Fat, ugly and stupid

I received an email yesterday that reminded me of something I've wanted to write about for a very long time. It was the sweetest and kindest email I've ever received from a reader of my blog.<br /><br />S.R. wrote me that she reads a lot of blogs and had never written to a blogger before. She went on to say I was "stunning/gorgeous". Wow! That got my attention. No one ever says that about me!<br /><br />Then she said something I know is so very true, "when I read your blog, I hear such a negative self-image at times....so sad".<br /><br />S.R. is right, I have a really bad self-image. I'm always criticizing myself, putting myself down, saying I'm fat and ugly and stupid. That I'm boring and uninteresting. Sadly, I believe most of these things.<br /><br />The funny thing is I know why I'm like this. It's because of my mother. Now I had the most amazing mother you can possibly imagine. I was blessed with incredible parents. I won the lottery when it came to parents. I grew up being told I was smart and pretty, that I could do or be anything I wanted in life. I was told this over and over from the time I was a young child all through my adult life.<br /><br />So what happened? Why am I like this? It's really simple. Even though my mother told me how great I was over and over, she said just the opposite about herself. She said she was fat, that she hated how she looked. She said she was stupid.<br /><br />My mother was really pretty with a beautiful smile. I look at pictures of her when she was young and she was gorgeous. She looked like a movie star. She had a weight problem after having three kids, but she was still very pretty. She lost 100 pounds when she was 65 and kept it off during the last 20 years of her life. She still said she was fat. She was 5' 8" and weighed 145.<br /><br />About her being stupid, it wasn't true. She was really smart. She skipped two grades in high school and graduated when she was only 16 years old. Yet she said she was stupid and dumb, when really she was one of the smartest people I've ever met.<br /><br />My point is you can tell your kids anything you want, but it's really what you say about yourself is what they're going to hear and copy. They will grow up to be like you. If you say you're fat and stupid and ugly, I guarantee you're going to hear your kid say that same thing about themselves.<br /><br />So if you can't have a good self-image for yourself, at least fake it the best you can for your kid. When you look in the mirror, and your child is watching you, don't say, "oh, I'm so fat, I just look awful" or make comments that you're stupid. That's probably the greatest disservice you can do to your child.<br /><br />I don't blame my mother for how I feel about myself. I know she did the best she could and would never have intentionally said those things if she knew I was going to take them on as my own image. The really sad thing is that I can't seem to change it. I know it's not really true, yet I hear that little voice in my head constantly telling me that I'm fat, ugly, and stupid.

Fat, ugly and stupid

I received an email yesterday that reminded me of something I've wanted to write about for a very long time. It was the sweetest and kin...

Read more »

Want That Job? 6 Body Language Tips

<a href="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/zt/ar5b8gw65qtfdwsplmzt.gif"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/zt/ar5b8gw65qtfdwsplmzt.gif" style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br /><div>Want That Job? 6 Body Language Tips by Janine Driver, "Lyin' Tamer"<br /><br />Reading and understanding body language is critical to your success in a job interview. Nonverbal communication equips you to understand what interviewers are thinking, helping you tweak your body language to get them to like you ... and offer you the job!<br /><br />1. The wet fish versus the bone crusher<br />The handshake tells a story about each of us. Do you shake hands softly? Do you come in from the top and deliver a "bone crusher"? Aggressive people have firm handshakes; those with low self-esteem have limp, "wet fish" handshakes.<br /><br />A great handshake is a three-step process:<br /><br />· Make sure your hands are clean and adequately manicured.<br /><br />· Ensure hands are warm but free of perspiration.<br /><br />· Execute your handshake professionally and politely, with a firm grip and a warm smile.<br /><br />2. The eyes have it<br />What's considered an appropriate amount of eye contact may vary in different countries. In North America, 60 percent eye contact is a safe figure -- one that can give hiring managers a feeling of comfort about you. More eye contact than this and you may seem too intense; any less and you risk appearing uninterested.<br /><br />Eye-contact tips:<br /><br />· When you meet the interviewer, look her right in the eyes, then think to yourself, "Wow, so great to finally meet you!" This will make you smile, and she'll pick up on your positive mood. When we look at someone we find interesting, our pupils dilate, a phenomenon the other person instinctively picks up on.<br /><br />· During a job interview, keep your eye contact in the upside-down triangle area of your interviewer's face: from the left eyebrow, to the nose, back up to the right eyebrow.<br /><br />Warning: Staring at a person's lips is considered sexual, while looking at their forehead is considered condescending.<br /><br />3. Get it straight<br />Posture is an important thing to master on an interview: Get your posture straight and your confidence will rise with it. Next time you notice you are feeling a bit down, pay attention to how you are sitting or standing. Chances are you'll be slouched over with your shoulders drooping down and inward. This collapses the chest and inhibits breathing, which can make you feel nervous or uncomfortable.<br /><br />4. Get a "head" of the game<br />When you want to feel confident and self-assured during an interview, keep your head level, both horizontally and vertically. Also assume this position when your goal is to be taken seriously. Conversely, when you want to be friendly and in the listening, receptive mode, tilt your head just a little to one side or the other.<br /><br />5. Arms lend a hand, too<br />Arms offer clues as to how open and receptive we are, so keep your arms to the side of your body. This shows you are not scared to take on whatever comes your way.<br /><br />Quieter people tend to move their arms away from their body less often than outgoing people, who use their arms with big movements. Keep gestures within the frame of your body, or you'll risk being seen as out of control. Avoid the negative action of crossing your arms during the interview.<br /><br />Here are two common perceptions of hand gestures:<br /><br />· Palms slightly up and outward: open and friendly<br /><br />· Palm-down gestures: dominant and possibly aggressive<br /><br />6. Get a leg up on the competition<br />Our legs tend to move around a lot more than normal when we are nervous, stressed or being deceptive. As a result, try to keep them as still as possible during the interview. You should not cross your legs during a job interview, as it creates a barrier between you and the interviewer and may lead to fidgeting. When you cross your ankle at the knee, this is known as the "figure four," and is generally perceived as the most defensive leg cross.<br /><br />Janine Driver, Lyin' Tamer, is a body language and deception detection expert, author and contributor to NBC's "Today Show." Janine offers her signature training to Fortune 500 companies across the globe, to give them an edge in the game of life! For your free mini-course on "Body Language Business Bloopers Successful People Avoid at All Costs" visit www.lyintamer.com today. </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>

Want That Job? 6 Body Language Tips

Want That Job? 6 Body Language Tips by Janine Driver, "Lyin' Tamer" Reading and understanding body language is critical to you...

Read more »

Use Your Age to Your Advantage

<a href="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/53/ar5f2xj74hx18z886d53.gif"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/53/ar5f2xj74hx18z886d53.gif" style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br /><div>Use Your Age to Your Advantage by Joe Turner, the "Job Search Guy"<br /><br />While it's true that not all employers will be gung-ho about hiring, or even retaining, older workers in the coming years, the overall statistics might well be on your side if you're 50 or older. The limited numbers of younger generations simply will not match the rising need for workers over the next 10 years.<br /><br />This means that employers will be forced to look at alternate labor sources. Sure, they can outsource, further automate or contract their staffing ranks, but this will not suffice in all cases.<br /><br />The plain fact is that you hold many advantages over your younger colleagues, but you're going to need to play your age to your advantage. If you have a few years under your belt, here are four tips to use age as an advantage in your job hunt:<br /><br />Go on the offensive<br /><br />Too often, older workers think they have to apologize for their years of actually working. Remind yourself that you're experienced, not old; you're seasoned, not over the hill; you're here and now, not history. It's all about spin and reframing, so drop the apologies.<br /><br />You may be older, but you're not stupid and you're not dead. Use your savvy to sell against youth and inexperience. There are benefits to being older, like having wisdom, common sense and a long work record of accomplishments that you can translate into benefits to the employer. In other words, sell your track record. During the interview, take advantage of your successful work history and draw from those successes to meet the needs of the employer.<br /><br />Sell results, not years<br /><br />Realize that hiring managers today are looking for results, not years. Talk the language that an employer understands and appreciates: return on investment. Instead of citing 20 years of experience, identify the benefits to the employer and put them into monetary terms as much as possible. Back up your accomplishments with facts that are benefit-based. Sell them from the perspective of the result and how it benefited your present and previous employers.<br /><br />Money talks and it talks loudly. Here's some good news: Money can trump age. As an employee, you either make money or save money for your employer. If the hiring manager doesn't see your value in one of these two categories, then you don't want to work for this company. In this recession, if the company isn't concerned about its bottom line, then it may not be around for long and isn't a viable option for you anyway. Get as close to money as you possibly can through the language of your accomplishments, and list them on your résumé.<br /><br />Wear just one hat<br /><br />While you may have accumulated experience in a number of areas, don't confuse the person reading your résumé with all the different roles and jobs you performed over the years. Focus only on the job title for which you're applying. Tell the hiring manager what he wants to know and nothing more.<br /><br />Most likely you've worn many different hats during your career. If any of your duties and experiences don't directly address the job title's requirements, don't emphasize them. In fact, remove them from your résumé entirely, if possible, as they will only give employers another reason to screen you out, and you don't want that. This is your story. Tell it your way. Magnify only the aspects of your background that are relevant to your target objective. You want to focus your résumé to reflect yourself in the most positive, powerful ways possible.<br /><br />Modify your résumé<br /><br />Take another look at your résumé. Ask yourself, "Would I hire myself for this position?" Spin your story in your favor by reworking your résumé to emphasize your strengths. Make sure everything on it relates in some way to your desired job objective. Drop older job titles. You generally shouldn't need to show more than 10 years of work history. Any prior work is most likely irrelevant now and will take the reader off track. Remove obvious road markers, like dates. For example, remove college degree dates and other older professional training dates that may go back more than a few years.<br /><br />As a recruiter, Joe Turner has spent the past 15 years finding and placing top candidates in some of the best jobs of their careers. Author of "Job Search Secrets Unlocked" and "Paycheck 911," Turner has interviewed on radio talk shows and offers free insider job search secrets at: http://www.jobchangesecrets.com. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">Search more than 100,000 Jobs by </span></strong><a href="http://jobs.careerbuilder.com/JobSeeker/Jobs/JobResults.aspx?SB%3Asbkw=&SB%3As_freeloc=&SB%3Asbfr=30&sbsbmt=Find+Jobs+%C2%BB&lr=cbrockl&cid=US&excrit=QID%3DA3852768340946%3Bst%3DA%3Buse%3DALL%3BCID%3DUS%3BSID%3D%3F%3BTID%3D0%3BENR%3DNO%3BDTP%3DDRNS%3BYDI%3DYES%3BIND%3DALL%3BPDQ%3DAll%3BPDQ%3DAll%3BPAYL%3D0%3BPAYH%3DGT120%3BPOY%3DNO%3BETD%3DALL%3BRE%3DALL%3BMGT%3DDC%3BSUP%3DDC%3BFRE%3D1%3BCHL%3DAL%3BQS%3DSID_UNKNOWN%3BSS%3DNO%3BTITL%3D0%3BOB%3D-modifiedint%3BJQT%3DRAD%3BJDV%3DFalse&IPath=ILM"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">CLICKING HERE!</span></strong></a> </div>

Use Your Age to Your Advantage

Use Your Age to Your Advantage by Joe Turner, the "Job Search Guy" While it's true that not all employers will be gung-ho abou...

Read more »

5 Ways to Get the Job You Want -- in Any Economy

<a href="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/lc/ar5f34y7301zdntzwmlc.gif"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/lc/ar5f34y7301zdntzwmlc.gif" style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br /><div>5 Ways to Get the Job You Want -- in Any Economy by Brian Tracy, author of "Reinvention"<br /><br />With all the bleak economic news and reports of massive layoffs, it's easy to lose sight of an exciting fact of work: There have never been more opportunities and possibilities for talented people than exist today. The rate of new business formation in the United States has passed more than 1 million new companies per year. Employers everywhere are looking for bright, resourceful and committed people to help their businesses grow. The best way to help the best companies find you is to become a self-directed job searcher.<br /><br />Regardless of your employment experience, your target industry or the economic climate, you can get a job -- a great job -- if you are willing to work hard and know how to work smart. Here are some of the very best ideas, strategies and methods for putting your career back on the fast track.<br /><br />1. Take control of your career<br />The average person starting work today will have 11 full-time jobs and as many as five different careers over the course of his or her lifetime. To weather the storms of lifelong career change, you must be proactive, not reactive.<br /><br />Begin by seeing yourself as self-employed. See yourself as the president of a company with one employee: you. See yourself as having one product to sell in a competitive marketplace: your personal services. You are completely responsible for research and development. No matter who signs your paycheck, you are always on your own payroll. This attitude is the starting point for getting the job you want for the rest of your career.<br /><br />2. Take stock of yourself<br />Before you go out and look for a job, do some self-reflection. Make a list of all the things you can do for which someone would be willing to pay. What have you done especially well at your previous jobs? What sort of activities in your work and your personal life do you most enjoy? The good news is that you will always do the very best at something that makes you the happiest. To help yourself follow the right career track, describe your ideal job. The greater clarity you have about exactly what it is you want to do and how much you want to earn, the easier it is for someone to hire you.<br /><br />3. Understand the job market<br />All labor, including your own, is subject to the economic law of supply and demand. The only way to ensure you get a rewarding job is by doing something important for which there is a demand in the marketplace and in which you are difficult to replace. A change in technology, consumer preferences or the economy can make a particular talent or specialty obsolete almost overnight. You must continually upgrade your knowledge and skills and adjust your efforts so that they conform to the needs of the current job market. In a free society such as ours, everybody works on commission.<br /><br />4. Don't mistake unemployment for a vacation<br />Look at your job search as a full-time job, taking 40 to 50 hours a week. Get up and get dressed each weekday morning as if you were going to work, eat a light, high-energy breakfast and then get going. Looking good and staying productive not only improves your attitude, but also impresses other people, both those inside your own house and those on the outside. Remember, you should never see yourself as unemployed. You are a fully employed person in a temporary state of transition.<br /><br />5. Sow seeds everywhere<br />Most of the jobs available are not advertised. They are hidden and waiting for you to discover them. Along with regularly surfing Internet job sites, be sure to list your qualifications and interests on every site that might attract employers seeking someone like you. Visit community job fairs and talk to exhibitors. Keep an eye out for news of new product releases and then seek out key people in the company. A business expansion represents job opportunities. Gather information about a prominent individual in an organization you would like to work for. Ask that person, by phone, by e-mail or in a letter, to grant you a 10-minute informational interview. Almost invariably, your interest, knowledge and gratitude will pay off in a job offer.<br /><br />Adapted from "Reinvention: How to Make the Rest of Your Life the Best of Your Life" by Brian Tracy (AMACOM Books).<br /><br />Brian Tracy is an internationally recognized leader in the art and science of motivation and empowerment. As a personal and professional development consultant and speaker, he works with Fortune 500 companies and addresses more than 250,000 people a year. He is the bestselling author of numerous books, including "Reinvention: How to Make the Rest of Your Life the Best of Your Life." </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>

5 Ways to Get the Job You Want -- in Any Economy

5 Ways to Get the Job You Want -- in Any Economy by Brian Tracy, author of "Reinvention" With all the bleak economic news and repo...

Read more »

Hundreds of Applications and Still No Job?

<a href="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/56/ar5d5dy75np173zll356.gif"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/56/ar5d5dy75np173zll356.gif" style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br /><div>Hundreds of Applications and Still No Job? by Anthony Balderrama, CareerBuilder.com writer<br /><br />Here's how every job seeker secretly hopes his or her search will go:<br /><br />8:00 a.m. You see an ad for the job of your dreams: close to home, makes use of your skills, offers the right pay.<br /><br />8:05 a.m. You apply for the job.<br /><br />8:07 a.m. The hiring manager, out of breath, calls you. "We must have you. The CEO said to pay whatever you ask for -- we need you on our team ASAP!"<br /><br />8:10 a.m. After you give your demands (a high salary and access to the company jet), you're faxed the job offer.<br /><br />8:15 a.m. You head out the door to your first day of work.<br /><br />In reality, the process takes a few weeks or months longer, and you probably won't get every single perk you want. Along the way, you don't hear back from the companies you think are perfect matches for you, and it takes weeks to get an interview after sending in your application.<br /><br />You probably spend a few days (at least) wringing your hands over whether or not you'll ever find a job. No matter who you are and what industry you're in, anxiety is just part of the process. But everyone has a different breaking point, and after so many résumés, you're bound to start asking, "I've sent out hundreds of applications -- why isn't anyone hiring me?"<br /><br />Here's a checklist for you to review so you can either put your mind at ease ("It's not me; it's them") or revamp your searching technique ("Well, it might be me"). Maybe the factors slowing down your job hunt are not under your control. But it doesn't hurt to double-check.<br /><br />1. Location<br />Before you start blaming yourself for not getting any leads, take a look at your surrounding area. Not all cities have the same job market. A dearth of construction jobs in a northeastern suburb might be the polar opposite of the situation in a southwestern boomtown. Whether or not you want to or can relocate for your job is a personal matter, but you should consider the unemployment rate of your region when assessing how your hunt is going.<br /><br />2. Which jobs<br />When you look at how many applications you've sent out and how many you've heard back from, you might want to divide the list into two columns: jobs you expected to get and jobs you applied for on a whim.<br /><br />Many job seekers decide to send out applications for jobs they know they're not qualified for, whether they just want a paycheck or they think it would be fun to try a completely unrelated field -- even though they know the odds of getting a call are slim. These Hail Mary passes are perfectly acceptable, but don't consider their failures to be, well, failures. The jobs that align with your experience, education and skills are the ones that should be the gauge of your success.<br /><br />3. The résumé<br />Here's where a lot of things go wrong. That one piece of paper, digital or hard copy, causes a lot of problems. Here's a quick rundown of what you should check:<br /><br />· Is your contact information (including your name) listed so the employer can call or e-mail you?<br /><br />· Did you target the content to the job posting? Use the same phrasing, list experience that correlates to the requirements and give specific examples of achievements that will intrigue the employer.<br /><br />· Did you attach the résumé as a document in an e-mail? For security reasons, many employers won't open attachments, so your résumé might go unread. In addition to the attachment, paste it in the body of the e-mail to be safe.<br /><br />· Was there a cover letter attached to it? No cover letter can mean no consideration for some hiring managers.<br /><br />4. The interview<br />If you've been called in for interviews already, then you're doing something right. Not getting a job after interviewing doesn't mean you blew it -- it means you made the shortlist, but someone else might have been a better fit. But it never hurts to review your performance.<br /><br />An interview is often a chance for the employer to see if you fit into the company culture. Are you too rigid for a casual environment? Are your verbal communication skills good enough for your position? Hiring managers also use this opportunity to learn about you in a way they can't through a résumé. They want you to elaborate on your experience and answer any questions they still have.<br /><br />To make a good impression, preparation is key. You don't want to sound rehearsed, but practicing your answers to questions, your handshake, how you'll sit in the chair and anything else you're likely to encounter will help you. If you can avoid being the deer in the headlights, you'll be able to focus on the quality of your answers.<br /><br />5. Appearance<br />Not to be superficial, but presentation means a lot. From the layout of your résumé to the wrinkles in your interview attire, your professionalism is being judged. How are you presenting yourself to employers?<br /><br />Don't start your cover letter with, "Hey!" and don't end it with a smiley-face emoticon. Your résumé shouldn't be full of ClipArt butterflies and smiley faces. And you should leave some white space between sections so that the entire page isn't a single paragraph of text. The hiring manager needs to see a job candidate who takes the job seriously, even before you're called in for an interview.<br /><br />During an interview, you should dress appropriately. That doesn't mean trying too hard -- say, a tuxedo for an administrative assistant's job -- but it does mean dress for the environment and look like you spent time preparing. If you're told the environment is business casual, then you don't need a suit, but you still need to iron your pants.<br /><br />Anthony Balderrama is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com. He researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues. </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>

Hundreds of Applications and Still No Job?

Hundreds of Applications and Still No Job? by Anthony Balderrama, CareerBuilder.com writer Here's how every job seeker secretly hopes hi...

Read more »

Handling a Recession's Effect on Your Career

<a href="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/vh/ar5d26r631z0j58bmtvh.gif"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/vh/ar5d26r631z0j58bmtvh.gif" style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br /><div>Handling a Recession's Effect on Your Career by Robert Half International<br /><br />In a recession, one thing is certain: Change is coming, especially as firms tighten their belts, reorganize, merge with other companies or close. Needless to say, preparing yourself for these types of transitions is crucial to your career success. Here are some of the changes you may experience during this recession and how to handle them:<br /><br />New priorities<br />As organizations come to understand the new economic reality, projects that create immediate revenue will become the focus. So, a long-delayed product launch may immediately shift to the front burner. Since resources will be needed for these revenue generators, you may find yourself moved quickly onto new projects. Therefore, it's important you remain flexible and work with your manager to identify assignments that most impact the bottom line.<br /><br />Added responsibility<br />Some companies may need to reduce head count while others may implement a hiring freeze. In either situation, remaining staff members will likely be asked to take on additional work. Some of these responsibilities may fall outside your normal role, so show a willingness to learn new skills. Your firm may even offer to subsidize training, so inquire with your manager about what the organization provides. In addition, identify tasks that can either be delegated or put on hold while you tackle any extra duties you've been assigned.<br /><br />Internal moves<br />Companies that are set on filling open positions may decide to look internally to reduce the cost of recruiting new talent. That means there could be an opportunity for you to advance within your organization. If your firm does not have a formal process for posting internal openings, maintain a strong network of contacts within the organization so you can learn about vacant roles. Make sure your network includes individuals outside your department and at different levels of responsibility. Speak to your manager about specific positions that interest you; he or she can help you learn more about the job or provide support for your campaign.<br /><br />More reporting<br />When finances are tight, managers need to take a closer look at how money is being spent. Don't be surprised if you're asked to provide detailed reports on how many hours a project takes and the cost involved. By carefully tracking that information, you'll be prepared should your boss request it. Also, look for ways to save the firm money or improve efficiencies. Being proactive with these types of recommendations will show your manager that you have a big-picture mind-set.<br /><br />Fewer perks<br />Whether it's scaled-down celebrations, smaller bonuses or an end to free doughnuts on Monday, don't be surprised if some of the perks your firm has traditionally offered are sacrificed in an effort to reduce costs. Even if you've grown accustomed to these extras, don't let the changes negatively affect your mood. Understand that sacrifices need to be made in order to ride out this economic storm.<br /><br />Layoffs<br />The unfortunate reality is that some businesses may need to let people go. No one wants to think about that possibility, but you should be prepared nonetheless, especially if you know that your firm is struggling. Make sure your résumé is current, noting how you've added value to your company, and increase your networking activities so you're ready should you find yourself suddenly forced to find a new position.<br /><br />The current recession poses a number of challenges for not only job seekers but also those who are employed. Keep in mind, though, that the economic downturn can also present you with opportunity. Changes made within your organization may allow you to build marketable skills, take on new assignments or even prepare for future advancement. And by being flexible and open-minded, you'll demonstrate your ability to deal with any hurdle that comes your way.<br /><br />Robert Half International Inc. is the world's first and largest specialized staffing firm with a global network of more than 360 offices worldwide. For more information about our professional services, please visit http://www.rhi.com/.<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>

Handling a Recession's Effect on Your Career

Handling a Recession's Effect on Your Career by Robert Half International In a recession, one thing is certain: Change is coming, especi...

Read more »

No Degree? - 7 ways to sell your experience

<a href="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/4v/ar5c47968xf74qldq04v.gif"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/4v/ar5c47968xf74qldq04v.gif" style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br /><div>No Degree? - 7 ways to sell your experience by Rachel Zupek, CareerBuilder.com writer<br /><br />Becky Blanton, 53, has worked for five major media companies, been an assistant advertising director for a Fortune 500 company and owned her own newspaper. She's also currently writing a book called "Staying Hungry: The Official Guide for Never Settling for What Life Puts on Your Plate," about grit, determination and perseverance.<br /><br />With such an impressive career backdrop, you might be thinking Blanton's educational background is equally impressive.<br /><br />Though she has some college education under her belt, Blanton doesn't have her college degree. She does everything she can to gain experience by attending conferences, workshops, seminars and job training classes and shadowing friends at work.<br /><br />Blanton is not alone in lacking a college degree. In 2007, 46.6 percent of the labor force had less than a high school diploma and 69.9 percent had no college degree, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. While getting an education is certainly important, many people argue that it's not the degree that's important; it's what you learn and how you apply it.<br /><br />"There are many myths about what a degree can do for you," says John Murphy, author of "Success Without a College Degree." "Too many college grads depend on the promise that their degree is a 'golden ticket.' Employers know that vague degrees, such as English literature, humanities, sociology and liberal arts have little to do with the practical world. The things that get jobs have more to do with attitude, first impressions and experience than a diploma."<br /><br />Blanton agrees that a diploma is not the most important thing to an employer. She says that not having her degree has never been a disadvantage.<br /><br />"I have only been turned down from one job because of a lack of a degree and that was teaching journalism at a college," Blanton says. "Experience, not education levels, is what employers are after. They want to know you can do the job. I had to work a little harder, learn a little more and go the extra mile to show employers I could do the job. I learned the people skills, attitude and job skills to succeed and didn't rest on my 'I have a degree' laurels that so many people do."<br /><br />If you don't have a degree and you're looking for ways to land a job in spite of it, here are some tips on how you can sell your experience, regardless of your education.<br /><br />1. Be a problem solver<br />"Millions [of people] graduate with vague degrees that only attest to one's ability to read books and take tests, but not necessarily solve problems," Murphy says. "Industry experience conveys that you can solve problems for an employer right away or with little learning curve. Examine your experience and spell out how you helped solve problems, any problems. Competitors with degrees won't be able to compare."<br /><br />2. Tell your 'Rocky' story<br />"Not having an impressive academic pedigree -- or any degree at all -- can be a plus if you've found a way to succeed to this point without one," says Sean O'Neil, principal of One to One Leadership, a sales and management training and recruitment company. "The more you can demonstrate a history of success relative to more pedigreed peers the better. You can paint yourself as a self-made professional, as compared with the silver-spoon Ivy Leaguer who had all the odds in their favor."<br /><br />3. Be open to education<br />"Many companies have favorable back-to-school plans for their employees. If you're speaking with a prospective employer that places a large emphasis on academics, you might want to indicate a desire to take advantage of their plan," O'Neil says. "Demonstrating a desire to make up any gaps in your résumé while on the job might just tip the scales in your favor."<br /><br />4. Don't make it a big deal<br />"Don't make it such a big deal and it just might not be," says Bill Gaffney of the Amaxa Group, a recruiting and coaching company. "If it is an impediment to you, then you are going to reflect that when you talk with the company. There are really very few companies where the degree will stop [someone] from hiring a person if they are the best out there."<br /><br />5. Focus on achievements over education<br />"If you don't have a degree, it's very important for you to shine in every other aspect of your résumé," says Cathy Severson, career counselor and owner of Retirement Life Matters. "Don't settle for a list of tasks, but really demonstrate how you can do the job better than anyone else can. The best way is to do this is by providing concrete evidence of how you have excelled at similar tasks in the past through accomplishments."<br /><br />6. Prepare your success stories<br />"For the interview, prepare several stories of success that showcase how you have accomplished tasks similar to others who possess a degree," says Barbara Safani of Career Solvers. If you are a sales professional, for example, focus on how you exceeded your sales targets and have done as well as or better than your colleagues. If you are an accountant, prove how you have uncovered errors and recouped money for the company -- despite the fact that you didn't formally study accounting. If you are a high school graduate competing against a recent college graduate, talk about the experience you have garnered in part-time or summer jobs or full-time jobs you had while others your age were at college, she says.<br /><br />7. Create a combination résumé<br />"The most important task is to market your key skills and accomplishments to the employer by creating a résumé that focuses on your contributions to your previous employers and your experience that is most relevant to the position for which you are applying," says Winifred Winston, certified professional résumé writer. "By creating a combination résumé that lists your relevant skills and experience first, you are sure to capture the hiring manager's attention. You initially want the employer to be able to fold your document in half and just by reading the top portion they know you are someone they should contact to schedule an interview. Does that top portion list education? Not necessarily."<br /><br />Rachel Zupek is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com. She researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues.<br /></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>

No Degree? - 7 ways to sell your experience

No Degree? - 7 ways to sell your experience by Rachel Zupek, CareerBuilder.com writer Becky Blanton, 53, has worked for five major media com...

Read more »

What Works When Working with Recruiters

<a href="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/k1/ar5f5w66d1vt63ycpvk1.gif"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/k1/ar5f5w66d1vt63ycpvk1.gif" style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br /><div>What Works When Working with Recruiters by Selena Dehne, JIST Publishing<br /><br />With an explosion of job seekers competing for fewer jobs, many people are turning to recruiters to try to tap into little-known opportunities in the job market.<br /><br />If you're enlisting this strategy in your job search, it's critical that you understand the possibilities and limitations of working with a recruiter, as well as how to present yourself throughout the process.<br /><br />Louise Kursmark, author of "15-Minute Cover Letter," says the most important thing to remember about recruiters is that they don't work for you; they work for hiring companies.<br /><br />"They are not 'your' recruiter and will not try to 'find a job for you.' That said, recruiters can be your best friends during a job search -- provided you have the skills, experience and industry expertise their client is looking for," Kursmark says.<br /><br />She suggests the following tips for making the most out of your relationship with recruiters:<br /><br />Uncover a recruiter's specialty areas before contacting him or her.<br />Otherwise, you risk wasting his time and your own. To learn more about recruiters who work in your areas of interest, consult recruiter directories (at your local library); online networking Web sites, such as LinkedIn or Twitter; the Yellow Pages; or company Web sites of recruiters based in your area.<br /><br />Remember whom you're writing to.<br />When writing to recruiters, refer to "your client" or "your client's organization" rather than "your company."<br /><br />Follow up after sending a recruiter your résumé and cover letter.<br />This call should determine whether the recruiter is a good fit for you. Introduce yourself concisely and briefly share some of your career achievements with him.<br /><br />Be patient.<br />Don't expect to hear back from recruiters unless they have a job that's a potentially good fit for you.<br /><br />Understand the realities of recruitment.<br />Recruiters have been given guidelines about the ideal candidate. If the recruiter doesn't think you are the right fit, don't dwell on trying to convince him or her otherwise. Instead, move on and let him know you're interested in future opportunities.<br /><br />Help recruiters to help yourself.<br />If you know of other individuals who would be a good fit for the recruiter's specialty areas, recommend them. It's a win-win for all involved.<br /><br />Never work with a search firm that charges you a fee to get a job.<br />Don't confuse this advice with fees you'd pay to work with a private-practice career counselor, coach or résumé writer. These people will provide you with services, but don't promise you a particular job.<br /><br />Selena Dehne is a career writer for JIST Publishing who shares the latest occupational, career and job search information available with job seekers and career changers. She is also the author of JIST's Job Search and Career Blog (http://jistjobsearchandcareer.blogspot.com/). </div><br /><div></div><br /><div><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">Search more than 100,000 Jobs by </span></strong><a href="http://jobs.careerbuilder.com/JobSeeker/Jobs/JobResults.aspx?SB%3Asbkw=&SB%3As_freeloc=&SB%3Asbfr=30&sbsbmt=Find+Jobs+%C2%BB&lr=cbrockl&cid=US&excrit=QID%3DA3852768340946%3Bst%3DA%3Buse%3DALL%3BCID%3DUS%3BSID%3D%3F%3BTID%3D0%3BENR%3DNO%3BDTP%3DDRNS%3BYDI%3DYES%3BIND%3DALL%3BPDQ%3DAll%3BPDQ%3DAll%3BPAYL%3D0%3BPAYH%3DGT120%3BPOY%3DNO%3BETD%3DALL%3BRE%3DALL%3BMGT%3DDC%3BSUP%3DDC%3BFRE%3D1%3BCHL%3DAL%3BQS%3DSID_UNKNOWN%3BSS%3DNO%3BTITL%3D0%3BOB%3D-modifiedint%3BJQT%3DRAD%3BJDV%3DFalse&IPath=ILM"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">CLICKING HERE!</span></strong></a> </div>

What Works When Working with Recruiters

What Works When Working with Recruiters by Selena Dehne, JIST Publishing With an explosion of job seekers competing for fewer jobs, many peo...

Read more »

Staying Cool During an Interview

<a href="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/42/ar5c25z68v2f1xgvhn42.gif"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/42/ar5c25z68v2f1xgvhn42.gif" style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br /><div>Staying Cool During an Interview by Anthony Balderrama, CareerBuilder.com writer<br /><br />I can think of only a few rituals that encase my body with adrenaline and sweat: running a race, struggling through Bikram yoga, having that dream where I'm still in junior high and I've completely forgotten about a huge project that's due in less than an hour, and interviewing for a job.<br /><br />A job interview is the perfect storm of anxiety for most job seekers. You're put through a battery of questions. You're expected to exude all of your good qualities without revealing your bad ones. You also need to get a feel for the company. Oh, and try to keep your nerves to a minimum -- a jittery candidate could suggest someone hiding something or not qualified for the job.<br /><br />Basically, interviews are like first dates with a bigger impact for your W-2s.<br /><br />Few job seekers walk into an interview without a considerable amount of anxiety in their bellies. While you can't get rid of it all, you can learn how to control it so that you can give your best interview and get the job.<br /><br />Start with homework<br />Your work begins once you have an interview scheduled. Hopefully you researched the company before applying for the job so you have some understanding of what the company does and stands for. But you still want more, and now is the time to dig deeper for relevant information.<br /><br />"Know the mission or vision statement of the organization," says Nancy Dachille, director of career services at Chestnut Hill College in Philadelphia. "Read the annual report, especially the CEO or president's message. The more familiar you are with the organization, the more comfortable you will feel, especially at the end of the interview when the dreaded 'Do you have any questions for us?' question comes up."<br /><br />Anticipating that question and others is vital to your preparation. If you haven't thought about what the interviewer will ask you, you're liable to panic once you hear the question come out of his or her mouth. You'll be so concerned with how you'll answer that you might not even hear the entire question. A little planning can make the process easier, according to Helen Cooke, managing director for Cooke Consulting.<br /><br />"Have some great accomplishments [at the top of your mind]. If you've practiced -- without overdoing it -- so that you have some succinct and compelling stories ... you will walk in psychologically pumped up," she says. She suggests that you choose specific examples to include in your stories so that you can point to cases where you improved a situation or brought in revenue for your employer. Not only are quantifiable achievements easier for employers to appreciate, but they're also good talking points to have in your mind to keep you from panicking.<br /><br />Cooke also encourages job seekers to look at previous job hunts for help with this one.<br /><br />"Recalling past interview situations, I'm betting you can think of one or two interviewers who intimidated you during the interview and later, after you'd landed the job and been there for a while, you couldn't believe you were intimidated by such a great, down-to-earth person," she suggests.<br /><br />The big day<br />You can prepare all you want, but when the interview is only hours away, another set of nerves kicks in. Your best defense is more preparation with regard to the logistics of the day, says John Thieman, a career development specialist at Stratford University in Falls Church, Va.<br /><br />The night before the interview, he suggests getting your interview clothes ready and putting all your important documents near the door so that you can just grab them and go. This will eliminate as many potential delays as possible.<br /><br />"Plan to rise even a little earlier than usual to prevent a nervous and rushed leaving the house and trip to the interview," Thieman suggests. "Check the traffic reports and plan your route to avoid traffic surprises."<br /><br />Although you might think staying cool depends on your preparation for questions and body language during the interview itself -- and it does -- the fewer distractions you have getting to the interview will put you in the right mood. If you're stuck in traffic, not sure where you're going and wearing a wrinkled shirt, your confidence level is going to be pretty low when you arrive.<br /><br />During the interview<br />The most important part of staying calm during the interview comes with preparation. Of course you have to answer plenty of questions and worry about body language -- that never goes away. But if you've practiced your answers, thought about your posture and eye contact, and done your research on the company, the hard part's over. Now you're just answering questions that you've prepared for.<br /><br />"Realize that a little nervousness is expected and that you only need to be calm enough to look competent and confident of your abilities," says Sandra Naiman, author of "The High Achiever's Secret Codebook: The Unwritten Rules for Success at Work." "If you find yourself feeling overly anxious, stop to think a question over and take a few deep breaths." After all, the interviewer knows you're anxious and a hint of nerves shows that you care about the job.<br /><br />Do all your pre-interview homework and let the rest just happen, suggests Naiman.<br /><br />"Surrender to what is out of your control. You cannot make someone hire you," she reminds. "Trust the interviewer to know what he or she is looking for, and be willing not to get the job if you are not the right fit. This attitude will ensure that you come across at your best."<br /><br />Anthony Balderrama is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com. He researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues. </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>

Staying Cool During an Interview

Staying Cool During an Interview by Anthony Balderrama, CareerBuilder.com writer I can think of only a few rituals that encase my body with ...

Read more »

21 years of marriage

It's really hard to buy an anniversary card for your husband when you're angry with him. Like, pretty much impossible.<br /><br />Note to self: Let go of the anger.

21 years of marriage

It's really hard to buy an anniversary card for your husband when you're angry with him. Like, pretty much impossible. Note to self:...

Read more »

What Makes You Different From the Other Job Seekers?

<a href="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/jz/ar5c4k270v60vgc19cjz.gif"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/jz/ar5c4k270v60vgc19cjz.gif" style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br /><div>What Makes You Different From the Other Job Seekers? by Anthony Balderrama, CareerBuilder.com writer<br /><br />You're special.<br /><br />Your mom and dad told you. Your Little League coach told you. You tell yourself in the mirror every morning.<br /><br />Anyone who encounters you must recognize what a unique snowflake you are, right?<br /><br />Maybe, but not necessarily. If you're looking for a job, don't assume the hiring manager is going to look at your cover letter and think, "This job candidate is The One." That could happen, but you should do all you can to make that realization occur.<br /><br />In the interest of spreading the word about your unparalleled qualifications and stunning personality, we've compiled some questions you should ask yourself at each stage of the job-hunting process. Some of these questions can apply to each stage.<br /><br />When writing the résumé<br />Q. What about my education sets me apart?<br />A. Although degrees are more common than they once were, not each one is created equal. Most programs have enough freedom built in to them to allow students to customize their courses. The combination of your major and minor or your courses can give you a background that no one else has.<br /><br />Q. Do I care about all of this?<br />A. This résumé is about you, so you probably have more interest in it than the average employer, but if you're bored, everyone else will be, too. If your attempt to show how unique you are results in a dense list of your jobs and skills that make the page look like one huge block of text, you're probably not focusing enough. Keep details short, informative and, above all else, relevant. Your paper route in junior high doesn't matter if you're 25 and have a college degree.<br /><br />Your GPA, awards and recognition are good examples of items that do set you apart. They won't land you the job by themselves, but they are additional assets that can differentiate you from the next résumé in the stack.<br /><br />When writing your cover letter<br />Q. What's implied on the résumé but not explicitly stated?<br />A. Have someone else read your résumé and explain your strong points to you. If you don't hear something you were expecting, figure out why. You might think your extensive work history painted a clear picture for readers, but it might not. The cover letter is your chance to connect the dots and (eloquently) tell the hiring manger, "Hey, look what I have to offer!"<br /><br />Maybe your internship with an employer was more involved and relevant to the position you're seeking than the résumé suggests. Go into details and prove why that experience matters to this job.<br /><br />Q. Does this sound like me or like Janet Q. Jobseeker?<br />A. Professionalism is key in a cover letter, but so is your personality. Now is not the time to be a comedian, but if your cover letter could have been written by any other applicant and been about any other applicant, then it's not special. As a result, the employer won't think you're special.<br /><br />If you have extensive knowledge of the industry, have a contact at the company or possess strong communication skills, don't be afraid to let it shine through.<br /><br />When interviewing<br />Q. Would I hire me?<br />A. An interview is basically an extended, interactive form of this question. If you get an interview the employer thinks you fit the job requirements, but whether or not you're the perfect candidate is still in question. In addition to elaborating on your skills, only one thing can make or break you at this point: your personality.<br /><br />Your personality is unique to you, so don't be scared to let it show. As with the cover letter, don't be so casual that you come off as unprofessional, but now is the time to show your sense of humor and your interpersonal communication skills. Fading into the background will only help you be forgotten.<br /><br />Q. What is the one thing I want the hiring manager know about?<br />A. Hiring managers don't know you, so they're probably asking you the same questions they asked other candidates. If you want to prove that you're a three-dimensional person who exists beyond undergrad business courses, have an actual dialogue. A hiring manager doesn't need you to echo everything he or she already read about you.<br /><br />The time you helped your group tackle a problem during a brainstorming session? The interesting marketing book you just read that has given you some new ideas? Let these facts out if they're relevant to the conversation.<br /><br />Q. Why do I want to work here?<br />A. Interviewers often ask this question of candidates, and candidates have learned to come armed with a response. But do you know why you want to work there or do you just know what you want them to think?<br /><br />Everyone wants to be hired so they can get a paycheck, add another line to their résumé and move up the chain. Do you want to transition into a new industry? Do you think you can bring a fresh perspective to the company (without sounding arrogant)? Does the position sound like the one you've been preparing for and you have the experience to show for it? You need to know the answer and believe it before you walk into the interview.<br /><br />Anthony Balderrama is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com. He researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues.<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>

What Makes You Different From the Other Job Seekers?

What Makes You Different From the Other Job Seekers? by Anthony Balderrama, CareerBuilder.com writer You're special. Your mom and dad to...

Read more »

Laid Off? Your 'Get Hired' Plan - Tips from Martha Finney, author of "Rebound: A Proven Plan for Starting Over After Job Loss"

<a href="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/2v/ar5f2577408yx2ysmp2v.gif"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/2v/ar5f2577408yx2ysmp2v.gif" style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br /><div>Laid Off? Your 'Get Hired' Plan - Tips from Martha Finney, author of "Rebound: A Proven Plan for Starting Over After Job Loss" by Rachel Zupek, CareerBuilder.com writer<br /><br />Unless you're in complete denial of what's happening in the world around you, by now you're well-aware that layoffs are rampant in today's economy.<br /><br />In February 2009* alone, employers made 2,769 mass layoffs compared with 1,672 mass layoffs in the same month last year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Each layoff involved at least 50 people from a single employer filing for unemployment insurance. Since December 2007, when the recession was declared to have started, there have been 28,481 mass layoffs, and more than 2.9 million people have filed for unemployment benefits during that time.<br /><br />The numbers show that it no longer matters if you've been with a company for 15 years, if you're highly educated, if you're a top performer or even if you're friends with the boss. Layoffs are happening, and they are happening to everyone.<br /><br />"If the company is determined to cut head count by a certain percentage, no amount of exposure, of reminding the boss how successful you've been in helping the company achieve its goals, will save your job," says Martha Finney, author of "Rebound: A Proven Plan for Starting Over After Job Loss" (FT Press). "They'll miss you when you're gone, but they've already determined that you're gone anyway."<br /><br />Voice of experience<br />Charles** worked for a family-owned real-estate and agricultural business for 10 years. He has two master's degrees, moved up quickly within the company and had a long-term plan to take over the IT department.<br /><br />When the housing market collapsed, the company began to go through some tough times and it became evident to Charles that companywide layoffs were on the horizon.<br /><br /><br /><br />"I honestly thought I was safe because I had really good rapport with the family," he says. "My boss's boss was the CFO and he had asked me work on a special project analyzing some of the various business units and what it would cost to dispose of them. He told me not to read anything into that. 'Don't worry about things,' he said."<br /><br />When the project was finished, Charles was laid off.<br /><br />"I thought I'd work for this company for the rest of my life. I believed that good work would give me job security. As long as I do really good work, why would a company let me go?" he says. "Even though I knew trouble was on the way, I thought I was in a good position because I had multiple talents and had worked for every operation there. If you're going to shrink your work force, you'd think you would keep people who can do multiple things."<br /><br />Now what?<br />Charles' story is probably much like your own if you were laid off -- you were shocked, angry and bitter, and your confidence was shaken. But the worst thing you can do is blame yourself.<br /><br />"Recognize that this period of layoffs is just another moment in time, having nothing to do with your essential value and meaning," Finney says.<br /><br />Now that you've come to terms with your many emotions, what you need is a plan.<br /><br />In her book, Finney teamed up with Bill Berman, Ph.D., a Connecticut-based corporate psychologist, to come up with steps to take toward getting hired.<br /><br />(And no, tapping away on your laptop while you're stretched out on the sofa in your PJs doesn't count.)<br /><br />1. Take some time to stop<br />Take a step back and figure out where you stand. Know how long you can afford to explore your possibilities and where you want to go next.<br /><br />"The worst thing you can do when you get laid off is run right out and grab whatever you can," Berman says. "Step back and think about what you want to do, what you loved about the work you were doing before and how it matches with what you want to be doing one year, three years, five years from now."<br /><br />2. Build your network list and start using it<br />Your network will be your biggest ally in your job search. Your friends, their friends and the friends of those people will surprise you when they show a genuine interest in helping you.<br /><br />Berman suggests thinking broadly about whom you know and being upfront with them about your job search.<br /><br />"Think back to the people you worked with five, 10, 15 years ago and don't e-mail them. There's no substitute for a phone call," he says.<br /><br />3. Get dressed!<br />Now isn't the time to explore your quirky bohemian phase, unless it's the course you've decided to take for the next phase of your life, Finney says.<br /><br />"Treat your job search project as you would a regular full-time job. Get out of the jammies and put on something you would wear to work at your old job," she says. "When you wear the uniform of your role, you stay in touch with that side of who you are. No one I can think of is in the market to hire Mr. Scratchy Pajama Bottoms."<br /><br />4. Set regular working hours that match a conventional workday<br />Finney says that any self-employed person will tell you that choosing your own hours is both a joy and a curse. Sure, you don't have to work while everyone is, but that usually means that you won't be having fun when everyone else is, either.<br /><br />"If you work nine to five on your job hunting assignment, then absolutely you can take weekends off," Berman says. "The reason why people work on weekends and at night on looking for a new job is because they screwed around all day."<br /><br />5. Establish a structure against which you'll achieve and measure your goals<br />Identify specific ways you'll approach your job search by outlining how many tasks you'll do each day and what they are specifically. Make a list of the phone calls you'll make and the names you'll look up, Finney suggests.<br /><br />"If you set a goal, you're going to be able to work toward that goal," Berman says. "Set very specific goals, make them things you think you can actually do, and then make them non-negotiable."<br /><br />6. Dismiss the derailers<br />Undoubtedly, job searching is a pain in the rear. The process is lengthy, at best, and it's easy to get discouraged along the way. The feeling of panic that you have to have a job now! is a derailer, as are mean-spirited friends who undermine your confidence, well-meaning family who are concerned and your own ego, which tells you that if you were truly a good provider, you would have a job by now, Finney says.<br /><br />"You might not be able to see them coming, but you can spot them for what they are," she says. "Shrug them off. Some people mean well, some people are just, well, mean. Either way, that's not your focus right now."<br /><br />*According to the most recent data, updated on March 20, 2009. A mass layoff occurs when at least 50 initial claims are filed against an employer during a consecutive five-week period. An initial claim is when someone files for unemployment, according to the BLS Web site.<br /><br />** Voice of experience paraphrased from page 92 of "Rebound: A Proven Plan for Starting Over After Job Loss."<br /><br />Rachel Zupek is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com. She researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues.. </div><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>

Laid Off? Your 'Get Hired' Plan - Tips from Martha Finney, author of "Rebound: A Proven Plan for Starting Over After Job Loss"

Laid Off? Your 'Get Hired' Plan - Tips from Martha Finney, author of "Rebound: A Proven Plan for Starting Over After Job Loss&q...

Read more »

Are You 'Applying Down' to Jobs?

<a href="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/3f/ar5f89y5xwpwfjhcp93f.gif"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/3f/ar5f89y5xwpwfjhcp93f.gif" style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br /><div>Are You 'Applying Down' to Jobs? by Rachel Zupek, CareerBuilder.com writer<br /><br />Working for $10 an hour as a Starbucks barista is not exactly where Teresa Fritschi, 48, pictured herself at this stage of her career. Especially not after working as an award-winning communications specialist and earning more than $300,000 per year.<br /><br />After being unemployed for almost three years before taking on the position at Starbucks as a fallback, Fritschi says that although her lifestyle has changed dramatically, she feels blessed to have a job at all.<br /><br />"It has been a lifesaver," she says. "Of course I am continuing to look for work more in line with my experience and expertise, but living in an attitude of grace and gratitude for this job has helped me overcome any lacking I might feel."<br /><br />Diane C.** lost her job as a corporate controller in September 2008. After two months of unemployment, she took a part-time job driving a limousine to help make ends meet, though she says she can't count on it as regular income. Diane, 43, has eliminated all nonessentials like cable and home phone service, joined budget plans with utility companies and put her two children in state health care. While she enjoys meeting interesting people along the way, she still feels frustrated working a job that's a step down from her qualifications.<br /><br />"[There's a] feeling of inferiority because I am seen as only a driver or chauffeur when in reality, I am an educated individual," Diane says. "When clients ask if this is my only job or what else I do, I can tell them my area of expertise and most of the time they continue the conversations in a more educated manner and ask financial or business opinions."<br /><br />Fritschi and Diane are just two of millions of successful, educated people who've found themselves affected by the economy. With the unemployment rate in March at 8.5 percent and 5.1 million jobs lost since the recession began in 2007,* many people are taking "bridge jobs," or jobs for which they are overqualified, just to stay employed.<br /><br />Rachel P.,** for example, worked in Web content production for a public-service media company when the company instituted a wage and hiring freeze in July 2008. She was told her position might be eliminated in August, so she began job searching and accepted the first position that came along to avoid a gap in employment.<br /><br />The job, as an administrative assistant for a university department, pays several thousand less than her previous job and requires only a high school diploma. The bachelor's and master's degrees Rachel earned were irrelevant, even a hindrance, in the interview process.<br /><br />"I was told that I was overqualified during both of my interviews for my current position," she says. "Although feedback from my managers has been positive, I do not feel proud of my work here. I thrive on innovation and mastering new material, core strengths that are not utilized in my current role. I'm mindful of the fact that I am not adding to my portfolio or skill list and I struggle with how to compensate for this."<br /><br />Applying down<br />Rachel's feelings are one of the major problems with "applying down" for a position, according to Duncan Mathison, contributor to "Rebound: A Proven Plan for Starting Over After Job Loss" (FT Press). Just because you apply for a job that's lower on the organizational chart or requires fewer credentials doesn't mean you're guaranteed to get it, he says.<br /><br />Problem is, when you find you didn't get that job either, your thoughts may turn to self-destructive conclusions about yourself.<br /><br />"[A thought like,] 'I must really be a loser if I can't get a lower-level job,' is really a job search energy killer," Mathison says. "Depending on your career track, [applying down] can also really set you back significantly in lifetime earnings and career progression. The assumption, right or wrong, is that you will be unmotivated, unhappy and leave in a heartbeat if you get a better position. They also assume you won't like the pay."<br /><br />Joe Covelle, 47, faced opposition concerning his education when he began looking for work after he left a financial position due to health issues. Aside from 20 years experience, he completed undergraduate work and also earned a master's in management. Now working full time at Home Depot and starting his own career-development business, Covelle says he had to take the master's level information off his résumé so as not to look too educated or experienced during his job search.<br /><br />"Home Depot [is] getting an exceptionally educated person with advanced emotional intelligence and people skills for a pay level of an entry-level person," he says.<br /><br />The upside to applying down<br />There are many people out there working jobs for which they're overqualified, but not all of them are unhappy with what they're doing. In fact, in many cases it's just the opposite.<br /><br />"People are taking on bridge jobs because they need work and surprise, surprise -- some of these jobs are actually fun," says Beth Ross, a career coach. "The fulfillment comes from the enjoyment, sometimes the lack of competition around the job, [and] the thrill of trying something new."<br /><br />Mitch Drew recently took a position as an advertising sales representative at a Canadian TV station where he was formerly a sales manager. While it's a step down from his old position at the company, the 46-year-old is content at the moment.<br /><br />"I am extremely tired of looking for work and want to take a break from interviewing. The rejection is hard to take," he says. "I have more time, less stress and going through the exercise of having less income has had its upside."<br /><br />When Joy S.,** 33, was let go from her job as the director of a pro-bono legal services program for a social service provider, she took on a nanny position. She found that working with children was a breath of fresh air compared with her lawyer lifestyle.<br /><br />"Lawyers take themselves pretty seriously and kids are a great antidote for that," Joy says. "As a lawyer, I worked like a lion to protect my clients and I always have, but I dealt with profound misery on a regular basis. I found my time with the kids to be healing in a way. I enjoyed their wide-eyed wisdom."<br /><br />Lessons learned<br />Despite pay disparities, responsibility adjustments and a few frustrations, those who have taken on a fallback position must take it seriously, Ross says.<br /><br />"Learn, grow and don't burn any of the bridges in the job itself. Lifetime learning is essential today," she reminds. "Stay open to the possibility of developing and expanding a brand-new career. Take this opportunity seriously, for you never know where it is going to go."<br /><br />*According to the most recent unemployment numbers released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics on April 3, 2009.<br /><br />**Names have been changed to protect current occupation<br /><br />Rachel Zupek is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com. She researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues. </div><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>

Are You 'Applying Down' to Jobs?

Are You 'Applying Down' to Jobs? by Rachel Zupek, CareerBuilder.com writer Working for $10 an hour as a Starbucks barista is not exa...

Read more »

5 Tips for Talking Money With a Potential Employer

5 Tips for Talking Money With a Potential Employer by Robert Half International<br /><br />Discussing compensation and benefits with a potential employer when the economy is humming can be nerve--wracking; in a recession, it can be downright scary. But applicants should be ready -- and willing -- to bring up the topic with hiring managers. In fact, more than half (56 percent) of senior executive surveyed by Robert Half International said they are comfortable with applicants asking about salary in the first or second interview.<br /><br />Following are five tips to help ensure you're well-prepared to negotiate compensation:<br /><br />1. Do your homework<br />Conduct research to determine your market value, or, in other words, what the skills and experience you possess are currently worth. Begin by reviewing salary surveys and publications such as Robert Half's annual Salary Guides, talking to colleagues and recruiters, and checking salary comparison Web sites. Keep in mind that your geographic area plays a significant role in determining pay levels -- it's unlikely that an IT manager in Boise, Idaho, will be paid as much as one in San Jose, Calif., for instance.<br /><br />2. Research the company<br />Is the firm in a position to bargain? Find out before attempting any salary negotiation. If you've been offered a job as a Web designer at a newly formed startup or a company that recently announced layoffs, your bargaining power may be limited. If the firm isn't able to offer the salary you seek, consider negotiating other elements of the compensation package, such as benefits, vacation days or flexible scheduling. Another option is to see if the company is willing to re-evaluate your compensation six months or a year after you start, assuming you've met performance expectations.<br /><br />3. Look at more than money<br />Whenever you are offered a new position, make sure to consider all aspects of the job. Will you gain more responsibility or work on a high-profile project that will be a valuable addition to your résumé? These factors may make up for a smaller compensation package. Consider the benefits package, too. In addition to health insurance and vacation time, some companies provide perks such as tuition reimbursement or on-the-job training. Determine which factors are critical to you -- perhaps that you have access to a retirement savings account -- and on which ones you're willing to compromise.<br /><br />4. Show them your value<br />Be prepared to show how the company's investment in you will pay off. Provide quantitative examples of your contributions to previous employers. Explain how your knowledge of a particular software program could save the business 10 percent in outsourcing fees or that your experience leading a product rollout will allow the company to complete the project more quickly. If you can provide a high ROI, you might be able to negotiate better compensation.<br /><br />5. Get it in writing<br />Once you've agreed on terms, ask the employer to draw up a letter that outlines the specifics to the offer, such as the position's key responsibilities, salary and any special arrangements that resulted from the negotiations. Having everything in writing will prevent misunderstandings down the line.<br /><br />Flexibility and an open mind are critical to successful salary negotiation. By researching your market value, assessing the company's financial position and demonstrating return on investment, you'll most likely find an offer that's agreeable to both you and your new employer.<br /><br /><br />Robert Half International is the world's first and largest specialized staffing firm with a global network of more than 360 offices worldwide. For more information about our professional services, please visit www.rhi.com.<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">Search more than 100,000 Jobs by </span></strong><a href="http://jobs.careerbuilder.com/JobSeeker/Jobs/JobResults.aspx?SB%3Asbkw=&SB%3As_freeloc=&SB%3Asbfr=30&sbsbmt=Find+Jobs+%C2%BB&lr=cbrockl&cid=US&excrit=QID%3DA3852768340946%3Bst%3DA%3Buse%3DALL%3BCID%3DUS%3BSID%3D%3F%3BTID%3D0%3BENR%3DNO%3BDTP%3DDRNS%3BYDI%3DYES%3BIND%3DALL%3BPDQ%3DAll%3BPDQ%3DAll%3BPAYL%3D0%3BPAYH%3DGT120%3BPOY%3DNO%3BETD%3DALL%3BRE%3DALL%3BMGT%3DDC%3BSUP%3DDC%3BFRE%3D1%3BCHL%3DAL%3BQS%3DSID_UNKNOWN%3BSS%3DNO%3BTITL%3D0%3BOB%3D-modifiedint%3BJQT%3DRAD%3BJDV%3DFalse&IPath=ILM"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">CLICKING HERE!</span></strong></a>

5 Tips for Talking Money With a Potential Employer

5 Tips for Talking Money With a Potential Employer by Robert Half International Discussing compensation and benefits with a potential employ...

Read more »

Planning de la semaine du 24 au 28 août

<BR><br /><h2><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 113%;color:#005c9b;" >Permanences<br /></span></strong></h2><p></p><ul><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 24 août de 13h30 à 17h,<br />- le mardi 25 août de 9h à 12h30 et de 13h30 à 17h,<br />- le mercredi 26 août de 13h30 à 17h,<br />- le jeudi 27 août de 13h30 à 17h,<br />- le vendredi 28 août de 13h30 à 17h.<br /><br /><li><strong><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2007/11/boutique-de-gestion.html">Boutique de gestion</a></strong><br />- vendredi 28 août de 9h à 12h30</ul><br /><h2><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 113%;color:#005c9b;" >Ateliers</span></strong><br /></h2><ul><li><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Pôle-emploi.fr</span> - mercredi 26 août de 14h à 15h30<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 27 août de 14h à 16h</ul><h2><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 113%;color:#005c9b;" >Session de recrutement Technitoit</span></strong><br /></h2><ul><li><strong><a href="http://www.technitoit.fr" target="_blank">Technitoit</a></strong> - vendredi 28 août à 9h</li></ul><h2><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 113%;color:#005c9b;" >Information collective<br /></span></strong></h2><ul><li><strong>Boutique de gestion</strong> - lundi 24 août à 14h</ul>

Planning de la semaine du 24 au 28 août

Permanences Le Conseil Général du Loiret sera présent dans les locaux de la Maison de l'Emploi du bassin d'Orléans - le lundi 24 ao...

Read more »

About last night...

<div align="center">The bewitching hour came around 10pm and as usual, I lost all control. Another day down the tubes. Perfect all day, a great workout in the morning, healthy food in modest portions all day, then at 10pm I was stuffing my face with sugar-free ice cream (I must stop buying this stuff) and pecans (yes, on the ice cream).<br /><br />Tonight was the same dance. My food of choice was Weight Watcher's 1-point caramel snack bars, about ten of them. They don't even taste that good.<br /><br />What the hell is wrong with me?<br /><br />There are a few things different in my life right now that are causing a ton of stress. My job is killing me. I'm angry about a work situation, and I just can't seem to let go of it. I'm struggling with a co-worker that I work very closely with on a daily basis. It's a long, tedious story but basically every day I'm trying to maintain my sanity (and as you can tell, I'm losing that battle).<br /><br />If there was a way out, I'd take it. In this economy that's really not even an option so I have to grin and bear it. This is the worst of times in my job, and I've been through some difficult situations in almost 26 years at this company. This one is one of the most unpleasant I've had to endure.<br /><br />The other thing is my marriage. It's another daily struggle. Tomorrow is our 21st wedding anniversary, and I don't know if we'll make it to year 22. We're fighting, arguing, bickering and generally not getting along. Neither one of us is happy. I really I don't know how to fix it.<br /><br />Right now, I don't know how to fix anything. It all seems so...hopeless.<br /><br /><strong>About the laptop</strong><br />Okay, I'm really loving this sweet little laptop. It's a Toshiba E105-S1602 and was only $799 (but I got $130 discount). It's so awesome. 2.0 Ghz, 4 GB RAM, 500 GB Hard Drive. My most favorite feature is the backlit keys so you can watch TV with the lights off and the keys are lit. It's also super fast. My old laptop that I bought almost five years ago was $2,800. This is ten times the machine than that one was, for a fraction of the cost. Amazing.<br /><br />I was leaning towards the Sony VAIO but the one for the same price as this Toshiba was a stripped down version. To get all the stuff that's on the Toshiba in the Sony was about another $1,000. Not worth it for the Sony name and looks (although, that VAIO sure is pretty).<br /><br />I've already called the Toshiba Help Center and they were great. They're in India, but they all are these days. The tech was super helpful. I accidentally turned of Vista's flash card for the function key and the backlit keys. The guy walked me through what to do and now it's working again. I'm new to Vista so I'm learning (and kind of hating it).<br /><br />So far (only about 24 hours), I'm loving this laptop.<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br />I've taken over 1,000 pictures in the last month. Here are just a few:<br /><br />Picking blueberries in Fairbanks with my favorite nephew<br /></div><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ejnCDPe1AEh33WOorfZJeMLWASnUrez6s23DDlbQcB0510hkDqzwmyeiSph98wSij_Ana9sfmKRQYlVeEr0BkeEnDg4ETDTjqw8baZPdNsRJqmKFLvptGx0S_b3-FwE51U_TWeFj9WeZ/s1600-h/Blueberry+picking.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371556893924562434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ejnCDPe1AEh33WOorfZJeMLWASnUrez6s23DDlbQcB0510hkDqzwmyeiSph98wSij_Ana9sfmKRQYlVeEr0BkeEnDg4ETDTjqw8baZPdNsRJqmKFLvptGx0S_b3-FwE51U_TWeFj9WeZ/s400/Blueberry+picking.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> </p><p align="center">For sale in Nenana for $2.000<br /></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiea6lm4KVuH43RaG_BiDejUKsfLOhuUl2O6FGS6XD4ZtOVqD_BtfOtxK9KfuDXiQv7G_FUuo52f_zXXU8F4Xl1CbuG0r5PK7oslXf5rYRUcMhIv2Ll3mbMYhpqrH0abWOqK4BVj_i1niaD/s1600-h/2000.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371556631631450722" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiea6lm4KVuH43RaG_BiDejUKsfLOhuUl2O6FGS6XD4ZtOVqD_BtfOtxK9KfuDXiQv7G_FUuo52f_zXXU8F4Xl1CbuG0r5PK7oslXf5rYRUcMhIv2Ll3mbMYhpqrH0abWOqK4BVj_i1niaD/s400/2000.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> </p><p align="center">Smoked salmon caught in an Athabascan fishwheel in Nenana<br /></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLr93nyg1yBBCW5fuvgHogJf5YLZaFE0o4SfW5l2KHEyyBP-8j88HRLhexikU9RZxW8-K_92a8OsPG6PdRcaQG8wpcafE8cq3R5Nl1bS8cYjAwIpJeiylT3-JoajGMskaPXqp3V8yQl35e/s1600-h/Smoked+salmon.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371556434786174994" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLr93nyg1yBBCW5fuvgHogJf5YLZaFE0o4SfW5l2KHEyyBP-8j88HRLhexikU9RZxW8-K_92a8OsPG6PdRcaQG8wpcafE8cq3R5Nl1bS8cYjAwIpJeiylT3-JoajGMskaPXqp3V8yQl35e/s400/Smoked+salmon.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> </p><p align="center">A typical home in Nenana - this belongs to the rich guy in town - thus the sign above the door<br /></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5w8tU5GGhgflOKFFXDTLSHpu6NaQ074N6fgSmAIPUPWpKPJ80ddLk1YnukBUbb1vEhOH-JF7iJtdKv2M-Zu76q7tyXUO4JToHUGC9bhgw7S7tqvhR7ql6wal5cJ-zT4o1BUQCISXjQMN0/s1600-h/Nenana+Home.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371556180222288498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5w8tU5GGhgflOKFFXDTLSHpu6NaQ074N6fgSmAIPUPWpKPJ80ddLk1YnukBUbb1vEhOH-JF7iJtdKv2M-Zu76q7tyXUO4JToHUGC9bhgw7S7tqvhR7ql6wal5cJ-zT4o1BUQCISXjQMN0/s400/Nenana+Home.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> </p><p align="center">Guns for sale in the local grocery store in Nenana - not even locked up<br /></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglJ3Tk75RqqowEl3kW4KziXLxGbBpYj7UT_IuU2lEMEx1gpyDNzGsU3WbERnrj-GSQ5JCwEzu1SPbhlgVGfj3En0ILyvbQYYc2TRnsOG7Yy60N8Kc1ZoK4lUnQd8i1iwLfMpfpeoCiQyA5/s1600-h/Guns.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371556005901732674" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglJ3Tk75RqqowEl3kW4KziXLxGbBpYj7UT_IuU2lEMEx1gpyDNzGsU3WbERnrj-GSQ5JCwEzu1SPbhlgVGfj3En0ILyvbQYYc2TRnsOG7Yy60N8Kc1ZoK4lUnQd8i1iwLfMpfpeoCiQyA5/s400/Guns.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> </p><p align="center">Nenana cemetery - I have a thing for cemeteries - long story but they fascinate me<br /></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimdswKP2z-J-7qV0fLnEmPpHjJPefEh7qxMZ0LdAyWsDNTBFob6tDU4PuklQvq-Fsc7TkpS4-McPQh2obQLaiGvC72Vc3aySPMflk9hBkFobljmhN2tIXk7ZHDa1Kz8ZCPD6R_vi4vEESH/s1600-h/Nenana+Cemetery+2.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371555853761677474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimdswKP2z-J-7qV0fLnEmPpHjJPefEh7qxMZ0LdAyWsDNTBFob6tDU4PuklQvq-Fsc7TkpS4-McPQh2obQLaiGvC72Vc3aySPMflk9hBkFobljmhN2tIXk7ZHDa1Kz8ZCPD6R_vi4vEESH/s400/Nenana+Cemetery+2.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> </p><p align="center">Nenana cemetery with a view<br /></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjMaxv7b5IBXALlyeS5RjW0LAlb4EWAfB96zU-vWudhQzxJwx1zrNeqa4u1ODGX8IO9xD8PkZBDimMYWUp5z_Ss78YlZXYfUqg336EmBqfCfd4KwMHPFtZZWtbkQhpkUYgig3a4u3iR-99/s1600-h/Nenana+Cemetery.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371555654171405890" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjMaxv7b5IBXALlyeS5RjW0LAlb4EWAfB96zU-vWudhQzxJwx1zrNeqa4u1ODGX8IO9xD8PkZBDimMYWUp5z_Ss78YlZXYfUqg336EmBqfCfd4KwMHPFtZZWtbkQhpkUYgig3a4u3iR-99/s400/Nenana+Cemetery.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> </p><p align="center">My brother and me, with his dog Goldie...yes, a big Alaskan macho dog...a Pekingnese :)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU8TwLO3EUBk9VTb93rWvfXcx5XugWS_aCWAmZlXZ9QPRdUvk2LWoS-_n_cQ_8eAIVTo6xKKWDNadU_5H0qj030BVYWcI3jffQP42AhInmypi35YVaMEA6jEc0XJjGIZMFGNp3kfyUlxRb/s1600-h/Gerald+and+Diana.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371555451421493154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU8TwLO3EUBk9VTb93rWvfXcx5XugWS_aCWAmZlXZ9QPRdUvk2LWoS-_n_cQ_8eAIVTo6xKKWDNadU_5H0qj030BVYWcI3jffQP42AhInmypi35YVaMEA6jEc0XJjGIZMFGNp3kfyUlxRb/s400/Gerald+and+Diana.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> </p>

About last night...

The bewitching hour came around 10pm and as usual, I lost all control. Another day down the tubes. Perfect all day, a great workout in the m...

Read more »

Have You Tried These Interview Tips? - Real job seekers share what works

Have You Tried These Interview Tips? - Real job seekers share what works by Rachel Zupek, CareerBuilder.com writer<br /><br />"Dress professionally."<br /><br />"Make eye contact."<br /><br />"Research the company."<br /><br />"Have a firm handshake."<br /><br />Any of these pointers sound familiar? They should because you've heard them thousands of times. While the above suggestions are great (and valid), the truth is that this kind of advice can get a bit generic.<br /><br />We decided to turn the tables and make you -- the job seeker -- the expert. After all, you're the ones out there interviewing, so really, it's not too much of a stretch. We asked you to share what you've found to be successful during your interviews.<br /><br />Check out these interview tips from real job seekers around the country. Have you tried any of them yet?<br /><br />Ask the important questions<br />"One thing I always ask at the end of the interview is, 'Have I said anything that would lead you to believe I'm not the best person for this position?' This gives me an opportunity to clear up any misunderstandings and it also gives me a chance to redeem myself or explain where I am coming from on something. It also shows that if there's a problem, I am capable of fixing it." - Brooke Kelley, magazine editor<br /><br />"During an interview, you are always told to have a set of questions to ask. A question that is helpful, that they do not expect: 'I know you are interviewing a lot of candidates for this position and I'd like to leave this interview feeling like I've done my absolute best. Where do I stand in comparison to the other candidates so far?' shows boldness and that you are aggressive in your job search." - Jeannie Lee, PR manager<br /><br />It's not all about you<br />"The interview is not about the candidate, it's about the job. No matter how great you are as a person or employee, the interviewer is trying to fill a position. Hence, talk about the job as much as possible. Ask what a perfect candidate would be like. Only occasionally talk about yourself and only to show how you suit their requirements." - Dave Field<br /><br />Research the company -- and the interviewer<br />"Find out some information about your interviewer(s). See if you share anything in common and understand that they're a person, too, with interests, background and hobbies. Whether or not you know who will interview you, you'd better make sure you know as much as possible about the company and don't be afraid to let them know what you know." - Josh Bob, regional manager<br /><br />Can you take the heat?<br />"I've found that saying that I can take constructive criticism has a big impact on employers. They need to know that you are not going to fold under scrutiny. Especially with the younger generation, where we have been coddled quite a bit with excessive praise and self-esteem boasters, you need to show you are resilient." - Liz Cauley, teacher<br /><br />Make a list<br />List five things you've accomplished during your previous job and concentrate on those items during your interview. "Each time I prepared for an interview, I was reminded of five things that I had accomplished under my last employer. That gave me a boost of confidence when going to the interview. It helped me to decide how I wanted to frame the answers that I gave to the interviewer." - Sue Chehrenegar<br /><br />Make it personal<br />"One thing that I do that has gotten positive feedback is I send a handwritten thank-you note. I have had numerous people comment and thank me for doing this." - Danny Kofke, teacher<br /><br />Show your research<br />"Print out a couple pages of the Web site from the company you're interviewing with and bring it with you to the interview. Keep it on top of your résumé ... when you open up your notebook or binder to take notes or pull out your résumé, the interviewer will see the printed company materials and assume you've done your research. Of course, ideally have you have actually researched the company ... in which case you're showcasing that fact." - Katherine Opie, senior executive recruiter<br /><br />Know the job description<br />"Reviewing the job description will help you customize your answers by addressing the specific needs of the organization and requirements of the position to your skill set. Many people have no idea what the job entails or how their skill set makes them better qualified." - Cristina Castro, director of marketing and communications<br /><br />Keep your answers to questions short and to the point<br />"Don't volunteer extra information. In my case, I talked about my children. We discussed that I had been a stay-at-home mom. Even though I had impressive writing credentials, he told me that I wasn't a 'corporate person.' (His exact words.) Of course, I never learned if this was why a job offer wasn't forthcoming but I'm 99.9 percent sure I said too much." - Marilyn Pincus, author and ghostwriter<br /><br />Be gracious<br />"Be polite to absolutely everybody. If someone gets you a cup of coffee, thank them; hold the door for someone else -- that kind of thing. Give the receptionist or the last person you see a cheery goodbye. You want to leave a good impression." - Phyllis Harber-Murphy, executive assistant<br /><br />Assume the position<br />"Steal a page from the presidential candidates and talk if as if you already have the job. Say 'I will," not 'I would.' 'I can,' not 'I could.' This will remove doubt instead of inject it. Bosses like someone confident and proactive." - Josh Schwartzberg, director of new media<br /><br />Use social networks<br />"I get a lot of my job interviews through social networks. I get recommended through others and it is significantly better than applying and actually interviewing. They basically feel like they interviewed you already!" - Albert Ko, business owner<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.<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>

Have You Tried These Interview Tips? - Real job seekers share what works

Have You Tried These Interview Tips? - Real job seekers share what works by Rachel Zupek, CareerBuilder.com writer "Dress professionall...

Read more »

Happy B-Day St. Martin in the Desert

Happy 2oth birthday to St. Martin's in the Desert. Two decades back, two good Episopalians in Pahrump were driving over the hump to Las Vegas for Sunday morning church. They had an accident, and that persuaded them it was time for Pahrump to have its own church. They started one in their home and invited friends. They later invited the diocese to send clergy support -- Mike Garrison, Richard Henry, Curt Edmonds, Mary Bredlau and others. Eventually, they started growing their own clergy locally just like they make their own wine out there in the desert. I know: desert wine doesn't sound right,but it is just great -- like the desert clergy.<br /><br />The congregation outgrew the Lunsford home, so they built a small church. They outgrew the small church so they built a larger church. We consecrated it just last year.<br /><br /><br />This year we celebrated the big 2-0 anniversary. We sang Stand Up, Stand Up For Jesus; I Love To Tell The Story, and other hits of faith. Priests and deacons from the old days came to the reunion. The house was packed.<br /><br />St. Martin's does bang up evangelism and community ministry -- especially to the youth and children of Pahrump regardless of where or whether they go to church. St. Martin's is one of the major supporters of Galilee in the diocese. Folks who live so near Death Valley know Tahoe is worth a drive. They also throw a good party in the old church which now serves as their fellowship hall. It's happening out there, people. At this rate, they may be having to build again before long.

Happy B-Day St. Martin in the Desert

Happy 2oth birthday to St. Martin's in the Desert. Two decades back, two good Episopalians in Pahrump were driving over the hump to Las ...

Read more »

5 Ways to Botch a Job Offer - After the Job Offer: What Not To Do

<a href="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/14/ar5f3xz6gkfx30qtpr14.gif"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/14/ar5f3xz6gkfx30qtpr14.gif" style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br /><div>5 Ways to Botch a Job Offer - After the Job Offer: What Not To Do by Anthony Balderrama, CareerBuilder.com writer<br /><br />There's a viral video that probably everyone has been e-mailed: A cyclist nearing the end of a race raises his arms in excitement ... then falls off the bike, struggles to get back on and watches someone else cross the finish line first.<br /><br />The tumble is a real-life example of counting your chickens before they're hatched and putting the cart before the horse. Basically, make sure you've done everything you're supposed to before claiming a victory.<br /><br />When you're in the final stages of landing a job, keep those arms down and your brain thinking. As excited as you are to receive a job offer, you still have plenty of work to do before the first day of work.<br /><br />Here are five mistakes you want to avoid once the employer has extended an offer:<br /><br />1. Not negotiating salary<br />Chances are you avoided detailed salary talk until this moment. Now's the time to discuss it. Remember that many employers extend low offers with the expectation that applicants will negotiate, so don't feel pressured to accept immediately.<br /><br />Compensation encompasses other perks, such as vacation days, telecommuting options and flexible schedules. If you're told the salary can't be increased, don't forget to mention these other options. Also, ask the hiring manager if you can revisit salary negotiations after six months. You don't want to sign on the dotted line, only to think you didn't ask for all you could.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />2. Showing your split personality<br />Every employer knows you're on your best behavior when you interview. The impeccable attire, punctuality and excitement about the position -- that all fades to some degree after you've been on the job long enough. If it shows up the day after you've been offered the job, you've just sent a parade of red flags to your new boss. This includes suddenly calling your future boss by a nickname, talking about how trashed you're going to get tonight in celebration of the job or talking about the terrible breakup you're experiencing.<br /><br />Your boss can rescind an offer for a variety of reasons, so don't act as if you're a professor who's made tenure just yet. Continue to be the driven professional who was at the interviews. Let your casual side show after you've settled into the position.<br /><br />3. Badmouthing the company in a public forum<br />Hopefully you haven't already grown bitter toward your new employer and don't already harbor resentment of the company for some reason. (Why take the job if you do?) But don't say "Yes!" to the job one day and run off to Twitter to express how dumb your boss is the next. Posting on Facebook that "Jessica Jones just conned her new boss into paying her way too much!" is just plain foolish.<br /><br />4. Looking like a liar<br />For a past job, I was offered the position after a lengthy interview process. I thought it was weird that they never bothered to call my references even though I had gone through several rounds of tests and meeting with the team. The day I was offered the position, my references were called to verify my work history.<br /><br />If you're lying about anything, especially references or salary history, you can still get caught even after you've accepted the position. In fact, many offers are contingent on all of your information checking out. You should never lie during the hiring process, but if your application has false information (whether on purpose or accident), make sure you hand the employer the proper information before you look like a liar.<br /><br />5. Playing games<br />Negotiating salary is one thing; dragging your employer along is another. You have every right to think over an offer and review the terms and conditions, but people have better things to do than wait while you twiddle your thumbs. Many job offers will come with a deadline that requires you to respond within days.<br /><br />One reason you might be tempted to delay giving an answer is because you have another offer you're waiting on. Choosing one over the other is hard when the situation is so uncertain, but you do need to pick one or you could end up losing both.<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.<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>

5 Ways to Botch a Job Offer - After the Job Offer: What Not To Do

5 Ways to Botch a Job Offer - After the Job Offer: What Not To Do by Anthony Balderrama, CareerBuilder.com writer There's a viral video ...

Read more »