Shy? 10 Tips for Introverted Job Seekers

<a href="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/sg/ar5f037777zj18g2p7sg.gif"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/sg/ar5f037777zj18g2p7sg.gif" style="cursor: hand; float: left; height: 200px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 200px;" /></a><br />Shy? 10 Tips for Introverted Job Seekers by Jennifer B. Kahnweiler, author of "The Introverted Leader: Building on Your Quiet Strength"<br /><br />There is no magic bullet or one-size method for managing your introversion in a job search. But in today's noisy business world, you can learn how to build on your quiet strength and succeed. The goal is not changing your personality or natural style, but embracing and expanding who you are.<br /><br />As an ongoing framework, follow the "Four Ps": preparation (devising game plans); presence (focusing on the moment); push (stretching and growing); and practice (rehearsing and refining). Here are 10 specific tips for doing this:<br /><br />1. Have a game plan<br /><br />Rather than wing it on the people part of your job search, have a game plan. Prepare for high-stakes interviews and events -- anticipating key questions and rehearsing your responses.<br /><br />2. Communicate early and often<br /><br />It's easy for introverts to be out of sight and out of mind. So, take the initiative<br /><br />in sharing information with others -- communicating early and often with former bosses and co-workers, industry contacts and prospective employers. Don't wait to be asked for info or updates. Find out what people need or want to know and provide it to them ahead of time.<br /><br />3. Match the medium to the message<br /><br />Resist the temptation to hide behind the Internet. E-mail, for instance, may appear to be the easiest or safest channel, but it's not always the right one. For every exchange throughout your search, match the medium to the message – determining if e-mail, phone or face-to-face is best.<br /><br />4. Use social networking to set the stage<br /><br />Technology is a great tool for preparing to meet people in person. Use social networking Web sites, such as LinkedIn, Facebook and BrightFuse, to set the stage for connecting with others at get-togethers and special events. You can introduce yourself, find common ground and warm up cold leads -- all in a low-key yet friendly way.<br /><br />5. Assert yourself<br /><br />Assertiveness gets a bum rap. Often confused with aggressiveness, it is simply being open, honest, and direct -- asking for what you need and want. If you fail to assert yourself in your job search -- from staying in front of employers to seeking the salary you deserve -- you risk losing out on critical opportunities and facing disappointment and frustration.<br /><br />6. Stand up to "talkers"<br /><br />Don't be afraid to deal with chatty, extroverted interviewers. One simple, sure-fire strategy for getting a word in edgewise: find a momentary opening, paraphrase what you've heard and bridge to your own point.<br /><br />7. Ask great questions<br /><br />There is power in the questions you ask. In interviews, asking great questions can mean figuring out what's really important to potential employers. Two invaluable questions for the person who might be your future boss: "What keeps you up at night?" and "How will you measure success?"<br /><br />8. Value humor<br /><br />"A smile is the shortest distance between two people," mused entertainer Victor Borge. As a reserved, introverted job seeker, you can overcome perceptions of being standoffish or too serious by smiling, laughing and having a little fun. You need not "yuk it up" -- just be good-humored.<br /><br />9. Be a storyteller<br /><br />Stories put oomph into ideas and help engage and connect people. Make storytelling a part of your own style -- weaving real-life anecdotes and examples into interviews and conversations. Try using the "SAR" approach -- situation (What was the situation or challenge?), action (What steps did you take?) and result (What was the outcome?)<br /><br />10. Brag on yourself<br /><br />Introverts tend to stay mum about their accomplishments -- seeming to abide by the old Southern adage, "Don't brag on yourself." Yet today job searches are made or broken by what others know about a person's skills and potential. Bottom line? Sell yourself.<br /><br />Finally: practice, practice, practice. Learning different skills and behaviors may be uncomfortable at first, but with conscious repetition and refinement, you can manage your introversion -- and succeed in your job search.<br /><br />Jennifer B. Kahnweiler is a workplace and careers expert and author of "The Introverted Leader: Building on Your Quiet Strength" (Berrett-Koehler, $19.95). Founder and president of AboutYOU Inc., an Atlanta-based leadership consultancy, she is an executive coach and corporate speaker. Contact her on the Web at www.aboutyouinc.com and <a href="http://www.theintrovertedleaderblog.com/">http://www.theintrovertedleaderblog.com/</a>.<br /><br />It doesn't hurt to look! <a href="http://www.mygvbiz.com/getrich">www.mygvbiz.com/getrich</a> Become an Independent Distributor Today!You can learn more by calling: 712-432-0211 Enter Pin 429281# Hear a recorded message or...Call in to a LIVE CONFERENCE CALL: 212-796-1700 Enter Pin 2120# (11AM or 3PM or 9:30PM Central Time 7 DAYS A WEEK!)

Shy? 10 Tips for Introverted Job Seekers

Shy? 10 Tips for Introverted Job Seekers by Jennifer B. Kahnweiler, author of "The Introverted Leader: Building on Your Quiet Strength&...

Read more »

Are You Unemployable?

For some people, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" is a guiding principle. During a job search, however, it's hard to tell just what ain't broke and what needs fixing. Looking for work is a time-consuming process that can move – or at least feel like it's moving – at a snail's pace.<br /><br />So how can you tell the difference between a regular, patience-trying job search and an unsuccessful one?<br /><br />The first sign: No one's calling you for interviews. Not every résumé you send will result in an interview, but some of them should. Another clue is if you are getting called for interviews but you never get called back for a second round or receive an offer.<br /><br />If you find your job hunt isn't giving you anything but a stress headache, ask yourself the following questions:<br /><br />Is my résumé targeted?<br />Just because you're applying for multiple jobs, don't assume the same résumé works for every position. Each job posting will stress different qualities over others, so rework each résumé to highlight the experience and skills that correspond to that particular employer. Your résumé will prove not only that you're qualified for the job but that you also have an attention to detail.<br /><br />Am I networking?<br />Think about this: There is only one of you and there are thousands of job openings. The more people know you're looking for a job, the better your chances of finding one are. You can never be sure who will know of an available position.<br /><br />Networking can also give you a connection to a hiring manager or somebody at a company that puts you ahead of other applicants, says Matthew Grant of Aquent, a marketing staffing firm. With so many job seekers competing for the same position, you have an edge if you are referred by a friend or colleague of the hiring manager.<br /><br />Do I know something about the companies I'm applying to?<br />"Tell me what you know about the company" or "Why would you fit in well here?" have become staple interview questions, so don't be caught off guard. Shrugging your shoulders and saying, "I don't know" isn't going to score you points. Look at the company's Web site and read press releases and newspaper articles to see what's going on with your prospective future boss. In addition to preparing for the interview, you'll also learn whether or not the company and its culture are a right fit for you.<br /><br />Am I targeting my job search?<br />Sending out several applications is key to finding a job, but you also need to be selective about the jobs to which you're applying.<br /><br />"We see job seekers apply for every job posted – a real red flag that they do not know what it is they are good at," says Eliot Burdett of Peak Sales Recruiting. While you don't need to possess every single skill listed on a posting, you should at least be qualified for the position and prove that you have transferrable skills. Your targeted résumé will help prove you're a serious candidate if you have some qualifications for the position.<br /><br />If you're spending time applying for jobs you're not qualified for, you're wasting valuable time you could be devoting to a position that's a better fit. If you recognize where your strengths lie and what transferrable skills you possess, you'll see better results than if you apply to any posting you come across.<br /><br />Has someone else looked over my résumé and interview technique?<br />Feedback is critical to job hunting. Ask someone else to read your résumé and provide feedback, suggests Kevin Donlin of TheSimpleJobSearch.com. "Ask them three questions: Does this résumé clearly tell you what I can do? Does it prove I can do it? Does it make you want to call to find out more?" Friends or colleagues can provide objective points of view that help you revise your résumé.<br /><br />Your interview skills need the same attention. Are your answers succinct or too short? Thorough or rambling? What you think you're saying isn't necessarily what others hear, so find this out now rather than in the interview. If you don't think that a colleague or friend can offer constructive feedback, make an appointment with an interview coach.<br /><br />How am I presenting myself?<br />Employers are assessing your presentation before you even show up for an interview. The e-mail address you put on your résumé and other correspondences should be professional, not descriptive. So avoid addresses like BingeDrinker@beerguzzlers.net. Opt for something as simple as your name.<br /><br />Your e-mails and phone conversations with hiring managers or recruiters should also send a professional message. Don't send e-mails written in all capital letters and/or using three exclamation points – it's bad netiquette in personal correspondence, but it's even worse in business.<br /><br />Put the same thought into your outgoing voicemail message. Don't try to be funny by playing thirty seconds of your favorite song or talking with a mouthful of food. Hiring managers might hang up instead of asking you to call them back. Give a normal, casual greeting, or use one of the pre-programmed options that come with most accounts.<br /><br />If a recruiter calls you, don't try to hold a conversation with your TV blaring in the background or your child screaming on your lap. If you're asked whether it's a good time to talk, you can be honest and say you're in the middle of something. Then ask if he or she can call you back in 15 minutes or find another day that's convenient for both of you. You'll be prepared to answer all the recruiter's questions and won't be distracted.<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>

Are You Unemployable?

For some people, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" is a guiding principle. During a job search, however, it's hard to ...

Read more »

Session de recutement pour AMAZON

<BR><br />Une session de recrutement sera organisée en partenariat avec <strong>Randstad</strong> pour l'entreprise <strong>AMAZON</strong> :<br /><ul><li>dans les locaux de la <strong>Maison de l'Emploi du bassin d'Orléans</strong><br /><li>le <strong>26 octobre 2009</strong> à <strong>14h</strong>.</ul><br />La session comportera : <ul><li>une présentation de R.I.S, AMAZON, <br /><li>des tests <br /><li>et un entretien individuel.</ul><br />Les candidats intéressés sont invités à prendre contact avec Randstad au <strong>06.19.51.04.74</strong> où une présélection téléphonique sera effectuée (validation d'un moyen de locomotion, acceptation des horaires en 2 x 7, acceptation de travailler 1, 2 ou 3 samedis par mois).<br /><br />Les candidats sélectionnés seront ensuite convoqués pour la session de recrutement du 26 octobre.<br /><br />Dans la même semaine, ils devront réaliser un test chez le client AMAZON pour valider complètement leur candidature, l'intégration étant prévu le <strong>31 octobre</strong>.<br /><br />Randstad s’est engagé à assurer un suivi individuel des candidats et à effectuer des retours sources.<br /><br />Consulter <a href="http://www.scribd.com/full/20846517?access_key=key-5q4nglp184e2y7w5q9y">l'offre d'emploi</a>.<br /><BR>

Session de recutement pour AMAZON

Une session de recrutement sera organisée en partenariat avec Randstad pour l'entreprise AMAZON : dans les locaux de la Maison de l&...

Read more »

Planning de la semaine du 12 au 16 octobre 2009

<BR><br /><h2><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 113%;color:#005c9b;" >Permanences<br /></span></strong></h2><ul><br /><li>Le <strong>Conseil Général du Loiret</strong> sera présent dans les locaux de la Maison de l'Emploi du bassin d'Orléans<br />- le lundi 12 octobre de 9h à 12h30<br />- le mardi 13 octobre de 13h30 à 17h,<br />- le mercredi 14 octobre de 13h30 à 17h<br />- le jeudi 15 octobre de 13h30 à 17h<br />- le vendredi 16 octobre de 13h30 à 17h<br /><br /><li><strong><a href="http://www.egee.asso.fr/" "target=_blank">EGEE</a></strong><br />- lundi 12 octobre de 13h30 à 17h<br /><br /><li><strong><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2007/11/boutique-de-gestion.html">Boutique de gestion</a></strong><br />- vendredi 16 octobre de 9h à 12h30</li></ul><br /><h2><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 113%;color:#005c9b;" >Ateliers</span></strong><br /></h2><br /><ul><li><strong>CV</strong> - mardi 13 octobre de 9h à 12h30<br /><br /><li><strong>Lettre de Motivation </strong>- mardi 13 octobre de 13h30 à 17h<br /><br /><li><strong>Pôle-emploi.fr</strong> - jeudi 15 octobre de 10h à 11h30<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 16 octobre de 14h à 16h</ul><br />Cette semaine, l'atelier <strong>Préparation à l'entretien</strong> aura lieu le <strong>jeudi 15 octobre</strong> au <strong>Relais Emploi Insertion de Saint Jean de la Ruelle</strong> (75 rue Charles Beauhaire - 02.38.79.33.49).<br /><br /><br /><h2><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 113%;color:#005c9b;" >Informations collectives</span></strong> </h2><ul><li><strong>RSA - Conseil Général</strong> - mardi 13 octobre à 10h<br /><br /><li><strong>Boutique de Gestion</strong> - jeudi 15 octobre 2009 à 14h</ul>

Planning de la semaine du 12 au 16 octobre 2009

Permanences Le Conseil Général du Loiret sera présent dans les locaux de la Maison de l'Emploi du bassin d'Orléans - le lundi 12 oc...

Read more »

20 postes à pourvoir en CDI à la sucrerie d'Artenay

<BR><br />Le directeur de la sucrerie d'Artenay, du groupe <a href="http://www.tereos.com/" target="_blank">Tereos</a>, Yves Jouannick, annonce le recrutement de 20 salariés. Les postes en contrat à durée indéterminée sont à pourvoir immédiatement.<br /><br /><strong>Postes à pourvoir</strong> : responsable de maintenance au conditionnement, conducteurs de ligne au conditionnement, opérateurs de maintenance au conditionnement, techniciens en électricité automatisme régulation, technicien électromécanicien, techniciens chimistes, préparateur de commandes, caristes, chaudronniers, mécaniciens, ...<br /><br />La sucrerie ouvre ses portes aux candidats : <ul><li>le <strong>samedi 24 octobre</strong>, <br /><li>de <strong>8h30 à 13 heures</strong>. </ul>Après une visite, par petits groupes, de la sucrerie, chaque personne sera reçue en entretien individuel avec un cadre de la sucrerie.<br /><br />Pour en savoir plus, consulter l'article paru dans la <a href="http://www.larep.com/economie-7194.html" target="_blank">République du Centre</a> du vendredi 9 octobre 2009.<br /><br />Les offres sont consultables sur le site <a href="http://www.larep-emploi.com/" target="_blank">larep-emploi.com</a>.<br /><BR>

20 postes à pourvoir en CDI à la sucrerie d'Artenay

Le directeur de la sucrerie d'Artenay, du groupe Tereos , Yves Jouannick, annonce le recrutement de 20 salariés. Les postes en contrat à...

Read more »

Staff Reductions Continue to Trend Down in Q4

Although employers still feel optimistic about the economy and job market, the majority still plan to keep their staff levels the same for the remainder of the year, according to CareerBuilder and USA TODAY's Q4 2009 Job Forecast. The survey, conducted from August 20 to September 9, 2009 among more than 2,900 hiring managers and human resource professionals, also found that job loss should continue to moderate through the rest of year.<br /><br />In the past few months, many companies have focused on cost containment while in the fourth quarter, these companies will shift their focus to growth. Employers who reduced staff levels or instituted pay cuts will begin to restore compensation levels and rehire employees. Although these indicate signs of economic recovery, hiring and recruitment strategies will move at a slower pace than normal until confidence in the nation's economy is restored.<br /><br />Here are four employment trends to expect in the fourth quarter:<br /><br />1. Hiring levels not likely to change<br />Eighteen percent of employers increased their full-time staff in the third quarter of this year, unchanged from the second quarter. There was an improvement in headcount reductions in the third quarter, as only 15 percent reported declining staff levels compared to 17 percent in the second quarter. Sixty-five percent of employers didn't change the number of employees.<br /><br />Looking ahead to the fourth quarter of the year, staff reductions will continue to trend down, as only 10 percent of employers anticipate decreasing headcount. Seventeen percent expect to add full-time workers, 68 percent predict no change and 5 percent are undecided.<br /><br />2. The South will add the most employees; the West will downsize the most<br />As a result of growth in healthcare, education and energy sectors, the South continues to produce more job opportunities as 19 percent plan to increase their number of full-time employees. Seventeen percent of employers in the Northeast and 15 percent in the Midwest plan to do the same.<br /><br />In the West, which has been affected by the housing market crash and a slowdown in economic trade, only 14 percent of employers plan to add full-time staff. In addition, the West has the largest amount of employers planning to downsize staffs, with 14 percent expecting to downsize staff levels compared to 11 percent in the Midwest, 10 percent in the Northeast and 8 percent in the South.<br /><br />3. Compensation levels remain conservative<br />Compensation increases continue to remain conservative in the next three months. Fifty-one percent of employers have no plans to increase or decrease salaries for ful-time employees in the fourth quarter. Twenty-six percent plan to raise salaries between 1 and 3 percent; 12 percent of employers plan to give a 4 to 10 percent raise and 2 percent expect an increase of 11 percent or more. Just 6 percent of employers plan to invoke pay cuts.<br /><br />4. Employers will rehire displaced workers and reverse pay cuts<br />While companies have realized the need to cut back on spending and hiring, they also acknowledge the need to remain competitive. As such, 27 percent of employers report having laid off workers in one area, but hiring in revenue-generating areas like technology, sales, customer service and research and development.<br /><br />Additionally, of employers who had layoffs in the last 12 months, 26 percent say their company is planning to bring back some employees they let go earlier in the year. Of those rehiring workers, 23 percent extended job offers to displaced employees in the third quarter and 19 percent will do so in the fourth quarter. Twenty-one percent will start bringing back laid off employees in the first quarter of 2010, 15 percent in the second quarter and 10 percent in the latter half of 2010. <br /><br />About 18 percent of employers have implemented pay cuts in the past year; 5 percent of these employers restored pay levels in the third quarter and 12 percent plan to do so in the fourth quarter. Seventeen percent expect pay to return to normal in the first quarter of 2010, 7 percent guess it will be in the second quarter and another 7 percent predict the latter half of 2010. Forty-one percent of employers are not sure when they will restore pay levels.<br /><br />Matt Ferguson is the CEO of CareerBuilder.com. He is an expert in the state of the job market, employment trends, hiring practices and workplace issues.

Staff Reductions Continue to Trend Down in Q4

Although employers still feel optimistic about the economy and job market, the majority still plan to keep their staff levels the same for t...

Read more »

10 Careers to Avoid Boredom

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/4z/ar5d4715ytsn6hwczn4z.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img /></a><br /></div>No matter where you are, boredom is one of the worst things ever. But, arguably, the worst place you can be bored is at work.<br /><br />Boredom at work is the result of several things. Maybe your company is scaling back on hiring and, maybe, your responsibilities. Maybe you're an entry-level worker and your boss doesn't trust you enough yet to give you actual work. Or maybe your job is just tedious and you're totally uninterested in your tasks.<br /><br />Whatever the reason, it's time to make a change. When you spend 40-plus hours doing mind-numbing work, you're bound to be miserable.<br /><br />If you're looking for work that is anything but dull, check out these 10 careers that are sure to keep you on your toes.<br /><br />1. Airline attendant<br />It's hard to be bored when you're a jet-setter, don't you think? Flight attendants are constantly on the move, working around the clock, year round and on nights, weekends and holidays, traveling to various places. During their working hours, they ensure that passengers follow safety and security regulations, while doing their best to guarantee travelers a comfortable flight. It seems that the only down time they have is during takeoff, landing and on their days off -- when a little boredom might be welcome.<br />Salary: $63,913/year<br /><br />2. Buyer <br />Anyone who specializes in retail therapy can tell you, shopping is not boring. In all seriousness, buyers essentially shop for living, picking out what clothes are in demand, in style, determining what will sell and figuring out the amount of product their establishments should have in stock. To be successful, buyers must be on the pulse of fashion, keeping up with latest trends, competitor pricing, sales levels and consumer buying patterns. <br />Salary: $58,407/year<br /><br />3. Event planner<br />Some call it stressful, others call it energizing, but no one calls it boring. Event planners are always on the go, dealing with several people, operations and vendors at the same time. They work under strict deadlines, travel to event sites, attend endless meetings and work long days and weekends. Event planners are usually arranging more than one event at time, which means they do all of these things times two (or three, maybe four).<br />Salary: $76,374/year<br /><br />4. Food and beverage server<br />I was a server for a few years in college and while I admit that there were some slow days at work, for the most part, I was constantly busy. The key to not being bored as a server is finding a popular bar or restaurant, engaging with customers and working on days when you know you'll be busy, like weekends, game days or holidays. Running food and drinks from table to table, closing out tabs, dealing with complaints, cleaning up after patrons -- it never ends.<br />Salary: $19,013/year<br /><br />5. Futurist<br />Although this career is uncommon, it's perfect for anyone who likes variety, research and curiosity. What do they do exactly? Futurists examine the present for clues to changes that the future may bring. Usually, they work as consultants to companies to help them foresee possible business changes and adjust accordingly. They are constantly researching reports, statistics, trends and other predictors to help them forecast different paths the future could take.<br />Salary: $98,603/year (consultant)<br /><br />6. Nonprofit fundraiser<br />Fundraisers for nonprofit organizations have the daunting task of finding money and gifts to keep an association thriving. After all, just because nonprofits don't make money doesn't mean they don't have expenses. Fundraisers look for capital contributions and endowments, and plan events to help garner donations for a cause. Raising money is the difference between the organization's ability to start new projects and continue existing ones, so it's essential they are on top of things.<br />Salary: $68,145/year<br /><br />7. Journalism<br />As a general rule, reporters and broadcasters eat, breathe and sleep the news -- and as any journalist will tell you, the news never sleeps. Whether they're following a lead, reporting breaking news or are operating under a tight deadline, journalists must be ready for anything at a moment's notice.<br />Salary: $48,206/year (reporter); $40,510 (news broadcaster)<br /><br />8. Casino workers<br />Most casinos are open 24 hours, seven days a week, which means there is always work to be done. Whether you're a gaming dealer, slot key personnel, a security guard or a manager, you are constantly dealing with someone or something, which leaves minimal down time. <br />Salary: Various<br /><br />9. Registered nurse<br />Health-care positions in general are always go, go, go; but nurses might take the cake. Often caring for several patients at the same time, RNs are frequently running from room to room, administering medications, answering call buttons, talking to families, making patients comfortable, updating charts and attending to the various needs of doctors, patients and families.<br />Salary: $66,427/year<br /><br />10. Public relations manager<br />Public relations managers specialize in protecting and promoting their client's image or brand. Anything that is written, broadcasted or published about an organization must go through the PR team, as do any scheduled appearances or interviews. They are responsible for making sure their client's name stays reputable; putting out fires (so to speak); issuing statements when necessary; drafting press releases; pitching their client to media outlets and so much more. <br />Salary: $89,683/year<br /><br />Salaries provided by CBSalary.com, powered by SalaryExpert.<br /><br />By Rachel Zupek writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com and its job blog, The Work Buzz. She researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues. Follow her on Twitter: http://twitter.com/CBwriterRZ.

10 Careers to Avoid Boredom

No matter where you are, boredom is one of the worst things ever. But, arguably, the worst place you can be bored is at work. Boredom at wor...

Read more »

Quiz: How Ethical Are You?

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/q0/ar5f3176xc76p41c2xq0.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img /></a><br /></div>Having a job teaches you a lot about yourself, from the type of employee you are to the kind of people with whom you best interact. Dealing with colleagues, clients and demanding bosses is also a test of strength. How long can you listen to a co-worker prattle on about his daily commute before you scream? <br /><br />Perhaps most unexpected is how often you find your moral guidelines tested. Quandaries both small and large pop up every day and make you ask yourself, "What do I want to do? And what should I do?" <br /><br />To prepare you for these ethical dilemmas, we've put together this quiz. Answer these 10 questions to see how ethical you are at work.<br /><br />You just printed a 200-page document that used all the paper in the printer.<br />A. You refill the paper tray immediately.<br />B. You casually mention that the machine's out of paper to people around you so they know to refill it before they hit print.<br />C. Eh, they'll figure it out eventually.<br /><br />Your boss hands you a stack of papers that accidentally includes confidential personnel files.<br />A. Immediately return the files to the boss once you recognize the mistake.<br />B. Search through the pages just to find your own file.<br />C. Read everyone's files.<br /><br />You're running late because you got a little too happy at last night's happy hour.<br />A. You call ahead to warn your team you'll be late so they're not further inconvenienced by your tardiness.<br />B. You show up late and hope no one notices.<br />C. You show up late and blame a horrible (imaginary) car wreck that caused traffic to back up for miles.<br /><br />You haven't had a vacation day in months and realize you'd like to take tomorrow off.<br />A. Tell your boss you need to use a vacation day to unwind and recharge.<br />B. Start coughing and mention you feel bad so that you've built a convincing reason to call in sick.<br />C. Wait until the morning when you know the boss hasn't arrived. Leave a message saying an emergency's come up and you can't make it in today.<br /><br />In the middle of the most boring business meeting, you realize you could be more productive (or less bored) if you were at your desk instead.<br />A. Grin and bear it because it would be rude to leave.B. Pretend to have received an urgent call or e-mail and go back to your desk to work.<br />C. Pretend to visit the restroom but go back to your desk and update your Facebook.<br /><br />You find out your cubicle neighbor is having a secret affair with the intern in accounting.<br />A. You pretend you know nothing about it.<br />B. You tell your closest work friends because you know they won't tell anyone.<br />C. You tell anyone who will listen.<br /><br />You just accepted a job offer at a new company. It begins in a month, so you're going to wait two weeks to give your notice. The next day the boss comes in and explains how he wants to restructure the department and your role is pivotal.<br />A. To prevent his plans from going awry, you decide to tell him now that you're leaving in a month.<br />B. You go along with his plans for now, but still give your two weeks' notice so that he receives ample warning time and you aren't let go a month before your new job starts.<br />C. You wait until your last day to tell him that you're gone and it was nice knowing him.<br /><br />You know the boss is in a terrible mood. You also know your co-worker is about to go ask the boss for a ridiculously large raise.<br />A. You quietly warn your colleague that the boss is probably going to throw scissors at him if he goes in there today.<br />B. You mind your own business because you don't want to get involved.<br />C. You don't mention the boss' bad mood and instead get your colleague fired up and encourage him to triple the salary request.<br /><br />It's 3 p.m. the day before Thanksgiving and everyone is on vacation. The phone hasn't rung once and no e-mails have come in.<br />A. You stay at your desk until 5 p.m. because it's your job.<br />B. You wait 30 more minutes to make sure nothing comes up, and then you leave.<br />C. Ha! You've been gone since noon.<br /><br />The boss loves the ideas you pitched to everyone and can't stop showering you with accolades. The problem is, the ideas were a joint effort between you and your colleague.<br />A. You say, "Thanks, but I didn't work alone. Sheila worked just as hard as I did."<br />B. You take the praise, and eventually tell Sheila what happened and that you didn't know how to tell the boss.<br />C. You accept the accolades and try to get Sheila fired before she finds out you've stolen the spotlight.<br /><br /><br /><br />If you scored:<br /><br />All A's -- You're the poster child for ethics.<br />We should all be as pure as you. As long as you're not gloating about your ethical infallibility, you serve as a great role model for those around you. <br /><br />Mostly A's -- You're not perfect, but you're still a role model.<br />No one's perfect, so you shouldn't feel too bad. Every now and then you stray, so just listen to the little voice that tells you to do the right thing most of the time a little more often.<br /><br />Mostly B's -- You've forgotten a few things your parents taught you.<br /><br />You could do worse -- much, much worse -- but you still stray from the right decision now and then. Just think twice before you make a few decisions and you'll be good to go.<br /><br />Mostly C's -- You're far from perfect but could be worse.<br />OK, sometimes you teeter close the edge of unethical and might be damaging your career. You can still redeem yourself now and then. With a little hard work, you can probably perform some damage control and get on the right track.<br /><br />All C's -- You'd steal candy from a baby. And laugh about it.<br />Let's be honest, your reputation is probably not so great. In fact, people probably check their wallets once you've left to make sure nothing's stolen. Now's the time to decide if you want to start fresh with strong relationships and a better reputation.<br /><br />By Anthony Balderrama writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com and its job blog, The Work Buzz. He researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/abalderrama.

Quiz: How Ethical Are You?

Having a job teaches you a lot about yourself, from the type of employee you are to the kind of people with whom you best interact. Dealing ...

Read more »

5 Ways to Be Layoff Proof

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/jh/ar5c42r6lfq35tqbyfjh.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img /></a><br /></div>While on the job, do you feel the hot breath of an economic downturn blowing down your neck?<br /><br />With all the turmoil in the economy, it's easy to get fixated on doom and gloom, but you don't need to panic. Here are five steps to help increase your "employee value" and avoid that pink slip:<br /><br />1. Make money or save money?<br /><br />The private sector economy has become extremely bottom-line oriented. Employers categorize employees into one of two distinct groups: <br /><br />1. Those who help make money<br /><br />2. Those who help save money<br /><br />Which one are you?<br /><br />Even if you feel far removed from the corporate bottom line, start thinking of yourself as a mini profit-and-loss center rather than just an employee.<br /><br />For example, an administrative assistant handling incoming client phone calls helps to create a solid bond with those clients and strengthens the sales link with the company. In that way, she helps to make money for the company. This same individual is also skilled at answering questions that would normally be directed to her boss or other employees. She saves time and, therefore, saves money for her company.<br /><br />Collect specific examples of the benefits that your company gains from your work and the specific or unique way that you accomplish your duties. Write these down and use them as selling points during your next performance review.<br /><br />2. Become indispensable<br /><br />Don't hide away in your office or cubicle. Look around you. Take notice of those roles, projects or activities that seem to be getting a higher level of attention or involvement from management. If you're not already a part of a critical project, then find ways to become more involved in these activities. Ask to be transferred to a critical area. Otherwise, volunteer for extra duties to support these activities. You'll be viewed as an employee who goes the extra mile while inoculating yourself against expendability when the pink slips get handed out.<br /><br />3. Better to manage or produce?<br /><br />When considered for a promotion from a production job to a junior manager role, think about how that could play out in a worsening economy. It may be to your advantage to keep your hand in production, as junior managers tend to be among the most expendable when a company downsizes. <br /><br />4. Dust off your Rolodex<br /><br />The time to cultivate your network is now, not when you need a favor. Make a list of friends and colleagues you haven't spoken with for a while. E-mail them or, if your relationship is deeper, invite them for coffee or lunch. Reconnect with a few people every month until you update your whole list and weed out irrelevant contacts. Use this opportunity to get reacquainted with contacts and catch up on events in your industry and market. Don't forget to share what you know as well. <br /><br />5. Educate yourself<br /><br />Increase your "profit value" to your employer by continually updating your knowledge and skills. Ask your immediate supervisor or HR department about continuing education opportunities. Some companies offer tuition reimbursements. <br /><br />Another resource is the local chapter of your professional association, which often provides continuing education to members. Professional associations are also valuable sources of current information on your industry. If you're not currently a member of an association, research Associations Unlimited, available in your local library.<br /><br />Update your résumé<br /><br />While this won't really help keep your current job, if all else fails and you find yourself looking for a new job, it's a good idea to rewrite your résumé before you need it. When you create that new résumé, sell your next employer on how you've been an asset to your current employer. Give examples of how you've helped to either make money or save money for your previous employers. Focus on the benefits you can offer your next employer.<br /><br />As a recruiter, Joe Turner has spent the past 15 years finding and placing top candidates in some of the best jobs of their careers. Author of "Job Search Secrets Unlocked," Turner has been interviewed on radio talk shows and offers free insider job search secrets at: http://www.jobchangesecrets.com/

5 Ways to Be Layoff Proof

While on the job, do you feel the hot breath of an economic downturn blowing down your neck? With all the turmoil in the economy, it's e...

Read more »

10 Companies Hiring for the Holidays

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/b0/ar5c1hc74l0k06lr27b0.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img /></a><br /></div>Although the economy is showing signs of recovery, there are still millions of people looking for work. Although full-time employment may be hard to come by, job seekers can look for a short-term reprieve during the last few months of the year.<br /><br />Many companies, typically retailers, hire an abundance of seasonal workers to prepare for the boost in activity during the holiday season. The National Retail Federation reports that in 2008, the average monthly employment during the holiday season was 15.5 million workers. Retailers hired an additional 231,000 workers for the holiday season last year. Although these numbers are lower than in previous years, companies know that they still will experience increased traffic in the coming months and plan to staff accordingly.<br /><br />Toys"R"Us, for example, announced that they are hiring approximately 35,000 seasonal employees in its stores nationwide. This number is equal to the total work force hired during each of the previous two holiday seasons. Dan Caspersen, executive vice president of human resources at Toys"R"Us, says that the company looks to its employees to provide expert assistance for those looking for the perfect gift.<br /><br />"Because we are in the toy business 365 days a year, our sales associates know toys and are dedicated to providing gift-givers with recommendations for products that are right for kids of all ages, abilities and interests," he says. "We're looking for hard-working, reliable individuals who enjoy working as part of a team and want to provide customers with memorable store experiences."<br /><br />If you're looking for seasonal employment this holiday season, here are 10 companies that are hiring now:<br /><br />1. AT&T <br />Industry: Communications <br />Number of openings: 1000+ <br />Seasonal positions available: Retail sales associates; store managers; and sales support<br />Location: Nationwide<br /><br />2. A Wireless<br />Industry: Telecommunications <br />Number of openings: 250+<br />Seasonal positions available: Store managers; sales consultants; district managers; information technology; customer service<br />Location: Nationwide<br /><br />3. Blockbuster <br />Industry: Entertainment<br />Number of openings: 1000+ <br />Seasonal positions available: Retail sales associates; store managers<br />Location: Nationwide<br /><br />4. hhgregg<br />Industry: Appliance and electronics retail <br />Number of openings: 800+ <br />Seasonal positions available: Appliance and electronics sales <br />Location: Indiana; Ohio; Kentucky; Alabama; Georgia; Florida; North Carolina; South Carolina; Tennessee <br /><br />5. Hickory Farms<br />Industry: Specialty retail<br />Number of openings: 4,000<br />Seasonal positions available: Sales associate <br />Location: Nationwide, shopping malls<br /><br />6. Macy's<br />Industry: Retail<br />Number of openings: 1,000 + <br />Seasonal positions available: Part-time season retail help in gift wrap, sales associates, etc.<br />Location: Nationwide<br /><br />7. Olan Mills Studio<br />Industry: Studio photography<br />Number of openings: 100+<br />Seasonal positions available: Photographers; portrait sales; customer service<br />Location: Ala., Ga., Pa., Ky., Tenn., N.C., Ind., Mich.<br /><br />8. RadioShack<br />Industry: Electronics sales<br />Number of openings: 1000 <br />Seasonal positions available: Retail sales associates<br />Location: 250 cities <br /><br />9. Toys"R"Us <br />Industry: Specialty retail<br />Number of openings: 35,000 <br />Seasonal positions available: Management positions; sales associates, including cashiers, shelf stockers and customer service roles; and back-of-house stock opportunities<br />Location: Nationwide<br /><br />10. UPS<br />Industry: Shipping and distribution<br />Number of openings: 200+<br />Seasonal positions available: Package delivery drivers; tractor trailer driver<br />Location: Nationwide<br /><br />By Rachel Zupek writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com and its job blog, The Work Buzz. She researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues. Follow her on Twitter: http://twitter.com/CBwriterRZ.

10 Companies Hiring for the Holidays

Although the economy is showing signs of recovery, there are still millions of people looking for work. Although full-time employment may be...

Read more »

6 Seasonal Jobs You Never Thought Of

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/f1/ar5f04c62bw961f14sf1.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img /></a><br /></div>What do you do during the winter months? Celebrate some holidays? Prepare to adopt a healthier lifestyle on January 1? Wrap yourself in an electric blanket and cry until spring thaws all the ice?<br /><br />Many people use these frosty months to find new work or take on temporary jobs because they've got some extra free time. Or just because it's a good time to make money. By now you know some seasonal jobs by heart -- department store Santa, retail sales clerk -- but some others might have slipped by you.<br /><br />In case you're looking to find some temporary work in the next few months, you should consider some of these seasonal jobs: <br /><br />Child-care workers <br />Why they're in demand: Students get long breaks from school, but parents don't get a hiatus from work. In fact, work can get even more hectic as deadlines loom and budgets shrink with the approach of December 31. Therefore working parents need someone to watch and entertain the children while they're away. Or, when they're off shopping for gifts or at various year-end parties, child-care workers step in so parents can enjoy themselves for a few hours.<br />Median hourly wage*: $9.12<br /><br />Hotel and resort workers<br />Why they're in demand: For many people, especially families, winter trips are more popular than summer vacations. Whether they're trying to get to a warm climate for the holiday season or they're forced to visit family across the country, people travel a lot in the winter and they're heading to hotels and resorts.<br />Median hourly wage: Desk clerks - $9.37, baggage porters and bellhops - $9.49<br /><br />Housekeepers<br />Why they're in demand: As mentioned above, travel picks up in the wintertime, mostly due to the holidays and ample vacation time. That's why hotels and resorts need more staff to keep their rooms clean. Don't forget, though, that many people also stay with family and friends, which calls for more vigorous house cleaning than a typical tidying.<br />Median hourly wage: $9.13<br /><br />HVACR mechanics and installers<br />Why they're in demand: Appliances have a way of puttering out when you need them most, and I'm going to bet you waited to turn the heat on until you absolutely had no choice. It worked for a few minutes and then started to blow cold air and caused icicles to form in your living room. These mechanics save the day and get heat flowing back into your home so you don't have to wear three pairs of socks to walk to the kitchen.<br />Median hourly wage: $19.08<br /><br />Security guards<br />Why they're in demand: When everybody's shopping, stores can get a bit crazy. Traffic spikes in all kinds of retail shops -- clothing stores, jewelry boutiques, car dealerships -- and you want to make sure no merchandise leaves without getting purchased. Plus, let's be honest, tempers can flare when parents can't find the perfect toys for their children. Companies want security there to keep the ruckus to a minimum.<br />Median hourly wage: $11.28<br /><br />Valets<br />Why they're in demand: During winter, families, friends and colleagues often meet up to have lunch or dinner. These meals are supposed to symbolize love and the joy of togetherness; in reality they're saying "Let's only meet up once a year and no more." Factor in cold weather that prevents people from wanting to walk more than 10 feet, and you've got a line of cars that need to be parked. Don't forget that malls and boutiques also hire valets, too.<br />Median hourly wage: Varies and tips usually are the norm <br /><br />*Salary figures based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.<br /><br />By Anthony Balderrama writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com and its job blog, The Work Buzz. He researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/abalderrama.

6 Seasonal Jobs You Never Thought Of

What do you do during the winter months? Celebrate some holidays? Prepare to adopt a healthier lifestyle on January 1? Wrap yourself in an e...

Read more »

Don't Want to Grow Up? - 5 Great Jobs for the Young at Heart

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/xk/ar5d76x731z2gpqhf7xk.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img /></a><br /></div>Kids are always so anxious to grow up. They want to skip through their adolescence and teenage years, moving straight into adulthood. We see this when our parents beg us to stop trying to grow up so fast. We see it in movies like "Big" and "Freaky Friday," which show kids going from adolescents to adults overnight, or children trading places with their parents. <br /><br />One of the things I remember wanting the most when I was younger was getting a job in "the real world." Nothing seemed cooler than dressing up in a suit and high heels, carrying a briefcase and working in an office of pretty people, with whom I would go out after work to have a cocktail and talk about the day's events. If only someone had told me -- correction -- if only I had listened that real life and the real world aren't that glamorous. <br /><br />Now that I am working in "the real world" I know that living alone, earning my own paycheck and being an adult are empowering, sure. But, looking back, I wish I would have listened to my parents when they told me to enjoy my youth.<br /><br />Presumably, I'm not alone in my wish to turn back the clock and be a kid again. But since that's not likely to happen, the alternative would be to find a way to relive the years of our youth some other way -- in our jobs.<br /><br />If you don't feel like growing up any time soon, here are five jobs that will keep you young at heart:<br /><br />1. Toy tester <br /><br />Think about it: It's like playing for a living. Who can argue with that? Remember Tom Hanks in the movie "Big"? He plays the adult version of a young boy who wishes that he could be -- well, big. He wakes up the next morning to find himself as a 30-year-old man. He ends up landing a job perfect for the 12-year-old soul living inside him: testing children's toys for a major toy company. <br /><br />Salary: $63,999/year*<br /><br />2. Concert venue worker <br /><br />Working in a concert venue -- whether it's as a security guard, ticket taker or food vendor -- you'll get to see the latest and greatest music acts and hear "what the kids are listening to these days." Plus, some of the greatest artists of all time have been touring around the globe recently including Elton John, U2, AC/DC and Billy Joel. Cavorting with icons from your youth is sure to bring back many a memory. <br /><br />Salary: Various<br /><br />3. Camp counselor/director<br /><br />Do you have fond memories of going away to summer camp when you were younger? Give other kids the same great memories by working as a camp director or counselor. You can organize fun things for everyone to do -- including you. <br /><br />Salary: $15,263/year<br /><br />4. Bartender<br /><br />I don't know about you, but my hangovers get worse with age. It's always refreshing -- and somewhat depressing -- to listen to college students talk about their nights out, and even more so to watch them do it. Grab a part-time gig as a bartender and give those college revelers your favorite shot -- maybe you can take one with them. <br /><br />Salary: $26,641/year, plus gratuity<br /><br />5. Coach<br /><br />It's amazing how many of my friends obsess about their "glory days" -- aka, when they could run, kick, punt, pass, dribble, dunk and score without breaking a sweat. You know what they say: if you can't beat 'em; join 'em. If you find yourself a little too stiff to play your favorite sport, find a team to coach and teach all those kids a thing or two.<br /><br />Salary: $49,024/year<br /><br />*Toy tester salary unavailable; reflects video game tester salary<br /><br />Salaries according to CBSalary.com, powered by SalaryExpert.com<br /><br />By Rachel Zupek writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com and its job blog, The Work Buzz. She researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues. Follow her on Twitter: http://twitter.com/CBwriterRZ.<br /><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size: x-large;">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: x-large;">CLICKING HERE!</span></strong></a>

Don't Want to Grow Up? - 5 Great Jobs for the Young at Heart

Kids are always so anxious to grow up. They want to skip through their adolescence and teenage years, moving straight into adulthood. We see...

Read more »

10 Careers to Avoid Boredom

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/4z/ar5d4715ytsn6hwczn4z.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img /></a><br /></div>No matter where you are, boredom is one of the worst things ever. But, arguably, the worst place you can be bored is at work.<br /><br />Boredom at work is the result of several things. Maybe your company is scaling back on hiring and, maybe, your responsibilities. Maybe you're an entry-level worker and your boss doesn't trust you enough yet to give you actual work. Or maybe your job is just tedious and you're totally uninterested in your tasks.<br /><br />Whatever the reason, it's time to make a change. When you spend 40-plus hours doing mind-numbing work, you're bound to be miserable.<br /><br />If you're looking for work that is anything but dull, check out these 10 careers that are sure to keep you on your toes.<br /><br />1. Airline attendant<br />It's hard to be bored when you're a jet-setter, don't you think? Flight attendants are constantly on the move, working around the clock, year round and on nights, weekends and holidays, traveling to various places. During their working hours, they ensure that passengers follow safety and security regulations, while doing their best to guarantee travelers a comfortable flight. It seems that the only down time they have is during takeoff, landing and on their days off -- when a little boredom might be welcome.<br />Salary: $63,913/year<br /><br />2. Buyer <br />Anyone who specializes in retail therapy can tell you, shopping is not boring. In all seriousness, buyers essentially shop for living, picking out what clothes are in demand, in style, determining what will sell and figuring out the amount of product their establishments should have in stock. To be successful, buyers must be on the pulse of fashion, keeping up with latest trends, competitor pricing, sales levels and consumer buying patterns. <br />Salary: $58,407/year<br /><br />3. Event planner<br />Some call it stressful, others call it energizing, but no one calls it boring. Event planners are always on the go, dealing with several people, operations and vendors at the same time. They work under strict deadlines, travel to event sites, attend endless meetings and work long days and weekends. Event planners are usually arranging more than one event at time, which means they do all of these things times two (or three, maybe four).<br />Salary: $76,374/year<br /><br />4. Food and beverage server<br />I was a server for a few years in college and while I admit that there were some slow days at work, for the most part, I was constantly busy. The key to not being bored as a server is finding a popular bar or restaurant, engaging with customers and working on days when you know you'll be busy, like weekends, game days or holidays. Running food and drinks from table to table, closing out tabs, dealing with complaints, cleaning up after patrons -- it never ends.<br />Salary: $19,013/year<br /><br />5. Futurist<br />Although this career is uncommon, it's perfect for anyone who likes variety, research and curiosity. What do they do exactly? Futurists examine the present for clues to changes that the future may bring. Usually, they work as consultants to companies to help them foresee possible business changes and adjust accordingly. They are constantly researching reports, statistics, trends and other predictors to help them forecast different paths the future could take.<br />Salary: $98,603/year (consultant)<br /><br />6. Nonprofit fundraiser<br />Fundraisers for nonprofit organizations have the daunting task of finding money and gifts to keep an association thriving. After all, just because nonprofits don't make money doesn't mean they don't have expenses. Fundraisers look for capital contributions and endowments, and plan events to help garner donations for a cause. Raising money is the difference between the organization's ability to start new projects and continue existing ones, so it's essential they are on top of things.<br />Salary: $68,145/year<br /><br />7. Journalism<br />As a general rule, reporters and broadcasters eat, breathe and sleep the news -- and as any journalist will tell you, the news never sleeps. Whether they're following a lead, reporting breaking news or are operating under a tight deadline, journalists must be ready for anything at a moment's notice.<br />Salary: $48,206/year (reporter); $40,510 (news broadcaster)<br /><br />8. Casino workers<br />Most casinos are open 24 hours, seven days a week, which means there is always work to be done. Whether you're a gaming dealer, slot key personnel, a security guard or a manager, you are constantly dealing with someone or something, which leaves minimal down time. <br />Salary: Various<br /><br />9. Registered nurse<br />Health-care positions in general are always go, go, go; but nurses might take the cake. Often caring for several patients at the same time, RNs are frequently running from room to room, administering medications, answering call buttons, talking to families, making patients comfortable, updating charts and attending to the various needs of doctors, patients and families.<br />Salary: $66,427/year<br /><br />10. Public relations manager<br />Public relations managers specialize in protecting and promoting their client's image or brand. Anything that is written, broadcasted or published about an organization must go through the PR team, as do any scheduled appearances or interviews. They are responsible for making sure their client's name stays reputable; putting out fires (so to speak); issuing statements when necessary; drafting press releases; pitching their client to media outlets and so much more. <br />Salary: $89,683/year<br /><br />Salaries provided by CBSalary.com, powered by SalaryExpert.<br /><br />By Rachel Zupek writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com and its job blog, The Work Buzz. She researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues. Follow her on Twitter: http://twitter.com/CBwriterRZ.

10 Careers to Avoid Boredom

No matter where you are, boredom is one of the worst things ever. But, arguably, the worst place you can be bored is at work. Boredom at wor...

Read more »

Planning de la semaine du 05 au 09 octobre 2009

<BR><br /><h2><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 113%;color:#005c9b;" >Permanences<br /></span></strong></h2><ul><br /><li>Le <strong>Conseil Général du Loiret</strong> sera présent dans les locaux de la Maison de l'Emploi du bassin d'Orléans<br />- le mardi 6 octobre de 9h à 12h30 et de 13h30 à 17h,<br />- le mercredi 7 octobre de 13h30 à 17h<br />- le jeudi 8 octobre de 13h30 à 17h<br />-le vendredi 9 octobre de 13h30 à 17h<br /><br /><li><strong><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2007/11/solidarits-nouvelles-face-au-chmage.html">Solidarités Nouvelles face au Chômage</a></strong><br />- mercredi 7 octobre de 10h à 12h30<br /><br /><li><strong><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2007/11/boutique-de-gestion.html">Boutique de gestion</a></strong><br />- lundi 5 octobre de 13h30 à 17h<br />- vendredi 9 octobre de 9h à 12h30</li></ul><br /><h2><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 113%;color:#005c9b;" >Ateliers</span></strong><br /></h2><br /><ul><li><strong>CV</strong> - mardi 6 octobre de 9h à 12h30<br /><br /><li><strong>Lettre de Motivation </strong>- mardi 6 octobre de 13h30 à 17h<br /><br /><li><strong>Préparation à l'entretien</strong> - jeudi 8 octobre de 13h30 à 16h30<br /><br /><li><strong>Pôle-emploi.fr</strong> - vendredi 9 octobre de 10h à 11h30<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 9 octobre de 14h à 16h</ul><br /><h2><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 113%;color:#005c9b;" >Visite d'entreprise</span></strong> </h2><ul><li><strong><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2009/09/souvrir-les-portes-des-metiers-lies-la.html">Visite de l'entreprise Wirecom</a></strong> - vendredi 9 octobre à 09h30</li></ul>

Planning de la semaine du 05 au 09 octobre 2009

Permanences Le Conseil Général du Loiret sera présent dans les locaux de la Maison de l'Emploi du bassin d'Orléans - le mardi 6 oct...

Read more »

Johnny Yuma And The Rabbit

Yesterday I drove North along 93 and 318 up toward Ely on my way to Elko. North through a golden October afternoon with the desert grasses tan, red, orange, and green. After Alamo, I was drinking Arizona Green Tea with Honey and Ginseng, eating trail mix, and listening altenately to Sarah Brightman singing operatic Italian and Johnny Cash's Ring of Fire album -- indulging in Walter Mitty fantasies of myself as an ecclesiastical Johnny Yuma. "Dan Edwards was a bishop. He roamed through the West. He packed not star as he wandered far where the only law was a hook and a draw. The bishop. Away, away, away rode the bishop . . . etc."<br /><br />Night had fallen by Ely. Between Wells and Elko -- it was getting late and I was pretty tired -- I was confronted by a rabbit -- an exceedlingly large rabbit. He was not hippity hopping across the highway. He was standing upright smack dab in the middle of my lane, facing me -- eyeball to eyeball. Which one of us would blink? Who would surrender the lane? Not Jack. I went around him. He never flinched. I bet Johnny Yuma was never stared down by a rabbit.<br /><br />Today I did my 3rd Roving Workshop on the Eucharist. It was great. We had a good turnout from Elko plus folks from Fallon and Las Vegas. A good time was had by all. Tonight I am trying to finalize the sermon for tomorrow. I have Eucharists in Elko and Eureka with an animal blessing in Eureka.<br /><br />Happy St. Francis Day everyone. An especially happy Frank's Day to the good folks in Macon, Georgia celebrating their 50th anniversary as a parish -- the youngest Episcopal parish in Macon. Wow.

Johnny Yuma And The Rabbit

Yesterday I drove North along 93 and 318 up toward Ely on my way to Elko. North through a golden October afternoon with the desert grasses t...

Read more »

4 Mindsets of a Successful Leader

<a href="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/vj/ar5b0176ft91j8ycq6vj.gif"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/vj/ar5b0176ft91j8ycq6vj.gif" style="cursor: hand; float: left; height: 200px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 200px;" /></a><br />4 Mindsets of a Successful Leader<br /><br />Have you found yourself thinking of starting your own business? Are you trying to climb the corporate ladder while the company is working through the recession? In other words, are you aiming to be a leader?<br /><br />Well, behind every great leader, at the base of every great tale of success, you will find an indispensable circle of trusted advisers, mentors and colleagues. These groups come in all forms and sizes, and can be found at every level and in nearly all spheres of both professional and personal life. What they all have in common is a unique kind of connection with each other that I've come to call "lifeline relationships."<br /><br />In order to build these all-important lifeline relationships, there are four core mindsets that can be learned and practiced, and help lead you on a path to personal and financial prosperity. They are:<br /><br />Generosity<br />This is the base from which all the other behaviors arise. This is the commitment to mutual support that begins with the willingness to show up and creatively share our deepest insights and ideas with the world. It's the promise to help others succeed by whatever means you can muster. Generosity signals the end of isolation by cracking open a door to a trusting emotional environment, what I call a "safe space" -- the kind of environment that's necessary for creating relationships in which the other mindsets can flourish.<br /><br />Vulnerability<br />This means letting your guard down so mutual understanding can occur. Here you cross the threshold into a safe space after intimacy and trust have pushed the door wide open. The relationship engendered by generosity then moves toward a place of fearless friendship where risks are taken and invitations are offered to others.<br /><br />Candor<br />This is the freedom to be totally honest with those in whom you confide. Vulnerability clears the pathways of feedback so that you are able to share your hopes and fears. Candor allows us to begin to constructively interpret, respond to and grapple with that information.<br /><br />Accountability<br />Accountability refers to following through on the promises you make to others. It's about giving and receiving the feet-to-the-fire tough love through which real change is sustained.<br /><br />The real key to establishing close relationships with people you consider your trusted advisers in your career and in your personal life is how these four mindsets work together.<br /><br />The process starts with generosity. It jolts people out of traditional transactional do-for-me-and-I'll-do-for-you relationships. Actively reaching out to and helping others gives us the opportunity and permission to take a relationship to a deeper level. This allows us to explore intimacy, ultimately to the point of being vulnerable and open with one another.<br /><br />If we've created a safe space, a place where we feel safe enough to say candidly what we think and feel, we can take greater risks in the relationship. It can lead to making a commitment to mutually support one another through thick and thin and to hold one another accountable for doing the things that will allow us to achieve our dreams and destinies. Taking such risks can lead us to create more than just friendships -- we can create lifeline relationships to a better future.<br /><br />This process is iterative: The more you give, the deeper you get and the more profound your sharing becomes. That strengthens your safe space, and provides more freedom to be vulnerable and candid -- which opens the relationship even more deeply. Trust builds incrementally, by stages, growing deeper and stronger as the mindsets are practiced more sincerely and passionately.<br /><br />Once you work within the four mindsets, you will see it's a truly inspiring experience. Whether you're working with an experienced sales team or building a business from scratch, the lifeline relationships you build will become more than your colleagues or assistants. They will become you're a trusted circle of advisers and your peers.<br /><br />That's worth repeating: peers. Equals. Even though one of them may have clear organizational authority -- and the title and decision-making power to go with it -- each member functions as a highly respected equal, offering up creative ideas, candid feedback and criticism voiced with authentic concern for the others' interests, and rigorous attention to accountability around goals, goal setting, follow-through and, of course, results. Each member has free, open and respectful permission to call the others out when they are falling short (because we all fall short, and most of us, as I know well, tend to do so repeatedly).<br /><br />Do you want to be more successful in your career and more fulfilled in your life? Then let's get started.<br /><br />Keith Ferrazzi, CEO of Ferrazzi Greenlight, has counseled the world's top enterprises on how to dramatically accelerate the development of business relationships to drive sales, spark innovation and create team cohesion. His most recent book is "Who's Got Your Back: The Breakthrough Program to Build Deep, Trusting Relationships That Create Success -- and Won't Let You Fail" (Broadway Business). You can find more information about him at www.keithferrazzi.com.<br /><br />by Keith Ferrazzi, Author of "Who's Got Your Back"<br /><br />It doesn't hurt to look! <a href="http://www.mygvbiz.com/getrich">www.mygvbiz.com/getrich</a> Become an Independent Distributor Today!You can learn more by calling: 712-432-0211 Enter Pin 429281# Hear a recorded message or...Call in to a LIVE CONFERENCE CALL: 212-796-1700 Enter Pin 2120# (11AM or 3PM or 9:30PM Central Time 7 DAYS A WEEK!)

4 Mindsets of a Successful Leader

4 Mindsets of a Successful Leader Have you found yourself thinking of starting your own business? Are you trying to climb the corporate ladd...

Read more »

Sunrise in hell

<div align="center">Yes, I'm still here, another night in paradise. Or hell, however you want to look at it. Sadly, it sounds like I'll be back Monday. I just don't want to think about that right now.<br /><br />This morning I went for a walk down by the water instead of going to the hotel gym. It's really pretty here, even by the airport. There's a little path that runs along the water and there were a lot of joggers, walkers and bikers out there this morning.<br /><br />Funniest thing, I had my iPod and normally always listen to a playlist, but I let it shuffle among the over 300 songs I have on it. There's mostly top 40 stuff, a little hip hop, a few country songs and about 20 pop Christian songs. You'll never guess what song it hit on first when I started my walk. Amazing Grace by Chris Tomlin.<br /><br />It was a gorgeous sunrise. It made me wish my husband was here to enjoy it with me. Sort of a bittersweet morning.<br /><br /></div><div align="center">San Francisco Bay<br /><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8sLpvo8lPSUSa4G7XKN90UKAcb5Nhgmd76KyUlPP58P_9k-suPtHOY1x0j1HxzqW11ZJQLU7or8Q4kuHPKvVbPaR2ZqunXQ5QPhUoo7juymZj_HwL30IT9uTZZwLpsf3lqNphM5D8jvcj/s1600-h/San+Francisco+045.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387963817809304130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8sLpvo8lPSUSa4G7XKN90UKAcb5Nhgmd76KyUlPP58P_9k-suPtHOY1x0j1HxzqW11ZJQLU7or8Q4kuHPKvVbPaR2ZqunXQ5QPhUoo7juymZj_HwL30IT9uTZZwLpsf3lqNphM5D8jvcj/s400/San+Francisco+045.JPG" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br /><div align="center">Across the road from my hotel, 6 a.m. Thursday</div><div align="center">San Francisco Bay </div><div align="center"><br /> </div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZXjodjErzmp9VfyQdWgqMKeccBxq7UL0S9j6o1YGVHwHGrpvxd-Jy3twQOBb7aFmwvIyYSaobp3vcX4eRQKwAl37asGDy_2fg2QeFgdpHB-DE2joRSSx05rCWebH0o8Bt3VK1Do5F53DH/s1600-h/San+Francisco+056.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387857184102540994" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZXjodjErzmp9VfyQdWgqMKeccBxq7UL0S9j6o1YGVHwHGrpvxd-Jy3twQOBb7aFmwvIyYSaobp3vcX4eRQKwAl37asGDy_2fg2QeFgdpHB-DE2joRSSx05rCWebH0o8Bt3VK1Do5F53DH/s400/San+Francisco+056.JPG" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" /> <p align="center"></a>About 6:40 a.m. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGgFWblZyH64daKhpKpnkbj5AeAiac8jHy68sjKB4Cw-AI7P4n3Vjf1jN_YwMaak6LbMeoJr3u2JZl7Lpt7o6bpdwT8uZjygXKkP0GugxcL8TvmsHig-v8-bsPGJW7pY_3fYG0zChGvwdA/s1600-h/San+Francisco+046.JPG"></p><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387857173924787858" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGgFWblZyH64daKhpKpnkbj5AeAiac8jHy68sjKB4Cw-AI7P4n3Vjf1jN_YwMaak6LbMeoJr3u2JZl7Lpt7o6bpdwT8uZjygXKkP0GugxcL8TvmsHig-v8-bsPGJW7pY_3fYG0zChGvwdA/s400/San+Francisco+046.JPG" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" /> </a><br /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387857704900168498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6p_s7xtBNSjlJqcOBg5lUD4wbAecaEVmaeqIZnWIuhRBsU94jc96nitvRy1tCYeOhA_inP4D8Z1OGlnw5LscK1vl50FxQbh7rJ2QwcHoOooUziesPHwdFoUfi5qYWMoVDYZ2oobV4W58f/s400/San+Francisco+077.JPG" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" /> <p align="center"> Pretty grass, it has a name, but I can't remember it.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUAYV4pvxyBgHvrSkksaD9-vnrB51m1IYGgpRgP8TZIsW_rs6ABDCPu4IeLirVA-nsvXFC_ygZ55cNvy_9o50ERY6fR79V0pEQ8DqPI-odHyb-bLcp9XvcKZGyxEmyunRgSkGvu8L_y_H4/s1600-h/San+Francisco+071.JPG"></a></p><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387857206603839378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUAYV4pvxyBgHvrSkksaD9-vnrB51m1IYGgpRgP8TZIsW_rs6ABDCPu4IeLirVA-nsvXFC_ygZ55cNvy_9o50ERY6fR79V0pEQ8DqPI-odHyb-bLcp9XvcKZGyxEmyunRgSkGvu8L_y_H4/s400/San+Francisco+071.JPG" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" /> <p align="center">A Fifties theater for lease, across the street from my hotel.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhYbi7tWkt8NQsTFFEF_OSA1Jwn1G3wVbODbPEG-S_dfDRxIkr2CM4Tz-PIAqKkwTadNIFNobYodtG8X6i3zgISScSUMC0TRR-DTaLVHbeOXlwKiRUuxWy-h882YMlXpPqIllK8Zeg_MDr/s1600-h/San+Francisco+080.JPG"></p></a><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387857712285556546" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhYbi7tWkt8NQsTFFEF_OSA1Jwn1G3wVbODbPEG-S_dfDRxIkr2CM4Tz-PIAqKkwTadNIFNobYodtG8X6i3zgISScSUMC0TRR-DTaLVHbeOXlwKiRUuxWy-h882YMlXpPqIllK8Zeg_MDr/s400/San+Francisco+080.JPG" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" /> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhYbi7tWkt8NQsTFFEF_OSA1Jwn1G3wVbODbPEG-S_dfDRxIkr2CM4Tz-PIAqKkwTadNIFNobYodtG8X6i3zgISScSUMC0TRR-DTaLVHbeOXlwKiRUuxWy-h882YMlXpPqIllK8Zeg_MDr/s1600-h/San+Francisco+080.JPG"><br /><p align="center"></a></p><p align="center">Home Sweet Home. Kind of looks like a mental institution, doesn't it?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifJJCBym4mvddcZ5i1GOb6LgIIFwSy9-rsi__CQGcUGhrusSkjpvz9Crot1E3QdJAspLRnNkWYvcfN6d1q5qqCZwECyER5L3VEdmlLzJCUaOJFzzbSxRoZqDgMOloGF_Px2CVw7b9cdelB/s1600-h/San+Francisco+082.JPG"></p></a><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387857726825393650" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifJJCBym4mvddcZ5i1GOb6LgIIFwSy9-rsi__CQGcUGhrusSkjpvz9Crot1E3QdJAspLRnNkWYvcfN6d1q5qqCZwECyER5L3VEdmlLzJCUaOJFzzbSxRoZqDgMOloGF_Px2CVw7b9cdelB/s400/San+Francisco+082.JPG" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" />

Sunrise in hell

Yes, I'm still here, another night in paradise. Or hell, however you want to look at it. Sadly, it sounds like I'll be back Monday. ...

Read more »

Remembering to smile

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5L1ZHWPzqVn4xxKZYy7sxJBCnYp_uwHAPCf-JhPr5amyIY8JFBQ7qv9bvzr2q2tmnKSiX8N4uHRhgNxAaQ840Z2UtVcEINM-rr8J9oGQ4D0wsrQS44xu6XtZFtG6MnagpdAWt24YrHkIl/s1600-h/golden-gate-bridge-at-night.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387594422357069522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5L1ZHWPzqVn4xxKZYy7sxJBCnYp_uwHAPCf-JhPr5amyIY8JFBQ7qv9bvzr2q2tmnKSiX8N4uHRhgNxAaQ840Z2UtVcEINM-rr8J9oGQ4D0wsrQS44xu6XtZFtG6MnagpdAWt24YrHkIl/s400/golden-gate-bridge-at-night.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" /></a><br />Okay, I need an attitude adjustment. I just got up, checked email, wrote a status email for work, then read my last two posts.<br /><br />I need to get over myself, and for God's sakes, stop writing posts at the end of the day!<br /><br />Things are a little tough, but seriously, I like the pressure. I'm the project manager on this particular project. If things go well, I look good, if things go bad, I don't look so good. It's been an absolute roller coaster since we got here. One moment, things are going fabulous, the next thing I know it's all going to hell in a hand basket.<br /><br />The truth, it's interesting, challenging, it makes my brain hurt, it stresses me, but makes me have a feeling of great accomplishment. It hasn't made me cry, not yet. It's a good job, and a great opportunity. In reality, I'm pretty lucky at 54 to have been given a chance at a totally new career path. <br /><br />So in spite of all my whining and belly aching, it's not a bad gig I have here. <br /><br />My goal today is to pay more attention to what I'm eating and make sure I make healthy choices. I've been eating fairly healthy until last night. I had pizza and ice cream for dinner, room service. I just didn't care. I care this morning.<br /><br />I'm going down to the hotel gym in about an hour, before I head to the airport for what I hope is our last day, flying home tonight. We're checking out of the hotel again (like we did yesterday morning and had to recheck in last night). We have high hopes that today will go well. <br /><br />I just need to remember to smile, laugh and roll with the punches.

Remembering to smile

Okay, I need an attitude adjustment. I just got up, checked email, wrote a status email for work, then read my last two posts. I need to get...

Read more »

Still hanging on...just barely

I'm still in San Francisco. Not a whole lot to say tonight. I'm very tired, frustrated, not exactly happy. More tired than unhappy though, so I guess that's a good thing.<br /><br />Eating isn't perfect. I'm missing meals then eating too much when I do get to eat. I worked out Monday and Tuesday, but overslept today. Tomorrow I'll go to the hotel gym. <br /><br />I still want to go home. Maybe tomorrow.

Still hanging on...just barely

I'm still in San Francisco. Not a whole lot to say tonight. I'm very tired, frustrated, not exactly happy. More tired than unhappy t...

Read more »

Where are YOU?

In a dark hotel room, somewhere near the San Francisco airport, my cell phone rings at 12:37am. I awake from a sound sleep to answer it.<br /><br />Me: "Hello?"<br /><br />Husband: "Hi!"<br /><br />Me: "Why are you calling me?"<br /><br />Husband: "I wanted to me make sure you're okay."<br /><br />Me: "Of course I'm okay. I'm home. I don't understand why you're calling me."<br /><br />Husband: "You're not home, you're in San Francisco."<br /><br />Me: "I AM home and I don't know why you're calling me. Just come talk to me. "<br /><br />Husband: "Diana, you're not home."<br /><br />Me: "Yes, I'm home! Where are YOU?"<br /><br />Husband: "You're NOT home."<br /><br />I try to look around to see where I am. It's pitch black in the room. Then I realize it's not my bed and I'm not home. It dawns on me, I'm still in San Francisco! My husband is home and calling me in San Francisco.<br /><br />It's very disorienting to wake up and not know where you are, or to think you're in one place and find out you're in another place. It's happened before, but this time I was positive I was at home and was puzzled my husband was calling me.<br /><br />I want to go home.

Where are YOU?

In a dark hotel room, somewhere near the San Francisco airport, my cell phone rings at 12:37am. I awake from a sound sleep to answer it. Me:...

Read more »