Day 4: Finding inspiration

I had a really horrible post written in my head for tonight, it was negative and depressing and one of those "woe is me, my life sucks" posts.<br /><br />Then when I was at the gym tonight (because I couldn't get out of bed this morning), the most amazing thing happened. I got inspired all over again.<br /><br />I was perched on Sadie, climbing up her stairs, one step at a time, thinking about the agony of it all.<br /><br />The glass window to my right looked down on a group of young men in their twenties, playing basketball. All of them were very physically fit, most of them were very tall.<br /><br />There was one guy that was noticeably shorter than the rest, maybe 5' 7", with a thin build. I noticed he moved more than the rest of them. He was all over the floor. Then I saw the tall guys on his team kept passing the ball to him. He was making basket after basket, often from center court.<br /><br />He was doing this with guys all around him, much taller than him, trying to block him, yet he could throw that ball perfectly into the basket, regardless of where he stood or who was around him. The ball would drop through the hoop and not even touch the netting or the rim. This kid was amazing.<br /><br />As I was watching him I realized that even though his stature made him an unlikely basketball star, he had obviously practiced making baskets until he could do it perfectly every single time.<br /><br />I thought this kid and I had a lot in common. Even though I feel like I have it a lot harder than a lot of people when it comes to food and the desire to eat, just like this kid, I have to work harder at being healthy.<br /><br />I have to practice and hone my skills as a healthy person. It doesn't come naturally to me. Exercise was never my thing. I was a couch potato for many years. Now for the last eighteen months I've been a gym rat, working out six to seven times a week, now for an hour and half each day.<br /><br />In my past life I was a junk food junkie. Now I couldn't even tell you the last time I ate fast food. My digressions into junk food are pretty rare these days. I remember in the old days I could eat an entire cake in one sitting. Now I don't even remember the last time I had a piece of cake.<br /><br />Just like the basketball kid, I have to work harder at this. I know my love of food isn't normal. I know most people don't have an unhealthy "relationship" with food. Most people think of food as sustenance, not as comfort.<br /><br />After watching the basketball star for fifteen minutes, I realized that even though I drew the short stick on my natural ability to eat right and exercise, that I could still train myself to eat right and exercise and do it for the rest of my life. I might have to work harder at it than some people, but I could at least look like someone that was naturally healthy.<br /><br />That's when I pumped up the speed on Sadie from 5 to 8 and felt the burn (63 steps per minute, not even in the Weight Watcher activity list). Yes, I sure found my inspiration today.<br /><br /><em>Note: Fourth day in a row of perfect journaling. This from someone that hasn't journaled in months. Today I ate 33.5 Points. Sort of a lot, but I'm earning about seven activity Points a day, so it all works out.</em>

Day 4: Finding inspiration

I had a really horrible post written in my head for tonight, it was negative and depressing and one of those "woe is me, my life sucks&...

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Saying No to Your Boss

When you think back to your childhood and your mom said, "We'll see," it was always better than a flat out, "No." Much like "possibly" is sufficient when you ask your boss for time off and "I'll think about it" gives you hope when you ask for a raise.<br /><br />Though all of these responses are really just a more polite version of "no," they're easier to hear than the actual word itself. While hearing "no" is hard enough, it seems that saying no is even more difficult for some people -- especially when it comes to your boss.<br /><br />"Most employees avoid saying no to their boss because they fear it will ruin their relationship, cost them their job or appear disrespectful," says Joseph Grenny, co-author of "Crucial Conversations." "With the right set of skills, it is possible to be 100 percent candid and respectful when holding this important conversation."<br /><br />The reality is, we can't say to yes to everything, so it's essential to position yourself in the best way possible if and when you have to say no at work. The trick, experts say, is not really what you say, but how you say it.<br /><br />"Many of us won't say the word because we are afraid to, especially in this economy," says Mary Byers, author of "How to Say No ... And Live to Tell About It." "It's easier to say no at work if you don't actually use the word. That way, your boss won't feel like you're being insubordinate."<br /><br />Elisabeth Manning, a human potential coach, recalls a time when she was an assistant to the president of a major company. The president wanted to make Manning her marketing manager at the same time -- and the same salary.<br /><br />Manning, who knew that she would have too much on her plate if she accepted working both jobs, told her boss that she wanted to maximize her capacity for potential at the company and accepting the offer would not be the best, most efficient use of her time.<br /><br />"I was neutral, not emotional and held my ground," Manning says. "I spoke as if it were already a done deal, without fear."<br /><br />Here are five situations where you might find yourself needing (and wanting) to say no at work and how you can do so tactfully -- and without losing your job.<br /><br />How to say no to...<br /><br />... Your boss assigning you too much work<br />It can be tough to tell your boss you have a problem with the amount of work he or she is assigning you, but it's possible if you can make your boss feel safe, Grenny says. Start with facts instead of harsh judgments or vague conclusions and let them know you care about their interests and respect them, he says.<br /><br />"Strip out any judgmental or provocative language and be specific," Grenny says. "For example, 'Last week, you gave me two large projects to finish in a very short amount of time and I had to complete these on top of my regular responsibilities. I am afraid my large workload might be affecting the quality of my work.'"<br /><br />... Outrageous demands<br />If your boss asks you to do something like run his errands or work all weekend and you can't (or don't feel like you should have to), focus on what you can do, says Dr. Susan Fletcher, a psychologist, author and speaker.<br /><br />"The next time your boss asks you to go pick up his or her dry cleaning, instead of saying no, say, 'What I can do is cover your phone calls for you while you are out of the office,'" Fletcher suggests. "Or if your boss asks you to start up a new company initiative, instead of saying no, say 'What I can do is brainstorm with you on the strategy for the initiative and help get the proper team members in place who can execute the strategy."<br /><br />... Something you honestly can't do<br />Of course, it's always good to learn new skills, but if you truly believe you aren't the best person for the job, you should say no. Byers suggests responding with something like, "Is there another department where this project might fit better, or someone we can collaborate with?"<br /><br />"If you know you don't have the necessary time, resources or knowledge for a given project, this is a good way to open dialogue about the best way to get an assignment done," she says.<br /><br />... Unrealistic deadlines<br />If you frame your response in a way that helps your boss to rethink his request, you'll be OK, says Beth Sears, president of Workplace Communication.<br /><br />Be aware of your tone of voice and try something like, "I understand your need for this assignment to be completed, but I need some help prioritizing my other work. You requested me to complete 'A' by tomorrow, 'B' by Thursday and 'C' by Friday. This last assignment 'D' would make it impossible to accomplish all of these. How would you prioritize these tasks?" Sears suggests.<br /><br />... Anything illegal, unethical or that crosses personal boundaries<br />Say no to anything that will you get into trouble if you say yes. Meaning, if something will be detrimental to your career or goes against your integrity, you should always say no.<br /><br />Jennifer Bergeron, an HR training specialist, recently said no to one of her bosses who asked her to lie to her direct manager.<br /><br />"I said, 'I'm not comfortable doing that, because the result will be [X, Y and Z]. Please don't ask me to ever lie to someone," Bergeron says. "He said, 'OK, you're right. I didn't realize all that was going on.'"<br /><br />By Rachel Zupek writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com and its job blog, The Work Buzz. She researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues.<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>

Saying No to Your Boss

When you think back to your childhood and your mom said, "We'll see," it was always better than a flat out, "No." Mu...

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How Did You Get Laid Off? Real workers share their layoff stories

You got laid off and now you're unemployed -- so are 13.7 million other people.<br /><br />Several of Greg McGunagle's family and friends were among these laid off workers. He started hearing horror stories about how they were let go and began to notice a trend: Few companies are good at executing layoffs.<br /><br />"So many companies are just awful at [the actual execution of] the layoff. Businesses are trying to survive, so there are also a lot of terrible stories surrounding severance and benefits," McGunagle says. "I thought people likely [had] a very difficult story to tell. Wouldn't it be great to create a forum for people to tell their layoff story?"<br /><br />And so the idea of HowIGotLaidOff.com was born. The site joins the ranks of many other unemployment blogs as a place where people can go to cope with being jobless and share their woes with others in the same position.<br /><br />"[It] gives people a place to vent and share their story about being laid off. It also lets people know that there are others out there going through the same thing [or] in some cases, much worse," McGunagle says.<br /><br />Here are six true stories from real laid off workers, excerpted from HowIGotLaidOff.com.*<br /><br />Go back to your desk - if you get an e-mail, you're laid off<br />I worked for a large telecommunications company for about 10 years when my team, along with several hundred other employees, was called to an 'important meeting.' We were told by conference call that we were being outsourced to a telecommunications software provider. The contract being signed indicated that, if anyone was laid off within the first year, we would get our old company's severance payment. After that, we would get the new company's [payment, which was less]. In early February, an e-mail invitation to another 'important meeting' was sent out on a Sunday afternoon for a Monday morning meeting. At the meeting, a vice president read a three-page prepared statement, [which] indicated that, due to a drastic cutback in work from our client, layoffs would be necessary. We were to go back to our desks. If we received an e-mail, we were being laid off. The layoffs were effective one year and one day after the outsourcing agreement took effect, saving them hundreds of thousands of dollars in severance. - Greg<br /><br />An administrative error<br />My husband was laid off while waiting to complete his chemotherapy treatments. He had been on unpaid medical leave from his employer since March 2008. They extended his leave, by certified letter, to October 31, 2008. On October 14, 2008, his employer cut five staff members from his department by commencing layoffs. On December 1, 2008, he received a letter from his employer [that said] "Due to an administrative error, your employment is terminated effective Sept. 5th, 2008. We are sorry we did not send you a letter." - Anonymous<br /><br />Wait for a phone call<br />I was working in the PR department of a company that produced trade shows. Times were tough for the company, losing shows and attendance, etc. Everyone knew what was eventually coming. The day finally came when the big boss man called the entire company into the main lobby and made his announcement. In short, he told everyone to go back to their cubes and wait for a phone call from their respective bosses. As I was sitting in my cube ... the phone rang. I was called into my boss's office with another person from my department and was given the 'bad' news. We had a few minutes to pack up and leave. - Scott<br /><br />While on vacation...<br />I was on vacation in Florida and called my boss one day because we had a big project launching and I wanted to make sure all was cool with it. He told me that he was happy I called because the company had been sold. He didn't want me to have to come into an empty office when I got back as we had all been laid off. Nice mindset to be in when you're on vacation, right?<br /><br />It gets worse: The director wanted me to come home from my vacation early to transition my position to someone in India. I told him no, that I was taking the rest of my vacation time (an additional week) and when I came back I would help with the transition and that I would be billing them for my time as a contractor. - Ciaran<br /><br />Welcome to New York -- you're fired<br />It was a rainy spring morning last May when I officially moved into my new, overpriced shoebox-size studio apartment in New York City. My former financial firm had transferred me to the new office there. I walked into work that morning to see my ex-boss, who worked out of the main office 5,000 miles away, sitting at my desk. I knew right then -- no more paycheck. One hour later, I found myself walking home with my box of office belongings and added it to my unpacked boxes in my apartment. - Anonymous<br /><br />Placing blame<br />I worked for a nonprofit ... one of my main jobs was to help volunteers sign up and prepare for overseas trips to third-world countries. My boss planned a volunteer trip to Africa; more specifically, to a region he was from and had plans to vacation in after the official trip. This particular area had just made the news due to a recent increase of violent outbreaks. Regardless, he took a group of elderly men and women into this war zone, all because he wanted his vacation time. They never made it to their destination; the plane was rerouted to a neighboring country because it was too dangerous.<br /><br />The family members of the volunteers called the office nonstop, wondering what happened and how could they get in touch with their families. My boss neglected to set up any kind of emergency system or emergency phone number to reach anyone. Families were desperately trying to get information and my boss disappeared off the face of the planet. He came home and blamed me for not having information for the families of the volunteers. - DDaryl<br /><br />Jon Gordon, who lost his job during the dot.com crash, says that although it's hard initially, your layoff can actually lead to a bright future with the right course of action. Now a bestselling author, Gordon shares these tips to help you change your career outlook:<br /><br />1. Jettison your anger. Allow yourself to be angry, sad, bitter, upset for a few days and then let it all go. Forgive the company. Forgive your employers. Release the bitterness. Know that you can't create your future by focusing on the past.<br /><br />2. Start each day with questions. When you get up each morning, ask yourself this one question: What are the three things I need to do today that will help me find the job and create the success that I desire? Then, take action on those three things every day until you've achieved them. This is a great way to keep feeding your positive energy.<br /><br /><br />3. Take on a positive approach to the recession. Today's employment-related statistics can be hard to get out of your head when you're searching for a job. But unlike the pundits on TV who seem all too pleased to focus on the most negative numbers available, you can choose to focus on the flip side, Gordon says. Rather than fixating on 8 percent unemployment, focus on 92 percent employment.<br /><br />4. Be humble and hungry. Know that you don't have all the answers and can learn something from everyone, Gordon says. Know that there are always new ways to learn, improve and get better. Be open to advice. Be open to learning a new skill and trying a job you haven't thought of before. Also, be hungry: Seek out a mentor, take him to lunch and model his success. Think of his life as a blueprint you can follow. Continuously improve and seek out new ideas and new strategies.<br /><br />*Stories have been edited for grammar, language and length. HowIGotLaidOff.com has the right to republish posts and owns all content submitted.<br /><br />By 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>

How Did You Get Laid Off? Real workers share their layoff stories

You got laid off and now you're unemployed -- so are 13.7 million other people. Several of Greg McGunagle's family and friends were ...

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12 Workplace Phrases You Probably Don't Know ... But Should

Getting along with people sometimes requires speaking their language, especially in the workplace. One of the ways employees try to emphasize their smartness is with specialized vocabulary.<br /><br />Due to the nature of a lot of people's work, technical language and terminology is often necessary, but buzzwords can make you sound pretentious. On the other hand, if you are working on a team full of buzzword-addicted co-workers, you'll need to fit in. Learning and properly using the latest buzzwords and TLAs (Three Letter Acronyms) can help you create high-bandwidth communication with your colleagues.<br /><br />Here are 12 of today's hottest workplace phrases:<br /><br />Boil the ocean<br />Definition: This scope is too big to do in one project. Break it up into more than one. We often hear "We're not trying to boil the ocean here. We just need to" when the client is trying to keep costs down and avoid an overly ambitious project scope.<br /><br />Drink the Kool-Aid<br />Definition: To enthusiastically perform a task or follow a leader without knowing how this may affect you or to buy the "company line" without question. In business, you may hear someone say "He drank the Kool-Aid," when they mean, "He has been thoroughly trained in the program and we have his unconditional support," or "He is on board with our strategy." In political commentary, it is used to imply that people who disagree with you have been brainwashed or are under the influence of drugs.<br /><br />Going native<br />Definition: This is what happens when a consultant stops acting like a consultant and starts thinking they are part of the client organization. If you aren't willing to go somewhere else, go ahead and apply for a permanent job. You aren't providing the same value you were in the beginning.<br /><br />Greenfield instance<br />Definition: Clean, new installation of an application without customizations, configuration or data. When a brand new application is installed, it is a "greenfield instance" until the consultants and programmers go in and start messing it up with configurations and code changes.<br /><br />Holistic<br />Definition: A big picture view or a solution that includes upstream and downstream impacts. Whatever it means, it's a great consulting word and we use it a lot.<br /><br />Paradigm<br />Definition: The perspective or view you have of a situation. For example, "When ownership of our order fulfillment project moved from Operations to Sales, it caused a paradigm shift that resulted in a whole new project strategy and approach."<br /><br />Running in parallel<br />Definition: Processing normal operating data through two systems simultaneously to compare performance and output. When a client is feeling particularly paranoid about a new system that his consultants have developed or implemented, even after exhaustive testing and training, we will sometimes recommend running the new system in parallel with the old for a short period.<br /><br />Strawman<br />Definition: First draft of a solution or proposal intended to provoke discussion. It is an object, document, person or argument that temporarily stands in for and is intended to be "knocked down" by something more substantial.<br /><br />Talking to the dog<br />Definition: Thinking it through by talking it through out loud. You'll often hear engineers and programmers say that they finally solved a problem by talking to the dog.<br /><br />Use case<br />Definition: A particular circumstance or situation in which the solution would be used. For example, when designing a system, the engineer will refer to all the use cases that have been documented to determine if his solution will be effective in each situation.<br /><br />White paper<br />Definition: An authoritative report or guide published to share technical or business information, particularly related to solving common problems. Writing white papers is a great way for consultants to get exposure in their industry and develop a reputation for expertise.<br /><br />Wireframe<br />Definition: Simple pictures that show a proposed user interface, often used by business analysts to communicate expectations to users and developers.<br /><br />By Christine Lambden and Casey Conner, authors of "Everyday Practices of Extraordinary Consultants," teach consulting and interviewing skills workshops and seminars around the world. After a combined total of more than 30 years in the consulting industry, they now bring their accumulated wisdom to business professionals in various industries. For complete bios, please visit www.ConsultantingStance.com/about.htm.<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>

12 Workplace Phrases You Probably Don't Know ... But Should

Getting along with people sometimes requires speaking their language, especially in the workplace. One of the ways employees try to emphasiz...

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Working Moms Feeling the Pressure of Parenthood and the Economy

A mother's work is never easy, and for a mother who works outside the home, things are especially tough this year. In these trying economic times, moms are finding the balancing act between family and work is more challenging than ever, according to CareerBuilder's annual survey of 469 working mothers.<br /><br />Here's what the survey found:<br /><br />· Thirty percent of working moms whose companies have experienced layoffs in the previous 12 months are working longer hours than they used to.<br /><br />· Fourteen percent of surveyed moms have taken second jobs during the last year to make ends meet.<br /><br />· Combining family needs, financial woes and busy schedules, it shouldn't come as a surprise that 34 percent of moms admit to feeling burned out these days.<br /><br />Tug-of-war<br /><br />Employees across all demographics are feeling pressure to work harder as they discover the truth behind the "do more with less" mantra. Not only are working mothers picking up the responsibilities left behind by laid off colleagues, but they also want to maintain high quality of their own work. Consequently, they're devoting more time to their jobs and less time to home and family. Therefore 43 percent of surveyed mothers say they work more than 40 hours each week. Sixteen percent of working mothers bring work home at least twice a week, and 6 percent bring home work every day.<br /><br />We all know working mothers always want to fulfill their job duties without neglecting their families. Yet, 40 percent of working mothers fear losing their jobs today more than they did a year ago. As a result of this extra time in the office, 19 percent of moms say they spend two hours or less with their children each day, and 25 percent have missed two or more significant events in their child's life in the last year.<br /><br />Time is the greatest gift<br />As much as mothers love receiving flowers and homemade crafts on Mother's Day, this year the one gift they want most is time. Despite the current economy being one of the toughest in the nation's history, nearly one-third of mothers say they would consider a pay cut to spend more time with their children.<br /><br />Fortunately, many employers are accommodating the needs of mothers who need some flexibility to balance their work-life demands. And working moms are eager to make the most of this opportunity. Fifty-five percent of working moms say they take advantage of their employers' flexible work arrangements, and a vast majority report that their career progress hasn't been hindered as a result.<br /><br />How to balance your responsibilities<br />Although there's no magic formula for raising children and having a successful career, there are steps you can take to ensure that you, your family and your job don't suffer. Here are five tips to help working moms achieve a successful work-life balance:<br /><br />1. Take care of yourself<br />Although your plate is already full, you need to secure some "me" time each week to indulge in your favorite activities. To prevent your personal time from being bumped off the list of priorities, block off the time as an appointment on your calendar.<br /><br />2. Talk to your manager<br />Communicate your needs to your manager and illustrate how your improved work/life balance will benefit the company. For example, compressed work-weeks, flexible hours (so you can arrive earlier and leave earlier) and telecommuting can help productivity and save the company money.<br /><br />3. Keep a routine<br />Divide household responsibilities (such as dinner preparation, chores and bill paying) between you and your family so that everyone is involved. If you have a partner, share responsibilities so that no one is bogged down in chores and you can enjoy quality time together.<br /><br />4. Make the most of family time<br />Transitioning from professional to mother can be hard to do when you walk through the door, but don't forget to enjoy time with your children when you're home. You might want to cross off another laundry list of to-dos when you get home, but don't let the minor tasks distract you from enjoying activities with your children.<br /><br />5. Lighten the load<br />Being a working mom might make you feel like a superhero, but you're only one woman. Learn to delegate responsibilities so that you're not on every call and in every meeting. Your staff will grow in their positions and you'll have less stress.<br /><br />Written by Mary Delaney, President of Personified, CareerBuilder's talent management and recruitment outsourcing division<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>

Working Moms Feeling the Pressure of Parenthood and the Economy

A mother's work is never easy, and for a mother who works outside the home, things are especially tough this year. In these trying econo...

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How Toxic Behavior Leads to Sinful Behavior at Work

<a href="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/4l/ar5f2jn5zbhh4s7z1c4l.gif"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/4l/ar5f2jn5zbhh4s7z1c4l.gif" style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br /><div>Have you ever found that the people most guilty of unruly behavior at work are also the ones who are most oblivious to their behavior?<br /><br />Take Fred, for example. Fred represents the guy in your office who asks you to "help" him with a big presentation (aka, you do the whole thing). But when Fred is congratulated on a job well-done, he takes full credit for the work you did.<br /><br />Or, look at Susan. Susan is that co-worker who talks to you for hours on end about herself -- her family, friends, work and play -- but never does she ask about what's happening in your world.<br /><br />And we can't forget about George, who may as well come with a warning label that reads "Dangerous When Angered." One wrong word, question, criticism or opinion and he blows his lid.<br />All of these people are examples of toxic personalities,which are showing up in the workplace now more than ever, according to experts.<br /><br />"During economic downturns, the 'shadow' side of our personalities can bring out the worst in people," say Dr. Mitchell Kusy and Dr. Elizabeth Holloway, authors of "Toxic Workplace! Managing Toxic Personalities and their Systems of Power."<br /><br />Toxicity spreads like a nasty virus<br />Perhaps the worst part about noxious workplace behavior is how it affects those around you. According to a study conducted by Kusy and Holloway, 94 percent of respondents said they had worked with or were currently working with a toxic person.<br /><br />"Before you know it, you have caught the 'infection' and find yourself acting in ways that complement or replicate the very behaviors that are making you angry, frustrated and/or depressed," Kusy and Holloway say.<br /><br />Here's how to know if you're a toxic personality, and how you can save yourself from your sinful actions:<br /><br />Deadly sin: Envy<br />Did a co-worker get the promotion you'd been waiting for? Did your colleague surpass you -- again -- in sales? You should absolutely acknowledge others' achievements but don't use them as a standard by which to measure your own. Kusy and Holloway say that when you're envious of someone else, you naturally want to undermine his reputation and the way others gravitate toward him. But in the long run, you're only undoing your own reputation.<br />Salvation: Bury your envy and start focusing on building a reputation as a team player, Kusy and Holloway suggest. Figure out how you can start turning your envy into passion or positive energy.<br /><br />Deadly sin: Gluttony<br />More is not always better. Though many people are eager to climb quickly up the corporate ladder, none of that will matter if you don't care whom you plow through to get to the top. While it's definitely OK to ask for more job responsibility, it's more important to maintain a balance.<br />Salvation: One of the most critical mistakes regarding gluttony is not considering your team enough, Kusy and Holloway say.<br /><br />"You don't need to belittle and diminish someone else for your work to be noticed. Work with your team so that you are all noticed for innovation and productivity. Make sure that you are in the lead of building a positive team climate; making everyone look good on a project will make you look good as a team player."<br /><br />Deadly sin: Greed<br />Everyone is guilty of wanting more: more money, more power and more responsibility. The problem comes when you try to use your position to punish others, demand their loyalty or take all the credit for the work that others have done.<br />Salvation: It's best to focus your goals on the long term. If you concentrate only on quick, short-term gains, you'll probably do well in the moment but you won't be able to extend yourself to the next level.<br /><br />Deadly sin: Lust<br />Lust in the workplace isn't limited to office romance. You might lust after a nicer work space or even your boss's job. But, spending your time focused on what you don't have or others' work achievements rather than working to further your own is a sure-fire career killer.<br />Salvation: "What length will you go satisfy this lust?" ask Kusy and Holloway. "If it extends to deceptions, badmouthing your co-workers or undermining the productivity of the team, then your emotions are ruling your actions with disastrous results. Go to your supervisor and ask him or her to put you on a development plan that can segue you to that next new job in the organization."<br /><br />Deadly sin: Pride<br />Personal success is your M.O. -- you have no problem taking credit for a job well-done, even if it was a joint effort. You have the absolute belief that you're always right; you always want to be in control; and you think other people won't -- or can't -- do their jobs. While it's a good feeling to be right, no one is always right, Kusy and Holloway explain.<br />Salvation: First, realize that building a reputation for getting things done right is to build a team that does it right together, they say. Remember that sharing credit with everyone who deserves it makes everyone accountable. Finally, give praise where it is due and you'll be shocked how much comes back to you, Kusy and Holloway say.<br /><br />Deadly sin: Sloth<br />If you're lazy, complacent or indifferent about your job, you're on the express train to nowhere. Just because you've been successful in the past doesn't mean that success will carry you through the rest of your career. Sloth becomes toxic when there's a continued pattern that becomes counterproductive to workplace productivity.<br />Salvation: There are several steps you can take to keep your laziness in check, Kusy and Holloway say. First, take stock of yourself and determine where the source of your laziness lies. Are you bored? Do you need to be more challenged in your role? Next, make a specific plan to increase your productivity at work. Figure out how you will measure your expectations and make sure it's feasible, they say.<br /><br />Deadly sin: Wrath<br />Anger and malice benefit no one in the workplace. Harboring secret hatred or angst toward your boss, colleagues or general work environment will only create an atmosphere of negativity and abuse around you, Kusy and Holloway say.<br />Salvation: Any pessimistic feelings you have toward co-workers or work are bound to surface eventually, Kusy and Holloway say. If you're angry with your boss, figure out what is bothering you and then see if you can talk to him or her about it. If you're unhappy with your work in general, it might be time to start looking for a new position.<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>

How Toxic Behavior Leads to Sinful Behavior at Work

Have you ever found that the people most guilty of unruly behavior at work are also the ones who are most oblivious to their behavior? Take ...

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How Long Will It Take to Earn ...

<a href="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/3r/ar5c4bt5wm9wxfd2q93r.gif"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/3r/ar5c4bt5wm9wxfd2q93r.gif" style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br /><div>One of those quintessential rites of passage for first-time workers is deciding how to spend your first paycheck. Teenagers working part time might save up to buy their first cars. New college grads could indulge in a fancy dinner or finally buy furniture that doesn't require assembling.<br /><br />Another universal -- albeit less satisfactory -- experience for new workers is the realization that you worked so hard and in one big purchase, all your money can disappear. If you look at your pay stub, you'd think you could buy something without worrying about your finances, but when you factor in daily expenses and paycheck deductions, the number is quite a bit different.<br /><br />This is why your annual salary might be larger than the cost of a car, but you're not going to pay for it upfront. You could, but then you wouldn't eat or have shelter for the rest of the year.<br /><br />To put some of life's big purchases in perspective, we've done some paycheck math you might not have thought about since you were a teenager. Here are three common investments many people find themselves contemplating at one time or another: a car, a home and a college education. You can see how long it would take to pay for each of these items at various income levels if you had no other expenses to worry about.<br /><br />A few ground rules: We based our calculations on working eight hours, five days a week for 52 weeks per year. And we're ignoring taxes and interest rates because those vary depending on your location and specific deal.<br /><br />A car that costs $35,000<br />Your annual salary is: $15,000 ($7.21/hr)<br />It will take:<br />4,854 hours<br />607 workdays<br />2.3 years<br />Job with this salary: Parking lot attendants<br /><br />Your annual salary is: $35,000 ($16.83/hr)<br />It will take:<br />2,080 hours<br />260 workdays<br />1 year<br />Job with this salary: Interpreters and translators<br /><br />Your annual salary is: $60,000 ($28.85/hr)<br />It will take:<br />1,213 hours<br />152 workdays<br />7 months<br />Job with this salary: Financial analysts and advisers<br /><br />Your annual salary is: $100,000 ($48.08/hr)<br />It will take:<br />728 hours<br />91 workdays<br />4.2 months<br />Job with this salary: Optometrist<br /><br />Four years of a private college totaling $180,000<br />Your annual salary is: $15,000 ($7.21/hr)<br />It will take:<br />24,965 hours<br />3,120 workdays<br />12 years<br />Job with this salary: Amusement and recreation attendants<br /><br />Your annual salary is: $35,000 ($16.83/hr)<br />It will take:<br />10,695 hours<br />1,337 workdays<br />5.14 years<br />Job with this salary: Supervisors and managers of sales workers<br /><br />Your annual salary is: $60,000 ($28.85/hr)<br />It will take:<br />6,239 hours<br />780 workdays<br />3 years<br />Job with this salary: Logisticians<br /><br />Your annual salary is: $100,000 ($48.08/hr)<br />It will take:<br />3,744 hours<br />468 workdays<br />1.8 years<br />Job with this salary: Lawyers<br /><br />A house that costs $270,000<br />Your annual salary is: $15,000 ($7.21/hr)<br />It will take:<br />37,448 hours<br />4,680 workdays<br />18 years<br />Job with this salary: Food concession counter attendants<br /><br />Your annual salary is: $35,000 ($16.83/hr)<br />It will take:<br />16,043 hours<br />2,005 workdays<br />7.7 years<br />Job with this salary: Recreational therapist<br /><br />Your annual salary is: $60,000 ($28.85/hr)<br />It will take:<br />9,359 hours<br />1,170 workdays<br />4.5 years<br />Job with this salary: Computer systems and network administrator<br /><br />Your annual salary is: $100,000 ($48.08/hr)<br />It will take:<br />5,616 hours<br />702 workdays<br />2.7 years<br />Job with this salary: Computer and system information managers<br /><br />Jobs based on data from CBSalary.com.<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>

How Long Will It Take to Earn ...

One of those quintessential rites of passage for first-time workers is deciding how to spend your first paycheck. Teenagers working part tim...

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Mise à jour au 1er septembre 2009 des "Chiffres sociaux utiles"

<BR><br />En application du <a href="http://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/affichTexte.do?cidTexte=JORFTEXT000020467482" target="_blank">décret n 2009-353 du 31 mars 2009</a> (JO du 1er avril 2009), le montant mensuel de l’allocation aux adultes handicapés est porté à <strong>681,63 €</strong> à compter du 1er septembre 2009 ; il était fixé à 666,96 € depuis le 1er avril 2009. <br /><br /><a title="View MDE chiffres sociaux 092009 on Scribd" href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/19256463/MDE-chiffres-sociaux-092009" style="margin: 12px auto 6px auto; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -x-system-font: none; display: block; text-decoration: underline;">MDE chiffres sociaux 092009</a> <object align="middle" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=9,0,0,0" height="500" id="doc_342350689461024" name="doc_342350689461024" width="100%"> <param name="movie" value="http://d.scribd.com/ScribdViewer.swf?document_id=19256463&access_key=key-2oi6m6of2nfbbgoko6rf&page=1&version=1&viewMode="> <param name="quality" value="high"> <param name="play" value="true"> <param name="loop" value="true"> <param name="scale" value="showall"> <param name="wmode" value="opaque"> <param name="devicefont" value="false"> <param name="bgcolor" value="#ffffff"> <param name="menu" value="true"> <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"> <param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"> <param name="salign" value=""> <embed src="http://d.scribd.com/ScribdViewer.swf?document_id=19256463&access_key=key-2oi6m6of2nfbbgoko6rf&page=1&version=1&viewMode=" quality="high" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" play="true" loop="true" scale="showall" wmode="opaque" devicefont="false" bgcolor="#ffffff" name="doc_342350689461024_object" menu="true" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" salign="" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" align="middle" height="500" width="100%"></embed> </object><br /><BR>

Mise à jour au 1er septembre 2009 des "Chiffres sociaux utiles"

En application du décret n 2009-353 du 31 mars 2009 (JO du 1er avril 2009), le montant mensuel de l’allocation aux adultes handicapés est ...

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Day 3: It's not rocket science, but ...

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0_ABW95AyIOiuKRvFi5SZ9YnyvQOn3U3sSo5n9cKLHUKdQRZhkQcXc35mbell66lmMtjMyuMdgA-GqWzLEVwlcWNHyNTd32uwSxBJfBNKftKqcp-6FwkfUt-LmYhDMyeO8RquKxcN3f9U/s1600-h/ErosionOfMotherEarth.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376377037284119682" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0_ABW95AyIOiuKRvFi5SZ9YnyvQOn3U3sSo5n9cKLHUKdQRZhkQcXc35mbell66lmMtjMyuMdgA-GqWzLEVwlcWNHyNTd32uwSxBJfBNKftKqcp-6FwkfUt-LmYhDMyeO8RquKxcN3f9U/s400/ErosionOfMotherEarth.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 299px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br /><div align="center">ALEXANDER HOGUE<br />American, 1898-1994<br />Erosion No. 2 - Mother Earth Laid Bare, 1936P</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">Picture taken in Tulsa in the Philbrook Museum of art--no flash used. This was one of my favorite paintings in the museum. It has nothing to do with this post. I just like it (and she kind of looks like me).</div><div align="center"><br /></div>In a nutshell, my "6-week , lose 10 pounds" plan so far:<br /><br />Sunday, Day 2 - 29.5 Points (good since my limit is 29 with using the APs and weeklies). I purposely stayed out of the gym and went for a 45-minute walk with my husband.<br /><br />Day 3 - 28 Points (if I don't eat another bite tonight and I think I can safely say I'm done eating for the day). I really struggled through my 90-minute workout this morning. It was like my feet were stuck in mud. I managed to burn 465 calories, but it was tough going all the way. Usually after five minutes I'm really into my workout. Not today. I wanted to go home and go to back to bed.<br /><br />What I've learned so far:<br /><br />Stopping binge eating, at least for the short run, is possible.<br /><br />Going to bed slightly hungry and falling asleep is possible.<br /><br />Journaling and counting Points is possible (and it works).<br /><br />Sticky notes with my short term goal of 152 placed within my vision in every room helps me stay focused. Me staying focused is possible.<br /><br />Sugar-free jello with fat-free yogurt and a few blackberries tastes great. Giving up sugar-free ice cream is possible.<br /><br />Getting to my 10-10-09 goal of 152 -- it's going to happen!<br /><br />I know what to do to lose weight, as does every single person reading this. We all know the secret formula for weight loss: eat less, move more. It can't get much easier than that...but it's still a struggle for me. Every second of every minute of every hour of every day of every week of every year. It's a big struggle, but one I'm determined to conquer.

Day 3 - struggline Day 3: It's not rocket science, but ...

ALEXANDER HOGUE American, 1898-1994 Erosion No. 2 - Mother Earth Laid Bare, 1936P Picture taken in Tulsa in the Philbrook Museum of art--no ...

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How to Prepare for Maternity Leave

<a href="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/qs/ar5c00k66l6ry16nb9qs.gif"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/qs/ar5c00k66l6ry16nb9qs.gif" style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br /><div>I'm no genius, but I'm going to assume that most people are not best friends with their bosses. Sure, they might like each other, but they're not going to be included in the wedding party. (They might be lucky to get an invite to the reception.)<br /><br />Yet, when a woman finds out she's going to have a baby, the shortlist of people to tell inevitably includes the boss. Suddenly someone you don't want anywhere near your bedroom is the first to hear about your pregnancy.<br /><br />But how do you handle the whole ordeal? From breaking the news to severing ties with the office while you're gone, you have a lot of issues to tackle in the months leading up to your leave.<br /><br />If you're a colleague who's left behind during maternity leave, you've got your own set of issues to consider.<br /><br />When you're the mother-to-be<br />First and foremost, you need to work on a timeline that's comfortable for you. If you found out you're pregnant yesterday, don't rush to tell the boss just because you feel obligated to. Have a game plan first. Digest the news, tell family and friends, and then go to your boss with an idea of how you want to take leave.<br /><br />Once you've done that, you need to have some conversations, not only with your superior but also with your colleagues and human resources.<br /><br />Abby Carr, the managing director of BlissPR and a mother of three, knows what full plates expectant moms have.<br /><br />"For a lot of women who work, their identities are wrapped up in who they are at work, and so maternity leave brings up a lot of strong feelings around identity, loyalty, commitment [and] importance," Carr explains. "For better or worse, it's a great rehearsal for the realities of being a working mom! As one of my colleagues said, 'Welcome to the world of always letting someone down.'"<br /><br />As Debbie Downer as that outlook appears, Carr has a point: Once you decide to have a child, you need to keep your focus on what you want because you'll be pulled in several different directions. Carr suggests you do the following:<br /><br />Explain when you plan to return. "Even if you aren't sure, make a specific plan so that they can know what to expect -- and then if you have to change later, you can change. Just don't leave your workplace with a vague 'I will see how I feel,'" Carr says.<br /><br />Find out who's stepping in for you. "With your supervisor, find out whom they plan to transition your work to, and make sure that you start to have hand-off meetings with that person up to a month ahead of time," Carr suggests. "Pregnancies are uncontrollable -- you may plan to work up until the last day, but your baby may decide otherwise."<br /><br />Set limits of when or if you can be contacted while on leave. Let everyone know under what circumstances they can or should contact you while on maternity leave. "Even if you have every intention of staying in close contact with the workplace during your leave, give yourself the luxury of 'unplugging,'" Carr advises. "This is your child's only infancy; on the flip side, the workplace will be there when you return."<br /><br />Know your rights and responsibilities. "Make sure that you work out what your pay will be during your leave, and understand what portion of it will come from disability (state) and what will come from your employer. Plan your personal finances accordingly," Carr suggests.<br />She also advises expectant mothers to be forthcoming with any development that occurs during the leave. Despite your intentions, if you decide that you'd prefer not to return to work, be considerate and give as much notice as you can. Waiting until the week (or day) before your expected return leaves everyone in a bind.<br /><br />When your colleague is going on maternity leave<br />While a boss or co-worker is away on maternity leave, the team left behind often pitches in to help. Or perhaps just one person does. Either way, you're about to inherit new responsibilities.<br /><br />Sure, you probably don't need one more item on your to-do list. But here's an opportunity to show that you're not only a team player but also someone who is reliable and can perform well under pressure. Once your new role expires and the new mother returns to work, you might return to your previous position, but the bosses will now know what you're capable of handling. That can pay off down the road.<br /><br />Here are Carr's suggestions for workers handling a new role:<br /><br />Know where to find answers<br />"Make sure you have another colleague on the job who can answer your questions, especially in the first few weeks," she suggests. "Find out if there are any special circumstances or red flags (such as politics, problems or sensitivities) that you might not otherwise be aware of."<br /><br />Know the chain of command<br />Carr recommends you find out whom you're reporting to and what they want from you. You want to be sure your standards align with the right person's.<br /><br />Remember this is a period of transition for everyone<br />Any shake-up in daily activity affects everyone in a group, so all team members need to realize they're in this together. The new mother needs to keep her focus on her new baby (since this is the only time it's OK not to think about work on a daily basis) and to do this, workers need to step in where needed.<br /><br />"The worst thing a new mom can do is start worrying about the return to work in such a way that she does not fully bond with her baby. The best advice I can give is to focus completely on the baby while you are on leave," Carr says. "When you return, in my experience, you will be pleasantly surprised by two things: The world did not stop turning while you were gone, and the people you left in charge will have done a great job," Carr says.<br /><br />And, as always, a little gratitude can go a long way.<br /><br />"If you can, express -- before you leave -- that you are grateful to your co-workers for their help. They are going to have to work extra hard to allow you to enjoy a precious experience."<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>

How to Prepare for Maternity Leave

I'm no genius, but I'm going to assume that most people are not best friends with their bosses. Sure, they might like each other, bu...

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Two Part-time Jobs or a Full-time One?

<a href="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/k4/ar5c1rz73dltq8y6dbk4.gif"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/k4/ar5c1rz73dltq8y6dbk4.gif" style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br /><div>Would you rather have two jobs or one?<br /><br />Now, I realize that reactions will probably fall into two categories:<br /><br />1. "In this economy I'd be happy if I could find one job!"<br /><br />2. "I barely have time to do one job, let alone two."<br /><br />Both good points, but they also bring up two reasons many workers are choosing two jobs over one: the economy and time.<br /><br />For many job seekers, a full-time, permanent position is an ideal solution to their job woes, but the economic situation has put many employers on a hiring freeze. Even if they want and need full-time employees, they don't have the budgets to bring someone on board. They're turning to an alternative solution: part-time (and possibly temporary) positions.<br /><br />If you're averse to the 9-to-5 grind that monopolizes your weekdays, part-time jobs can offer you the flexibility you need. Today, plenty of people are doing this and they're finding it a better alternative than being unemployed or stuck in a job they hate.<br /><br />Survival strategy<br /><br />Scott Rutt works two jobs, although they're technically classified as full-time positions. In today's economy, he takes comfort in having at least one job to rely on if he loses the other.<br /><br />"I split my time between a business intelligence software company by day and a major financial reporting Web site by night," Rutt says. "I've found it very beneficial since both companies have downsized in recent months. I was able to avoid the layoff in both cases, but took a lot of comfort in knowing that I'd still be able to at least make the mortgage."<br /><br />Aside from financial security, two jobs can also offer you the comfort of a smooth transition into a new field or business venture. You can't always land a full-time job in a new industry, but with a second job, part-time job you have the flexibility to try new things. This is especially true if you want to be an independent worker or start your own business.<br /><br />"This is a great opportunity for people who have ambitions of being their own business to take advantage," says Jill Lazar of Everything Events, an event-planning company. "If you can't find a full-time job right away, contract your work out to small businesses that can't afford to hire someone full time." She runs her own small business and works as an event planner. Her partner does the same.<br /><br />"She enjoys both the security of the job and still receives health benefits, yet gets to be in business for herself as well. Sounds like the best of both worlds," Lazar says.<br /><br />Flexibility<br />If you're supposed to clock in at 9 a.m. and clock out at 5 p.m. (or later), your personal life and obligations have to be squeezed into weekday evenings and weekends. While that may be fine for many workers, it's not simple for everyone. Life doesn't always work around your 40-hour schedule.<br /><br />Heidi Waterfield has two part-time jobs at SFBags.com and Square Two Designs, both as communications director, and she finds the flexibility refreshing. This includes the freedom to concentrate on the more pressing job of the moment.<br /><br />"I can also focus my efforts on the job that is at that time most in need of my time," she says. "Sometimes when both jobs heat up, it gets pretty busy, but I'm gaining many more new skills by having two jobs than I would by having only one of them."<br /><br />Her latter point is also worth thinking about from a job-seeking perspective. In a competitive job market, you want to outshine the other candidates. A work history that proves you're the ultimate multitasker and allows you to acquire new skills faster than other job seekers? Not too shabby.<br /><br />You can expect find more employers open to these types of opportunities, says Robbie Kellman Baxter, a strategy consultant for consulting firm Peninsula Strategies.<br /><br />"One of the great things about this down turn is that companies are getting serious about flexible work. It's in their interest and the employee's interest," she says. Employers need help but don't have the financial freedom to hire whomever they want and job seekers need a paycheck and a job that's suitable for their lifestyles.<br /><br />"Two part-time jobs? Three part-time jobs? Short-term roles? Remote? It's all fair game," Baxter says. "Everyone is thinking more creatively and flexibly about their careers. Most jobs can incorporate flexibility around the scope of your role, the distribution of the hours you work, the location of work and the duration of your role."<br /><br />If you feel like your current situation isn't working for you as well as it could, finding part-time work might be the way to solve your problem.<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>

Two Part-time Jobs or a Full-time One?

Would you rather have two jobs or one? Now, I realize that reactions will probably fall into two categories: 1. "In this economy I'...

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7 Signs That Your Job Could Be in Jeopardy

<a href="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/f8/ar5c4516dr19x533f6f8.gif"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/f8/ar5c4516dr19x533f6f8.gif" style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br /><div>Recent economic news is enough to make even the most assured professional feel unsettled about his or her job. It's only natural to question your own career prospects when confronted with headlines about the rising unemployment rate and companies' plans to reduce staff levels in the coming year.<br /><br />While it does no good to worry unnecessarily, there are ways to determine if your role is in real danger. Following are seven possible signs:<br /><br />1. Your workload becomes much lighter. If you've noticed a considerable drop in the amount of work you've been assigned, or you just finished a large project and nothing else appears to be coming your way, there could be cause for concern. A dwindling workload may indicate reduced business and, consequently, less need for your services. Similarly, if you're not being included in key projects that you were in the past -- or tasks you typically handle are being assigned to others -- there's a chance your position may be eliminated.<br /><br />2. Your work is cyclical in nature. Companies that are looking to trim personnel expenses often focus on departments or positions in which the work is cyclical, and the day-to-day workload could be supported with fewer people.<br /><br />3. Your position isn't viewed as a revenue-generator. When budgets are reduced, priority is given to employees who are inextricably attached to profit-producing projects. How pivotal is your role in generating revenue or reducing expenses? If you contribute directly to these efforts, you may be in a fairly safe position. If, on the other hand, your role is viewed more as a "nice to have" than "need to have," you could be on shakier ground.<br /><br />4. You're not being kept in the loop. This is one of the biggest signs that your job is in jeopardy. If you discover decisions about your immediate work activities or projects are being made without you, you have cause for concern.<br /><br />5. Corporate belt-tightening. A sharp change in the company's attitude toward basic expenses could be a tip-off that personnel levels also are being considered. Implementing one or two cost-cutting measures might simply be good fiscal policy, but several can signal more widespread cutbacks. It's important to note, however, that many companies that are belt-tightening aren't necessarily looking to reduce head count. They may be taking these steps to avoid letting people go.<br /><br />6. You're being asked to document everything. When management shows an increased interest in the status of your projects and the procedures for completing them, it could be because they want to get a better sense of how things are done and what still requires attention should your tasks need to be reassigned.<br /><br />7. Your sector is struggling. If your company competes in an industry that is experiencing a down cycle, layoffs may be inevitable. If your firm is affected significantly, it may reduce the size of its work force to deal with the economic realities it faces.<br /><br />Spotting one or two of these signs may not be cause for alarm. In fact, it could be a signal that you need to step up your game. If you enjoy your job and want to stay, continue to focus on producing high-quality work and demonstrating your value to the organization.<br /><br />That said, it never hurts to have a backup plan just in case you find yourself suddenly in the job market. Make sure your résumé is up-to-date and reconnect with members of your professional network. Also consider enlisting the help of a recruiter who specializes in your industry. These professionals can provide you with valuable career advice and, because of their deep networks within the local business community, can alert you to promising employment opportunities. Layoffs can sometimes occur with little warning, and the more prepared you are for a job search, the more quickly you'll be back on your feet and working again.<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 <a href="http://www.rhi.com/">http://www.rhi.com/</a>. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">Search more than 100,000 Jobs by </span></strong><a href="http://jobs.careerbuilder.com/JobSeeker/Jobs/JobResults.aspx?SB%3Asbkw=&SB%3As_freeloc=&SB%3Asbfr=30&sbsbmt=Find+Jobs+%C2%BB&lr=cbrockl&cid=US&excrit=QID%3DA3852768340946%3Bst%3DA%3Buse%3DALL%3BCID%3DUS%3BSID%3D%3F%3BTID%3D0%3BENR%3DNO%3BDTP%3DDRNS%3BYDI%3DYES%3BIND%3DALL%3BPDQ%3DAll%3BPDQ%3DAll%3BPAYL%3D0%3BPAYH%3DGT120%3BPOY%3DNO%3BETD%3DALL%3BRE%3DALL%3BMGT%3DDC%3BSUP%3DDC%3BFRE%3D1%3BCHL%3DAL%3BQS%3DSID_UNKNOWN%3BSS%3DNO%3BTITL%3D0%3BOB%3D-modifiedint%3BJQT%3DRAD%3BJDV%3DFalse&IPath=ILM"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">CLICKING HERE!</span></strong></a> </div>

7 Signs That Your Job Could Be in Jeopardy

Recent economic news is enough to make even the most assured professional feel unsettled about his or her job. It's only natural to ques...

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Coping with a Job You Hate

Excerpted from "Career Building: Your Total Handbook for Finding a Job and Making It Work"<br /><br />Here's the bottom line: You have to get a job, you have to go to work and someday, you'll probably have to change jobs. "CAREER BUILDING: Your Total Handbook for Finding a Job and Making It Work" (Collins Business) is a one-stop guide for navigating all those times in your career.<br /><br />There's just no denying the signs. In fact you don't need any signs at all, you just can't stand your job. But how many of us have the luxury of just up and leaving a lousy job without having another lined up?<br /><br />Having a job you hate is never an easy thing to deal with, but sometimes you just need to grin and bear it until you have another gig lined up. Whether you're currently stuck because you just have to pay the bills or are holding out for the next great opportunity, here are some ways to get through the day:<br /><br />Set weekly goals for yourself.<br />Sometimes it is easier to make it to 5 o'clock when you can keep your eye on the prize. Even if you hate your job now, there is something out there that will make you happy. Make weekly goals to help you find that golden opportunity. One week you might strive to send out five résumés or attend one networking event. Setting these goals will give you something to work toward.<br /><br />Do one thing each day to help you reach your goals.<br />You don't need to cross all your goals off your list every day, but you can chip away daily. When you get up in the morning, set a daily objective for yourself and make sure you achieve it. This will give you a sense of accomplishment and keep you feeling good about your progress.<br /><br />Give yourself "me time" before work.<br />Going into a job you hate will be worse if you get to the office feeling rushed, stressed and frazzled. Set aside some moments of solitude each morning.<br /><br />Develop a positive morning ritual.<br />Treat yourself to a latte, get up early enough to read the paper, or just set your alarm to play upbeat music when you wake up. Improving your mornings can do wonders for the rest of your day.<br /><br />Create a diversion for yourself in the office.<br />Does being in your office make you yearn for the outdoors? Are the incessant ringing phones driving you batty? Do something to brighten your mood while you're at work. Take in a tropical picture and use it as your screensaver. Buy yourself a "joke of the day" desk calendar. Plug headphones into your computer or bring your iPod to work. Go out for lunch.<br /><br />Use your time to develop your skills.<br />Hating your job doesn't mean you can't learn new skills. Use your time to make yourself a better candidate down the road. If your company offers training courses, take advantage of them. Use downtime to learn something new on your computer. Pick up a management development book and read it at lunch. Turn this job into an opportunity for self-improvement.<br /><br />Blow off some steam.<br />Most people have an activity that helps them unwind and get rid of tension. Go for a run after work, go swimming on your lunch hour, or take a nice long walk. Put this activity on your schedule so you will have something to look forward to every day.<br /><br />Treat yourself.<br />To make up for your office misery, find little ways of treating yourself. Buy a good book to read. Treat yourself to ice cream. Buy some flowers. Shop for a new interview suit. Plan your next vacation. Find out what makes you feel better inside, no matter what is going on outside.<br /><br />Maintain your performance.<br />It is important to continue to do your work and do it well, regardless of your current situation. Set personal performance goals. Then use the accomplishments in future interviews.<br /><br />Keep your bridges intact.<br />It really is a small world, and you never know when you will run into co-workers from your past. Don't burn any bridges at your company because you are unhappy. Maintain your contacts and keep your relationships positive. You might just need a reference or a good word from one of your colleagues in the future.<br /><br />Realize that this too shall pass.<br />Right now, it might seem like you will be stuck in this job forever. Keep your chin up and remind yourself that you are in charge of your destiny. Search internal postings for new positions. Start your search for a new job externally.<br /><br />From the editors of CareerBuilder.com, CAREER BUILDING is filled with the statistics, tips and priceless information on job-hunting and working in the digital age, including good and bad résumé samples, using social networking, searching online, résumé "keywords" and e-mail mistakes to avoid. In today's unstable economic climate, CAREER BUILDING is the guide you can't afford to go without.<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>

Coping with a Job You Hate

Excerpted from "Career Building: Your Total Handbook for Finding a Job and Making It Work" Here's the bottom line: You have to...

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5 Tips for Facing Change at Work

<a href="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/qm/ar5b56r76xrmtbd44vqm.gif"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/qm/ar5b56r76xrmtbd44vqm.gif" style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br /><div>Most people can recall dozens of situations when they experienced change while on the job. Whether it's converting from one software system to another, relocating to a new office or adjusting to new or revised protocols, change is inevitable.<br /><br />During economic turbulence, however, people often find that the changes they encounter on the job are suddenly much more frequent and substantial than usual. Unexpected layoffs, drastic budget cuts and the sudden expansion of one's job responsibilities are now all too prevalent in the midst of today's recession.<br /><br />For employees left in the wake of such changes, it can be difficult to set aside their frustrations and anxiety to adjust to challenging new situations.<br /><br />"When your company enacts change that represents some sort of threat or loss, the reflexive reaction is denial. You might tell yourself that it will never happen, it won't work or it won't affect me. Unfortunately, being resistant to change doesn't stop it from happening and may even jeopardize your job security," says Sandra Naiman, author of the recently released book "The High Achiever's Secret Codebook."<br /><br />Naiman acknowledges that adapting quickly to significant change is easier said than done.<br /><br />"We often resist change because we are afraid that a critical need will go unmet," she says. Naiman coaches her clients to identify exactly what they are losing. "In reaction to the same change event, one person might fear a loss of control while another might be threatened by a loss of status," she explains. "Once someone understands the source of their resistance, they are better able to manage it and proactively move forward."<br /><br />In her book, Naiman reveals the unwritten rules for being successful at work. According to her, embracing and implementing change are keys to being a valuable and valued employee. To respond positively to change, despite being fearful of it or resistant to it, Naiman suggests the following strategies:<br /><br />1. Define and acknowledge what is over and what is not. Honor those feelings of loss. Face them and do not deny any emotions that might surface. At the same time, identify what is not changing.<br /><br />2. Look for the pony. Naiman recalls the joke about the quintessential optimist who jumps into a pile of manure, certain that there must be a pony in there somewhere. "No matter how tumultuous the change, there are opportunities available if people are open to looking for them," she says. "Identify the positives for yourself and the company, and then set your focus on them."<br />3. Jump on the bandwagon early. Once change is inevitable, people can choose to accept it or actively resist. "Whatever they choose, the change will take place. Those who engage sooner, rather than later, will be noticed and remembered, and so will those who go kicking and screaming," Naiman cautions.<br /><br />4. Acquire new skills and knowledge that change necessitates. Be clear about what you need to learn in order to implement the change and take the initiative to do so. Read, take classes and seek opportunities to learn on the job.<br /><br />5. Share with colleagues why the sudden change presents opportunities. Support peers by exploring with them ways that they can benefit from the change and help them take advantage of potential opportunities. They will appreciate your efforts, as will management.<br /><br />Naiman advises that being a champion of change is not to be confused with indiscriminate cheerleading for every change in the offing.<br /><br />"You will certainly lose credibility if you are perceived as misreading a situation, or worse, being untruthful. However, if a change is inevitable, you can still get behind it, do the best you can to make it work, and encourage others to do the same."<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>

5 Tips for Facing Change at Work

Most people can recall dozens of situations when they experienced change while on the job. Whether it's converting from one software sys...

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12 Amusing Excuses for Being Late to Work

<a href="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/1w/ar5c4yv78zwfmnwlrg1w.gif"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/1w/ar5c4yv78zwfmnwlrg1w.gif" style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br /><div>There is no worse feeling than waking up in the morning, rested from good night's sleep, and glancing at the clock, only to do a double-take: You're late!<br /><br />For most people, knowing they're running late for work strikes the fear of God within them and as a result, they move like there's a fire under their feet to get ready. They hustle, scramble, frantically throw things into a bag and are out the door to ensure a timely -- though unkempt and graceless -- arrival at the office.<br /><br />But for a smaller group of people, knowing they are running late for work does absolutely nothing except stimulate their creative juices in order to make up the latest excuse as to why they are late for work -- again.<br /><br />Twenty percent of workers said they arrive late to work at least once a week, according to a February 2009 CareerBuilder.com survey of more than 8,000 workers. Twelve percent said they are late at least twice a week.<br /><br />One-third (33 percent) of workers blamed traffic for their tardiness, while 24 percent said lack of sleep was the culprit. Ten percent of workers said getting their kids ready for school or day care was the main reason they ran late in the morning. Other common reasons included public transportation, wardrobe issues or dealing with pets.<br /><br />"While some employers tend to be more lenient with worker punctuality, 30 percent say they have terminated an employee for being late," said Rosemary Haefner, vice president of human resources for CareerBuilder.com. "Workers need to understand their company's policies on tardiness and if they are late, make sure they openly communicate with their managers. Employers have heard every excuse in the book, so honesty is the best policy."<br /><br />Using your imagination<br />If you've decided honesty is not the best policy for you, don't try using any of the following excuses as the reason why you're late -- they've been heard before.<br /><br />Here are 12 of the most outrageous excuses employees have heard for being late to work:<br /><br />1. My heat was shut off so I had to stay home to keep my snake warm.<br />2. My husband thinks it's funny to hide my car keys before he goes to work.<br />3. I walked into a spider web on the way out the door and couldn't find the spider, so I had to go inside and shower again.<br />4. I got locked in my trunk by my son.<br />5. My left turn signal was out so I had to make all right turns to get to work.<br />6. A gurney fell out of an ambulance and delayed traffic.<br />7. I was attacked by a raccoon and had to stop by the hospital to make sure it wasn't rabid.<br />8. I feel like I'm in everyone's way if I show up on time.<br />9. My father didn't wake me up.<br />10. A groundhog bit my bike tire and made it flat.<br />11. My driveway washed away in the rain last night.<br />12. I had to go to bingo.<br /><br />Follow the culture<br />The general rule is that you should be at your desk, working by your designated starting time. Technically, even if you're at your desk "on time" but you're still booting up your computer, saying your hellos and making a cup of coffee -- you're late.<br /><br />Though you should always try your best to be punctual every morning, sometimes it's safe to observe the company culture. If you arrive to work every morning to find all of your colleagues diligently working as you're shuffling in, your tardiness will probably stand out. On the other hand, if most people filter in at their own paces -- within reason -- an occasional late arrival will probably go unnoticed.<br /><br />To be on the safe side, try your best to be on time for work every day. Your boss, co-workers and reputation will thank you for it.<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>

12 Amusing Excuses for Being Late to Work

There is no worse feeling than waking up in the morning, rested from good night's sleep, and glancing at the clock, only to do a double-...

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Droits, devoirs et prévention santé : CPAM à la Maison de l'Emploi

<BR><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiecs8cP9CmoFk_oTvWmqBwhmwCn8gl-4-y7HRAjZSqfxBnjUsXajtF_SpvSWZU7OlEJkMcs6k5n2XwmQyT6OaTFVvsLZvAieeY9jVeim51s-wA7A3Dsw7yhfJcrqSisLAqvwtKMLN_lfg5/s1600-h/logo_cpam_loiret.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376121006456646290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiecs8cP9CmoFk_oTvWmqBwhmwCn8gl-4-y7HRAjZSqfxBnjUsXajtF_SpvSWZU7OlEJkMcs6k5n2XwmQyT6OaTFVvsLZvAieeY9jVeim51s-wA7A3Dsw7yhfJcrqSisLAqvwtKMLN_lfg5/s320/logo_cpam_loiret.jpg" style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 316px; height: 176px;" /></a><br />Du 31 août au 11 septembre 2009, la Maison de l'Emploi du bassin d'Orléans accueille une <strong>exposition</strong> de la Caisse Primaire d’Assurance Maladie afin de promouvoir l'examen périodique de santé.<br /><br />Patricia Bayle, Déléguée Prévention à la CPAM du Loiret, assurera une <strong>permanence</strong> à la Maison de l’Emploi de 9h à 12h30 :<ul><li>le 8 septembre 2009<br /><li>le 11 septembre 2009</ul><br />Toutes les questions liées aux droits, aux devoirs et à la prévention (remboursement des dépenses de maladie, droits CPAM, mutuelle, CMU, paiement des indemnités journalières, prévention, examen de santé ...) peuvent être abordées par Patricia Bayle en fonction des besoins de chacun.<br /><BR>

Droits, devoirs et prévention santé : CPAM à la Maison de l'Emploi

Du 31 août au 11 septembre 2009, la Maison de l'Emploi du bassin d'Orléans accueille une exposition de la Caisse Primaire d’Assuran...

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36 NEW Career-Related Articles This Week!

Make sure you check back with JobFairUSA.NET every day this week to catch all 36 NEW career-realated articles. Six new articles posted every day, throughout the day!<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>

36 NEW Career-Related Articles This Week!

Make sure you check back with JobFairUSA.NET every day this week to catch all 36 NEW career-realated articles. Six new articles posted every...

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Day 2 of my plan (and still excited!)

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-N4aycG2u4ADHFnpEerA5YhMmYA-oGeJfQ-gQ1nDiqMyBXNVLrcssDySglvj1p0wKeWX-AgBibPKRkhdT3o1zFXs4j5_SaW8clihCwQlhzgNpfUUezmd9u7xxQyLvQmG7wPwhnBixc-OA/s1600-h/stickymirror2.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375818403213664610" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-N4aycG2u4ADHFnpEerA5YhMmYA-oGeJfQ-gQ1nDiqMyBXNVLrcssDySglvj1p0wKeWX-AgBibPKRkhdT3o1zFXs4j5_SaW8clihCwQlhzgNpfUUezmd9u7xxQyLvQmG7wPwhnBixc-OA/s200/stickymirror2.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 185px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> <div>I'm still psyched about having a short-term goal. If you read yesterday's post, I have 6-week plan to reach 152 pounds. That's not my final goal weight, but it's a step in the right direction (final goal weight is still 135).<br /><br />Yesterday was a near perfect day for eating and exercise. I know I can't be that perfect every day, but it's what I'm striving to attain on a fairly consistent basis.<br /><br />My workout yesterday<br />10 minutes warmup on the elliptical<br />30 minutes on Sadie (StairMaster)<br /><br />For my strength routine I do the pyramid sets, starting with the lighter weight, more reps, then higher weights with few reps. Below are the reps/weight for each set. I always do three sets of whatever exercise I'm performing, and on the last rep I go as heavy as I can handle for a minimum of eight reps. I read about this in the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/New-Rules-Lifting-Women-Goddess/dp/1583332944" target="blank">New Rules of Lifting for Women</a>.<br /><br />45 minutes lower body strength workout:<br />Leg extension 12/65 10/67.5 10/70<br />Seated leg curl 15/65 12/72.5 10/75<br />Prone leg curl 12/65 10/70 8/75<br />Back leg kick with cable ankly cuff 12/40 10/45 10/50<br />Curtsie lunges 3 sets - 20 reps<br />Prone leg press 12/70 12/70 12/70<br /><br />Total calories burned according to my heart rate monitor was 499. According to the Activity tracker in eTools this earned me 7 APs. I only planned on using 4 of those a day.<br /><br />My food was just about perfect, although a rather weird breakfast because I didn't eat before my Weight Watchers meeting at 11 a.m. Afterwards I wanted to work out so I stopped at the store and bought my breakfast, which is definitely not something I would normally eat.<br /><br />Breakfast<br />2 boiled eggs - 4 Points<br />1 Lucerene light raspberry smoothie - 2 Points<br />1 WW Red Velvet bar (I caved and bought a box at the meeting - not very good. Tasted like chemicals.) - 1<br />ttl = 7<br /><br />Lunch<br />Blackberry Smoothie:<br />2 cups blackberries - 2.5<br />WW smoothie mix - 1<br />1 cup 1% milk - 2<br />2 scoops goat whey - 3<br />3 cups spinach - 0<br />lots of ice and 1 cup water<br />ttl = 8.5<br /><br />Dinner<br />Grilled 5 oz. Sockeye salmon fillet with lemon pepper - 6.5<br />Stuffed eggplant (delicious! I promise to share the recipe soon.) - 3<br />ttl = 9.5<br /><br />Dessert at 9 p.m.<br />Jello sugar-free chocolate cup - 1<br />Light Redi-whip whipped cream - 1<br /><br />Snack at 10 p.m. - still hungry<br />Sugar free hot cocoa - 1<br /><br />Total = 28 Points<br /><br />That was right in line with what I want to eat. My goal is a maximum of 29 Points a day. I still have some junk food in my diet, like the WW smoothie mix and the sugar-free jello pudding, but I can't go all natural. It would sort of be like me going without makeup, it's just not going to happen.<br /><br />I'm not going to post all my food every day, since I'm sure people could care less what I eat. I'm mainly posting it to let you know I eat a lot, and I'm not starving myself. Looking at what I ate though, I see things I need to change. Smaller meals, and more snacks.<br /><br />I also posted the "152" stickies all over the house. They're really helping me stay focused. I'm going to put them in my car too, as well as in my cubicle at work. I really don't care if people know what I weigh.<br /><br />Today I'm riding my bike for 50 minutes and going to stop on the way back to pick blackberries, I love my blackberry smoothies.<br /><br />I'm still....soooooo excited! </div>

10-10-09 plan 152 plan goals Day 2 of my plan (and still excited!)

I'm still psyched about having a short-term goal. If you read yesterday's post, I have 6-week plan to reach 152 pounds. That's ...

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8,400+ New Jobs Posted in the Past 24 Hours! (Sunday, August 30, 2009)

View and apply for the more than 8,400 jobs posted within the past 24 hours on JobFairUSA.NET by <strong><span style="font-size:180%;"><a href="http://www.careerbuilder.com/JobSeeker/Jobs/JobResults.aspx?SB%3Asbkw=&SB%3As_freeloc=&SB%3Asbfr=1&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%3D7%3BCHL%3DAL%3BQS%3DSID_UNKNOWN%3BSS%3DNO%3BTITL%3D0%3BOB%3D-modifiedint%3BJQT%3DRAD%3BJDV%3DFalse&IPath=ILM">CLICKING HERE!</a></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-size:180%;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">Search more than 100,000 Jobs by </span></strong><a href="http://jobs.careerbuilder.com/JobSeeker/Jobs/JobResults.aspx?SB%3Asbkw=&SB%3As_freeloc=&SB%3Asbfr=30&sbsbmt=Find+Jobs+%C2%BB&lr=cbrockl&cid=US&excrit=QID%3DA3852768340946%3Bst%3DA%3Buse%3DALL%3BCID%3DUS%3BSID%3D%3F%3BTID%3D0%3BENR%3DNO%3BDTP%3DDRNS%3BYDI%3DYES%3BIND%3DALL%3BPDQ%3DAll%3BPDQ%3DAll%3BPAYL%3D0%3BPAYH%3DGT120%3BPOY%3DNO%3BETD%3DALL%3BRE%3DALL%3BMGT%3DDC%3BSUP%3DDC%3BFRE%3D1%3BCHL%3DAL%3BQS%3DSID_UNKNOWN%3BSS%3DNO%3BTITL%3D0%3BOB%3D-modifiedint%3BJQT%3DRAD%3BJDV%3DFalse&IPath=ILM"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">CLICKING HERE!</span></strong></a>

8,400+ New Jobs Posted in the Past 24 Hours! (Sunday, August 30, 2009)

View and apply for the more than 8,400 jobs posted within the past 24 hours on JobFairUSA.NET by CLICKING HERE! Search more than 100,000 Job...

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Planning de la semaine du 31 août au 4 septembre

<BR><br /><h2><strong><font style="LINE-HEIGHT: 113%" color="#005c9b">Permanences<br /></font></strong></h2><ul><br /><li>Le <strong>Conseil Général du Loiret</strong> sera présent dans les locaux de la Maison de l'Emploi du bassin d'Orléans<br />- le lundi 31 août de 9h à 12h30,<br />- le mardi 1er septembre de 9h à 12h30 et de 13h30 à 17h,<br />- le mercredi 2 septembre de 13h30 à 17h,<br />- le jeudi 3 septembre de 13h30 à 17h,<br />- le vendredi 4 septembre de 13h30 à 17h.</li><br /><br /><li><strong>Solidarités Nouvelles Face au Chômage</strong> <br />- mercredi 2 septembre de 10h à 12h30</li><br /><br /><li><strong><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2007/11/boutique-de-gestion.html">Boutique de gestion</a></strong><br />- lundi 31 août de 14h à 17<br />- vendredi 4 septembre de 9h à 12h30</li></ul><br /><br /><h2><strong><font style="LINE-HEIGHT: 113%" color="#005c9b">Ateliers</font></strong><br /></h2><br /><ul><br /><li><strong>CV</strong> - mardi 1er septembre de 9h à 12h30<br /><br /><li><strong>Lettre de Motivation </strong>- mardi 1er septembre de 13h30 à 17h<br /><br /><li><strong>Pôle-emploi.fr</strong> - mercredi 2 septembre de 14h à 15h30<br /><br /><li><strong>Préparation à l'entretien</strong> - jeudi 3 septembre de 13h30 à 16h30<br /><br /><li><strong><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2009/07/atelier-situtilises-tu-trouves.html">Sit'Utilises tu trouves</a></strong> - vendredi 4 septembre de 14h à 16h</li></ul>

Planning de la semaine du 31 août au 4 septembre

Permanences Le Conseil Général du Loiret sera présent dans les locaux de la Maison de l'Emploi du bassin d'Orléans - le lundi 31 ao...

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