Interview tips

What Not to Say in the Interview

1) Negative comments about your current or past employers and co-workers.

No good can come from talking down your past employers. You run the risk of seeming like an employee that may be a "management problem."

2) Requests for special hours or equipment unless you have a handicap that necessitates special accommodations.



3) Avoid initiating salary discussions or making demands in the early interview stages.

Let the prospective employer initiate salary discussions. It is OK to give a range, or to ask what they feel the range is for the position. However, it can be a turnoff if you are the one to initiate the subject of salary.

4) Asking about vacation days, sick days or holidays.

This can be a turnoff because you may seem more interested in time off rather than the job itself. Would a hardworking, dedicated employee be more focused on days off or doing a good job?

5) Don't give a list of the things you won't do.

Telling an interviewer that you don't answer phones, or file, or work overtime is another alarm. Make sure you apply for positions that are appropriate for you, and understand that there will always be tasks that are not enjoyable.

6) Asking, "What is it your company does again?"
Take the time to know about the company before you interview.

7) "I don't know, I just saw your ad and I thought I'd give this a try."

Yes, candidates really say this. Always prepare yourself. If you don't know why you are there, or how this position fits in with your goals, maybe you should not be there.

"I don't have any negative points."

In an interview, you may be asked to list your negative qualities. Have at least one ready, and more importantly explain how you are working to improve it. Another angle is to explain how it is negative and also positive. For example, "Once I start a project I throw myself into it and sometimes neglect personal obligations. I have to keep myself in check to avoid burnout."

9) Avoid argumentative statements.

Remember you want to be liked and fit in. If you are hired you will have plenty of time to learn their business and make suggestions. The interview is not the time to argue and force your opinions.

10) No whining or complaining.

Leave your personal problems at home. Present yourself as a strong, capable person that can overcome setbacks and challenges.


How to Find Your Dream Career


If You find the work you love...

When I was a little kid, I had a crazy dream of traveling to the Moon, because I found this golden glowing orb in the night sky so alluring. This childish dream materialized in a hard grueling career as an Electrical Engineer.

Fifteen long years later, my changing circumstances and the instinct for survival turned me into a 'Do-it-all' office administrator. Another three long and hard years passed before I knew I could not take it any longer. Another career change was in order...

My secret innermost longings of becoming a writer beckoned very strongly. And that's what I am today with another crazy dream of turning out a best seller some day...


Do You even Know What Your Dream Career is?
Here is a 7 Step Exercise to Help You Find Your True Career Path...



Take a notepad and pen, sit in a quiet peaceful and inspiring spot and pour out your no-holds-barred answers to the following questions...

1. Can You imagine a day at your Dream career? Describe it.

2. Do You know how much you earn at Your Dream Job?


3. Do You know where your office is located for Your dream Career? Describe the decor and set up of your work space.


4. Do You know how much time you devote to your dream work? Write about the hours you work, the time you spend and the commute time, and how do you get to your dream work place?


5. Do You know what industry you would like to work in or service you would love to provide? Who benefits from your service or product? What do they love about it most?


6. Can you see yourself interacting with your co-workers / family in your dream career? How does your family respond to it?


7. Imagine you have just met your long lost friend, and you are excitedly telling him/her about your career. What would you say? Write it down.


TARGET EVERYTHING

Everything that is a part of the job search process is used to target the right job for you.

How do you target your career path? First, read this article titled, "Career Philosophy". It helps explain the importance of choosing a career that fits with your values and goals. Knowing who you are and what means the most to you is a true benefit when determining what career to choose. Next, read: Career Planning Choices. It will provide you with a clear understanding of what you are looking for in an employer. A variety of questions will help you clarify the importance of certain ideas and concepts and how they relate to your happiness on the job. Employers are not created equal after all.

Applying this kind of valuable information to your situation can make a huge difference in how you approach the future – YOUR future.

The reason that articles such as these offer such wonderful benefits is that they are based on YOU, YOUR NEEDS and YOUR GOALS. If you are going to be able to recognize which career path best suits your needs and goals, then you have to put some thought into it. The same holds true for selecting the best employer(s) to target with your resume.


5 Ingredients Of The Perfect Job



There are as many concepts and definitions of what should a perfect job look like as there are adult men and women. For some, it could well be the one which takes little or no commuting while many would rate a high paying job a perfect one. There is also a good deal of majority that rates less of bossism as uppermost when it comes to choosing a perfect job? Well, the big question on hand is whether your current job is a perfect one or not.

Defining the Basics of a Perfect Job


An ideal job has many attributes. But practically speaking, an ideal job never exists at all. So how do we define a perfect job?

A perfect job is one in which you excel, have the aptitude for and that you are very much comfortable with. Here are few more key points that define a perfect job:

1. Growth opportunity:

Jobs that provide great growth opportunity, regardless of whether you joined at a lower or middle level, stands out as the top characteristic of a perfect job. Most employers offer a structured career growth plan, as in the case of government jobs, while some others provide out-of-turn growth opportunity as a reward for performance. Small, up-and-coming companies, unlike large, lean & mean corporations will not have too many organizational ranks. So you have fewer rungs to climb up to the top.

2. Adequate Salary:

This could well have made it to the top of the list. Your salary package may include a car, insurance, or paid vacations. Before you accept the offer, you should compare salaries across the industry for your career level.

3. A Great Boss:

Many people would like to believe that it is the boss who makes your job hell. Whether there is truth in this or not, the fact of the matter is that a great boss can also make your career flourish. Just as companies like to say that good help is hard to find, it is equally as hard to find a good boss!

4. Job Duties:

Your responsibilities, along with your working environment, are what hold the key to your success. Even any additional responsibilities offered, as you move up the ladder, can be enjoyable if it doesn’t push you into doing grunt work. You must understand that in every job, you will have to do at least some pencil pushing. But those should not become your primary duties.

5. The Working Environment:

A perfect job will provide a motivating environment in which to work. Everything about such an environment is conducive to working comfortably and will help you to perform at your peak. De-motivating environments may be caused by any number of reasons. But before you begin to complain, look inwards first. Certain things can be corrected by you, too.


Fear of Interviewing

Your heart is beating faster than usual, your hands feel clammy, your mouth is so dry it feels like you have cotton inside – and your supposed to feel confident. Are you going to an interview or a torture session? The answer is – “it’s all in your perspective.”

Ideally you would sit poised thumbing through a magazine, feeling relaxed as you wait your turn to have a conversation with the interviewer for the company. Think about it - what do you have to lose here? What’s the worst thing that can happen? What if you don’t get this job - is the world going to stop turning? I realize of course, that bills must be paid, but you are taking the wrong approach if you are going to come across as desperate – “Please, please, hire me.” Interviewers smell fear.

A change in thinking

The first, and most important step is to change the way that you view the interview. This is not an appointment with the dentist who may inflict pain. It is a conversation with another person. What is the worst thing that can happen as a result of the interview? You won’t get the job, which may not have been the right job for you anyway.

Secondly, this is a conversation - a two-way process. You will be interviewing them as much as they are interviewing you. Is there a good fit here – both ways? What looks good on paper may not be what it appears – for either party. It will be part of your job during the interview to investigate whether this a good place for you, and whether you want to invest a significant part of your life here. When you are not checking them out and what they have to offer you are missing an opportunity that you may regret later.

Calming techniques

One of the best techniques to handle stress is through breathing. Take deliberate, shallow breaths. Take air in through the nostrils and exhale quietly through your mouth. This is a technique that should be practiced as a relaxation technique before the interview so that your body gets used to slowing down the breathing process and relaxing.

Relaxation techniques such as yoga, and meditation classes, are recommended for anyone who has an extreme case of “interview fright.” The interview can cause panic attacks if the fear is strong enough. Pre-conditioning will do wonders for this type of anxiety.

Preparation before the interview

These are competitive times and you should steel yourself to expect some rejection. Think about it this way, “Did you get a marriage proposal after every date?” Well, you probably aren’t going to get a job offer after every interview.

For every job you apply for there are more than likely three to four equally qualified candidates in line for the same job. Whether you stand out from “the crowd” will depend on your preparation and ability to show confidence in yourself – believing that you are the “best candidate for this job.” How can you possibly sell anyone anything if you don’t believe in it yourself?

Preparation will make you feel more confident and less anxious. Can you imagine giving a performance without some practice and preparation? “Winging” the interview in today’s market is a big mistake.

Fear of Rejection

You may have had a number of interviews with no offer. You may be feeling defeated, and it’s beginning to affect your-self esteem.

This would be true of anyone. But it is a mistake to take it personally. There are so many factors that could be affecting the offer that it is impossible to say what is happening. There may be internal candidates, relatives promised jobs, a competitor who is a perfect match for the job, a lack of chemistry between you and the new boss, a mismatch in salary needs, etc., etc.

Let it go

Give yourself credit for getting an interview – only a small percentage of people get this far in the process. Give yourself credit for going out there and putting yourself on the line, even though it is painful for you. Give yourself permission to not get job offers. Believe that an offer will come through when it is the right offer – the right fit for the company and for you. Take the control back and reject the feeling of fear.

When you have done everything to prepare for the interview, and you are satisfied that you can present yourself in the best light possible, the next step is for you to let it go. You can learn something from each interview. Learn to enjoy meeting new people and having new experiences. Who knows you may even grow to like interviewing.


Top 6 Tax Tips for Self-employed



1. Keep good records – save all your receipts and use some simple software to keep track of your credits and debits.

2. Get a good help- whether this is an accountant or somebody familiar with the subject.

3. Deduct child care costs and medical expenses.

4. Set up an RRSP – the allowance you contribute is tax free.

5. The RRSP allowance you can contribute is deductible form your income and can put you in a lower tax bracket.

6. If you have separate office or you are using part of your house as an office, deduct this percentage off your monthly payments.



10 WAYS TO BELIEVE IN YOURSELF


Throughout recorded history personal worth was often measured by an individual's willingness to take risks. Perhaps Englishman John Heywood best summed up risk taking when he wrote in 1546, "Not venture nought have."

However there is an inherent difference between reckless risk and calculated risk. An old American proverb counsels against rashness: "Swift risks are often attended by precipitate falls."

So in today's unpredictable job market, how can ensure that any risk you take is worth any potential gain? One of the best ways I know is to believe in yourself. Easier said then done, you say. Then, let my Top Ten List of Ways To Believe In Yourself be your guide:

1. Think of ways you can be your best.


2. Focus on your strengths not your weaknesses.


3. Remind yourself of who you are becoming.


4. Like Magellan, have faith in yourself and know it will happen.


5. Challenge yourself to be all you can be, more so than you've ever been.


6. Encourage yourself to keep going, keep building this new you.


7. Acknowledge your successes.


8. Be unconditionally constructive.


9. Allow yourself to achieve greatness.


10.Take a stand for the success you deserve.


As your belief in yourself expands, any problems and challenges you face will lose their sense of power


How to Find Work You'll Love


Stuck in a job you can't stand? Feeling burned out and bored?

With unemployment at persistently high levels, many people today are doing work they hate, simply to make ends meet.


That's a short-term choice that could cost you dearly in the long run, according to Henry Neils, President of Edina, Minn.-based Assessment.com, a career advisory firm (special link - http://www.gresumes.com/MAPP)

"Michael Jordan doesn't go to work in the morning, and neither do any really successful people. Instead, they get paid for work they love," says Neils.

Want to get paid to do what you love?

Here are three ways to do just that .

1. Discover what you are designed to do
Did you know that Babe Ruth started out as a pitcher? But he chose to stop pitching so he could focus on hitting. He took a lot of heat for this, because he was a good pitcher. Yet Babe stuck with his decision because he knew he was a GREAT hitter. Success followed.

What about you?

"If you want to go from 'good' to 'great,' know what your talents and motivations are, then use them as a foundation for growth," advises Neils.

To find out what motivates you, answer this question: if you won a million dollars in the lottery tomorrow and could quit working, what 3 things would you still do every day?

Would it be writing? Public speaking? Gardening? Teaching or healing others? Travel? Restoring classic cars?

"These are your strengths and they're yours for life. You can build on them, and they won't let you down," says Neils.


2. Do it
Once you discover what you love to do, make adjustments that let you do more of it. Some changes will be minor . and some radical.

"The idea is to spend more of your time using your strengths. That is where your performance and satisfaction both peak," advises Neils.

At this point, it's time to tell your boss. Include examples or stories to illustrate your true talents.

"Every piece of equipment in any company comes with an owner's manual, except the most important assets of all -- employees. So, by letting your boss know what makes you tick, he can put you in a position to get the best results for both the company and you. It's a win-win situation," says Neils.


3. Minimize everything else
You are designed to do something, but not everything. So don't try to do it all.

"A spoon is designed to help us eat and will last a lifetime in that role. But if you use a spoon to drive nails, it will wear out in about an hour," says Neils.

That means, to avoid burnout on the job, you should delegate or automate tasks you don't enjoy or do well.

But what if you're forced to do work that doesn't challenge or interest you?

"First, try to create a system to streamline what you're doing. For instance, a man with low talent for time management found that it helped to use a Palm Pilot. Or, simply partner with someone who has high talent in
the area you dislike," advises Neils.

Now. This does not give you the right to shrug off any workplace task that doesn't thrill you. We all have to do things we don't enjoy -- the trash won't walk itself to the curb, for example.

But you don't have to spend your best years in a job that chokes off your passion and stifles your creativity. You certainly can align your work with your talents.

The most successful people throughout human history have one thing in common: they saw work as play. That's how they were able to put in the long hours of practice and toil that took them to the top. From Michelangelo to Michael Jordan, from Caesar to Clinton, these workplace wonders did what they loved to do, what they were born to do.

You can, too.
If you know what you do well, do more of it, and minimize the rest, you could find yourself in that most enviable position of all, getting paid to do what you love.


skills neccessary for a career


From the 1950's to the late 1980's, the concept of lifetime employment was considered one's ideal career path, where seniority determined career success.

Beginning in the 1990's to the present, technological advances have sped up market cycles, where companies started to go out of business, reorganize, and re-emerge as new companies to meet new demands in a shorter period of time. In response, the labor market had to become more flexible, providing their talents where they were needed. Workers were thus rewarded based on performance rather than seniority.

The ability to develop proficiency in transferable workplace skills has replaced seniority as a measure of employability. They are necessary for career success at all levels of employment.


21st Century Employability

Employability refers to possessing a set of core skill groups that are transferable from job-to-job and from industry-to-industry. To address what these skills are, the U.S. Department of Labor established a Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills (SCANS) in 1990.

In their 1991 report, What Work Requires of Schools, the commission's primary objective is to help teachers understand how curriculum and instruction must change to enable students to develop the specific foundation skills and competencies necessary for employment.

In their 1999 report, Skills and Tasks for Jobs: A SCANS Report for America 2000, the commission's primary objective is to expand on proposing acceptable levels of these core foundation skills and competencies. You can access full text versions of these reports from the Resources section for this course.

SCANS Foundation Skills and Competencies

SCANS determined that workplace skills from job-to-job and industry-to-industry consist of a core group of foundation skills and competencies.



Foundation skills are basic academic and behavioral characteristics from which to build competencies. The three SCANS foundation skill categories were identified as Basic Literacy Skills, Thinking Skills, and Personal Qualities.



Competencies are a combination of skills, abilities, and knowledge needed to accomplish a specific task; they are more closely related to what people actually do at work. The five SCANS competencies were identified as Resources, Information, Interpersonal, Systems, and Technology.

SCANS foundation skills and competencies are being integrated into industry skill standards, educational learning standards, and hiring/evaluation procedures throughout the U.S.

What is missing is the integration of these skills and competencies into the job search, resume writing, and career development processes. A lot of what you read and do on this site will focus on how you focus on your core skills; this is the foundation for achieving resiliency in your career


6 Factors of Career Success



What do employers look for in potential employees? That was the question that was posted recently on a career discussion forum online. Naturally, for each different position, the particular answers to that question would be different. However, there are some common skills that employers look for in all employees, whether the employee happens to be a network engineer or a fry cook.

In-Demand Skills for Success

1. BASIC SKILLS ‚ Reading, writing and arithmetic! Believe it or not, a good portion of high school graduates (and some college grads) do not read at an 8th grade level and cannot do multiplication in their head. Employers are seeking employees who can read well, can write coherently, and who can calculate mathematics in a business environment (fractions, percentages, etc.) Add to that the modern basic skills of keyboarding skill, basic computer knowledge, and ability to use most computerized tools (e.g. fax machine, basic word processing program, etc.) to round out the basic skill sets needed for employment success.

2. PERSONAL SKILLS‚ Can a potential employee speak well? Can he/she answer questions of customers in a positive, informative manner? Can the prospect provide good customer service? While not everyone has an outgoing sales' personality, successful employees can communicate in a non-confrontational, positive manner with their coworkers, team members, subordinates, management, and customers. Being able to work well with others is a vital skill for success in all jobs.

3. JOB ATTAINMENT‚ Job search is a process that requires a great deal of dedication and attention to be conducted successfully. It follows the old principal that many veteran programmers refer to as GIGO ‚ Garbage In, Garbage Out. If you put lousy effort in, you will receive lousy results. Employers are seeking employees who know how to present themselves in a positive manner and who display enthusiasm and knowledge about the companies they approach. Not only do candidates get evaluated on their skills and experience, but also on how they are approaching the job search. Enthusiastic candidates with fewer skills have an even chance of getting the job as dull candidates with better skills.

4. JOB SURVIVAL‚ Now there's a hot topic in this period of layoffs. Who gets the ax and who doesn't is often a matter of numbers, but it is also often a matter of performance. Employees who have consistently demonstrated their worth, taken initiative, and made themselves a valuable asset to the company have lower incidences of being downsized than employees who put forth mediocre or average effort in their jobs. Surviving within a company through layoffs or moving up the career ladder is a success skill that is learned and is consciously cultivated among successful professionals.

5. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT‚ As all high tech and engineering pros know‚ it's learn or burn in today's work environment. Attaining new skills, applying new concepts, updating established skills is an absolute necessity to succeed in today's work force. The successful individual is constantly attending seminars, taking classes, attaining training on new products or releases, and otherwise learning new skills that will keep them marketable in their careers. Successful people are lifelong learners. Employers are looking for people who have the training necessary to fulfill their needs.

6. CAREER DEVELOPMENT‚ Career Development differs from Professional Development. Professional Development is learning while Career Development is a planning and goal setting process. Successful individuals design a career plan with written goals for short term and long term. They lay out the steps needed to move their careers from Point A to Point B within Time Frame C and plan how they are going to achieve those steps. Successful people have someone to whom they are accountable for their progress and who will monitor their success in achieving their goals. Employers are seeking individuals who (believe it or not) wish to commit to the company for a long period of time. Good career progression is a high selling point of candidates to prospective employers.

Career Planning for Professionals




Do you have a career plan? Do you know where you want to be 10 years from now? 5 years? 1 year?

The reason for making decisions today about where you want to be tomorrow is so that you have the ability to actually get there.

If you don't know exactly where you want to be, you will be wandering aimlessly from position to position hoping that somehow it will all work out. Unfortunately, that isn’t how it works.


Think of it this way:
If you want to visit a friend who has moved out of state, you have to map it out or get directions. If you just start taking one street because it looks like the right way or another street because it seems to be pointing in the right direction, you will never get to where you want to go.


The great news is that Career Planning isn't some mystical smoke and mirrors experience. It's not hard at all. Just give yourself a little time and ask yourself a few questions and you'll be on the right track. As you have more time in the months and years to come, revisit your Career Plan and determine if it still makes sense for you or if you need to tweak it.


Yes, this is another task you have to do yourself. You can ask friends, family members and others who know you well if they can provide clues as to what they believe are your strengths and abilities, but only YOU know where your passion lies.




You are the only one who can create your destiny. You choose.




Take the time NOW to set the course for your future.


If you take the time to set your career goals, you will be ahead of 90% of the rest of the people out there who don’t bother to plan ahead. You will be more successful than your peers in the same field because you know where you are going and how you intend to get there. You will make more money and you will be much happier. Why? Because you didn't wait for destiny to step in. You took control of your life and made things happen.







The fact that you are looking on this website proves that you are so far above your peers. You want more information. You want to:


Plan ahead.
Be successful.
Work hard.
Make good, sound decisions.
Live with integrity.





Below are some additional links to career planning articles which will provide you with more information on career planning. Absorb everything you can. If it doesn't benefit you right now, it will definitely make a difference down the road.


Find out how to network you way to your next job in this amazing article Networking Your Way to a Great Job. The information in this article will blow you away.


Taking Career Tests can help you determine which career paths are best suited for you. If you want to be successful, you need to enjoy what you do and you will enjoy it much more if you are working in a field that is right for you.


Assessing your Career Strengths is a very important part of the job search process. When you follow the concepts outlined here, you will have a huge advantage over your competitors.


Would you like to see the Employer's Perspective in the job search process? Understanding how an employer thinks can provide insight and shed light on what you need to do to be successful.


If you are considering a career change, you will have to revamp your resume among other things. Follow this link Changing Careers to find out how to make your career change more successful. Planning is essential.


One of the most valuable pieces of information you will ever need can be found here:Your Personal and Professional Traits Take a few moments to familiarize yourself with something that employers REALLY want you to know.


What Do You Want to Be When You Grow Up? This is an excellent start for those who are not quite sure where their interests lie. Learn some techniques for clarifying your interests and goals. This is the essence of Career Planning.


Do you have Goals, Objectives and Tasks defined for the next month, year, or 5 years? Find out how you can achieve your goals. Then, when you have read that article, you can utilize the Goal Setting Template to simplify the process even more. Take your career planning to the next level.


Make your Career Planning Choices point YOU down the road to SUCCESS.




Common Job Search Misconceptions



Contrary to what you may think as you mop the sweat from your brow while contemplating your upcoming interviews, the recruiter who'll be sitting across the table from you wasn't born in a pinstriped suit with the keys to a Beamer in one hand and a Palm Pilot in the other.

In fact, at one point she was probably in the same position that you're in right now as you begin your search: Sitting in a one-room apartment eating ramen noodles and wondering if she'd ever find a job. Thinking that interviewers are genetically superior beings is one of the misconceptions that many job seekers seem to have as they prepare themselves for the interviews that will pull them out of their MSG-saturated college days and into the lightning pace of the business world.

Quite a few misconceptions seem to be floating around out there; WetFeet would like to explode some of them and, we hope, ease your pain.

Misconception Number One: My Resume Is a Comedy Routine

A lot of job seekers try to add panache to their resume by making them unconventional. Take it from us: Your resume is not the best forum for your dry wit.

It might seem like a great idea at the time to paste macaroni to your resume or describe your work experience in iambic pentameter. You're trying to prove your creativity and individuality, as well as give the recruiter a little taste of who you are. Trust us when we tell you that this isn't the you the recruiter wants to know. The you the recruiter wants to know would not create and submit a document called "The Resume Rap" that tries to rhyme the phrases "job experience" and "I think you'll dig this."

Truth: The Recruiters' Point of View

Recruiters want resumes that let them know what you will bring to the company and how you'll be a good addition to the team. They want this information in a format that is easily comparable to other resumes, a format that won't give them a headache. Your job is to make the recruiter's job easier so that he or she will want to hire you. Your job is not to show off your origami skills by folding your resume into a swan.

Misconception Number Two: The Recruiter Is Out to Get Me

One of the most popular fallacies among inexperienced job hunters is that the recruiter is out to get them. The fresh-faced grads coming out of college and heading to their first real job interviews seem to have a mental picture of the recruiter as a mustache-twirling Snidely Whiplash (from the "Dudley Do-Right" segments of Rocky and Bullwinkle) whose only goal is to mystify, humiliate, befuddle, and ding prospective job seekers, or at least tie them to some train tracks somewhere.

Truth: Bad Recruiters Don't Last

In fact, the interviewer isn't going to be hiding behind the door with a baseball bat waiting to ambush you when you show up in your freshly pressed new suit. Recruiters who dismiss everyone they interview probably aren't going to be recruiting for very long. They're supposed to be separating the wheat from the chaff, not just whacking everything they see with their scythe.

This isn't to say that you shouldn't be on top of your game when you're sitting across the table from your interviewer. Even though it isn't a recruiter's job to Shaq everybody who tries to get to the hoop, they do have to make sure that you've got game. The recruiter's job is to put you through your paces, making sure that you have the proper skills, education, and attitude to make it in the business world.

Even if it seems like malice when he puts the pressure on, he's just doing it to make sure that you can take the heat once he signs you on. If you've got your game with you, don't sweat it; your antiperspirant will hold up just fine—so will you, kid.

Misconception Number Three: I'll Fit in Anywhere

Say it's your first day at your new job. You made it past the interviews and won a cubicle of your very own. You arrive at 8:58 a.m. with the required first-day-on-the-job gear: A picture of your significant other or your cat, a couple of knickknacks to ensure that your desk has character, and the W-2 forms from the guys in HR.

You lay out your bric-a-brac, check your breath by blowing into your hand, and start asking around if there's any free coffee in the office. Suddenly, everyone around you stands up and gives a three-count. At three, your coworkers break into an a cappella version of "Wannabe" by the Spice Girls. There is dancing and high kicks, and Larry from accounting flips the lights on and off to simulate a strobe. You look around for Allen Funt but realize to your horror that you're not on Candid Camera. Even though the guy over by the copy machine looks like he phoned in that split, for the most part your fellow employees are getting into it.

Truths: Do your Homework

If you'd done a little research on the company before you signed on, you would have found out that it's a subsidiary of Sporty Spice enterprises and that the dance routine is a mandatory morning icebreaking exercise. You'll be expected to participate in full tomorrow and for the rest of your life at the company.

http://Corporate Culture Is Top Priority
So, when you're sitting in front of your computer at three a.m. trying to get your resume to print after you spilled coffee on the keyboard, corporate culture might not rate high on your list of concerns. But once you get the job, it can become priority number one no matter how many times you tell yourself that you'll make do.

If you don't fit in with the culture of your company, it will affect your happiness, your ability to work, and possibly your long-term health. Find out a little about what you're getting into before you sign on. If you don't, you might regret it in the morning. Oh, and look—here comes Larry with a Scary Spice wig and a tube top for you!






A Dream Job Is Waiting For Everyone



You know your workplace is just not where you want to be, so what's next? Are you ready to start the race to your dream job? Hey, you know, it's not the most difficult thing to do.

Your work place is past its sell by date and you get no sense of valued from your boss – or the organization. Your colleagues are ready and waiting to do anything to beat you.

Life isn't about a routine of day in, day out in some job you didn't really want. It's awful to feel stuck, when you realize you've still got the rest of your working life to come.

Life is about living and feeling alive, so make some changes and realize your full potential! No one is forcing you to stay in a job you hate and no one is holding you back from your dreams – except yourself, that is.

And the fact, the honest truth that it's all down to you is often the bitterest pill to swallow.

So, what do you really enjoy in life. Is it a hobby or a passion? Whatever it is you love doing is a huge hint! Have you ever thought of turning that hobby into a dream job that you'll look forward to every day? You could turn your hobby into a real, exciting, successful job with a little determination and some close attention.

That's right – it's all about focus. Decide what it is you'd rather be doing, and then find out all you can about how you need to get there. Do your homework on whether you need credentials or qualifications to turn your hobby into employment. Find out the steps you need to make that will bring you to where you want to be and lay down a plan.

Remember, you're not going to get anywhere over night. Miracles don't happen and hard work, effort, and the right choices to move you forward will have amazing results.

If you need training, part time courses or night school can let you keep your day job and work towards a new career in your spare time. Hey, you might even find them in your current workplace, so you can get them for free

Volunteer. Network. Apprentice under someone who excels at what you want to do. Offering free services in exchange for the learning experience can be a great way to break into a new industry or career.

Talk to everyone you know about your plans; the more contacts and support you have, the more it will help you stay focused on your goals and provide opportunities.

Don't give up. Making life changes takes time and isn't always easy. You may face some stumbling blocks along the way to a dream job. If you remember your goals and you've taken the time to lay down your steps and plans, you'll be better prepared to find a way around the obstacle.

Obstacles are valuable opportunities for lessons in achieving what you want. Be prepared to face them and accept the challenge of resolving them. You'll also gain plenty of wisdom and experience while you work towards securing your dream job and a life of happiness and satisfaction.

If you truly believe you can, with no 'glass ceilings' to hold you back you'll release potential and show the world what you can do.

YOU are the ONLY person in charge of your life.

So, go on, take that risk, believe in your own talents and abilities to make good things happen. With the right focus attitude and belief, you are already half-way there!


Want to Work From Home?


The concept of working from home is becoming immensely popular today. A lot of men and women prefer to work in the comforts of their own home rather than joining an office on a full time basis.

The opportunities are large and very promising -

SOHO - Small Office Home Office

If you are enterprising, resourceful and business minded, you can always setup your own small office right at home. The SOHO concept has caught the attention of many individuals who have started working from their home office with very little investment. Depending on your line of business, you can hire and work with a small staff of people, each of whom are proficient in their own field.

Work for Others

If you are looking for lucrative job opportunities that can be pursued from home, here are a few options that you can look into -

Data Entry & Typing Jobs - good typing speed - error free typing.

Market Research exercises including Telemarketing - good communication skills, a pleasant voice and an ability to carry out a goal driven conversation.

Customer Care

Translation Work - excellent command over written and spoken English as well as other languages. An ability to translate and reproduce content while maintaining relevance and focus.

Web Design - Knowledge of designing softwares

Online Writing - An ability to put thoughts, facts and concepts into words keeping in mind the specific target audience.

There are many option available for individuals who want to work from home.

Remember to -

Always look for genuine projects.

Stick to your terms and conditions.

Look for transparency.


Multiple Offers – So What’s Your Problem?



In a tight job market, multiple offers sounds too good to be true. So what's the problem? Choose the one that pays the most and move on, right? Wrong. If you don't take time to evaluate the offers, you could find yourself searching for a job again in no time.

Assess Your Wants and Needs

First thing that you will need to do is to evaluate your needs and which of these offers fits your situation the best. It may be time well spent to plan out a strategy to evaluate the offers.

Exercise

Put together a spreadsheet with the company names across the top. Down the left side of the page list your values and needs. Under each company's name assign a score from one to 10 for each of the following as appropriate for you:

1. Security: Have you been laid off? Are you looking for a home with a solid company?

2. Balance: If you have a family or outside life, you may not be interested in working 60 hours a week. Rank the importance of job and your personal situation.

3. Job Satisfaction: You probably want to feel your work means something in the bigger picture, that you are contributing and making a difference.

4. Location: This goes hand-in-hand with balance. If you have to spend three to four hours a day commuting, it will mean time spent away from your interests or family. Telecommuting a couple of days a week may be a possibility.

5. Salary and Benefits: These are certainly important considerations but are they as important as some of the other values? You want to be paid what you are worth, but would you be willing to negotiate to get some of your other needs met?

After totaling the columns compare total scores. The totals may reveal that although one of the companies offers more money, the risks are higher and the time away from your “life” may not be worth the extra dollars. Your priorities will affect your decision. The decision will be about priorities and values – and where you are in your career and life.

There are always variables that cannot be predicted when accepting an offer, but using an analytical approach the decision can be more objective. Making a bad decision can result in your being miserable and feeling unfulfilled, but unable to leave because you have only been in the job for a few months. It's always best to evaluate any offer, but if there is more than one offer to choose from -- it is essential.



Why Some People Always Succeed At Work



Some people always seem to get faster promotions, make more money and generally stand out on the job, in any economy.

Why is that?



While there's no one thing that will guarantee career success for everyone, there are three things you can start doing today to make yourself more valuable -- to any employer, in any industry.

Here they are:


1. Add Value

"Adding value is the single most powerful personal attribute you can possess," says Les McKeown, President & CEO of success-at-work.com and author of numerous books on career achievement.

Did you ever hand a job or task to someone, knowing you would have to go back over it once they finished, to fix the inevitable errors and generally "mop up" after them?

"People who add value are just the opposite. You *know* when you give them a task that it will be completed on time, the way you want it, with no loose ends or unfinished parts," says McKeown.

However, really successful "value adders" see the completion of an allocated task as only the starting point.

Maybe it's by turning an event into a process. Example: not just clearing up a filing mess, but putting a filing system in place to avoid future backlogs.

"In whatever form it shows itself, naturally successful people consistently and appropriately add value -- all the time," says McKeown.


2. Become an Expert

A sure-fire way to increase your value on the job is to keep learning. This can be as complex as getting your MBA or as simple as reading a book every week.

Whatever you do to increase your expertise, make sure your boss knows about it! Completing training, such as Microsoft's MCSE certification, can make it more likely that you'll be rewarded appropriately in your next
performance review.

Here's an example from the field of medicine.

I'm told the average doctor makes $160,000 per year. Not bad. But I know a liver specialist in Michigan who makes $500,000 and lives in a house the size of an airplane hanger. He's a recognized expert. And he's rewarded appropriately.

What subject can you become an expert in for your employer?


3. Be There Every Day
Can 80% of success really come just from showing up, to paraphrase Woody Allen?

In the minds of many, the answer is "yes!"

"I still remember my first promotion with a mixture of pride and amusement," says McKeown.

"I was a young kid back in Ireland, and I had a paper-route before school. I needed the money and never missed a morning."

"After 3 months, the owner pulled me aside and said: 'Les, I'm going on vacation for three weeks. I want you to be in charge. I'll give you an extra five shillings every week.'"

When McKeown asked his manager why he had been chosen over older, more-experienced newsboys, he got this reply: "Simple. You're always there. That means more to me than anything else. I wanted piece of mind on
vacation. I knew you'd be there every morning."

Are you THERE every day for your employer? If so, you may find your steady presence makes you more valuable than less-dependable co-workers.

By adding value, becoming an expert, and "being there" every day, you can make yourself indispensable to any employer. Which can lead to faster promotions, keys to the executive washroom -- whatever it is that defines
career success for you.

Best of luck to you


Answering Questions of Salary


You want a higher salary in your next job, right?

Yet, you're worried about discussing salary, right?

Kevin Donlin
If you're like most people, you answered, "yes" to both questions.

Let's face it, discussing salary is a touchy subject in any job interview-- what if you ask for too much or not enough?

Here's how you can navigate the salary question and position yourself to make more money, before and during the job interview.

First, when replying to classified ads that ask for salary requirements or a salary history, I advise you NOT to answer directly. Because, in my view, any answer will hurt your chances.

Remember that a typical classified ad can produce hundreds of resumes. And a fast way to make that pile smaller is to weed out applicants who are either too expensive (over-qualified) or too cheap (under-qualified).

So, in your cover letter, I would simply say: "My salary requirements are negotiable." This shows you've read the ad, but are choosing to dodge the issue. Most HR professionals and hiring managers I've talked to won't take offense. On the contrary, it gives them one LESS reason NOT to call you.

What about salary questions in the interview? These require advance planning.

You can say: "Well, I'd like to make as much as other employees with my qualifications." (Here you can repeat 2-3 of your most valuable skills or achievements, just to remind them how qualified you are.) Then add: "And what is a typical salary for this position?"

Another strategy is to avoid a specific salary ... and name a pay range instead. Say: "I was thinking of a salary in the $25,000 to $35,000 range," (with $25,000 being the lowest amount you'd accept). That way, you can name
a higher figure, if they try to pin you down, yet still be able to retreat to a point that satisfies you.

Finally, information is power here. If you can back your salary request with a list of average salaries you've obtained from the Internet or from phone calls, you'll enjoy greater leverage in your negotiations.


6 Steps to a Job Search Action Plan



Has it been a while since you planned a job search? Or maybe it's your first time? At the outset, looking for a new job can seem like an enormous task. But if you break the job search down into simple steps, you'll be signing that employment offer in no time.

Use this helpful six-step framework to guide your job search action plan:

* Key Tips on Researching Companies before the Interviews Begin
* Surviving and Thriving in a Tough Job Market: Top Ten To-Dos to Be Your Best
* Surviving and Thriving in a Tough Job Market: Acing the Interviews
* Resume Makeovers: How to Stand out from the Crowd
* Get Results with Your Cover Letter
* "Decoding the Interview and Evaluation Process"
* "Ten Executives Discuss What They’re Looking for When They Interview Candidates"
* "What to Say When It’s Your Turn to Ask Questions in an Interview"
* "Seven Tips for Smarter Compensation Negotiation"
* "Keeping Up Your Job Search Momentum"
* Networking Channel
* The WetFeet Insider Guide to Negotiating Your Salary and Perks

RECOMMENDED RESOURCES

* BusinessWeek Online
* Fortune
* Working Mother
* Forb

The start of any good job search begins with a thorough self-assessment. Looking for a new job is a great opportunity to realign your goals-and it's up to you to articulate exactly what those goals are.

Start by asking yourself these questions and spend some time reflecting on the answers:

* What are my values? Deep down, what guides me as I make my decisions? Is it a need to make a difference or make big bucks, be the center of attention or help others?
* What are my priorities and objectives for the next few years? What about five years from now?
* What are my core strengths?
* What provides meaning in my life? What is my purpose?
* Where does work fit into my vision of life?


Preparation Vs. Performance

Preparation is the name of the game.

Your performance in any area of your life depends on how much preparation went into it. The high achievers are all those who have done all their homework and prepared well. You need to shine and polish up your act for it to run together smoothly and captivate your targeted audience. Here are 12 power steps to boost up your performance

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Work on your strengths
*

Counter all objections
*

Answer all questions
*

Minimize all risks.
*

Accept all responsibility
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Make it simple,
*

Make it easy.
*

Make it quick
*

Visualize all possible scenarios, and counter each one of them successfully.
*

Be your own first customer and review the service as a client to rate how well you do it and how you can improve it.
*

Keep editing, keep reviewing, keep polishing, keep correcting until it is flawless.
*

Get feedback from your clients and make improvements as needed.

These basic guidelines can serve you in almost any scenario. For instance if you are applying for jobs: Read Powerful Interview Tips For Your Dream Job

If you have a business, again how well you do depends on your preparation:

*

Prepare your product to perfection
*

Prepare your sales copy
*

Prepare your customer service
*

Get feedback from your customers
*

Do everything for customer satisfaction.
*

Go the extra mile.


How to Find Your Dream Career Articles

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How to Find Your Dream Career
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The High Way to Your Dream Career
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From Dreams to Realization - 5 Steps to Your dream Career
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So You Know What Your Dream Career is
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Your First Step to your dream career
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Taking the First Step
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How do you know that your dream career is right for you?
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Will You Succeed at your dream career
*

Moving Forward in Your Career of Choice
*

Personal Development For Career Change
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Behavior Modification & Your Dream Career
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The Power of Positive Expectations For Career Success
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Unleash the Power of Attraction For Your Dream Job
*

Powerful Interview Tips For Your Dream Job
*

Overcome the Fear of Risk Taking for Career Success.
*

Setting Career Milestones
*

7 Tips For a Successful Career Search
*

Mid Life Career Change
*

7 Steps to your Dream Job
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Resume Cover Letter, Resignation Letters & Interview Question Samples
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Read More Career Inspiring Articles



Your performance is directly proportional to your preparation. Remember genius is 99% hard work and 1% inspiration. The more you prepare , the better you will perform.

Here is a piece of caution though: Don't just get bogged down in the minute of preparation... your primary goal is to get your career off the ground and make it successful in the shortest possible time. So set realistic time lines for each of your preparatory stages, and remember polishing, perfecting and growing is something that you keep on doing forever... By adjusting your sails as the wind blows. So Prepare. Practice. Rehearse. Get started. Get feedback. Adjust.