Is Nursing Your Calling?

With the aging of the baby boomers, better technology and an emphasis on preventative care bringing Americans to their doctors in droves, patients may soon start noticing they have fewer nurses caring for them. It's not their imagination. In fact, a recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association predicted that 40 percent of registered nurses (RNs) in the United States will top age 50 by 2010. The retirement of these nurses - combined with the aging general population - is expected produce a shortage of 434,000 nurses by 2020. Interested in filling the gap? Here's an overview of the industry, based on information from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).<br /><br />Overview<br />Nursing is the largest healthcare occupation today, with 2.3 million jobs. A passion for healthcare and a compassionate nature are crucial for this field. Registered nurses work to promote health, prevent disease and care for ill or injured patients. Many nurses work directly with patients, observing and recording symptoms, assisting physicians, administering medicine and assisting in rehabilitation. RNs also put together nursing care plans and instruct patients and their families in proper care.<br /><br />Training and Education<br />All nursing students must graduate from an approved nursing program and pass a national licensing exam. Though diploma and two-year associate's degree programs exist for nurses, many employers prefer candidates with a bachelor's degree or higher.<br /><br />Opportunities<br />Sixty percent of the 2.3 million RNs in America work in hospitals, though opportunities for nursing are as diverse as the patients being treated. The following are just a sampling of the areas nurses serve: Hospitals - The largest group of RNs are hospital nurses, who provide bedside care and carry out medical regimens. Hospital nurses usually specialize in one department - pediatrics, surgery, etc. - though some nurses rotate departments. Offices/Clinics - These high-profile nurses serve in doctors' offices, clinics, emergency medical centers and ambulatory centers. Their duties include giving injections, dressing wounds, aiding examinations, assisting with minor surgery and maintaining records. Nursing Care Facilities - RNs in nursing care facilities monitor residents' health, supervise practical nurses/aids, perform invasive procedures (like administering IVs) and develop treatment plans. Some work in specialty departments, such as long-term rehabilitation centers for patients recovering from strokes. Home Care - Home health nurses work independently to provide care in patients' homes, assess the patients' home environments and provide instructions to patients and their families. Public Health - These nurses work in settings ranging from public clinics to schools. They help plan health programs, provide information and arrange for immunizations, testings and other health screenings. Nurse Practitioners - After undergoing additional training, nurse practitioners can diagnose, treat and prescribe medicine for common illnesses and injuries.<br /><br />Pros and Cons of Nursing<br />The looming shortage of qualified nurses is expected to result in higher salaries for RNs. Some employers are already offering sign-on bonuses as high as $14,000 to entice qualified candidates. Nurses can also enjoy increased job security and less fear of layoffs. The 24-hour nature of many hospitals and residential care facilities lends itself to flexibility in scheduling and the ability to work part-time, and many employers offer childcare, educational benefits and bonuses. The scarcity of nurses, however, can lead to RNs being overworked and quickly becoming burned-out. Nurses must also be prepared to be on their feet most of the time, and take strict precautions against disease, radiation and accidental needle sticks.<br /><br />Salary<br />Median earnings for nurses were $48,090 in 2002. The middle 50 percent earned between $40,140 and $57,490. Nurses in employment services enjoyed the highest earnings, with a median f $55,980. General medical and surgical hospital nurses earned $49,190; home care nurses made $45,890 and physicians' office nurses earned $43,850.<br /><br />Industry/Job Growth<br />Employment of registered nurses is expected to grow more than 27 percent -- faster than average for all occupations through 2012, with 623,000 new jobs added. Growth will be driven by technological advances in patient care, an increasing emphasis on preventative care and the aging of the baby boomer generation.<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">Search more than 100,000 Jobs by </span></strong><a href="http://jobs.careerbuilder.com/JobSeeker/Jobs/JobResults.aspx?SB%3Asbkw=&SB%3As_freeloc=&SB%3Asbfr=30&sbsbmt=Find+Jobs+%C2%BB&lr=cbrockl&cid=US&excrit=QID%3DA3852768340946%3Bst%3DA%3Buse%3DALL%3BCID%3DUS%3BSID%3D%3F%3BTID%3D0%3BENR%3DNO%3BDTP%3DDRNS%3BYDI%3DYES%3BIND%3DALL%3BPDQ%3DAll%3BPDQ%3DAll%3BPAYL%3D0%3BPAYH%3DGT120%3BPOY%3DNO%3BETD%3DALL%3BRE%3DALL%3BMGT%3DDC%3BSUP%3DDC%3BFRE%3D1%3BCHL%3DAL%3BQS%3DSID_UNKNOWN%3BSS%3DNO%3BTITL%3D0%3BOB%3D-modifiedint%3BJQT%3DRAD%3BJDV%3DFalse&IPath=ILM"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">CLICKING HERE!</span></strong></a>

Is Nursing Your Calling?

With the aging of the baby boomers, better technology and an emphasis on preventative care bringing Americans to their doctors in droves, pa...

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Retiree Job Trends

For baby boomers, a funny thing is happening on the way to retirement: more work. Although this generation of forty- through sixty-somethings is nearing what was once the traditional retirement age, their futures are filled with more paychecks and less leisure. Some will keep working to keep busy. Others can't afford to quit. What you're left with is a work force with an unusually large amount of older workers changing the rules of retirement.<br /><br />Boomers who aren't retiring have plenty of options<br /><br />If baby boomers were following the patterns of their parents and the generations before them, they would be at home indulging in their favorite hobbies or relaxing near a beach. However, in much the same way they revolutionized cultural norms in their youth, boomers are redefining the concept of retirement.<br /><br />How? By not retiring -- at least not in the traditional sense. Workers in their late 50s or older are choosing different paths, or creating them, rather.<br /><br />Christine Moriarty, a certified financial planner, sees would-be retirees fitting into one of three categories. First, entrepreneurs who have the financial security to retire but don't want to leave a job they love. Then there are those workers who do leave their jobs in order to pursue a lifelong passion, also known as "encore careers." Finally, there are workers who keep working due to inertia -- they don't know what else to do, so they keep showing up for work.<br /><br />Of course, traditional retirees who stop working and pass the time with their favorite activities still exist. You just might find fewer of them in the coming years. According to a MetLife Foundation/Civic Ventures Encore Career Survey, 79 percent of boomers between 50 and 59 intend to work past the traditional retirement age for the pay and benefits. Only 64 percent of boomers between 60 and 70 have the same plans, a sign that the younger boomers are not ready to move on.<br /><br />Why now?<br /><br />We're living longer now than before and need something to keep us busy. An American born in 1950 was expected to live to be 68 years old while the average person born in 2005 will live to be almost 78, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retiring at 55 leaves you with plenty of time to fill, a fact that Nancy Merz Nordstrom understands.<br /><br />"I was a typical wife, mother of four and a secretary, until I was unexpectedly widowed at age 48. At age 51, I went to college. At age 53, I found my life's work," she says. She got remarried, became the director of Elderhostel Institute Network, an educational network for older adults. "At age 61, I wrote my first book. And today, at age 63, I'm busier than ever with my career and family."<br /><br />In addition to having all that extra time to work, workers with longer life expectancies have more opportunity to accrue bills. Daily needs like food and taxes won't ever disappear. Add to that the cost of medications and doctor's visits and living longer becomes a pricey privilege.<br /><br />What are your options?<br /><br />Millions of mature employees who want to keep working decide to leave the familiar behind and venture into new territory. More than 50 percent of encore career workers have left professional and management careers and 30 percent are now in education, according to the Encore Career Survey.<br /><br />Plenty of workers are staying in their field and bringing their decades of knowledge and experience with them. One of the most popular paths for an encore career is that of a consultant. Companies hire a consultant to examine their business practices and look for ways to improve efficiency and remain competitive. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the amount of consultants will increase 22 percent between 2006 and 2016.<br /><br />Consulting can be part-time or contract work, allowing mature workers to strike a balance between work and retirement. Thanks to technology, consultants are part of the growing number of employees who work remotely, a workplace trend initiated by younger workers but benefitting everyone. The freedom to work from home lets mature workers travel or move without quitting their jobs.<br /><br />"This is already happening today," says Ilya Bogorad of the Bizvortex Consulting Group, a management consulting company. "It is likely that in the very near future corporate HR departments will have to learn how to work with distributed teams composed of such consultants."<br /><br />By Anthony Balderrama writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com. He researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues.<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">Search more than 100,000 Jobs by </span></strong><a href="http://jobs.careerbuilder.com/JobSeeker/Jobs/JobResults.aspx?SB%3Asbkw=&SB%3As_freeloc=&SB%3Asbfr=30&sbsbmt=Find+Jobs+%C2%BB&lr=cbrockl&cid=US&excrit=QID%3DA3852768340946%3Bst%3DA%3Buse%3DALL%3BCID%3DUS%3BSID%3D%3F%3BTID%3D0%3BENR%3DNO%3BDTP%3DDRNS%3BYDI%3DYES%3BIND%3DALL%3BPDQ%3DAll%3BPDQ%3DAll%3BPAYL%3D0%3BPAYH%3DGT120%3BPOY%3DNO%3BETD%3DALL%3BRE%3DALL%3BMGT%3DDC%3BSUP%3DDC%3BFRE%3D1%3BCHL%3DAL%3BQS%3DSID_UNKNOWN%3BSS%3DNO%3BTITL%3D0%3BOB%3D-modifiedint%3BJQT%3DRAD%3BJDV%3DFalse&IPath=ILM"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">CLICKING HERE!</span></strong></a><strong><span style="font-size:180%;"> </span></strong>

Retiree Job Trends

For baby boomers, a funny thing is happening on the way to retirement: more work. Although this generation of forty- through sixty-something...

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10 Ways to Network Properly

"People don't mind being used," says Chris Matthews, host of MSNBC's TV show, "Hardball with Chris Matthews." "What they mind is being taken for granted."<br /><br />Right on, Mr. Matthews. Every day, people are taken advantage of when their acquaintances need help networking. It's become such an issue that it might do everyone some good for a little lesson in the networking etiquette department.<br /><br />"In today's job market, the old cliché 'It's not what you know but who you know' has become, 'It's not what you know but who knows you,'" says Katharine Hansen, author of "A Foot in the Door: Networking Your Way into the Hidden Job Market." (Ten Speed Press)<br /><br />Here are 10 important aspects of network etiquette, excerpted from Hansen's book:<br /><br />Know your purpose for networking. It sounds obvious, but job seekers waste their contacts' time when they don't really know what they want to do, where they want to work or how the contact might be helpful to them. Think about what companies you want to target through networking and how you can identify connections that will lead you to those employers.<br /><br />Do your homework. Don't ask your contacts questions that could easily be answered by doing a little basic research. The more you know about your contacts' companies and backgrounds, the more impressed they will be.<br /><br />Don't act desperate. Your contacts will be much more willing to help someone who is confident and capable than someone groveling, whining and desperate. Don't forget that as high a priority as it is to you, your job search is not so to most of your network.<br /><br />Listen. When someone is kind enough to offer you job advice, listen attentively. Write your contact a thank-you note and include something that tells your contact you listened.<br /><br />Respect your contact's time. Don't drop into a contact's office uninvited and when you call a current or prospective member of your network, always ask if he has time to talk. When the situation allows, bide your time before launching into networking conversation.<br /><br />Ask for help in small doses. Don't burden your contact with overwhelming requests for help and advice. Ask more questions than favors. You can always ask for more at a later time.<br /><br />Get permission before using a network contact's name to approach another prospective contact. Similarly, when you're scouting for new members of your network, tell prospective contacts how you got their names.<br /><br />Be careful with your use of the word networking. Some people have grown weary of being networked. Unless you are attending a function specifically earmarked for networking, it's best not to advertise the fact that that is what you are doing. Instead, think of yourself as making connections, building relationships and seeking advice.<br /><br />Don't be pushy and aggressive. Be sensitive to just how much a contact is willing to do for you and don't push beyond that limit. Be persistent but not annoying.<br /><br />Remember that networking is a two-way street. The idea of reciprocity is perhaps the most important aspect of networking. Offer your help to your contacts and supply needed information whenever possible.<br /><br />By Rachel Zupek writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com. She researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues.<br /><br />Reprinted with permission from A Foot in the Door: Networking Your Way into the Hidden Job Market, revised.<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">Search more than 100,000 Jobs by </span></strong><a href="http://jobs.careerbuilder.com/JobSeeker/Jobs/JobResults.aspx?SB%3Asbkw=&SB%3As_freeloc=&SB%3Asbfr=30&sbsbmt=Find+Jobs+%C2%BB&lr=cbrockl&cid=US&excrit=QID%3DA3852768340946%3Bst%3DA%3Buse%3DALL%3BCID%3DUS%3BSID%3D%3F%3BTID%3D0%3BENR%3DNO%3BDTP%3DDRNS%3BYDI%3DYES%3BIND%3DALL%3BPDQ%3DAll%3BPDQ%3DAll%3BPAYL%3D0%3BPAYH%3DGT120%3BPOY%3DNO%3BETD%3DALL%3BRE%3DALL%3BMGT%3DDC%3BSUP%3DDC%3BFRE%3D1%3BCHL%3DAL%3BQS%3DSID_UNKNOWN%3BSS%3DNO%3BTITL%3D0%3BOB%3D-modifiedint%3BJQT%3DRAD%3BJDV%3DFalse&IPath=ILM"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">CLICKING HERE!</span></strong></a>

10 Ways to Network Properly

"People don't mind being used," says Chris Matthews, host of MSNBC's TV show, "Hardball with Chris Matthews." &q...

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Make Getting Fired Work for You

Getting a pink slip. Being downsized. Making adjustments. Reorganizing. So many synonyms that mean the same thing: You're fired.<br /><br />With the unemployment rate reaching 5.5 percent in May 2008, more and more employers are telling workers that they're out of work. While losing your job unexpectedly is never good news, it doesn't have to be a setback. It can be a chance to change directions and find a better career.<br /><br />The day you get fired, you can feel angry, sad and every other emotion that comes your way. The next day, however, take steps to make the most of the situation.<br /><br />Ask the right questions<br /><br />You got fired for a reason, so whether it was you, the job or the boss, you need to know what did and didn't work about the situation. Todd Dewett, a management professor at Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio, and the author of "Leadership Redefined," recommends asking yourself a variety of questions to assess your experience.<br /><br />"Why did this happen to me? What functional or technical skills do I need to build in order to avoid this situation in the future? How does my professional network need to grow? Are there things about my interpersonal style or leadership skills I need to reconsider?"<br /><br />Then, he suggests, take action. "You can innovatively and aggressively start answering these questions. The alternative is to blame others and stew in negative emotions -- and that never helped anyone get their career back on track."<br /><br />You might discover that you needed to move on from that job but weren't willing to take the step. Look at getting fired as your employer giving you a little push that now allows you to make some drastic changes, says Rachelle J. Canter, career expert and author of "Make the Right Career Move."<br /><br />"Finding work you love is easily a full-time job. Virtually every career transition client of mine over 20 years has been dissatisfied and made some fledging attempts to find new work," she says. "The lack of financial and employment security provides more time to look and more inspiration to get serious."<br /><br />It's OK to be happy about it<br /><br />After hearing that you've been fired, you might be waiting for rage to bubble up or tears to flow, but your initial reaction to getting fired might not be as negative as you expect. You might even crack a smile.<br /><br />Pamela Skillings, career coach and author of "Escape from Corporate America" has seen people expect to feel bad about their job loss only to realize the benefits of getting fired.<br /><br />"Of course, most didn't see their pink slips as blessings right away," she says. "It's never fun to suddenly lose your job, though I have heard many say that they were surprised to feel a great sense of relief upon hearing the news that they were being let go."<br /><br />What now?<br /><br />Once you've asked and answered the questions, you're left wondering what to do.<br /><br />Explore your options. Decide whether or not you want to stay in the same field, if you want to make a change or if you want to start your own business.<br /><br />Make a plan. Once you know where you want to lead your career, take steps toward making it happen. For example, you might need more training or education if you're going to switch careers.<br /><br />Commit. No job search is easy, especially one that you weren't planning, but you can't be deterred along the way when you don't get every position you want. You'll be tempted to return to the familiar if you're making a big move, but trust your decision to start fresh.<br /><br />By Anthony Balderrama writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com. He researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues.<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">Search more than 100,000 Jobs by </span></strong><a href="http://jobs.careerbuilder.com/JobSeeker/Jobs/JobResults.aspx?SB%3Asbkw=&SB%3As_freeloc=&SB%3Asbfr=30&sbsbmt=Find+Jobs+%C2%BB&lr=cbrockl&cid=US&excrit=QID%3DA3852768340946%3Bst%3DA%3Buse%3DALL%3BCID%3DUS%3BSID%3D%3F%3BTID%3D0%3BENR%3DNO%3BDTP%3DDRNS%3BYDI%3DYES%3BIND%3DALL%3BPDQ%3DAll%3BPDQ%3DAll%3BPAYL%3D0%3BPAYH%3DGT120%3BPOY%3DNO%3BETD%3DALL%3BRE%3DALL%3BMGT%3DDC%3BSUP%3DDC%3BFRE%3D1%3BCHL%3DAL%3BQS%3DSID_UNKNOWN%3BSS%3DNO%3BTITL%3D0%3BOB%3D-modifiedint%3BJQT%3DRAD%3BJDV%3DFalse&IPath=ILM"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">CLICKING HERE!</span></strong></a>

Make Getting Fired Work for You

Getting a pink slip. Being downsized. Making adjustments. Reorganizing. So many synonyms that mean the same thing: You're fired. With th...

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5 Factors to Consider Before Relocating

In an ideal job market, you would find the job of your dreams right under your nose. You'd have a hefty paycheck, great benefits, flexibility and you'd wake up every day loving the work you do.<br />The reality is you'll probably spend several weeks -- even months -- scouring the Internet and chasing job leads just to find a few openings worth pursuing. Even after all of your efforts, the jobs you find may fall short of meeting all of the criteria to be the right opportunity for you.<br /><br />People in such situations may never come across their dream job because they've limited themselves in the job market. They've narrowed their search to local job openings and have no idea that their dream job is actually in another city or state.<br /><br />Many people, however, would be willing to pursue those opportunities if they were aware of them. According to a study from CareerBuilder.com and Apartments.com, conducted by Harris Interactive, 59 percent of employees say they'd be willing to relocate to another city for a new job and 44 percent say they'd be willing to relocate to another state, province or region for a new job.<br /><br />"Depending on your career goals and where you live now, your best chance of finding work and achieving a rewarding career may be in another city or town," says Michael Farr and Laurence Shatkin, co-authors of "Today's Hot Job Targets."<br /><br />They warn, however, that relocating for a job isn't the best option for everyone. In their book, they encourage people to consider the following five factors before making the decision to relocate.<br /><br />Continued growth<br /><br />There are no guarantees in today's ever-changing job market. An occupation may experience booming growth one year and then come to a stand-still or decline a few years later. For example, jobs in the finance, insurance and human service clusters are now expected to grow significantly faster than previously expected, according to the Occupational Outlook Handbook 2008-2009, which is published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. However, job projections are less optimistic than they were two years ago for occupations in the manufacturing, retail and wholesale sales, and service clusters.<br /><br />To help determine whether relocating is worth the effort, Farr and Shatkin suggest researching a particular occupation and its field or industry first. They say, "Before moving to another area, investigate whether local economic trends are expected to remain favorable. You may be able to find projections of job openings at the Web site of the state department of labor or office of employment security."<br /><br />Opportunities in your field<br /><br />Many occupations flourish in some locations, but are rarely offered in others. For example, job seekers interested in the public relations field would have much more luck landing a job in densely populated areas like New York City than in areas populated by only a few thousand people.<br /><br />Farr and Shatkin recommend visiting www.acinet.org to compare job opportunities in various cities. This resource shows people the state-specific economic trends for each occupation, followed by links that let them compare wages in different regions of the state; compare wages across states; or compare employment trends across states.<br /><br />Networking<br /><br />Having an intricate network of contacts is one of the biggest advantages people can have in their job search and careers. These contacts are excellent sources of job search advice, job leads and referrals. In most cases, a person's network is usually made up of contacts living in the same area. Although a change in location doesn't mean the contacts are no longer useful, it does mean the person relocating will need to work hard to develop new contacts that can support them in their new location.<br /><br />Farr and Shatkin suggest, "Investigate whether your targeted area offers opportunities for you to network quickly. Perhaps there are local branches of social, religious or hobby-centered organizations to which you now belong or where you would fit in readily."<br /><br />Your résumé<br /><br />Farr and Shatkin also warn that a person's résumé may not be as impressive in one location as in another. "Employers in many regions may not be as familiar with your previous employers or the school or college you attended."<br /><br />They recommend that job seekers contact the job placement office of their school or college to find out whether or not other people have found employment in their target area. This strategy isn't as necessary for job seekers from schools with a national reputation or seeking jobs where on-the-job training is all that's required.<br /><br />Culture shock<br /><br />Before moving to a new location, people should be aware that there's a good chance the culture will be different than where they currently live and work. It's important for people to visit their target area before actually moving there to see if they feel comfortable there.<br /><br />Farr and Shatkin remind job seekers that, "Given these concerns, the ideal strategy for relocating is to get hired for a job in the new location before you move -- but this can be very difficult to do. A compromise strategy would be to set up temporary, bare-bones living quarters in the new location, find employment there and then settle into your new location."<br /><br />By Selena Dehne career writer for JIST Publishing who shares the latest occupational, career and job search information available with job seekers and career changers. Her articles help people find meaningful work, develop their career and life plans, and carry out effective job search campaigns.<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">Search more than 100,000 Jobs by </span></strong><a href="http://jobs.careerbuilder.com/JobSeeker/Jobs/JobResults.aspx?SB%3Asbkw=&SB%3As_freeloc=&SB%3Asbfr=30&sbsbmt=Find+Jobs+%C2%BB&lr=cbrockl&cid=US&excrit=QID%3DA3852768340946%3Bst%3DA%3Buse%3DALL%3BCID%3DUS%3BSID%3D%3F%3BTID%3D0%3BENR%3DNO%3BDTP%3DDRNS%3BYDI%3DYES%3BIND%3DALL%3BPDQ%3DAll%3BPDQ%3DAll%3BPAYL%3D0%3BPAYH%3DGT120%3BPOY%3DNO%3BETD%3DALL%3BRE%3DALL%3BMGT%3DDC%3BSUP%3DDC%3BFRE%3D1%3BCHL%3DAL%3BQS%3DSID_UNKNOWN%3BSS%3DNO%3BTITL%3D0%3BOB%3D-modifiedint%3BJQT%3DRAD%3BJDV%3DFalse&IPath=ILM"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">CLICKING HERE!</span></strong></a>

5 Factors to Consider Before Relocating

In an ideal job market, you would find the job of your dreams right under your nose. You'd have a hefty paycheck, great benefits, flexib...

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Forum de recrutement le 24 septembre 2009

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqfzu8Y6bMvJgPLtyc-6mHqZJfR_wRm93vVkYB0l1NIQeVHRNUK12-1wdMW39-KEHL28C9ig35Sg6TUGbjkQZ9g-5ny7Kb_eX_bwIJSYkj1vFoniCAsVRm2GLcFoY6hJzXgJjszGG4GiYr/s1600-h/au+centre+de+l%27emploi.gif"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382819620292507314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqfzu8Y6bMvJgPLtyc-6mHqZJfR_wRm93vVkYB0l1NIQeVHRNUK12-1wdMW39-KEHL28C9ig35Sg6TUGbjkQZ9g-5ny7Kb_eX_bwIJSYkj1vFoniCAsVRm2GLcFoY6hJzXgJjszGG4GiYr/s320/au+centre+de+l%27emploi.gif" style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 75px;" /></a><br /><br />Les communes de Saint Denis en Val, Saint Jean le Blanc, Saint Cyr en Val et Sandillon organisent un <strong>Forum de recrutement</strong> avec la participation de Pôle Emploi, la Mission locale, la CCI, la Chambre de Métiers, la Maison de l'Emploi, le Conseil Général, le PLIE, l'AFPA, l'ADEL et EGEE.<br /><br />Ce forum se déroulera <ul><li>le <strong>jeudi 24 septembre 2009</strong>, <li>dans la <strong>salle de Montission à Saint Jean le Blanc</strong>,<br /><li>de <strong>14h00 à 18h</strong>.</ul>

Forum de recrutement le 24 septembre 2009

Les communes de Saint Denis en Val, Saint Jean le Blanc, Saint Cyr en Val et Sandillon organisent un Forum de recrutement avec la participa...

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When Co-Workers Go From Friend to Foe

<a href="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/2f/ar5c2016mpf8hbx42x2f.gif"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/2f/ar5c2016mpf8hbx42x2f.gif" style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br /><div>Growing up, plenty of people dished out advice about what kind of job to get. I was told to find a way to get paid doing what I love. I was also told to find a job that paid the bills because I'd resent my passion if it were my job. Each person had a story to prove why their advice was right. Ultimately, I listened to no one and just did what felt right. As a result, I realized one size does not fit all for career advice.<br /><br />The same goes for befriending the people you work with, or bringing friends into the workplace. For some people, friendship and professionalism go hand-in-hand. For others, not so much. And for certain workers, friendship was integral to the workplace until things went very, very wrong.<br />"It can be very good or very bad -- depending on a number of factors, including the personalities of the people who are friends and their relationship in the workplace. For example: Is one person insecure, jealous, needy or passive-aggressive? Is one supervising the other? Are they in a very competitive environment? Are there wide discrepancies between their salaries or earning power?" says Irene S. Levine, author of "Best Friends Forever: Surviving a Breakup with a Best Friend."<br /><br />"Because of the potential downsides, such friendships should be approached slowly and judiciously to avoid disappointments. You need to allow them to unfold slowly so you have a good sense of the other person -- and know whether the person is trustworthy and has good judgment," says Levine.<br /><br />If only some people got this advice early in their careers.<br /><br />First comes friendship, then comes betrayal<br />At a previous job, Crystal Brown-Tatum was a receptionist but had formed a professional friendship with a sales executive -- one of the few people in the office who showed her respect. That all changed when the sales executive became involved with Brown-Tatum's fiancé, who was a manager at the same company. As you might expect, the friendship suffered, and so did her career. As a result, Brown-Tatum was put on paid leave to "cool down" and her access to e-mail and the premises was restricted.<br /><br />"By the time the affair came out, [my fiancé] was relocated to a New York office while [the sales manager] and I remained in the Houston office," she says. "When I returned to work, we were all advised by HR not to discuss the relationship or face severe consequences. I had to go out of my way to avoid her but everyone in the office knew. It was extremely awkward."<br /><br />Another consequence of the situation was how distrusting she became with colleagues, even after she had moved on to a new employer. She was especially hesitant around the women in the office. Ultimately she started her own company, Crystal Clear Communications, because the thought of working in a similar environment was too much for her.<br /><br />Leslie Jacobs of Les Mess Organizing Cards also found her work life go from peaceful to turbulent in a brief moment. She was friends with an office manager at a previous employer. They were regular lunch friends and spent much of their time together. Then one day the office manager stopped talking to her. Years before the friend had done something similar, but the silent treatment didn't last long so Jacobs dismissed it as a one-time event. This time it was permanent -- no explanation and no opportunity for Jacobs to understand what was going on.<br /><br />"I asked her to talk to me -- let's talk this out. She refused," Jacobs remembers. "She would only talk to me in a very businesslike way. But, as office manager she had the power to make my job easy or not -- and she chose not." Not surprisingly, there was a round of layoffs shortly after and Jacobs was let go from her job. Although she was told it was a financial issue, Jacobs knew that wasn't the case -- especially when she saw the organization throw a party for 50,000 attendees. She never found out the reason for the sudden change of heart, but she knows former colleagues are being told a significantly different story to explain Jacobs' departure.<br /><br />A friendship postmortem<br />Sometimes the friendship falls apart after the professional relationship ends, which can be just as hurtful. That's what happened to Linda Athans, now a marketing manager at Mangrove Employer Services. For a previous company she was a director and had hired an assistant from another department. She established a mentor/protégé relationship with the assistant.<br /><br />"The two of us not only reshaped the entire department for the company, but also became great friends in the process ... almost sisters," Athans says. "We saw each other outside work frequently, shared secrets and could be both professional and silly with each other. I was even in her wedding!"<br /><br />Unfortunately, Athans' position was eliminated and she left work permanently on a Friday afternoon. She didn't hear from the assistant until Monday morning, and then it was only to ask about project Athans had been working on. She was apparently filling Athans' role and made no attempt to approach her as a friend.<br /><br />"Needless to say I was upset at the callousness -­ I had just lost my job of four years.[I] told her that I didn't work there anymore and she should get direction from the VP," Athans says. "She got angry with me, hung up, and that was that."<br /><br />They've seen each other since and their interaction has gone from cordial to nonexistent. For Athans, the lesson learned was that friendships shouldn't exist within the office.<br /><br />"Most of what we shared revolved around work and being in the same situation. But once I left, it was obvious that we didn't really have that much in common and were two very different people. Sometimes I am reminded of her and remember the good times we had fondly, but that relationship definitely changed how close I get to people in the workplace."<br /><br />How to deal<br />What do you do if your friendship with a co-worker is going south? And what if it's beyond repair? Levine has some tips for workers:<br /><br />· Notice the warning signs and stay calm<br />"The first step would be to communicate, without casting blame, to see if a minor misunderstanding can be straightened out," Levine advises. "Perhaps it is a question of establishing boundaries with which both friends feel comfortable. Depending on what happened, for example, two friends may decide to only be friends in the workplace or to only be friends outside of work, limiting their conversation about work."<br /><br />· Approach with caution<br />"If the friendship is falling apart, you might want to act cordial but slowly pull back, spending last time and sharing fewer intimacies with the individual. You still want to act friendly and greet them in the workplace. The last thing you want to do is to draw other people into your conflict [or] misunderstanding," Levine suggests.<br /><br />· Understand the kind of friendship you have<br />"Workers need to remember that not all friendships stick," Levine reminds. "Most are transient and you don't want to do anything to jeopardize your employment and reputation, particularly in this economy. On the other hand, friends in the workplace can be your greatest collaborators, cheerleaders, and shoulders to cry on and re-energize."<br /><br />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.<br /></div><div><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">Search more than 100,000 Jobs by </span></strong><a href="http://jobs.careerbuilder.com/JobSeeker/Jobs/JobResults.aspx?SB%3Asbkw=&SB%3As_freeloc=&SB%3Asbfr=30&sbsbmt=Find+Jobs+%C2%BB&lr=cbrockl&cid=US&excrit=QID%3DA3852768340946%3Bst%3DA%3Buse%3DALL%3BCID%3DUS%3BSID%3D%3F%3BTID%3D0%3BENR%3DNO%3BDTP%3DDRNS%3BYDI%3DYES%3BIND%3DALL%3BPDQ%3DAll%3BPDQ%3DAll%3BPAYL%3D0%3BPAYH%3DGT120%3BPOY%3DNO%3BETD%3DALL%3BRE%3DALL%3BMGT%3DDC%3BSUP%3DDC%3BFRE%3D1%3BCHL%3DAL%3BQS%3DSID_UNKNOWN%3BSS%3DNO%3BTITL%3D0%3BOB%3D-modifiedint%3BJQT%3DRAD%3BJDV%3DFalse&IPath=ILM"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">CLICKING HERE!</span></strong></a> </div>

When Co-Workers Go From Friend to Foe

Growing up, plenty of people dished out advice about what kind of job to get. I was told to find a way to get paid doing what I love. I was ...

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Own Your OWN Business!

<a href="http://www.rockfordlink.com/gv.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.rockfordlink.com/gv.jpg" style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 280px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 164px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br /><div>If you've ever wanted to own your own business, now is your chance! This ground-floor opportunity will only present itself once. Failure to get in early means the ability to earn higher returns is reduced. We always encourage potential business owners to read all the information available to them before getting involved.<br /><br />This is an opportunity that I could not walk away from. I've always been skeptical of MLM programs, but this one comes with real products, real solutions and was founded by people who have been successful business leaders their whole lives. I researched them and the opportunity...and gladly and ethusiastically got involved. You can too. Check out the <a href="http://bobkinnison.globalverge.com/"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">WEB SITE</span> </strong></a>and see for yourself if this is an opportnity you should be in as well!</div>

Own Your OWN Business!

If you've ever wanted to own your own business, now is your chance! This ground-floor opportunity will only present itself once. Failure...

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Planning de la semaine du 21 au 25 septembre 2009

<BR><br /><h2><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 113%;color:#005c9b;" >Permanences<br /></span></strong></h2><ul><br /><li>Le <strong>Conseil Général du Loiret</strong> sera présent dans les locaux de la Maison de l'Emploi du bassin d'Orléans<br />- le mardi 22 septembre de 9h à 12h30 et de 13h30 à 17h,<br />- le mercredi 23 septembre de 13h30 à 17h,<br />- le jeudi 24 septembre de 13h30 à 17h,<br />- le vendredi 25 septembre de 13h30 à 17h<br /><br /><li><strong><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2007/11/boutique-de-gestion.html">Boutique de gestion</a></strong><br />- lundi 21 septembre de 13h30 à 17h<br />- vendredi 25 septembre de 9h à 12h30</li></ul><br /><h2><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 113%;color:#005c9b;" >Ateliers</span></strong><br /></h2><br /><ul><li><strong>CV</strong> - mardi 22 septembre de 9h à 12h30<br /><br /><li><strong>Lettre de Motivation </strong>- mardi 22 septembre de 13h30 à 17h<br /><br /><li><strong><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2009/07/atelier-situtilises-tu-trouves.html">Sit'Utilises tu trouves</a></strong> - mercredi 23 septembre de 10h à 12h<br /><br /></li><li><strong>Préparation à l'entretien</strong> - jeudi 24 septembre de 13h30 à 16h30<br /><br /></li><li><strong>Pôle-emploi.fr</strong> - vendredi 25 septembre de 10h à 11h30</ul><br /><h2><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 113%;color:#005c9b;" >Informations collectives</span></strong><br /></h2><br /><ul><li><strong>RSA - Conseil Général</strong> - mardi 22 septembre à 10h<br /><br /><li><strong>Boutique de Gestion</strong> - vendredi 25 septembre à 14h</ul>

Planning de la semaine du 21 au 25 septembre 2009

Permanences Le Conseil Général du Loiret sera présent dans les locaux de la Maison de l'Emploi du bassin d'Orléans - le mardi 22 se...

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Day 22: Choices

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiia5pi8_uS7f1vo8Ys4jRql6RHAOVuokeJdV3FZOVGLGwPUaFtdYB6mlNtis7jJWpYN3ZHifGk3ppCJajSxYVT4-Mm8wQ7Qy2HZNe8fw3kjkjdnVlt_00kcdFHdcx1caneQTEhyphenhyphenv9d-RSY/s1600-h/166.6.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383315149421920386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiia5pi8_uS7f1vo8Ys4jRql6RHAOVuokeJdV3FZOVGLGwPUaFtdYB6mlNtis7jJWpYN3ZHifGk3ppCJajSxYVT4-Mm8wQ7Qy2HZNe8fw3kjkjdnVlt_00kcdFHdcx1caneQTEhyphenhyphenv9d-RSY/s400/166.6.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 305px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> It is what it is. A gain of 7.6 pounds in two weeks. Weekly average loss since Feb 9, 2008 - 0.9 lbs. per week.<br /><br />Let me go back over the last two weeks and see what I shouldn't have done (this is just a sample of my bad choices).<br /><br />1. Beer - 9 Points<br />2. Skinny Cow Mint ice cream sandwiches, six in one night (crack) - 17 Points<br />3. Weight Watchers Cookies 'n Cream ice cream bars, six in one night (more crack) - 17.5 Points<br /><br />Stupidity - priceless.<br /><br />New day, new week, and all that other crappola I spout all the time.<br /><br />I read several blog posts the last few days that talked about choices, making the right ones. I made some really bad choices last week. Part one of my plan is to make better ones this week.<br /><br />Part two of my plan is to go to bed by 9pm. Since my crazy eating happens between 10pm and midnight, what if...I was asleep?! I'm brilliant!<br /><br />~Diana<br />166.6

Day 22: Choices

It is what it is. A gain of 7.6 pounds in two weeks. Weekly average loss since Feb 9, 2008 - 0.9 lbs. per week. Let me go back over the las...

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Piercings, Tattoos and Mohawks at Work

<a href="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/9s/ar5c4515w7d9gq29nw9s.gif"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/9s/ar5c4515w7d9gq29nw9s.gif" style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br /><div>Today's workplace doesn't look much like it did 20 or 30 years ago. Typewriters gave way to clunky PCs which are now paper-thin laptops. Perhaps more noticeably, the workers look different now that shoulder pads are gone and they took teased bangs with them.<br /><br />Over the past few decades, fashion statements that belonged to rebels became part of mainstream attire. Piercings in your eyebrow, nose and tongue started showing up on your Average Joe and Jane. Tattoos no longer belonged to bikers -- your typical college student might be sporting ink somewhere on his or her body. Even Mohawks and brightly dyed hair worked their way into suburbia. As a result, younger generations entering the work force have brought their sense of style with them and are complicating the old dress codes.<br /><br />Know your audience<br />Now that business casual is the new suit-and-tie, how much liberty can you take with your appearance before you're not seen as professional? Depends on the industry, says Brad Penman, chief operating officer at The Marketing Arm, a promotions agency.<br /><br /><br />"Obviously the dress code and the acceptable 'look' should match your organization's culture," Penman says. "What's OK for a creative agency like ours may not be right for a bank, investment firm or attorney's office."<br /><br />Workers should keep in mind that the company culture has two components: the boss and the client.<br /><br />"[The company's dress code] should match the expectations of your clients. Your clients pay the bills, so it's important to respect what makes them comfortable," Penman explains. "And, by the way, it's OK to ask your clients that question. If [they] expect you to be creative and understand that a little irreverence can spur exceptional ideas, they're likely to be OK with a different look around the office."<br /><br />Etiquette consultant Mary Harris agrees that context is everything.<br /><br />"Your judgment really does have to come into play here. If you're a software developer or graphic designer, most likely the atmosphere is more relaxed in your work environment and an outward creative expression of your personality would not be frowned upon," Harris says. "If you are in investment banking or work in the sales department of a large firm then pink hair, visible tattoos and tongue piercings would not be recommended if you are hoping to land or keep a job. Even subtle piercings like nose rings, which younger workers feel are very tame, are considered inappropriate to their older superiors."<br /><br />When you're already employed, you probably know what's acceptable and what's forbidden in terms of personal style. At least you're already employed, so if you have a question you can ask your boss or refer to the handbook. When you're looking for a job, though, how do you deal with your unique appearance?<br /><br />The interview dilemma<br />Janet Flewelling, director of human resource operations at HR-services company Administaff, suggests job seekers exercise caution during the interview.<br /><br />"One of the primary goals of an interview is to leave a lasting and positive impression," Flewelling says. "When interviewing for any position, most employers are seeking candidates who display professionalism. In many cases, the first impression a prospective employee will make on an employer is often based on appearance."<br /><br />If a cautious presentation isn't in your best interest, at least recognize what you're risking with 11-inch hair spikes or a tattoo of your daughter's name on your forearm.<br /><br />"If a candidate were to arrive at an interview with an uncovered tattoo and the organization is one that prohibits its employees from having exposed tattoos, the chances of that individual landing the job can be reduced," she says.<br /><br />Of course, you could be your own tattooed Trojan horse and play it safe for the interview, only to arrive for your first day with your pink hair and inked arms exposed to the world. But that could be just as bad. Flewelling cautions job seekers that the company could have an explicit policy about visible body modifications, and if you do an about-face, the boss might perceive your conservative interview appearance as dishonesty.<br /><br />One way to prevent the awkwardness of revealing your true, expressive fashionista is to discuss the matter prior to accepting the job -- just don't sound presumptuous with your questions. The last thing you want is to sound like you know you're getting the job, thereby turning off the hiring manger.<br /><br />"One way to approach the subject of the company dress code, without potentially sending a red flag, is to ask about the policy as part of a list of general questions. Try asking the question in an open-ended manner," Flewelling suggests. "For example, instead of saying 'Do you have a dress code?' or 'Can I wear a nose ring?' phrase questions in a manner that leads to a discussion. 'Are there any dress code specifications relevant to this position I should be aware of?' or 'Are there any particular types of dress required for the job?'"<br /><br />The ongoing debate<br />Even after you're hired and have established yourself as part of the company, you can find yourself grappling with work-appropriate appearances as your style changes or career advances. Maybe one morning you wake up and think the Dorothy Hamill haircut you've been sporting since 1976 isn't contemporary enough. Or maybe you get promoted and worry that an edgy look doesn't belong in a senior position.<br /><br />In both cases, Flewelling puts the responsibility to personal judgment.<br /><br />"The best way to proceed in this regard is to look and learn. There is rarely a one-size-fits-all or right and wrong in these matters," she says. Your best bet is to take cues from the people around you to see how they dress and are perceived, she says.<br /><br />Ultimately you need your work environment to suit you, and Penman thinks this is something everyone needs to recognize.<br /><br />"I'd say that company owners and top management need to change their thinking about how people should 'look' in the workplace and instead think about how people 'can look.' One of the most important benefits to staff is freedom of appearance at work. It's a benefit to feel comfortable," Penman says. When you're looking at potential employers, ask yourself if you'll be comfortable going to work every day dressed how they want you to look.<br /><br />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.<br /></div><br /><div><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">Search more than 100,000 Jobs by </span></strong><a href="http://jobs.careerbuilder.com/JobSeeker/Jobs/JobResults.aspx?SB%3Asbkw=&SB%3As_freeloc=&SB%3Asbfr=30&sbsbmt=Find+Jobs+%C2%BB&lr=cbrockl&cid=US&excrit=QID%3DA3852768340946%3Bst%3DA%3Buse%3DALL%3BCID%3DUS%3BSID%3D%3F%3BTID%3D0%3BENR%3DNO%3BDTP%3DDRNS%3BYDI%3DYES%3BIND%3DALL%3BPDQ%3DAll%3BPDQ%3DAll%3BPAYL%3D0%3BPAYH%3DGT120%3BPOY%3DNO%3BETD%3DALL%3BRE%3DALL%3BMGT%3DDC%3BSUP%3DDC%3BFRE%3D1%3BCHL%3DAL%3BQS%3DSID_UNKNOWN%3BSS%3DNO%3BTITL%3D0%3BOB%3D-modifiedint%3BJQT%3DRAD%3BJDV%3DFalse&IPath=ILM"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">CLICKING HERE!</span></strong></a> </div>

Piercings, Tattoos and Mohawks at Work

Today's workplace doesn't look much like it did 20 or 30 years ago. Typewriters gave way to clunky PCs which are now paper-thin lapt...

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Buzzwords That Can Damage Your Résumé

<a href="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/r5/ar5c0nt6qwgj6p1mxfr5.gif"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/r5/ar5c0nt6qwgj6p1mxfr5.gif" style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br /><div>Your résumé is designed to communicate your accomplishments and distinguish you from other job seekers, but there are certain words and phrases that can actually disguise your qualifications. For example, if an applicant writes, "Assisted manager in optimizing marketing campaigns," it's difficult to determine exactly what the person did or how he or she did it.<br /><br />Indeed, peppering your résumé with vague terms can be a red flag to employers, who may feel as though you are trying to exaggerate your qualifications or hide knowledge gaps.<br /><br />Here are some common buzzwords to avoid when writing your résumé and advice for what you should say instead:<br /><br />"Familiar with ..."<br />Using this or similar terms -- "knowledge of ..." and "experience with ..." are close cousins -- can send your résumé to the bottom of a potential employer's pile of applications because your level of knowledge in a certain area can't be accurately determined using these phrases.<br /><br />For instance, an administrative professional who says she is familiar with Microsoft Access may have used the program everyday ... or only twice in several years. Be as specific as possible when discussing the skills you possess. For example: "Executive assistant with thorough knowledge of Microsoft Office applications, including daily use of Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Working toward Microsoft Office Specialist designation."<br /><br />"Optimize," "leverage" and "utilize."<br />Many applicants insert business buzzwords into their résumés in an attempt to sound more accomplished or sophisticated. But rather than making you sound "in the know," these types of words can make it seem as though you can't communicate in a straightforward manner.<br /><br />Keep things simple: Instead of saying that you "utilized resources to improve company Web site," describe more specifically how you increased the number of visitors to the Web page. As much as possible, quantify your achievements to truly show the impact your actions had.<br /><br />'Responsibilities include ...'<br />One of the biggest mistakes job applicants make is including a long, drawn out list of all of their duties in a previous position. Although it's OK to mention a few basic functions, hiring managers likely know the types of tasks you performed in a previous role and don't need a detailed breakdown. Instead, describe how you helped a previous employer save money or increase efficiencies, your advancement in a past role, or how you changed a job you held for the better.<br /><br />'CFA,' 'MCTS,' or 'CPS.'<br />What do these letters stand for? They are all acronyms for common professional certifications (Certified Financial Analyst, Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist and Certified Professional Secretary, respectively). If you didn't know that, you can rest assured that many hiring managers won't either. This is especially true because the first person to see your résumé is often a human resources professional or internal recruiter, not the person who directly supervises the open position. As a result, try to avoid industry jargon so anyone reading your résumé can understand your unique selling points.<br /><br />Although it's best to steer clear of buzzwords in your résumé, you should use keywords to stand out from other applicants. Keywords are terms that appear in the job description. They describe duties, qualifications or certifications, for instance, and may be used by résumé-scanning software to determine which applicants best meet the qualifications of the job. Including phrases from the job description is a good idea, but only if the terms accurately describe your background.<br /><br />If you're wondering whether or not to use a word or phrase in your résumé, ask yourself if it helps convey the value you can bring to a prospective employer. If a term is used to cover for a lack of experience or make it sound as though you're a sophisticated insider when you're not, leave it out.<br /><br />Robert Half International is the world's first and largest specialized staffing firm with a global network of more than 360 offices worldwide. For more information about our professional services, please visit www.rhi.com </div><div> </div><div><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">Search more than 100,000 Jobs by </span></strong><a href="http://jobs.careerbuilder.com/JobSeeker/Jobs/JobResults.aspx?SB%3Asbkw=&SB%3As_freeloc=&SB%3Asbfr=30&sbsbmt=Find+Jobs+%C2%BB&lr=cbrockl&cid=US&excrit=QID%3DA3852768340946%3Bst%3DA%3Buse%3DALL%3BCID%3DUS%3BSID%3D%3F%3BTID%3D0%3BENR%3DNO%3BDTP%3DDRNS%3BYDI%3DYES%3BIND%3DALL%3BPDQ%3DAll%3BPDQ%3DAll%3BPAYL%3D0%3BPAYH%3DGT120%3BPOY%3DNO%3BETD%3DALL%3BRE%3DALL%3BMGT%3DDC%3BSUP%3DDC%3BFRE%3D1%3BCHL%3DAL%3BQS%3DSID_UNKNOWN%3BSS%3DNO%3BTITL%3D0%3BOB%3D-modifiedint%3BJQT%3DRAD%3BJDV%3DFalse&IPath=ILM"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">CLICKING HERE!</span></strong></a> </div>

Buzzwords That Can Damage Your Résumé

Your résumé is designed to communicate your accomplishments and distinguish you from other job seekers, but there are certain words and phra...

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Majority of Workers Live Paycheck to Paycheck - Tips on how to make ends meet

<a href="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/3b/ar5c0y76mp5w83xwnd3b.gif"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/3b/ar5c0y76mp5w83xwnd3b.gif" style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br /><div>Throughout the economic downturn, many companies were forced to lay off workers, implement furloughs, decrease benefits and cut salaries in order to stay afloat. Although recent reports indicate the recession is over and recovery is on the horizon, workers may still feel a pinch in their paychecks for a while.<br /><br />If you're counting the seconds until your paycheck hits your bank account, you aren't alone. Today's economic situation has household budgets everywhere tightening, as 61 percent of workers report they always or usually live paycheck to paycheck to make ends meet, according to a new CareerBuilder survey of more than 4,400 workers. This is up from 49 percent last year and 43 percent in 2007.<br /><br />It's not just people earning average salaries who are feeling the need to pinch pennies: 30 percent of workers with salaries of $100,000 or more report that they too live paycheck to paycheck, up from 21 percent in 2008.<br /><br />Making ends meet<br />Undoubtedly, workers are getting creative in the ways they're making ends meet in this economy. Some are creating a budget for the first time ever, others are taking on second jobs, and a few are scaling back on the non-necessities. Many workers even have to dip into their personal and retirement savings to pay the bills.<br /><br />Depending on your age, experts suggest putting aside anywhere from 10 to 35 percent of your earnings for retirement. This is easier said than done in any economy but it's even more difficult today. To get by financially, 21 percent of workers say they have reduced their 401(k) contributions or personal savings in the last six months. Twenty-three percent of workers who earn six figures or more report that they have also reduced their 401(k) or savings.<br /><br />While some workers are reluctantly tapping into savings, others don't even have this option. Thirty-six percent of workers say they do not participate in any programs such as 401(k), IRAs or retirement plans, up from 31 percent in 2008. In addition, one-third of workers (33 percent) report that they don't put any money aside into their savings each month, up from 25 percent in 2008. Thirty percent set aside $100 or less per month for savings and 16 percent save less than $50.<br /><br />Tips to prepare for the future<br />Here are six tips to stretch your paycheck and ride out the economic downturn while also preparing for the future:<br /><br />1. Keep track of spending<br />Create a spreadsheet to analyze what you spend each month, including the money spent on those inevitable invisible expenses, such as a morning coffee, cab ride or afternoon snack. Once you can see where your money goes, you can clearly see where you can cut back. Do you really need to buy a bagel every morning for $1.99? Or, could you buy a package from the grocery store for $3.99?<br /><br />2. Boost your income<br />Think of ways you might be able to earn a little extra cash. In an April 2009 CareerBuilder survey, one-in-ten workers reported taking on a second job in this economy to help make ends meet. If this is something you can handle on top of your current job, look into pursuing some viable options. Check out sites like www.sologig.com for contract and freelance opportunities, or search for jobs using terms like "part-time" and "temporary."<br /><br />3. Speak up<br />Find out what benefits and employee programs your company offers that could help you save money and take advantage of them. For example, you could cut costs by taking advantage of flexible spending options, wellness benefits, retail discounts or transit reimbursement.<br /><br />4. Use direct deposit<br />When you have your paycheck deposited directly into your bank account, you resist the temptation of just cashing it or getting cash back. Talk to your HR department to see how you can set this up for your next paycheck.<br /><br />5. Pay yourself first<br />Set aside a certain amount of money every week, or from every paycheck, in a separate savings account. Try to set up an account where you can't transfer money into your checking account online. Don't touch it. Even if it's only $10 a week, over time, you'll see it add up from your regular contributions and earned interest.<br /><br />6. Skip the ATM<br />If you have cash on you, you'll spend it. Minimize your trips to the ATM by giving yourself a weekly cash allowance and using only that for the week. This might mean cutting back on daily lattes and lunches out, but you won't miss it over time.<br /><br />By Brent Rasmussen president of CareerBuilder's North American operations. He is an expert in leadership skills, high-impact management, motivating teams, hot job markets, plans to change jobs and career progress. </div>

Majority of Workers Live Paycheck to Paycheck - Tips on how to make ends meet

Throughout the economic downturn, many companies were forced to lay off workers, implement furloughs, decrease benefits and cut salaries in ...

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8 Salary-Talk Traps

This is it. The moment you've been waiting for. Your palms are sweaty, your heart is pounding and your knees are shaking. She's looking at you, waiting. You're about to pop the big question.<br /><br />"Can I have a raise?"<br /><br />Breaching the subject of salary with your boss is never an easy feat. Unfortunately, it's never as easy as the simple, "Ask and you shall receive" theory. Ask for too much too soon and you could label yourself as greedy. Ask for too little and risk selling yourself short of what you deserve and earning less than what you're worth.<br /><br />"Ask most people about the value of a job, and their first thought is how much it pays," writes Michael Zwell in his book, "Six-Figure Salary Negotiation." In reality, the value of the job also includes job satisfaction, the chance to learn new skills or opportunities for advancement in the company.<br /><br />"By looking at the value proposition in a new way, you can assess the job you're in, as well as those you've had in the past," Zwell says. This will enable you to show all the value you bring to a position in order to negotiate the salary you deserve.<br /><br />A common problem workers face when negotiating a boost in their salary is finding the right way to do it. Using the right words, in the right place, at the right time are all key elements to bargain the income you ought to have.<br /><br />Here are eight common salary-talk traps and tips to be conscious of when bargaining your way to a higher paycheck, according to "Six-Figure Salary Negotiation."<br /><br />1. Do your homework<br /><br />The trap: You get the title, compensation and responsibilities on paper, but you've been living in denial about what the job really entails and the situation the company is really in.<br /><br />The truth: At first, the job seems like a dream come true. You soon realize that you're overworked, underpaid and the company can't afford to pay you more. How could you have avoided this?<br /><br />The tip: Exhaustively ask questions and do your homework.<br /><br />2. Asking for more money<br /><br />The trap: You assume the maximum salary number quoted to you by HR is fixed in stone and cannot be changed.<br /><br />The truth: You earn more in your current job than what HR tells you the maximum salary is for the position you want. Should you settle for less?<br /><br />The tip: Contact the hiring manager and tell her that HR told you the maximum salary for the job is Y and you are currently making more than that (if you are). Point out that you know some employers make occasional exceptions in circumstances like this and ask if that is possible at this company. By doing so, you are empowering the hiring manager to advocate on your behalf.<br /><br />3. Pay me more or I'm outta here!<br /><br />The trap: You accept a counteroffer from your current company in order to increase your salary.<br /><br />The truth: You're unhappy with your current salary, so you interview at a competing company for a higher salary. You successfully leverage that offer to earn more at your current job. In a few months, your company begins layoffs and you're let go because you have one of the highest salaries.<br /><br />The tip: If you want more money from your current employer, negotiate based on your value contribution, rather than using a threat.<br /><br />4. When you need to make more money<br /><br />The trap: You tell your boss that you need to make more money because you bought a bigger house, you have two kids in college, you need a new car, etc.<br /><br />The truth: When we were young, our parents told us that if we wanted money, we had to earn it. So, we mowed the lawn, did house chores or watched younger siblings to earn a buck. Similarly, if you need more money per paycheck, ask your boss how you can contribute to earn a little extra.<br /><br />The tip: To get paid more, demonstrate the increased value that you can contribute or are already contributing.<br /><br />5. When you don't ask, you usually don't get<br /><br />The trap: You don't ask for more benefits because you think the package can't be changed.<br /><br />The truth: You're offered a job at a new company. You'll earn more, but your vacation time is half of what you're allotted at your current company. If this is a deal breaker, tell the hiring manager your concern.<br /><br />The tip: Don't assume that benefits are cast in stone until you ask.<br /><br />6. Overselling, overpromising and under delivering<br /><br />The trap: You oversell yourself and get in over your head.<br /><br />The truth: You exaggerate your abilities and promise more than you're capable of in exchange for a higher salary. Your employer realizes this and you're demoted or fired.<br /><br />The tip: If you take a job that's a stretch for you, be confident that you can stretch into the job.<br /><br />7. Giving into the fear factor<br /><br />The trap: Your fears undermine your attempts to engage in successful salary negotiation.<br /><br />The truth: "All of us have a choice between an attitude of abundance -- meaning there is more than enough opportunities, money, resources and so forth to go around -- and one of scarcity," Zwell writes. "Choosing abundance empowers you to be a buyer and to maximize your giving and receiving. You are not afraid to ask questions, pursue opportunities and to more fully engage in negotiation."<br /><br />The tip: Negotiate from abundance.<br /><br />8. Focusing on one opportunity<br /><br />The trap: You put all your eggs in one basket.<br /><br />The truth: "It is almost always better to have multiple good opportunities available to you. In doing so, you will be operating from abundance rather than scarcity," Zwell says.<br /><br />The tip: Actively pursue multiple opportunities.<br /><br />By Rachel Zupek writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com. She researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues.<br /><br />"The Six-Figure Salary Negotiation." Copyright © 2008, by Michael Zwell . Used by permission of Adams Media, an F+W Publications, Inc. Co. All rights reserved.<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">Search more than 100,000 Jobs by </span></strong><a href="http://jobs.careerbuilder.com/JobSeeker/Jobs/JobResults.aspx?SB%3Asbkw=&SB%3As_freeloc=&SB%3Asbfr=30&sbsbmt=Find+Jobs+%C2%BB&lr=cbrockl&cid=US&excrit=QID%3DA3852768340946%3Bst%3DA%3Buse%3DALL%3BCID%3DUS%3BSID%3D%3F%3BTID%3D0%3BENR%3DNO%3BDTP%3DDRNS%3BYDI%3DYES%3BIND%3DALL%3BPDQ%3DAll%3BPDQ%3DAll%3BPAYL%3D0%3BPAYH%3DGT120%3BPOY%3DNO%3BETD%3DALL%3BRE%3DALL%3BMGT%3DDC%3BSUP%3DDC%3BFRE%3D1%3BCHL%3DAL%3BQS%3DSID_UNKNOWN%3BSS%3DNO%3BTITL%3D0%3BOB%3D-modifiedint%3BJQT%3DRAD%3BJDV%3DFalse&IPath=ILM"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">CLICKING HERE!</span></strong></a>

8 Salary-Talk Traps

This is it. The moment you've been waiting for. Your palms are sweaty, your heart is pounding and your knees are shaking. She's look...

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La VAE en 7 étapes

<BR><br />"Le parcours d'une VAE": comment réussir chaque étape dans les meilleures conditions ?<br /><br />Sur le site du GIP Alfa Centre, des informations, des vidéos sont présentées sous forme de marelle pour vous permettre de réussir chaque étape dans les meilleures conditions :<ul><li><a href="http://www.alfacentre.org/vae/marelle_grand_public/vae_particuliers.htm" target="_blank">Le parcours d'une VAE</a><br /><br /><li><a href="http://www.alfacentre.org/vae/entreprises/vae_entreprises.htm" target="_blank">Le parcours d'une VAE en entreprise</a></ul><br />Pour approfondir la question, vous pouvez aussi consulter les pages exclusivement consacrées à la Validation des Acquis de l'Expérience du site du <a href="http://www.alfacentre.org/vae/sommaire.htm" target="_blank">GIP Alfa Centre</a>.<br /><br />Un <a href="http://www.vae.gouv.fr/" "target=_blank">portail</a> géré par le ministère de l'Economie de l'industrie et de l'emploi est également en ligne : <a href="http://www.vae.gouv.fr/" "target=_blank">vae.gouv.fr</a>.<br /><BR>

La VAE en 7 étapes

"Le parcours d'une VAE": comment réussir chaque étape dans les meilleures conditions ? Sur le site du GIP Alfa Centre, des inf...

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Office Politics: Myths Debunked

Politics in the workplace can get vicious -- and we're not talking about the governmental kind. Rather, office politics, or how power and influence are managed in your company, will be a part of your career whether you choose to participate in them or not.<br /><br />Some workers say they don't want to get caught up in politics at work, but most experts argue that playing the game is crucial to your career success. By not getting involved, you may find your talents ignored, your success limited and you may feel left out of the loop, says Louellen Essex, co-author of "Manager's Desktop Consultant: Just-in-Time Solutions to the Top People Problems That Keep You Up at Night."<br /><br />Here are three common myths surrounding office politics:<br /><br />Myth One: Politics is nasty business. "Think of playing office politics as a game of strategy through which you are able to get the resources and influence you need to accomplish your goals." Essex says. "Most often those who are diplomatic, respectful and build coalitions with effective people win."<br /><br />Myth Two: Only people at the top are involved in politics. Not so. "Employees at every level in an organization have the opportunity to win at office politics by building their image, being a top performer and learning to effectively communicate," Essex says.<br /><br />Myth Three: Playing politics is a waste of valuable work time. "Studies say that those who build their careers quickest spend as much as one-third of their time at work in political activity," Essex says. "They view this time as critical to growing the network and relationships vital to their success."<br /><br />Some workers involved with office politics simply don't know how to deal with the situation at hand. Here are four examples of office politics in action and how you can deal with the problems:<br /><br />Situation One: Gossip<br /><br />Don't participate in office gossip other than to listen and gather information, Essex says. Gossip is good if individuals are communicating accurate information, but kicking up dirt about other people is not likely to gain you the respect you need.<br /><br />Situation Two: Boss plays favorites<br /><br />Think about why your boss is playing favorites, Essex suggests. Is he or she supporting high performers they're grooming for advancement? If so, step up your performance and get yourself in that inner circle. On the other hand, if the boss is playing favorites due to friendships with employees, stay clear.<br /><br />"Let others in the organization know of your good work and attempt to work around the situation with your boss," Essex says. "Get involved in committees, projects and social activities outside of your department, which will give you visibility with others who can help advance your career."<br /><br />Situation Three: Nasty co-workers<br /><br />Confront the nasty co-workers, but be certain you don't mirror their demeanor, Essex says. "Describe the behavior they are displaying and ask them to stop immediately." If they resist, indicate your intention to set up a meeting with them and your manager to discuss your concerns. "Often, office bullies are unaccustomed to being confronted and will back off when someone has the courage to stand up to them."<br /><br />Situation Four: Working for a boss who is not respected<br /><br />If your boss is viewed as ineffective, it can derail your career, Essex warns. Look for other opportunities to work elsewhere in your organization. Search for managers who can help you, teach you and support you, thereby catapulting your career success. If you can't move within your organization, look for options somewhere else.<br /><br />By Rachel Zupek writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com. She researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues.<br /><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">Search more than 100,000 Jobs by </span></strong><a href="http://jobs.careerbuilder.com/JobSeeker/Jobs/JobResults.aspx?SB%3Asbkw=&SB%3As_freeloc=&SB%3Asbfr=30&sbsbmt=Find+Jobs+%C2%BB&lr=cbrockl&cid=US&excrit=QID%3DA3852768340946%3Bst%3DA%3Buse%3DALL%3BCID%3DUS%3BSID%3D%3F%3BTID%3D0%3BENR%3DNO%3BDTP%3DDRNS%3BYDI%3DYES%3BIND%3DALL%3BPDQ%3DAll%3BPDQ%3DAll%3BPAYL%3D0%3BPAYH%3DGT120%3BPOY%3DNO%3BETD%3DALL%3BRE%3DALL%3BMGT%3DDC%3BSUP%3DDC%3BFRE%3D1%3BCHL%3DAL%3BQS%3DSID_UNKNOWN%3BSS%3DNO%3BTITL%3D0%3BOB%3D-modifiedint%3BJQT%3DRAD%3BJDV%3DFalse&IPath=ILM"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">CLICKING HERE!</span></strong></a><strong><span style="font-size:180%;"> </span></strong>

Office Politics: Myths Debunked

Politics in the workplace can get vicious -- and we're not talking about the governmental kind. Rather, office politics, or how power an...

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When 110 Percent is Too Much

"Congratulations! You're average."<br /><br />You never hear that sentence because nobody gets commended for being average. Throughout our lives we're taught to excel so that we're recognized for going above and beyond. Straight As get the honor roll. Straight Bs, not so much. High scorers get MVP. The rest of the team gets to applaud at the ceremony.<br /><br />The same is true at work. If you want to get promoted and receive any recognition, you should be willing to make small sacrifices once in a while, whether that means working through lunch to finish a project or bringing work home to catch up. But at what point are you going from above and beyond to overboard?<br /><br />A sign of the times<br /><br />Once upon a time when landlines outnumbered cell phones and memos existed on paper and not e-mail, working until nightfall was a nuisance that you avoided at all costs. It was a sacrifice that your colleagues and boss noticed as they left and saw only your car in the parking lot.<br /><br />Now, thanks to technology, you can be steeped in after-hours work from the comfort of your home, car or the bleachers at your child's soccer game. Because you're not meeting with a client or in an office, both you and your boss might start to think you're not actually working, but you're not relaxing either.<br /><br />"I used to use [a BlackBerry] when it first came out around the year 2000," remembers Victor Cheng, president of Bookmercial Productions, a book publishing company. "I was working, thinking about work nearly 24/7 -- routinely replying to my CEO at midnight because he too was using his 'crack-berry.'"<br /><br />Now that he's left that job and is the president of his own company, a BlackBerry is on his list of forbidden workplace items. He understands how much you can do with a few keystrokes of a smartphone, but he doesn't think anything substantial comes from them.<br /><br />"As the chief decision maker of my company, getting out another e-mail rarely makes or breaks a company ... but blowing a big decision because I was continually getting interrupted by a [BlackBerry] is stupid. Achieving big results is about getting a few important things done right -- not about getting more little things done."<br /><br />Just recently, television network ABC had a contract dispute with some employees who wanted compensation for checking their BlackBerrys when they weren't in the office. Workers felt they were expected to give too much of their personal time, while the network felt it was to be expected. Although they reached an agreement, the conflict is a sign that when it comes to technology, the boundaries between work and home aren't clear for employees and employers alike.<br /><br />Missing out on life<br /><br />Technology isn't the only culprit in the battle of work versus home; it's just the newest one. Plenty of workers aren't sacrificing their personal lives because of e-mail; they just can't get away. Some people just have good old-fashioned pressures, such as a demanding boss who sets unrealistic deadlines for projects or a seemingly bottomless amount of work that they can never catch up on. Or maybe they simply can't pull themselves away from work. In fact, a recent CareerBuilder.com survey found that 50 percent of sales workers intend to check-in with work while on vacation.<br /><br />David Bohl was a venture capitalist who made weekly trips overseas, which meant his schedule was anything but a reliable 9 to 5. The line between work and home blurred too much for his liking when he found himself learning more about his children through faxes and phone calls than in person. He knew he was sacrificing too much personal time for work, so he decided to move on. He has since become a lifestyle mentor who helps other people avoid making the same mistakes he did.<br /><br />Of course, you don't have to wait until life passes you by to know you've put your job ahead of yourself. If you feel like you've crossed the line -- like one more moonlit drive home is too much to bear -- you probably have. After all, you're the only one who can make that call.<br /><br />By Anthony Balderrama writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com. He researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues.<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">Search more than 100,000 Jobs by </span></strong><a href="http://jobs.careerbuilder.com/JobSeeker/Jobs/JobResults.aspx?SB%3Asbkw=&SB%3As_freeloc=&SB%3Asbfr=30&sbsbmt=Find+Jobs+%C2%BB&lr=cbrockl&cid=US&excrit=QID%3DA3852768340946%3Bst%3DA%3Buse%3DALL%3BCID%3DUS%3BSID%3D%3F%3BTID%3D0%3BENR%3DNO%3BDTP%3DDRNS%3BYDI%3DYES%3BIND%3DALL%3BPDQ%3DAll%3BPDQ%3DAll%3BPAYL%3D0%3BPAYH%3DGT120%3BPOY%3DNO%3BETD%3DALL%3BRE%3DALL%3BMGT%3DDC%3BSUP%3DDC%3BFRE%3D1%3BCHL%3DAL%3BQS%3DSID_UNKNOWN%3BSS%3DNO%3BTITL%3D0%3BOB%3D-modifiedint%3BJQT%3DRAD%3BJDV%3DFalse&IPath=ILM"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">CLICKING HERE!</span></strong></a>

When 110 Percent is Too Much

"Congratulations! You're average." You never hear that sentence because nobody gets commended for being average. Throughout ou...

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Day 21: Hold it close to your heart

I'm not sure if it's contagious, and we're all catching it from reading each other's blogs, but something seems amiss. I even caught a bit of it myself.<br /><br />What is "it"? Our lack of enthusiasm for losing weight. Several of the blogs I read are written by people who have been at this for a long time, the same as me. Actually, it's not that we lack the enthusiasm for losing weight, but we lack the enthusiasm for doing the things we have to do to lose weight.<br /><br />It's like we're all tired. Tired of the mundane, of the boredom. The measuring, the counting, the tracking. The decisions about what's the best choice, what's the most healthy thing to eat. The worry. The remorse when we screw it up. The self-flagellation when we don't get it right.<br /><br />I'm right there with you. I'm tired of it all too.<br /><br />On the other hand, I vividly remember what it was like to weigh 240 pounds. I can flip over to my pictures page and look at myself. I remember the humiliation, the hurt, the physical pain. I remember the asthma attacks which have completely disappeared. And mostly, I remember never wanting to go anywhere or do anything.<br /><br />That 240-pound woman would have rather died than attend a Pi<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">nk</span> concert and danced in the aisles. She couldn't have hiked ten minutes up a mountain, much less for three hours with a 25-pound pack on her back. She would never have gone to a football game and talked to strangers and high-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">fived</span> them when her team made a touchdown.<br /><br />No, that woman would have sat at home, probably on the couch, and watched TV all weekend. Or maybe read a book. Socializing was not her thing. Then she would have whined about her "boring" life.<br /><br />All this weight loss stuff is rather boring, the same old thing day after day. Especially when you're past the honeymoon phase. The pounds aren't falling off quickly (if at all), the compliments about how great you look aren't as frequent. Buying new clothes has lost it's charm.<br /><br />What can keep you going? What's really going to motivate you to continue with this? Is where you are now "good enough"? If you were running a 5k and saw the finish line up ahead, would you just say, hey, I ran 4.5k, and I just don't feel like running the rest of it"? Right, I didn't think so.<br /><br />We each have to find the one thing that's important to us. The thing that makes us want to continue down this road. It's not exciting stuff that we're doing. It's pretty boring. But life isn't boring. Life is fun and exciting and thrilling. There's so much life to live, to live it overweight is a waste. We miss so much when we're overweight. We hide, we avoid situations, we avoid people. Being overweight is it's own prison.<br /><br />So even though I intended to write about what motivates me to stay with this, I realized what works for me is probably not going to work for you. We each have to find our own way. Just look inside yourself, find the real reason you're doing this and hold it close to your heart.

Day 21: Hold it close to your heart

I'm not sure if it's contagious, and we're all catching it from reading each other's blogs, but something seems amiss. I eve...

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5 Most Competitive Co-workers

<a href="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/vt/ar5f6r273zt3s9hh79vt.gif"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/vt/ar5f6r273zt3s9hh79vt.gif" style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br /><div>The race for the White House may be over, but the competitive spirit of the campaigns lives on -- in the workplace, at least. In a survey by Robert Half International, almost half of senior executives said they believe employees are more competitive today than 10 years ago.<br /><br />Why is it harder than ever to hear the strains of "Kumbaya" among workplace colleagues? The uncertain economy may be part of the problem: When people are concerned about job security, they are more apt to want to prove their worth to employers, and the pressure to perform can result in employee rivalries.<br /><br />While it's true that a bit of healthy competition among staff members can increase motivation and productivity, too much tension can stand in the way of collaboration -- and good team results.<br /><br />Consider these five familiar workplace competitors and ways to deal with them when working together:<br /><br />1. The Speeder<br />This colleague wants to win the race, at just about any cost. When your manager asks the team to submit ideas for a new project, for example, she's always the first to respond.<br /><br />When working with a Speeder, make sure you have a chance to review her work. The person's tendency to race through projects means she doesn't always give assignments the time and attention they deserve. An extra set of eyes will ensure the tasks you tackle together are always error-free.<br /><br />2. The Loner<br />This person is highly secretive and guards his ideas like they're the crown jewels. He tends to want to complete projects on his own, and he doesn't like to collaborate.<br /><br />When working with a Loner, give him some space but make sure you remain in the loop on key milestones and deliverables. Check in with this person more frequently than you do with other colleagues; a quick e-mail asking for a status update or offering to lend a hand is usually sufficient.<br /><br />3. The Superstar<br />No challenge is too great for this employee, who lobbies to take on the highest-profile projects. While her can-do spirit is helpful, what she really wants is the visibility that comes with taking on the most difficult assignments.<br /><br />When working with the Superstar, consider letting this person take the lead. You might suggest she present the group's ideas at the next staff meeting, for example. As long as your role doesn't disappear completely, you can help motivate your colleague and build an ally.<br /><br />4. The Weightlifter<br />This individual always offers to take on an extra project in order to look good to his manager.<br /><br />You might be able to learn something from this workplace competitor. His actions not only help him in the eyes of his manager but also allow him to learn new skills. If you follow in his footsteps, just be careful you don't take on more responsibility than you can comfortably shoulder. Trying to do too much can make the quality of your work suffer and lead to burnout.<br /><br />5. The Saboteur<br />This person will do anything to get ahead, like taking all the credit for a joint project. Such unsportsmanlike conduct really speaks to insecurity in this individual's own abilities: By making others look bad, she thinks she makes herself look better.<br /><br />Be on the lookout for the Saboteur and keep your distance from this person. If you think a colleague has deliberately undermined your work, immediately speak to your manager about the situation.<br /><br />Here are some additional tips that can help you navigate an overly competitive workplace.<br /><br />First, focus on your own performance instead of the actions of your colleagues, and make sure your manager is aware of your contributions to the team. You'll distinguish yourself in a positive way and maintain your integrity by avoiding workplace drama. Also try not to worry too much about the actions of your co-workers. Indeed, keep in mind that workplace competitors can ultimately be their own worst enemies.<br /><br />If a colleague takes it a step too far -- by not offering you the information you need for a project, for instance -- then you need to address it. You can set up a private meeting to discuss your concerns with the person directly, or, if you're uncomfortable with that thought, talk to your manager.<br /><br />Moreover, remember to pick your battles. If a co-worker is seeking credit for a relatively minor accomplishment, let it go. Don't get so caught up in the competition for credit that you overlook the importance of teamwork.<br /><br />A final piece of advice: Be flexible. Learn to adapt so that you can effectively communicate with challenging co-workers. You don't need to change your behavior completely; just remember that a different approach can often help you reach the same goal.<br /><br />Robert Half International is the world's first and largest specialized staffing firm with a global network of more than 360 offices worldwide. For more information about our professional services, please visit http://www.rhi.com/. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">Search more than 100,000 Jobs by </span></strong><a href="http://jobs.careerbuilder.com/JobSeeker/Jobs/JobResults.aspx?SB%3Asbkw=&SB%3As_freeloc=&SB%3Asbfr=30&sbsbmt=Find+Jobs+%C2%BB&lr=cbrockl&cid=US&excrit=QID%3DA3852768340946%3Bst%3DA%3Buse%3DALL%3BCID%3DUS%3BSID%3D%3F%3BTID%3D0%3BENR%3DNO%3BDTP%3DDRNS%3BYDI%3DYES%3BIND%3DALL%3BPDQ%3DAll%3BPDQ%3DAll%3BPAYL%3D0%3BPAYH%3DGT120%3BPOY%3DNO%3BETD%3DALL%3BRE%3DALL%3BMGT%3DDC%3BSUP%3DDC%3BFRE%3D1%3BCHL%3DAL%3BQS%3DSID_UNKNOWN%3BSS%3DNO%3BTITL%3D0%3BOB%3D-modifiedint%3BJQT%3DRAD%3BJDV%3DFalse&IPath=ILM"><span style="font-size:180%;"><strong>CLICKING HERE</strong>!</span></a> </div>

5 Most Competitive Co-workers

The race for the White House may be over, but the competitive spirit of the campaigns lives on -- in the workplace, at least. In a survey by...

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Workplace Conflict Resolutions

<a href="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/3g/ar5c2l674xp0wzbm483g.gif"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/3g/ar5c2l674xp0wzbm483g.gif" style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br /><div>From the guy who thinks his desk is his living room/kitchen/bedroom to the manager who asks for (then steals) your ideas, every worker faces workplace conflict. (And if you don't, let me know where you work -- I want an application.)<br /><br />As offices become more diverse in age, talent and ethnicity, conflict is inevitably prevalent in the workplace. Lori Coruccini, CEO of Predix Link Inc., a work-force development consulting company, says variances usually arise because of the lack of communication and clarity on how to reach common work goals. Employees don't know how to understand each other based on their individual workplace behavior.<br /><br />"Depending on their behavioral traits, some employees may not appreciate a fast-changing environment because of the need to naturally process through information," Coruccini says. "Others' behaviors may be perceived as being demanding and being 'told' what to do. Every employee has unique behaviors, which, if understood in a team environment, can reduce conflict."<br /><br />If clashes at work aren't reduced, vital parts of business are affected. For example, conflict causes a distraction, which decreases productivity and is also a de-motivator. Conflict also causes procrastination because your mind isn't focused on the end goal, Coruccini says. If disagreements are taken personally, it causes resentment toward co-workers or the company as a whole.<br /><br />"When conflict is taken personally, it can shut down communication, cause intimidation, de-motivate, cause health issues if not dealt with, and the lack of interest to complete a mission or common goal," Coruccini warns.<br /><br />However, some conflict can be healthy if you properly deal with situations to reach a proper resolution. But, this can only be done if you know how other people effectively deal with differences.<br /><br />"Everyone communicates differently according to their natural behavior; everyone is driven differently based on their behaviors," Coruccini says. "Once there is an understanding of why others respond the way they do, it makes it easier to respect the other person and recognize that statements or comments are not about you and they don't take things personally."<br /><br />Here are five examples of conflict you might face in the workplace:<br /><br />· Being told what to do rather than asked. This causes tension, and employees become defensive.<br /><br />· Employees who have different communication styles. One employee may need specific information while the other may just need the basics. Each will shut down when there is too much (or too little) information.<br /><br />· Different behavioral back-up styles. For example, someone may deflect controversy for a while, but when put under too much pressure, he or she may become confrontational. Others may take offense to the back-up style, which causes conflict.<br /><br />· When there is not a clear vision or mission. This usually means wasted energy and money spent in a workplace.<br /><br />· Unclear job expectations are sure to cause conflict for the manager and the employee.<br /><br />Make use of the following tips to resolve conflict at work:<br /><br />Choose your battles. How important is the dispute really? Does it truly affect you, and is it a chronic problem? If it's a one-time incident or mild transgression, let it pass.<br /><br />Expect conflict. Friction will occasionally emerge in the course of human relationships -- it's natural. Don't fear it -- rather, learn to spot the symptoms early and see opportunity in the resolution.<br /><br />Use neutral language. Avoid judgmental remarks or sweeping generalizations, such as, "You never respond to my e-mails." Use calm, neutral language to describe what is bothering you. For example: "I get very frustrated when you don't return my messages because I never know if you've received important information." Be respectful and sincere, never sarcastic.<br /><br />Practice preventive maintenance. Avoid retreating to the safety of withdrawal, avoidance or the simplistic view that your co-worker is a bad person. These are defense mechanisms that prevent the resolution of conflict. Instead, focus on the problem, not the person. Never attack or put the other person on the defensive.<br /><br />Listen actively. Never interrupt the other party. Really listen and try to understand what the other person is saying. Let him know you understand by restating or reframing his statement or position, so he knows you have indeed heard him.<br /><br />Get leverage on yourself. When disputes between you and a co-worker appear without resolution, get leverage. Ask to be held accountable. This brings your performance evaluation into the equation without taking away your responsibility for resolving the conflict. This is hard to do, but remarkable change can happen when you are held to task.<br /><br />By Rachel Zupek writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com. She researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues. </div><br /><div><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">Search more than 100,000 Jobs by </span></strong><a href="http://jobs.careerbuilder.com/JobSeeker/Jobs/JobResults.aspx?SB%3Asbkw=&SB%3As_freeloc=&SB%3Asbfr=30&sbsbmt=Find+Jobs+%C2%BB&lr=cbrockl&cid=US&excrit=QID%3DA3852768340946%3Bst%3DA%3Buse%3DALL%3BCID%3DUS%3BSID%3D%3F%3BTID%3D0%3BENR%3DNO%3BDTP%3DDRNS%3BYDI%3DYES%3BIND%3DALL%3BPDQ%3DAll%3BPDQ%3DAll%3BPAYL%3D0%3BPAYH%3DGT120%3BPOY%3DNO%3BETD%3DALL%3BRE%3DALL%3BMGT%3DDC%3BSUP%3DDC%3BFRE%3D1%3BCHL%3DAL%3BQS%3DSID_UNKNOWN%3BSS%3DNO%3BTITL%3D0%3BOB%3D-modifiedint%3BJQT%3DRAD%3BJDV%3DFalse&IPath=ILM"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">CLICKING HERE!</span></strong></a> </div>

Workplace Conflict Resolutions

From the guy who thinks his desk is his living room/kitchen/bedroom to the manager who asks for (then steals) your ideas, every worker faces...

Read more »