and be strict about the time he would leave each day. Take charge himself by starting later if he had to stay back. Or finish earlier if he had to commence work earlier. Learn to say 'no'.

Look for another job where they put their people first. (According to Jerry most legal firms treated their people the same way). See our newsletter Look After Your People and They Will Look After You Jerry really did know his options and just needed to have someone to confirm what he already knew (and ask a few hard questions).

So what did Jerry do?

He spoke with his boss who agreed to a compromise. Unfortunately that only lasted two weeks and Jerry found himself in the same situation.

He did what he knew deep down he should have done months ago but couldn't be bothered doing as it was more pressure in his life. He allowed time to go job-hunting. I suggested he use our weekly planner so he could plan his week effectively with the key focus on finding a new position.

He contacted everyone he knew and told them about his situation. Jerry scoured the internet for vacancies and the weekend papers. He invested time and energy into his own life. Within three weeks he had a new position handling legal matters in a medium sized business (not a legal practice).

By taking action Jerry moved forward. He got himself organised and focussed and took control of his life. He realised he had the power to make the change.

Are you holding yourself back? Is it time for you to stop drowning and start swimming?

5 Ways to Get Off Your Butt and Out of the Rut

#1 Make a list of what you'd like to change. (eg. Change job, lose weight, find a partner)

#2 Prioritise which item on that list is the most important and write no. 1 next to it. Continue numbering the rest of the items.

#3 Look at the first item and prepare a list of the possible solutions. (e.g. Change job - contact everyone I know and see if they know of any openings. Contact companies I'd like to work for. Start my own business - attend a small business course)

#4 Decide which of those solutions is the first one to take action on. (e.g. Change job - contact everyone I know and see if they know of any openings)

#5 Act! (e.g. Phone or email everyone you know and make sure you follow up)

The Final Word

Whatever is happening in your life it is all down to you. If you're happy and content with both your work and home life that's fantastic.

If you're not, then maybe it's time you got off your butt and out of your rut. You can either do nothing or take action. The choice is yours.

Lorraine Pirihi, principal of The Office Organiser is Australia's Personal Productivity Coach. She specialises in working with businesspeople showing them how to dramatically boost their productivity, reduce the stress and the mess in their lives and have more time for enjoying their life.

Is It Sometimes Good To Have A Quotbadquot Boss

Writen by Tayo Solagbade

In December 2001, I finished writing a (45-page) management research paper titled "Self-Development As A Tool For Achieving Career Advancement".

In it, I referred to the observation Zig Ziglar made in his book - Over The Top - about certain employees who go to work each day without working to improve their abilities to do the job for which they are being paid. He accurately descried such persons as having one year's experience repeated every other year, without making any effort to change the trend.

My paper's research problems were stated in question form as follows:

1. What can the individual manager (employee) do to ensure career success or advancement in an organisation?

2. What can the organisation do to ensure an enabling environment is created for her managers (employees) to continuously achieve career success or advancement?

In trying to answer the above questions I administered(over a 3 month period) a structured questionnaire to respondents (managers in indigenous and multinational corporate organisations in two cities - Lagos and Benin).

I was particularly intrigued to note from the study's results, that the managers strongly agreed that having a bad experience at work - such as working for a bad boss – could be beneficial for one's personal development.

This was an interesting response because I had known many managers(including myself, early in my career as an employee) to complain bitterly if they had a boss that gave them what they interpreted to be "a hard time" at work. They would sometimes even wistfully express the desire to swop places with a colleague who they "thought" was having what they considered a better time since his/her boss never seemed to make life difficult for him/her.

What made it even more noteworthy was that when asked for details of why they thought their boss was bad, they would say things like "he never lets me rest – it's always one assignment after the other, and its so difficult to satisfy him!".

The truth, based on the experience of many successful executives is that in working with such a boss, many managers/employees have developed better capabilities than they would have, if they had reported to some more "passive" or less demanding kind of boss.

In fact, individuals like the "complaining" managers earlier described sometimes go on to get recognised/rewarded on moving to a new job or different department later on in their careers, for their seeming ability to produce good quality work under pressure etc. At that time the manager might begin to feel grateful to that "bad" or "difficult" boss from the past!

But then again, there can be instances when a boss is indeed bad.

Maybe he cheats, practices favoritism etc. In this case, the affected manger/employee could - among other possible actions - do well to note those qualities in the boss that he/she dislikes, and use them as a guide to avoid becoming like the boss in the future.

In other words, I am saying that by having a bad boss, a manager can learn how NOT to become one him/herself! Have you ever noticed that the people who set-up human rights or child abuse refuge centres etc are often people who themselves have suffered from that same problem before getting "liberated"?

To sum it up, the truth is:

1. That difficult persons can challenge us to put in more effort and deliver better results than we normally would, if they were not present - making their presence/actions a blessing of sorts for us.

2. We can sometimes learn how to be good from those who are bad – or not as good as they should be.

The above implies that having a bad boss can, to some extent, be a useful experience which ultimately equips us to achieve more of our potential than we normally would. The challenge is for you to make the most of the "bad' situation: Study that boss, and learn how to manage him/her to achieve your desired goal(s).

As psychologists would say: The glass can be said to be half-full or half-empty. It all depends on how YOU look at it i.e. your mental attitude.

Self-Development/Performance Enhancement Specialist – Tayo Solagbade - works as a Multipreneur, helping individuals/businesses develop and implement strategies to achieve their goals, faster and more profitably. Download your copy of his 25 Articles Ebook from http://www.lulu.com/content/268555. You get full reprint rights for each article.

Visit Tayo's Creative Business Solutions(CB Solutions) mini-site - http://www.cbsolutions.v27.net - to learn how you can get affordable Freelance Writing, Rapid Website Design/CGI Automation, Website Marketing Strategy Development and Custom MS Excel VB Spreadsheet Automation Services.

5 Tips To Prepare For That First Real Job Interview

Writen by Kathy Swann

You have graduated high school or college and now you're ready for your first 'real' job. You've mailed out résumés and have been called in for your first interview. How can you do well at the interview so you wind up being offered the job?

1. Dress professionally. No midriff shirts, low-cut blouses or flip-flops because you're going to work and not the beach. While it's not necessary to buy a suit, it is particularly important to look professional. If you're trying to get a job in a conservative office such as an accounting firm, don't dress as if you were going to a concert. If you are applying for a retail position, you have a little more freedom. Rather than list what clothing is and is not acceptable, I would tell you to dress as if you were going to meet one of the most important people in your life- because you are!

2. Make sure you are well-groomed. Don't look as though you just rolled out of bed and couldn't bother to take care of basic personal hygiene. Nothing will make the HR Manager bring the interview to a close faster than unwashed hair, dirty fingernails or body odor. As an employee, you will be a reflection of the company and no customer wants to do business with an unkempt person.

3. Be aware of your body language. A firm handshake at the start of the interview shows you are self-confident. Maintain eye contact, stay relaxed and be attentive to the interviewer. Ask questions and listen thoughtfully to the answers. Think before you answer questions from the interviewer- don't ramble and keep the conversation on the topic.

4. Be prepared for the interview. Research the company beforehand- every business now has a website where you can learn what they do and who their customers are. This shows the interviewer you are interested in the job and took the initiative to find out all you could about the company.

5. Be present in the interview. I've interviewed candidates who acted as if they were waiting for a bus. They didn't ask questions, but instead just listened to me, and I wasn't really sure if they were paying attention. Be enthusiastic, ask questions and participate in the interview. After listing all the duties required of the position, I asked one candidate if this sounded like something she'd be interested in. Her reply was a quiet, "I can do the job." She didn't answer my question, she seemed indifferent, and she didn't get the job. If you can't be excited in the interview, you're not going to be energized in the workplace either.

First impressions count, and you want to let the interviewer know you want the job, are willing to work hard and will do your best. You might not necessarily be the most qualified candidate, but still land the job because you were the most outstanding one. Good luck!

Kathy Swann has over 25 years experience in office administration, payroll and Human Resources. Her e-book "How to Win When You Lose Your Job: A Handbook for Those Soon to Be Unemployed" was written to help employees understand what benefits are available to them should they lose their job through no fault of their own. Purchase this e-book at http://www.loseyourjob.net

Do You Know Where Your Career Is Going

Writen by John Gibb

Do you know where your career is going? As staying with the same company for life becomes rarer, more and more people aren't sure. If you're one of them, then maybe it's time to take time out, sit back, and have a think.

It's all too common to find that you've got into your job through a series of coincidences, each one taking you a little further away from where you were aiming to go when you started. There is simply a huge gap between the jobs that people get and the jobs they wanted. No-one aspires to work at a paper company, but someone's got to do it. Once you've been there a few years, you suddenly realise that your only options are to either move sideways into a similar job somewhere else, or move upwards in the hierarchy and become a manager.

So what do you do. The answer is to finally answer to yourself that most elusive of questions: what do you want to be doing five years from now? Ten? Twenty? If the answer isn't "what I'm doing now" or "I want to be a high-level manager", then what you need is drastic action.

What you might not realise, though, is that forging out a career path isn't as difficult as you might think. If you can free yourself from the day-to-day struggle to survive by living below your means for a year or so and accumulating some savings, you suddenly have some time to get where you want to be in the job market. Whatever your ambition is, the chances are that there's an entry-level job going somewhere, or a community of enthusiastic amateurs.

If it's really what you've wanted to do all your life, then it should be as simple as getting started and getting noticed. And if it doesn't work out, then you've always got the other job to fall back on. Whether you succeed or fail, it's always better to try, and it's not as hard to do as you think. Take the plunge.

John Gibb is the owner of car rentals For more information on careers please check out http://www.career-guidance3k.info

How To Bulletproof Your Career

Writen by Ford Myers

In the not-too-distant past, ascending the corporate ladder assured management professionals of a bigger office, a stronger compensation package and a more secure future. But today, executives are being told: Don't get too comfortable in that corner office, and don't buy that fancy new car or boat you've always dreamed of – because your job is just as vulnerable as everyone else's. Evidence suggests that the higher up the ladder you go, the more precarious your position may become! The attitude toward executives and the roles they play within companies have drastically changed in recent years. I've seen executives who have been with the same company for 20 or more years. They've worked their way up the corporate ladder and felt that they had proven their value – then they were unceremoniously dismissed from their positions as if they had just been hired as an entry-level worker. As a Career Consultant, it's my job to re-instill the client's confidence, identify his or her strengths, and "re-package" that individual for the current job market. But, to navigate effectively through the career transition process and ultimately make your career bulletproof, you must first be informed about what's really going on in the work-world. I see several important trends taking place with regard to executive-level job stability and security, including:

TODAY'S CHALLENGING EMPLOYMENT TRENDS

Job Market Trend 1:

More and more positions, even at senior levels, are now being offered on a contract or temporary basis. The position, in these cases, lasts only as long as is needed to fulfill the employer's contract with their client. This requires job seekers to think differently – more like an independent consultant who works on assignment – rather than as a permanent employee. In many business sectors and industries, it could be said that the "permanent, full-time job" no longer exists as we knew it. This trend also puts the responsibility on the part of the executive to consistently promote and market himself or herself for the next opportunity – and the one after that!

Job Market Trend 2:

Companies are still very cautious and careful about making any hiring decisions of high-paying, senior management positions. Executives seeking such jobs must now "sell themselves" more than in the past. They need to demonstrate just how they will enhance the company's productivity, efficiency and profitability – or they probably won't get the offer. This means that the job seeker really needs to learn how to effectively present and market himself or herself. Just having the right job titles on one's résumé, or having the appropriate technical skills for the job, are no longer enough.

Job Market Trend 3:

Executives are receiving smaller career transition programs than ever before from the large outplacement firms – and many displaced professionals are getting no career transition programs at all. This means that greater numbers of executives are seeking-out help from smaller, more personal career consulting firms and career support groups.

STRATEGIES TO BULLETPROOF YOUR CAREER

Although the transition programs mentioned above do offer important career management techniques, let me share with you the most important activities you should always be doing to overcome the challenges outlined above, and bulletproof your career for the future:

1. Keep all your success documents up to date
2. Put time aside every week for active networking
3. Join and take leadership roles in appropriate associations
4. Write articles or do presentations in your area of expertise
5. Continue your career education, including new credentials
6. Research and be aware of the competition
7. Offer to help people in your network on a regular basis
8. Look at new jobs and investigate other opportunities
9. Always ask yourself, "How can I contribute more?"
10. Practice your networking, interviewing and negotiating skills

If you want your career to be truly bulletproof, you'll need to educate yourself on topics you probably thought you'd never have to worry about again – like self-marketing, networking, interviewing and negotiating. To master these skills, many management professionals are also discovering helpful online resources and free audio seminars.

And here's the GOOD NEWS: If you seek-out the right support and leverage vital resources like those mentioned above, you may actually be thankful for the experience of going through transition – ultimately finding a career or landing a job that will be a much better "fit" than those you've previously had.

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Permission to Reprint: This article may be reprinted, provided it appears in its entirety with the following attribution: Copyright © 2006, Ford R. Myers and Career Potential, LLC.
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Ford R. Myers is President of Career Potential, LLC, a career consulting firm that helps clients take charge of their careers and create the work they love. To get a FREE career makeover in just seven days, visit http://www.careersuccessaudio.com

The Top 5 Reasons To Work For The Railroad

Writen by Sean Martin

Are you thinking on changing careers? Have you thought about the railroad? The railroad industry is one of the highest paying blue collar jobs in America. I actually came to the railroad industry from a white collar executive job.

My previous career was higher pay and a lot higher stress. Not to mention the benefits were junk compared to the railroad and the retirement plan was even worse.

Is it any wonder I swapped my suit and tie for boots and blue jeans? I could not be any happier with the career change. Did I mention I no longer have to baby sit 40 employees or deal with the stress that comes with it?

If you're thinking on a career change let me give you 5 reasons to check into the railroad industry.

#1 is the money. When I was in the white collar world and looking to get into the blue collar world I was not willing to take a very big pay cut. Therefore I wanted a job where I could make at least $60,000 per year or more.

With the railroad you can make up to $100,000 depending on the railroad and how much you want to work. The average is about $70,000 per year. Remember though that your pay is going to depend on how much you work, where you work, and who you work for.

#2 reason is the benefits. I was paying about $500 per month out of my paycheck in the white collar world for my family's benefits. Now I pay $110.00 for my whole family. The company pays the rest. Keep in mind that figure does not change whether or not I have one child or twelve!

#3 reason is the retirement. Your retirement is paid into the Railroad Retirement Board and not Social Security. You will no longer be paying into Social Security but rather into the Railroad Retirement Board. Obviously much more stable than Social Security and much higher retirement pay outs. Will Social Security even be there in 20 years?

#4 reason is you're typically not cooped up in an office or cubicle. As a freight conductor I am working inside the locomotive but I am outside traveling the countryside.

If something breaks I go outside and fix it. I can't explain how cool it is going through the country sitting inside the locomotive while it's a blizzard of snow outside.

#5 reason is no stress and it's not back breaking work. I use to stress out and take my work home with me when I was in the white collar world. Now I just do my job and when it's over it's over.

I have also had jobs where I was doing construction and back breaking work. Sometimes you will do some physical work as a conductor such as changing a knuckle but for the most part you're not doing back breaking work. The best part is you typically work with only one or two people unsupervised. Which means you can do your job without a manager looking over your shoulder all day long.

So if you're looking for a new career think about the railroad.

Sean Martin is the author of "How to Get a Railroad Job and Make up to $75,000 per Year!"

http://www.getarailroadjob.com

How To Get A Bigger Bang From Monster

Writen by Joseph Turner

If you've received poor response from your online career site submissions, it may be due to the way you registered. You can change that by using specific, pre-selected keywords. Today we're going to build a more effective online profile that will draw more responses from Monster® and other online sites.

So, let's get started.

Once you register on Monster®, choose: "Build Your Resume Online".

They allow you to set up 5 different resumes or profiles. Let's just set one up for now. There are only 5 major areas that we will be concerned with here:

1. Target Job Title
2. Objective
3. Resume Title
4. Job Title
5. Work Experience

Tip: every one of these fields has keyword capability, so you must use each of these areas to the fullest extent by including as many keywords as are relevant, for example:

1. Target Job Title: 2,880 character limit. That's almost 4/5's of a page, if you were to fill it up! List as many different job titles as you can imagine for this role. List other closely allied titles that the searcher may be searching on. For instance, "Java Programmer" might also be titled as "Software Engineer", "Application Developer", or "Software Developer" within even the same corporation, not to mention other companies. How many different but similar titles can you come up with? Put them all here.

2. Objective: This is your stated job goal and has a 2,000 character limit. Just as we talked about in yesterday's lesson, transfer that keyword-rich objective from your revised resume to here. You should have a decent short paragraph that showcases and combines your current skills and your future goals. Remember, you want to stay away from standard cliches such as "Challenging opportunity as a (title) where I can effectively use my (managing and sales, etc.) skills in my ongoing effort to help grow an organization, blah, blah…" This is not only boring, it's also highly ineffective. Instead try something like: "Solid Java Developer with strong (skill#1), (skill#2), and (skill#3) to make major programming contributions to remote server projects while growing to project lead role. The difference is each of the above underlined terms is now searchable. Use each section in your resume to answer one question only. By putting several keyword phrases under each section, you tighten up your focus and make your profile work for you by getting search engine hits when employers run database searches.

3. Resume Title: Not much to work with here as only 70 characters are allowed. Make it a key term that is most relevant and searchable.

4. Job Title: This (these) is (are) your current and past job titles and has a 5,831 character limit. That's 1&1/2 pages!! Put as many relevant titles as you can think of here that you have held in your past work progression. There is a huge amount of space here, so you may want to include specific job skill-sets that each of those titles required. Don't be bashful.

5. Work Experience: 3,000 character limit. Here is where you make sure to include every relevant skill-set that you possess. Keep to the bare facts. Almost every word you put here should be a searchable term. You want them to find you and here is your catch-all chance to do it. Also, many employers are looking for people who have or are working for certain companies or organizations. Make sure that you list any major corporation that you have not only worked for but also have done business with as a client. These are also keywords employers are searching for.

Summary Don't rush this process. The online resume-builder will act as both a resume and as a screening tool. This will gain you the edge as a screen-in tool rather that a screen-out tool.

Your objective is the same in all these online resume-posting sites. Make it keyword-rich and you will definitely get more hits. More hits will generate more calls.

Joe Turner makes it easy to quickly land that next job. Learn insider job search tips from top recruiters. To claim your free 6-part Recruiter Secrets Minicourse, visit Free Job Search Tips

Is A Career Change Needed At Your House

Writen by Don Monteith

Are you happy where you are today? The number of folks who appear completely happy in their present career seems very low from all that I read across the news -- TV; newspapers; magazines, Internet websites, etc.

Maybe it's just a temporary thing. Instant gratification is more the norm today than ever before. We want it NOW, not later. It's a learning curve for the new graduates from high school and college before reality sets in for the long haul workplace discovery.

Sometimes you can find yourself simply at the wrong place. Don't get anxious or overly excited when something changes, or life has given you a few bad turns in the road to success. Never lose sight of your long-term objective to be productive as well as happy in your chosen career in the marketplace.

First, career strategies must be aligned with your objective to find the dream job waiting in your future. When you're in a position of choice, your decision, it's almost like your hobby has turned into the cash cow you've always dreamed about.

Don't make a move without spending time to sort out options that are available. Do your research in every career path. Never jump at the first green light. Stop along the way, take your time, then decisions can be made with positive energy as "right" for you.

Career strategies are a required element when you get ready to make your career move. Make sure you have a sound career development plan in place. There are many reasons why you might be considering making a career change at this time.

You want to advance your career. You may be happy or unhappy with your current job situation, but you have a strong desire to either do something different or advance in a significant way. A career makeover may be the next step, so that you can enhance your value to your current employer.

A career change is in order. You want to do something completely different as a career than what you are doing now. This might be because you've lost interest in your original career... did you know most people change careers at least 2 to 3 times in their work lifetime? Or maybe, the choice was made for you when your firm "downsized" you.

You want to go it "alone." You're ready to get out of the career rat race altogether and try your hand at a work at home career of some kind.

A focused career path makes sense for everyone. Too many employed folks are not happy and want change... but have no clue where to begin.

Don Monteith spent 32 years as co-owner of several franchises and a personnel/staffing business. Every year, his firm placed hundreds of job candidates in their dream job. Today, Don shares his business and career expertise through his newest websites on the Internet. Lots of FREE ideas - suggestions - ready for your perusal and study.

http://www.Career-Coaching-Central.com
http://www.HowToGetYourDreamJob.com

The Telecommuting Tightrope

Writen by Sharon Davis

For many of us, telecommuting seems like the ideal situation. You wake up, shuffle over to your home office, work at your own pace. You take a break when it suits you, you end your day when you're ready to. You can rearrange your work schedule to fit around your personal life.

Or can you?

What motivates most people to seek telecommuting is the need for a balance between work and play. Ironically, it's often this desire for balance that leads people to the realization that telecommuting is not for them.

Take Meg Rottman. Now the President of her own Public Relations company, StylePR, Meg once thought that telecommuting was the perfect solution.

At the time, she was working as a Fashion Editor for a company located in New York. Since she was on the West Coast, and her job didn't require her presence in an office, she felt it was a natural fit to work from home.

"At first, it seemed like a great opportunity," says Meg. "Ultimately, I found that I didn't have 'work time' and 'play time'. It morphed into just 'time'".

"I found that there was no beginning or ending to my day. And there was no time off. I would jump out of bed in the morning with an idea and go directly to the computer. And then, often I would still be typing at 11:00 at night. It was almost like being on call. I wanted my time to be more compartmentalized".

This is a common side effect of working from home. It takes no small amount of discipline to structure your day- and stick to it. The funny thing is, having the ability to take a break and do other things in the middle of the workday is the reason many people want to telecommute in the first place.

Meg realized this. "If you really schedule your day, then how can you justify taking a walk, or putting a roast in? You can't," she says. "Maybe you're giving up what made working at home so great to begin with."

It wasn't all bad though. Meg did discover some things about herself. "I really did not need supervision, I was completely self-motivated. The surprising thing was that I worked more".

Not surprising is the fact that Meg now owns her own company. "[Telecommuting] definitely gave me the feeling that I was already working for myself, so why not do that?" she says. "Yes I have to drive to my office now, but it is easier for me to separate work and home and create a more balanced life."

Sometimes, things just aren't what you thought they'd be- and sometimes that's a good thing.

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Sharon Davis is the Mom to two girls, the owner of 2Work-At-Home.Com, Work At Home Articles.net and the Editor of the site's monthly ezine, America's Home. In her spare time she reminisces about what it was like to have spare time.

This article may be reproduced providing it is published in it's entirety, including the author's bio. For a text version via autoresponder, send a blank email to tightrope@sendfree.com

5 Proven Steps To Easily Master The Art Of The Interview And Get The Bartending Job Of Your Dreams

Writen by Jeremy B. Sherk

Your mouth is dry, your palms are sweaty, your heart is beating so fast it feels like it is going to pop out of your chest!

Sound familiar?

For most people, interviews are uncomfortable. The mere thought of them causes anxiety and nervousness... and this is the last impression you want to give a bar manager during an interview!

The competition is fierce in this industry, so why do you always "bomb" during your interviews?

You probably walk out of them and after the fact think of all the things you could of said, how you could of answered certain questions, but this does not matter, its how you perform during the interview that gets you the job.

Theres already enough things out of your control you are competing with, so why work against yourself?

Let me show you how to be in your full power during the interview, so that scoring your dream job and leaving the competition in the dust comes easily and effortlessly to you!

1) Dress The Part

Dress as thought you already work there, give the interviewer a rock solid visual of what youd look like behind the bar... this makes it more probable hed consider you for the job.

Remember also that this is the service industry! Unless you are applying to a five star hotel, theres no reason to show up in a suit and tie for the interview. This is trying too hard. Wear the same type of attire the employees wear.

2) Eye Contact

If you cant bring yourself to make eye contact with the interviewer, you can forget about getting the job.

When asked a question, if your look to the floor or to the side when answering it gives the impression you are not telling the truth for starters, but it also represents a lack of confidence, which is not something you find among good bartenders.

Look the person in the eye when speaking and more importantly, listening. This is easier said then done if you are in a habit of not doing it. But just becoming aware of it is it all takes.

3) Act As If

There is no better remedy out there than "acting as if...." Act is if you are the best bartender this person has ever seen. Walk into the interview with that attitude and youll be surprised at the energy you feel. You will tap into raw genius that you never thought you had! You will answer questions elegantly give the interviewer exactly what they want to hear.

4) Be Direct

Rambling and excessive talking is a sign of nervousness so avoid this at all costs. Be as direct and to-the-point as possible. Not in a rude way, just answer the questions without going overboard. The interviewer will appreciate this.

5) You Ask The Questions

This may sound like a shock to you, but it is not the interviewer that should be asking all the questions during an interview. The way you want to approach an interview from this point on is... you are interviewing them! You may find that they are not the best place to work for after all.

Have your own list of questions to ask the interviewer!!! The one who asks the questions is in control, this is not to say to not let them ask you any questions, but have some of your own to balance things out. This shows professionalism, dedication and preparation.

About The Author

Jeremy Sherk, a professional bartender who*s been serving drinks before he could legally drink himself, reveals everything bartending schools forget to teach you. He gives you proven methods to drastically increase your tips and get your dream job bartending, guaranteed, at http://www.bartendingsecretsexposed.com

Job Search Victim Or Professional

Writen by Paul Megan

We had an uncomfortable job search strategy session with Keely a few weeks ago.

She sounded desperate. She had met some unexpected resistance in interviews . . . two in a row. Turns out prospective employers were questioning her about how her background could possibly fit into their organization.

She clutched. She stumbled. She came away from the interview feeling totally defeated. Of course, this colored her enthusiasm for continuing her job search.

Keely's story is not unique. It happens to all of us in one way or another--especially when we're looking for a job. The question is: how you respond to it?

Are you going to be a victim or a professional?

1. You're a victim if you start putting yourself down. You're a professional if you acknowledge that there's something you need to learn so this doesn't happen again.

2. You're a victim if you blame the employer for failing to see how good you are. You're a professional if you take the time to understand what an employer's needs are.

3. You're a victim if you throw in the towel because you're discouraged. You're a professional if you pick up the pieces and move forward to the next encounter.

4. You're a victim if you let your friends make excuses for you. You're a professional if you ask your friends to practice with you so you can do better the next time.

5. You're a victim if you get angry and just give up. You're a professional if you understand why you would be angry. And then get over it ands move on toward your goal.

Finding a job is never easy. There are plenty of bumps in the road that can discourage you. On the other hand, there are wonderful strategies and techniques that can get you past the bumps and turn you into a job search professional.

When you determine to take the professional approach no matter how many obstacles come your way, you've dramatically moved the odds in your favor. And you WILL get a great job offer!

Check out The World's Fastest Job Search System! Grab EEI's stunning FREE REPORT: "How To Lock Up A High-Paying Job In 14 Days (Or Less)!" Discover tons of FREE job search tips and strategies! http://www.fastest-job-search.com

Real Estate Agents Niche Marketing Versus Farming

Writen by Mark Nash

Ask yourself this question: "Before you were in real estate sales, how many of those flyers, newsletters, recipe cards, and even calendars that you received from an real estate agent "farming" your household went straight into your wastebasket?" Studies indicate that return on direct mail advertising is somewhere below two percent. Wouldn't it make more sense to direct all that time, energy, and money formerly spent on developing a geographic farm into building relationships or a niche with potential clients? Now ask yourself: "How many other agents in your community are also marketing to the same geographical farm that you do?"

So with your farm saturated and "Do Not Call" what's an agent to do? Consider niche or target marketing also known as relationship selling. Niche marketing was the success story of consumer products advertising in the 1990's. Consumer product manufacturers realized that generalized marketing was expensive and was not generating response or sales because they were attempting to reach too broad a market. Targeting specific groups or niches and building a relationship with them brought manufacturers increased sales from a more focused message to a group that has shared goals, beliefs, or history. The message wasn't "buy now" it was "we understand you have specific needs and we want to build a relationship with you".

This new marketing strategy paid off because manufacturers took the time to study and survey their potential consumers on how they developed an affinity for a product or service. You can utilize their results in developing a niche in your real estate business. First you must have a sincere belief and interest in the niche. Second you have to give back to the niche with your time or financial support. Some examples of niches are: community interest, political and professional organizations, spiritual, intramural sports, and gender. Let's look at how we take one of these niches and develop a more focused sub-niche to market to.

Original niche: Gender
Sub-niche: Women
Sub-sub niche: Women single heads of household
Sub-sub niche: Women single heads of households who are first time buyers
Sub-sub niche: Women single heads of households who are first time buyers in Deerfield

Finding women single heads of households who are first time homebuyers in Deerfield would start with an Internet search in a search engine such as Goggle. Inquire about support groups at the library, social services or village hall. Day care centers and park districts could also provide you with resources. This is an under-served niche from my own experience. A referral client Renee never thought she could afford to buy a home as a single head of household. She cried the day she closed on her own home after conditioning herself that she would be a life-long renter. She went to her single mothers support group and shared her home buying story. Other single mothers from her support group are calling to begin their home searches. A mortgage broker and myself have proposed to sponsor and host a quarterly home-buying seminar for Renee's group.

The professional and personal rewards from having a niche in my real estate business makes my geographic farm look like finding needles in a haystack.

Mark Nash is the author of "Fundamentals of Marketing for the Real Estate Professional", "Starting & Succeeding in Real Estate", "Reaching Out: The Financial Power of Niche Markeing", and "1001 Tips for Buying and Selling a Home". Mark is a contributing writer for: Realtor (R) Magazine Online, Broker Agent News, Real Estate Executive Magazine, Princilpal Broker, and Realty Times. His tried and true real estate tips has been featured on CBS The Early Show, CNN, HGTVpro.com, The New York Times, and USA Today. Purchase his books at http://www.1001RealEstateTips.com

Home Depot Online Job Application

Writen by Charles Fuchs

Looking online for a job is a great way to start off on your new career. With the advances in the internet, many retail chains no longer require you to come into the store to fill out a job application in person. Applying for a job via the internet, like with the Home Depot Online Job Application, now allow you to apply for several jobs in one sitting, rather than having to spend hours going from venue to venue. Still, there are some things you should know before you apply online that are relevant to most internet based job applications, including the Home Depot online job application.

When you are seeking out applications online, you should always look for job applications that are secure like the Home Depot online job application. Identity theft is a concern of many people when using the internet, and with information filled forms like the Home Depot online job application, a secure website can keep you information private and safe from thieves. Even though you are not including monetary information, you are still sharing a lot of your personal information on your Home Depot online job application and the like. Usually the company will put some sort of notation on the application letting you know it is secure, or there will very often be a "lock" icon at the bottom of your browser window.

Applying for jobs via the internet require you to have your information readily available. For instance, on the Home Depot online job application, like many others, you will need information on your job history, military history, and education. Keep a record somewhere that lists all you dates of hire, resignation, salary, supervisors names, and contact numbers, so that filling out forms like your Home Depot online job application can be done much more quickly.

Also, note that you do not necessarily have to be looking for a line position to use the online application process. With the Home Depot online job application, you can apply for entry level to store management level job opportunities. So if you are looking for higher level jobs, you cannot necessarily rule out the chance to apply online, like with the Home Depot online job application. The convenience of the internet is not limited to line staff, and it also allows you to focus your qualifications directly to the company to which you are applying, as with the Home Depot online job application.

The nice thing about the Home Depot online job application and others like it, is that your information is often stored should you need to take a break from the application process. Our lives are filled with interruptions, and the Home Depot online job application and those like it often come with a "save" button so that you can walk away and not lose anything that you have already completed. Most of these companies will save your application anywhere from four weeks to six months from the date you begin your application.

Read the rest of the article here: Home Depot Online Job Application.

Copyright © Charles Fuchs is an established online marketer who specializes in helping people start their very own Home Based Business. He specializes in showing people the best way to Make Money Online.

Private Investigator In Houston

Writen by Low Jeremy

Morris has been a Texas Ranger for 15 years. This officer would go on patrols and respond when an emergency occurred. Having lived in Houston while growing up, it was easy to do the job.

One night, Morris met a friend who left the force 4 years ago. This person now had a private investigator service in the city. Business was good and it was time for it to expand.

The friend needed experienced people who used to work in law enforcement or have a military background to also work for the firm. Feeling that Morris gave a lot of years to the state, a reasonable offer was given so that this individual can move on and get rich.

Less than a month later, Morris was already working as a private investigator for the new employer.

Houston is a peaceful city. Most of the assignments were investigating a spouse for alleged infidelity or doing background checks. The new job then was very easy since this is nothing compared to solving a murder.

Morris will usually do a little surveillance by following the subject around and shooting a few photos. Activities that could not be seen will just have to be checked on the computer or asking someone from the bank about deposits or withdrawals made by the subject.

This individual stayed on the agency for four years. After learning everything there is to know about the business, Morris left and also opened a private investigation service. This meant pirating some people from the old employer, hiring some who also worked on the force and hiring people who finished a certificate in private investigating.

Morris did this because there was more money to be made being the owner and not just someone who got a certain rate each month. There was nothing personal in moving on again by simply looking out for the future. After all, with a wife and two kids that are in college, money was needed to make sure the family was financially stable.

The business later expanded not on in Houston but San Antonio and Dallas as well. Morris had to hire someone in competent to be in charge of the offices there and frequent visits need to be made to make sure the business was doing well.

Being a private investigator in Houston or any other city is almost the same. It takes experienced or trained people to be able to do the job and make the clients satisfied with the result of the findings.

Low Jeremy maintains http://private-investigator.articlesforreprint.com. This content is provided by Low Jeremy. It may be used only in its entirety with all links included.

Before You Change Jobs Change Yourself

Writen by Flora Brown

Don't feel appreciated on your job? You're not alone. Even worse than not receiving praise for good work, is being degraded, belittled or ridiculed by your supervisor, coworkers or both.

No matter what job you have, there are some aspects of it you don't like. Many people work in an atmosphere so toxic that they dread going to work, and often experience sick spells from the anticipation and actual abuse, etc. What can you do if you're in a negative work environment?

Most people would quickly retort, "Quit! Get another job." But is that really the solution? Of course you want to seek a job where you can feel appreciated and gratified, but changing jobs may not bring the happy results you're seeking if you're going to be the same YOU in each new situation. Before you quit your job, there are a few things you may need to do.

1. Assess specifically what you don't like and determine what it would take to fix it. If you hate your corner cubicle perhaps trading with someone may work. If your trouble is with unfair conditions or behavior investigate what resources are available to resolve your problem through your Human Resources Department or Employee Assistance Program. Even taking your lunch out of doors instead of in the company cafeteria may help relieve some stress. One clerical worker brings an apple and water so she can take a vigorous walk during her one hour lunch.

2. Pick your battles. Give your situation some deep thought and determine how important your complaint or discomfort is in the general scheme of things. Sometimes just changing your work schedule, lunch hour or location will resolve some problems. Listening to soothing music through a headset while doing desk work helped one employee shut out all the personal exchanges that were going on in cubicles around her.

3. Develop a thicker skin. Most of us have to find love and acceptance in deeper relationships than you can achieve with coworkers. Guard against letting little inconsequential things get to you. Seek humor in the situations that are just plain stupid so you don't unwittingly get swept into becoming a Don Quixote.

4. Draw the line. Make it clear to your coworkers and boss where your personal boundaries are. Some coworkers love to blurt out every detail of their personal lives at work. Maybe you don't.

5. Personalize your workspace. Perhaps having photos of your family and pets on your desk, wall or cubicle cheers you up throughout the day. Many employees bring a lamp, desktop waterfall, plants and soft music to warm up a sterile workspace.

6. Find allies. Align yourself with coworkers who feel the way you do about the job situation. But rather than malign your boss and gossip about coworkers, use your time together to cheer each other up, exchange positive ideas and share new job listings.

7. Learn to play the game better. Happiness in the workplace depends on not just doing your job well, but getting along with the your boss and coworkers also. Learn who you can trust and who can be counted on to stab you in the back. While you can be friendly, you must also guard against overstepping your bounds. Unless you're the boss, refrain from giving your opinion on how the whole company needs to be restructured. When you have suggestions, present them to the decision maker, not to the crowd around the water cooler. Read Survival of the Savvy by Brandon and Seldman to help you safely navigate office politics. Visit websites like http://www.officepolitics.com that offer strategies and resources.

8. Find your passion. Many of us are miserable on our jobs because we're just collecting a paycheck, not following our passion. Learn how to find your passion from books, tapes and newsletters such as those offered by Barbara Sher, www.barbarasher.com, The Path by Laurie Beth Jones, The Purpose-Driven Life by Rick Warren, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey, What Color is Your Parachute by Bolles and Bolles, and Repacking Your Bags by Leider and Shapiro.

Finally, consider this: discomfort and stress on your job may be a big red flag that you are in the wrong place. This just may not be the job, career or company that suits your style and taste and fufills your life mission. To find your rightful life's work, you may need to throw out parental "shoulds", or get off the fast track with the "let's-become-a-millionaire-before-30" crowd. Before you change jobs, do your "heartwork." Get busy finding out what you love to do, then get busy doing it.

Flora Morris Brown has consulted with many dissatisfied job holders who believe that quitting their jobs to start a gift basket business will bring immediate happiness and instant big bucks. Known throughout the gift world for her dazzling designs, dynamic speaking and motivational writing, Flora also helps gift basket designers, florists and retailers capture corporate accounts, find suppliers, improve design techniques, and increase profits. From her website, http://www.giftbasketsbyflora.com she offers unique designs to the consumer. On her website, http://www.GiftBasketBusinessWorld.com, she offers abundant resources, business success products and informative articles. Her weekly newsletter for the trade provides sales-generating ideas, marketing tips, design ideas and business strategies.

Public Relations Tips For Starting A Career

Writen by Michael Russell

In this article we're going to go over some tips for those who are considering a career in public relations.

If you are a student who has taken up public relations in college and it's fast approaching the time when recruiters are going to be coming to your campus, there are a few things that you are going to want to do in order to assure yourself of the best chance of being hired by a public relations firm and then the best chance to hold your job once you get it. Public relations is a highly visible profession and not one where you can easily hide behind a desk. Any weaknesses you have are going to stick out like a sore thumb. Which brings us to our first tip.

When confronted by a recruiter, show confidence. You absolutely must convince this person that you can handle any assignment that comes your way. The same is true once you land the job itself. Don't be afraid to give your opinions in meetings. You may come up with some stupid ideas but if you show confidence, they may still be considered. However, don't appear arrogant. This can work against you. You have to find the right balance between confidence and arrogance. This is not always easy, especially for a young person.

Once on the job, hook up with a mentor, someone who you feel you can learn from. All the confidence in the world doesn't make up for experience and knowledge. A mentor can get you through that rough first year by giving you sound advice and also by acting as a sounding board for your opinions. He may very well save you from saying something that could seriously hurt your career in the long run.

Another thing you have to learn how to do is learn from your mistakes. Mistakes happen to everyone but the key is not to make the same mistake twice. Handle your mistakes as professionally as possible and take all criticism that goes with them just as professionally.

Public relations is not a nine to five job. You won't be expected to work long hours but if you want to get ahead and be on top of the game you're going to have to be prepared to put in some very early mornings and some very late nights. Do this willingly and with enthusiasm.

Study the industry as much as possible. Read all the books on the subject. Study past public relations campaigns. Read the latest magazines and journals. Also, attend seminars and join professional groups. This will keep you one step ahead of the game and greatly impress your boss.

Remember that there is a lot to learn. Coming out of college, you've gained a lot of book knowledge but public relations is more than book knowledge. Gain as much experience as you can. Study assignments done by others in the firm and see if you can learn anything from them.

By doing all of the above you can almost guarantee yourself a very long and successful career in public relations.

Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Public Relations

Job Satisfaction Finding Balance Between Work And Play

Writen by Yvonne Perry

Do you jump out of bed each morning excited about going to work? You can't wait for the conference call or board meeting scheduled first thing and your co-workers are a joy to be around, right?

Not so for most people. Then, why is it that Americans spend so much time doing something they don't enjoy? Obviously we have to pay the bills, but we don't eat foods we hate, or wear perfume we can't stand to smell. If we don't wear clothes that are not a good fit or style for us then why do we stay in a job that doesn't serve our highest good? This is not to suggest that you walk in tomorrow morning and abruptly quit the job you are in. It is to encourage you to take an inventory of what is working and what is not regarding the choices you are making about work.

Survey Says . . .

According to The Bureau of Labor Statistics, 67% of American workers are unhappy in their present work situation. Our career is an extension of who we are and why we are here on this planet. It should be an enjoyable outlet that utilizes our skills and talents in a productive way. See http://directmag.com/ar/marketing_satisfaction_core_career/ for more job satisfaction statistics.

But why believe what outside surveys report? Let's conduct our own poll.

1. On a scale of 1-5, with five being "very satisfied", how would you rate your satisfaction with your current employment?

2. How important is it for you to be fulfilled by what you do to earn a living?

3. How many hours per week do you work?

4. Do you work from home after you leave the office? 5. Do you work weekends?

6. What would you do differently if you knew you wouldn't fail and if having money didn't matter one bit?

7. Do you feel that you are adequately compensated for the work you do?

8. Stress level? (1-5 scale with 5 being "nervous breakdown in progress") I'm at _____.

9. Do you ever feel discriminated against because of your age, sex, race, beliefs, etc.?

10. If you could change one thing about your present job, what would it be?

11. And, just for the record: What is your current occupational field?

Why Do You Stay? This question is asked of battered women who stay in abusive relationships month after month, year after year, hoping that things will change and that her abuser will somehow magically become prince charming. Perhaps it is fear that keeps a person in bondage to a job they hate—the fear of not finding a better job with an adequate income and comparable benefits package. Or maybe you think you have too much invested where you are to give it up, or maybe you consider yourself too old to change jobs and too young to retire.

Change occurs when we take action. If you are truly dissatisfied with your job, then start making plans to transition into something more fulfilling. If you need more education to reach your goals, start taking courses. If your stress level is out the roof, then say "no" to your boss when he or she asks you to work overtime without pay. There is a higher calling and purpose in your life other than working yourself to death, and one of those purposes is to experience daily happiness. You are co-workers and co-creators with the Universe. Your work should help make the world a better place without destroying the workers in the process.

Some people may really enjoy their job but still spend too much time in the office. This happens to those who are self-employed as well as those in corporate situations. How do you tell if you're one of them?

• You miss breakfast and work through lunch because you are too busy to stop and eat.

• You never get around to anything on your personal "to do" list because you are giving so much time and effort to your job.

• Your family sends you a postcard with a photo of your home. The message says, "Having a great time, wish you were here."

There are days when I put in eight hours at the computer, take a short dinner break, and then go right back at it for three or four more hours. I have to constantly remind myself that I have a life outside of my writing career. Here are five life categories that everyone must attend to in order to keep life in balance:

Self Care – This category includes recreation, mental development, personal growth, physical needs (relaxation, exercise, eating regimen) and spiritual practices like prayer or meditation. This is probably the most important category and the one we are most likely to ignore.

Family/Relationships – Time to play, talk, and keep in touch with friends and family.

Work and Career – We all know what that is.

Finances – Tending to your investments and retirement plan, or simply staying within the budget or keeping the checkbook balanced.

Community – Church, networking or volunteer work.

I saw a demonstration once that made quite an impression upon me. On a table was an assortment of stones varying in size. The largest stones were placed into a clear container and the question was question was asked, "Is the container full?" Some said yes, others no, and some thought it was a trick question. Medium-sized stones were placed in the container. They dropped in between the larger rocks and again the question was asked, "Is the container full?" Not as many people attempted to answer. Small pebbles were dropped into the container; then some sand, each time the question was asked, "Is the container full?" Finally the audience agreed that nothing else could possibly fit into the container. Then from underneath the table came a pitcher of water. Very carefully the water was poured into the container. It trickled between the large stones, the medium stones, and the pebbles then settled the sand in place to fill the gaps. The message was all about priorities—the big rocks must go in first if there is to be room for the little things. What takes priority in your life? Do you have room for the simple pleasures in life?

Here are some time-management tips from Carl E. Person's new book, A Law Career is the Smart Way, www.lawmall.com/lawbook that can help you get to your "want to" list and still get the "have to" list completed. This is reprinted with permission of the copyright owner.

• Put down on your agenda the things that you have to do at some point.

• Prioritize each of those tasks and estimate how long it will take you to do each one if you wait until the last moment.

• Create another list of things that you WANT to do, but are not required to do, and start doing them, in the order of their priority, or importance to you.

• At least once per day determine your priorities and adjust your list. You will come to realize that some of the things which are now voluntary, become "required" later on, and you'll be able to get those done, in due course, by waiting until the last moment. This is an effective work cycle, which enables you to continually add new projects while taking care of the old, and will make you far more productive than most people you know.

• Every once in a while you'll have to stop doing your "want-to-do" list and take care of the occasional thing on your "have-to-do", but doing it only at the last moment, in order to give you as much time as possible to work on other voluntary matters.

• It is very important to refer to your calendar at least once per day to make sure you don't miss court conferences and other appointments, or to see if it is time to start another project on your mandatory list.

• Manage your workload by focusing on what you're doing at the moment. Set aside everything else while working on that one job.

Try Mr. Person's advice and see if it works for you. Remember that you own your life and control your work, not vice versa. Do something nice for yourself this week. Take some time to enjoy the moment!

Yvonne Perry is a freelance writer and the owner of Write On! Creative Writing Services based in Nashville, Tennessee. She and her team of ghostwriters service clients all over the globe by offering quality writing on a variety of topics at an affordable price. If you need a brochure, web text, business document, resume, bio, article or book, visit http://www.yvonneperry.net While there sure to subscribe to the RSS podcast feed and the free monthly newsletter about writing, networking, publishing and marketing. Read more on Yvonne's blog at http://yvonneperry.blogspot.com