The Right Time to Move Out From Your Day Job

By Stephanie Doughlas

Should you quit your day job? Why should you quit your day job? When is the right time to quit your day job? If you care about your own well-being and peace of mind, then you should escape the rat race as soon as you feel uncomfortable with it. Here are some occasions in which you should quit your day job as soon as possible:

1. When you feel uncomfortable with your work environment

If you no longer feel comfortable with the "atmosphere" of your work environment, then you will tend to feel stressful very quickly. This includes how your boss treats you, how good your terms with your co-workers, how nice is the place where you work, and so on. If you don't like what you're seeing in your work environment, then it's the time for you to make a move.

2. When you feel uncomfortable with your co-workers

Do you keep getting bad treatment from your co-workers? If you keep being an object of verbal abuse from your co-workers, then you should consider limiting your interactions with them. But, if the relationship is too bad for you and you can't handle it properly, then you should consider quitting.

3. When you feel uncomfortable with your boss

How your boss treats you? Are you not getting the appreciation from the work you've done tediously? Does your boss keep neglecting your contribution for the company? Does your boss acknowledge what you've done for him and for the company? If not, and if your work is constantly under-appreciated, then you should consider leaving your job.

4. When you feel uncomfortable with how your company operates

Do you feel that the company you're working with is engaging in bad practices? If you think so, and if you can convince yourself that it is so, then you shouldn't keep yourself there. You have to find a way to quit from your day job. There are better opportunities that you can grab out there.

5. When you feel deep urge to leave your day job

If there is constant uneasiness in your heart that keeps urging you to leave your job, perhaps it is better for you to follow your intuition. It is better for you to follow your heart instead of following the money. I know that you might want to stick on the job because of the money that you earn. But, you might consider another job if your motivation is limited only on money. You should at least get a job that you like so that you can do your job while enjoying your life to the fullest.

Here's why you should quit your day job: Why You Should Never Get a Job. If you want to make solid income from home, check out http://beginnermoneymaker.wordpress.com/ to get more information.

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College Student Immunizations

By Tony McCart

It is a common misconception that immunizations are a health precaution and requirement limited to childhood, and that after high school has passed so has the responsibility to keep them up to date. In fact, many colleges not only encourage but require certain shots for enrolled students. For an establishment like a university, with young adults from around the world living together in what is often pretty tight living quarters, this is a preventative measure that just makes sense. Even if your school does not require updated immunizations, there are many preventable diseases that you would be wise to protect yourself from before you go away to school.

College Requirements

The top immunization that your school is likely to require, or at least strongly recommend, is a meningococcal vaccination, to protect against meningitis. Meningitis is a bacterial infection that causes the inflammation of the membranes surrounding your spinal cord and brain. This painful and life-threatening condition is something you definitely want to avoid, but unfortunately this can be difficult when living in the cramped and often less than sanitary conditions of a college dormitory. Luckily, one easy shot that many colleges already require will be enough to keep you safe. Other immunizations which may be required, depending on your school, include the three-dose hepatitis B vaccine, and the combined vaccine that will protect you against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough).

Elective Immunizations

Even if they are not required by your school, there are some vaccines that are just plain smart to get. The seasonal flu shot is one of these, and can really be a life saver in the height of flu season when you are studying for your midterms or finals. The flu can spread like wildfire in a dorm, and is the last thing you need to slow you down before a big exam. Another more long-term investment you should make in your health is the human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine. This protects against a wide range of diseases, including genital warts and many types of cancers that are caused by different strains of HPV.

Health Insurance

Many college students are covered by their parents' health insurance plans, but there are some exceptions. If you are not covered and do not already have an individual health insurance plan, now is the time to start looking for one. This may not be the most exciting part of beginning your adult life, but it is essential for keeping you healthy and safe throughout your time at college (and beyond). Being ensured will not only cover the critical immunizations that you need, but also allow you to get regular check-ups, which is another important part of preventative care.

Tony McCart is the President of McCart Insurance. For decades, McCart Insurance has helped Georgia individuals and families to select their ideal Georgia health insurance plans, including plans from Coventry Healthcare of Georgia. McCart Insurance is a family owned and operated business with over 40 years of experience in the personal insurance field. Learn more about Georgia health insurance at http://www.mccartinsurance.com.

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Travel The World And Get Paid: Internships Abroad and Other Avenues For Young Adults

By Hae Debenham

You've finished school - what's next? You can stay home and relax. You can work at a local store and earn some money. You take your chance in another city and launch your career there. You can volunteer to spend your time and resources for a cause close to your heart. You can spend your time with friends and families, or you can use the opportunity to think and plan for your future. With so many possibilities and opportunities for you at this exact moment, why not go all-out? Why not go for the world-literally? Go overseas, travel the world and learn and earn during your trip.

One particular way to make your experience much more workable, structured as well as purposeful is to actually seek programs that offer paid internships abroad. Internships are very well liked among students, as it could also work as a fantastic way to create funding for your trip and also cost of living while you are away from home. The opportunity can also be a major factor to add in your portfolio or resume, as well as a way to start building your networks with the international professional arena. As well as other students from across the world that happen to be also involved with the program, you can actually live, learn, work and immerse yourselves as you negotiate various cultures and languages.

There are different terms of agreement if you get accepted for an internship abroad. Some internship programs provide some form of support, such as a monthly stipend and living allowances. Others combine monetary and logistics assistance, such as offering housing facilities you can share with your batch mates. The best internship programs are those that offer a comprehensive set-up wherein all your essential living arrangements and a few extras are covered. Seek a program that will be most suitable to your educational background and experience, as well as your financial capabilities.

One of the most sought-after travel opportunities for young people is the internship program. In case you are eligible for the program, you are offered the permit to work part-time or full-time to support your travel costs as you stay in the partner country of your choice.

It's not surprising whenever the idea of travelling alone to a foreign land fills you with fear and trepidation. After all, leaving behind the people and places most familiar to you may be one of the most mentally stressful experiences you could ever have. The transition can be tough. Traversing to a location where the language, people, the way of life and even the food seem peculiar to you can be over-bearing. But with a well-made travel plan and an open way of thinking, you can learn to travel safely, with confidence, and with a positive understanding for the people and experiences you will confront on the trip. Have a safe trip!

The internship programs were created not only to take chances for a better career path but also to begin a mutual understanding as well as friendship between Japan and other countries. This may encourage students of various degrees to improve their knowledge and skills. Visit www.japaninternship.net for more information.

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How to Be a Better Mentor - Top 3 Tips

By Vivian Kloosterman

What is mentoring? Let's start with the definition of a mentor - because sometimes it is confused with being a coach or a manager, but in reality it's a very different animal.

My Concise Oxford dictionary tells me that mentor is derived from the Greek "men" to think. Mentor was the adviser of the young Telemachus in Homer's Odyssey. A mentor is an experienced and trusted adviser. If I turn to Wikipedia for a modern-day interpretation - surprise! - it refers to Homer's Odyssey and concludes that Mentor has been adopted as a term meaning someone who imparts wisdom to, and shares knowledge with, a less experienced colleague. So some keywords are - experienced, trusted, adviser, share, think, wisdom, knowledge.

If I look back on the mentors who have helped me over the years, there are 3 top characteristics that they share. I've used these to create 3 top tips to help you develop your mentoring skills and learn how to be a better mentor...

1. Listen more than you talk. Mentoring is about caring for the other person (the mentee) and wanting to help them develop and progress. It is about helping them analyse their situation better and identify gaps in their skills or knowledge.It is not a lecture. And you can't learn about your mentee if you're the one doing most of the talking. So listen actively.

2. Ask the right questions. When you have listened actively you are in a position to ask the right questions. Questions should be "open" in the sense that the mentee can't just answer "yes" or "no" but has to go through a thought process and then articulate those thoughts. Sometimes voicing those thoughts doesn't happen straightaway - but you plant the seed of an idea and let your mentee go away to mull it over.

My sister is a highly skilled registered social worker who counsels at risk youth. One day I asked her how she does it, what techniques does she use? Her reply was that she listens carefully and then tries to ask a question that gives a person insight. It might be an insight into their situation, an insight into the reasons they do what they do, or an insight into how they can improve or modify their behaviours.

But the key is "insight." It might be uncovered by the astute questioning of the mentor, but the insight is owned by the mentee. You help them to work it out for themselves.

3. Walk the walk. You have to lead by example. No matter how clever your words might be, if your actions don't match your words, you are compromising your ability to mentor.

For instance, if you talk and give advice about the importance of professional ethics, but don't apply them when the going gets tough, then in the eyes of your mentees your stock will diminish.

Mentors have a role in guiding the continuing professional development of their mentees and helping to discover areas in which mentees need to develop skills and expand knowledge. Active listening and astute questioning, interspersed with advice, helps mentees to focus on where they want to be and what they should be doing to get there.

Vivian is the founder of Continuing Professional Development with over 30 years of professional experience in the fields of business leadership, governance, project, risk and resource management and professional engineering. Continuing Professional Development delivers interactive online learning courses over the web that are practical and relevant to help professionals meet CPD requirements. Find out more about how to source online courses to provide essential skills to advance your career and add value to the intellectual wealth of both individuals and organisations at www.continuingprofessionaldevelopment.org.

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How To Face An Interview

By Benjamin Brumm

The Aim Of An Interview
The first thing to consider for a job interview is to have a think about the purpose of an interview. A job interview is where a representative of the company meets with you to establish several things:

• If you are capable of doing the job in question
• If you are a good fit for the company
• If the salary expectations of both of you are similar

You need to be able to go in and prove the first two points. The first point, being capable to do the job, comes down to how well you match the job description and the role being offered. Obviously, you wouldn't be there if you didn't think you had the skill for the job! This point, however, is more about the recruiter trying to determine if you can do the job well enough for the company and will fit the role that has been advertised.

The second point is where the recruiter tries to determine if you will be a good cultural fit for the company. Culture is a big part of workplaces these days, and it basically translates to the environment and personality of workers and the company as a whole. If the company values creativity highly, then they will want to see this in you. The same goes for teamwork, intuition, hard-working, dedication, and any number of qualities.

The third point, the salary expectation, is a little different and actually has room for negotiation. I'll write more about this in a future post, but if your expectations don't match the recruiter's, then one of you will need to adjust or the job offer won't go ahead.

How Do I Meet These Criteria For An Interview?
So, we've highlighted a couple of points that form the basis of an interview. Now it's time to work out how we can turn the odds in our favour and learn how to face an interview.

Research and Be Prepared
One of the most important parts of the interview process is actually researching the company you're applying for. This is more than just the name of the company and the location they're based in. You should learn more about their mission, the type of workplace they have, what their workplace demands are, what their main projects or products are, who their main clients or customers are. All this information will help you in the interview process, by showing how thorough you are with your work and how much you want the job at the company you're going for. It will also help you adjust your interview technique to make sure you're a good fit for the company. You can talk up various characteristics of yourself that match the company's values. For example, if you're a bit of a perfectionist and find out the company values high quality products, you can mention that you're perfectionist attitude results in good quality work.

Have Confidence
Nothing beats confidence in a social situation. Well, maybe a few things in an interview, like topic knowledge, but having confidence goes a long way to getting a job. This isn't just confidence of getting the job - it's confidence in your own skills, confidence in your speaking ability, confidence in the company you're going for. If you act and speak with confidence, you'll come across as someone who knows what they are doing and what they want, which will increase your chances of the recruiter offering you the job!

Be Polite And Professional
Manners and politeness are one of the most important parts of an interview. The way you act before, during, and after the interview will say a lot about who you are as a person and will be included in the recruiter's assessment of your application. Make sure you smile when you greet the interviewer, and stay calm. There's no need to panic during the interview. If you're not sure about a particular question that the interviewer asks, you can ask them for clarification. It's better to ask for clarification that to make something up and get noticed as someone who doesn't know what they're talking about!

I try to remember these points whenever I go for an interview, and I like to think it helps my chances of landing the job.

For more tips and information on how YOU can become a better IT professional, including how to start a career in the IT field, visit Complete IT Professional

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How To Become A Successful Person: Three Self Improvement Tips

By William Burnell

It is natural to want to become a successful person in life. Most people want this, but when they find out the changes they have to make to achieve it they lose interest. They want to change, and know they would be better if they did, but they lack the motivation or the will to make the effort. Let's face it, changing ourselves is one of the hardest things to do, but if we do not change we do not grow. Here are some self-improvement tips to help your success development.

Decide What You Need To Change

Take time out and think about the areas of your life you would need to change to help you to become a successful person. Are you carrying too much weight? Are you stuck in a dead-end job? Are your relationships not working? What is the one thing you would like to change that you can start working on right now? Are you able to change it? Don't waste your energy worrying about the things you cannot change.

Change is difficult and can be painful. Sometimes it means you will have to move out of your comfort zone. Are you prepared for this? You will have to take some risks and make some sacrifices to get what you want. Make sure you are fully aware of what they are and that you are willing to pay the price. If you are prepared for potential setbacks you will have a better chance of dealing with them and overcoming them.

Draw Up A Plan Of Action

Start with steps you know you can take. The best starting point is with yourself. You may not be able to change some situations or change other people, but you can change yourself. If you want to take control of life, the responsibility to change is yours. To become a successful person, you have to change those parts of your life that are holding you back. It is your life, and you can make of it what you will. Very few others will care what you do or what you achieve - they are busy trying to get on with their own life.

Change Your Attitude

Once you decide you really do want to change and you are prepared to make whatever sacrifice this involves, make sure you approach the task with a strong, positive attitude. You may have allowed your attitude to be formed by the fact that parts of your life were not going so well. If you were not enjoying your job, your relationship or your life in general, this would come through in your attitude. This alone would hold you back.

When you change your attitude you may even find one or more areas of your life will change. Maybe the job you thought was going nowhere may have opportunities after all. Maybe your relationship with others could change for the better if you took a different attitude. If this is the case, you are already on your way to becoming a successful person.

Use these self-improvement tips to help you make the change. Look for other tips and ideas to support you in your journey, as you will meet plenty of obstacles and frustrations along the way. If you stay positive and focused on your goals you will achieve the success you want. Others have done it and so can you.

Your attitude will determine your success. You will find FREE software to help you develop the right attitude when you visit http://powerofmind.personaldevelopment.mobi William Burnell has built and sold his own business, and he has run successful sales teams. He knows what it takes to stay motivated and to stay focused on your objectives to get what you want.

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6 Key Strategic Ingredients for Your Success

By Lynn Anderson

Why is it so important to have a vision or strategy for your success? As we near the end of one year and will soon be celebrating a new one, I thought it would be great to talk about creating a strategy for your success for the upcoming year. Here are six key ingredients you need to create an effective strategy that will work for you.

1. Plan - Do you have a plan that you have created based on your vision or ideal for success? If not, I suggest you start building one immediately. Write it down. Before you can do anything else you must have a plan. As a project manager and business owner, I know the value of creating project plans and business plans. Without these, it would be really hard to gauge what is going well and what needs to change.

2. Ideal Self - This is your vision of what you will look like at the end of next year if everything goes as you had planned. You need to take time and visualize exactly what that would be and what specifically it would look like. We used a great exercise at Capgemini whereby we asked project teams to visualize that their project had been a success and that they were being interviewed by Forbes Magazine on why the project went so well. The team looked ahead and then looked back at what made the project successful, what roadblocks did they have to manage and how did they do so successfully, and what changes did they have to make along the way. Doing so created a true picture of why the project would be successful and what it would look like as specifically as possible. You need to do the same with your plan. What will you look like, feel like, and what are the details you will have accomplished if you are successful in next year. Try to be as specific as possible. Use this approach to help you define your ideal success for the year and you are well on your way to achieving your goals.

3. Values - What are your core values and how are you using them in your life to help you make the choices you are confronted with each day? Review a list of values and pick your top 5 values. Feel free to go to my website (coaching4abundance.com/documents) and under documents there is a values worksheet that you can use if you are having trouble coming up with them. Be sure your plan is aligned with these values and you are taking steps to live by them. Aligning your values with the work you are doing will create synergies for your success because you are living true to yourself. You are being authentic to what you believe in.

4. Strengths Inventory - There's a great book that Tom Rath at Gallup Press created called Strengths Finders (and Strengths Based Leadership). If you haven't taken the assessment in this book I highly encourage you to do so. You can get the book on Amazon for about $15 and it's well worth the value in helping you discovery what your strengths are and how best to use these strengths with others. You can also send out messages and collect from family, friends, co-workers, bosses, etc. a list of strengths they say you have. Ask them to give you five strengths and see what the common denominators are. Doing so will reap you great benefits in your future. Be sure you communicate these strengths to those you work with and encourage others to do so. Valuing and using each other's strengths can create some powerful momentum and teams. Have you considered how to put these strengths to use to help you achieve your plan? I definitely encourage you to do so. Many times when we evaluate our effectiveness, we spent time on what we didn't do well, what we need to improve upon, and what skills we lack. The best way for success is to leverage the talents you do have, putting them to great use, and allowing the strengths to shine. Help to identify the strengths in others as well and use the talents wisely. Outsource tasks that aren't aligned with your strengths when possible allowing those strengths in others to emerge. You will be amazed at the outcome when this is the focus.

5. Passions - What makes your heart sing? What brings you great joy and really increases your energy level? What is it you want to be, to do, and have? Start by listing out ten of the most important things you can think of that would give you a life of joy, passion, and fulfillment. Be sure you are using a verb based on being, doing, or having. Complete the sentence, "When my life is ideal, I am ________." Compare each passion statement and rank them so as to pick your top 5. Use these to help guide you on your journey. You can get the "Passion Test" book by Janet Bray Attwood and Chris Attwood to find out more on discovering your passions. The key here is to know what drives your passions and brings you joy. You need to incorporate these items into your plan and see how you can bring those into how you are living your life and supporting your career. This will ignite your life and career. Doing so will increase your energy level and get you really engaged in what you are trying to accomplish. Tap into these passions.

6. Flexibility - Finally, in the end you need to be flexible with your goals and action steps but keep your ideal self and vision in mind at all times. Certainly something during the year can happen to change your plan and your vision. When it does, take the time to immediately update your plan. Also, when an action step is not moving you forward or a goal is not being reached based on your plan, look for new possibilities or new ways of approaching your goal and what you can learn from the challenge. Seek out help from your network to create diversity of thoughts for new ideas and alternatives to approach the situation. The plan is a guide meant to help you on your journey but the journey in the end is the reward. So don not have your plan be set in concrete. Learn to be purposeful but flexible as well. Remember to enjoy your journey. Life is too short to do otherwise.

As I mention many times, having a solid plan and strategy for your success is important to help guide you on your journey. Your plan along with your strategy, help you make choices that align with who you are (your values, strengths and passion) and what your heart desires (what makes it sing). Listen to the music, follow your script, but ultimately remember to enjoy the song! Here's to your success in the coming year ahead.

Lynn Anderson is Chief Executive Officer of Coaching4Abundance LLC ( www.coaching4abundance.com ). Lynn has over 25 years working in the government, corporate, consulting and now entrepreneurial world. She focuses on the positive and continues to look at all dimensions of her life including those of a successful business women, wife, mother, tennis enthusiast and friend to those she comes in contact with. Her philosophy is to live each moment in a positive way, remember your true core values, and live life to the fullest in every possible way. It's up to you but you can do it!

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Boost Your Career With Sales Training Courses

By Chris Shane James

If you are a great communicator, love dealing with different kinds of people, persistent, dedicated, good motivator and have good public relations skills, then you can thrive as a salesperson, sales manager, account manager, account executive, broker, agent, marketing manager or sales and marketing consultant. The sales profession is highly rewarding and offers plenty of opportunities to those who have the necessary skill set. Both big and small companies consider salespeople as valuable assets. If you want to join the dynamic sales industry, then it is time to get trained for it.

Sales training courses are often included in any business, finance and marketing courses. If you are still in high school and want to pursue this path, enroll in communication, psychology, sociology, public relations, accounting and any business-related classes. If you are in mid-career and want to switch to a more lucrative sales position, taking online courses can help you get started. Almost all fields employ salespeople so choose where you want to specialize in. Tap into your interests and passion to easily make the switch. If you are interested in health and wellness, explore your options in the pharmaceutical companies. If your passion lies in cars, toys and collecting things, then you can find your place in games and hobby industry.

Taking up a sales course is necessary to learn about the technical aspects of the business. You need to know how to evaluate product pricing, design, branding and packaging, as well as appraise, record, forecast and strategize to make a sale. You must also learn how to handle rejection as this is something that any salesperson encounters every now and then. If you are shy but want to try your hand in sales, you must learn how to overcome that as well. Practice and perseverance are important qualities if one wants to thrive in sales. If you are new in the field, you may start as a sales clerk or retail sales associate. Any entry level position can help you learn the ropes so grab every opportunity that comes your way. Apply in companies that provide sales training.

Aside from training, workshops and seminars, continuing education can keep your skills up-to-date and give you competitive edge as you go up the corporate ladder. If you want to advance your career from an associate to a managerial position, enroll in complementary courses to boost your sales credentials. If you are in the healthcare industry, you can get some courses in pharmacy or nursing so you can master the industry as well and can relate to the products that you are selling.

International Career Institute, offers distance education programs to all Sales Training, Sales Course through online support. Our education service develops the skills and eminences the career prospects. Visit us http://www.ici.net.au/ to learn more about our Sales Training Courses.

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How To Choose Your Path In Life

By David Samuel

There are many paths to spiritual and worldly freedom. Every person can choose a path that suits them, and many work equally well. We can choose Zen, Kabbalah or Sufi for example which are very different paths but all lead to the same end.
Some paths take a person further and quicker than others in the same time frame, but to choose a path that is not suitable to your character will be a disappointing waste of your life. If you buy a house that is more than you can afford and take a big mortgage, then cannot pay the mortgage each month, you will lose the house and the money you put in.
You must choose a path that is suitable to you so you progress as far as you can. This is why there are so many paths in the spiritual realm and also so many professions in the world. Find a job or business that suits what you can do and gives you the most gain for your efforts. On the other hand, a life that is very easy or comfortable may not carry you very far, but it may, we never know. What we do know is that growth often come with growing pains. This is a reality of life.
When choosing your path, do not follow another person's path because he or she has made a big success on that path, it may not be suitable to your nature and character. Always remember that there is something within that person which made them follow that path, as there is something in you that needs to be discovered.
Many paths are very difficult, but it is not the difficulties that matter. The hidden cause of what really made a person undertake the difficulties is the hidden key. Perhaps the difficulties are not what the person chose, but are just the effects of that path. If you choose to copy someone on a difficult path, then you missed the point of the path because you only copied what you saw, not what was within the person that brought them on that path.
The thing within is both the cause and the answer. It is that which drives you to seek and also that which you seek. It searches for itself to find itself by driving you to go beyond yourself. When you look at an egg, remember that a bird is alive before it breaks out of the egg, and it pushes to break out so it can be itself, a bird rather than an embryo. Even while it is an embryo, it is a bird in becoming, as you are something in becoming, but only if you break out of the shell of your own personality when the time is right.
Your path in life, spiritually, business or family, must fit with your level of readiness, or you will not raise your level. As in the house example; buying too big too soon ends up in losing what you have, but choosing a house in your price range allows you to grow. Be patient to grow steady and at the pace which that path leads.
Some paths are smooth and a gentle incline. Others are steep and peppered with loose rocks. If your path gives way underneath you, it may not be that you have chosen the wrong path, but that it is just the nature of the path you are on. It could mean you are on the wrong path, or that slipping backwards is part of the methods of that path. How you handle these events will make your stronger or, kill you.
Understand this and you will endure pain and troubles without giving up, or better still, you will follow a path that does not cause or need you to slip backwards and break your legs. If it does, remember that your legs will heal and you will be able to walk again one day. Until then, you may need to crawl for a while because stopping is the only wrong choice.
David Samuel is The Entrepreneur Monk, a rag to riches story making his 1st million at 25 based on understanding the mind and emotions.
Your mind makes you a success or failure, business skill is only a small part.
Retiring at 29, he travelled for many years.
David resolved the riddle of why we do what is bad for us yet do not do what we know is beneficial and teaches that very effectively.
Read more about David EntrepreneurMonk.com
Have No Regrets, Look Forward
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How to Choose Your Business, Profession Or Career

By Jay Onwukwe

Many choose a business, profession or career based purely on the expected financial returns from such business, profession or career. However, money should not be the primary consideration when choosing a business or profession that you may be engaged in for the rest of your life.

One of the important considerations when choosing a life career, business or profession is whether it suits your individual personality, character and preferences. Will such a career, business or profession offer you the opportunity to do the type of things you enjoy? Does it bring you in contact with the type of people you love to be with; and the type of environment you like to work or live in?

Don't just go into a business, profession or career simply because someone you know got rich in it. You should not get into a career just because another is doing well in it. Don't just go into a profession simply because your parents want you to. Don't go into a profession just to satisfy your ego, or to impress others.

The key to truly satisfying and lasting success in any business, career or profession is being able to enjoy it. Take your time in choosing your business or profession, just as you would choose a pair of shoes or a hat. And here, the one vital and primary consideration is: does it fit?

A crucial part of your preparation for a wealthy and successful life is the channeling of your energies towards activities you love. Do a self-examination to discover your core values and the things that make you happy and why.

Give closer attention to your hubbies, interests, desires, talents, indoor and outdoor activities, and find out why you enjoy them. Then develop your job, employment, business, trade or profession around the things you love doing, the people you love to be with, and the environment that suits you most. These factors combined will bring out the best in you.

It must feel great making money while enjoying yourself. It must feel good enjoying yourself and being paid for it! What better motivation can there be for anybody, than to make money while doing the things they love to do?

When you make money in the course of doing the things you love to do, you are mentally and emotionally leveraged to be the best you can ever be. Such tremendous advantage opens the doors to great fortunes and success in life.

Did you have any special childhood talents, interests or abilities? Do you have any special qualities or training? Do you have any ideas or inspiration that could be developed into full-fledged business ventures? Don't bury them! They could point the way to great fortunes.

You can create enormous wealth by simply adapting your interests, talents and abilities towards the improvement of life for a large majority of the people in your community or immediate environment, through the provision your specialized products or services. It could be your first step to great Wealth and Prosperity.

Stay Smart, Wealthy and Wise!

� Jay Onwukwe

Why not begin your journey to Wealth$Wisdom and all the Powers that come with it, right Now! Get-RICH-Secrets!

Jay Onwukwe is author "The WEALTH SECRETS You Must Know Before40" available at Amazon.

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Important Successful Interview Tips

By Norm Hanna

You've searched for job openings, you found a few businesses that you like, and you've filled out a few job applications. You may have also sent in a resume and cover letter. For all of your efforts, an employer has contacted you and would like for you to come in for an interview. This is where most people start sweating or at least get a little scared. However, I would like to offer a few tips to make your interview successful!

Successful interview tips Step 1 - Preparation

First of all, preparation makes all the difference in the world. Going into an interview unprepared is like getting in a row boat with no oars. So taking a little time to prepare yourself will boost your confidence and make you stand out as a more valuable candidate to the employer.

1. Research.

a. Learn about the product.
b. Find out a little about their history.
c. Research their plans for the future. Are they opening an office in Hawaii? Maybe you'd like to work there!
d. What is the normal salary for this position?

2. Know the exact time and place for the interview.

a. How long will it take you to get there?
b. Do a drive-by sometime before if you can (leave the machine gun at home!).

3. With whom are you interviewing?

a. Get the full name.
b. Is this person the owner? The manager?

4. Prepare a few questions

a. Why is there an opening?
b. Future growth plans
c. Do they provide training?
d. Room to move upwards? Is there room for advancement?
e. Think of questions that weren't answered through your research.

5. Be prepared for common interview questions (do some research on these!)

a. It is common to also ask what you feel your weak points are.

6. Re-examine this successful interview tips guide before each interview until you know intuitively what to do.

Successful interview tips Step 2 - The Interview

Ok, so you've done all your preparation, and now you're ready to march in there! Still feeling a little anxious? Here are a few more tips for you to make this interview successful:

1. Dress professionally

2. BE ON TIME!

a. Arrive about 15 minutes prior to your appointment.
b. If you don't show up without calling first, you're done.

3. Greet the interviewer by their surname

4. Handshake should be firm without crushing hands (no dead fish!)

5. Maintain regular eye contact

6. Listen closely before responding (too many people just wait for their turn to speak)

7. Jot down a few notes

8. Ask questions

9. Be candid

10. Watch your non-verbal communication, smile! Show some personality! Employers usually do not want someone who is lame or has no personality. Most employers want to know "Can I work with this person for the next few years?" I've even seen some interviews take place in a coffee shop, or during a lunch break.

If you find yourself getting edgy, use relaxation techniques such as visualization, calming breath (not too obvious though), and try to remember that the person sitting across from you is just another human being. They may have a great opportunity for you, but they are human!

Successful interview tips Step 3 - Close and Follow Up

Closing the interview. You will know when the interview is about over. Before you leave, you should take into consideration a few things.

1. It's typically not good to fixate on money during the interview. Everyone knows you're there to make a living, but it's advisable not to bring it up unless the interviewer has not made any reference to it at all. If you are going to inquire about salary, or if the employer asks you how much you're looking to make, here are a few ways to ask:

a. How much is the job currently paying?
b. What was the previous person in this position making?
c. What is the salary range for this position? (if you're experienced at this position, go for the larger end of that range or above!)

2. What's the next step in the hiring process? Ask! You don't want to leave there wondering if and when they're going to be calling you.

3. Thank them for the opportunity with a firm handshake and look them in the eyes.

4. Follow up with an email or phone call. In the old days, we used to send a thank you note in the mail! You can still use this method, but you will have to "read" each person individually to see which method will go over best. Is it a spa? Then the may appreciate a hand-written note or "thank you" card. Is it a call center? Then maybe it's best to just send an email and follow up with a phone call. The phone call is very important! Don't just send an email and believe that they received it. Emails are lost very easily.

I hope that these tips will help to make your interview more successful. However, if you felt that the interview did not go well, it's still a good idea to follow up with the employer. You never know if the interviewer was just having an off day, or if your perceptiveness was just off- maybe they actually really liked you!

Don't stop! Even if things look very good with this employer, don't put all your eggs in one basket. Give yourself selections. Interview with as many employers as you feel fit with your ambitions. Isn't it better to have a few options than to just leap into one job because you feel you have no other choice?

Give yourself credit. You are working on a better life for yourself. Keep moving forward! "Even if you're on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there."

Norm Hanna has helped to place hundreds of people in jobs over the years. He recommends the experts at New Career TeleSummit for FREE information on Successful Interview Tips!

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Staff Performance: 14 Tips for Counselling Poor Performers

By Leon Noone

Summary

Staff performance sometimes falls short of expectations. You decide that you need to "have a chat" to an employee whose performance is inadequate. These 14 counselling tips will help.

1. It's about performance not behaviour. You should be concerned about behaviour only if it affects performance.

2. Ensure that the employee is absolutely certain about two things

• the precise performance you expect

• how that performance will be measured.

If there's the slightest doubt about this, reinforce the standards strongly.

3. Have clear goals for the interview. Make these clear to the employee concerned before you start.

4. Avoid questions starting with "Why"? They generate speculation, opinion and defensiveness. If you want accurate information ask questions starting with "What?" "Who?" "Which?" "When? and "How?"

5. Take a "questioning" not a "reprimand" approach. You want to find out what happened and how to ensure it doesn't happen again. Personal criticism won't achieve this.

6. Paraphrase: check the information you receive with constant paraphrasing. Remember, you're not trying to win an argument. You're trying to get information you can act on for better staff performance.

7. Ask the employee how they believe they should have handled the situation. You want them to improve, not reinforce the poor performance.

8. Avoid argument. You're not trying to prove who's right and who's wrong. You want specific improved on job performance not a debating victory.

9. Encourage employee contribution. Not only do you want them to feel free to speak freely. You want their recommendations for improvements to ensure a similar problem doesn't occur again.

10. Focus on the future. What's done is done. What happens next time is what really matters.

11. Reinforce positives in performance. Make sure the employee knows what he or she does well and what you want them to continue to do well.

12. Gain agreement on the action to be taken. Clarify any queries the employee has about the performance you expect in the future.

13. Seek their opinion about system improvements necessary to ensure the error doesn't recur. The problem may have arisen due to a poor system rather than a staff error.

14. Avoid threats. Focus on performance and staff member contribution to future business results.

Other Issues

• Try to act on serious performance inadequacies as they occur. Don't want until you have repeated failures before taking remedial action. It's easier to rectify one error than the accumulated effect of many mistakes.


• Resist the temptation to terminate the staff member unless the error is extremely damaging to the business. It costs far less to recover performance from an existing employee than to terminate him or her and employ a replacement.

But Leon... You're "Soft"

You may feel I'm being "soft" on an errant staff member. I'm not. I simply want to ensure that you give him or her every opportunity to improve. That's best for you.

If you simply want to "give 'em a rocket", do so. That's your choice. But don't delude yourself into believing that "rockets" will create long term performance improvement.

Conclusion

When the time comes to take action about poor performance, ensure that's what you do. Ego tripping, winning arguments and playing psychological games won't improve on job performance.

Leon Noone helps managers in small-medium business to improve on-job staff performance without training courses. His ideas are quite unconventional. Read his free Special Report "49 Practical Tips for Removing Employee Apathy, Aggravation And Resistance In Your Business". Simply visit http://staffperformancesecrets.com/ and download your free copy now.

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Leaders Must Take Advantage Of Other's Experience

By Richard Brody

One of the often most difficult things for a leader to come to realize and accept is that he does not have all the answers, nor necessarily the experience, to handle every and any eventuality. It is for precisely that reason that quality leaders establish a trusted set of advisers, with varied and various experiences and expertise. The inimitable Benjamin Franklin explained the need for experience, thus, "Experience is a dear teacher, and only fools will learn from no other." Therefore, it is incumber on those in positions of leadership, to take advantage of the knowledge, experience, expertise and wisdom of others,

1. When an organization goes about seeking new leaders, it must immediately ascertain how the individual might be willing to accept advice from others. Over - proud people, especially when in positions of leadership, often suffer poor judgments, even despite the best intentions, because those judgments are often unsupported by the needed knowledge, experience and expertise, and thus they lack enough wisdom. What often differentiates the great leader from the rest is his willingness to admit that he might not be an expert in certain areas, and that he therefore needs people he feels comfortable with, that he can trust, that can fill in those blanks. Far too many organizations squander opportunities and waste an enormous amount of expertise, because they no longer even consider the input of past leaders. While all past leaders may not necessarily be helpful or have useful input, a wise individual should be willing to discover which ones do have the needed judgment and experiences.

2. When a leader creates his inner circle, it is essential that he include, not only friends and those that will automatically agree with him, but also people who come from a different point of view, so that he can enjoy a well - rounded, alternative - possible base. The wisest of leaders must often spend far more time and effort listening and paying attention to others, than simply being the only one with input. Great leadership is often about considering alternatives, and finding ways to get things done. it is about being able to make seamless adjustments when things need some shaking up, as well as being able to continuously learn and reinvent ones self when it is called for.

False pride often results in the demise of the effectiveness of a leader. While things change, some things remain the same, and leaders must not simply reinvent the wheel for the sake of doing so. Enhancing one's understanding of issues creates effective leadership.

Richard has owned businesses, been a COO, CEO, and Director of Development, as well as a consultant. He has professionally run events, consulted to over a thousand leaders, and conducted personal development seminars, for over 30 years. Rich has written three books and well over a thousand articles. His company, PLAN2LEAD, LLC has an informative website http://plan2lead.net and Plan2lead can also be followed on Facebook http://facebook.com/Plan2lead

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Tips to Effective Search of Jobs

By Dennis Moore Hopkins

Computer jobs in USA are high in demand. One must act real quickly in order to be the first one to grab the opportunity. If you are having a hard time looking for that particular job, or you are simply not fast enough, try to follow the tips below so that you will be able to hunt for computer jobs effectively.

You have already submitted your application online and yet you still have not received any calls or reply from the respected company. Well this is not the end yet. The company might be yet to go through your application as there are even more important matters to be settled first. Always be prepared in case they drop you an unexpected call. Get your telephone answering machine and the automatic voice mail in place so that they could leave you a message if you were unable to pick up the call. Another alternative is to include your cell phone number in your resume.

Keep an up to date resume with you. You might not know when a good opportunity is about to drop at your door steps. Besides that, you may search for help from career counseling. Let the counselor that you are interested in computer jobs in USA only. The career counselor will do her part for you. Career counselor can be found in college offices as well as state Department of Labor offices.

Either way, you can use a job search agent to look for a computer job. Sign up for their website, let them know what type of job you are interested at, allow them to keep a record of that and finally you will be able to receive your desired job listings through email.

Do not give up. Looking for a job may take a long time, but your hard work will definitely be paid off in times to come.

At the end, I'd like to share cool website with more information on topics like find it jobs and IT jobs board. Visit for more details.

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How to Cope With Grief, Disappointment and Disaster: 7 Keys for Peace

By Ruth Seebeck

Promise me you'll always remember: You're braver than you believe and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. ~ Christopher Robin to Pooh (A.A. Milne)

Life happens. Or more appropriately, 'stuff' happens in the middle of your well-planned life.

Usually unexpectedly. Often tragically. Certainly challengingly.

Stuff happens that we wish we'd anticipated... that we hoped we could avoid... that we would have prevented had it been possible. Sometimes we even pretend that it isn't happening (or won't happen), hoping it will just go away. You know what I mean...

• You go to work one morning... and come home unemployed.
• You go to the doctor... and find out you're dealing with more than you knew - and the bills to go with it.
• Your spouse tells you "I want a divorce".
• You're a caregiver... but no amount of care can reverse your loved one's condition.
• You plan as best you can... but 'stuff' overrides your plans and purposes.
• You wake up to a beautiful, sunny day... and it goes downhill from there.

It was a day like that for all of us on September 11th in 2001. We woke to a promising morning - until someone called and said 'turn on your TV'. The unimaginable and impossible became both real and tragic.

9/11 was a national disaster. But, what about all your personal disasters and disappointments? All of a sudden, joy and peace are gone, replaced by regret, remorse, anger, grief or depression. Your body lacks the energy to move forward. Your mind revolves round and round the problem, wondering "Why me?"

Yet somewhere in your mess, another thought pops up. "I'm stronger than this. I deserve better. And I can't quit. So, what can I do? How do I get through this?"

I remember vividly all those emotions - and a few more - while caring for my mom. She would have a pretty good day and I'd think, "Thank You, God. I am so grateful that she's getting better." The next day she would be too weak to eat and I'd wonder, "Why am I even praying for healing? Just end this, Lord. I can't do this anymore." Up and down, round and round, like an emotional merry-go-round - lots of activity but getting nowhere.

So, how do you cope?

1. Remember your faith. Often when you get in overwhelming situations, the problem seems bigger than any solution. Not true. God is 'ever mindful of you'. Seek His comfort and wisdom. Pray for peace, mercy, wisdom and strength. Find His Word that speaks to your situation Affirm that Word as truth in your life. Use faith like a tool to connect you to Divine power. If God is for you, who can be against you? (Rom. 8:31) Faith is the victory that overcomes anything the world can throw at you. (See I John 5:4 and I Cor. 15:57) Remember that.


2. Be good to yourself. Your mental, emotional and physical well-being are vital. You cannot help anyone else if you're worn down or exhausted. If you've ever flown, you know the emergency drill: put your oxygen mask on first - before you try to help someone else. So... get enough sleep. Take mental breaks throughout your day. Get out in the sunshine. Do whatever you need to do for your own peace of mind and spirit.


3. Laugh. A merry heart is good like medicine (Prov. 17:22). Laughter releases chemicals into your system that counteract depression and other negative emotions. When life challenges you, search for funnies. Read jokes. Watch comedy TV. Laugh about your situation - even if it doesn't feel funny. Laugh on purpose - ha... ha, ha... ha, ha, ha - until your emotions catch up. Laughter is a great stress-buster.


4. Ditch the guilt. If you have some responsibility for your current situation, be honest with yourself about it. Do what you can - apologize, address the issue, correct what you can - then let it go. Forget those things that are behind (Phil 3:13). Do not wallow in the past, dredging up every mistake you've ever made. You can't move forward lookin' back!


5. Slow it down. You know those scenes in the movies when everything moves at half-speed. Every scene takes on a clarity that you might miss at full-speed. Slo-mo, they call it. When life seems overwhelming, slow down. Breathe. Refocus. Move slowly with deliberation. Crises seem to create chaos and confusion, but they don't have to. By slowing down your thoughts and movements, you can begin to feel more in control.


6. Listen. God speaks to you in the quiet of your mind and heart. But if your thoughts are racing in turmoil and confusion - "What should I do? I don't know what to do!" - you won't hear His voice. Quietude is key to finding peace and wisdom. The Bible says to take every thought captive (2 Cor. 10:5). Seek peace and pursue it (Ps. 34:14). Meditate on comforting Bible verses. Listen to quiet music. Do whatever it takes to stay calm and open to new thoughts, ideas, insights and direction.


7. Watch your words. Speak consistent with your faith - all the time, not just in your prayer time. Words have power. Use them to create what you want, instead of complaining about what you already have or don't have. Don't keep reaffirming your current situation(voicing your anger and frustration), create a new one! You can do it... with your words and your faith.

As long as we are here on the earth, there will be challenges to deal with, crises to cope with and uncontrollable situations that somehow need resolution. These seven keys will help you stay strong through the challenges and find the peace, strength and wisdom you need to move forward.

For more information on developing life skills, better relationships, and becoming the best YOU possible, visit http://www.seebecksolutions.com and sign up to receive your FREE subscription to "What Matters Most", a weekly ezine of inspiration, motivation and humor from a Christian perspective.

Ruth Seebeck has built a reputation over the last three decades as a life-skills coach, mentor, Christian counselor and friend. She is a business owner, author, community volunteer and event coordinator whose passion is helping others overcome life's challenges.

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Are You Driven By Your Circumstances?

By Kim Ravida

At 10:32 a.m. on Tuesday, September 4, 2012, I turned on my computer after a 17-day vacation... and boy was it weird! It was weird in that I was excited to be back in the swing of working. It wasn't always like this though, so it's so awesome for me to have these feelings of excitement, anticipation and happiness to be back. In my later years of working in corporate, the day before I'd go back to work from a vacation (heck, even a weekend) I'd feel physically ill. I'd have trouble sleeping and then in the morning, I just couldn't drag myself out of the bed. I know it wasn't because I was exhausted or even tired, I was just feeling run down from my environment which was unsupporting and toxic to me. Have you ever felt that way? If the answer is no, I'm thrilled for you! But if you are like me and many of my clients who have been (or even still are) extremely beaten down by your work environment, please know that you can change it for yourself and you can do so in a way that is perfect for you!

I played the role of victim for a long time. I allowed others to push me around and to do and say things that were hurtful, unsupporting, mean and aggressive. I did not like conflict, so I would never speak up or ask for what I needed. I wasn't assertive and never honored my own feelings and what I wanted. I just did what others wanted and became very unhappy and even began to be passive-aggressive. It wasn't until I hired my own life coach that I began to see how I was allowing others to treat me in this manner and that I had the power within me to be treated as I wanted to be treated. I learned that what I wanted was just as important as what the next person wanted. I decided it was time for me to be the driver of my life.

Here is what I learned and am going to share with you. You too can be in the driver's seat of your life and feel that you matter, not only to others but most importantly to yourself.

• Lesson 1: No one has the power to make you unhappy, feel bad about yourself or feel stupid. When you trust, love and honor yourself, you understand that it is all about the other person's insecurities. It's their inner critic that drives their behavior and has them acting in a non-supporting way toward others so that they feel good about themselves. Don't let them get to you.


• Lesson 2: Recognize that everyone (you and everyone else) has a basic need for being loved and accepted. This is what each person is fighting for, often at the expense of other people's feelings. It's not a personal attack.


• Lesson 3: It is A-OK to be selfish and put yourself first and ask for what you want. It's also important to note here that it's not what you say but often how you say it that really makes or breaks the situation. Ask for what you want in a way that won't ruffle any feathers.


• Lesson 4: Put yourself in the other person's shoes and ask yourself why might they be acting or behaving this way. Have you contributed in some negative way that has them doing what they are doing? Be honest in your assessment.


• Lesson 5: Always remember that you have the power within to change how you feel and respond to any situation. Be conscious of your feelings and remember the outcome you want in order to feel empowered from within. Think before you react.

Following these lessons -- which I also share with my clients so that they feel respected first by themselves and then by others -- will soon have you feeling more positive, happy and alive! The joy is in creating a life that you want, the life that you will be happy living. Perhaps you won't need a new job after all. Maybe you'll decide, with your newfound ways of being in your life and acting in your life, that your skills and talents would be best appreciated elsewhere. Either way, you have now put yourself in the driver's seat and the decisions are yours and yours alone. Happy driving!

Kim Ravida, owner and founder of Kim Ravida Coaching, is a Certified Professional Coach and a personal and professional motivation mentor. Kim motivates people to stop beating themselves up and helps them get off their butts so that they maximize their time and energy to quickly get what they want in their lives... and love their reflection! Kim produces a weekly ezine where she shares insights, inspirations, tips and ideas for setting and reaching personal and professional goals. To get more information or sign up, please go to http://www.kimravida.com.

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9 Considerations for Goal Setting

By Liz Jansen

Understanding our purpose in life gives us a sense of direction. Goal setting moves us in that direction keeps us focused, energy efficient and fulfilled. Whether it's heading out to a favorite destination, going out for an unstructured Sunday cruise, or tackling a Round-The-World adventure, there is some sort of a goal when we go out on our motorcycle.

Here's how to create goals that guarantee success, whether you're on a country road or your life's path.

1. Establish your goal. Where is your heart leading you? It can be anything, just pick SOMETHING that falls into line with what you really want to do. Picture sitting in your rocking chair at the end of life and having nothing left on your bucket list.


2. Confirm this is what YOU want, not what someone else wants you to do. Listening to and following your heart, while not easy, will never steer you wrong. What are your likes, interests and dislikes? Acknowledge whatever fears and doubts are trying to dissuade you, recognize they are only trying to protect you and then park them.


3. Establish stretch goals. It's the only way you'll grow. Set the long term goal and then identify the steps you need to get there. (See # 6). Make all of them manageable and achievable.


4. Be realistic. What is the current reality? Keep questioning yourself and others to get to the facts. Words like "never," or "always" rarely apply. And of course the words "would of/should of/could of" have no business here.


5. Operate within your skill level. Again, be realistic. This weekend one of the students in my motorcycle course had a 1,000 cc, very powerful sport bike, which he'd already crashed once, as his first bike. Much as he thought he had the skills to operate it, there's no way a new rider is ready to handle such a machine. When we do the same thing is life - i.e. tackle something beyond our physical skills, emotional capability or mental prowess, we're setting ourselves up for failure.


6. Develop the skills you need. Once you know where you're going and what your current reality is, you can determine what you need to get you there. Whether it's taking a course, cross-training, finding a mentor, or engaging in progressively more challenging experiences, set your plan in action.


7. Be prepared to change direction. Life throws us curve balls. Our interests and life circumstances change. We go around a bend in the Road and find something we didn't expect. Or a Detour sign sends us in a different direction. There's nothing wrong with reassessing our goal in the light of new internal or external information.


8. Focus on where you want to go. Whatever your goal is, focus on it and apply your energy towards achieving it. Don't be distracted by things that are out of scope or out of your control.


9. Go. This can be the hardest thing to do. Just take one step. That's all you ever need to think about - taking the next step. Nothing is carved in stone and Roads can change with new information.

Liz Jansen

Liz Jansen, Ontario, Canada, is an author,entrepreneur, adventurer -- and rider extraordinaire.

She creates motorcycle experiences that instill a sense of adventure, freedom and community while traveling the transformative road to personal and professional leadership. Liz has worked with individuals, corporate clients, manufacturers, retailers and provincial and regional tourism associations. She is also a certified motorcycle instructor.

Liz's book Women, Motorcycling and the Road to Empowerment uses motorcycling as a metaphor to demonstrate the self-discovery and transformation that occurs when we challenge ourselves. Go to http://www.lizjansen.com for details.

For a toolbox of motorcycle related tips, go to http://www.trilliumtours.com.

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8 Tips for Remaining Ageless and Relevant in Today's Job Market

By C. A. Stapleton

In today's volatile employment environment, job seekers must demonstrate that they are both forward thinking and technologically savvy. Here are eight tips to present yourself as both in your resume.

1. Always add your email address, mobile number, and your LinkedIn address to your resume. Don't have a LinkedIn Profile? Then you need to get one. Many employers prefer to read a LinkedIn profile rather than a lengthy resume and, if the profile includes relevant reference information, it can, possibly, speed up the hiring process.

2. If you have a Twitter address, don't include it on your resume. But, do include "ability to use social media sites such as Twitter, Digg, Skype, and YouTube" (or any other sites you know and use). However, be sure that you really do know and understand the use of the social media sites you list.

3. Make the top one-third of your resume dynamic, interesting, and current. In today's job market, employers want to know what you can do for them right now rather than focusing on what you have done in the past. So, avoid using "experienced", "trained", and "seasoned" as well as number of years of experience.

4. Steer clear of old and tired resume language such as "objective", "objective statement", and "references available upon request". Don't waste the employer's time, he/she already knows what your objective is (to get the job) and it should be a given that you are going to provide references.

5. When listing your skills and abilities always list the ones you perform best first. If you had relevant past experience that applies to the job you are seeking today and still feel confident that you can perform the same tasks today, then highlight those skills by placing them in the "value added" section in the top one-third of your resume.

6. Don't forget to highlight your soft skills as well as your hard skills. If you are adept in networking or are a born leader, then those skills should be underscored along with your up-to-date hard skills.

7. Add a QR bar code to your resume or cover letter so that it can be scanned and reviewed on an employer's mobile phone. Nothing says technology savvy better than making it convenient for the employer to view your information. QR codes can easily be generated on the computer and can be copied and pasted onto a resume or cover letter for an extra look at me "punch".

8. Lastly, make sure that you have included a listing of relevant and significant keywords for your targeted position somewhere in your resume. Before you send out your resume for employers to review, pull applicable keywords from job listings and place them in a "specialties" or "keywords" section in your resume. Once you have created your section, place a "specialties" section in the top one-third of your resume,or, if you elect to use a section entitled "keywords" place it at the very end of your resume.

C.A. Stapleton, A.S., B.S., M.B.A., is an experienced professional career consultant, mentor, and resume/ biographical writer. Get more information @ http://www.vet2work.com or http://www.naturallysilver.com. Copyright. All rights reserved Worldwide.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=C._A._Stapleton
http://EzineArticles.com/?8-Tips-for-Remaining-Ageless-and-Relevant-in-Todays-Job-Market&id=6953873

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Best Cover Letter Strategies

By C. A. Stapleton

Developing a dynamic cover for your resume is not an easy task. However, a well crafted lead in letter is the surest way to get your foot in the door and get an interview. You should never send a resume without one! Tailoring your cover letter to the job description, demonstrating who you are, your personal style, and how you fit the job can make a world of difference.

Cover letters should be personal and genuine; employers want to see who you are when they read them. You can create a stellar document by knowing what information should or should not be placed in it. Your letter should be a vivid display of your personality because this is where your window of opportunity to make a lasting first impression lies.

Here are some success tips:

1. Never address your letter to "To Whom it May Concern" or "Dear Sir/Madam" because it may make the potential interviewer believe you are sending out an unoriginal, and copied letter to many different employers. Employers want to see your interest is in them and their organization. If you cannot locate who the hiring manager is from their website or other source, then address the letter to the "Human Resources Manager/Director" or "Hiring Manager".

2. Don't copy your letter from a book or an internet source. Your cover letter should be genuine and sincere. Originality is the key to success. Employers are extremely savvy and can spot a copy or template easily. This could lead to an immediate toss of your letter into the "not interested" pile.

3. Paragraphs should be at least 3 sentences in length (at least 3 sentences for each paragraph). Your first paragraph should tell the employer how you found them (via the internet, newspaper, or other source) and briefly describe your match to the position. Your second paragraph should tell the employer about your personal successes and definitive things you have done that have had a positive impact on the community or another organization (such as volunteering, or being a member or leader of a successful team, or getting recognized for something you have done). Your third, and typically final, paragraph should tell the employer how and when to contact you by including your email address, LinkedIn profile link, phone number, and exactly when you are available to take a call. Make a positive impact by stating how, if, or when, you will contact them to follow-up.

4. Your cover letter should not be a carbon copy of what is already stated in your resume. Always use different and concise terms while using power words to develop and peak the employer's interest. Demonstrate and state how you will fit into the company and make a difference. This is where you should make them believe you are "the one" to hire.

5. Proofread, proofread, and then have someone else proofread your final copy. Review statements and make sure they are clear and concise. A lot of attention to spelling and grammar can go a long way in standing out to an employer and being the one who gets the interview call and, ultimately, lands the job!

The perfect cover letter will get you noticed!

C.A. Stapleton, A.S., B.S., M.B.A., is an experienced professional resume and cover letter expert, a career consultant, mentor, and biographical writer. Get more information @ http://www.vet2work.com or http://www.naturallysilver.com Copyright. All rights reserved Worldwide.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=C._A._Stapleton
http://EzineArticles.com/?Best-Cover-Letter-Strategies&id=7011873

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Perfection - Mission Impossible!

By Rhonda McNett

Let me be perfectly honest with you: I've been wasting perfectly good hours already this morning, putting off writing this article, trying to make sure that I have the perfect thoughts to share with you! Is that crazy or what??

One problem is that, as I'm sure you are aware but still strive for...there is no such thing as perfection! So, let's stop going there, OK?

You don't even want to know how many trips I've made up and down the stairs to and from my desk, avoiding this writing project that I enjoy doing SO much. Another cup of tea; how about a bit of banana; think I'll switch to coffee now; better check my email; the cats need to be fed and their boxes checked; I'll share that Oprah article with hubby; and on and on. I know better! I teach productivity, efficiency and focus, but sometimes even I don't "walk my talk!" OK - enough of the confession, but...does this sound familiar?

I'm working on a certification program and, to paraphrase the author: if we are striving for excellence, that's a healthy pursuit. If we are pursuing perfection relentlessly, we're in for serious trouble. The "dysfunctional perfectionist" can be so afraid of failing to perform in that manner that nothing gets done. This can undermine your forward progress in anything, home or career.

Of course, there are times you will be putting things off. Maybe you don't have the proper equipment. Maybe you need some special training or a trainer to assist you in an area in which you aren't very knowledgeable. Maybe a "hot-button" has arrived that you must deal with ASAP. Please know that you aren't "bad" if you struggle with this. However, if your determination for perfection has become a long-term pattern, better rethink that. What might be triggering the delay in plain, old "starting?" You may have an Aha moment that will help you bypass that in the future.

I'm not wanting to go into a full discussion about procrastination here, although that's exactly where the goal of perfection will take you. That's an entire topic, all on its own, which I'll cover in a future article.

Suffice it to say: Stop aiming for perfection. That truly is "Mission Impossible!" We all know, thanks to Nike, that we need to "Just Do It!" OK...enough free advertising for movies and shoes. Try some of these little tricks:

• Get your priorities straight. Deadlines and "musts" should always be on the top of your list. Ask yourself each day what the one or two top things are that will help you accomplish what you need to get done. This is one of the definitions of being organized, after all.
• Stop multi-tasking, unless you can do it "mindfully." Be aware that you are going back and forth between projects, for whatever reason, which requires you to think "where was I?," causing you to lose valuable time each instance that happens.
• Have a system, a routine for getting certain tasks done. Repetition is the way to form habits (aim for the good ones!), which also allows you to satisfy that perfection goal as you get better and better at your project each time you do it!
• "One small step..." Don't look at the entire project and the fright that may entail. Break it down into little pieces and tackle a bit at a time. Easier to challenge that perfectionism "ideal" that way, too - you are more likely to be happy with your progress and ensuing results when you are not looking at the entire pie, but a piece just the right size!
• The energy and momentum you realize from each little accomplishment spurs you to carry on with what you need or want to get done. Success is such a great motivator, don't you think?

Phew! Done! Not perfect, is it? But thanks for sticking with me while I rambled on, enjoyably so. Please keep the main idea in mind as you go about your day: stop trying to be perfect - it doesn't exist! Give yourself a break and get it "good enough" - you can always make changes the next time around.

I wish you peace, harmony and a sense of accomplishment!

If clutter has taken over your life and you just can't get it together...If you have too much stuff in too small a space and can't decide what needs to go...If you're frustrated and stressed because you can't find your keys, your wallet, your checkbook...If you're inundated with paper and getting buried in piles of it...If you would like less confusion, stress and frustration and more peace, order and serenity in your life...You'll find relief at Sensible Organizing Strategies. Get free organizing tips and information from Rhonda McNett at http://www.sosbyrhonda.com/contact.html. Find the peace and harmony hiding in your home or office.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rhonda_McNett
http://EzineArticles.com/?Perfection---Mission-Impossible!&id=6896224

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