10 New Blue-Collar Jobs

10 New Blue-Collar Jobs Rachel Zupek, CareerBuilder.com writer<br /><br />In the old days, there were blue-collar workers and white-collar workers. These days, there are white-, blue-, green-, gold-, pink- and gray-collared workers, too. (Seriously.)<br /><br />The problem with these classifications is that not only are they based on stereotypes but for the most part, they're inaccurate. Pink-collar workers, for example, supposedly work in jobs that have traditionally been considered female, like hairdressers, nannies and nurses. One can argue, however, that a significant percentage of these jobs are also occupied by men in today's work force. Gray collar allegedly classifies workers who work beyond typical retirement age (an allusion to gray hair?) and gold-collar workers are apparently young, low-wage employees who spend most of their paycheck on luxury items.<br /><br />While today's labor force is a far cry from the segregated one that existed in the first half of the 20th century, worker classifications still exist. Perhaps the worst typecast group is blue-collar workers, often assumed to have poor education and minimal capabilities. In reality, these physically demanding jobs actually require extensive training and certifications and usually involve work that no one wants to do themselves.<br /><br />Here are 10 blue-collar jobs that are following the ways of the world as technology, the environment and the population rapidly changes. These labor-intensive jobs offer decent (though not the highest) pay and job growth through 2016, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Some of them you might not have heard of -- but when you read the job requirements, you'll realize how often you utilize their work.<br /><br />Landscaping and groundskeeping worker<br /><br />Many homeowners can't find time to take care of their lawns and also desire to entertain outdoors in an attractive setting. Hence, groundskeeping workers remain vital to our work force. Salary: $10.22/hour; $21,260/year<br /><br />Electronic home entertainment equipment installer/repairer<br /><br />If you tried to lift or install the new 60-inch flat-screen TV you just purchased, you know it's not easy. Plus, such equipment isn't cheap, so buyers are willing to spend the extra money to have it professionally delivered and installed, or to get it fixed when it goes on the fritz. Salary: $14.42/hour; $29,980/year<br /><br />Terrazzo worker and finisher<br /><br />As people become as concerned with image as function, terrazzo finishers will continue applying decorative and attractive finishes to hallways, patios, floors and panels in households around the world. Salary: $15.21/hour; $31,630/year<br /><br />Highway maintenance worker<br /><br />Roads require constant maintenance, conforming to safety standards or repairing damaged roadways. Since cars don't seem like they'll fly anytime soon, maintenance workers will be around for a while. Salary: $15.67/hour; $32,600/year<br /><br />Security and fire alarm systems installer<br /><br />Though there was a 2.6 percent decrease in property crime in the first six months of 2007, according to the FBI, robbery, burglary and larceny-theft still pose a threat. To continue fighting crime, security and fire systems installers will work to ensure people feel safe in their homes. Salary: $16.73/hour; $34,810/year<br /><br />Computer, automated teller and office machine repairer<br /><br />Computers and office equipment are vital to the day-to-day activities in both business and home, like the convenience of banking and bill-paying online. These machines always need to be up and running and we need professional repairmen to make sure they are. Salary: $17.54/hour; $36,480/year<br /><br />Tile and marble setter<br /><br />Along with the population, businesses are growing, too. Tile and marble are becoming more popular for use in shopping malls, hospitals, schools and restaurants. These, along with other nontraditional housing materials, are also popular in homes nationwide. Salary: $17.59/hour; $36,590/year<br /><br />Heating, air-conditioning and refrigeration mechanic and installer<br /><br />Environmental concerns continue as both people and companies strive to "go green." For many, this means installing new, energy-saving heating and cooling systems in their homes and offices. Those who already have such machines require them to operate at the highest efficiency, which means professionally maintaining them. Salary: $18.44/hour; $38,360/year<br /><br />Structural and reinforcing iron and metal worker<br /><br />Similar to people, structures get older. As they do, buildings, bridges, power plants and highways need to be rehabbed, repaired, replaced or maintained and these are the people who will do it. Salary: $19.46/hour; $40,480/year<br /><br />Subway and street-car operator<br /><br />With our ever-growing population and the strong push to improve the environment, public transportation like subways, street cars and light rails will become more prevalent in the next few years. Salary: $23.55/hour; $48,980/year<br /><br />*Salaries and figures based on median annual/hourly earnings, 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<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!

10 New Blue-Collar Jobs

10 New Blue-Collar Jobs Rachel Zupek, CareerBuilder.com writer In the old days, there were blue-collar workers and white-collar workers. The...

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Can You Be Your Own Boss?

Can You Be Your Own Boss? Robin Ryan, Author of '60 Seconds and You're Hired'<br /><br />Many of us fantasize about owning our own companies. Nearly one million new businesses are launched each year, but more than 85 percent will close within five years. There are some key indicators of who will be most effective as owners. Take this quiz to help you determine if you have the burning desire, discipline and resources to become your own boss.<br /><br />Are you a self-starter?<br />It will be up to you, not someone else, to develop the business, organize the projects, manage your time and follow through on details.<br /><br />Can you handle the uncertain financial risk?<br />Businesses all have cycles, the ebbs and flows in profitability. Once it's started you'll have overhead and operational expenses that must be met before you get paid.<br /><br />Do you have good business skills?<br />You must attract customers. New and repeat customers are the lifeblood of your business. You must possess or learn these skills -- accounting, business planning, operations, sales, marketing and customer service -- to survive and succeed.<br /><br />Do you have the stamina needed to run a business?<br />Business ownership is a lot of work. Can you face 12-hour work days, six or seven days a week, every week?<br /><br />Are you motivated by achievement?<br />Many entrepreneurs get great joy out of the daily "wins" they get from doing business. They find it's a competitive game and satisfying way to fulfill their instinct to achieve. They have fun doing it. These people have a passion and driving desire to come in first. They are doers and want to derive benefits from their efforts and labor. They are unlikely to get "burned out" or worn down by carrying all the responsibilities of the business on their shoulders.<br /><br />Are you a good decision-maker?<br />Business owners are required to make decisions constantly, quickly, under pressure and independently. Do you research and examine all options on important decisions to minimize your risk, but then decide and go forward?<br /><br />How well do you handle different personalities?<br />Business owners need to develop working relationships with a variety of people including customers, vendors, staff, bankers and professionals such as lawyers, accountants or graphic artists. Your ability to successfully deal with demanding clients, unreliable vendors or cranky staff people in order to benefit your business will directly impact your success.<br /><br />How will the business affect your family?<br />It's hard to balance work and family demands during the first few years after starting a new business. There may also be financial difficulties until the business becomes profitable, which could take months or years. You may have to adjust to a lower standard of living or put family assets at risk. Can your family deal with the challenges business ownership requires? Although many entrepreneurs go on to make large incomes, the "lean years" are a necessary part of the evolution and business growth cycle. Equally important to consider are the many job perks -- paid vacations, sick days, medical and dental insurance, stock options, cars, health club memberships -- that disappear when you own the company. Think about the extra costs you will now incur.<br /><br />How will you deal with the isolation?<br />Once you go off on your own, you'll be just that -- alone. Can you deal with being isolated? Will you miss the status, respect and collegial connections that you had while working for an employer other than yourself? Don't underestimate this -- it's the reason many consultants and service business owners close their own operations and re-enter the corporate world.<br /><br />Can you go two or three years without an income?<br />List start-up resources to buy/start and run your business. Note sales and break even points as well as profit projections. Be conservative in your estimates on how fast you'll be able to turn a profit. Develop family and business budgets that support you and your family while your business is beginning to grow.<br /><br />Robin Ryan has appeared on the Dr. Phil Show, Oprah, NBC Nightly News with Tom Brokaw, CNN, CNBC and is considered America's top career coach. She is the best-selling author of: "60 Seconds and You're Hired!;" "Winning Resumes;" "Winning Cover Letters" and "What to Do with the Rest of Your Life." She's the creator of the highly acclaimed audio training program Interview Advantage and The DreamMaker. To purchase her books and audio training programs go to http://www.robinryan.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!

Can You Be Your Own Boss?

Can You Be Your Own Boss? Robin Ryan, Author of '60 Seconds and You're Hired' Many of us fantasize about owning our own companie...

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Unhappy at Work? Ask Yourself These 7 Questions

Unhappy at Work? Ask Yourself These 7 Questions by By Heather Mundell, CPC<br /><br />You're sitting in another agonizing meeting and glancing at your watch. "I can't believe what a waste of time this is," you say to yourself. "I've got five phone calls to return and probably 25 new e-mails in my inbox. Guess I'm staying late again. I just wish I cared more about what I'm doing here anyway."<br /><br />If you notice that your complaints about work are becoming frequent and serious enough that you're questioning your willingness to stay, here are seven essential questions to ask before deciding whether to leave your position. Answering these questions is the first step in taking charge of your own career.<br /><br />1. What do you enjoy and what don't you enjoy about your job?<br /><br />This is a basic yet essential exercise. On a sheet of paper create two columns. In the first list all of the aspects about your job that you enjoy. In the second, detail your complaints. Be honest and specific. Now compare the two lists and notice any patterns. How meaningful are your likes and what are the impacts of your dislikes?<br /><br />2. How long have you felt the way you do?<br /><br />Every organization experiences good times and rough times. Are you hating your job because it's budget time or review time? Are you in a good phase only because sales are up in the summer? Have you been complaining for two solid years? Get some perspective about your overall satisfaction level.<br /><br />3. How does your job align with your strengths and your values?<br /><br />People are usually happiest when they are encouraged to play to their strengths and values. Make a list of your strengths and values and consider them in light of your current job and organization. How well does your job fit you? Are you an extroverted leader in a job involving a lot of data analysis? Are you committed to a particular cause and work for an organization whose mission runs counter to your ideals?<br /><br />4. What is your job costing you?<br /><br />Even those of us in lucrative positions face some degree of "opportunity cost" in their lives. Others face real emotional suffering. How mild or severe is the cost of remaining in your current position? Be honest about the impact your job has on your health and sense of well-being.<br /><br />5. Will this job get you where you want to go?<br /><br />You need to have a clear vision before making a dramatic decision about your current position. What would you love to be doing one, five and 10 years from now? How will this job get you there? Is this job a natural stepping stone or a dead end?<br /><br />6. How is your boss supporting you?<br /><br />Your boss's skill as a manager is a critical factor to your job satisfaction and success. She can give you challenging assignments and assist your career progression. Or she can ignore you, dump unappealing projects on you or undermine you. If your boss is intolerable, it may be time to move on. Fighting to have your boss removed or waiting for your boss to change or get fired are rarely successful tactics.<br /><br />7. What's keeping you where you are?<br /><br />Now it's time to be brutally honest. What are your primary motivating factors for working in this position? Perhaps you've made lifestyle choices that depend on your salary level. Maybe you spent many years and thousands of dollars obtaining an advanced degree to get where you are. Maybe you have convinced yourself that there is no better job out there. What are you committed to in your life? How does your job support those commitments?<br /><br />Take some time to analyze your work experience in light of your answers to these seven questions. By noticing your desires and honoring your aspirations, you can achieve more clarity about what you want and what is in your way. With clarity, you can transform your vision into a plan for action.<br /><br />If you still feel stuck, consider hiring a professional coach. A coach can help you clarify your vision, remove obstacles, create an action plan and follow it. With coaching, you can more readily take charge of your career and move closer to achieving your dreams.<br /><br />Heather Mundell is a certified professional coach and former human resources director. To learn more about her and Dream Big Coaching Services, visit her website at http://www.dreambigcoaching.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!

Unhappy at Work? Ask Yourself These 7 Questions

Unhappy at Work? Ask Yourself These 7 Questions by By Heather Mundell, CPC You're sitting in another agonizing meeting and glancing at y...

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Service To Children

The Ever Flowing Stream article below is about a ministry that is dear to my heart and has been endorsed by our recent General Convention as a mission priority of the Episcopal Church. CIS is not yet statewide, and some of our churches partner with schools in other ways. CIS is expanding. This is the largest such partnership opportunity and the one that offers us the best way into giving children a chance in life.<br /><br /> An Everflowing Stream<br /> Amos 5:24<br /><br />EC 2/05 Confirms care for the needs of children as a priority of the Church and urges the President and Congress to make funding for children’s care a priority <br /><br />Communities in Schools<br /><br />Communities in Schools is a non-profit organization that provides support to children of all ages by ensuring that they are successful in school, are safe, healthy and able to learn. By empowering students to stay in school and achieve their highest potential, Communities in Schools of Nevada is preparing children not just to survive, but to thrive.<br /><br />As the nation’s largest dropout prevention organization, CIS brings caring adults into schools to address the children’s unmet needs. The result is that teachers are free to teach, and students—many in jeopardy of dropping out—have the opportunity to focus on learning. And when a child can successfully learn, he or she can stay in school, prepare for college, for a career, and ultimately for a better life.<br /><br />Communities in Schools of Nevada has identified the many different reasons for a child to be unsuccessful in school and has implemented programs to service each of those needs. Homelessness, hunger and health are big issues in many schools. CIS created a program that sends home backpacks filled with food for the child and their family so that having a nutritious meal is one last thing to worry about and the kids can focus on school. <br />CIS has also built two health clinics on school grounds that are open to any child in the Clark County School District, absolutely free of cost. Now parents don’t have to worry about how they are going to afford healthcare, and children who were distracted in school because they were sick, or couldn’t see the blackboard, or had a toothache, are now relieved of that pressure and are free to learn.<br /><br />Communities in Schools of Nevada also offers a mentoring program called the Fellows Academy in the middle and high schools. CIS, along with school administrators, identifies as-risk youth who may be on the path to dropping out or just not doing well in school, and empowers them to learn so that they are empowered to achieve throughout life.<br /><br />Children who are hungry or homeless or at-risk in some way have certainly never had the opportunity to experience something as amazing as a week at Camp Galilee. It is our hope that the $16,000 needed to fund the camp can be raised so that these children can participate in this wonderful experience.<br /><br />Please help CIS reach their goal of ensuring that children in Nevada are given every opportunity so that their first focus can be school and reaching their fullest potential in life. There will be more information at the Diocesan Convention, where CIS Nevada State Director, Louise Helton, will be speaking.<br /><br />(This article was written by Abby Wagner, Marketing Director for Communities in Schools of Nevada, 702-770-7611. For information about the Nevada Social Concerns Network contact millsr007@aol .com)

Service To Children

The Ever Flowing Stream article below is about a ministry that is dear to my heart and has been endorsed by our recent General Convention as...

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Top 10 Reasons Why They Don't Like You at Work

Top 10 Reasons Why They Don't Like You at Work by Kate Lorenz, CareerBuilder.com Editor<br /><br />When you walk into the breakroom, do the lively conversations stop? Do the groups quickly disband as everyone scrambles to head back to their offices? Do you think to yourself, "Was everybody's break really over or were they just trying to avoid me?"<br /><br />If any of the following situations describe you, these might be the reason you feel left out:<br /><br />1. "The sky isn't really blue -- it's actually cyan"<br />Do you incessantly spout unnecessary or obscure information that would make Cliff Clavin from the TV show "Cheers" jealous? Lose the "know-it-all" attitude or you'll make a career of lunching alone.<br /><br />2. Chains of Love<br />Are you never around because you're always out on a "smoking break?" Limit your puffs to standard break times.<br /><br />3. Workaholic Wannabe<br />Do you mosey in late, take extra long lunches, and don't really start to roll-up your sleeves and dig into some serious work until about 2 p.m.? Then, do you make sure everyone sees you working past 5 p.m.? Well you're not impressing anyone; rather you're annoying those who already have put in a full day before you even get warmed up.<br /><br />4. People Magazine Office Edition<br />You're very good at filing away information about everyone in the office! If you want to keep friends, learn to keep a secret.<br /><br />5. Devil's Advocate<br />Do you feel compelled to take the other side of every argument just to make a point? Well stop it! Nothing is more exhausting for your co-workers than knowing you're always ready to challenge them no matter what they say.<br /><br />6. Yadda-yadda-yadda<br />Do you barge into cube after cube forcing one-way conversations on your innocent victims? If the only response you receive is, "Uh-huh, uh-huh, uh-huh," then they're not interested in your blather. Now get back to work!<br /><br />7. You gotta see the ba-a-aby!<br />Related to the yadda-yadda-yadda talker is the baby babbler who incessantly gushes about her children. Only family and close friends should be privy to details about every syllable uttered, step taken or diaper dirtied. It's wonderful that you love your baby, but just don't make it your only topic of conversation.<br /><br />8. Mr. Un-Clean<br />Leaving dishes in the sink, old food in the fridge, food splattered inside the microwave and crumbs on the break table is a sure-fire way to annoy fellow workers. Clean up your act.<br /><br />9. What's that on your nose?<br />Do you constantly follow your boss around, laugh at all her jokes and drop her name in countless conversations? If so, then you are a suck-up. Working in an office does require a certain amount of "schmoozing" the boss, but you don't have to tie yourself up in a pretzel to impress her while alienating everyone else in the office.<br /><br />10. Big Mouth<br />Are your phone conversations loud enough to be from the speakerphone even though they're not? Dial down the volume to keep the peace.<br /><br />If you recognize yourself in any of these scenarios, be warned: It's time to change your ways. Of course you can never please everyone, but healthy work relationships are necessary to properly perform your duties and for future advancement in the company. So get rid of some of your annoying habits and you're sure to gain some new friends.<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!

Top 10 Reasons Why They Don't Like You at Work

Top 10 Reasons Why They Don't Like You at Work by Kate Lorenz, CareerBuilder.com Editor When you walk into the breakroom, do the lively ...

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Can You Be Fired for Blogging?

Can You Be Fired for Blogging? by Kate Lorenz, CareerBuilder.com Editor<br /><br />It was Merriam-Webster Online's No. 1 word of 2004, and Fortune magazine named it the No. 1 tech trend for 2005. Two surveys by the Pew Internet & American Life Project in November 2004 found that 8 million people say they have created one and almost one-third of Internet users say they read one. But it's still a mystery: Six-of-ten Internet users say they don't know what "blog" means.<br /><br />A blog, according to Merriam-Webster's Online Dictionary, is "a Web site that contains an online personal journal with reflections, comments and often hyperlinks provided by the writer."<br /><br />Bloggers write about their lives to keep friends and family up-to-date, talk about their industry, discuss hobbies or rant about their favorite reality TV show. But posting pictures of you at work, disclosing confidential information about your employer, or bad-mouthing your co-workers could get you in hot water for committing inappropriate behavior.<br /><br />Whether or not it's intentional, divulging dirt about your job can spell trouble at work. Ellen Simonetti, a flight attendant for Delta, learned this the hard way.<br /><br />Simonetti started a blog as a way to cope with her mother's death because she found it easier to write about her feelings than talk about them. She described it as an anonymous, semi-fictitious account of life as a flight attendant -- and she lost her job because of it.<br /><br />Simonetti claims her termination resulted from pictures posted on her Web site, which show her in uniform aboard a Delta airplane. "The only reason I was given was the very vague phrase: 'inappropriate pictures in uniform.' Delta will not define what 'inappropriate' means, nor tell me which pictures they found 'inappropriate'," she says. When asked about the issue, a Delta representative said the company does not discuss internal employee-related issues with the media.<br /><br />Whatever bloggers are writing about work, employers don't like it. Employees have reportedly been fired for blogging at a number of companies, including Starbucks, Delta, Wells Fargo, Friendster and Kmart.<br /><br />In a January 2005 survey by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), only 3 percent of human resource professionals report disciplining an employee for blogging and none reported dismissing an employee for such behavior. Despite this, ejected bloggers stand by their claims.<br /><br />What could be grounds for termination? If you are disclosing trade secrets or proprietary or confidential information on your blog or using excessive amounts of time when you should be working, it's possible you will reap the consequences, says Rosemary Haefner, vice president for human resources at CareerBuilder.com.<br /><br />"Companies need to do their best to not only protect their interests, but protect their employees," says Jeremy Wright, fired blogger and founder of InsideBlogging, a blog consulting company. "Most firings are due to individual bosses taking drastic measures; it is rarely a higher company decision. When a blogger is going to be fired, the HR team needs to be sure it is for the right reason and that reactive measures simply aren't being taken due to fear or personal issues."<br /><br />If you're thinking of starting your own blog or already have one, here's some advice to make sure your online diary isn't reason for your employer to let you go:<br /><br />1. Know where your company stands.<br />Ask about the company blogging policy before you start, even if you are doing it anonymously, Simonetti advises. Does your company establish boundaries? Is blogging acceptable? Is it OK to mention your employer? Are there topics that are off-limits? What are the consequences?<br /><br />2. Blog on your own time.<br />If you are using company hardware, a company network or doing it on company time, you are likely bound by company policy and could be reprimanded or terminated for wrongful use, Haefner says.<br /><br />3. Practice safe blogs.<br />"Employees who go around sharing negative or confidential information about their company, product, or service -- either internal or external -- to the company would and should get fired," says Pete Quintas, CTO of SilkRoad Technology, creator of an enterprise blogging application called Silkblogs. "You need to be honest and not secretive about what you are writing unless you are willing to deal with the consequences."<br /><br />4. Don't hide it from your boss.<br />Quintas says you should be honest about your blogging, and ask your employer if it is OK to do. "I would consider it analogous to asking your employer: 'I have been invited to speak on a panel at this industry conference; can I participate?'"<br /><br />5. Use good judgment.<br />If you consider blogs and the Internet an extension of your voice, what you say on your blog about your company, product or service should be kept within the guidelines of what you would verbally say in public, according to Quintas. "Treat it with the same restraint of how you talk in person about your company, remembering that more people have access to what you say." he suggests. "Don't say anything different than what you would say at a happy hour, or at a company holiday party, or at an industry trade show, or in front of a customer."<br /><br />6. Others will disagree with you.<br />You can't please all people all of the time. As with any communications medium, the best advice is to be aware of the repercussions your decisions may have, Wright warns. "Anytime you post, you are effectively making a choice between being safe, and having something worthwhile to say. It's a rare occasion where you can both please everyone and come up with a new and engaging line of thought. Sometimes things you say will offend people, no matter where you're saying them."<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!

Can You Be Fired for Blogging?

Can You Be Fired for Blogging? by Kate Lorenz, CareerBuilder.com Editor It was Merriam-Webster Online's No. 1 word of 2004, and Fortune ...

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Six Signs to Run -- Not Walk -- From Your Job

Six Signs to Run -- Not Walk -- From Your Job by Kate Lorenz, CareerBuilder.com Editor<br /><br />So you've finally landed a new job and you're thrilled to be in the working world again. Hopefully, your new position will be one that provides you with support, great opportunities and plenty of recognition for your successes. Unfortunately, a company that seems like Cinderella during the interview process can end up looking more like an ugly stepsister once you actually join the team. Here are six real-life, sure-fire signs that it's time to run away and never look back!<br /><br />1. You ask your new boss for supplies and she hands you a No. 2 pencil and legal pad -- and nothing else. While not all companies can afford to outfit employees with late-model laptops, cell phones, pagers and company credit cards, it is important that you are given the tools that you need in order to do your job. If you aren't, or if the company questions you every time you ask for a new pen, it could be an indication of financial stress.<br /><br />2. You were shown to a cubicle your first day of work, given a company manual and haven't been spoken to since. Even if you have years of experience, you should always be given some kind of orientation or training during your first days on a new job. The companies that are known as the best places to work all have substantial training programs and processes in place to make sure new employees feel comfortable and supported right from the start. Be wary if you feel like you have been left to go it alone.<br /><br />3. Every time you tell someone about your new job with the company they raise their eyebrows and say "Really? Wow... good luck with that." A company's reputation isn't always completely accurate, but it does usually stem from legitimate information. Good companies to work for are typically well-known and well-respected in their communities. In fact, you should ask others in your industry and the local business community what their thoughts are about the company when you are doing your initial research. If everyone you ask has a negative tale about your new employer, chances are their impressions have some validity.<br /><br />4. After two weeks on the job, you are already halfway to becoming the employee with the most seniority. One of the biggest issues for human resources professionals today is employee retention. You will notice that most of the country's top companies have employees who have been around for years. Lengthy employee tenure is often a sign that the company is doing something right. "I joined a firm in St. Louis and learned that the company had seven other employees come and go in the past year," says Sarah, a public relations executive. "What's worse is that it was only a five-person operation. That should have been the first sign that the company was not a great place to work."<br /><br />5. You answer the phone while the company's secretary is away from her desk and find that the voice at the other end is a collection agency calling for the third time that week. While this sounds unbelievable, this actually happened to one worker, who said other employees at the company were eventually instructed to not answer the phones. "It became a joke with all of us," she commented. "We used to run out and cash our checks as soon as we got paid and were always afraid that they were going to bounce!" If you see any signs that your company is in real financial or legal trouble, get your résumé back out on the market.<br /><br />6. You notice that every day for the last five days, at least one person has run crying from your boss's office. While not everyone's boss is a bundle of joy, you should expect to be treated with respect in the workplace. If you see signs that the executives running your company make all of the other employees shake with fear, burst into tears or work on edge all the time, look for a greener pasture. There are companies out there that find success without putting employees through the ringer.<br /><br />You will not know everything about your new company until you put in your time, but if you get a bad feeling right away, there is probably a good reason for it. Trust your instincts when you start a new job, and know what qualities you want to see when you walk into the office. Doing so can keep you from being stuck in a dead-end situation that leaves you frustrated and unfulfilled.<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. Other writers contributed to this article.<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!

Six Signs to Run -- Not Walk -- From Your Job

Six Signs to Run -- Not Walk -- From Your Job by Kate Lorenz, CareerBuilder.com Editor So you've finally landed a new job and you're...

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L'entreprise Technitoit à la Maison de l'emploi le 28 août

<BR><br /><strong>La société <a href="http://www.technitoit.fr/">TECHNITOIT</a> recrute sur Orléans des vendeurs techniciens conseillers, et des poseurs applicateurs</strong>.<br />L'entreprise TECHNITOIT est spécialiste de la rénovation des toitures et des façades. Elle fabrique, commercialise et pose.<br /><br />Venez rencontrer l'entreprise et découvrir ses métiers, muni de votre CV,<br /><ul><li>le <strong>vendredi 28 août</strong> 2009<br /><li>à la <strong>Maison de l'emploi</strong> du Bassin d'Orléans.</li></ul><p>Des entretiens de recrutement seront proposés le jour-même.<br /><br />Pour s'inscrire à la réunion d'information, contacter la Maison de l'Emploi du bassin d'Orléans au 02 38 24 18 03 ou <a href="mailto:accueil@news-these-days.fr">accueil@news-these-days.fr</a>.<br /><BR>

L'entreprise Technitoit à la Maison de l'emploi le 28 août

La société TECHNITOIT recrute sur Orléans des vendeurs techniciens conseillers, et des poseurs applicateurs . L'entreprise TECHNITOIT e...

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Combatting Entry-Level Boredom

Combatting Entry-Level Boredom by By Abby Wilner & Cathy Stocker, Authors of Quarterlifer's Companion<br /><br />The Boredom Epidemic<br />One of the most common complaints we hear from young professionals in entry-level positions is that they are bored out of their minds. They are generally assigned menial tasks which, thanks to the wonder of word processing, do not take up much time, and their supervisors are reluctant to assign any substantial work.<br /><br />Compounding the problem of boredom is the ever popular "face time" requirement. Everyone feels pressured to hang around the office for eight hours or more, out-waiting the boss or each other, regardless of their workload. This essentially trains us to be less efficient, because we feel penalized for finishing our work too quickly.<br /><br />In our 2004 survey of 391 twentysomethings on quarterlifecrisis.com, 61 percent said they were bored with their work (or lack thereof) -- almost 50 percent higher than the number of respondents who said they were stressed-out from a heavy workload.<br /><br />Consequences of Boredom<br />After leaving school filled with enthusiasm and ambition, the letdown of insignificant workloads can cause feelings of depression and worthlessness. And our twenties are a dangerous time to be bored at work because we are now forming on-the-job habits which, like smoking or biting our nails, will be hard to break.<br /><br />Below are some typical twentysomething complaints and questions about boredom at work:<br /><br />"I can never figure out whether to ask for more work because I've heard that companies will see that as a chance to downsize or reorganize. Since I have been out of college, I have frequently found myself bored with little or nothing to do. I wonder whether some people just get bored because they are more efficient than others."<br /><br />"I work nine-hour days and have nothing to do! I wish I could just go sleep somewhere. But I can't, so I sit at my computer and pretend I'm doing work while I am really just playing on the Internet. I think I would drive myself to an early death if the Internet did not exist!"<br /><br />"I expect work to be fairly boring; it's work. But it really chafes my bum to think about all the things I could be doing instead of sitting here, praying that something will need to be typed."<br /><br />Tips on Battling Boredom<br />While most bored employees automatically turn to the Internet for entertainment gossip and solitaire, there are more constructive ways to both fill up time and further your career:<br /><br />Start out the day by writing down your "five before five" -- a list of things you want to accomplish before the day is over -- and tape it to your monitor as a constant reminder.<br /><br />Be honest with your supervisor and ask for more work. Hopefully, he or she will appreciate your efficiency and ability to get the job done fast and reward you with a more challenging set of tasks. If your employer does not value efficiency, then perhaps it is time to look for a better fit.<br /><br /><br />A mentor can help you think of ways to increase and diversify your tasks by explaining the various roles and skills required in your industry or organization. A mentor can be any person with a career track to which you aspire, whether that is a co-worker, friend of the family or fellow alum. Visit your alumni Web site to get in touch with some alumni in your field who could act as mentors.<br /><br /><br />Try online courses to further your job skills and association Web sites for research and literature relevant to your field. Keep up with the news in your industry, and you'll be prepared with some impressive small talk next time you run into your boss' boss in the elevator.<br /><br /><br />Set up a meeting with a co-worker or supervisor to discuss the status of a project. Let them know that you are interested in becoming more involved.<br /><br /><br />If you've made the above attempts to enhance your job and still run out of things to do, chase your wild dreams. Got a book or movie idea? Well start writing already! Want to build a personal Web site? Learn HTML and get coding! At least those skills are applicable to your present or future jobs.<br /><br />When you pass the time at work with work-related activities rather than personal errands, you feel better about yourself at the end of the day. You feel that you have really earned your paycheck, and you learn more that you can apply to other jobs in the future. And most importantly, the time really flies by.<br /><br />Abby Wilner and Cathy Stocker, co-authors of "Quarterlifer's Companion: How to Get on the Right Career Path, Control Your Finances, and Find the Support Network You Need to Thrive," run the Web site Quarterlifecrisis.com, a supportive community for twentysomethings. Wilner is also the co-author of Quarterlife Crisis: the Unique Challenges of Life in Your Twenties.<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!

Combatting Entry-Level Boredom

Combatting Entry-Level Boredom by By Abby Wilner & Cathy Stocker, Authors of Quarterlifer's Companion The Boredom Epidemic One of th...

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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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Wake up Diana: you're killing yourself

I was going to title this post "Wake up America", but it's really me that needs a wake-up call. America will have to take care of herself.<br /><br />While I was in Tulsa I noticed an unusually large portion of the population was extremely fat. Morbidly obese would be more accurate. I only make note of this because I could easily be in the category of morbidly obese. I have it in me to weigh well over 300 or even 400 pounds. My highest weight was 245 but I know myself well, and my love of food and lack of willpower could easily be the death of me. By the way, Oklahoma is the sixth fattest state, and it was pretty obvious there's a problem.<br /><br />After I wrote my earlier post I finished off the Seafood Alfredo from yesterday and had a large piece of carrot cake with ice cream. I took another nap. I got up around 3pm and got dressed for the gym. I didn't want to go. I felt sluggish and tired. Every fiber of my being said "Just skip the gym today. You already blew it with what you ate today." Even my husband encouraged me to stay home (shame on him).<br /><br />I managed to get in my car and drive towards the gym. Then I remembered there really wasn't any healthy food at home to eat. I stopped at the grocery store to stock up before I went to the gym.<br /><br />As I walked into the store, in front of me walked two extremely heavy people. A man and a woman, each probably around 350 to 400 pounds. The man could barely walk, limping with each step. He looked like he was about 30 years old. There was a woman with them in an electric cart, with oxygen tubes in her nose and a tank of oxygen in the basket of the cart. She was easily over 400 pounds. I'm pretty sure she was younger than me, maybe 50.<br /><br />Once inside the store I was surrounded by extremely heavy people. It was the strangest thing I've ever seen. Everywhere I looked almost everyone weighed well over 300 pounds. I'm a pretty good judge of weight since it's been my obsession my entire life so I'm not exaggerating on the size of the customers in the store.<br /><br />It was like a message from God as I walked around the store. I could hear that voice in my head screaming at me, "THAT COULD BE YOU!" as I encountered each overweight person. I watched them struggling as they walked. Most of them were moving slowly, as if each step hurt them. I remember at 240 pounds I felt like each step was torture. I could feel their pain.<br /><br />The entire experience was surreal, almost like a Twilight Zone episode. After I got my groceries I went straight to the gym. I piled all the frozen stuff together in the trunk of my car and didn't even care if it melted a little. I was going to the gym right then, nothing was going to stop me.<br /><br />I'm home from the gym and still a little in shock over that weird experience in the store. It was my wake-up call. I can see how easily I can slip and fall back into old bad habits. One day leads to two, two to three, etc. You know how that story plays out. We all do. Been there too many times. History will NOT repeat itself this time.<br /><br />I'm in this for the long haul. I feel my determination coming back, my resolve to stay strong and beat this thing. I will not kill myself by eating myself to death. I will NOT do it.

Wake up Diana: you're killing yourself

I was going to title this post "Wake up America", but it's really me that needs a wake-up call. America will have to take care...

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Home Sweet Home

I finally got home yesterday after getting stuck in Dallas on Friday. The flights were full so I celebrated my birthday at an airport Holiday Inn Express. Sucks to be me sometimes. <br /><br />I was too tired to be sad about it, although it was the first birthday in my entire life that I spent alone. My coworker asked what was he, chopped liver? We had dinner at the Sheraton next door and toasted my birthday with diet coke. It was certainly not my most memorable birthday. It ranks right up there for worst birthday ever with when my entire family and my friends forgot my 16th birthday. That's a long story that I actually hadn't even thought about in years, until Friday.<br /><br />It was an incredibly long week, but our software passed certification. Just barely, with a few tweaks that have to be made this week before it can be deployed, but it passed. I guess I still have a job.<br /><br />Yesterday was a belated birthday celebration, starting with my husband meeting me at the airport with roses. That was sweet but sort of embarrassing. He's never done anything like that before so I don't know what came over him. <br /><br />It was a day with too much food, starting with breakfast at 13 Coins. My husband made my favorite dinner, Seafood Alfredo with king crab, scallops and prawns. Carrot cake with butter pecan ice cream for dessert. All delicious, all bad for me. I feel like the Goodyear Blimp today, and I doubt it's just the sodium. <br /><br />I've been trying all day to drag myself to the gym. I'm so tired I just want to curl up into a ball and sleep, which is exactly what I've done. It's 1:30pm, and I'm finally up, thinking about actually getting dressed and going to the gym. <br /><br />I know this week is going to be tough. Back to eating healthy, eating less and my regular exercise routine. Back to my life. Regardless of how hard it's going to be, I'm thrilled to be home.

Home Sweet Home

I finally got home yesterday after getting stuck in Dallas on Friday. The flights were full so I celebrated my birthday at an airport Holida...

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