After all, tomorrow is another day

I made it all the way until 8pm without eating anything off plan. Then I found it. The leftover seafood <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Alfredo</span> my husband had carefully divided up into lunch-size portions and put in the bottom of the fridge, in the vegetable bin. I guess he thought I wouldn't look there.<br /><br />I really thought I'd eaten the last of it on Sunday. I wondered why there was only a small portion left but thought my husband must have eaten the rest of it. He didn't, but now I have. There's nothing left. I ate all three portions. I'll probably have to explain that tomorrow. <br /><br />I feel kind of sick now. Grossly overstuffed, nauseous.<br /><br />My workout was great this morning, then I had a healthy breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks. In about 15 minutes I ruined the entire day. Another day down the tubes. I wonder if I'll ever figure this out.<br /><br />I guess there's always tomorrow.

After all, tomorrow is another day

I made it all the way until 8pm without eating anything off plan. Then I found it. The leftover seafood Alfredo my husband had carefully di...

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Kids Say The Darndest Things

My kids are no longer kids but mature young women. They still say the darndest things though. I was headed back from my weekend visit to St. Mary's/ Winnecucca UMC and called my younger daughter, the California army wife, to check in.<br /><br />I told her about my time in Winnemucca, but she was amused by the name. "It's named for a famous Paiute Chief," I told her. Evenutally, I learned she thought I had been saying:<br /> "Run-amok-a."

Kids Say The Darndest Things

My kids are no longer kids but mature young women. They still say the darndest things though. I was headed back from my weekend visit to St....

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Employers Finding Ways to Deal with the Economy

<a href="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/xq/ar5b0rl778m0cr8tp8xq.gif"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/xq/ar5b0rl778m0cr8tp8xq.gif" style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br /><div>Employers Finding Ways to Deal with the Economy by Matt Ferguson, CEO of CareerBuilder.com<br /><br />Entering the third quarter, employers everywhere are still feeling the effects of the current economic climate. Companies are finding ways to deal with the downturn, however, and a few are even increasing head count. A new survey from CareerBuilder and USA Today, conducted by Harris Interactive, examines how employers are handling the recession and their expectations for staff levels and compensation in the upcoming quarter.<br /><br />Although the most recent numbers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics show lob losses are moderating, the job market is not likely to experience significant job creation through the rest of 2009. Most employers expect their staff levels to remain the same this quarter, according to the survey. Businesses will continue to be conservative in their hiring and maintain focus on existing human capital.<br /><br />Quarterly hiring<br />In the second quarter of this year, 64 percent of employers reported no change in head count and 18 percent said they increased staff levels, which is a 13 percent increase from the first quarter. Seventeen percent of businesses reduced their number of full-time workers, marking progress from 26 percent that made cuts in the first quarter.<br /><br />In terms of hiring this quarter, 68 percent of employers said they don't expect to increase the number of full-time, permanent employees in the third quarter. Fifteen percent, however, say that they will be increasing staff levels and 10 percent expect to make some cuts.<br /><br />Hiring by region<br />Eighteen percent of employers in the Northeast and the South plan to increase full-time, permanent head count in the third quarter. In the West, 13 percent of hiring managers have plans to recruit, little change from the second quarter. The ongoing challenges within the manufacturing sector, however, caused the Midwest to drop from 14 percent to 11 percent of<br />employers who are hiring. Eleven percent of hiring managers in the Northeast, West and Midwest expect to trim staffs, compared with 6 percent in the South.<br /><br />Compensation in Q3 2009<br />Employers continue to be conservative with pay increases this quarter, as only 41 percent of employers expect to increase salaries for full-time, permanent employees -- unchanged from the second quarter. But 47 percent of employers expect no change in compensation levels and only 7 percent expect a decrease.<br /><br />Of employers who are increasing pay, 28 percent estimate the amount will be between 1 and 3 percent; 12 percent expect an average raise of 4 to 10 percent, while only 1 percent expect raises to be 11 percent or more.<br /><br />How employers are managing the economic downturn<br />The challenging economy is causing employers to rethink ways in which they can save money and retain employees. Here are six ways employers are attempting to do so:<br /><br />1. Postponed start dates<br />In an effort to secure talent while delaying expenses associated with hiring new staff, 8 percent of employers have presented job offers with postponed start dates this year. Of these employers, 42 percent provided a pay incentive, while the remainder did not.<br /><br />2. Furloughs<br />Furloughs, or temporary layoffs, have been seen more and more in the past year. Ten percent of employers have instituted mandatory furloughs for employees over the last six months. The majority of furloughs were one week or less, while 28 percent were one to two days.<br /><br />3. Pay cuts<br />An unfortunate, but often necessary, way to contain costs is by implementing pay cuts, which 16 percent of employers have employed in the last six months. Of those who instituted cuts, 28 percent said all salaries were reduced by 5 percent or less, while 33 percent had decreases of more than 5 percent. Thirty-nine percent reported that cuts varied according to salary and/or title.<br /><br />4. Hiring freezes<br />Although job losses are trending downward, some employers are still unable to create new positions within their organization: 69 percent of employers reported a continued suspension of hiring this quarter.<br /><br /><br />Forty-four percent of employers have instituted a hiring freeze over the last six months, but of these employers, 31 percent stated that they will be hiring going forward.<br /><br />5. Revised sick policies<br />Thirteen percent of employers are changing their sick time or paid time off policies in order to cut costs this year, offering fewer days, not allowing days to roll over or limiting the amount of days that can roll over.<br /><br />6. Fewer perks and benefits<br />This year has caused 43 percent of employers to cut employee perks and benefits, mainly in bonuses, 401(k) matching and medical coverage. Other areas affected are free condiments, employee incentive trips and academic reimbursement.<br /><br />Matt Ferguson is the CEO of CareerBuilder.com. He is an expert in the state of the job market, employment trends, hiring practices and workplace issues.<br /></div><br /><div>It doesn't hurt to look! <a href="http://www.mygvbiz.com/getrich">www.mygvbiz.com/getrich</a> Become an Independent Distributor Today!</div>

Employers Finding Ways to Deal with the Economy

Employers Finding Ways to Deal with the Economy by Matt Ferguson, CEO of CareerBuilder.com Entering the third quarter, employers everywhere ...

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Breaking the Résumé Rules

Breaking the Résumé Rules by Joe Turner, the "Job Search Guy"<br /><br />If you've read books on résumé writing, you might be confused by all the rules. In fact, during my weekly résumé writing teleseminar, I correct a lot of misinformation.<br /><br />With the economy in the toilet these days, the last worry you need is whether you have the correct indent template or that you aren't using this year's approved action verbs. It's imperative that you deliver the right content to push a hiring manager's buttons now.<br /><br />Forget the "rules." Here are the critical points you must address in your résumé:<br /><br />Answer the employer's most important question<br /><br />Most rules fail to address the critical question: WIIFM, or "What's in it for me?" This is the employer's primary question in a tough economy. If your initial paragraph doesn't immediately answer this question, your résumé won't last 20 seconds with the person who's reading it.<br /><br />A résumé is a selling document. Unfortunately, judging from the advice I've heard and the "professionally written" résumés I've read, it's obvious that many résumé "experts" have never sold a product or service in their careers. If they had, they would realize now, more than ever, that it's about money not mission statements.<br /><br />For this reason the opening statement on your résumé must develop the reader's immediate interest and entice them to learn more about you. Drop the long-winded paragraphs filled with "results oriented" and "proven track record" clichés. Instead, address the specific benefits you bring to them. In today's recession, that means a short personal brand statement that clearly summarizes who you are, your biggest strength and the primary benefit you bring to an employer.<br /><br />Prove it<br /><br />In the past you could sell yourself by promoting your skills and length of service in a profession or job. Those days are gone. Today, you must sell results. When you sell your skills, you're selling a commodity. It's likely hundreds (if not thousands) of other job seekers have your same or better skills. Here's the problem: when you sell skills, you've reduced yourself to a commodity and commodities always sell for the lowest price.<br /><br />So get yourself out of that commodity game.<br /><br />Today, you need to sell results by speaking the employer's language, which is "return on investment" or ROI. If you can't do that, you can't answer their question, and you've lost their interest. They will move on to the next résumé.<br /><br />List specific, measurable results of activities performed for your employer or client. Place these activities in their own section under your personal brand statement. This strengthens the statement with measurable evidence including examples of problems that you've solved.<br /><br />Don't tell too much<br /><br />Employers are typically going to look for the top three to five candidates. They'll weed out large numbers of résumés in the initial process, looking for an easy way to eliminate you. Don't give them a reason by telling too much, confusing them or taking them off track. These are called "screenouts." Yet I still see résumés that were written heeding the advice of "experts" to include too much information.<br /><br />Here's the point: Your résumé is not a dossier. It's a sales document. Your résumé's only purpose is to get the reader to pick up the phone to call you. You're only applying for one job title. If the résumé doesn't clearly explain why you're the best project manager, executive assistant or purchasing agent, then get rid of the information or minimize it because it doesn't belong there.<br /><br />As a recruiter, Joe Turner spent 15 years finding and placing top candidates in some of the best jobs of their careers. The author of "Job Search Secrets Unlocked" and "Paycheck 911," Turner also hosts his weekly Job Search Guy Radio Show on JobRadio.fm as well as other locations. You'll find free tips and advice on landing a job in this tough economy at: http://www.jobchangesecrets.com.<br /><br />It doesn't hurt to look! <a href="http://www.mygvbiz.com/getrich">www.mygvbiz.com/getrich</a> Become an Independent Distributor Today!

Breaking the Résumé Rules

Breaking the Résumé Rules by Joe Turner, the "Job Search Guy" If you've read books on résumé writing, you might be confused by...

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Best Part-Time Jobs for 2009

<a href="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/0s/ar5b7b36hvwyfzhqhz0s.gif"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/0s/ar5b7b36hvwyfzhqhz0s.gif" style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br /><div>Best Part-Time Jobs for 2009 by Rachel Zupek, CareerBuilder.com writer<br /><br />The new year is often brimming with resolutions, goals and hope for a good year, personally and professionally. One way to make those hopes a reality is to improve your financial situation.<br /><br />But how can that happen when so many people are getting laid off and companies are cutting budgets, bonuses and salary increases?<br /><br />One way to boost your bank account is to take on a part-time job, which is defined as a position that requires working fewer than 35 hours per week, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. There are currently 25.5 million part-time workers, according to the BLS. In November 2008, the number of people who worked part time for economic reasons, meaning that they would like to work full time but couldn't because their hours had been cut back or because they were unable to, rose to 7.3 million.<br /><br />As workers everywhere feel the effects of the slowing economy, more and more workers are turning to part-time work for help. The number of people looking for part-time work rose to 1.5 million in the third quarter of 2008, compared with 1.3 million in the first quarter.<br /><br />If you're looking for a way to boost your income, either by working part time in addition to your full-time job or as your only source of earnings, here are 10 part-time jobs that earn great wages, will experience job growth or have a large number of available job openings, according to the BLS.<br /><br />Keep in mind, these jobs won't come easy -- you'll still have to earn any necessary credentials or training to obtain these positions. But, we guarantee your work will be worth the extra money.<br /><br />1. Massage therapist<br /><br />Part-time projection facts*:<br /><br />· Almost 42 percent of all massage therapists worked part time in 2006.<br /><br />· Employment for massage therapists is expected to increase 20 percent from 2006 to 2016.<br /><br />· Job growth for massage therapists is expected to be faster than average with very good job prospects, particularly for those seeking part-time work.<br /><br />Salary: $19.39/hour**<br /><br />2. Fitness worker<br /><br />Part-time projection facts:<br /><br />· Many fitness jobs, such as trainers or exercise instructors, are part time.<br /><br />· Fitness workers should have good opportunities due to rapid job growth in health clubs, fitness facilities and other settings where fitness workers are concentrated.<br /><br />· Fitness worker employment is expected to increase 27 percent over the 2006-2016 decade.<br /><br />Salary: $15.86/hour<br /><br />3. Bill and account collector<br /><br />Part-time projection facts:<br /><br />· Many collectors work part time or on flexible work schedules.<br /><br />· Employment of these workers is expected to grow by 23 percent through 2016.<br /><br />· As cash flow becomes more important in business, companies are placing greater emphasis on collecting unpaid debts sooner, making job prospects favorable.<br /><br />Salary: $15.21/hour<br /><br />4. Librarian<br /><br />Part-time projection facts:<br /><br />· More than 20 percent of librarians work part time.<br /><br />· Despite slow economic growth, many librarians are expected to retire in the next decade, creating a large number of job openings.<br /><br />Salary: $25.41<br /><br />5. Nursing aide<br /><br />Part-time projection facts:<br /><br />· Nursing aides held approximately 1.4 million jobs in 2006.<br /><br />· Employment of nursing aides is expected to grow faster than average in the next decade.<br /><br />· In 2006, 23 percent of aides worked part time compared with 15 percent of all workers.<br /><br />Salary: $11.50/hour<br /><br />6. Receptionist and information clerk<br /><br />Part-time projection facts:<br /><br />· More than three of every 10 receptionists and information clerks work part time.<br /><br />· More than 200,000 new jobs will arise for these workers over the 2006-16 period.<br /><br />· Receptionists and information clerks are expected to increase by 17 percent from 2006 to 2016.<br /><br />Salary: $11.82<br /><br />7. Dental assistant<br /><br />· About 35 percent of dental assistants worked part time in 2006.<br /><br />· Employment is expected to grow 29 percent from 2006 to 2016.<br /><br />· Dental assistants are estimated to be one of the fastest-growing occupations over the 2006-16 projection period.<br /><br />Salary: $15.52/hour<br /><br />8. Teacher assistant<br /><br />Part-time projection facts:<br /><br />· Teacher assistant employment is expected to grow by 10 percent between 2006 and 2016.<br /><br />· Approximately four in 10 teacher assistants work part time.<br /><br />· Teacher assistants held 1.3 million jobs in 2006.<br /><br />Salary: $21,580/year<br /><br />9. Cashier<br /><br />· About 46 percent of all cashiers work part time.<br /><br />· Opportunities for full-time and part-time cashier jobs should be good because of the need to replace the many workers who transfer to other occupations or leave the labor force.<br /><br />Salary: $8.84/hour<br /><br />10. Bank teller<br /><br />Part-time projection facts:<br /><br />· One in four tellers worked part time in 2006.<br /><br />· Employment should grow by 13 percent between 2006 and 2016.<br /><br />Salary: $11.36/hour<br /><br />*Projections according to the BLS.<br /><br />**Mean hourly wage, according to the BLS.<br /><br />Rachel Zupek is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com. She researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues. </div><div> </div><div>It doesn't hurt to look! <a href="http://www.mygvbiz.com/getrich">www.mygvbiz.com/getrich</a> Become an Independent Distributor Today!You can learn more by calling: 712-432-0211 Enter Pin 429281# Hear a recorded message or...Call in to a LIVE CONFERENCE CALL: 212-796-1700 Enter Pin 2120# (11AM or 3PM or 9:30PM Central Time 7 DAYS A WEEK!) </div>

Best Part-Time Jobs for 2009

Best Part-Time Jobs for 2009 by Rachel Zupek, CareerBuilder.com writer The new year is often brimming with resolutions, goals and hope for a...

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Help Spread the Word!

Did you know there are several ways to keep up-to-date regarding the career advice and job postings here at Job Fair USA!<br /><br />1. Receive once-a-day updates (with ZERO SPAM) simply by entering you e-mail in the box on the left-hand-side of the BLOG. You can always unsubscribe any time with ZERO hassels. We respect your privacy so NO ONE gets your e-mail, but us and if you want to opt out you choose to do so with just a click.<br /><br />2. If you're using a "Reader" you can subscribe and read posts as they appear. Again, you can do this on the left-hand-side of the BLOG.<br /><br />3. Do you own your own site or BLOG? You can put our widget, which you can see on the left-hand-side of the BLOG on your site or BLOG. Just click the "Get Widget" at the bottom of the feed and copy and past the code. It will provide your visitors with a reason to come back to your site or BLOG! <br /><br />Our job search and career advice is powered by one of the most respected sites on the Internet, CareerBuilder! You can search more than 100,000 current jobs and apply for FREE at Job Fair USA!<br /><br />Thank you and we hope that you find Job Fair USA helpful.

Help Spread the Word!

Did you know there are several ways to keep up-to-date regarding the career advice and job postings here at Job Fair USA! 1. Receive once-a...

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How to Answer Salary Questions

<a href="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/zc/ar5f2mm63mxjpptyrczc.gif"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/zc/ar5f2mm63mxjpptyrczc.gif" style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br /><div>How to Answer Salary Questions by Anthony Balderrama, CareerBuilder.com writer<br /><br />Americans aren't keen to discuss money. We like making it and we like spending it, but money doesn't belong in polite conversation. It sits on the shelf of forbidden topics, alongside politics, religion and sex.<br /><br />Yet, one of the requisites often found on a job posting is, "Include salary history."<br /><br />You haven't even met anyone at the company yet and you're expected to divulge information only you and your bank account know? How rude.<br /><br />Like it or not, salary talks are part of job hunts, and often they arise in the early stages of the game. For a topic as sensitive and tricky as money, how should you proceed?<br /><br />And what if you don't?<br />When a job posting tells you to include salary history or requirements on your résumé, you have only two choices: do it or don't. Sure, you can ignore it or dance around it by writing, "Salary to be commensurate with experience and responsibilities." That doesn't change the fact that you haven't handed over any hard numbers. And that's fine, as long as you realize you might remove yourself from the running, says Sue Fuller, director of talent management for EDL Consulting.<br /><br />"When a job posting requests salary history, the purpose is to identify candidates who are in a viable compensation range," Fuller says. "In these instances, it is important to show salary history. Otherwise, the risk is to be excluded from consideration."<br /><br />Job seekers aren't hesitant to hand over financial information only due to manners; they are afraid to hurt their chances of getting a good salary or even the job. For example, if your current income is higher than what this job will pay, the employer might assume you won't take a salary cut and remove you from the pool of applicants. Conversely, if your salary is well below this job's rate, the employer can lowball an offer. Either way, you lose.<br /><br />The interview<br />Even if you're able to sidestep the issue during the application process, you might encounter it during a phone interview. Unless you like long, awkward silences, you'll have to address the issue.<br /><br />"The best answer is to tell the employer what you are currently earning [or most recently earned]," Fuller suggests. "At that point, compensation is not at a negotiation stage; it is at the information gathering stage. This is an important distinction to understand."<br /><br />If you're asked what you expect to earn, not what you did earn, Fuller recommends you give a realistic range for the position. This gives the employer an idea of what you want and can lead to a discussion of whether that pay aligns with what he or she had in mind.<br /><br />Regardless of when the topic arises, Fuller stresses that job seekers be honest about their salary history. Employers can verify your salary in a matter of minutes these days, so lying only serves to make you look bad. Just because you give a high number doesn't mean the employer will match the amount, Fuller says.<br /><br />The real purpose of salary talks in the beginning is to get a clear picture of what you're worth and what the company can offer. This is why Fuller advises as much flexibility as possible on your part.<br /><br />"When an offer is made, the candidate can negotiate several tangible and intangible factors that may include a six-month review, incentives, benefits, career development and/or flexibility," Fuller says. "Candidates should realize that value proposition [is about more] than just dollars and that companies will reward employees who perform."<br /><br />The dos and don'ts<br />As with any portion of a job hunt, there are bad signals you can send to an employer and vice versa. For example, you don't want to show up wearing beach attire to an interview. At the same time, you don't want to work at an office where all the employees looked unhappy and terrified of the boss. Salary talks have similar red flags.<br /><br />"During salary discussions, an employer does not want to hear about financial pressures candidates may have, such as debt, loans or, especially, maintaining a lifestyle," Fuller cautions. "Showing an appreciation for the tangibles, intangibles and the big picture will go a long way. [Also], employers will screen out candidates who are all about the money and not about the contribution and advancement of the organization."<br /><br />But be wary of employers during these conversations. You need to trust what you're being told; otherwise you probably don't want to work at the company.<br /><br />"Candidates who cannot establish trust with an employer about the role, the expectations, the compensation and the future outlook should not accept an offer with an employer," Fuller says. If you have no faith in what you hear, can you imagine what it will be like to work for this employer every day?<br /><br />Anthony Balderrama is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com and its job blog, The Work Buzz. He researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>It doesn't hurt to look! <a href="http://www.mygvbiz.com/getrich">www.mygvbiz.com/getrich</a> Become an Independent Distributor Today!You can learn more by calling: 712-432-0211 Enter Pin 429281# Hear a recorded message or...Call in to a LIVE CONFERENCE CALL: 212-796-1700 Enter Pin 2120# (11AM or 3PM or 9:30PM Central Time 7 DAYS A WEEK!) </div>

How to Answer Salary Questions

How to Answer Salary Questions by Anthony Balderrama, CareerBuilder.com writer Americans aren't keen to discuss money. We like making it...

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Top 10 Ways to Use Your Female Advantage in Business

<a href="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/ht/ar5d48w6tqvkb9vd12ht.gif"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/ht/ar5d48w6tqvkb9vd12ht.gif" style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br /><div>Top 10 Ways to Use Your Female Advantage in Business by Catherine Kaputa, Author "The Female Brand: Using the Female Mindset to Succeed in Business"<br /><br />The conventional wisdom has been that women have trouble succeeding because they don't act like men. But playing it like a man doesn't work because it brands you as tough and aggressive. And it's stupid for the most basic reason. We're not men. And that's an advantage.<br /><br />It's common sense to be authentic, and it's smart branding. Your personal brand must come from who you are and what makes you tick -- including your strengths and aptitudes as a woman.<br /><br />Here is my top 10 list of how to use your female aptitudes to increase your success in business:<br /><br />1. Turn up your empathy quotient (EmQ)<br />Women are strong in empathy thanks in part to higher levels of estrogen and oxytocin. So it's no wonder that when President Obama cited "empathy" as a key factor in his selection of a Supreme Court justice, the four finalists were women.<br />How to leverage empathy: Be approachable and empathize with the feelings of others. People will feel understood even if you are giving them bad news! You can use empathy to build consensus around a common goal.<br /><br />2. Create an appealing package<br />Studies show that attractive people not only make more money, they are viewed as smarter, more productive, and even kinder than others. Women have an advantage because we have more "visual packaging tools."<br />How to package yourself: Don't mimic the male model -- that's so 20th century. Use the French women's model: Dress like a woman and accentuate your best features. If you don't have the body of a fashion model, do something wonderful with your hair and clothing. Develop a distinctive look with a signature color, accessories and so on. Work on your posture and how you move.<br /><br />3. Reach out and connect<br />Women have the social gene and an innate ability to build relationships and connect with people, studies show. Women are natural-born networkers, team builders and relationship mavens.<br /><br />How to use people power: The larger your network, the more career capital you'll have. So don't just use your people power to develop deep relationships with a few; use it to also develop a broad network of more casual acquaintances with all types of people.<br /><br />4. Speak with panache<br />Women routinely outscore men on oral and written tests because they use both hemispheres of the brain -- left and right -- to process verbal and emotional messages.<br /><br />How to use your verbal agility in the workplace: Use your verbal skills to speak up: Ask great questions and listen actively. Hone your business conversation and presentation skills. Pitch yourself for a move up or a lateral move with interesting "stories" about your past performance.<br /><br />5. Be inclusive<br />Choosing inclusion over exclusion is a powerful female strength. In today's modern, global companies, the ability to work well with diverse groups will set you apart.<br /><br />How of leverage inclusiveness: Encourage different perspectives and offer goodwill to everyone -- friends and foes. Cultivate strong alliances and be loyal.<br /><br />6. Read between the lines<br />MRI imaging and other brain research show that women are much better at picking up subtle emotional messages than men are. Women can pick up body language and are able to detect unspoken signals of unhappiness, frustration, and confusion.<br /><br />How to leverage emotional intelligence: Look beyond verbal messages to the real message people are conveying in meetings. If something feels uncomfortable or incomplete, act on your intuition and follow up with a phone call.<br /><br />7. Empower others<br />Studies show that women tend to work together collaboratively, empowering different members of the team to contribute and accomplish tasks. So rather than seek power over others, the female leadership style seeks to empower others.<br /><br />How to leverage the female leadership style: Create teams and a personal "board of directors" who can advise you -- and be sure to include men too. Give public credit to other people when they contribute.<br /><br />8. See the big picture<br />Women tend to take in various perspectives and consider a larger framework when solving a problem or making a decision, while men's style of problem solving tends to be more linear and transactional.<br /><br />How to leverage big-picture thinking: Use your problem-solving style to uncover risks and opportunities, and bring more creativity and innovation to your work.<br /><br />9. Be likeable<br />Women's gifts for relationships, compassion, connection and empathy make them the more likeable gender. And let's face it, the workplace is a personality contest too, so likeability is a key factor in success.<br /><br />How to leverage likeability: Smile and be positive -- as opposed to being serious and stern -- and you will win over business fans and be more influential in your work.<br /><br />10. Brand yourself<br />Use the nine female aptitudes listed above to brand yourself for success.<br /><br />Catherine Kaputa is a brand strategist, speaker and the founder of SelfBrand LLC (www.selfbrand.com), a NYC-based personal branding firm. Her newest book is "The Female Brand: Using the Female Mindset to Succeed in Business" (Davies-Black, 2009, http://www.femalebrand.com/). Her previous book, "U R a Brand! How Smart People Brand Themselves for Business Success," won the Ben Franklin Award for Best Career Book, 2007.<br /></div><br /><div>It doesn't hurt to look! <a href="http://www.mygvbiz.com/getrich">www.mygvbiz.com/getrich</a> Become an Independent Distributor Today!You can learn more by calling: 712-432-0211 Enter Pin 429281# Hear a recorded message or...Call in to a LIVE CONFERENCE CALL: 212-796-1700 Enter Pin 2120# (11AM or 3PM or 9:30PM Central Time 7 DAYS A WEEK!) </div>

Top 10 Ways to Use Your Female Advantage in Business

Top 10 Ways to Use Your Female Advantage in Business by Catherine Kaputa, Author "The Female Brand: Using the Female Mindset to Succeed...

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Six Steps for First-Time Job Hunters

Six Steps for First-Time Job Hunters by Kate Lorenz, CareerBuilder.com Editor<br /><br />Congratulations, you've done it! You made it through college, have your degree in hand and are finally ready to make your mark. You are now in the real world and it's time to get your professional life started. If you are in the middle of this crossroad, it can be scary, exciting, confusing, overwhelming or all of the above. Following are some steps to make a successful college-to-real world transition.<br /><br />Step 1: Pinpoint Your Direction.<br />After four (or five, or six) years of college, you are completely certain about what you want to do, right? If not, now is the time to determine what your strengths are and identify what kind of careers suit you. Are you someone who loves to be around people? Or are you happier crunching numbers or creating computer programs? Consider all of your strengths, weaknesses, likes, dislikes and interests when thinking about your career plan. Read about fields that interest you and talk to others who are doing jobs that you find interesting. Focus your direction on positions and fields that match your interests and talents.<br /><br />Step 2: Do Your Research.<br />It is vital to learn as much as you can about the companies that interest you and to consider all of your options, says Pam Webster, a recruiting manager for Enterprise Rent-A-Car. She should know: Enterprise is the nation's largest recruiter of college graduates. "You should be open-minded about opportunities in companies and industries you might not have thought of before," she says. Once you have identified companies that you want to target, Webster suggests looking at their Web sites, reading news articles and talking to current employees to learn as much as you can. "You also need to look at a company's stability," she says. "Is the company going to be there for the long term?"<br /><br />Step 3: Assemble Your Toolkit.<br />It is important to have the right tools for any task. The tools needed for a job search are a résumé, cover letter and a portfolio of your work. Take the time to develop a résumé and cover letter that clearly convey your strengths and experience. Here are a few tips to remember:<br /><br />Think about the type of résumé you need. A functional résumé, which highlights your abilities rather than your work history, is a good choice for first-time job seekers.<br /><br />Focus on accomplishments and results you have achieved, rather than simple descriptions of experiences.<br /><br />Use action words in your résumé and cover letter to describe your experiences, such as "initiated," "produced" and "managed."<br /><br />If you are low on practical work experience, look to your part-time work, school activities or volunteer positions. "Evaluate all of your experience and translate how it applies to any job you might apply to," Webster says.<br /><br />Step 4: Network.<br />One of the most important tasks in any job search is networking. Take advantage of any resources you have, including your school's career placement office, friends who graduated before you and are already working, friends of your parents, former professors, and neighbors. Send e-mails to ask if your contacts know someone who can help you. Pass your résumé around and ask others to do the same. Call your contacts to see if they know someone who works for a firm you are interested in joining.<br /><br />Step 5: Play the Part.<br />If you want to join the professional world, you need to act -- and look -- the part. Buy a business suit and wear it to all of your interviews. "Make sure your e-mail address and voice mail greeting are appropriate," Webster says. That means if your e-mail user name is "crazygirl2005," you might want to get a new account. Webster says you should also remember to be professional at home. "Be prepared for a phone call or a phone interview at any time," she says. The more you play the part of a well-trained professional, the more people will see you as a professional.<br /><br />Step 6: Don't Give Up.<br />The real world can be a real challenge. Set realistic expectations and recognize that you will probably have to start at the bottom and work your way up. You will likely face rejection as you start looking for your first full-time job, but everyone goes through it. Just remember to be proactive, be persistent and remain confident that there is a great job out there for you!<br /><br />Kate Lorenz is the article and advice editor for CareerBuilder.com. She researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues.<br /><br />It doesn't hurt to look! <a href="http://www.mygvbiz.com/getrich">www.mygvbiz.com/getrich</a> Become an Independent Distributor Today!You can learn more by calling: 712-432-0211 Enter Pin 429281# Hear a recorded message or...Call in to a LIVE CONFERENCE CALL: 212-796-1700 Enter Pin 2120# (11AM or 3PM or 9:30PM Central Time 7 DAYS A WEEK!)

Six Steps for First-Time Job Hunters

Six Steps for First-Time Job Hunters by Kate Lorenz, CareerBuilder.com Editor Congratulations, you've done it! You made it through colle...

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