News for today's 2018: 12/26/09

A new beginning

6:56 AM Tukiyooo 0

Christmas. Food. Lots and lots of food. After the last two Christmases of being a really good little Weight Watcher, yesterday I made the attempt but finally said to hell with it. The Weight Watcher recipes I made turned out disastrous. The Weight Watcher stuffing recipe, the Smashed Buttermilk Potatoes from their Thanksgiving magazine issue, and the 3-Point pumpkin pie all tasted really terrible. The stuffing was dry, the potatoes, well, turns out I hate buttermilk, and the pie, I messed up and accidentally doubled the sugar. It wasn't even edible. So I dug into the real stuffing that was full of butter (I know, because I made it) and the real mashed potatoes with again, lots of butter. Because doesn't lots of butter equal lots of love? I also drank too many Pomegranate martinis. Actually, they were mostly juice. I love Pomegranate juice but it's very high calorie so it wasn't much of a trade off to have mostly juice instead of vodka. Oh, and the pumpkin pie from Costco. It's ginormous so I'm sure a piece isn't 8 Points like a normal pie. Probably more like 16Points. Bad. All very, very bad. A strange thing happened yesterday morning, my brand new scales stopped working. I stepped on them and nothing. These were my second new scales in about three months. They both stopped working for no apparent reason. A new battery didn't help either. On my list of things to do today is buy new scales so I can weigh in before the new year. I started off today reading several posts by other bloggers. I was surprised by how many people said they ate poorly yesterday but they'd get back on program after the first of the year. What??? That sort of surprised me. My intent was to get back on program TODAY. After reading about other people waiting to start after January 1st, I thought, well, maybe that's not a bad idea. I have all this great food in the house, how am I going to resist it. Why not just give in and eat what I want for a whole week? Then I read <a href="http://jackfit.blogspot.com/2009/12/this-is-your-wake-up-call.html" target="blank">Jack's</a> post, and I came to my senses. That was crazy thinking, eat what I want for a week?! It's like I went temporarily insane. I was 175.4 on Christmas Eve day. I probably gained a couple pounds yesterday, and if I continue to eat like yesterday for a whole week I could easily pack on another five pounds. No worries. It's not going to happen. The gym opens at 8am, and I'm going to be there. I'm getting dressed as soon as I finish this post. After my workout I'll stop by the store and buy another new scale so I can weigh in today.

A new beginning

Christmas. Food. Lots and lots of food. After the last two Christmases of being a really good little Weight Watcher, yesterday I made the at...

Not Getting Hired? 10 Reasons Why

6:30 AM Anonymous 0

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/7s/ar5c6zb75ml06h4fny7s.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/7s/ar5c6zb75ml06h4fny7s.gif" /></a> </div> You don't understand. You updated your résumé, you're applying to jobs every day, you've cleaned up your digital dirt and you network every day. Yet here you still are on the unemployment list. What is wrong with employers? Unfortunately, many job seekers don't stop to consider that the problem might not be employers but themselves. It's a hard concept that most job seekers have trouble wrapping their heads around, but applicants frequently (and inadvertently) display signs that tell an employer that they're not the best fit for the job. According to a 2009 CareerBuilder survey, 47 percent of employers said that finding qualified applicants is their biggest hiring challenge. When asked to identify the most valuable characteristics in new hires, employers cited multitasking, initiative and creative problem-solving. Do you lack what employers want? Yes, there are fewer jobs and there is more competition, but are you doing everything you can? Here are 10 reasons why employers might have passed you by. 1. You lie Any lies you tell in your job search, whether on your résumé or in an interview, will come back to haunt you. In a 2008 CareerBuilder survey, 49 percent of hiring managers reported they caught a candidate lying on his or her résumé; of those employers, 57 percent said they automatically dismissed the applicant. Everything you tell an employer can be discovered, so it behooves you to be honest from the get-go. If you're concerned about something in your past, invention is not the answer. Use your cover letter to tell your story, focusing on your strengths and accomplishments and explaining any areas of concern if needed. 2. You have a potty mouth It's certainly tempting to tell anyone who will listen how big of a (insert expletive here) your current boss is, but a hiring manager for a new job is not that person. A 2009 CareerBuilder survey showed that 44 percent of employers said that talking negatively about current or previous employers was one of the most detrimental mistakes a candidate can make. Find a way to turn those negative things job into positives. If you can't get along with your co-workers, for example, tell the prospective employer that you're looking for a work environment where you feel like you're part of a team and your current position doesn't allow for that kind of atmosphere. 3. You don't show long-term potential Employers want people in their organization to work their way up, so it's best to show that you want to and can grow with the company. If you were asked where you see yourself in five years and you gave an answer that wasn't related to the position or company you're interviewing with, kiss your chances goodbye. Ask questions like, "What type of career movement do you envision for the most successful candidate in this role?" It shows that you have envisioned your future at the company. 4. You have serious digital dirt Social networking sites and online searches are the newest way that many employers are checking up on prospective hires. A 2009 CareerBuilder survey showed that 45 percent of employers use social networking sites to research candidates. Thirty-five percent of those employers found content that caused them to dismiss the candidate. Make sure to remove any photos, content or links that can work against you in an employer's eyes. 5. You don't know ... well, anything In two separate 2009 CareerBuilder surveys, 58 percent of employers said that coming to the interview with no knowledge of the company was a turnoff, and 49 percent said that not asking good questions cost candidates a job offer. Plain and simple, do your homework before an interview. Explore the company online, prepare answers to questions and have someone give you a mock interview. The more prepared you are, the more employers will take you seriously. 6. You acted bored, cocky or disinterested A little enthusiasm never hurt anyone, especially when it comes to a potential new job. Forty-five percent of employers in a 2009 CareerBuilder survey said that the biggest mistake candidates made in the interview was appearing disinterested and 42 percent said appearing arrogant cost applicants the job. Every business wants to put their most enthusiastic people forward with important clients and customers, so acting the opposite will get you nowhere. 7. You were a little too personal Seventeen percent of employers said that candidates who provided too much personal information in the interview essentially blew their chances at the job, according to a 2009 CareerBuilder survey. Not only does personal information offend some people, but anytime you talk about topics such as your hobbies, race, age or religion, you're setting yourself up for bias. Though it's illegal for employers to discriminate against applicants because of any of these factors, some will do so, regardless. 8. You were all dollars, no sense As a general rule of thumb, you should never bring up salary before the employer does. Doing so is tacky and makes the employer think that you care about the money involved, not about helping the employer succeed. If the topic does arise, however, be honest about your salary history. Employers can verify your salary in a matter of minutes these days, so lying only makes you look bad. 9. You didn't -- or can't -- give examples Hiring managers want people who can prove that they will increase the organization's revenues, decrease its costs or help it succeed in some way. If all you give to an employer is a bunch of empty words about your accomplishments, you don't demonstrate how you can help the company. In fact, 35 percent of employers said that the most detrimental mistake candidates make is not providing specific examples in the interview. The more you can quantify your work, the better. 10. You don't have enough experience Managers don't have as much time as they used to to train and mentor new employees. The more experience you have, the more likely you are to hit the ground running without a lot of hand-holding. The best way to show that you know what you're doing is to give the employer concrete examples of your experience in a given job duty. By Rachel Zupek writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com and its job blog, The Work Buzz. She researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues. Follow her on Twitter: http://twitter.com/CBwriterRZ.  <div><a class="addthis_button" expr:addthis:title="data:post.title" expr:addthis:url="data:post.url"><img alt="Bookmark and Share" height="16" src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/v2/lg-share-en.gif" style="border:0" width="125"/></a> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js#username=rockfordlink"></script></div>

Not Getting Hired? 10 Reasons Why

You don't understand. You updated your résumé, you're applying to jobs every day, you've cleaned up your digital dirt and you ne...

5 Jobs for Internet Addicts

6:28 AM Anonymous 0

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/dd/ar5b3xx5z31lvmps63dd.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/dd/ar5b3xx5z31lvmps63dd.gif" /></a> </div>Are you an online addict? The dictionary doesn't have a definition for it just yet, but if it were to exist, I suspect it would look something like this: Internet addict (n): 1. One whose hand has molded to fit the contour of the computer mouse; 2. One who feels energized by the glow of a computer screen in much the same way a fresh cup of coffee makes most people feel in the morning; 3. One who dreads going to sleep because he or she is unable to go online for eight hours. Is this you? Do you hate the fact that your job gets in the way of your Internet activity? Perhaps you don't let that stop you from surfing the Web during the day and you pray the boss won't catch you. Whatever the situation may be, you might be better off in a different job. Say, a job where you're paid for your online addiction. Maybe you need help weaning yourself off of the computer, but until your friends and family stage an intervention, you should consider one of these Webtastic jobs: Branding consultant Branding is a buzzword that's worked its way into the permanent lexicon. Companies, organizations and even individuals want to have a brand -- an identity that customers instantly recognize and respond to positively. Much of that branding is formed online, via ad campaigns, press and customer interaction. Branding consultants help companies identify what type of brand they want and then they help create it and keep it consistent through all outlets. They know the likes and dislikes of their target audience, so they try to be in front of them as much as possible to get exposure and gauge their reactions. The placement of banner ads, the spread of viral videos and other places you see a company's advertisements are the results of branding consultants' efforts. Public relations director The world of PR is busy and ever-changing. In fact, what you do as a public relations specialist or director depends on the organization in which you work. What is the same everywhere is the need to monitor what type of media attention you're getting and employ damage control if necessary. Directors give interviews online, in print, on radio and on TV to speak on the company's behalf. They stay on message so that the company presents a unified, cohesive voice at all times. Directors also monitor what publications and critics, both online and offline, are saying about the company and are prepared to respond to all inquiries that might come their way. Recruiter The Internet has been changing industries for well over a decade now, as most people recognize. Recruiting has also experienced a shift, mostly due to networking sites. Sites where people can post their education history, work experience and skills are ripe for recruiters who need to find new talent. By logging on to a social network, they have access to thousands of potential employees at the click of their mouse. Of course, good recruiters want the right candidate, so they spend hours scouring different networks to find the most qualified individuals. Social media consultant Social media are still relatively new in the business world, as is this position. In some companies, a social media consultant is a busy, high-level job. In others it's a part-time gig suited for an intern. What you can be certain of is the need to find new ways to engage customers online. Companies need someone to set up and maintain accounts on Twitter, Facebook, MySpace and any other social media site that pops up. The social media consultant might work for a public relations director or alongside a branding consultant. Whatever the case, this person need to keep the content fresh, monitor user feedback and create a persona for the company -- all through the click of a mouse. User operations analyst What one thing do advertisers and site owners want to know more than anything else? How online users behave. The pages they visit, how far they scroll down a page, how many clicks they are willing to make to find information, and anything else that gives insight into how users navigate a site. User operations analysts monitor how users interact with the site and they also answer users' questions or listen to their feedback to see what they want in a site. The analysts then share their information with the site owner. By Anthony Balderrama 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. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/abalderrama.  <div><a class="addthis_button" expr:addthis:title="data:post.title" expr:addthis:url="data:post.url"><img alt="Bookmark and Share" height="16" src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/v2/lg-share-en.gif" style="border:0" width="125"/></a> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js#username=rockfordlink"></script></div>

5 Jobs for Internet Addicts

Are you an online addict? The dictionary doesn't have a definition for it just yet, but if it were to exist, I suspect it would look som...

20 Jobs That Don't Require Degrees but Pay Big Salaries

6:27 AM Anonymous 0

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/fh/ar5b3fh793ny27205yfh.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/fh/ar5b3fh793ny27205yfh.gif" /></a> </div>Higher education isn't for everyone, and people have a variety of paths to choose from once they graduate from high school. They might know from the start that they want to go straight to the professional world. Other new graduates often decide to try college for a semester to see how it goes and then realize it's not for them. While the decision to pursue a degree or to enter the work force is fraught with pros and cons, earning a lot of money isn't. Not that money means everything, but wouldn't we all like to see some bigger numbers on our next paycheck? You can find jobs in many industries that don't require formal degrees, but you still need relevant experience, skills and possibly other training, depending on the position. If you're in the market for a job that doesn't require a degree but does come with a nice salary, here are 20 jobs to consider and their average annual salary: 1. Aides supervisor $60,652* Aides supervisors typically supervise home-health aides, monitoring quality of care and setting work schedules. 2. Assembly supervisor $59,926 Assembly supervisors oversee workers who put together products by using power tools or other dangerous equipment. 3. Assistant site manager $86,584 At a construction site, assistant site managers report to head site managers and plan, direct and coordinate the necessary tasks to complete that day's activities. 4. Automobile service station manager $81,793 The manager draws up guidelines for gas stations and automotive repair shops and decides on hours of operation, assigns job duties and sets prices for services and products. 5. Cable supervisor $71,826 Cable supervisors monitor workers who install, maintain and repair cables, and also perform related services. 6. Carpenter supervisor $70,565 Carpenter supervisors oversee carpentry work on a specified project to ensure that workers are on schedule and executing plans accordingly. The supervisor also performs some of the carpentry duties if time permits. 7. Chemical supervisor $67,114 Chemical supervisors oversee workers who make chemical products, which involves handling dangerous substances and following strict guidelines. 8. Construction equipment operator $50,783 These operators are in charge of the large tools and equipment used during construction projects and they also inspect the equipment for safety and performance issues. 9. Credit and collection supervisor $61,387 Credit and collection supervisors manage employees who calculate credit risks and collections, and they sometimes review client credit history to grant or deny extensions of credit. 10. Data control supervisor $61,118 Data control supervisors manage data entry workers and are responsible for the completion and accuracy of that work. On occasion they help with assignments. 11. Flight service manager $67,766 Airlines hire flight service managers to ensure that flight attendants adhere to personal appearance and preflight requirements. They also compile flight reports. 12. Gas plant operator $64,198 Pipelines that produce and transport gas need to stay at certain pressures to function safely, and that's what these workers do. 13. Home care aide supervisor $66,244 Home care aides assist homebound patients with daily activities and some rehabilitation exercises, and the supervisor ensures that all patients are being taken care of properly by their aides. 14. Housekeeping manager of a medical facility $60,584 In a medical facility, the housekeeping manager sets the schedules and tasks for his or her team. Housekeeping duties vary depending on the type of medical facility, but managers must work with other hospital staff to ensure they are following health and safety guidelines. 15. Lead carpenter $68,616 Lead carpenters ensure that construction projects are completed on time and correctly, and they perform some of the labor themselves. 16. Locomotive engineer $70,116 Locomotive engineers drive electric, diesel-electric or gas-turbine electric trains that transport passengers or freight. 17. Margin department supervisor $87,745 Margin department supervisors manage customer credit-card accounts for a company, and one of their principal duties is to approve or deny credit to customers. 18. Painting supervisor $62,211 Painting supervisors monitor all painting activities involved in a particular job. They ensure paint is mixed properly and surfaces are prepared correctly, and they apply decorative or protective finishes when needed. 19. Payroll supervisor $63,626 These supervisors oversee payroll employees to ensure that all pay calculations follow company policy, government regulations and tax codes. 20. Route sales manager $65,771 Product and service delivery teams have to achieve goals pertaining to customer satisfaction, efficiency and personal performance. The route sales manager monitors their work and keeps them on track to achieve their objectives. *Salary figures based on data from CBsalary.com, powered by SalaryExpert.com By Anthony Balderrama 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. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/abalderrama.  <div><a class="addthis_button" expr:addthis:title="data:post.title" expr:addthis:url="data:post.url"><img alt="Bookmark and Share" height="16" src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/v2/lg-share-en.gif" style="border:0" width="125"/></a> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js#username=rockfordlink"></script></div>

20 Jobs That Don't Require Degrees but Pay Big Salaries

Higher education isn't for everyone, and people have a variety of paths to choose from once they graduate from high school. They might k...

10 Jobs That Aren't Your Typical 9-to-5

6:25 AM Anonymous 0

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/sp/ar5b7y36cz35nry6hwsp.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/sp/ar5b7y36cz35nry6hwsp.gif" /></a> </div> A strict schedule where you clock in at 9 a.m. and clock out at 5 p.m. is ideal for some professionals. You can schedule events easily when you know that you're busy for only those eight hours. Not everyone can do that or even wants to. Routine doesn't sit well with some people who like a little variety in their lives. For other people, that particular eight-hour block of time conflicts with other plans. School, family obligations and part-time jobs often mean working 9 to 5 is impossible. Of course, just because these jobs have different hours than most others, don't think they're easy jobs. If you'd prefer to have a schedule that offers different hours, here are 10 jobs to consider: 1. Chefs and bakers You might not eat lunch until noon, but someone had to start preparing it long before you sat down. Chefs get up early to get the freshest ingredients from local markets and to start chopping vegetables and marinating dishes so they'll be ready for you. Bakers also need time to make all those delicious baked goods you scarf down in a few seconds. While you were still snoozing, a baker was making those pastries you picked up on the way to work. The next time you pass by a restaurant or bakery that is closed in the middle of the day, realize that they were working long before you were. 2. Construction workers Construction work is tough for many reasons, one being the weather. Imagine wearing protective gear while building a skyscraper on a hot summer afternoon. To avoid spending their entire day in dangerous heat, construction crews often start working before the sun rises so they can be done early. It's safer for them and means they're heading home before most 9-to-5 workers call it a day. 3. Emergency room nurses You can't schedule an emergency, so we're glad ERs are open around the clock all year long. Naturally, no single nurse can cover every shift alone -- and they're often long shifts -- so someone needs to be there during the day, late at night and in the morning. 4. Firefighters Fires don't just occur during normal business hours. Firefighters need to be available 24 hours a day, so they have different shifts to ensure someone is ready to help out when a call comes. Certain departments have schedules that require firefighters to work for a certain set of days but then be off for the following three days. You're still working a lot of hours but you're not sticking to a standard workday. 5. Hair stylists Hair stylists need to be available to clients when it's convenient for them, and not everyone can sneak away for an hour or two during the day to get a haircut. And you probably don't want a groggy stylist holding a pair of scissors at 6 a.m. just so you can get an appointment before work. That's why many salons don't open until late morning but then stay open until late evening. As a result, they're working when many other people aren't, so you can make an appointment. 6. News reporters The news might last only 30 minutes, but a lot of work goes into those stories. The reporters you see on morning shows get up at absurdly early hours just to be able to give you a story while you get ready for work. The reporters on the evening news when you get home were gathering information all day while you were at work. 7. Pilots Try to imagine how difficult traveling would be if you could fly only between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Not only are pilots flying planes at various hours, they're also crossing time zones and datelines on flights that can go well beyond eight hours. 8. Professors Some professors teach only day courses, so their workday might not look that different from yours. But others teach in the evenings as well, so they might have a six-hour gap between their morning class for undergraduates and their evening class for grad students. Plus, grading papers and holding office hours mean work well beyond the hours they spend in a classroom. 9. Retail sales clerks When you buy clothes, groceries or even a car, you probably don't do it during the middle of a workday. Retail salespeople work evenings and weekends so you can buy what you need without having to leave the office. 10. Security guards When everyone leaves their 9-to-5 jobs, someone has to make sure the office is secure all night. Security guards patrol the grounds to ensure that no one gets in the building and they alert the police if something goes wrong. Of course, you can find security guards at banks and stores that are open only during standard business hours, too. By Anthony Balderrama 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. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/abalderrama.  <div><a class="addthis_button" expr:addthis:title="data:post.title" expr:addthis:url="data:post.url"><img alt="Bookmark and Share" height="16" src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/v2/lg-share-en.gif" style="border:0" width="125"/></a> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js#username=rockfordlink"></script></div>

10 Jobs That Aren't Your Typical 9-to-5

A strict schedule where you clock in at 9 a.m. and clock out at 5 p.m. is ideal for some professionals. You can schedule events easily when ...

Should You Fake Your Job References?

6:24 AM Anonymous 0

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/gg/ar5c5hz68jflmshfflgg.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/gg/ar5c5hz68jflmshfflgg.gif" /></a> </div>Every day, William Schmidt gives job seekers with a not-so-great job history, a gap on their résumé, or even a criminal record, a second chance. How does he do it? He fabricates job references to cover up their sordid pasts. Schmidt is the founder of CareerExcuse.com, a Web site that says it will fill any gap on your résumé by acting as your past employer. It will go as far as creating a new company with an accompanying phone number, logo, Web site and LinkedIn profile. He says the site is designed to "help our subscribers meet the needs of the modern day job market." "Many of our subscribers tell me how a bad reference from a previous employer is akin to having a criminal record and is preventing them from providing for their family. All they ask is for a second chance," Schmidt says. While Schmidt feels good about the service he provides for job seekers, naturally, not everyone shares his opinion. After all, not only is it unethical to lie about anything on your job application, but some argue that it puts those who have legitimate references at an unfair disadvantage. "It's like using a professional photographer, who helps you look your best, versus using someone else's photo. One is enhancing your appearance, while the other is blatant misrepresentation," says David Wright, author of "Get a Job! Your Guide to Making Successful Career Moves." "People do make mistakes and bad choices. Winners learn from the mistakes while losers try to cover them up, hide them, or keep making the same mistakes over and over while expecting different results." Is the economy to blame? Many people can agree that finding a job today is difficult and not having anyone in your corner to toot your horn could be detrimental. Schmidt said he got the idea for his company after perusing posts on Twitter, where he said he saw many users asking strangers for references. "We understand that there are over 12 million workers who have been fired or let go from former employers in the last eight years. With six applicants for every job today, anyone with a blemish in their career can be left out," Schmidt says. Lauren Milligan, résumé expert and job coach for ResuMAYDAY, says that it's sad that anyone would think they had to fake their job references, but she can see how the poor economy could lead to making desperate choices. "If a candidate was previously turned down because of a lack of reference, that otherwise honest person may decide to unethically stack the deck in his or her favor," she says. "It's kind of pathetic that anyone would have to [use a service for a reference], but perhaps it could be that 'rock bottom' that turns around bad behavior." Is it worth it? Although many job seekers may feel that they need to use a fake reference because they were fired, or need to cover a gap in their employment history. Experts say that paying someone money to do that for you is likely a waste -- especially since many employers ignore the references you give them anyway. "Having consulted on hundreds of hires, I don't care about the three personal references the candidate has given. Anyone can find three people that will swear they can turn water into wine," says Barry Maher, career consultant and owner of Barry Maher & Associates. "I check everything else I can. And not just the last job, which may be a service that will vouch for them, but the job before that and the one before that, all the way down the line." Checking references all the way down the line has also become much easier with the advent of social networking sites like Facebook and LinkedIn, which provide a place for you to list your employment history. Employers aren't stupid -- if a few things don't match up, they'll catch on pretty quickly. "The good thing about social networking is that the world has become a much smaller, accessible place. The bad thing about social networking is that the world has become a much smaller, accessible place," Milligan says. "Within a few minutes, I believe that anyone with a mid-level of expertise in LinkedIn or Facebook (combined with an elementary-level [Internet] search) could identify fake information. Hiring mistakes are so costly; due diligence can really pay off in a company's recruiting process." And while employers cross-reference information that candidates provide them, including references, services like CareerExcuse.com have an answer for that, too. "CareerExcuse.com uses [social networks] to our advantage," Schmidt says. "As a matter of fact, it is the Internet and the reliance of the Internet by human resource managers that make our services work so successfully." Consequences of your actions Every action has a reaction, including providing a fake job reference to a potential employer. Although you may not get caught, you'll likely have to deal with trying to cover up your lies and forever worrying about if you'll get caught. "Liars are always going to use lies to try and put themselves at an advantage over honest people," Wright says. "This may be effective in the short run, but over time, honesty wins out because eventually lies do get found out, and liars are exposed for who they really are. As in a great quote attributed to Abraham Lincoln: 'You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you cannot fool all of the people all of the time.'" The truth will set you free If you feel the need to use a fake job reference, try these three tips from our experts instead: 1. Turn your negatives into positives "Nothing builds credibility like exposing your own negatives. You can turn them into positives, selling points, even bragging points," Maher says. He gives the example of Clyde Thompson, who "provided us with all the reasons why we may not want to hire him; all the ones that we probably would have brought up on our own once he was out of the room, and a few more we might never have come up. Clyde presented his unemployability in a light made it appear that he'd be a more reliable employee. And his honesty gained him a massive amount of credibility." 2. Don't give up Before giving up and resigning to having no references, Milligan suggests scouring LinkedIn and Facebook to try and reconnect with any former colleagues. Or, consider if you've volunteered anywhere, played on a sports team or been a member of industry associations. Reach out to peers from these organizations for a reference. "References don't only have to come from supervisors or co-workers," she says. "Perhaps company clients or vendors would have a few good things to say about you." If you still can't find anyone to give you reference by the time an employer asks for one, Milligan suggests saying, "Unbelievably, I wasn't able to connect with any of my former supervisors or co-workers after ABC Company shut down unexpectedly. Thanks to social networking, I'm in the process of trying to find people, but it just hasn't panned out yet. In lieu of that, I would assure you that I wouldn't have been able to achieve (insert career success here) if I wasn't good at my job and I fully expect to create more successes like that one, for you." 3. Tackle the issue head-on Instead of trying to sweep the issue under the rug, be the first one to address it, Wright suggests. "If you know you've got something bad that would probably show up on a background check, it can help to be proactive, particularly when you've established some degree of rapport with the hiring manager," he suggests. "Tell them that you want to be up front with them -- you made a mistake in the past and they'll probably find out anyway, but you'd rather them hear it from you first. By being proactive, you have the opportunity to position it better as well, emphasizing your strengths or how you overcame that experience." By Rachel Zupek writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com and its job blog, The Work Buzz. She researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues. Follow her on Twitter: http://twitter.com/CBwriterRZ.  <div><a class="addthis_button" expr:addthis:title="data:post.title" expr:addthis:url="data:post.url"><img alt="Bookmark and Share" height="16" src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/v2/lg-share-en.gif" style="border:0" width="125"/></a> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js#username=rockfordlink"></script></div>

Should You Fake Your Job References?

Every day, William Schmidt gives job seekers with a not-so-great job history, a gap on their résumé, or even a criminal record, a second cha...

Today's Best and Worst Cities for Jobs

6:17 AM Anonymous 0

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/m5/ar5d6qy63k1jnvhxdwm5.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/m5/ar5d6qy63k1jnvhxdwm5.gif" /></a> </div>Last fall, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said the recession was "very likely over" -- at least by the numbers -- and the United States had moved into a period of recovery. That was September. Most job seekers, especially the 5.9 million long-term unemployed workers who have been out of work for six months or more, are still waiting for that renewal. The national unemployment rate in October was 9.5 percent, not seasonally adjusted, up from 6.1 percent a year earlier. Fifteen metro areas recorded jobless rates of at least 15 percent, while 13 others registered rates below 5 percent. Overall, 138 areas recorded unemployment rates above the U.S. average, 229 areas reported rates below it, and 5 areas had the same rate, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. But the unemployment rate is a lag indicator. Looking at other BLS figures, there are signs that the economy is healing. Many U.S. metros experienced some -- albeit small -- job growth from the period of July 2009-October 2009 (most recent data available at press time). According to seasonally adjusted data from the BLS, out of the largest 281 metros in the United States, 77 cities added jobs the July-October 2009 period. Eleven metros saw no change in the number of employed persons; however, another 193 metros saw declines in jobs. The best... Of those 77 cities whose employment increased from July-October 2009, here are 19 that saw growth by 1 percent or more. Merced, Calif. No. of employed in July: 55,200 No. of employed in October: 56,700 Percent change: +2.7 Morgantown, W.Va. No. of employed in July: 62,800 No. of employed in October: 64,300 Percent change: +2.4 Dubuque, Iowa No. of employed in July: 53,200 No. of employed in October: 54,300 Percent change: +2.1 Wilmington, N.C. No. of employed in July: 138,400 No. of employed in October: 141,300 Percent change: +2.1 Vineland-Millville-Bridgeton, N.J. No. of employed in July: 60,200 No. of employed in October: 61,400 Percent change: +2 Mansfield, Ohio No. of employed in July: 53,800 No. of employed in October: 54,900 Percent change: +2 Charlotte-Gastonia-Concord, N.C.-S.C. No. of employed in July: 798,200 No. of employed in October: 810,500 Percent change: +1.5 Portsmouth, N.H.-Maine No. of employed in July: 53,900 No. of employed in October: 54,600 Percent change: +1.3 Raleigh-Cary, N.C. No. of employed in July: 500,400 No. of employed in October: 506,700 Percent change: +1.3 Iowa City, Iowa No. of employed in July: 91,000 No. of employed in October: 92,100 Percent change: +1.2 Springfield, Ohio No. of employed in July: 50,400 No. of employed in October: 51,000 Percent change: +1.2 Fresno, Calif. No. of employed in July: 289,900 No. of employed in October: 293,100 Percent change: +1.1 Santa Barbara-Santa Maria-Goleta, Calif. No. of employed in July: 167,700 No. of employed in October: 169,600 Percent change: +1.1 Rockford, Ill. No. of employed in July: 152,00 No. of employed in October: 153,700 Percent change: +1.1 Glens Falls, N.Y. No. of employed in July: 52,600 No. of employed in October: 53,200 Percent change: +1.1 Athens-Clarke County, Ga. No. of employed in July: 83,700 No. of employed in October: 84.5 Percent change: +1 Waterloo-Cedar Falls, Iowa No. of employed in July: 87,300 No. of employed in October: 88,200 Percent change: +1 Johnson City, Tenn. No. of employed in July: 79,000 No. of employed in October: 79,800 Percent change: +1 Spokane, Wash. No. of employed in July: 210,100 No. of employed in October: 212,200 Percent change: +1 And the worst There were also 193 metros that experienced declines in jobs from July-October 2009. Here are the 15 that had the greatest losses. Greenville, N.C. No. of employed in July: 76,400 No. of employed in October: 74,900 Percent change: -2 Columbus, Ga.-Ala. No. of employed in July: 120,200 No. of employed in October: 117,700 Percent change: -2.1 Dalton, Ga. No. of employed in July: 68,000 No. of employed in October: 66,600 Percent change: -2.1 Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, S.C. No. of employed in July: 119,400 No. of employed in October: 116,800 Percent change: -2.2 Lafayette, Ind. No. of employed in July: 96,700 No. of employed in October: 94,500 Percent change: -2.3 Bellingham, Wash. No. of employed in July: 82,200 No. of employed in October: 80,300 Percent change: -2.3 Greeley, Colo. No. of employed in July: 79,700 No. of employed in October: 77,800 Percent change: -2.4 Barnstable Town, Mass. No. of employed in July: 96,000 No. of employed in October: 93,700 Percent change: -2.4 St. George, Utah No. of employed in July: 49,600 No. of employed in October: 48,400 Percent change: -2.4 Gainesville, Ga. No. of employed in July: 75,300 No. of employed in October: 73,400 Percent change: -2.5 Lima, Ohio No. of employed in July: 53,600 No. of employed in October: 52,200 Percent change: -2.6 Rochester-Dover, N.H.-Maine No. of employed in July: 58,200 No. of employed in October: 56,400 Percent change: -3.1 Yuma, Ariz. No. of employed in July: 51,500 No. of employed in October: 49,800 Percent change: -3.3 Missoula, Mont. No. of employed in July: 55,100 No. of employed in October: 52,800 Percent change: -4.2 Grand Junction, Colo. No. of employed in July: 64,800 No. of employed in October: 61,400 Percent change: -5.2 By Kate Lorenz editor for CareerBuilder.com and its job-seeker blog, www.TheWorkBuzz.com. She researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues. Follow CareerBuilder on Twitter www.twitter.com/CBforjobseekers.  <div><a class="addthis_button" expr:addthis:title="data:post.title" expr:addthis:url="data:post.url"><img alt="Bookmark and Share" height="16" src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/v2/lg-share-en.gif" style="border:0" width="125"/></a> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js#username=rockfordlink"></script></div>