Success Stories: I Got An Online Degree

<a href="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/02/ar5d0k7608fp85g6cj02.gif"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/02/ar5d0k7608fp85g6cj02.gif" style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br /><div>Remember your teenage years when a life without school seemed like an impossible goal? One day, whether after high school or college graduation, you wouldn't ever have to sit in a classroom again. Homework would be an artifact of your youth.<br /><br />Then you grew up and life happened. Maybe you didn't attend college or you didn't finish. Maybe you earned one degree and eventually realized you needed another one to get the job you wanted. Or maybe you just wanted to learn more. Whatever the reason, higher education is not the punishment you once considered it, and now the experience is different, too.<br /><br />The Internet has revolutionized so much of our everyday life in the last two decades, and how we attend school is no different. More and more students are taking classes online, sometimes as part of a traditional schoolgoing experience, and sometimes as part of an online-only program. If you've considered earning a degree online and weren't sure if it's the right decision for you, read the experiences of these nine people who earned their degrees the virtual way.<br /><br />Lonnie B. Hodge, CEO of social media agency Culture Fish Media<br />I attended the State University of New York, Albany while I was in the military. Being moved from place to place made residency requirements at most schools an impossibility. The New York Regents had a program that (now Excelsior University) credit-banked any recognized courses and a degree was awarded when you met SUNY's requirements for your major and the BA or BS program. My work at SUNY allowed me to apply for Officer Candidate School and I became an ordinance officer in the U.S. Army after six years as an enlisted man.<br /><br />I never set foot on SUNY's campus. Almost immediately upon graduation I was accepted into a traditional MA in education at the University of Colorado and a few years on an MFA in writing at Vermont College. Upon graduation from VC, I won a National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship in writing (poetry) for work I created while studying at Vermont.<br /><br />Teresa H. Berger, of public relations firm Innovate Services<br />I completed my MBA online with University of Phoenix. It wasn't easy, as I was working full time, but by attending online I had the flexibility to complete assignments whenever, wherever. It lent me the confidence and know-how to launch two businesses.<br /><br />Ryan McKinnon, children's ministry leader and chaplain candidate<br />I completed half of my bachelor's online at the University of Maryland University College (UMUC), and I am currently working on my master's online with Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary. I will be re-entering the Army as a chaplain upon completion of my degree.<br /><br />Sarah Chenoweth, DNA analyst<br />I'm a DNA analyst with a local police agency in Maryland. I earned my MS in forensic DNA and serology online from the University of Florida 2003-2005. At the time, I was employed as a DNA analyst with the Prince George's County (Maryland) Police Department. In order to become a DNA technical leader (the senior-most position in most DNA testing labs), the FBI requires a master's degree and several specific graduate-level courses. No universities in the area offered a degree with this specific focus, making it impossible for me to attend traditional classes without leaving my employer.<br /><br />After I finished the University of Florida program, I was offered a position as the DNA technical leader at the Anne Arundel County (Maryland) Police Department's Crime Lab with a commensurate jump in salary. In the three years since I've been in this position, I've encouraged three of my co-workers to enter the same degree program, which should give you an idea of how pleased I was with the entire experience.<br /><br />Kathryn Pottruff, Pottruff Consulting Inc.<br />In my mid 40's I decided that I wanted to get a master of science degree in project management from The George Washington University. My work as an independent consultant required that I travel frequently (about 75 percent of the time), so attending lectures in a conventional university setting was not an option. Much to my surprise, I found that the quality of education I received could not be matched in a conventional educational environment. Where do you get to collaborate online with classmates from Indonesia, the U.K., the U.S., Canada, India, South America and South Africa on real projects? The Internet offers an incomparable learning experience.<br /><br />I must admit that at times I felt a little silly sitting alone in front of my computer while I broke out in unbridled laughter at something one of my colleagues had typed. All in all, I can't say that this approach would work for all disciplines, but for me, it was stupendous.<br /><br />Marc A. Pitman, FundraisingCoach.com<br />I don't know if I'm an early adopter, but I earned my master's online back in 2002. It was a normal MA program, simply delivered online. The master's is in organizational leadership and the school is Regent University in Virginia Beach, Va. I did check out their brick-and-mortar campus before I applied. I guess I felt more secure attending the online classes knowing a "real" place existed somewhere other than a boiler room.<br /><br />I was traveling around the country during those years, so earning an MA online was an awesome opportunity.<br /><br />Angie Robert, president of ConsultMyAgent.com<br />I got my MBA with an emphasis in marketing from University of Phoenix online. It was the best thing I could have done. It took 25 months non-stop while working full time, but it enabled me to keep my job and family intact. My job required a lot of travel at the time, and I never could have completed my degree at a traditional university and held down the job.<br /><br />When I graduated, I got a promotion and a 10 percent raise. Since then, I am in the process of starting my own company.<br /><br />Wayne Botha, Botha Consulting<br />I earned my MBA online, through University of Phoenix from 2002-2004. It was the best choice for me for the following reasons: flexible class hours; flexible course schedule; learning from lecturers around the county; you can continue studying while you are traveling; diverse classmates, [who enriched] the experience; ability to take courses that are not available in traditional classroom settings.<br /><br />No one has ever questioned the credibility of my online degree or looked down on it versus an MBA [earned] in a traditional classroom. The online learning system has improved over the past few years. I would not have been able to complete an MBA through an on-ground university while handling a demanding job [and] being a father and husband. Online education is the best way to study for many working adults and I highly recommend [it].<br /><br />Dewoun Hayes, CAP, professional skills trainer<br />I earned my AA in business and a BS in psychology through the University of Phoenix. I am currently seeking my MA in adult education and training with University of Phoenix as well.<br /><br />I enjoy online learning mostly because of the convenience. I travel quite a bit, am a single parent and work odd hours; therefore, my schedule does not permit me to sit in a classroom (although I have tried it before). Many people are misguided by the fact that there is no face-to-face interaction with instructors or classmates, thereby placing the degree or institution at lesser value than a traditional classroom curriculum. I wholeheartedly disagree because there is more work involved with being an online student. To begin with, you must have discipline and time management skills in order to meet the participatory requirements.<br /><br />The online environment provides the same advantages as classroom learning: the ability to interact with diverse individuals, improve writing skills, and develop team building skills, while learning in the specified field. The only difference is this is all done by computer. What makes it all worth it is hearing your name called, walking across the stage and receiving your diploma.<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. </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>

Success Stories: I Got An Online Degree

Remember your teenage years when a life without school seemed like an impossible goal? One day, whether after high school or college graduat...

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I think you're swell

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGhPAtTihzJS2YjiuiXdwlocvG0hvgLymekpCxUPhHS0lb_KjjTxmBMST2ZwoB7WP2ICAamy2zubGPIEfsWYHVfoJV_z3c7BrgZHALjwpmqQJrRi1TS8bPLCzNGslow-b6-zmrFaXrNrhE/s1600-h/Ithinkyourswell.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380342265608037954" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGhPAtTihzJS2YjiuiXdwlocvG0hvgLymekpCxUPhHS0lb_KjjTxmBMST2ZwoB7WP2ICAamy2zubGPIEfsWYHVfoJV_z3c7BrgZHALjwpmqQJrRi1TS8bPLCzNGslow-b6-zmrFaXrNrhE/s400/Ithinkyourswell.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 293px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 323px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> A really cool person, <a href="http://55aliveandlosingit.blogspot.com/" target="blank">Graciela</a>, gave me this really cool blog award. The reason this award is so special to me is because it's very original (don't you love that cute little face?), and it's from someone I really respect. Someone that shares my same crazy bad body image problems, that suffers from the same negative self-talk, as well as all the food issues, and has fought hard to overcome these things. Thank you <a href="http://55aliveandlosingit.blogspot.com/" target="blank">Graciela</a>. I'm honored that you thought of me.<br /><br />What's really cool about this award is I can give it to anyone or to no one. There's no pressure (whew!). So here's what I'm doing. I'm giving it to everyone that's in my bloglist on the right. Seriously, if you're there then it means I read your blog every day. Or whenever you post and some of you, not to name names, don't post often enough. <div></div><br /><div>If you're there, then that means I think you're swell, and you're special to me. If you're not there, please tell me and I'll add you. I probably just haven't found you on my own yet.<br /><br />So to all my fellow blog women and blog men, I hereby award you the "I Think You're Swell" award.</div><div> </div><div></div><div>Have a great weekend!</div>

I think you're swell

A really cool person, Graciela , gave me this really cool blog award. The reason this award is so special to me is because it's very or...

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Do Out-of-the-Box Tactics Really Work? - Hiring managers weigh in

<a href="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/70/ar5c81075hscjzd27d70.gif"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/70/ar5c81075hscjzd27d70.gif" style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br /><div>From résumés accompanied by shoes to get candidates' "feet in the door," to candidates sending cakes designed as business cards, hiring managers have seen it all when it comes to memorable job-seeker tactics.<br /><br />Facing the most difficult job market in decades, job seekers are often advised to stand out among the competition by using creative and unconventional tactics to grab an employer's attention. While that advice is sound and good, it begs the question of whether or not these avant-garde approaches actually work.<br /><br />Well -- it depends.<br /><br />"I personally like those candidates that think outside of the box. As an HR professional, nothing makes me happier than knowing a candidate for a marketing position has, for example, created a brochure that is actually his or her résumé," says Vani Colombo, HR director for VIPdesk, a customer and concierge service. "I'm always amazed when candidates break the rules with class to stand out. It shows they are resourceful and willing to go the extra mile."<br /><br />Tactics that worked...<br />Vinh Nguyen, 30, is a great example of someone didn't want to fall prey to the same fate as other unsuccessful applicants -- but who stood out in a good way. Career Tiger, a service that helps people find a job through unique and unconventional methods, helped Nguyen come up with this tactic:<br /><br />When asked a question during an interview with a health-care IT company, he surprised his interviewers by pulling out a whiteboard, writing down his thought process and taking control of the interview.<br /><br />"Differentiating yourself from your competition makes sense. The idea is to show that you are a thought leader in your area and that your knowledge is valuable," Nguyen says. "It was awkward at first, but breaking away from the norm will pay off as long as you put in the work beforehand researching."<br /><br />He ended up getting the job, where he is still working as a project manager.<br /><br />Dave Bowman, founder and chairman of TTG Consultants, a consulting firm, recalls a client who was a designer and really wanted to make an impression in an upcoming interview.<br /><br />"As the interview began, he would wheel in a model of a previous theme park exhibit he'd designed. He'd bring in with him three clowns who would be playing musical instruments. They would walk around the room for a minute or so, playing a song, and then exit, leaving the model for the interviewer to view in more detail," Bowman says. "The idea worked. His out-of-the-box tactics got him the job offer and at more money than he'd expected."<br /><br />While both of these unconventional methods worked in these instances, many hiring managers say that alternative tactics often run a fine line between admirable and creative to just plain inappropriate.<br /><br />"I would consider a candidate who used a tactic if it was ethical and demonstrated a behavior that would be relevant to the job they were interested in," says Kim Lockhart, regional vice president for Spherion Corporation, a recruiting and staffing provider. "For example, if someone was trying to get their name in consideration for a sales position and was using techniques to obtain an interview similar to the way they would approach securing a sale, I would consider it."<br /><br />Tactics that didn't...<br />Though many job seekers have successfully used creative job-search tactics, there seem to be an equal number of unsuccessful applicants, according to some hiring managers.<br /><br />A few months ago, Carolyn Turner, a business coach in Portland, Ore., was helping a client hire an office manager.<br /><br />"We had one applicant arrive unannounced at the office with a cherry pie she had baked that morning. She explained that she wanted to stand out from all the other applicants -- which she did, but just in a scary, stalkerish kind of way," Turner says. "I got a call from the business owner that day wondering what to do; no one wanted to eat the pie but she left it in her own pie plate, which meant they had to get it back to her somehow. It was all just very awkward."<br /><br />Turner says that having gone through hundreds of résumés for that position, it became clear that good candidates stand out just by how they present themselves in their cover letters and résumés.<br /><br />"There's really no need to go over the top to get noticed," she says. "For the majority of businesses and positions, a really well-written cover letter is more than enough. You'd be surprised at how many badly written cover letters and résumés there are."<br /><br />Don't try this at home<br />Christine Bolzan, CEO of Graduate Career Coaching, agrees with Turner and strongly advises against extreme tactics in the job search. She says many applicants who use these methods end up with a permanent 'Do Not Hire' label in their company file.<br /><br />Bolzan recalls two examples of what not to try in your job-search efforts, one of which includes gift giving.<br /><br />"I've received flowers, wine, perfume and the most memorable of all -- a pair of Ferragamo shoes, which was a generous attempt at a ping following our brief conversation of great things to buy at Heathrow Duty Free," Bolzan says. "This is never appropriate. In fact, many companies have a policy against accepting gifts of any sort."<br /><br />Another job search no-no? Stalking the interviewer, of which Bolzan says she's encountered on several different levels, including people who have waited in career fair parking lots and others who've waited outside the office building.<br /><br />"The worst of all stalkers I've encountered followed me into the pool at my hotel at 10 p.m. when I was trying to get a break from a long day at a large-scale recruiting event," Bolzan says. "The same event where I found over 100 different résumés secured by the wipers on my rental car windshield, and woke in the morning to even more résumés slipped under my hotel room door."<br /><br />Remember the rules<br />Barring stalker behavior and lavish gifts, out-of-the-box tactics can work if you play your cards right. Greg Masiewich, manager of marketing and online communications for IQ Partners Inc., offers these tips:<br /><br />1. Make it relevant<br /><br />"Whatever tactic you choose to use, make sure it's relevant to the position you're applying for," he says. "If you choose a tactic that you think will grab a hiring manager's attention but doesn't tie into the job, the industry, or what you're about, then it can come off as just seeming strange and weird instead of creative and clever."<br /><br />2. Don't go too far<br /><br />"It's important to walk that fine line between different, yet not going too far with trying to stand out. If you do something that's too overly crazy, you can come off seeming a little creepy and weird instead of like a star applicant with a sense of determination," he says. "Remember you want to grab their attention, not become a joke in the office."<br /><br />3. A good idea can get you an interview, but not a job<br /><br />"Remember that no matter the tactic you use to try and gain the attention of a hiring manager, at the end of the day they're still going to hire the person who they feel can do the job best," he says. "An out-of-the-box tactic might get you an interview, but it's still up to you to show you're not only determined, but also the best person for the job."<br /><br />Rachel Zupek is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com and its job blog, The Work Buzz. She researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues. Follow her on Twitter: http://twitter.com/CBwriterRZ. </div><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>

Do Out-of-the-Box Tactics Really Work? - Hiring managers weigh in

From résumés accompanied by shoes to get candidates' "feet in the door," to candidates sending cakes designed as business card...

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Day 15 & 16: What do these have in common? Hiking, Football, and P!nk

Me! They have me in common!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTXQALABAUouvTn4URBf4HU_0wpHtKzStcr604lFyPQ3T1v7s_bBW4P2R5fGWbrNa7DuVzSnDn5jr4jDQeKsPbgCneo2kaRZgmPUPNw1HX2K0hKAb2sw8H1NbGo3da9b7b5_e7zvpY1zus/s1600-h/rainier2.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380316884379139858" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTXQALABAUouvTn4URBf4HU_0wpHtKzStcr604lFyPQ3T1v7s_bBW4P2R5fGWbrNa7DuVzSnDn5jr4jDQeKsPbgCneo2kaRZgmPUPNw1HX2K0hKAb2sw8H1NbGo3da9b7b5_e7zvpY1zus/s320/rainier2.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 159px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 224px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> <div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmOMF79CvzjGkTD83dyeyxOFt1EqAJmPKqMXVIKbfqsixNAYbOBL_ydGucEU9tHQZgJEZbjQLtXScg8g2gemdyIjURmlDbOGP160O35kmq61nl0yTb-8ZdAheaZouinLBoKHSCxIBX1CS2/s1600-h/rainier3.jpg"></a><div><strong>Saturday</strong><br />My husband and I are hiking in the mountains tomorrow. I can't wait. It's suppose to be spetacular weather this weekend. I'm super excited to get outside and <strike>burn some calories</strike> have some fun. I love hiking!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaZNT9-SoszaYtPO5nKxznBMPoPltZcp4JDtW8OvfloBXnAKEFlTgIcB56TRjvxPlhFx1q4CJGvVQVwEgZiiSw0iacWNEVw39CQOOaxinebP_G43cn7u54sbIzMSDEEJ2wxlvf44dO-X5u/s1600-h/fan.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380317262614775666" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaZNT9-SoszaYtPO5nKxznBMPoPltZcp4JDtW8OvfloBXnAKEFlTgIcB56TRjvxPlhFx1q4CJGvVQVwEgZiiSw0iacWNEVw39CQOOaxinebP_G43cn7u54sbIzMSDEEJ2wxlvf44dO-X5u/s320/fan.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> <strong>Sunday</strong><br />FOOTBALL! The season opening game, Seahawks versus Rams. My girlfriend that has 50-yard line tickets asked me to go with her. My husband is completely jealous. Sunday's forecast is sunshine which means the stadium roof will be open. Woohoo!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPV5EBl8zP9LRo0hVNm23zr21d07cu99xLiwPXawZ-AB4SqqqjMBVUrmtO1ZjvGCQRSHO-k2IeDetnzyve52v4NesdmUzgdGseHTq3VR4-5NIpFg-YLm3_JPtG6Tz8kAyUtpZqguLqMb7O/s1600-h/pink14.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380316534696068610" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPV5EBl8zP9LRo0hVNm23zr21d07cu99xLiwPXawZ-AB4SqqqjMBVUrmtO1ZjvGCQRSHO-k2IeDetnzyve52v4NesdmUzgdGseHTq3VR4-5NIpFg-YLm3_JPtG6Tz8kAyUtpZqguLqMb7O/s320/pink14.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a><strong>Tuesday<br /></strong>P!nk concert. I LOVE her! My husband is going with me even though he's not a super big fan like me, but he likes her. His favorite P!nk song is I'm not Dead (the Dear Mr. President song...my husband was/is a Bush hater). I doubt she'll sing it since it wasn't very popular. I love all her music.<br /><div><br />Doing the happy dance because it's the weekend baby!!!<br /><br />p.s. - taking the weekend off from blogging. Back on Monday.<br /><br />p.s. again - I saw The Proposal with Sandra Bullock last night with a girlfriend. Best chick flick of the year. I was laughing so hard my cheeks were hurting. The part where she is running around holding up the little white dog for the eagle to grab is hysterical! I loved this movie, it's a must see. It was suppose to have been filmed in Sitka, Alaska, but I could tell it wasn't...looked it up later and filmed in Rockport, MA. Too bad. Sitka is gorgeous.</div></div></div>

Day 15 & 16: What do these have in common? Hiking, Football, and P!nk

Me! They have me in common! Saturday My husband and I are hiking in the mountains tomorrow. I can't wait. It's suppose to be spetac...

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Top 10 Reasons Employers Want to Hire You

<a href="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/5k/ar5c5kz6wzt3mxjwv55k.gif"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/5k/ar5c5kz6wzt3mxjwv55k.gif" style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br /><div>When you apply for a job, you know exactly what you're looking for. You want a company you love, great co-workers, a decent salary, a culture where you fit in and most importantly, you want to love what you'll be doing.<br /><br />But do you ever consider what the employer is looking for in its employees? These days, competition is steep among job seekers; it's important to know what employers want in an employee before going into an interview so candidates can sell how they would be an asset to the company.<br /><br />"If the candidate doesn't know what the employer is looking for, [he or she] can't properly communicate why they are the most qualified candidate for the position," says Steven Rothberg, founder of CollegeRecruiter.com. "Understanding what the employer is looking for ahead of the interview is so that the candidate can be sure to communicate all of the information that is likely to be most relevant to the employer."<br /><br />In a 2009 survey from CareerBuilder and Robert Half International, employers said that aside from having the basic job qualifications, multitasking (36 percent), initiative (31 percent) and creative thinking (21 percent) are the most important characteristics in a job applicant.<br /><br />We asked six workplace experts to address 10 of the most common reasons employers hire employees, in no particular order. Hopefully, they can help you prepare to land your next job.<br /><br />1. Long-term potential<br />Why it's important: Employees want to see their future within a company so they are motivated and excited about their career path, the company's future and their role in it, says Celia Santana, president of Personal Risk Management Solutions. From the employer perspective, you want people in your organization to work their way up. It is best to have someone who is multi-dimensional and can grow with the company.<br />Tip: "Give a real-life example or ask questions that demonstrate that you have thought about this," Santana says. "For example, you can ask a question like, 'What type of career movement do you envision for the most successful candidate in this role? Are there any current examples within your company?'"<br /><br />2. Ability to work well with others<br />Why it's important: "We spend a lot of time at work; there is nothing worse than someone who cannot get along with others," Santana says. "[It's] so important and involves being helpful, understanding the unwritten rules, being respectful, reliable and competent."<br />Tip: "Tell a story," Santana suggests. For example, "I was interviewing someone for a job and asked about a situation where he had experienced a challenging situation at work. He told me about a situation where the company had a major deadline and needed all hands on deck. He was able to pause what he was working on and pitch in, working late hours to help the team meet the deadline."<br /><br />3. Ability to make money<br />Why it's important: Hiring managers want people who can prove that they will increase the organization's revenues or decrease its costs, Rothberg says. "During a recession, revenues are difficult for organizations to generate and employers have typically already cut their costs about as much as they can. Their emphasis is on increasing their revenues."<br />Tip: "Employers love metrics. The more you can quantify your work, the better," Rothberg says. Some positions are easier to quantify than others, but it can be done. "If you're a filing clerk, estimate how many minutes a day your work has saved your previous employers by looking at how much faster it is for people to access the information they need," he says.<br /><br />4. Impressive résumé<br />Why it's important: "A résumé is a person's billboard; a reflection of the applicant in the eyes of the reader," says Jay Meschke, president of EFL Associates. "First impressions are lasting ones and a résumé is often the vehicle to either make a good impression or a poor one."<br />Tip: "Make sure several people review the résumé for content, style and accuracy. Use a co-worker that might have a dose of skepticism in their gene pool to receive the most constructive criticism. If a person has no comments, try another, and another, to obtain the collective wisdom of peers," Meschke says.<br /><br />5. Relevant work experience<br />Why it's important: "Experience levels generally allow a person to hit the ground running without a lot of hand holding," Meschke says. "Managers do not have time to mentor and train people as in the past."<br />Tip: "Be prepared to offer up quality references to substantiate your background and experience. Many times, references are the critical key to landing a job when the hiring decision is a close horse race," he says.<br /><br />6. Creative problem-solving skills<br />Why it's important: "Employers know that in business, the chess board changes daily. As soon as we think all is fine, the economy changes or the competition makes a surprise move and the company's own strategy must change," says Mark Stevens, author of "Your Marketing Sucks" and CEO of MSCO, a global marketing firm. "A person who gets locked into a set way of doing things finds it difficult or impossible to adjust. They are a drag on the business as opposed to an asset for it."<br />Tip: "Know how to tackle challenges and opportunities in a way no one will find in a textbook. Einstein used to approach his theories by thinking of child-like fantasies and working backwards to reality. Talk about how an approach like this is built into your DNA. You will be marketing yourself as a one of a kind," Stevens says.<br /><br />7. Strong online presence<br />Why it's important: "Social networking has become the primary way that people communicate. But, it is a double-edged sword. Employers have access to your personal life, likes and dislikes, political views, good and bad behavior. Because of that exposure and the speed at which information is distributed, it is important that you be digitally dirt free, especially when job hunting," says Chris Laggini, vice president of human resources for DLT Solutions.<br />Tip: "Social networking doesn't have to be negative in your job hunt; you can use it to your advantage. Old-fashioned reference checks through past employers are passé; use your [social networking] pages to accumulate references and positive praise from professional peers and college professors. Find people within the company whom you know that could put a good word in for you," Laggini says.<br /><br />8. Multitaskers who thrive on variety of projects<br />Why it's important: "Business today moves at supersonic speed and effectively managing a variety of different projects simultaneously is essential," says Susan Stern, founder and president of Stern + Associates, a public relations and marketing communications agency. "If an individual demonstrates a passion for learning new things and enjoys a variety of work, chances are she is also ambitious and inquisitive -- two qualities that are critical to success and advancement."<br />Tip: "Don't be shy about asking for additional assignments and offering to handle other aspects of a project than you might usually handle. Make it clear to your manager that you have a passion for learning new things and volunteer to take on extra work, even if it means putting in additional hours," Stern says.<br /><br />9. Enthusiasm and initiative<br />Why it's important: "If you show consistent enthusiasm and take initiative on the job, you can count on being noticed and rewarded. Every business looks to put their most enthusiastic people forward with important clients and customers," Stern says. "By taking initiative, you convey a true team spirit and illustrate that you are not someone who simply meets the criteria of a job description, but who goes above and beyond what is required to help the business succeed."<br />Tip: Don't forget to say 'good morning' with a lilt in your voice; when you pass someone in the hall, smile and say 'Hello,'" Stern reminds. "It's easy to clam up around top management when you are new to the business world, but showing confidence and a comfort level with people more senior to you will lead to your being considered for more challenging work."<br /><br />10. Good cultural fit<br />Why it's important: Recruiters are pressured to find the right match for a company; applicants are under pressure to creatively differentiate themselves and demonstrate a desire to succeed, says Jenny Floren, founder and CEO of Experience Inc., an online recruiting community. "Hiring managers are particularly interested in how a candidate is going to adapt to their unique organizational culture."<br />Tip: "Look for different ways -- a personal blog or Twitter -- to deliver your message about what makes you a great cultural fit. Find ways to incorporate specific examples that illustrate the cultural competencies they are looking for, like flexibility, leadership, or teamwork, as this will help employers understand you're serious and excited about the position," Floren says.<br /><br />Rachel Zupek is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com and its job blog, The Work Buzz. She researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues. Follow her on Twitter: http://twitter.com/CBwriterRZ </div><br /><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>

Top 10 Reasons Employers Want to Hire You

When you apply for a job, you know exactly what you're looking for. You want a company you love, great co-workers, a decent salary, a cu...

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Try-Before-You Buy: How to Get a Job that Doesn't Exist

<a href="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/fg/ar5d706726dkjr997jfg.gif"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/fg/ar5d706726dkjr997jfg.gif" style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br /><div>A young woman named Lisa was frustrated because she couldn't get a job in public relations. She had just graduated and found the market flooded with people looking for work in her industry. She tried applying for internships, but came up short. She was losing hope and considering a different field. She was giving up on her dream before she even got started. When she asked for advice, I told her: Offer a "try-before-you-buy" option to potential employers.<br /><br />Fact: Employers love an offer they can't refuse<br /><br />If there is one thing a young professional (actually all professionals) can learn today is every job is temporary. We are all now businesses-of-one, which means, unlike years ago where you simply offered up a list of your skills in the form of a résumé and got hired, now you need to showcase to employers how you can benefit them. There is so much talent to choose from, everyone looks the same. Thus, it's the person who can differentiate themselves well who gets a shot at the job.<br /><br />Unfortunately, a recent grad with little-to-none experience can feel at a disadvantage. But they're not. You can offer up a special on your services: a "try-before-you-buy" program to get employers to hire you. I'm not talking about an internship, I'm talking about a win-win partnership. Here's how it works:<br /><br />STEP 1: Find a company you know you can help<br /><br />I had Lisa research several companies who she knew she could help with their PR. Her job was to identify ones A) that could seriously benefit from a PR campaign, and B) for whom she got really excited about building a campaign. In doing so, Lisa learned the first rule to connecting with a potential employer: Figure out specifically how you can add value (i.e. make them more money, or save them money) to their organization. Lisa found three places in town she felt certain she could help. In fact, she had completed several internships in school and felt confident she could use what she learned to achieve similar results for these firms.<br /><br />STEP 2: Forget a cover letter, build your pitch letter<br /><br />Since these companies weren't actively hiring, a cover letter and résumé wasn't going to get Lisa in the door. Instead, she needed to create a pitch, something she learned as a PR major, to get the employer to see how she could help. In this letter, she offered to do a specific PR campaign for the company. She outlines how many hours it would take her to complete, what she intended to accomplish and what she would normally charge per hour to do this. Then, she explained she would like to offer this service for "free" in exchange for a reference or future consideration for hire. She also mentioned if they were truly pleased with the results and wanted to pay her something at the end, she would leave it up to them as to what they thought would be fair compensation. Then, she printed it up, along with her résumé, and dropped them off in-person to each establishment.<br /><br />STEP 3: Be patient and persistent<br /><br />While getting an employer to contact us is the job seeker's main priority, we have to remember the employer is actually busy with other things. Nevertheless, that doesn't mean we should give up after one try.<br /><br />In sales, they say the average number of contacts it takes to make a sale is nine. It actually makes sense. How many times does it take us to meet with someone before we feel really comfortable we know them well? And yet, how many job seekers actually stay in touch with an employer they'd like to work for long enough to make that happen?<br /><br />At the same time, you don't want to be pushy. The key is to check back every so often, adding more value each time you do. For example, a week after Lisa dropped off her proposal, she followed up with an e-mail to each place, sharing some links to articles regarding the value of PR programs to firms like theirs. This action prompted one of them to contact her.<br /><br />STEP 4: Confirm the details of the offer and set expectations<br /><br />Lisa set up a meeting with the company's owner. In that meeting, she was able to stress again that payment could be in the form of a reference, consideration for future employment, or if they really felt compelled, they could set a price and pay her what they thought was fair. They choose the days and times she would come into the office to complete the work (she actually had a part-time waitressing job that was paying the bills), and also identified who she would connect with in the office (the equivalent to a manager) to get answers to questions and gain feedback on her work so as to ensure it exceeded their expectations. The owner accepted the terms and she started immediately.<br /><br />I'm sure you all can imagine what happened next. In the process of executing the project, Lisa got to know the owner and his staff better, since the work required her to engage with them. They were very impressed with her enthusiasm and her ability to work in their environment. By the time she was done the project, she had a job offer. Ironically, one of the other companies she had pitched called her at that point and asked to meet her, but she opted to take the full-time job instead.<br /><br />Now, what would have happened if they didn't offer her a job?<br /><br />Lisa still would have gotten some work experience to put on her résumé and potentially gotten paid a small sum of cash for her efforts. No matter what, it was the experience of executing the project that guaranteed to enhance her professional credibility in some way.<br /><br />For example, one job seeker I know ended up liking the project work so much he turned down a full-time job offer and became a freelancer. Since he had researched almost a dozen companies he could do work for, he found it easy to land additional assignments. Another did three separate projects before finding his dream company and got hired at a salary much higher than he had expected. Why? They felt he had proven his worth via the "try-before-you-buy" project he completed for them. The reality is offering a try-before-you-buy service by your business-of-one opens up lots of possibilities to advance your career.<br /><br />So, if you are struggling to find work, why not consider giving companies a taste of what it's like to have you as an employee -- it might be all they need to make an offer YOU can't refuse.<br /><br />By J.T. O'Donnell nationally syndicated career expert and author of "CAREEREALISM: The Smart Approach to a Satisfying Career." She can be found at CAREEREALISM.com, her career advice site for professionals, ages 18-40, which aims to provide readers with tools and resources to navigate the new rules to career development. </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"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">CLICKING HERE!</span></strong></a> </div>

Try-Before-You Buy: How to Get a Job that Doesn't Exist

A young woman named Lisa was frustrated because she couldn't get a job in public relations. She had just graduated and found the market ...

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When Employers Want To See Your Social Networking Profile - Would you hand over your login and password?

<a href="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/x5/ar5d7g26ykm05c0q34x5.gif"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/x5/ar5d7g26ykm05c0q34x5.gif" style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br /><div>Last June, the city of Bozeman, Mont., became notorious when it implemented a policy that required anyone applying to a city job to hand over logins and passwords for any social networking sites they used. We're not just talking about Facebook and MySpace, either. They wanted access to chat rooms and forums frequented by applicants. After people made a fuss about the invasive policy, Bozeman officials backed down and decided to adjust their application requirements.<br /><br />That type of interview requirement doesn't seem to have caught on with other employers. Then again, Victory Christian School in North Augusta, S.C. recently announced it wants its students to hand over the same information if they might be acting in a way not in line with the school's policies.<br /><br />Perhaps job seekers should expect to experience these demands sooner than later. Naturally, questions arise: Is this legal? What if I don't hand over my information? What's the point to all this?<br /><br />How do employers feel about this?<br /><br />Employers have been looking at job seekers' online personas for years now. A simple query in a search engine can reveal plenty of information about you. Go to any networking site and type in your e-mail address or name and see what information is available to the public, because employers are already doing that. But if you let someone log in to your account, your privacy settings won't matter. It will all be on display. But should you be panicking just yet?<br /><br />"As an employer at a PR firm, social networking is a crucial part of our business; hence, it's important our employees are well versed," says Tyler Barnett, CEO of Tyler Barnett PR. "That being said, we always check the public information [candidates] have out, but would never ask for logins and passwords, or access to [such] a very private arena." For Barnett, it's important for both sides to draw a line.<br /><br />"I can't even believe employers would do that, and I find it even harder to believe an employee would give that information up," he says. "What's next, granting access to your sock drawer?"<br /><br />Obviously some companies, unlike Barnett's, do want access. What are they looking for?<br /><br />What digital dirt do they want?<br />Objectionable online content isn't all that different from the usual skeletons that employers want to find before making an offer. Some things employers are looking for are:<br /><br />· Offensive statements, language and behavior<br /><br />· Unprofessional images of yourself<br /><br />· Illegal behavior<br /><br />· Examples of you badmouthing your employer<br /><br />These are the kinds of activities employers have objected to for years, only now the Internet makes them easier to find.<br /><br />Can they do that?<br />Jon Yarbrough, a partner at national employment-law firm Constangy, Brooks & Smith says it's absolutely legal to ask for the information. Beyond that, it's your call.<br /><br />"I've seen a generational gap: The younger employees say employers are invading their privacy, but really they have little to no privacy rights in that way," he says.<br /><br />Of course, where you live and what you've done makes the issue a little murkier.<br /><br />"In some states, there are statutes that address an employee's ability to engage in lawful activities during off-duty hours," Yarbrough says. "You couldn't penalize someone for something they have written in their blog or MySpace or such. And blogging is lawful. Twittering is lawful. You can't fire them just for that. But if a potential employee had 'this company stinks,' or damaged the company's reputation, then of course they can choose not to hire them."<br /><br />That seems fairly clear cut, but when you're not hired for something the employer saw, can you prove that was the reason? Can they prove that wasn't the reason?<br /><br />"The issue becomes what do you do with it and what you see," Yarbrough explains. "In most states, you can refuse to hire that person, except for an unlawful reason. If you saw that I was married to an African-American woman and said 'next,' then that's Title 7 discrimination."<br /><br />That's difficult to prove, but it's an obvious decision that everyone knows would be wrong to make.<br /><br />"If you saw me on Facebook doing beer bongs, and I'm 'Mr. Party Animal,' you'd probably shy away and not want to hire me. That would probably be a legal decision to make," he says. "But keep in mind you have five or six states right now that have laws that say individuals can engage in lawful activities in non-work time. Now I am not sure those laws are broad enough to cover applicants to jobs, but they might be."<br /><br />So what you've got here is uncharted territory, but you can be certain it will be explored in the coming years. In the meantime, the best you can do is clean up your profiles so what's on display to the public won't cost you a job. Also, decide what you'll do if confronted with this situation. Or maybe everyone will just create two profiles for each site: one for employers and one for fun.<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>

When Employers Want To See Your Social Networking Profile - Would you hand over your login and password?

Last June, the city of Bozeman, Mont., became notorious when it implemented a policy that required anyone applying to a city job to hand ove...

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Your Bad Attitude Could Be Hurting Your Job Search

<a href="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/kh/ar5c76y62y3ppvs2f5kh.gif"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/kh/ar5c76y62y3ppvs2f5kh.gif" style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br /><div>Imagine you're a hiring manager, and you receive a cover letter from a job seeker that begins: "I am tired of writing cover letters." Rather than pick up the phone and call the person in for an interview, you're likely to discard the application.<br /><br />You may be surprised to learn that the example above is real, and this applicant isn't the only one to inappropriately complain to a prospective employer. Here are some additional examples:<br /><br />· "Argh! I hate job hunting!"<br /><br />· "Life isn't fair. I should get paid for looking for a job."<br /><br />· "I have received zero replies from my résumé. It's not me, though. I know that for sure."<br /><br />While nearly everyone can understand the frustration of a prolonged job search, it's a big mistake to let your negative feelings show. Indeed, remaining positive can help you get hired. Employers want to hire people are passionate about their work, relate well to others and aren't easily deflated by setbacks.<br /><br />Here are some guidelines for conveying the right attitude to hiring managers:<br /><br />When in doubt, leave it out<br />One individual who applied for a job wrote: "I'm not lazy, but given a choice between working for someone else, following orders and waking up to that awful sound of an alarm clock or doing what I want to do -- wouldn't any intelligent human being choose the latter?" Although few would be as blatant as this person, any amount of venting is likely to turn off a hiring manager. Make sure the focus of your résumé or cover letter remains on your qualifications. Specifically, what needs does the firm have, and how can you help fill them?<br /><br />Be a team player<br />Another candidate had this to say: "I have a problem with dress codes. It will be difficult for me if I need to wear a formal button-down shirt for work because I don't have many of those types of clothes since I dress cool." Such candor didn't do him any favors because he was perceived as someone who has trouble following rules and interacting with colleagues who may have different opinions than his own.<br /><br />The simple truth is that people want to hire -- and work with -- people who are easy to get along with and low-maintenance. Don't appear difficult by outlining your pet peeves. This extends to the interview as well, especially if it's over lunch: Don't give an overly complicated order; instead, make your requests simple.<br /><br />Show your enthusiasm for the position<br />One company received a résumé from a job seeker who said simply, "I've never been all that excited about working." With an attitude like that, you can bet the business wasn't too excited about the candidate, either. Employers want to hire professionals with a true desire to work for their firms. Demonstrate your passion for the position by researching the employer before submitting your application and noting how your skills can meet the company's unique needs. For example, you may learn that the company is opening a new office in your area. Your experience helping to launch start-up operations could be valuable to the organization.<br /><br />Impress in person<br />If you're called in for an interview, remember your enthusiasm -- or lack thereof -- will show during the meeting. Simple steps, like offering a firm handshake, sitting up straight, smiling and maintaining eye contact with the interviewer, will showcase your positive attitude. Small shifts in body language, like tapping your foot impatiently, or tone, such as sighing under your breath, can undermine your efforts to make a good impression.<br /><br />Check in with others<br />If you've hit a roadblock in your job search, it might be worthwhile to get an outside perspective about how you're presenting yourself. Ask someone whose opinion you trust to review your résumé, cover letter and any other materials you will be submitting to hiring managers. A subtle negative tone can sometimes seep into your application materials without you noticing.<br /><br />A job search can be challenging even in a good employment market. If you're feeling discouraged and having trouble getting motivated, share your frustration with close friends and family. Not only can they provide a good shoulder to lean on, those you know may have faced similar challenges themselves and be able to provide valuable advice for keeping your head high.<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 <a href="http://www.rhi.com/">http://www.rhi.com/</a>. </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"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">CLICKING HERE!</span></strong></a> </div>

Your Bad Attitude Could Be Hurting Your Job Search

Imagine you're a hiring manager, and you receive a cover letter from a job seeker that begins: "I am tired of writing cover letters...

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Planning de la semaine du 14 au 18 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 lundi 14 septembre de 9h à 12h30,<br />- le mardi 15 septembre de 9h à 12h30 et de 13h30 à 17h,<br />- le mercredi 16 septembre de 13h30 à 17h,<br />- le jeudi 17 septembre de 13h30 à 17h,<br />- le vendredi 18 septembre de 13h30 à 17h<br /><br /><li><strong><a href="http://www.egee.asso.fr/" target="_blank">EGEE</a></strong> - lundi 14 septembre de 13h30 à 17h<br /><br /><li><strong><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2007/11/solidarits-nouvelles-face-au-chmage.html">Solidarités Nouvelles face au Chômage</a></strong> - mercredi 16 septembre de 10h à 12h30<br /><br /><li><strong><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2007/11/boutique-de-gestion.html">Boutique de gestion</a></strong> - vendredi 18 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><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2008/12/atelier-parcours-emploi.html">Parcours Emploi</a></strong> - mardi 15 septembre de 9h30 à 12h<br /><br /><li><strong>CV</strong> - mardi 15 septembre de 9h à 12h30<br /><br /><li><strong>Lettre de Motivation </strong>- mardi 15 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> - jeudi 17 septembre de 10h à 12h<br /><br /></li><li><strong>Préparation à l'entretien</strong> - jeudi 17 septembre de 13h30 à 16h30<br /><br /></li><li><strong>Pôle-emploi.fr</strong> - vendredi 18 septembre de 10h à 11h30</ul>

Planning de la semaine du 14 au 18 septembre 2009

Permanences Le Conseil Général du Loiret sera présent dans les locaux de la Maison de l'Emploi du bassin d'Orléans - le lundi 14 se...

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Day 14: It's like a weight has been lifted

<div align="center">Angle Lake, WA - about a block from my office.<br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtWIrZowT-Tzt-frCprLqDs7ibjZzhsVEpdaEla5jz7Id1HrQdRfezQRhpXeAaIGHZcb0gAjotEb_fU6aD4UlGVYRf5lwWSpFyeeGyVuE1toPf3APyiESk6hChkWZ1xk8FHeULPZg4kyS0/s1600-h/BestLake.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380109579207416658" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtWIrZowT-Tzt-frCprLqDs7ibjZzhsVEpdaEla5jz7Id1HrQdRfezQRhpXeAaIGHZcb0gAjotEb_fU6aD4UlGVYRf5lwWSpFyeeGyVuE1toPf3APyiESk6hChkWZ1xk8FHeULPZg4kyS0/s400/BestLake.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /> <p align="center"></a><br />The view looking up at the sky while lying on the grass.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXUTRC8xg5Gy75LlM2a8be6Niw2PQxQzUYKkV-O9ApoIzHzTikk57uTnDWXwpDUYeZYV9vCakgzJzAWkSZ5mTHDC1OLzHboSFthb4lx4mQ68PwA0wJKQDQbiuRyBw0se1Z_2juTn7DRbp_/s1600-h/Trees.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380109766336749554" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXUTRC8xg5Gy75LlM2a8be6Niw2PQxQzUYKkV-O9ApoIzHzTikk57uTnDWXwpDUYeZYV9vCakgzJzAWkSZ5mTHDC1OLzHboSFthb4lx4mQ68PwA0wJKQDQbiuRyBw0se1Z_2juTn7DRbp_/s400/Trees.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> </p><div align="center">Roses in the yard of a house on Angle Lake.<br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijREBlStJn_ngt6k9VhfNIjI_L5eTJ7dHxhJthiYW4KczVgs_Xde2QnCR1MgzFF3E_XjG7m2dCJLsLdpRnL86jNdtkmJ-HwCGQ6OMlNuAODCBdzv6bKTs9oGnxjifj3ciNu3qiDD76o-Kr/s1600-h/Roses2.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380107943131671410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijREBlStJn_ngt6k9VhfNIjI_L5eTJ7dHxhJthiYW4KczVgs_Xde2QnCR1MgzFF3E_XjG7m2dCJLsLdpRnL86jNdtkmJ-HwCGQ6OMlNuAODCBdzv6bKTs9oGnxjifj3ciNu3qiDD76o-Kr/s400/Roses2.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a><br />Thank you so much for your very supportive and sweet comments. You made my heart sing. You encouraged me and flattered me.You have no idea how much each of your comments mean to me. I really don't think I could do this without you. I love you guys!<br /><br />Yesterday was a really good day for me. I ate healthy, but not fanatically. I didn't weigh or measure my food, but I ate modest portions. I know what four ounces of chicken looks like, or a cup of sugar-free jello. If it's not exactly 4 ounces or not exactly one cup, I am not going to gain 80 pounds and the world will not end.<br /><br />My husband told me I looked hot before he left for work. Me...hot? He's not big on giving me compliments, so when he says something like that, it always pleasantly surprises me.<br /><br />I flipped on the TV as I was getting dressed for work and on the Today Show was <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Emme</span>, the plus-size model. I love her! I think she's super hot and beautiful and sweet. If I was into girls, well, I'm just saying.<br /><br />The program was about fat acceptance in our culture. The more concerned our nation is with obesity, the fatter we're getting. Really? We need to accept our bodies, but we need to be healthy too, eat right and exercise. The most amazing thing was that it's been proven that people with a little extra fat on their bodies live longer and have less dementia and Alzheimer's as they age. I knew fatter people were smarter!<br /><br />I walked at lunch today and it was wonderful. I wore my heart rate monitor, but I rarely looked at it, and I literally stopped to smell the roses. I walked at a park near my work, that's on a lake. I sat down on the grass, underneath the trees, and in the sun. I relaxed. I can't remember the last time I did something like that. Usually I'm so concerned about keeping my heart rate up that I never slow down and just enjoy my surroundings.<br /><br />I'm going to reset my goal weight. Last night my husband told me I was perfect at the weight I am now. I don't really believe that, but I believe he thinks it's true. My plan is to see where I am on October 31. I'd like to lose at least a few pounds for the Weight Watchers Lose for Good campaign. Then I'll take it from there.<br /><br />What's really wonderful is I feel like a huge weight has been lifted from my shoulders. I feel like I can breathe again. That manic voice in my head that was telling me "Don't eat that! How many Points in that? Walk faster! What are you doing?!" has finally quieted down. I'm sure she'll pop back in once in a while, but right now she's lost her power over me and it feels great!

Day 14: It's like a weight has been lifted

Angle Lake, WA - about a block from my office. The view looking up at the sky while lying on the grass. Roses in the yard of a house on An...

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9 Low Paying Jobs That Are Worth It

Clichés about money aren't hard to come by or roll your eyes at. By the time you're 10 you probably learned that money:<br /><br />· Doesn't grow on trees<br /><br />· Can't buy happiness<br /><br />· Is the root of all evil<br /><br />· Makes the world go round (though this has yet to be proven scientifically)<br /><br />And as much fun as it is to daydream about being rich, most of us will always have to watch our pennies and pay attention to the balance in our checking accounts. In fact, the 2008 national median income was $32,390 per year, or $15.57 per hour. You can safely assume your average American is earning just a little above or a little below that amount, which means we're all in the same boat.<br /><br />Yet, we're often eager to complain about low-paying jobs and eager to move on from them. However, these positions are great places to start a career. Not only are they good forays into the professional world, they also teach you a lot about work ethic, customer service and your own interests.<br /><br />That's why we decided to look at data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and CBSlary.com and picked out jobs that consistently earn salaries lower than the national median. We wanted to highlight some jobs that we think often get bad raps and let professionals explain why they valued their time working at these jobs in the past and currently.<br /><br />Note: We realize salaries differ not only from city to city but also from company to company. You might have had a job on this list that paid at a much higher rate, but these figures are based on national averages.<br /><br />Here are nine jobs that earn less than the median salary and why they're good to have straight from the people who've been there:<br /><br />1. Amusement and recreation attendants<br /><br />Annual salary: $25,589<br /><br />Why it's worth it: "I have been a ride operator for almost 3 years. It is a job that has brought me to learn so much about myself. Before I began working at the theme park, I was timid and shy. I didn't want to approach people and I was constantly scared of rejection and what others would think of me if I stood up for myself. I learned very quickly that, when in this industry, you have to put yourself out there. Talk to complete strangers; you never know who you will meet or whose face you can bring a smile to. Also, stand your ground when you need to; most will not think less of you. In fact, many will respect you for it." -- Lori E. Cotton, public relations major<br /><br />"When I was in between colleges, I was a performer at Disneyland for six months. While it was sweltering wearing any of those heavy costumes in the California heat, to see the faces of children (and many adults) feel as though they have met a fairy princess, or Winnie The Pooh, well, let's just say, it's not a feeling money can buy. Sometimes families had saved up all year for a day trip to the park. Knowing that I had such an impact on these people warms my heart." -- Elizabeth Whittemore, founder of Emotion Picture<br /><br />2. Dry cleaners<br /><br />Annual salary: $22,567<br /><br />Why it's worth it: "One of the benefits of working in a dry cleaners is that you get to meet a lot of friendly people from all walks of life; celebrities to sports figures; and you [get] a great feeling of satisfaction by getting stains out which makes both workers and customers happy." -- Rosemary O'Mara, owner of Elite Dry Cleaners, Boca Raton, Fla.<br /><br />3. Hotel, motel and resort desk clerks<br /><br />Annual salary: $19,480<br />Why it's worth it: "I liked working the late shift which allowed me to go to school during the day but still work full-time. I could study during slow times and get paid for it! It also worked well to do that job on a seasonal basis. Once I was trained, they liked it that they could call me up and I could fill in shifts during high season. I liked having the opportunity to make spare cash without having a full-time job when school was more intense. Besides that flexibility, I liked meeting people from diverse places and backgrounds." -- J. Kim Wright, publisher and managing editor of CuttingEdgeLaw.com<br /><br />"I liked I was able to meet interesting people who were there mainly to enjoy a holiday or vacation. I was in a position to help them with activities, events and locations for sight-seeing or local businesses they might enjoy. Some of the guests or members were open with sharing their experiences and stories. Since I worked with a limited staff and odd hours - there was little daily supervision and had to rely on own judgment and was accountable for my actions." -- Michele Fortunati<br /><br />4. Maids and housekeeping cleaners<br /><br />Annual salary: $23,641<br /><br />Why it's worth it: "I learned a lot about people doing that job, but the most long-lasting lesson was that, with certain jobs, people don't care that you did the job perfectly, they just want it done. One of the older maids pulled me aside one day and said, 'You don't need to get every speck of dust. Get their beds made, neaten up, and get the heck out so they can get back into their rooms.' So I now remember that every job does not need to be done to perfection to do it right."-- Mary Westheimer, assistant at Kevin Caron Studio<br /><br />5. Personal and home care aides<br /><br />Annual salary: $19,180<br /><br />Why it's worth it: "I worked briefly for a home-care service assisting the elderly who needed minimal assistance due to injury or health and age. In most cases, they were lonely and had stories to share. I was a theater arts student and this opportunity gave me a door into their characters and a better understanding of others perception of the world. It was physical job and some of the duties were almost Zen like. " -- Fortunati,<br /><br />6. Preschool teachers (excluding special education)<br /><br />Annual salary: $23,870<br /><br />Why it's worth it: "I quite by accident became a preschool teacher while in college to become a writer. I fell in love with the honesty of children, the fast pace of preschool and have spent the past 30-plus years in this field." -- Julie Jenkins Sathe, author of "Enlightened Discipline"<br /><br />"I really enjoyed being a preschool teacher because I had fun teaching the three-year olds in my class. I wanted to be a school teacher and this was a good start for me to see if I really liked teaching. I took a semester off college while I taught this class. I would recommend doing something like this because it let me realize that I really did want to be a teacher before I spent time getting a degree in education." -- Danny Kofke, author of "How to Survive (and perhaps thrive) On a Teacher's Salary"<br /><br />7. Retail salespeople<br /><br />Annual salary: $20,510<br /><br />Why it's worth it: "I worked at a high end retailer who promised the highest level of personal service from everyone. This job gave me the customer service skills that have carried me ever since. I learned to be patient, kind, not judge by appearances, listen well, pay attention to nonverbal cues and much more. If everyone worked in some kind of service job at some point in their life, I'm sure we'd all be a lot nicer to each other in our daily interactions. I use many of those same skills every day in my current job as a marketing director." -- Rhonda Foxworth, marketing manager at Bank of Ann Arbor<br /><br />8. Security guards<br /><br />Annual salary: $23,460<br /><br />Why it's worth it: "In my early years of employment, I took on a position as a security officer. I already had an interest in the security and loss prevention industry and knew that I would need to learn and experience the nuts-and-bolts or how it operated and functioned in order to be successful. While an entry level position at the time, I enjoyed this work as it allowed me to help people and employers. This gave me a strong sense of satisfaction. It also opened the doors to a lifelong career in this industry. Positions span the global marketplace and can be found at hotels and resorts, commercial properties, corporate headquarters, industrial space and even cruise ships." -- Philip Farina, Farina and Associates, Ltd.<br /><br />9. Waiters and waitresses<br /><br />Annual salary: $24,552<br /><br />Why it's worth it: "I worked as a waitress in college, and I believe the job taught me to be outgoing. By working for tips, I learned that no matter how my day was going, I needed to put a smile on my face when I stepped on the restaurant floor, or I wasn't going to make any money. Working for tips taught me to have fun with my customers, and not to fear people. It taught me to be friendly and entertaining." -- Valarie Moody, president of Fodeo<br /><br />"The benefits of waitressing, in my opinion: flexible, learn to manage a lot of tasks (sort of like project management), opportunity to develop strong customer service skills, decent money, if you work at the right place, free (or discounted) food, social, hard work (which makes you feel good at the end of the day) and [you get to] stay trim because of all the walking and being on your feet." -- Jennifer Gleeson Blue, life coach for Get There From Here<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 /><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>

9 Low Paying Jobs That Are Worth It

Clichés about money aren't hard to come by or roll your eyes at. By the time you're 10 you probably learned that money: · Doesn'...

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30 Jobs that Earn $80,000

Let's be honest: Sometimes you don't care about the job -- you just care about the salary.<br /><br />But, it's awfully hard to look for a job that fits both your salary requirements and your skill set. Not to mention that we always tell you that your work and career should be something you love. Ideally, money is just an added benefit.<br /><br />That being said, we're also realists. We know that times are tough and at this point, some people just need to get paid. Fortunately, there's a new salary tool available that can help you do just that.<br /><br />Jobs by Salary, a new salary tool from CBSalary.com, allows you to search for jobs by salary based on where you live or work in the United States. Do you live in Phoenix and want to make $50,000? No problem. Plug in your data, and you'll get a list of jobs that pay that much in your area, plus the necessary requirements.<br /><br />Because our readers live all over, we thought it unfair to provide a list of jobs that earn a certain dollar amount in one place or another. Plus, we all know that different markets pay different salaries based on a variety of things such as cost of living.<br /><br />Instead, we went to the Bureau of Labor Statistics to look at the latest (May 2008) salary information for the United States. From there, we found out which occupations earn in the $80,000 range based on national averages.<br /><br />Here are 30 jobs that earn at least $80,000:<br /><br />1. Administrative law judges, adjudicators and hearing officers<br />Do this: Conduct hearings to rule on government-related claims; determine penalties and liability, and compromise settlements.<br />Get paid: $80,870<br /><br />2. Biomedical engineers<br />Do this: Design and develop devices and procedures to help solve health-related problems. Projects might include information systems, artificial organs or artificial limbs.<br />Get paid: $81,120<br /><br />3. Chiropractors<br />Do this: Diagnose and treat musculoskeletal conditions of the spinal column to prevent disease and alleviate imbalance, pain and pressure believed to be caused by interference with nervous system.<br />Get paid: $81,340<br /><br />4. Atmospheric, earth, marine and space sciences teachers, postsecondary<br />Do this: Teach and research courses and topics in the physical sciences, except chemistry and physics.<br />Get paid: $81,470<br /><br />5. Agents and business managers of artists, performers and athletes<br />Do this: Represent and promote your client's business while handling business matters and contract negotiations.<br />Get paid: $81,550<br /><br />6. Materials scientists<br />Do this: Study the chemical composition of various materials and figure out ways to develop new materials and improve existing ones; also determine ways to use materials in products.<br />Get paid: $81,600<br /><br />7. Physician assistants<br />Do this: Perform health-care services and provide treatment plans under a physician's supervision.<br />Get paid: $81,610<br /><br />8. Medical scientists, except epidemiologists<br />Do this: Research and investigate human diseases and how to improve human health.<br />Get paid: $81,870<br /><br />9. Physics teachers, postsecondary<br />Do this: Teach and research courses and topics pertaining to the laws of matter and energy.<br />Get paid: $81,880<br /><br />10. Atmospheric and space scientists<br />Do this: Study the effects the atmosphere has on the environment, most commonly through weather forecasting.<br />Get paid: $82,080<br /><br />11. Management analysts<br />Do this: Figure out best practices of management by conducting studies and procedures to help companies figure out how to operate more effectively.<br />Get paid: $82,920<br /><br />12. Producers and directors<br />Do this: Produce or direct, and make all creative decisions for stage, television, radio, video or motion picture productions.<br />Get paid: $83,030<br /><br />13. Biological science teachers, postsecondary<br />Do this: Teach and research courses and topics in biological sciences.<br />Get paid: $83,270<br /><br />14. Materials engineers<br />Do this: Develop new uses for recognized materials, and develop new machinery and processes to make materials for use in specialized products.<br />Get paid: $84,200<br /><br />15. Transportation, storage and distribution managers<br />Do this: Oversee transportation, storage or distribution activities in accordance with governmental policies and regulations.<br />Get paid: $84,520<br /><br />16. Financial analysts<br />Do this: Assess the financial situations of an individual or organization.<br />Get paid: $84,780<br /><br />17. Electrical engineers<br />Do this: Design, develop and test the manufacturing and installation of electrical equipment.<br />Get paid: $85,350<br /><br />18. Education administrators, elementary and secondary school<br />Do this: Oversee all activities of public or private elementary or secondary level schools.<br />Get paid: $86,060<br /><br />19. Industrial-organizational psychologists<br />Do this: Work with companies to solve problems within the company. You may help with policy planning; employee screening, training and development; and organizational development and analysis.<br />Get paid: $86,460<br /><br />20. Computer software engineers, applications<br />Do this: Build computer applications software and code; ensure that all software projects adhere to a company's technology and business standards.<br />Get paid: $87,900<br /><br />21. Economics teachers, postsecondary<br />Do this: Teach and research courses and topics in economics.<br />Get paid: $88,330<br /><br />22. Biochemists and biophysicists<br />Do this: Study the chemical composition and physical principles of living cells and organisms, their electrical and mechanical energy, and related phenomena.<br />Get paid: $88,450<br /><br />23. Art directors<br />Do this: Create design concepts and presentation in artwork, layout design and copy writing for visual communications media.<br />Get paid: $88,510<br /><br />24. Electronics engineers, except computer<br />Do this: Design, develop and test a wide range of electronic equipment, from CD players to GPS systems.<br />Get paid: $88,670<br /><br />25. Medical and health services managers<br />Do this: Supervise medicine and health services in hospitals, clinics and similar organizations.<br />Get paid: $88,750<br /><br />26. Chemical engineers<br />Do this: Design chemical plant equipment and create processes for manufacturing chemicals and products.<br />Get paid: $88,760<br /><br />27. Geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers<br />Do this: Study the composition, structure and other physical aspects of the earth.<br />Get paid: $89,300<br /><br />28. Veterinarians<br />Do this: Provide health care for family pets, livestock and zoo animals. Provide check-ups, treat diseases and advise caretakers on how to best raise their animals.<br />Get paid: $89,450<br /><br />29. Construction managers<br />Do this: Oversee all activities concerned with the construction and maintenance of structures, facilities and systems.<br />Get paid: $89,770<br /><br />30. Sales engineers<br />Do this: Sell business goods or services, the selling of which requires a technical background equivalent to a baccalaureate degree in engineering.<br />Get paid: $89,770<br /><br />Want know which jobs earn $80,000 or more in your city? Check out Jobs by Salary.<br /><br />By Rachel Zupek writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com and its job blog, The Work Buzz. She researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues. Follow her on Twitter: http://twitter.com/CBwriterRZ.<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>

30 Jobs that Earn $80,000

Let's be honest: Sometimes you don't care about the job -- you just care about the salary. But, it's awfully hard to look for a ...

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Build a Digital Footprint You Can Be Proud Of

Just like Vegas, what happens on the Internet, stays on the Internet. How that affects your job search is up to you.<br /><br />Gone are the days when all you were concerned with was whether or not your résumé and cover letter were error-free. Now, you've got bigger things to worry about -- like what kind of personal information is floating around online.<br /><br />Job seekers should not only manage how they come across in person, but on the Web, too. We often forget that everything you post online, from your Facebook profile to your Amazon book reviews, is out there for others to see and judge.<br /><br />"Most employers nowadays hop on Google to search a name as a preliminary step, either before or right after the interview," says Monique Tatum, author of "Jumping Off the Curb and Into SEO Traffic." "A positive and strong online presence can play a tremendous part in the employer's first impression."<br /><br />In 2009, 45 percent of employers used social networking sites to research candidates, according to a CareerBuilder survey, a 23 percent increase from last year. Thirty-five percent of employers said that what they found caused them not to hire the candidate.<br /><br />"Hiring someone is scary," says Zack Grossbart, a virtual team coach and author of "The One Minute Commute." "You're paying them to represent your company and your reputation affects theirs. No company wants a newspaper headline with their name in it because of an embarrassing employee."<br /><br />Times have changed<br /><br />Not only has the use of the Internet, social networking sites, blogs and other new media skyrocketed in recent years; all of these things have revolutionized the job search. It used to be that if a hiring manager dug around online and couldn't find anything, it was a good thing. Today, however, if you have no online presence, it could be more of a career killer than if an employer found some digital dirt.<br /><br />"If you have an established career and no online presence, it is a big red flag for employers," Grossbart says. "Employers expect to find blogs, forum posts, LinkedIn profiles and many other sources of information about you. If you haven't been mentioned by other people in a professional context, employers will wonder why not."<br /><br />Digital dirt<br /><br />Of course, the flip side to creating an online presence is that nasty stuff can make its way into your Internet space. As Marian Merritt, online safety advocate for Symantec, says, "One man's trash is another man's treasure and that's true online as well." And she should know.<br /><br />"Early in my career, I said some things to an interviewer that didn't come out as eloquently as I'd like and they live forever on the Internet," she says. "There's nothing I can do about that, as it was a news piece. That is permanent 'digital dirt.'"<br /><br />Although it can be hard to cover your tracks on the Internet, experts say it is possible to get rid of those skeletons that have found their way from your closet to the Web.<br /><br />Sweep the dirt under the rug<br /><br />First, Merritt suggests using your name in search engine queries to see what is out there. Use every variation of your name and review every subcategory, from "Web" to "images" to "video." Use multiple search engines and click on everything, since thumbnail images might not represent what is actually posted.<br /><br />It also depends where your dirt is posted. If it's something on your social networking page or blog, you can delete it and it will eventually disappear. But, Tatum says that if it's on a highly regarded site, it could remain out there for years.<br /><br />Luckily, one of the easiest ways to get rid of your digital dirt is to create more of it -- except the good kind. Tatum suggests developing your own positive content by creating articles, starting a blog or posting to forums. As long as you can smother any negative information about you, you should be OK in an initial employer search.<br /><br />Something to be proud of<br /><br />If you want to build a digital footprint that won't scare away future employers, here are five tips on how to do it:<br /><br />1. Make your content useful<br /><br />Help people get something done or teach them something, Grossbart says. Respond to forum posts, answer questions or comment on blogs. Helping people is the perfect way to showcase your talents to potential employers.<br /><br />2. Join social networks, both for career purposes and social purposes<br /><br />"Tell people in your network you are actively seeking a job. Even if you use online job boards, it's more likely that your real-world network of people will help you find the job of your dreams or at least move your application to the top of the pile," Merritt suggests.<br /><br />3. If you can't delete it, smother it<br /><br />"Potential employers are far less likely to find something if it is on the 10th page of your search results," Grossbart says. "It can also be worthwhile to post more content to the same site. If your dirt is on Facebook, then posting more good professional content right there is likely to replace your dirt."<br /><br />4. Avoid joining groups or engaging in online activities that could embarrass or restrict opportunities<br /><br />Of course, during a job hunt you should consider your overtly controversial activities such as political, religious or social movements, Merritt says. It's all part of the online picture of you, so make sure it is the most accurate and flattering view. And, it sounds obvious, but travel tips, book reviews and online gaming advice might not paint the picture of a "nose to the grindstone" kind of person, Merritt says.<br /><br />"For example, one applicant was a fan of romantic novels, and I found myself reading her reviews on Amazon.com. There was no impact on her job application, but I did waste oodles of time."<br /><br />5. Beware the cyber twin<br /><br />Be wary of people out there on the Internet with the same name as you, Merritt says. "What if your cyber twin is in prison or owns a racist Web site? Find out who is out there with any variation of your name and be prepared to discuss and explain."<br /><br />Rachel Zupek is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com and its job blog, The Work Buzz. She researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues. Follow her on Twitter: http://twitter.com/CBwriterRZ.<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>

Build a Digital Footprint You Can Be Proud Of

Just like Vegas, what happens on the Internet, stays on the Internet. How that affects your job search is up to you. Gone are the days when ...

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10 Jobs for Math Whizzes

In elementary school, there are classes you always look forward to -- gym, home economics and choir -- and classes you don't -- like English, science and geometry.<br /><br />But, as you grow up, you realize different likes and dislikes, and strengths and weaknesses in the classroom. Maybe you recognize that you really do like to read and write, or that the periodic table makes more sense than you thought. For some people, math was this way. Formulas, fractions, square roots and perimeters came easily, and a calculator and compass were always found nearby.<br /><br />To many, these kids were considered "math geeks" and were sometimes chastised for their love of crunching numbers. But, while we were poking fun and sleeping during math class, we should have paid attention -- because those who did are just plain getting paid.<br /><br />In 2008, mathematicians earned an average annual income of $94,960, according to the most recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Mathematicians were also rated the No.1 best career, based on a January 2009 study of the best and worst professions by JobsRated.com. The study evaluated 200 professions based on work environment, income, employment outlook, physical demands and stress. The second and third best professions, actuaries and statisticians, are also in the mathematics arena.<br /><br />If you consider yourself a math whiz and are ready to put in a few extra years of school, check out these 10 jobs and what you'll need to succeed in them:<br /><br />1. Actuary<br /><br />Actuaries deal with risk. They analyze statistical data like mortality, sickness, injury, disability and retirement rates to figure out their probability of happening and the costs associated with each event. In turn, they create policies for people and companies that minimize the risk and financial impacts of these given situations.<br /><br />Education: An undergraduate degree in mathematics, statistics or actuarial science, or a business-related field such as finance, economics or business.<br />Average annual salary: $95,980<br /><br />2. Cost estimator<br /><br />Cost estimators figure out how much future projects or products will cost, and also determine which current endeavors are making a profit. They analyze factors like cost of materials, labor, location and duration of the project to help companies decide whether or not to pursue a project.<br /><br />Education: Construction employers prefer applicants with a bachelor's degree in construction science, construction management or building science. Employers in manufacturing prefer someone with a bachelor's degree in mathematics, statistics or engineering.<br />Average annual salary: $60,903<br /><br />3. Economist<br /><br />Economists identify problems and solutions within the distribution and production of goods and services like land, labor and raw materials. They research, analyze and monitor economic trends, and use math models to answer economic questions.<br /><br />Education: A master's degree or Ph.D. in economics is typically required.<br /><br />Average annual salary: $93,898<br /><br />4. Electrical engineer<br /><br />Electrical engineers design new and better electronics. They work on high-tech assignments for products like cars, robots, cell phones, and radar and navigation systems, for example.<br /><br />Education: A college degree in electrical engineering, along with courses in mathematics and physical and life sciences.<br />Average annual salary: $89,268<br /><br />5. Physicist<br /><br />Physicists study the natural world. They perform experiments and conduct research to develop theories and laws of nature, energy, motion and matter.<br /><br />Education: You usually need a doctoral degree (Ph.D.).<br />Average annual salary: $92,537<br /><br />6. Market researcher<br /><br />Market researchers examine market conditions to determine potential sales of product or service. They usually conduct polls or surveys to assess factors that will affect the sale of a product.<br /><br />Education: A bachelor's degree is the minimum educational requirement for many market research jobs, but a master's degree may be required for technical positions.<br />Average annual salary: $70,410<br /><br />7. Mathematician<br /><br />There are two types of mathematicians: theoretical and applied. Theoretical mathematicians develop new principles of math and look for new developments in existing principles. Applied mathematicians use theories and techniques to solve economic, scientific, engineering, physics and business problems.<br /><br />Education: A Ph.D. in mathematics usually is the minimum educational requirement.<br />Average annual salary: $94,960<br /><br />8. Statistician<br /><br />Statisticians apply statistical and mathematical theories to collect, analyze and interpret numerical data to provide usable information. Some statisticians, for example, may collect data to learn how safe new products are before the products can be sold.<br /><br />Education: A master's degree in statistics or mathematics is the minimum educational requirement, but research and academic jobs generally require a Ph.D.<br />Average annual salary: $70,891<br /><br />9. Surveyor<br /><br />Fighting with your neighbor about where to put the fence in your background? Ask a surveyor for help. Surveyors measure and draw what the earth's surface looks like, determining official land, air and water boundaries. They write descriptions of land for deeds, leases and other legal documents; define airspace for airports; and take measurements of construction and mineral sites.<br /><br />Education: A bachelor's degree in surveying or a related field; every state requires that surveyors be licensed.<br />Average annual salary: $54,140<br /><br />10. Mathematical science teacher, postsecondary<br /><br />Postsecondary mathematical science faculty teach university and college students. Typically they teach several courses within the mathematics field, like calculus, statistics and algebra.<br /><br />Education: Four-year colleges and universities usually require candidates to hold a doctoral degree.<br />Average annual salary: $68,130<br /><br />Salary information provided by CBSalary.com, powered by SalaryExpert.<br /><br />By Rachel Zupek writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com and its job blog, The Work Buzz. She researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues. Follow her on Twitter: http://twitter.com/CBwriterRZ.<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 Jobs for Math Whizzes

In elementary school, there are classes you always look forward to -- gym, home economics and choir -- and classes you don't -- like Eng...

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The Worst Interview Faux Pas - Hiring managers give their worst experiences

Most job seekers have a case of the jitters before going on a job interview. Anxiety's normal, but almost always those butterflies were in your tummy for nothing. The interview goes well, you don't make any serious mistakes and you exhale the moment you walk out of the room.<br /><br />Sometimes, however, the interview goes terribly wrong. We're not talking about little mistakes, like spilling coffee on your shirt while you're in the waiting room. No, we're talking about the odd behavior that 99 percent of us wouldn't commit. Hiring managers have given us some examples of the worst missteps they've seen in interviews, and we've compiled the best.<br /><br />Here are eight interview faux pas hiring managers have witnessed and that you should avoid if you want to get hired.<br /><br /><br /><br />1. Bad manners<br />"A cell phone goes off -- which you should just apologize for and turn off promptly, but I've had candidates look at the number, which really ticks off an interviewer." - Connie Thanasoulis-Cerrachio, co-founder of SixFigureStart Career Coaching<br /><br />"[The candidate asks,] 'When can I start?' Presumptuous and inappropriate." - Will Robinson, co-founder of VirtualJobCoach<br /><br />"'Do you have something to eat? I am hungry.'" -- Robinson<br /><br />"One candidate opened his briefcase and started snacking on crackers while interviewing." - Kent Johnson, partner with Davinci Search<br /><br />2. Being weird<br />"Strangest thing ever -- a [University of Chicago] MBA student was doing very well during an interview, when a tape recorder spilled out of his briefcase. Very, very odd. He would have gotten a call back for a second round, but not after we saw that tape recorder. We still don't know what that was about! But we stayed away -- big time!" - Thanasoulis-Cerrachio<br /><br />"I've heard some interesting ones, but the most bizarre was a prospective hire asking me if I was Jewish. Any religion would have been weird to inquire about in that situation ... maybe she was trying to form a bond?" - Justin Seibert, president of Direct Online Marketing<br /><br />3. Giving a bad reason for wanting the job<br />"One answer to a question about why the applicant was looking to change jobs left me speechless. The candidate, a 20-something with about five years of work experience, said, 'Well, I've been twiddling my thumbs for six months.'" - Dana Byrne, manager of talent acquisition and professional development at RMJM<br /><br />4. Letting nervous tics control you<br /><br />"You shouldn't repeat a phrase over and over again. I had one candidate say 'There it is' at the end of about seven or eight responses. Very annoying and not impressive." - Thanasoulis-Cerrachio<br /><br />"Nervous leg bouncing syndrome: I once had a candidate who rocked her leg so much that she was physically moving during the interview. We ended up hiring her, which was a huge mistake -- one of the worst hires ever." - Thanasoulis-Cerrachio<br /><br />5. TMI<br />"I once had a candidate tell me her last boss was a drug addict and did cocaine regularly. Talk about inappropriate disclosure. I am sure there was a much more tactful way to talk about why she left the job." - Raquel Garcia, president of Silicon Valley Human Resources<br /><br />"[One candidate said,] 'I'm a little worried about the background checks. Do you guys do background checks? Because my credit is terrible. I'm trying to get it fixed, but the credit agencies are a joke.'" - Brett Coin, vice president of business development for Resume Donkey<br /><br />"In response to, 'We'd like to offer you this job. When can you start?' [the job seeker] replied, 'I don't know what to say. I've been through 16 interviews and no one has offered me a job.' This came from the mouth of my junior designer, who was referred to us by one of our clients. Tip: Be ready to accept a job. Like the Oscars, you might want to practice your speech. Not every employer is as forgiving as we are." - Nance Rosen, CEO of Pegasus Media World<br /><br />"[I was asked,] 'What is your drug-testing policy?'" - Robinson<br /><br />6. Poor presentation<br />"Another candidate wore a skimpy sequin dress and fedora hat to an interview claiming she just came from a photo shoot. We all guessed it was a bit more of an X-rated photo opp." - Johnson<br /><br />"Candidate: Hi, I'm [so-and-so]." (leans in towards us).<br />Recruiter: (leans ever so slightly away to minimize the odor)." - Mary H. Roome-Godbolt, HR recruiter for Cox Communications Northern Virginia<br /><br />"I once had a recent graduate who looked fantastic on paper, but showed up wearing flip flops. During the interview, he would lean back in his chair, flex his hands over his head and he even said several curse words in his responses. It was so bad I e-mailed him afterwards to point out his most obvious blunders!" - Nickie Doria, marketing director for Emmer Development Corp.<br /><br />"One huge pet peeve is when an applicant comes in smelling like a smoke stack! It is a free country, and I realize that there are no laws against smoking cigarettes in the workplace, but that is no reason to come in reeking of smoke. People get nervous and might want to puff a quick cigarette before the interview, which is understandable, but when they arrive smelling like smoke, it is a real turn off." - Doria<br /><br />7. Coming unprepared<br />"I happen to be hiring right now. One line that is a definite door-closer, that I have surprisingly heard several times: 'No, I haven't really had time to look at your Web site yet' or words to that effect. How interested should I be in a candidate with such a low level of interest in and knowledge about our company?" - Alexander Seinfeld, executive director at Jewish Spiritual Literacy, Inc<br /><br />"In response to the interview question, 'So what do you want to do next?' The worst answer of all is to say, 'I'm totally open ... I'll do anything,' or 'I'm completely flexible ... I can go wherever the company's greatest needs are.' This answer leaves the hiring manager with the burden of figuring out where the candidate belongs in the organization, and no hiring manager has the time or energy to do that kind of work. And with the economy the way it is today, candidates are feeling the need to be flexible and keep their options open, and I am hearing from hiring managers [frustrated] over this kind of answer." - Jeanne Knight, career and job search coach<br /><br />8. Forgetting to clean up digital dirt<br />"Of course, for those who are MySpace and Facebook junkies, make sure your pages are set to the private setting. We actually had a girl apply for a leasing position with one of our companies, and she did very well during the interview. Later, the manager wanted to learn more about her, and found that her MySpace name was ... well somewhat promiscuous at best! Needless to say, she never even got a call back! - Doria<br /><br />Anthony Balderrama is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com and its job blog, The Work Buzz. He researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/abalderrama.<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>

The Worst Interview Faux Pas - Hiring managers give their worst experiences

Most job seekers have a case of the jitters before going on a job interview. Anxiety's normal, but almost always those butterflies were ...

Read more »