Ten Things Not To Write In Your Cv Part Two

Writen by David Bain

This article is continued from 'Ten Things NOT To Write In Your CV – Part One'. Your CV (Curriculum Vitae) – Resume for our American friends sells you to your prospective employer. It has to be straight and too the point. However too many CV's contain irrelevant information. What are the ten things that you shouldn't write in your CV?

6) Don't be all things to all people

Some people with a broad range of experience or an eclectic background feel that this can't be anything but good news for their employment prospects. Wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong! In all but a handful of circumstances, unless you can demonstrate a clear, logical career progression in your CV then you're diminishing your chances of future employment. This doesn't mean that you should lie about your past on your CV. It simply means that you should try and find a common trail of experience in the bullet point summaries of your previous experience. Try not to highlight a vast range of skills from administration to sales unless you're applying for a general management position.

7) Don't mention every qualification you've every earned

This again stems from pride. It stems from pride and a willingness to demonstrate that you've achieved things in the past. Unfortunately gaining a basic qualification in Geography at school doesn't mean a thing unless you choose to study the subject at University! A rule thumb should be that a better qualification replaces the one before. If you have a degree, you are generally better off not mentioning your school qualifications. Similarly, if you have over five years experience in your chosen industry then you're probably better off not mentioning your school qualifications. Remember that people will only skim your CV and you only want relevant, important details to be read.

8) Don't be too personal about your personal interests

You can probably turn people off more than you can turn people on when they're reading your CV. The secret is to include nothing more important or appealing than your employment experience or qualifications. Sure, you should mention the fact that you enjoy playing golf in your spare time. Some people however talk about their favourite golf course or their best score. That's going too far. Leave that for bonding with the interviewer if appropriate.

9) Don't make your CV longer than 3 pages

No matter the quantity or quality of your experience there is no need to have your CV longer than 3 single sides of paper. If you are relevant for a job role, your prospective employer may ask for more information – but until then don't take the risk of them not finding the most important information. Again, remember that the first and only purpose of your CV is to get you an interview. A CV by itself will never get you a job; so don't expect it to contain everything about you.

10) Don't add referee details to your CV

Don't give out any reference details until you are asked for them. It is unethical and unnecessary for anyone to ask others for information about you before the interview stage. In addition, good references are hard to come by. Why bother your referees about a position that you may not be interested in? You want your referees to be bothered as little as possible and only contacted when necessary. Don't take the chance that someone may contact them after seeing your CV 'on spec'. Take their names and contact details off your CV.

David Bain is a consultant to Uteach Recruitment who specialise in UK Teaching Jobs. Whether you are a school struggling to find a new teacher to fill a position or a teacher looking for a teaching job role in the UK, visit their website http://www.UteachRecruitment.com today.

How To Interview Successfully And Get The Job

Writen by Stephen Condren

The aim of this article is to help you learn how to develop your interviewing skills and secure the position that you are seeking. This article is intended for professional's young and old alike.

The first thing that you have to do is know yourself. If you do not know yourself then you will not be able to present yourself to others. It does not matter at all what kind of job or position that you are applying for, what is important is that you know yourself and that you are confidant with yourself.

Imagine for a moment that you are in the army and engaged in battle with the enemy. Your very life is on the line and you depend upon your officers to lead you to victory and in safety. When you think about that officer in charge you want him/her to be confidant, intelligent, wise, and discerning. Those are the qualities that you expect from a leader and you will follow his/her commands without fail. If on the other hand your officers were nervous, indecisive, and unsure of themselves, would you not feel cautious and uncomfortable? Of course you would.

The same is true when you interview. The people that are interviewing you are like the solder in the field and they are depending on you. You need to convey a spirit of success and confidence when interviewing. If you do this you will have the job.

This is very important: The interviewers assume that you are qualified at the task you are interviewing for. What they are not sure of is your personal manner and ability to get along with others, particularly the staff that you would be working with. Do not worry about impressing them with what you know. Rather, impress them with sound character and integrity. That will get you the job!

When you approach the building where you are to interview be sure to look calm and confident, you never know who is watching and from where. When you get inside the building the first thing you do is ask where the washroom is. When you get there check yourself and make sure you look in order. Carry a small toothbrush, gargle and other toiletries to freshen up with before you meet anyone. These items are easily kept in a purse or briefcase.

Upon entering the area where you are to meet be sure to give eye contact with whom ever you see and politely ask questions with regard to your appointment. Speak softly and politely. When you are asked to take a seat and wait for the person(s) to come out. It is wise to read material pertaining to that company or institution if it is readily available. Learn all you can about that company or institution in the few minutes that you have before meeting. It is also prudent to do research on your prospective employer beforehand.

When your party comes out to greet you be sure to stand up and shake their hand firmly and make solid eye contact as you shake hands. Express how you are pleased to meet them and thank them for taking the time to meet with you.

When you are taken to the conference room or office be sure to take a seat where they suggest. At all times be calm and polite. Usually there are two or three persons conducting the interview, but one person is in charge and it is important to focus on that person.

Small talk will start; traffic, weather, getting there, etc., to help calm the atmosphere. After this the lead person will usually start the questions. Listen carefully! When you are asked a question do not give out too much information. Offer just enough to want them to inquire for more, like and appetizer. Keep them interested. Then at the end of every response be sure to ask them if what you have just told them satisfies their question. Continue this throughout the entire interview. Be sure to keep things short. Above all do not volunteer information, only answer the questions that they ask of you. Offering information could plant doubts that were not there and best left alone.

When you can be sure to reply to them in a fashion that displays your understanding of the task. Always polish your silver. Be confident in your manner and be sure never to be timid or shy. If you display confidence and politeness you will most likely get the job. Be sure to smile often but refrain from laughing. At the close of the interview shake everyone's while looking them in the eye and thank them for their time.

Important: When you get home immediately write all persons at the interview a thank you card. The card must be from a fine store, museum, or gallery. The card should let them know that you are cultivated and refine.

After a few days follow up with a telephone call to see if they had any questions. This is always looked upon favorable it shows interest. They want to hire someone interested in the position not just looking for a job. If you follow these steps you will find yourself with the position that you wanted. Good luck to you.

I was born and raised on the south side of Chicago in Hyde Park Township, near the University of Chicago. As I child I was always drawing and painting. My father owned an art supply company, Favor Ruhl & Watson, where I was able to get all that I need to progress in my work. I have always enjoyed portraiture and landscape. In HIgh School (Naperville Central High School) I took Drafting from Mr. Pierce. I quickly grasped the principles of perspective and hence made a career with both Fine Art and Architectural Renderings. In the mid 1970's I had joined the US Navy and was stationed on the USS Midway, CV-41. The Midway was home ported in Yokosuka, Japan (A suburb of Tokyo). While in service we traveled all over Asia including such countries as Korea, China, Philipines, Singapore, Pakistan, Hong Kong, and Japan. While in Japan I learned Japanese. I speak German and Spanish as well. I am a lover of Philosophy and Opera. I admire the works of Immanual Kant and Fredrich Nietzsche. In music I admire the works of Mozart and Wagner.

Jobhunting The Best Story Always Wins

Writen by Jason Adams

There's an old joke about two men hunting in the jungle. Suddenly, they come upon a man-eating tiger that has not eaten for days. The hunters both start running with the tiger in hot pursuit. As they are running, one hunter says to the other. "You know, we'll never be able to outrun this tiger." To which the other hunter replies, "I don't have to outrun the tiger; I only have to outrun you."

The point of the story is that, yes, there will be many other candidates in the stack of 500 cover letters and resumes that the hiring manager will receive for just one ad and many will have more experience and better qualifications than you. You just need to be sure that your cover letter and resume shows off your strengths and experience better than the other guy. And if you follow the ideas in this article, they will!

Job-hunting is like the sales profession. It always comes down to...he who has the best "story" wins. Unless your boss was either friends with the hiring manager, or the nephew of the owner, or had compromising photos of the President, he/she probably got into the position because they had a great "story" to tell.

I have better credentials yet they got the job. How did they do it? The answer is simple: They did their "homework" ahead of time. They put the time required into the job-hunting process. In addition all the pieces of their job-hunting process had the same CONSISTENT look, feel and style. Not only did their cover letter, resume, interview, thank you letters, and negotiating have the same style, it was the style the company was looking for. As a matter of fact, the hiring company felt damn lucky to land such a find as your boss!

What does it mean to have the "best story"?

Let me define "story". A great story essentially means that to the employer, you have "The Right Stuff". A great story evolves from a well thought out job-hunting system where all pieces of the "campaign" are closely aligned. It requires thought, logic, study and of course practice. It's a theme that continually shows up in anything and everything you write or say.

Developing a great story takes time and it takes thought. As agonizing as it can sometimes be, the process of gathering information for your cover letter and resume will prove to be one of the most rewarding experiences in the job-changing process. It forces you to compile and summarize the most important facts and significant achievements of your career to date. It also helps you narrow down the focus of your current job search objective and develop your story.

During the all important screening process (as written in a previous article) you have less than 30 seconds to convince the hiring manager that you have a great story. You do that by clearly showing the hiring manager:

* What you are looking for,
* Your major skills,
* Whether or not you can you help solve their problems and * Your greatest accomplishments

Jason Adams is President of Street Smart Sales and Marketing and author of the highly acclaimed book The StreetSmart Job-Changing System. For more information visit http://www.StreetSmartSalesAndMarketing.com

Dont Quit Your Day Job Convincing Your Boss To Let You Telecommute Part 1 Of 2

Writen by Sharon Davis

Are you desperately trying to find a telecommute job so that you can quit your current one? Hold on! Your job just might have the potential to be done from home.

With the right approach, a little research and a good proposal, many employees are selling the idea of telecommuting to their employers.

In this first segment, we focus on the steps you should take in order to determine whether or not your job is a candidate for telecommuting.

Many jobs are well suited for telecommuting...and many aren't. Your first step should be to evaluate your current job and determine whether or not it is feasible to do it from home.

Ask yourself the following questions:

• Does your job depend on resources that are only available at the office? If your job only requires Internet access, phone and fax, it is definitely possible to do it from a home office. However, if you are a receptionist in a medical office, you probably have other responsibilities that require you to physically be there, i.e. having patients fill out paperwork and filing.
• Do you work well without supervision? Some people are perfectly content to work on their own. Others need the support of having a supervisor and co-workers nearby. Monitor yourself for a week. Be aware of how often you rely on others and how you would deal with it if you had been away from the office. In some cases, a supervisor may feel that getting phone calls from a remote employee is disruptive, while a quick question in the hallway is not.
• Do other companies offer telecommuting for your job type? Do some research and find out if it's already being done. Having evidence of success with telecommuting can go a long way in convincing an employer that it can (and does) work.
• Does telecommuting fit with your company culture? If your company has a culture of empowerment and trust, telecommuting may be a perfect fit. If they have a more hands-on management style, it may not work. Think about how your company manages their employees and whether or not the hands-off style required for telecommuting is possible.
• Could you cope with the isolation? Some people crave office gossip, lunches with co-workers, water cooler chats and all the human interaction that comes with a traditional job environment. If this sounds like you, you may need to give serious thought to whether or not working remotely is for you- it may turn out to be more like solitary confinement!

Here are some useful resources for evaluating your current job and for determining whether telecommuting is right for you:

====>Do You Have The Skills to Telecommute? from About.com

====>Is Telecommuting For You?

In Part 2, we will discuss the ways that you can convince your boss to let you telecommute.

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

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.

To subscribe to her free ezine, Click Here.

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 dayjob@sendfree.com

Using Your Friends To Your Advantage

Writen by Melanie Szlucha

Helpful friends are great. They're there to offer advice and support, and generally listen to your complaints or concerns about looking for a job. However when heading on the interview trail, you might want to enlist a few of them for a more intense critique of your interview style. Here's how you can make them not only helpful, but useful, by telling them what to listen for in your answers.

Of course the first thing you need to do is to take some time with your resume to identify what experiences you have had that you would like to tell an employer. What in your background makes you the perfect candidate for the position? Keep in mind that past behavior is the best predictor of future performance, so look for those examples of Teamwork, Obstacles, Duties, Achievements and Your Strengths and Weaknesses that will prove your excellent performance to them.

Once you have done some of the prep work, you can sit down with a friend or a group of friends for a mock interview session. They don't have to have experience as a hiring manager or in Human Resources. They do need to be good listeners and willing to give you honest feedback.

What they're going to listen for is this:

1. How well did you set the stage? Did you give enough background to the sound bite you were telling? Were your friends able to clearly visualize your situation? Regardless of the industry or their personal experiences, they should be able to understand the background of your sound bite.

2. You are the Star! I have to say that the most common problem I hear when I am coaching people on their sound bites is that they will dance around actually saying phrases like "I did this", "It was my idea", and "I thought we should". The interviewer is hiring you, not the other people that you worked with. They want to know what you actually did. This is the #1 way to prove to them that you are qualified for their position. Make sure that your friends give you concrete yes or no feedback as to how well you get this point across. Make them repeat back to you exactly what YOU did on the project, and find ways to improve your sound bite to emphasize the points that you want an interviewer to remember.

3. How did the situation resolve? This is where you show an interviewer that you are a thinking, learning, rational person. The ability to draw intelligent conclusions and show that you learn from your mistakes is an important quality in any valuable employee. Some good ways to wrap up your sound bite is by answering the following questions in your conclusion: Would you do handle the situation the same way today?, Did you ever find yourself in another situation down the road and handle it differently?, How did you feel about how it resolved?

Using friends to prepare for interviews is a good way to get live feedback and dramatically improve your performance—especially for those of us who dislike hearing ourselves on tape. The key to making sure that you get the most out of this is encouraging your friend to be honest and that it is for your own good to hear their opinions. The benefit of hiring a coach however is that you will always get the good and bad feedback, and don't risk the strain on a friendship (and you'll still have a place to watch the Superbowl on Sunday.)

Melanie Szlucha has been a hiring manager for over 10 years. She founded Red Inc. two years ago to help people become more relaxed and prepared during the job interview process. Combining the presentation and communication skills with her experience in conducting job interviews, she is able to coach job applicants through landing their perfect job. She is available for individual coaching and can be contacted at her website http://www.redinc.biz or melanie at redinc.biz

The Path To Freelance Success The Secret Is Knowing Where To Look

Writen by Abdoulah Sangare

Would you like to break out of a regular job and start freelancing? Perhaps you've got the skills, but are not quite sure where to start looking for work, or how to deal with the business side of freelance work? Freelance marketplace websites specialise in bringing together clients looking to outsource projects and skilled professional contractors looking for freelance jobs. If you have web design or development, graphic design, programming, writing or translation skills then you will find opportunities waiting for you, if you know where to look.

There are many benefits to freelancing - you have a high degree of independence, choosing when and where to work, and even for whom to work, once you are established. You aren't tied to a fixed schedule and you are directly paid the full rate for your work, not just a portion of it like an employee is. There is plenty of work out there, but you have to learn how to find it and build your contacts. This is where freelancing sites such as Project4Hire.com can help, especially when you are just starting out. These sites offer a wide range of projects to bid on and give you the chance to learn about the freelance marketplace.

Once you start as a freelancer, you need to think of more than just keeping your skills sharp. You are a business now, and have to build relationships with clients and sell yourself. This can seem daunting at first but is made easier by freelance marketplace websites that bring together outsourced projects with freelance contractors. These sites all include feedback and rating systems for both clients and contractors, meaning that as your experience builds, your record of quality work will be visible to all the other members of the site, giving you more credibility. You will also find that as you gain more experience and contacts, people might approach you directly for work. In the end you might even have to turn away work - alternatively you can start sub-contracting it out yourself through the freelancing sites, giving you the best of both worlds.

Your success is all down to you - if you are professional and polite, and always deliver good quality work on time, people will come back to you as there is a strong demand for good quality freelancers. When setting your rates, don't be solely concerned with being the cheapest. Instead look at the budget of the project you are bidding on, then look at what you need to earn for it to be worth your time. Work out a rate that meets both the client's budget and your needs, then use it as a part of a high quality bid. The lowest bids are often rejected in favour of the bids that offer the most professional package. Small businesses looking to outsource some work will often pay a little more to someone who will offer a more professional service. Your aim, as a freelancer, should be to be that someone.

As with any business undertaking, there are a few potential risks, but with care and planning you should manage to avoid these most of the time. The most obvious risk is completing a freelance job for a client who then will not pay. Project4Hire.com, like most freelance marketplace sites, offers an escrow payment system to protect both clients and contractors from these problems. It works by taking full payment for the project from the client at the outset of the project, and then passing it to the contractor upon successful completion. Other challenges you can have to deal with are changing requirements from your client and poor communications, but again freelancing sites help here with feedback systems and message boards, ensuring a record is available of the original details of your bid and the project, so as long as you deliver what you bid, you should get paid.

Don't let the challenges and risk put you off - freelancing is a very rewarding way to earn a living and make the most of your marketable skills, and with freelance marketplace sites to help, it isn't as difficult as it used to be.

Abdoulah Sangare is a freelance web developer with over 10 years in the industry.

Negotiate Better Job Offers With This Twelvepoint Checklist

Writen by Ann Wilson

You've been through an employer's interview process successfully and have now been extended a job offer. And you think the offer could be better. If that's the case, read on to find out cutting-edge strategies that'll help you negotiate a better deal.

1. There's no need to accept the offer on the spot. Do express your appreciation for their offer and ask how long you can take to make a decision. Use that time to prepare your approach. Remember, they need you just as much as you need them. Come from a position of strength and confidence.

2. Be clear on your priorities -- know what's critical to you personally and what's not. Based on this, define your deal-points and deal breaking points. This should not be limited to your salary.

3. That brings up this important point -- negotiate more than just the salary. Maybe things like extra days of vacations, certain types of expenses you want taken care of, flexible working hours, etc, based on what's important to you.

4. Be yourself. Don't try to adopt a negotiation style that's not you. Don't try to be overly cooperative if you are aggressive by nature, or vice versa. Conduct the negotiations keeping in mind the industry, the position and the person you're negotiating with. Always be tactful and considerate -- rudeness has no place in any discussion.

5. Be patient and willing to hold out for what you deserve. The whole process may require more than one meeting and could take several weeks. Don't rush it. Also, be willing to walk away from an offer (unless you're unemployed and in a desperate position). That's a tried and true tactic that often brings results, though you should be prepared to lose the offer if you do use this approach.

6. When it comes to salary, don't be the first one to name a figure. Of course, employers usually make an offer first. If you are asked what salary you want, try to redirect the discussion. Say that you'll look for a salary in line with what's typical for such positions and that you'd like to discuss the offer as a whole before coming to specifics on money.

7. If the employer is not willing to go along with that approach, then quote a range. Say that you're looking for something in the 80s or 90s, but the exact figure depends on the position, benefits and other factors.

8. Take care of fringe benefits. They can make a very important difference to your overall financial position and quality of life. Look at things like medical insurance, relocation expenses, stock options, paid parking, health club membership, etc.

9. Do your homework before you go in to negotiate a job offer. Know what salaries are typical for your position. Also, do your math correctly. You might find that earning an extra $10,000 might put you into a higher tax bracket resulting in lower take-home pay. Look at additional expenses the new job would involve -- relocation, more expensive commute, etc. Do this preparation beforehand; it's very unlikely that you'll be able to think through everything while in the thick of negotiations.

10. When trying to negotiate a higher salary, state your current salary grossed up for all bonuses, commissions, benefits that you receive. Don't limit yourself to just your pre-tax salary.

11. Be flexible. Negotiations are about give and take. You might have to concede some points to gain something that's valuable to you personally. This is another way of saying 'play fair'.

12. Stick to the truth. Exaggerating your qualifications, work experience, current salary, etc, is risky -- it is quite likely that the employer will find out and then the job offer may be retracted. You may even be fired from your job if they find out after you join them.

Ann Wilson is a successful business author who writes extensively on jobs and careers. Her articles include best tips for interviews, answers to tough interviewing questions and many others with cutting-edge advice on interviewing.

What Is An Internet Consultant

Writen by Scott Hendison

Yes, I'm an internet consultant, but what does that mean? Does that mean that I know everything there is to know about the internet? No. Not even close. An internet consultant helps people and businesses determine and meet their needs. That's what I do for customers not only in Portland, Oregon where I live, but in five countries all over the world.

A good internet consultant will ask a lot of questions, since there are always several ways to accomplish any internet based goal. Depending on your needs, your budget, and your projected growth, there may be a wide range of choices, and only a well rounded internet or computer consultant can help you make the right decisions for your future.

What can an internet consultant offer you? There are many things that pertain to the internet, and you practically have to be a science fiction writer to understand all the possibilities. Did you know that you can share a folder or files on the internet with another user halfway across the world? Did you know that even if you're halfway across the world you can log into your very own computer?

Things like Ecommerce, remote desktop security, VPN's (Virtual Private Networks), internet shared applications, online databases and more are out there, and unless your consultant can identify your need, you could miss out on opportunities that you didn't even know existed!

Along with this internet convenience comes danger. Did you know that people can break into a poorly protected computer over the web and read, change and delete files? Did you know that someone can use the internet to hack into a web or mail server and use that server to send millions of spam messages in a matter of minutes?

Did you know that if that happens in your office, you could get "blacklisted" have all of the major ISP's (Internet Service Providers) refuse to accept any of your email, effectively blocking all of your communication with their subscribers.

There are specialists in web based security, and a good internet consultant will help identify the right company for the job, based on the client's needs, budget, and level of technical expertise.

Web design and Web hosting are both specialty services, and a good consultant should steer you to a reputable company providing both. In many cases, consulting companies may offer these services themselves, but more often, they use subcontractors and affiliates. This allows you to get not only a recommendation from the consultant, but also a sense of responsibility and follow through as well. It also allows you to not put all your eggs in one basket, in case your consultant becomes unavailable.

A good internet consultant can help you not only determine what your needs are, but review those options with you too. In many cases, a consultant can even contact these companies on your behalf, and explain your needs to them. Then they'll get the written quotes, and review and explain those quotes to you in layman's terms. This helps you maximize your time, giving you an efficient way to make an educated decision, without having to become an internet consultant yourself.

Scott Hendison is a computer and internet consultant, specializing in Retail Point of Sale (POS) systems and search engine marketing and optimization. He also maintains a daily internet consulting blog. Based in Portland Oregon, he has customers in five different countries. For more about his business, please visit his website at http://www.pdxtc.com

Finding A Career In Architecture

Writen by Aurel Radulescu

Anyone who is talented in design, imagining how a house or building could be constructed or who likes to draw may have the talent to find a successful career in architecture. An architect is responsible for designing and planning the interior workings and foundation of a home or building. Architects are responsible for drawing up plans and blueprints for towering city buildings, small country homes and luxurious mansions. A successful architect must be versatile and imaginative while maintaining respect for the customer's wishes.

There are a number of jobs available in the world of architecture and designing homes may be a career in itself. A qualified individual may produce a blueprint, which consists of both interior and exterior elevations, foundation and floor plans, roof details, electrical layouts, cross sections and other general instructions.

In order to find a career in architecture, an individual must become licensed through an accrediting agency. In addition, an architect must become familiar with building codes, local laws and regulations and must be skilled in their craft. In order to learn this information, architectural hopefuls must pursue a college degree and learn firsthand how the process works.

In addition to designing a home or building, architecture also includes making adjustments to already developed plans. This may include altering blueprints for a home or business in order to be customized to the individual's needs. Many individuals hire an architect to design their construction, but others decide to enlist a professional later. If problems arise in the construction or they simply need a helping hand, many individuals and companies turn to the world of architecture for a professional evaluation and redesign.

Concerns surrounding both energy costs and safety have, in recent years, prompted many areas to require an architect's seal be placed on a blueprint prior to construction. In addition to the actual design process, many architects review plans and offer consultation services on independent creations.

While many architects find great success within a firm or working directly with homebuilders, many find that they are happy working on a freelance or consultant basis. This means that they work directly with the company or individual, own and operate their own business and handle every decision within the company. The freedom of self employment in the world of architecture can be very fulfilling, both financially and emotionally. Much like a doctor, lawyer or accountant who branches out into their own private practice, an architect may also enjoy that same freedom.

Find more about roman architecture, famous architects and many other architecture and online engineering resources on http://www.csme.ca.

How To Choose Your Career A Little Like Choosing Your Lifes Partner

Writen by Robin Henry

Introduction - Case Study

When my daughter Meredith (in her late twenties) asked me about starting up a boutique recently, the best advice I could give her was to say nothing. I must admit that I didn't really remember what a boutique was. Sure, I knew it was a shop, but the exact type of shop eluded me. So instead of embarassing myself by letting her know that her infallible, omniscient father really isn't the fountain of all wisdom as she thinks, I searched the Internet for a suitable source of information. (Ain't the net grand?)

I eventually bought her an ebook titled, "FabJob Guide to Become a Boutique Owner" written by Debbra Mikaelsen, who has, according to the book, "been a fashion industry consultant for the last eight years, and has been working in fashion design and production since 1986." Her, and a contributing author, Pamela Skillings have much more expertise than I have in the area and have written 226 pages of invaluable information that can be downloaded immediately.

I quickly read the ebook to make sure it was as good as I had been led to believe it was and emailed it to my daughter. I asked her to read it and discuss her options and any questions with me. Naturally, my daughter was grateful and my status as father-hero continues .... More importantly, the ebook contained some critically useful information that helped my daughter move her mindset from the supposedly glamorous aspects of owning one's business, to some of the realities associated with cash flow, fixed costs and the rate of business failures.

The ebook contains much too much invaluable information to list here, but to give you a general idea about how thorough it is, here's a glimpse:

1. The Boutique Environment
2. Planning Your Boutique (Including a section on business planning)
3. Preparing to Open (All about location and inventory acquisition)
4. Running Your Boutique (Merchandising, staff management, sales techniques and more)

The title also contains example start-up budgeting information, inventory control documents, staff schedules, advice about customer files and setting up a website for your business. All well written, sensible, useful information for anyone wanting to start up a boutique, or in fact, any retail business.

We were both impressed with the FabJob Guide and my daughter is now writing up a plan that will see her open her shop in November 2007. During the lead up, she plans to get some hands-on retail experience and do some statistical research about the demographics etc of the area in which we live. She now has a much better understanding of business ownership. She understands now the reality of boutique shop ownership as opposed to the dreams of huge sales and wealth.

We need to take the same effort to choose our careers as we do our life's partner as either could last 30, 40 or 50 years. My advice is to: do your research; don't pair up with the first one you find; if possible, try before you commit; when you have decided, commit fully and keep in touch with new developments.

Of course, in a career, it's handy to have skills and knowledge that allow some latitude to move within several similar careers. For most of us, more than one life partner at a time isn't an option.

When you do your career research ... and you must do it if you care about your happiness, I highly recommend you include the appropriate FabJob Guide in your research.

Copyright 2006 Robin Henry | First Published Feb 2006

Robin Henry is an educator, human resources specialist and Internet entrepreneur. He helps home-based businesses and individuals improve performance by applying smart technology and processes and developing personally. He runs his business Desert Wave Enterprises from his home base at Alice Springs in Central Australia, although at present he is on temporary assignment in the United Arab Emirates.

You can download a free ebook called "Career Management and Job Hunting 101" here (right click).

Thankyou Notes Your Thoughtfulness Will Be Rewarded

Writen by Bonnie Lowe

I get asked these questions over and over: "Should I send separate thank-you notes to everyone who interviewed me? Can I just send one thank-you note to the hiring manager and ask him/her to thank others involved in the process?"

The answers are yes and no, respectively.

Send a separate thank-you note to everyone who interviewed you, whether it was an informal pre-interview phone call, an interview lunch meeting, or the final formal interview after a lengthy process.

Don't be stingy with your thank yous!

It's an easy thing to do, it will only take a few minutes--and it will make the recipients feel good about you!

Why wouldn't you jump at the chance to do that?

You can make your thank-you notes relatively short. They can be sent via snail-mail or email.

(There are differing opinions on which is best. I prefer the now "special" touch of a real letter over the routine method of email; others think email is best because it's faster. Just remember that what you say is more important than how you send it.)

Make each thank-you note slightly different by mentioning something in particular that you and the recipient discussed. This is a good reason to do your thank-you notes right away, while the interview is fresh in your mind. You might even want to take notes for this purpose.

Here's a great tip that will really impress the hiring manager: add a P.S. that mentions how helpful someone was, by name. I'm not talking about people directly involved in the interviews; they should get their own thank-you notes. But if there was a receptionist, an administrative assistant, or someone else who was helpful during your interview process, say so. Those people are rarely recognized, but may have influence with the hiring manager. The boss will think of you as someone who appreciates his team, notices things most other people overlook, and goes the extra mile.

Why make this a P.S.? Studies show that most people read the P.S. before (or even instead of) reading the main body of a letter. This P.S. will get attention and impress the reader, which will get your entire letter read and your thoughtfulness remembered!

Bonnie Lowe is author of the popular Job Interview Success System and free information-packed ezine, "Career-Life Times." Find those and other powerful career-building resources and tips at her website: http://www.best-interview-strategies.com.

Interview Bias Overcoming The Silent Forces Working Against You

Writen by Simma Lieberman

Your job interview is tomorrow. You know your appearance will matter, so you polish your shoes and brush your hair. You realize your interviewer will have your resume in hand, so you've come prepared to explain every minute detail included on it. You've even done practice interviews and prepared your responses to all the trick questions. Are you ready? Not yet.

There remains a single type of preparation that you should do that can make or break your interview-knowing how to handle the possible biases of an interviewer. You need this knowledge because of a simple reality; interviews are subjective, no matter how many objective indicators are introduced. Interviewers are human, and all carry with them some assumptions about different types of people. Despite what may be valid attempts to leave these assumptions behind in the process, even the most earnest interviewer may be letting some of these biases make their way into the decision-making process. The best candidate for a job has many a time been passed over in the interview process because of bias. You don't want to be one of them.

You're not likely to be able to change the bias itself in the short duration of the interview, and you may not be able to recognize it with so much else going on. You can, however, increase the chances that the interviewer will not apply their biases or assumptions toward you. This means preparing for the possible biases of an interviewer before you encounter him/her. You therefore need to recognize the most likely biases people have toward you and prepare to address these biases in interviews to minimize their impact.

Pinpointing Potential Biases

Many people think biases surround visible differences that people have, like race, gender, or appearance. This is true. However, biases usually run much deeper and assumptions are made about a number of other potential differences you may have with your interviewer. An interviewer may unconsciously make assumptions about you based on the way that you speak, your age, or any of the background information you have listed on your resume.

To figure out some of the biases that may surface, give some thought to comments people have made to you in the past that surprised you. Have people thought you were much younger or older than you actually are? Have they assumed you were less intelligent because of your accent? Have you been labeled because of the way you dress? Have people been surprised to learn something in particular about you? Make a list of some of these assumptions or obstacles that could impede on the interviewer from seeing you as the best candidate.

Use your friends to add to your recollection. Ask them what their first impressions of you were. Colleagues from the past are especially valuable since they know you in a work atmosphere and work attire. Have friends read through your resume and create a list of five statements they would make about you based on your resume. Ask them to limit their responses to information on the resume and explain your goal in the exercise so you get honest answers. Combine these statements with ones people have made about you in the past and keep a list handy with all of these assumptions.

The Information Inundation Technique

Once you get a sense for the impression you make and the biases people may have against you, make sure you address them. You should still be focused on demonstrating why you are a qualified candidate for the job. Therefore, while delivering persuasive responses to interviewer questions, saturate your responses with information that will also undo biases. Here are some suggestions:

1. Match their speech and behaviors. It is a good idea in general to match your interviewers in terms of their speech and behaviors for etiquette purposes. If an interviewer is formal in their speech, you should be as well. If they sit up straight, don't slouch. This will help reduce assumptions they make about you based on differences they perceive they have from you.

2. Acknowledge & Spin It. If you sense a bias, don't be afraid to address what it is you think is being held against you. If you have an accent, explain what you do to make yourself understood. If you are young, note it, but also explain what your age adds and focus more on the experiences you have had that makes you worthy of the position. If you are a woman working in a male-dominated profession, explain what you can add to the position very specifically because you are female. Make a point to show the value of the aspect in question.

3. Find a connection. When you get the chance to ask your own questions at the end of the interview, work to establish a connection with your interviewer. Ask them what they like about the company in question, and communicate your ability to relate to some of the traits he or she identifies. Make a point of smiling and try to be friendly. An open, communicative style on your part is helpful to address any negative biases that person may unconsciously be holding against you.

4. Communicate your Bridge Building potential. A successful job candidate is not only someone who can do the job, but someone who can work in the organization's culture and be able to do the job well in the long run. Interviewers with biases may assume that you will not fit well into the organization's culture because of your differences. Communicate your ability to work with different people, think from different perspectives, and be open-minded. Give examples. Ask about the company culture and talk about your ability to work with and relate to different people.

5. Make it a strength. Have you had to deal with this someone who has been biased before because of something about the way you are? Use the experience to show your interviewer how you successfully overcame a difficulty. Emphasize the learning and growth you experienced as a result. This can help an interviewer recognize that their own unconscious bias is impacting their impressions. Make sure you don't insinuate in any way that your interviewer is biased. Your job in the interview is to demonstrate that you are a highly-skilled individual equipped to do the job for which you are applying. Critiquing your interviewer is not a step in the right direction.

6. Assume you are the best person for the position. Have you noticed that it is that much harder to sit up straight when you are feeling down in the dumps? Most people show their emotions in one way or another, and facing a biased interviewer is likely to stir some serious emotions of anger, frustration, devastation, or defeat. It is important to push through these feelings during the interview so that it doesn't impact your demeanor during the rest of the interview. You can decide later whether you want to work for the company the interviewer represents.

7. Make a Habit of it. Finally, get into the habit of building bias prep into your interview prep. Build these techniques into your responses and practice saying them so you are comfortable in the interview. Have a friend role-play the biased interview. Make it realistic. How will you face this practice situation?

Interview bias exists, but it doesn't have to impact your potential to get hired. Use these techniques to improve your chances of getting hired based on your qualifications and motivation rather than being excluded because of interviewer bias.

Simma Lieberman helps organizations create environments where people can do their best work and be successful. She specializes in Diversity and Inclusion, Diversity Dialogues, and Eliminating Fear and Self-doubt. Simma is the co-author with Kate Berardo and George Simons of the book "Putting Diversity to Work." She can be reached at http://www.simmalieberman.com

Tips For Your 1st Interview

Writen by Trish Faber

You've handed in your resume and now the wait by the phone begins. Will it ring? Will you finally land your first interview? If you presented a qualified resume and made a great first impression, the chances are fairly good you'll at least get called.

So now what do you do? You're probably a little scared and that's okay. It shows you're taking the interview seriously. After all you're one step closer to getting your first job and on the road to increased independence. Isn't that what it's all about? So nail the interview! Here are a few tips to help:
• Don't be late! Whatever you do, DO NOT be late. Being late or running in at the last moment gives the impression that you're not serious about getting the job.
• Show up at least 15 minutes ahead of time and wait patiently. DO NOT look annoyed if your interviewer is running behind. You're probably not the only one being brought in for an interview. Remember it's not personal.
• Dress appropriately. A ripped and dirty T-shirt or a mini-skirt that barely covers the assets is not acceptable. Use common sense.
• Do not smoke before the interview or while you are waiting. The smell will linger on your breath and clothes. A definite turn-off, especially if your interviewer is a non-smoker. Don't take a chance.
• Do not chew gum during the interview.
• Try to look your interviewer in the eye when she's talking or when you're replying to questions. If you're shy or nervous, this is sometimes difficult. Try anyway. It makes a really good impression.
• Always be polite and never swear. Being a smart aleck in an interview is never funny.
• Be honest. Give honest answers to the questions. Nobody likes a liar and nobody is going to hire someone they feel is being untruthful.
• If you have a question about the job or you're not sure exactly what the job involves, ask.
• When the interview is over, thank the interviewer for her time. Remember she didn't have to give you the interview. Thank her accordingly.

It's okay to be a little nervous, in fact it's better to seem nervous than over-confident. You might be surprised to find out that many times the interviewer is just as nervous as you! It's human nature. Do your best and good luck!

Trish Faber is a freelance writer and author. She owned her own restaurant for 22 years and employed many teens, especially as a first job. She ghostwrites, creative writes and researches for many clients and specializes in writing personalized stories for children. You can view her work at www.trishfaber-creativewriter.com She can be reached at trish@trishfaber-creativewriter.com

Raytheon To Lay Off More People Beechcraft Up For Sale

Writen by Lance Winslow

It appears that Raytheon Corp., which does lots of contracts for the United States military is shedding its Beechcraft brand of general aviation aircraft as that division is up for sale now. Of course this is rather unfortunate for the economic development associations of Salina Kansas and Wichita, Kansas, which both have aircraft plants there.

In fact Raytheon aircraft Co. announced that it would be eliminating 600 or more jobs and although they announced that they would do this in January, now the company is for sale and the aircraft manufacturing plants might close. This is rather unfortunate considering Wichita, Kansas has seen a real estate bubble burst and is still recovering from the last wave of layoffs between all the aircraft manufacturers there.

For Salina Kansas there is not a whole lot going on in that city except maybe the Blue Beacon Truck Wash Company, although the town is growing the economic development Association considers this a pretty big hit. A couple of years ago there were 7500 people employee in Kansas making general aviation aircraft were Beechcraft. That figure is down from 9000 since 2001. Of course all the aircraft manufacturing companies including Bombardier Aerospace and Cessna Aircraft Corp. have all had significant layoffs in Wichita. Please consider all this in 2006.

"Lance Winslow" - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs/

Applying For Work In The Uk

Writen by Waller Jamison

If you are looking for a job in the UK, whether as a foreigner wishing to relocate, or as a British national, you may find yourself faced with having to fill in a job application form.

What is the difference between an application form and a CV?

When designing your CV, you can choose the layout and, more importantly, what to include and what not to include. For example, if you have been working for more than 10 years, it is common to include only the last 10 years experience on a CV, or if you have changed career, to include only the experience and training relevant to the post for which you are applying. However, in the interests of equal opportunities, a job application form requires every applicant to fill in all of their work and educational experience.

In addition, you will usually be asked to fill in a large blank sheet of paper sometimes referred to as the supporting statement. The directions at the top of this page will ask you to explain why you are suitable for the job. In other words, you must produce a detailed piece of writing selling yourself to the company. This is something which causes panic in many applicants and unfortunately the formula for writing this isn't taught at school or university.

However, there is a standard approach to writing the supporting statement. First of all, read all the instructions. As well as the information at the top of each page, you will be sent guidelines on how to complete the form. You should read these very carefully and make sure that you follow them exactly. Some companies will ask you to set out the information in a precise way, such as using specific headings, whereas others will allow you to use your own format.

In the latter case, you should use the job description as your guide. Take each of the points in turn and write a short paragraph highlighting your experience in this area. You should use examples, rather than just saying that you have excellent communication skills. Where possible, use figures to illustrate your achievements, such as "increased sales by 25% in my first month". Use bullets and strong, active verbs to give your application punch.

Write your supporting statement on a separate piece of paper first. Be sure to edit and proofread and when you are satisfied, write it on a photocopy of the original to make sure it will fit. In some cases, you are permitted to add an extra sheet, but only do this if absolutely necessary, that is, if you can't abbreviate your statement and the additional information is crucial to the application. If you find you have only a few extra lines, go back and cut out anything unnecessary. Remember, employers are busy and don't want to read pages and pages of information – unless it is highly relevant. Your task is to show them, as concisely as possible, that you are suitable for the job and that you should be on the interview shortlist.

© Waller Jamison 2006

Waller Jamison is a freelance careers advisor and part-time university lecturer. She is the author of an e-book "9 Steps to CV Success", which includes information on completing UK Job Application Forms and is available at Job Applications For a free e-course go to: Career Change Course

Travel Nursing Offers Several Benefits

Writen by Christain Cullen

The U.S. Department of labor has identified nursing as one of the top in the country. Nursing jobs seem to be opening up everywhere, and salaries are on the rise. One incredible opportunity particularly suited for nurses who have recently completed their training, nurses who are single, or nurses who have a lifestyle conducive to frequent moves is travel nursing.

Travel nursing offers several benefits. Because so many people are unable or unwilling to move around the country accepting short term jobs, the salaries tend to be excellent. Most travel nursing companies offer salaries at least 15% higher than salaries offered by traditional employers. Travel nursing employees are also usually guaranteed holiday pay, a certain amount of overtime, and bonuses based on the number of assignments accepted and the number of nurses referred for employment.

Another unique feature about travel nursing is that private housing is generally provided free of charge to traveling nurses. This allows anyone involved in traveling nursing to save a good percentage of their salary.

Travel nursing agencies also, of course, pay for the cost of travel to reach the job site. Travel nursing jobs are available around the continental United States and in Alaska and Hawaii as well. Although the placements generally require some overtime, traveling nurses still have plenty of time available to explore their surroundings. Most professions do not allow people the time or the money to travel so broadly or so frequently.

Finally, travel nursing allows the nurse to accumulate many different experiences at different types of facilities. Most nurses do not spend their entire careers traveling--they eventually settle down to permanent employment. But the wealth of experience travel nursing provides can be helpful in choosing one's ultimate location and career path, and the money saved while engaged in travel nursing can be used for a down payment on a home.

For the right nurse, travel nursing can be a smart career move.

Christain Cullen is a successful webmaster and writer. He has over 350 websites online which offer help or information on a diverse range of subjects, from 1031 Exchanges to Pet-Birds to Flying Schools to Plasma TV. His latest online Directory can be accessed @ angelogy.com

Use Mantras To Stay On Track

Writen by Dale Kurow

Recently, I worked with several clients who requested that I give them one or two sentences (mantras) that they could take away from the session that would crystallize our discussion. Each of these clients had different work-related goals.

This underscored how important it is to develop mantras to recite to yourself, to keep goals top of mind, and to help center yourself when the noise and stress of life pulls you in opposite directions. Our brains are much more aligned to remembering a few carefully chosen words than many sentences or 60 minutes of discussion.

Mantras, originating in Hinduism and Buddhism, are words or sounds, repeated to aid in concentration when meditating. The origin of the word is Sanskrit, meaning "instrument of thought."

I'm constantly reminding clients of the importance of their internal discourse (i.e. the thoughts they have). The dialogue you have with yourself is probably the most critical factor in your career success. Mantras are a perfect tool to help you in this process.

If you are normally a "glass is half-empty" person, i.e., a negative Nelly, then there's even more reason for you to invoke a mantra.

Here are some career mantras that I've used with clients:

• Build Up Your Reserve – this one is effective when, because of a difficult work situation, you have nothing left to give physically, mentally or emotionally. No good decision ever comes from being drained. Whether you are trying to prepare to leave a job, interview for a new one or want to have a clear brain to figure out your next career move, a rested mind and body are required.

• Build Your Boundaries– I use this one with clients who are feeling vulnerable because of an abusive boss or for those who have just left a job without having another job. In the case of the person who has resigned without another job, it's quite common that friends and family, acting out of their own insecurities, will say "how could you leave this job without having another?" or "aren't you scared you won't get another job?" It's crucial to maintain a positive attitude and to feel secure in your decision, without having it second-guessed by supposedly well-meaning, but angst-ridden friends. One answer I suggest for those situations is to tell your friends/family that they can support you just by listening. If the negativity continues, it's time to protect yourself and take steps to limit your contact with them.

• It's Not Your Decision – this mantra works well when you need to work collaboratively with people. Some clients feel they need to make all the decisions and determine all the processes that are involved in running a team. This is where they get into trouble! Realizing that you need to work with and through others while relinquishing some control is key to improving your managerial skills. This is particularly true when you are working across functional areas.

• Can This Be Delegated? – Clients sometimes tell me how closely they need to monitor their staff and how exhausted they are because of it. My ears perk up when I hear this. I usually turn the discussion around by asking them "do you micromanage?" It's interesting to see how they process that question. Sometimes the response is "yes" and they realize micromanaging is not a plus. If your complaint is that you have no time to do your own work, consider using this mantra.
• Forget Perfection – Perfectionism is a real culprit! I often hear that clients work crazy hours or never seem to catch up. Of course, extra hours are often required and are the modus operandi in many jobs (especially on Wall Street). However, when it's a constant lament, and there's a hint of the client being a victim, I wonder how much of it's self-imposed. Has your boss complained that while your work product is good, it takes too long for him/her to receive it? How much of what you do does your boss really review? Are you tackling the most critical questions/needs first? You can make yourself and your boss much happier if you can forgo perfection!

Use the above mantras if they resonate with your situation. Like any new exercise, it takes repetition and practice for a mantra to become part of your thought process. Or craft your own helpful mantra, one that fits better. You will be happy you did!

Dale Kurow, M.S., is an author and a career and executive coach in New York City. Dale works with clients across the United States and internationally helping them to become better managers, figure out their next career moves and thrive despite office politics. Visit Dale's web site at http://www.dalekurow.com/newsletter to sign-up for her free monthly e-zine "Career Essentials," chock full of useful tips and strategies you can use immediately.

So You Want A Career In Management Enjoy The Perks

Writen by Art Fellon

"Management" is an umbrella that covers a host of activities: leadership, working through others, planning, organizing, communicating, controlling, and making decisions, to name a few. How can you grasp all of these things? Fortunately, you don't have to.

The basis of effective management tactics activity is to keep control of a situation without enough information, assets, or power to justify that control. That, as it happens, is also the essence of management.

In some ways management needs no introduction. Most of us do it one way or another every day—in families, social groups, clubs, and businesses. Management is universal; it exists whenever two or more people try to do something together. You may not notice this, however, because only mismanagement makes headlines. Planes arrive late, companies go bankrupt, orders are lost, and the Pentagon pays defense contractors several hundred dollars for parts that cost a few bucks Wal-Mart because management has somehow failed.

People become managers by several routes. Those who work for family-owned firms inherit the job. Others may have worked their way up the organization or married the boss's son or daughter. Be especially suspicious of people who declare that they're "born managers," however. They can be identified by their total ignorance of management and their supreme confidence that their every decision is right. But how can you masquerade as a real manager? Very easily, as it often turns out. Few managers really take the time to clarify or analyze their objectives, actions, and motives for what they do. If you , on the other hand, spend even a fragment of your work day thinking about what you're actually doing, you can rise above the rest of the pack. Especially if you maintain steady eye contact, dress neatly, and act sincere. In the words of George Burns , "Sincerity is everything. If you can fake that, you've got it made."

MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES

Managers perform many activities. It's important for you to understand what each one involves so you can set goals, assign tasks, and delegate the authority to get them done right.

The major areas of a business include purchasing, production, sales, and finance. Service and retail businesses, which make no tangible product, still have a core of similar areas (minus production) that are vital to success. In fact, lots of people—especially those who sell insurance-now call services "products" to make them sound less vague and intangible. Bluffers have to understand the role of several key management activities that will help them deal with the major areas of a business successfully.

Decision Making

One of the problems with being a manager is that you have to make decisions from time to time. This can be very troublesome, because decisions can blow up in your face. But do you really have to decide? Sometimes not. If you want to sidestep a decision without looking indecisive, you can often fall back on philosophical quotations such as "Sometimes the best decision is no decision" and "If it works, don't fix it."

In any event, don't be intimidated into making a decision until you've analyzed the problem thoroughly.

Most panic decisions deal with symptoms of the problem and overlook the problem itself. If your car has a flat tire tomorrow morning, you could pump it up, but a block or two down the road it'll probably be flat again. You mistakenly treated the symptom (lack of air), when the actual problem (a hole) went unsolved. Adroit bluffers also tend to let subordinates participate in making decisions. Go down to where the problem is and ask your workers, "What do you think is wrong?" Often, after they've recovered from the shock of being treated like people instead of robots, they'll tell you exactly what's wrong because they knew it all along. It's just that you're the first boss who ever bothered to ask. Follow up the previous question with "What do you think we should do about it?" This may produce several solutions that are worth their weight in gold. The end result is that you've shifted the burden of defining problems and solving them from yourself to everybody in your work group. And, if the decision backfires, it'll be more comforting to be able to stand up and say, "Well, we thought.. ." than to have to take all the blame yourself.

Delegating

You should be quick to delegate authority for routine decisions to subordinates. Delegation makes you look very professional. It also saves you time because you have to wrestle with only unusual, off-the-wall problems.

And how should you deal with those? Maybe the best thing to do is fall back on the suggestion offered a moment ago: call your subordinates together and have them propose what you should do. Emphasize, of course, that you're not relinquishing your authority. You're merely being a democratic leader who believes in lots of employee involvement. It won't hurt to point out that the Japanese make decisions by consensus and participation, and you're simply adopting a tried-and-true technique. It's tough for anybody to dispute the success of the Japanese in the automobile industries these days especially in comparison to the former market leaders – the big 3 American car companies especially General Motors (GM) .

Communicating

It's been argued that communication is one of the most valuable tricks of the management trade. Getting a simple message across the way you intended can be harder than it seems. People define words differently, have conflicting sets of priorities, and harbor hidden agendas that conspire to make communicating difficult.

One good rule of thumb is to follow the KISS technique-Keep It Simple, Stupid. Another guideline is to reject meaningless jargon. Because people write and speak to impress as well as to inform, they sometimes feel compelled to make memos and reports sound "businesslike" or profound. The result can be a pompous, indecipherable mess. If you believe you're the target of a verbal snow job from subordinates, assert yourself by sending back a memo or report to be rewritten. This puts people on notice that you're a no-nonsense, hard-headed manager who tells it like it is and expects others to do the same.

Accounting

Accounting is a fairly simple process. It's mostly a blend of basic math and common sense. The information, however, is often susceptible to manipulation and several interpretations. You can take the advice of former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Robert H. Jackson, who said, "Success depends on knowing what not to believe in accounting."

The term "creative accounting" is a euphemism for doctoring the books to make a company look better than it is, while "conservative accounting" makes a company look mediocre or worse. Most corporations prefer to look like heroes to stockholders and bag ladies to the IRS.

As an effective manager you may encounter a mass of incomprehensible figures can cover their confusion with such phrases as: Do you really believe this bottom line is realistic? Have you checked for a recent FASB (Financial Accounting Standards Board) ruling on this? How much could this change between now and the end of the quarter? And Are you sure overhead has been allocated properly? Perhaps the best comment of all, however, is "You'll have to simplify this so the board of directors will understand it." That probably means that you'll be able to understand it too.

It's important to consider the impact of the notes at the end of accounting reports, because these can reveal situations or conditions that figures tend to hide. For example, one company discreetly admitted that it was so strapped for cash that it had borrowed on the cash surrender value of its president's life insurance policy. Another's report celebrated a rise in its stock price, but the cause was the death of its founder and president

He was an autocratic octogenarian well past his prime, and investors apparently believed the business was better off without him. Notes may reveal what the figures conceal. Catchy slogan, isn't it?

Decision making , delegating , communicating as well as a simper understanding of basic accounting concepts that hold you steadfast in the turmoil of the management quagmire especially when you realize that most of your peers are incompetent .

In most cases they were promoted either for personal or family reasons or as a reward for some behavior or achievement that has little to do with the task at hand

All in all the selection process may have been totally at odds with the long term health and profitability of the firm or organization

A management career offers many benefits , Most of your collegues in the field are idiots .Enjoy the " perks" of management

Art Fellon Management Team Associate Ace Employment Services Winnipeg Experience in the Employment , Training and self help as well as library document preperation .

http://www.aceemploymentservices.net
artfellon@yahoo.com

Telecommuting Job Idea Resume Writer

Writen by Nell Taliercio

If you are a creative, but concise writer, then being a resume writer could be the perfect job for you. Many people have a good deal of job experience, but don't know the best way to present it to a potential employer. With just the right polish and editing, their resume could put them at the top of the pile. While there are programs out there that can "help" write a resume, nothing beats the human touch. If you add helping with cover letters, you could have a business going in no time.

Where to find a job as a resume writer: You could hang signs on college campuses. Students who are facing graduation and job hunting are always worried about writing a good resume. There are websites that offer resume services, so you could contact them and see if they hire freelance writers.

Skills you need: You should be able to convey the crucial information in a way that highlights the job seeker's strengths. You should be able to creatively represent the information without embellishing in a way that misrepresents the skills.

You need to be able to write the different styles of resumes: Reverse Chronological, Functional, or a Combination. You also need to be aware of the current trend of people writing a CV (Curriculum Vitae), rather than a standard resume. A CV tends to focus on education, writing, and research experience for academic fields.

Tools you need: A reliable computer, internet connection and basic word processor program are all you really need. Although, if you are doing work for local customers, you may need a printer as well.

How much money can you make? Some resume services charge around $250 for a resume, CV and cover letter package.

Nell Taliercio is known as the Telecommuting Answer Lady and owns http://www.telecommutingmoms.com where you can locate legitimate work at home jobs and practical advice to start working at home tomorrow!

Get Hired Fast Amp Earn More Top 5 Job Interview Tips

Writen by Mark Baber

If you are determined to find a new job, then do it in a manner that will garner you a larger income, more responsibility, better title, or whatever it is you seek in a new job. You can obtain such advantages by organizing your job interviews to focus on why you deserve them and how you can deliver the results sought by the employer. After all, those are the two primary reasons employers offer such amenities. Follow a few simple rules relating to job interviewing and you will begin to prepare yourself and your prospective employers for your career enhancement. It's really a simple matter of preparing yourself to answer job interview questions in a solutions oriented manner, and present yourself as the person who understands the issues and how to resolve them. In short, how to sell yourself in a job interview.

If you can know in advance some of the key questions your job interviewer will likely ask you in an upcoming job interview, you can prepare to answer those questions in a thorough and knowledgeable and results oriented manner, thusly impressing the interviewer as to your capabilities. Below are a list questions that typically appear in a job interview. Having somewhat prepared responses to those questions will move you a long way towards landing the job advantages you seek.

"Tell me about yourself."

This is a loaded question. Yes, the interviewer wants you to help them get an overall take on you as a person and as an employee. But you want to focus on the issues the job will address and how you can remedy those issues. So explain about your self in a way that reflects the actions the employer seeks. Answer in a way that emphasizes your experience and accomplishments in terms of the position to be filled and the goals of the company. Don't be modest and please do take credit for your own successes, as they relate to the prospective company's goals. Research the company prior to the interview, so you can skew answers to relate to your prospective employer. Have prepared reports or letters of accomplishment to support your answers.

You can use this same question to your own end. Once you give the interviewer a brief about yourself, ask the same question of the interviewer, to get the interviewer talking about the needs relating to the position. Do that by answering him, "I'm be happy to tell you more about my qualifications, but there's so much to cover I'd like to know more about the position and your company so I can answer more specifically." Then, depending upon what the interviewer says, you can modify your planned response to put even greater emphasis on relating your experience and qualifications to his requirements.

"What are your goals?"

This is a very popular question. It is a knock-off of the "Tell me about yourself" question. For the interviewer, if the answer exhibits well-thought-out goals, it shows maturity and a commitment to your profession or business. Your goals should be both long range goals and short range goals and they should be in general alignment with the firm with which you are interviewing and have to do with resolving the issues they confront. Be ambitious with your answer, but be realistic.

"What are your greatest strengths?"

Obviously, your strengths will be related to resolving the issues confronting your prospective employer in the area of endeavor where you hope to work. Answer the question in terms of the position to be filled. Present your skills and experiences so that you state your greatest related strengths, and support your claims with illustrations of past accomplishments, examples of your successes.

"What is your greatest weakness?"

This is a loaded question because negatives usually won't score pluses for you on the interviewer's evaluation sheet. Still, understanding one's areas of weakness shows maturity. Offer a job related minor shortcoming or a "positive-negative" such as, "I've been accused of being a workaholic." Or, "I've been kidded about being a perfectionist," or that you are sometimes accused of being over organized.

"What salary are you asking for?"

You should avoid discussing compensation on the first interview unless you're actually offered the job and want to accept it. If the interviewer asks specifically what your salary requirements are, your answer should be, "What I'm really looking for is the right career opportunity. I'm sure you'll make me a fair offer if you want to hire me." If you are pressed for a specific figure, describe your current compensation and then add, "I believe on the basis of what I've accomplished I'd be entitled to some increase, but I'd rather hear what you think I'm worth to your company."

Prepare for your job interview by reviewing how you might answer the questions above to cause the job interviewer to feel you are the most qualified and best personality match for the job you seek. The questions above are certainly not the only questions you will be asked in a job interview. But they count among the most frequently asked questions in job interviews that directly relate to the practical management of the job for which you are being considered. Understanding the point of these questions and having a strategy for answering them in a manner that will further your job interview goals, and will help you to achieve the income range and duties and responsibilities that you may seek in a new employment position.

GOOD LUCK IN YOUR JOB SEARCH

Mark Baber has 20 years experience as an Executive Search recruiter.

Mark is Recruit Consultant to http://www.JobNewsRadio.com where Jobseekers access 2 Million job transactions, and can submit their Resumes Free and have them distributed freely to Employers they choose by industry, vocation, City or Region.

Mark is also Consultant to http://www.smarthiredirect.com , a low cost, effective recruit, hiring and job applicant tracking system for recruiters, HR staff and employers at all levels.

Or, for one-on-one job search assistance submit your resume directly to Mark via: http://www.recruit-services.com

Car Washes In Louisiana Hire Illegal Aliens

Writen by Lance Winslow

Many of the car washes in Louisiana do hire illegal immigrants and illegal aliens. It is unfortunate if you consider the huge 200-Billion Dollar spending bill after Hurricane Katrina to see the business owners and their lack of caring for the rest of the citizens of the United States of America. They all know good and well what they are doing is illegal, as you are not allowed to even hire an illegal alien or illegal immigrant in this nation.

If all the business owners stopped hiring these illegal immigrants and illegal aliens many people believe that the problem would taper off and decline, that is to say eventually go away and become a non-issue. Already illegal immigrants and illegal aliens make up over 33% of the violent criminals in the Federal Prison System and over 38% in the Arizona State Prison System. In the State of California illegal immigrants and illegal aliens due to anchor babies have closed 80 hospitals. And to think how many of these illegal aliens got their start stealing quarters out of your console at the local car wash?

If Louisiana really wants to clean up the debris there and clean up their act maybe they ought to start by cleaning up the car washes of illegal immigrants and illegal aliens. Why not take that border patrol van into the car wash for a little window cleaning and quick rinse? And drive that clean van fully loaded back to Mexico. Consider all this in 2006.

Lance Winslow

Dog Walkers Amp Your Career

Writen by Ian Christie

I was jogging in the park the other day and noticed a number of professional dog walkers. They had many dogs under their care and the necessary tools of their trade. Nothing remarkable about that.

What struck me was a) the number of providers I saw on this one visit, b) their marketing efforts, and c) the range of services offered. Parked on the streets around the park were various types of mini-van and SUV, emblazoned with each dog walking entrepreneur's web site address, phone number, slogan, and featured services. So, what does this have to do with your career?

It illustrates an important career development theme:

When I was growing up, my Mom and Dad's core career advice was to "get my foot in the door." Still sound, but my core career advice to you is **to make your own future.**

These dog walking entrepreneurs have taken a relatively simple personal service and have scaled it to attract more customers and higher fees from their customers. They have taken what traditionally was a marginal service job to the level of a bona fide business. They made their own opportunity. They shaped it they way they wanted. And, their customers pay handsomely for it. Cool.

So, my first point is this...you too can make your own opportunities, even out of the most seemingly mundane task, niche, need, service, etc. This may involve you moving into a new area or it may simply mean elevating the work you currently do to a whole new level.

Back to the dogs. In Vancouver, where I live, people take good care of their dogs. You can purchase dog medical insurance. There are dog hikes and adventure day trips. And, there are a number of gourmet dog food stores.

So, we see a small, premium industry sprouting up around the basic service needs of "who can walk our dog while we are at work/school" and "how can I take better care of my dog." All of these entrepreneurs recognized the same themes and have capitalized on it in different ways. Undoubtedly, the larger corporations in the pet industry are capitalizing on this trend too. Double cool.

So, the second point is this...there is rarely only one possible opportunity in a specific market. If you recognize a need, look at it objectively from all angles and get creative about how you could serve that need. Of course, this strategy applies to current and aspiring entrepreneurs.

It also applies to those working for other people. Intrapreneurialism (being entrepreneurial within an organization) is a great and necessary thing. You may have an idea how to do something better, or faster, or cheaper, or at higher quality. You may have a new service idea. You may have spotted a tiny or huge niche that needs filling.

Whatever it is, occupying a specific job does not necessarily mean that you work in a pre-defined box. If you truly find yourself boxed in, then that's where it is time to make some important career decisions. If you find yourself on the job market, think about what you can do to create your own opportunities.

In the current economic environment, I know that things are uncertain, and difficult. But, here is one of those basic laws of life: there will always be opportunities for those who both recognize and pursue them. There will always be opportunities for those with initiative, determination and common sense. The "lucky" are simply those who have taken more chances than average. Within organizations and without.

Never think that you do not have options.

Ian Christie is a career coach, entrepreneur, former Monster.com Sr. Director & former executive recruiter. Ian is a career expert with many published articles and media interviews. Visit BoldCareer.com for free career resources & personalized career services.

Get Your Career On Track

Writen by Dave Neal

If you've watched the cable television show on Bravo called 'Inside the Actors Studio,' you've seen host, James Lipton, ask his guest celebrities to respond to the Bernard Pivot questionnaire, which includes two questions about what guests would most like to do, and most not like to do, outside their chosen profession:

1. What profession other than yours would you like to attempt?

2. What profession would you not like to do?

(For example, Robin Williams would like to be a 'Neurologist' and would not like to be a 'Bomb Tester,' Sarah Jessica Parker would like to be a 'Grocery Store Proprietor' and would not like to be a 'Chicken Plucker'.)

Identifying your dream and nightmare jobs is important because it helps you begin to think about what you most want and not want in a career.

How is a career different from a job, or is it?

A career might be defined as 'a chosen pursuit; the general course or progression of your working life or your professional achievements.' Your career is more of an ongoing process than a job title; it's more about the journey than the destination. Jobs are generally part of your ongoing pursuit or progression, and we tend to have different jobs within a career.

How do you develop—or build—your career?

Career development is the game plan for progressing your career in the direction you want. It is 'the strategic acquisition over time of the knowledge, attitudes, and skills you need to 1) meet the needs of your employer, and 2) reach your personal long-term work-life goals.'

Although our career is about what we want, it's also about what our employer needs. To progress, we have to continuously improve our value to our employer and maintain our marketability in a highly competitive world. No employer 'owes' us a job if we don't meet the needs for which we were hired. No employer 'owes' us a promotion just because we've been around awhile. Our career success is up to us.

You may want a long-term career with your current employer, or you may have more short-term plans. The goal of this workshop is to take an honest look at your career options and what you can do to increase your chances of reaching your career goals, either within or outside your current employer.

Why should your employer care about developing your career? Why not just focus on your short-term performance in your current job?

Because it makes sense. Your organization needs to attract and retain the best people to compete in a highly competitive industry. Therefore, it wants all employees to thrive, be satisfied, be challenged, and constantly improve. People who know what they want to achieve in their long-term careers — and feel they are moving toward it — are more likely to perform at high levels today.

To build your career, you should constantly ask yourself 3 questions:

Where am I now?
Where do I want/need to be?
How will I get there?

I don't want to suggest that you should not be satisfied with your current job (I hope you love your work and feel that it is fulfilling enough to be considered a significant part of your career aspirations). However, you should have a progressive and ongoing plan to build marketable skills and move yourself towards long-term career success.

Dave Neal has helped develop thousands of employees and managers in organizations around the world for over 15 years. He is a senior partner at 4th Street Training. Web: http://www.4thstreettraining.com. Blog: http://www.4streetsmarts.blogs.com. Email: dave@4thstreettraining.com.

Are Online Degrees Valid To Prospective Employers

Writen by Rose M

Online distance learning has gained rapid popularity with the advent of the internet, which has proven to offer great supporting facilities and convenience for online education. However, just like everything else with pros and cons, the internet has also opened doors for the widespread sale of bogus online degrees. According a report by USA Today, there were already 400 diploma mills in the year 2003 and the numbers are rising. In fact, many of these unscrupulous operations are run by organizations in an industry that is worth $500 million a year.

However, amidst the negative hype about online education, there are actually many distance learning colleges offering valid degrees and diplomas. These institutions do not sell bogus certificates, but actually aim to provide quality education as alternatives for on-campus higher education. Valid online courses with online video lectures as well as online library facilities and test examinations conducted are often deployed to ensure that students truly qualify in their areas of study and graduate legitimately. Sadly though, many employers only see the negative side of things, and easily brush off online education degrees as equivalent to bogus degrees.

In view of the confusion, the National Education Board of the U.S. government has authorized 6 accreditation agencies to provide institutional accreditation to education institutions, as a measure to differentiate legitimate universities from the crooks. This means that students choosing their universities will be assured that these universities would have met minimum criteria set forth by these agencies for learning institutions. Additionally, there is also The Distance Education and Training Council (DETC) which provides accreditation specifically for distance learning institutions. The DETC is an accreditation agency that is recognized by the US Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). Furthermore, there is also specialized accreditation for specific programs of different areas of specialization. These programs which are found to have attained excellence will be awarded accreditation by various professional accrediting agencies depending on the area of specialization. For instance, the International Association for Management Education (AACSB) gives accreditation to accounting related programs while health programs are accredited by the American Health Information Management Association. It is also important to know that only accreditation agencies recognized by the Department of Education or CHEA are considered accreditation agencies which are acknowledged.

What does accreditation mean to a student? An institutional accreditation agency evaluates the various aspects of universities or colleges against minimum standard criteria to determine if the particular institution meets their list of basic requirements and quality of education. College accreditation is necessary to ensure that the education, facilities and support provided by a college or university adheres to basic levels. On the other hand, specialized accreditation evaluates excellence in individual program regardless of which institution the program is being delivered within. In this type of accreditation, course content and program curricula is evaluated against pre-set standards of the institution.

All accreditation does is to assure employers, students and parents that the graduates who are awarded degrees from accredited colleges have undergone quality and adequate training in their respective areas of specialization. This also means that colleges that are not accredited by the proper accreditation body would not have met the standards imposed by the agencies. However, courses taken by prospective employees that are accredited by the respective agencies would have met standards imposed on the respective specialized areas.

It is totally up to the judgment and decision of the employers on evaluating the validity of an online or on-campus degree. With the recent hike in bogus degrees, employers can't help but be stringent in their applicant screenings and consider those with degrees that have been accredited. This may prove tedious and sometimes employers may get confused. Therefore, if your accreditation is provided by an agency recognized by the US Department of Education, then you will need to explain to your prospective employers on the background of the accrediting bodies. This way, you can avoid employers from sidelining your application based on something that they may be unclear about and increase your chances of being short listed for a job interview.

Rose Musyoka is the editor of http://www.distance-learning-college-guide.com where you find answers, information and advice on distance learning colleges, accredited online degrees and online courses. See more related information on distance learning colleges and why college accreditation is important.

Replacing Your High Paying It Job

Writen by Lance Winslow

The demand for IT professionals is extremely large currently but it may not last forever. The government, military and large corporations are spending a lot on IT right now. Why you might ask?

Well, the government is spending due to organizing its agencies to work better together. The military is spending on Net-Centric Warfare to protect the American People. Corporations are spending in order to comply with ridiculous over regulation due to the insanity of brain-dead bureaucrats in regulatory bodies.

In the future it is obvious that the pressure of the business community to alleviate some of the this over regulation will take place. The government will have to stop wasting Taxpayers monies some day, this over spending and spend thrift format cannot continue. The military will eventually achieve its objectives for net-centric warfare. As each of these interconnected objectives occur there will be a shifting of where the IT jobs are.

Replacing your high-paying IT job may not be as easy in the future as it would be today. In fact it might mean up rooting yourself and family and moving to another area if you wish to continue in your expertise in the IT field.

We will continue to see shifts in this area. And as the Washington DC area receives less money into their local economies due to government IT spending we will see another repeat of the Silicon Valley bubble burst and those in the industry need to understand of this potential future. Consider all this in 2006.

Lance Winslow